Transition From The Swim To Bike Faster | Top T1 Tips

[@gtn]

What has your experience with transitions been like? What tips did we forget to mention? Let us know! 💬

[@JamesJones-uu7ou]

My friend took 8 minutes at T1 in his latest one

[@andrewmcalister3462]

Totally agree about not being frantic. Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.

[@JimCullen]

I've never done a tri that required a race number on the bike, but if I did, I would be keeping my race number _in_ my helmet. That way you could never forget it, because you'll see it and be reminded to put it on when you go to grab your helmet.

[@JimCullen]

To clarify, I mean I've never been required to _wear_ a race number on the bike. Usually the race number goes on the bike itself or on the helmet, or as a temporary tattoo on the arm.

[@Jon-lf2dj]

@@JimCullen Some races require the bib number on the bike (ex. IMWC used to, Roth still does), but most don't. For the numbers that go on the bike/helmet, a good tip is to stick the numbers to the back of painters/masking tape and then stick the number on using the adhesive side of the tape. they stay on, but are easily removed post-race with no gummy residue to deal with.

[@JimCullen]

@@Jon-lf2dj oooh that _is_ a good tip, I might try it in my next race! I usually just make sure to take them off _immediately_ post-race, which I find usually works pretty well, but the longer you take to get to it the more likely it tears and leaves paper residue.

[@lizzobeach5179]

My add: I take my goggles and cap off before slipping my arm out so I can leave them in the wet suit arm as I take it off.

[@nickc4716]

Yes

[@PhilDowson-hq3dj]

I love this tip as well, mainly because it means I can't lose them in transition where there isn't a bag like in IM events

[@MrMeowNow]

Doing my first triathlon (ironman 70.3 Boulder) in June.... no practice needed... will figure out things as I go:) YOLO Not even planning on running in transitions, what is the point of running like crazy, you might save 30 sec by running... In general it wont matter! Its not like most people are trying to qualify to Kona. Just take your time, this way you wont forget anything....

[@Aeronwor]

Getting transition right can save more time than you would by smashing yourself in the swim. But not as much as getting your tire pressure wrong and having an inner tube pop while you're swimming :) .

[@prestonwalther6609]

As a coach, official and athlete I teach several transition clinics every year. I always tell my athletes to put their race number bib on in T2: I have seen so many bibs on the bike course that have torn away and this can create problems down course and makes for difficulty in removing the bike after the race especially if there is no body marking as has been the case since the pandemic.

[@WalzySZN]

sand between toes is the worst. or being dizzy from swimming and running all over transition zone trying to find your bags

[@Jon-lf2dj]

Try earplugs during the swim to help prevent dizziness when standing up and running into T1.

[@lizzobeach5179]

I hate sand. I have a small water bottle and towel in T1 to clean my feet off.

[@igoryan1111]

I never practice them and lose a lot of time in T1. Decided to solve the problem this year by signing up for a full IM.

[@msmsharji]

My add: instead of clipping the race belt while trying not to forget anything else. Just where it overhead down to your waistline and off you go. Much faster imo

[@martinp1837]

I have clipped shoes on the bike but it's not for the flying mount it's just to avoid running in them so scared to twist an ankle with the cycling shoes

[@mkud1984]

MTB shoes (Shimano SPD). Makes your cycling/transition so much easier!

[@Jon-lf2dj]

Great tips. Another is to place your helmet upside down on your handlebars, with the straps out and the tail pointing away from you. That way you can just grab it and plop it on your head in one smooth motion.

[@paulglover5359]

I've definitely started in the wrong gear, and of course, it was on a hill... It's good to know it looked as bad as it felt 😆 🤣 😂

[@TriStruggleBus]

I disagree with the shoes. Been to some races where you have quite uneven ground to walk on out of T1. Walking in cleats is probably the closest us men get to wearing heels and rough terrain makes that just worse. I vote for clipped in shoes, barefoot run, just skip the flying mount. Push your bike across the line, then swing your leg over like you normally would and go.

[@mkud1984]

or switch to MTB shoes

[@TriStruggleBus]

@@mkud1984 short course I’d argue for running shoes. Personally I’d probably draw the line at about Olympic Distance, at or below which I can comfortably get away with in running shoes. Saves time in T2.

[@Aeronwor]

@@TriStruggleBus I've done an off road sprint disance triathlon in running shoes and I hated not having my feet fixed to the bike. But running in shoes with SPD cleats is fine, even on uneven ground.

[@andyshaw5378]

I have a bright baseball cap that I run in. This goes on the seat or handle bars so that my bike stands out compared with all the others.

[@keithdoran89]

I’ve worn my race belt and number under my wetsuit during the swim.

[@mikecanul]

Omg this video was great

[@yoshidanoboru6037]

#gtncoachescorner I have read a bit about breathing techniques (Wim Hof and James Nestor). Is there anything an age group triathlete can learn from this to help with performance?

[@EStobbart]

I don't know if anyone else has experienced this but for junior races it is actually not allowed to wear cleats through transition (safety reasons) so if you want to wear cleats you have to clip them to your bike and do some kind of flying mount.

[@julianscoffield9464]

I think that tying a bright red helium balloon with a really long string attached to a magnet near my bike, really helped me to spot where my bike was located.

[@PureNRG2]

Was that a Belinda toot or a James raspberries when she mounted her bike😆

[@larissadueck2643]

I always struggle getting my arms out of my wetsuit

[@adelaprochazkova7946]

I puked into my mouth at T1 during my first triathlon. What a way to start 😅

[@kerrynball2734]

On my DIY Tri I have to get my bike out of the car and assemble it. That puts a big dent in the time.

[@MarvinNeumannOfficial]

Video comes right in time for me.

[@nickc4716]

Socks in T1 vs T2 does matter. Putting socks on wet feet is more difficult and time consuming. If you cycle bare foot, unless it’s heavily raining, there’s a decent chance your feet will be dry for T2.

[@atlantaswelder]

👏👏

[@alfkh]

yes sam, i rem u building her black & pink bike!

[@ramoncavazos6864]

how do you manage the watch to stay put that is over the wetsuit when youre rushing pulling it off from the sleeves?

[@jamiefuhrman403]

I keep it under the wetsuit. If you really want to see during the swim, pull your sleeve up a touch.

[@iggalan]

I take it off before pulling the sleeve, there’s no way I can put it under. It doesn’t slow me down, I can do it while running to my bike.

[@Jon-lf2dj]

I have the sleeve sit just behind the watch (in my case a clunky Fenix5), so I can start the watch and also hit Lap as I exit the swim. The sleeve/cuff does take a bit of work to get over the watch, but that can be done while running into T1, so no time lost.

[@ramoncavazos6864]

@@jamiefuhrman403but gps would be missed right?