Has anyone race with two transition areas. I might do one next year and that’s how it’s set up. Any advice?
Typically you have to bag everything up in T1 so they can take it to the finish (which is most often near T2). Plan to travel light so you have less junk to have to stuff into a bag. If you normally have a reasonably minimal transition setup it is not a big deal, but the folks that feel like they need a box to sit on and a bucket to dip their feet in will have a problem.
You won’t be able to lay out your T2 gear, it’ll all just be stuffed in your bag (by you) so the less gear you have in there, the easier it’ll be to grab what you need. Also make sure you remember to include your run nutrition in the bag.
I was a bit skeptical of 2 different transitions before my first one, but I’ve since done a few races like that and everything has gone off without a glitch.
I’ve done a few. It makes for a different and interesting race. I never had a problem…but watched other people forget things which they left at T2 (which was about 2k away from T1 by the water). Just make sure you go through and pay attention to the details of what you want at T1 and what you want at T2. Also if you get your swim cap, timing chip etc at T2 make sure you take it with you to the swim start…I saw people get to the water and they had forgot to bring their goggles, chip etc.
Each race is a bit different in the way they handle two transition areas. In Vineman you set up T2 the night before at an assigned rack space. Other races, you just get a bag to put your stuff in. Like others said, just go through everything you need the day before and separate out what you need at the swim start, what you need at T1 and what you need at T2. Try to leave everything else, like your sweats you wear the morning of the race, in the car. It really helps to have support crew for these races too.
because t1 and t2 are miles apart how do the athletes get to the race start? is transportation usually given by the race organizer?
The local Olympic race has 2 separate transition areas. T-2 is about 1.5 miles away from T-1/Start/Finish. We are required to set up T-2 the day before the race.
Try to keep your set-up to a minimum - Shoes, race belt, nutrition, visor. Most of us bring an old door mat or trim a piece to carpet to lay down. Our T-2 is also on dirt. I put my stuff in a simple nylon bag with a drawstring (probably doesn’t do any good for small bugs/critters - but it keeps anything large from nesting in your shoes overnight.). The RD claims that they have overnight security at T-2 so no one cleans the place out of nice new running shoes.
The only drawback to me is having to lug my tired body back to T-2 to
pick up my bike. Also, the bike is my weakest event, so by the time I
get to T-2, the racks are getting full. Remember where you put your
stuff at - it will save you 30 seconds of looking around.
It seems that most races provide transportation back to T1 after the race. Sometimes that includes your bike and sometimes not. If the later, then you have to go back, get your car and drive back to T2 to get your bike.
Giving rides back to T1 is less of a bottleneck (and probably cheaper to hire drivers) than getting everyone to the start at 6 AM.
I don’t mind 2 transition areas as long as the race people do NOT take my bike back to the finish or such. I will not let anyone transport my bike…NO one touches my bike!! : )
As stated previously, pack light. Don’t take the kitchen sink to T2!!!
If you want to do a run warm up make sure you have an extra pair of running shoes. I usually use a really old pair and then leave them in the trash after the warm up.