I came across an interesting article about one's experience on this during a road race.See below link.
http://visionquestcoaching.com/2003-DownersChamp.asp
These are pros or elite road riders who cannot afford to lose time in a race. For the rest of us mere mortals, we just stop at the nearest toilet or find the nearest convenient spot and take cover lah.
The following is a reply I got from another forum posted by Alan Geraldi from San Francisco Triathlon Club which I find very interesting.
"General rule - you go when you have to go. However, depending upon the race course and regulations, this may not be 100% true. In most official Ironman races in Norh America, it is technically a foul to to go the bathroom unless you are at a portable toilet
(they have these spread out along the race courses usually around aid stations
). I believe it is a time penality if caught, possible DQ is caught more than once
(I am unsure as to the penalty though
). I do know that some races state that it is a disqualification if caught not using the portable toilets
(Vineman races, Kona 1/2
). I do believe that most judges use a bit of discretion and if the person is in some bushes or a forestsed area, they may turn the other eye - while if a racer is using someone's front lawn or driveway, penalty time. When I raced Ironman Austria, I believe the rule was penalty if caught peeing, but I saw plenty of people race into the woods with no penalties being issued.
As for the individual stages of the race: The swim - do as the fish do
(just try to be sure no one is drafting off your feet at the time
). As for bike and run, the accomplished and veteran racers have a set of "tricks". Most can pee while still riding a bike
(a technique learned from European long distance cycling
). It takes some practice and good balance to stay relatively clean, but it is done. They also use the trick of nonchalantly pulling back a seem of the tri bottom and going on the run, with a cup of water from a recent aid station to help wash things down.
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Alan Geraldi
SF Triathlon Club
"PAIN IS AN ICON"
"