Tips for an Xterra noob

[SWM1]

Tomorrow is my first Xterra (Grabouw) and I'm going alone.

 

Does anyone have any tips regarding the transition area?

 

1. What should I take in there?

2. Is it safe to leave your cap and sunglasses etc next to your bike while your doing the swim?

3. Ideally, what is really necessary in the transition area?

4. Where can any other stuff/clothes be stored?

5. Is the transition area far from the start and finish of the swim? I will have to get there and back without my glasses - without which I'm practically blind!

6. Ideally, how long before the time should you start setting up?

 

Sorry if these seem silly, but I'm flying blind here.

 

Any other tips are welcome, thanks!

[Robrider]

I haven't done Grabouw, so I can't comment on the distances etc, but these would be my tips.

 

Have a towel laid down with your kit on half, and fold the other half over to cover everything and keep it clean and dry. It should be safe, but if its not visible I think that helps. Then have another towel to dry yourself off.

Put all your riding stuff together and all your running stuff together, laid out in a way that makes it easy to put on.

Practise your transition tonight at least twice. Even if you not going to win the race, it will help settle the nerves and make sure you haven't forgotten anything.

Note, clothes stick when you try and put them on while wet. I didn't have full tri gear, so had to put on socks and a shirt and the shirt did stick a bit.

 

For me my kit was

T1:

Cycling shirt with food (gus) in pocket)

Socks

Shoes

Helmet

Glasses

Towel

Bike had tools and water on it

 

T2:

Shoes with quick laces

Cap

 

Spare water bottle wouldn't be a bad idea.

[BlinkFan]

Tomorrow is my first Xterra (Grabouw) and I'm going alone.

 

Does anyone have any tips regarding the transition area?

 

1. What should I take in there? Towel folded to a quarter. Bike, helmet, shoes. Put your bottles in the cages. No camelbak needed for the 13km, and there is a waterpoint halfway. Put your cycling shoes and socks and running shoes on the towel. Helmet clipped on the bike. Race belt with number clipped on. If you dont have a race belt, get a long elastic band. Cap and sunglasses. Any food you might need. For the Lite you only need a gel or two depending on your fitness level. Remember a spare water bottle to was your feet with as they will be full of sand and gras when coming out the water.

2. Is it safe to leave your cap and sunglasses etc next to your bike while your doing the swim? Yes. Maybe put your glasses in a container just to be safe. I've done many triathlons and have never had an issue where someone took my stuff en trampled on anything.

3. Ideally, what is really necessary in the transition area?

4. Where can any other stuff/clothes be stored? They mentioned that there is a secure togbag storage area.

5. Is the transition area far from the start and finish of the swim? I will have to get there and back without my glasses - without which I'm practically blind! About 150-200m walk/run. First 50m is on the sand with some rocks to be carefull. Then it's all on grass. Just remember exactly where you put your bike ;-)

6. Ideally, how long before the time should you start setting up? Be there atleast 60min before your start.

 

Sorry if these seem silly, but I'm flying blind here.

 

Any other tips are welcome, thanks!

[Swim.Bike.Run]

Your stuff should be reasonably safe in the transition area.

Remember sunblock, I apply before the swim and then again in T2 (before you go on the run again).

Robrider basically covered everything you must have, remember less is more, BUT take your bike tool, bombs, spares (tube, valves, patch), etc, you don't want to be stranded.

 

Rather be there a bit earlier and be relaxed at the start.

 

This is your 1st tri, don't be to stressed/pressured, try and enjoy all of it.

[Robrider]

Oh ya, good point. The one thing I forgot...

 

When you get there find your place and set up, then take 10 minutes and go to the swim exit, and how to find your bike from there, and where to take your bike to the bike start. And then like wise, where you will be coming back in, how to get to your stuff, and where the run route starts.

 

The transition area can have 3 or 4 gates for the different legs. It's best to make sure you can find your stuff when you come from different sides.

[Ratty]

I'm also a complete noob to Xterra and know 2 others doing their first so think there will be a few of us running around before the start looking like we don't know what the hell to do :-)

[Red Zone]

I'm also a complete noob to Xterra and know 2 others doing their first so think there will be a few of us running around before the start looking like we don't know what the hell to do :-)

Save the running for the last leg , have fun, weather looks great

[Red Zone]

The Caveman has some really great stuff on his website about Xterra Grabouw, go there and get some tips from the legend. No one knows this stuff and that course better

 

http://www.conradstoltz.com/