race day logistics (i.e. how to not look like a newb)

Enjoy your first race!

Carry all your stuff in a bag.  I top my tires off when I pull my bike out of my car in the morning and leave the pump in the car.  The bucket thing....I'd stay away from.

I am still in the Newb category so take it for what it is worth.  I try to keep my transition area as simple/compact as possible, and try not to overlap into another person's area.  My wife likes to use the 5 gallon bucket, as she does not want to sit on wet grass, and she does not care if she looks like a newb, cause we still are.  Depending on the race, sometimes the racks will be numbered, and sometimes it will just be a free for all.  There are tons of videos on Youtube about transition area setup.

As far as pumping tires, I usually top em off right before I leave the car.  The only time we were told not to pump them up fully was when we had to rack our bikes the day before and it was in the middle of summer.  The race director said it was common to hear multiple tires his like snakes cause of the heat.  So I drained them a bit, maybe down to 70 and the next morning carried my floor pump back into transition to pump them back up to the recommended psi.

So, when you are there you check out how everyone is setting up their transition area.  I am always afraid I am going to be "the guy" who knocks down a row of very nice expensive bikes.  I am sure that you will always run into someone who gives you the look if you are doing something against the norm, but overall, most are very helpful at races.  See what works, learn and modify for your next race.

Hope that helps.

1. I agree that you should forget about the bucket. Just pack your things in a bag and sit on the ground if you can't get your shoes on while standing.

2. Top off your tires before the swim. It's easiest to do it at the car before you wheel everything over.

3. I did Austin 70.3 last year and it was at least in the 80s, if not pushing 90 by the time I was on the bike. I still topped off my tires in the morning prior to the swim and did not have an issue. I also usually go up to 110 psi, so I would suspect if it were going to be an issue, I would have noticed.

Good luck!

- I carry my stuff in a dive bag (but leave your tanks at home)

- Top off tire at your vehicle and leave your pump there...don't take it to the transition area

Humm... I find it very obvious I have yet to do my first Tri... When you asked the question about the bucket my first thought was, "That's brilliant!  I should do that!"  Guess I won't though...  And honestly it doesn't seem all that necessary.

Since I think your three questions have been answered about 7 times over now, mind if I try and expand the scope of your thread a bit?

Are there any other race day logistics that newbies should know about so they don't look so much like newbies?  Anything you experienced people may have done or thought about doing that you wouldn't do now?

A couple of "don't s" based on things I have seen:

Don't throw your bike on the pavement at the exit of the transition area then run back because you "forgot" something (Seen at a Play-Tri sprint in McKinney Tx)

Don't change out of your wetsuit under a towel into riding clothes-wear something underneath. All that wiggling and grunting on the pavement under a bath towel will surely make you look silly. (seen at The KC Olympic Triathlon-had to cost him 5 or more minutes)

I carry my stuff in a bucket, and then I use it as a seat.  I did my first triathlon in 1985.  I couldn't care less what anyone thinks. 

Bags are for girls.

Everything everyone else said and don't worry about how you look, worry about having fun. It's only your first time once

You'd be amazed how friendly and helpful people will be to you in transition if they know it's your first time.

If you want to look and act like a vet there are two basic rules.  

Rule #1 - stand around and complain about the 150 miles you rode yesterday and the 10 miles you are running tomorrow and use the word "brutal" as much as possible.

Rule #2 - wear Aquasphere goofles

(optional) Rule #3 - whine about how your bike would have been faster if "I had drafted off a guy like some dude drafted off me the whole time"

I thought you had to do flip turns...
  

Also:

Stand on the bank or shore or pool deck staring seriously at the water while rotating your arms in circles.

If there is anything remotely resembling a hill, find a way to refer to it as "epic"

I avoid the bucket and use a backpack.  All things dorky aside, it's a real pain to steer your bike and gear to the transition area.  The backpack (or a bag that you don't need to hold in your arms) is MUCH easier.

I pump at home or at my car, regular pre-ride pressure.

Here's what my transition areas look like, pre-race.  I am neat and fast, so please consider this.

Put your stuff in a small back pack.

Put down a small towel to mark your territory.

Put air in tires, and then put the pump and backpack out of the way.

For a sprint or an olympic, your transition area could be this simple.

That makes you look like a swimmer.

Left Brain - 2012-02-09 3:53 PM You'll notice socks in both pictures.....a sure sign of noobiness.

I never wear them in sprints, but this was an Olympic.  I know - terrible!   It's hard to believe I have done 30 triathlons

Transitions(most of them) tend to be a little cramped. Be careful not to overflow into other peoples space.

A bucket is big and will gets in the way, at most events. I use an old towel folded in half, if all my stuff does not fit on it it does'nt leave the car.