Florida turned out to be triathlon's speedway as Andrew Starykowicz lowered his Ironman distance bike split record there to within 2:17 of the 4 hour barrier while Yvonne Van Vlerken post the best women's Ironman bike split of 2013 with a 4:35:49 mark. Crashes threatened Camilla Pedersen's life, concussed Meredith Kessler and sidelined Richie Cunningham for a critical part of the season. An improving Mirinda Carfrae finally broke 5 hours on the bike at Kona - a critical element in her race-smashing overall performance. And thankfully thousands of triathletes came back healthy from enjoyable races and training rides.

All photographs © Timothy Carlson

Andrew Starykowicz led much of the early miles at Kona but saved his best for a record 4:02:17 bike split at IM Florida.

Ryan Ignatz rides through a copse of aspens at XTERRA Beaver Creek.

Ironman 70.3 U.S. champion Kevin Collington rides above Boulder on Olde Stage Road.

The Israman bike course offers some steep climbs on the Israel-Egypt border.

Two friends enjoy the Israman bike course together.

Joe Gambles rides above Lake Nacimiento at Wildflower.

Jesse Thomas rides to his third straight victory at Wildflower.

Matt Chrabot leads a pack of riders at the San Diego round of the World Triathlon Series.

Huge chase pack aims at a small breakaway at San Diego WTS.

Liz Blatchford prepares for Kona on Boulder's country roads.

Lisa Norden rides up Olde Stage Road at Boulder 5i50.

Melissa Hauschildt rides past red barn on her way to a win at Boulder 70.3

Trevor Delsaut rides Cozumel at sunset.

Pacific Grove's beautiful bike course.

2011 Ironman 70.3 World Champion Craig Alexander fights the rain on an off day in 2013.

2012 Olympic runner up Lisa Norden takes her 4-minute bike leg penalty at Las Vegas with good grace.

Fast action at sunset as Laurent Vidal rides in the San Diego Super Sprint in April.

Josiah Middaugh passes Richard Murray at the XTERRA World Championship in Maui.

CU sophomore Rudy van Berg rides Neva Road in December.

Ryan and Maia Ignatz ride a trail at Dakota Ridge in Boulder.