Catch up with Ruth Astle!

We recently checked in with Parcours triathlete Ruth Astle to find out what she’s up to during the 2023 season, how her winter training went and what she thinks of her Parcours wheelsets!

What does your race calendar look like this year?

I haven’t fully planned out my race calendar yet, but I have the WTS long distance championship in Ibiza May 7th, then challenge Roth 25th June. After that I’m not sure what I will race in my build up to Kona, but likely a couple of PTO races or 70.3 races.


How has training gone this winter?

Training was going really well this winter and I had a super consistent block until mid March, when I tweaked my calf a bit. So it hasn’t been that consistent from then but my swim and biking has been progressing well, and the calf seems to have chilled out a bit, so looking forward to a good build towards Roth.


How many hours on average do you train a week and what proportion of these are on the bike?

On average I train 25-30 hours a week, and spend 17-20 of that on the bike (unless the weather is terrible it would be closer to 15 if I'm doing some sessions inside)

Do you always cycle on the road or do you like to mix it up with other disciplines?

I like to mix up my riding, with a bit of gravel, and a bit of mtb (still v much a beginning on the mtb!). I love being on the gravel bike but it does rely on the weather being good so it isn’t too muddy!


What race are you most looking forward to this year?

I am so excited for Challenge a Roth - the start list is absolutely insane, and it is just the best atmosphere at a race I have ever been to (I raced as an age grouper in 2019). I am also soo looking forward to Kona again, because it is such a big race, although I think the atmosphere will be very different this year without the men.


How have you found your Parcours wheels so far?

So far the wheels have been great! I have just been riding the chrono wheels as I’ve been training around my race in Gran Canaria, and I’m lucky enough to be on the nice roads in Mallorca now, but they handle really nicely and feel fast!


How did you get into triathlon?

I got into triathlon at the end of 2013 through work - I was training for Berlin marathon and they had a charity spot for the London triathlon so I thought I’d give it a go. I then signed up to my local tri club for the social side of things and it went from there!


What ride is top of your bucket list?

Ahhh not sure there is one ride they is top of my bucket list - definitely want to do some of the more adventure style gravel rides across some beautiful places, and would love to do some of the big American gravel races at some point too.

We’re looking forward to following Ruth's racing throughout 2021! You can follow her on Instagram here.