| Team chemistry is essential in this sport. Here's a little advice on choosing teammates:
Under ideal circumstances, you and your teammates would be of similar skill level and speed (that's ideal, but sometimes the available pool of candidates doesn't give you that many choices so you have to compromise). Sure, its great to have diverse technical skill sets to give you that competitive edge, But... Of most importance is a mutual understanding at the very beginning what everyone's attitude and goals are - are you more concerned about having fun and not concerned about time and place? Are you really interested in placing as high as your team can? Are you out to win at any cost? Someone who is concerned about times and placings is going to be stressed and unhappy with a teammate who doesn't share that urgency and vice versa. I'll confess, I've dreamed of recruiting someone as strong as Lance Armstrong on the bike, until I remind myself even Lance would eventually get sick and tired of pulling my sorry butt around the countryside.
Be open and honest with each other about your attitudes and goals going into the race. These races can be very challenging physically and mentally. Your interpersonal team dynamic can raise you above it all. Or, (worst case) your team cooperation disintegrates and all of the fun and satisfaction may evaporate. Please keep it fun.
Best of luck,
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