Setting Up Transition Area

REMEMBER – Parents ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE TRANSITION AREA. Your child will have to set up their gear by themselves. There will be official race volunteers available if a child needs help.

Your Location

• Coach your child to get familiar with the transition area  and remember where their spot is. Remind them to find landmarks they can refer to later.

Set Up Your Gear for T1 and T2

• Space is limited. Bring only what is necessary.
• Lay your items on an open towel so you can stand on it and wipe your feet clean and dry while putting on your helmet.
• Open the straps on your bike helmet.
• Clothing and socks don't go well onto wet bodies, so roll your socks down to the toes to put them on easier. Do the same with sleeves or other clothing you might put on.
• Set the socks in your shoes. Don’t leave them loose to get lost.
• Attach the race number to the bike frame, helmet and the clothing you'll be wearing for the bike and/or run. Don't fold or cut it.
• Hang your helmet straps unclipped on your bike.
• If you’re going to wear them put your sunglasses into the helmet with arms open so you can put the glasses on first, then the helmet.
• Have a water bottle for rinsing your feet after the swim; you may want some sips during the transition, too.
• If using a hydration belt, have the bottles filled and any energy food loaded.
• If the weather if questionable, cover the gear with plastic.

Tip: Use a 5-gallon bucket as your transition bag—you can turn it upside down and use it as a stool for changing shoes.

Setting Up the Bike

• Make sure your bike is racked so it comes off easily. You can rack your bike so the front is pointed out by hanging it from it’s seat. It allows quicker exits and better visibility. This method is shown below. Note how close together bikes might be. Transition areas are crowded.

 

• If using gloves, attach them to the handlebar with their hook-and-loop straps.
• Make sure water bottles are filled with water or a nutrition drink and pull the spout open so it's ready to use.
• Put the bike in a low gear for starting out.

Extras

• An indelible marker (for writing your race number on your arm and leg).
• A few band-aids and a travel-size antiseptic.
• Waterproof sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more (use SPF 50 if you're sun sensitive).
• Lip balm.
• Tape for putting race number on bike.
• Duct tape—it can always come in handy.
• Safety pins for your number if you don't use a race belt.
• Toilet paper—with lots of people using portable toilets, the toilet paper tends to run out.

Preparing Yourself

• Put the timing chip on your left leg—on the right leg it could catch on the bike gears.
• Stay warm and hydrated.
• Transition areas can get hectic during a race so make sure you know the flow of swim in, bike out, bike in and run out.
• Put on the swim cap and goggles and adjust them to fit.