What’s the best rack to snag when Transition opens? (assume there’s 1 entry, 1 exit at either ends of the racks)
My strategy:
I hop out of my bike shoes before the dismount, so I’m running thru in barefeet for both T1 and T2 - makes sense to get a rack near the run exit, eh? I also like to grab an aisle spot.
Your strategy?
Rack spaces are assigned according your bib number, you don’t get to pcik your spot. Tim
Ah - yes - in more civilized races. Sorry… I should’ve specified local sprints and the like…where any rack is fair game.
If the event is small, then it doesn’t matter (6 of one half a dozen of the other). Tim
I always try to get a spot on the end of the rack closest to the aisle where you’re running in or out. I prefer something closest to the bike exit/entry. If they’re on opposite sides, then obviously in the middle. Of course at IM’s, they assign you a rack space.
Since i run in my bike shoes, i pick the closest available spot to the bike exit (aisleway also). This way i do minimal running in my bike shoes (leaving and entering the TZ). Once i’m in my running shoes, it doesn’t matter how far the run to the exit is, because the total distance is the same. So might as well run in something that i will have less of a chance of injuring my foot (sharp objects).
As long as its an end spot it doesn’t really matter for me. I actually like being on the otherside of the bike exit so my legs have time to not feel wierd from being in a wetsuit. Time wise i’m normally in the top 10 for both so i could care less either way.
Grant
It depends, for me anyway.
Sometimes there is no choice as others have mentioned. For the first come first serve races, it still depends on the race. What I mean is if leaving T1 there is a hill or some reason I would rather put on bike shoes first then run the bike out then for sure would want to be near the bike exit. I’ve not mastered the flying mount. I am comfortable with shoes already clipped in and can slide my feet in but it still depends on the venue. Some races I think I’m a little quicker when I can start spinning right away instead of the extra time to get into the shoes while riding. This of course takes practice, and will get faster with time. Because I have to essentially stop to get on the bike I think I’m faster if I already have my shoes on. If I ever master the flying mount, then I’m sure my plans would change.
Thanks all for your input. I snagged an aisle spot this morning close to the bike exit at my home-town sprint. <yesss!>
…And for the 2nd year in a row, I returned to check things 10min prior to the gun and my bike was moved over 2 spots. WTF?
oh well…it’s a local race…who cares. It was probably moved by one of the yokels who was hanging-out riding far-left all morning.
depends on a lot of things probably, for me I put on and take off my cycling shoes on the bike and I’m hoping to minimize my time running with the bike in transition.
-spot closest to the bike exit/bike in
-bike racked so that when I get to it I’m on the right side of the bike (side that I run better with the bike) so that I can take it off the rack and get runing without any flipping the bike around.
-bike racked on a rack that has an easy out to the transition exit, ie not a ton of turns or bumps on the way out out
-bike racked on a fast running route through transition (if there are a ton of racks like at bigger races)
-if I’m late getting to a race then whatever rack I can find that’s closest to the above…
The above is probably assuming you transition fairly fast as the spots near the transition exit are also the highest traffic areas.
shoes and glasses on on the bike, helmet ready to go sometimes with helmet straps taped in place so it’s easier to get on… depends on the helmet here…
you hit on one of my biggest TZ pet peeves. Who do these people think they are that they can show up with almost no time left to go to race start…bitch at everyone and their brother for not helping them get to the start faster…and in doing so…move you out of the prime spot on the rack…because…well…it’s the best spot on the rack? I’ve learned to make friends not only with the governing body officials but the race crew as well. Haven’t had someone mess with my bike since.
The best rack in transition?
I’d tell you, but my wife would cut off something that I find very valuable.