Triathlon Transition Set Up

Managing the Transition

The transition area at a triathlon can look intimidating and confusing but it's really not that bad. Here's how you can make transition more manageable especially if you are new to triathlon

In the morning, before the race, you will set up your transition area.

When you check in, the race directors will let you know if you have a designated area or if it is “first come, first serve”.

​Typically your space will correlate to your race number. So you walk into the transition area and you will look for your number–typically a sticker stuck on the racks. (racks meaning bike racks where you will hang your bike). This is where you will set up.

Below are a few things you can do to make your transition as seamless as possible.

Triathlon Transitions Simplified

Rule #1
Don’t spread your stuff all over the place. Space is tight…be courteous of your neighbors.

So first things first, place your bike on your rack. Typically, you rack your bike by the nose of your saddle. Now that your hands are free from holding your bike, start to unpack your transition bag.

Make yourself 2 different piles….1 for T1 and the 2nd for T2.


Rule #2
“Pre Race Pile” = Swim stuff.

Pile 1 is for T1 = Bike stuff.

Pile 2 is for T2 = Run stuff.

Keep bike stuff separate from run stuff.

Your pre-race pile which will likely include your race swim cap, goggles, Tri Slide / body glide (to prevent wetsuit chaffing) and your wetsuit.

Typically, you will wear the clothes that you will bike & run in under your wetsuit (tri top and tri shorts). 
​

PILE 1

• Helmet
• Shoes
• Socks (if you wear them)
• Sunglasses (you can rest them inside your helmet to protect them)
• Race number (attached to a race belt if you use one)
• Gel or nutrition that isn’t attached to your bike that you plan to use
• Small towel (optional, to wipe your feet clean before you put your shoes on..they will be wet from the water)
• Chamois creme–(optional–you can slather it in your shorts (on your private areas) to prevent chaffing from the bike saddle)

PILE 2

• Run sneakers
• Hat or visor
• Socks if you wear them
• Gel or nutrition you plan to carry
• Water bottle/fuel belt (optional)

Rule #3

Do NOT wear your BIKE shorts while you swim. The pad (chamois - pronounced: shammy) is like a diaper and will fill up with water. It will be a big mess for you when you try to run.

Instead, wear Tri Shorts (or a tri suit). Triathlon shorts have a low profile pad that will wick the water away from your skin. If you do not have a wetsuit, you can swim in a bathing suit or your “Tri shorts/top”.

IF you wear a bathing suit, then you will probably want to have tri shorts and a top to put on in T1 (on top of your bathing suit. No nudity in transition). However, it's very uncomfortable to run in a bathing suit later on in the race….and it's illegal to strip down naked in T1 to put on dry clothes.

Ironman is different because they usually have a changing tent. 

After the race, you will go back to transition and collect your belongings.