T1

That is a Caparo T1. Who knew? But here we are speaking about another kind of T1. Transition 1. It's how we get from the swim to the bike. As with most things a straight line is usually the quickest. I have a few tips for this too:

• no speaking in T1
• once out the water, start running smoothly
• practise where to run beforehand (things look different while dizzy and surrounded by spectators)
• whilst running unzip your wetsuit and strip it down to your waist
• have a focus point for finding your bike (you obviously practised this before the race start)
• take swim cap and goggles off as you zero in on your bike
• once you find your bike take off your wetsuit. No need to stress at this point.
• do not make sandwiches in T1
• helmet, sunglasses on
• socks and shoes on OR no socks and leave shoes on the bike if you are brave
• race belt on
• GO!!

Make sure you practise everything beforehand, unless you like surprises. Common faux pas:

• bike shoes pre-attached to cleats detach during spectacular mounts onto the bike
• swim cap and goggles left under helmet
• helmet on backwards
• helmet can't clip
• things fall off the bike as you remove it from its position
• bike in too big a gear
• putting on a dry tri-top while wet is impossible
• racenumber pinned through tritop
• someone else's bike

As your brain goes fuzzy from the water and from being horisontal for so long, keep things simple. My mantra is :"helmet, glasses, shoes, socks, go!"

Go get 'em tigers,
~RobbyRicc