transition - t2 how to not loose bike spot? (Page 2)

Half of the tris I did this year were in the grass/dirt. Chalk wouldn't work.

Besides, trying to find your spot is all part of the challenge! Every time I've used the US flag, the guys around me would thank me before and after the race for putting it there, because it helps them too. The only bad thing about that is they probably all beat me!

Sorry to ask this  'newbie'  question here, but I thought that the helmet was supposed to be worn until the bike was put back onto the rack - So, is it OK to take the helmet off while on the way back to the rack after the ride is done?

Thanks

Helmet is to be worn while ON the bike.  Yes, once you cross the dismount line or enter transition running with your bike, you can take off the helmet.

Don't ask me! At Nations I lost count and turned in one row too early.  There were MORE THAN 60 ROWS Then I went to the center aisle where they had numbered the rows and realized my mistake.  45 extra seconds.  If they were spent resting instead of in a panic, it might have helped my run.  Thank you very little.

Fine, my solution is to commit to going to where the race organizers have marked the rows.  Would have been an extra 20 seconds over the most direct route, but with my heart rate in check.

That's the USAT rule, some races do mandate that the helmet be worn from rack to rack.

My question is "Why"? How much time do you save removing your helmet while running to the rack, then having to juggle it and the bike the rest of the way and through the racking process.

Surely just marking the rows A,B,C or in colors like I said earlier is so simple...why do no race organizers do it?

If you really want to not loose your bike spot just tie it real tight.

Fractions of a second.  And sometimes that matters.  If you are able to do two things at once (run with bike and remove helmet) why wouldn't you?  Ideally you have a free hand.   For me, it removes one less thing you have to worry about when you reach your rack.  Once I reach my rack all I have to do is slip on my shoes and grab my visor (which has my garmin and race belt attached) and I am off.  

I am with the bear on this one; I am all about fast transitions but even if it is permitted under the rules, I am not touching my helmet until my bike is racked.

Also, if anyone is racing outside the US, it seems most other federations simply adopt the ITU helmet rule which is that it must be on and buckled at any point you are in possession of your bike.

Shane

I wouldn't be so sure, I know at least two athletes that have been DQ for taking helmet off while running with the bike afer enetering T2.  Since I know this can vary from race to race for me the safest way to avoid this is to take your helmet off until you rack your bike; if you see the ITU athletes it really doesn't take any more time.

OP - as others said, I usually walk several times to my rack area to memorize where is it. I walk from the swim exit to it, then from bike entry to it and even from it to run exit. It helps me realize where is located (i.e. how many racks away is from exit/entry). I use landmarks like trees, poles, speakers, etc. if you practice this it becomes very easy.

I wouldn't take my helmet off running, much easier and faster to run with the free hand to help guide the bike if needed. imo.


**Newbies and Vets alike***


When you arrive at the race transition after setting up your spot walk from Swim Entrance to your rack/bike several times. Where your bike is located shouldn't be a mystery. Then walk or spot the Bike exit.start. Now, go find bike entrance and walk back to your rack several times then spot the Run start. You should have this down by the time transitions close. This is free speed during the race.

My point exactly, plus I have both hands free to swing the bike around as needed to position it correctly on the rack. Sometimes people think they're saving "fractions of a second" but are really costing themselves time and effort by doing things the hard way. But, if it works for you, have at it. Just be cognizant that some tris have rules forbidding this.

Edited by the bear 2009-10-02 9:48 AM

And that is the key there.  I do what works for ME within the rules.  I also don't run with the bike by the saddle.  I pick it up and carry it like you would in cyclocross.  Again, for me, I am eliminating one more barrier....the front wheel changing direction. 

at my last sprint i did a relay and was fortunate enough to see the elite / pro devision.  most pros actually do this.  i don't remember the helmet or what they did with it.  but they definitely carry the bike and most their transistions were 25 seconds.

Then the ground would be pretty with lots of colors and pictures.
Now, if he were to spit on the ground to mark it, that would be rude.

I put pink duct tape on the end rack when I have to turn. I see alot of people marking them, if yours is already marked just remember how it is marked. I have also seen balloons, cut tennis balls wedged on the racks ect.... I just make sure to remove what ever I use after the race.

It's a LOT of work to set up a tri.  Way more than I thought before I volunteered to do it.  You don't usually have a lot of time (especially for local races), have few volunteers, and have a huge list.  We put numbers on the ends of racks.  We were also moving racks around until the last minute the day before in order to give people the most room.  Coloring the racks wouldn't have made the cut.  Plus, what if it rains?  What happens when people with wet feet walk on the chalk?  Yuck.

How about the next race you do, contact the race director and volunteer to do this for him.

I'll wager you're underestimating the time and effort that you would be adding to the already extensive undertaking that goes into putting on a tri. Even if the effort is as minimal as you describe, it's really not worth adding that detail to appease the few people who can't remember to count the racks.

Ditto.  I've been on the organizing end of the racks the morning of a tri.  The LAST thing we need is additional signs so people don't get lost.

Seriously, as someone who has gotten lost because I didn't pay attention that morning, it's not that difficult.  Besides, how many people will come out of the swim thinking...  "now was I A... or was I C?"  What's the difference between counting racks yourself, and assigning a number/color to them?  It's all about memory

I would be happy to take along some abc cards...I think you guys just like to write a negative comment regardless if it s a good idea...Like it would really be that hard to put on the racks...And as for the comment above about people not being able to remember if the were A or C...come on!

Seriously, have you ever:

A) done a race (no race reports from you here)?
B) volunteered for a race (performed a simple assigned task)?
c) Helped organize a race (been in from conception to see everything that goes into it)?
D) Directed a race ("C" but with all the responsibility)?

Lots of "good ideas" to be had, things you might "want" to see in a tri. Stacking them on to the myriad of stuff you "must do" to have a safe fair and enjoyable race is a different proposition altogether. As always, one has to way the cost and effort versus the benefit.

Bear is 100% right.  As a friend of a lot of race organizers/directors and a volunteer, you cannot imagine how much time goes into just making sure that triathletes are safe, and can find their ways around the course, and over the timing mats.  Then there is the schwag, sponsors, sign ups, seed timing, dealing with the town, county and state, the cops, the DOT, property owners on the race course, lifeguards, kayaks, (or pool managers), awards, food, transition set up...I think that I have covered about 1/2 of the most basic duties.

I used to wonder where my entry went...