Looking for basic tips.

Howdy.  I've done a fair amount of running, biking, and swimming, but not much putting them all together.  I'm looking to do a tri soon that's just shy of Olympic distance, and wonder if there are tips on things like cadence on the bike, whether to slow it down or speed it up coming out of or into transition, whether to avoid standing on the bike even on steep hills, whether there are ways to start the run that make it less awkward on the legs, etc.  Not second-saving things like clipping shoes onto pedals before starting; I'm not trying to win the thing, just do my best.  So I'm after bigger picture things that can help put the three sports together. 
Thanks in advance for any input.