The art of the transition

I know a guy who has a Transition area at there house to practice on. I thought about it myself.

I hope someone has some good vid recommendations.

I volunteered at a duathlon a couple weeks ago and watched a local pro have the smoothest bike to run transition I have ever seen. I wish I video taped it. It was so smooth and over before I even thought was possible. Honestly I have not seen that kind of transition even while watching pro races on the net. I assume some of it is just being live an in awe of the real time.

The bike to run transition can definitely be the smoothest. I can't say I watched any specific video that helped me with my transitions, however I researched on Youtube and after watching both instructional videos and just raw video of Pros transitioning, there is a bit of truth to practicing. I also race in a few duathlons pre-season to dust off my transition skills while the water warms up!
This video is two years old, but still relavent.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50AzTJClfWc

The bike to run should be pretty quick and seamless......rack bike, remove helmet, slide feet in sockless running shoes, grab race belt and off you go. What are your steps and where do you think you are you "giving away too much free time"?

I found this video very helpful: http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/cms/article-detail.asp?articleid=1488

The key is preparation. For bike to run my racebelt has my nutrition in it, my number on it, and my hat and/or headbands wrapped around it. So it really is. Helmet, shoes, belt, go. Swim to bike I have my helmet and glasses on the bike and socks powdered (if I am wearing them). I also try to do a 30 mins of transition practice the day before the race. Run a loop... jump on bike...ride a loop long enough to get my feet in the shoes and out again... swap to run... repeat.

Now I want to know what a practice transition area at home would look like!

@Clydesdale-- "socks powdered?" This is the first I've heard of this one-- can you explain?

The key to a fast transition is to do away with all the unnecessary stuff. Don't even bring a bucket to transition. Don't sit down. Don't try to rinse your feet. All this stuff is what kills racing dreams!!!!

T1 should be bike shoes, sunglasses (not actually necessary, but I do use them), helmet & go!

T2 should be run shoes, race belt, hat/visor (not actually necessary, but I do use them) & go!

When you add in unnecessary stuff that is when it starts to eat up time. Learn to race without socks, additional clothing, bike gloves, etc.

Baby powder.

If you are going to use socks put baby powder in them and roll them like a condom. They will go on your wet feet easier and speed transition.

I can't think of any one in particular, but I've just search You Tube and have had good luck finding several videos that are helpful.


Edited by Cochip 2013-05-30 12:41 PM

Most people don't spend enough time thinking about their transitions. The shorter the race, almost the most important they become. I won a race last year by three seconds because my transitions were a little quicker than the 2nd place guy.

You want to keep it super simple, as others have said. None of that sitting down, cleaning yourself off, buffet crap. Have your gear ready ahead of time.

One thing I always do at a race is do a walk through on race morning, knowing exactly where swim-in is, walking to my rack and going to bike-out, then doing the same from bike-in to my rack again, and then to run out. Find the shortest possible route. I often see some people head the wrong way, only to be pointed the other way by volunteers in the transition area - completely inexcusable!

Practice makes perfect - take the time to master transitions, and you'll probably have a advantage on your competition.

Yeah, the flying mount/dismount is a little out of my bike handling skill level right now. I love the idea... More for the B.A. Visual appeal. The crash and burn risk is much too high this season.

My first tri T1 was close to 5 minutes... Almost solely a function of not enough practice with the gear and spending too much time futzing with cleaning the sand off and dealing with socks. Tri #2 was MUCH better, but still gave up too many places after actually getting an advantage in the swim (WTF?). And while I'd loe to go park at a race and watch, Jamaica only has two a year, and I'm dang sure racing both of them.

This is a pretty good video that I have gotten my juniors and youth to watch before a transition clinic:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50AzTJClfWc

Shane