So, this weekend will be my first tri on the new season and I’m really pumped to get back into racing. This is my second season in the sport and last year the two races I competed in were in the summer. The race is only a sprint, but the weather forecast is calling for rain with a high of 45. I already paid the entry fee and have a hotel so I’m not gonna skip it. What do you guys think I should wear to keep warm, tights, long sleeve bike jersey? Is it worth being warm, or should suck it up and have a much faster T1?
Keep the wetsuit on until T2…
What is the water temp?
Sorry I forgot to mention its a pool swim, I’m just worried about trying to race in the rain, and <45 degrees, and already being wet from the swim.
Well, this isn’t going to win you any style points, but I would put on a beanie under the helmet, a cycling jacket, and gloves. I wouldn’t do the tights as they would take forever to get on while wet. I would also probably switch out my pedals for regular platform pedals and just bike in my running shoes. The horror…
Good luck.
Any other tips from the slow twitch brain trust to keep me from freezing my balls off?
I’ve done one of those races…once.
None of your clothing will go on easily when you are wet so plan accordingly. Also if it is forecast for rain your clothes and gear will be getting wet while you are inside doing the swim, perhaps bring whatever clothes you plan to ride in to the pool and put them on before you go outside to T1. The beanie suggestion is good or try for a cycling cap with a visor as riding at race speed into a driving rain can be no fun as well. If you do the platform pedal and running shoe setup on the bike be prepared to run in wet shoes as they will get wet on the bike.
On the upside I found the 40 deg. temps to be not nearly as bad as I anticipated. I would rather race in cooler/rain than extreme heat and humidity anyday. YMMV. Good luck and have fun.