2nd year cheaper than first?

I did my first year on the cheap, using my trusty old Schwinn 10-speed with toe clips and just buying a bike helmet and a pair of inexpensive tri-shorts.

My second year was the most expensive when I sprung for a new bike, clipless pedals, aerobars, bike clothes, etc.

I still spend a significant amount on an annual basis including shoes, clothes, race wheels, bike parts, coaching, etc. 

Mark

No reason it can't be cheaper.  Every season can be inexpensive if you stick to smaller local races that don't require travel and you use the same equipment you've already been using to train on all year round.

As you get on in the scene, it is the race entry fees and travel that add up more than equipment.  For someone doing an official IM event you can easily spend as much as a new bike on just that one event.  Which is why a lot of people turn those events into family vacations!!

Good question.

I would agree that your 2nd year should be less expensive just for the fact that the most expensive items are already bought (e.g., bike, wet suit).  My 3rd year (this season) was more expensive because I bought a year-end 2008 Felt B2 Pro.

For next year, I  plan to invest in more coaching sessions and buy a power meter and learn to use it over the winter.  Coaches and Power are not cheap and I plan on $2,000 or so.

 Here's a link from a while back. 

url= http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=127314&start=1

Disclosure:  I'm not exactly a veteran at Triathlon (more of a "folk" ) 

(Slap.slap. )

Wake up Kev, you're dreaming again...

Bike and wetsuit are probably the biggest (one-time) expenses, but LT/VO2 testing (and re-testing) and coaching may cost you more than the wetsuit over the year. 

Some of the local triathletes have done the testing, but unless you know what to do with the information, why do the testing?  (That's why I figured you'd probably want to look at some personalized coaching. )