10 replies to this topic

[frankie17]

As a complete tr novice I am taking the cycle leg in an upcoming triathlon. Can someone please enlighten me on the likely way the swimmer will transition to me on my cycle?

Transponder or baton?
High five in a zone?
Can I be on my bile ready to go b4 the handover?


Thanks in advance.

[Goughy]

From what I've seen you will be standing in front of your bike in transition. I've never seen someone on their bike waiting, and I'll guess it's not allowed, though I don't know for sure.

The transfer will depend on how the race is timed. If it's with a timing chip (usually in the form of a velcro ankle braclet) then you have to transfer it from the swimmers ankle to yours then you can go. Otherwise I'd guess a high5 will suffice.

[SpartaJen]

It might depend on whether the team bikes are racked separately from the rest of the competitors. Rather than standing by the bike (which could makes things a bit messy), they often require the team competitors to stand a certain point in transitions, usually out of the way of everyone else. So the swimmer would come out of the water, run to where you are waiting, hand over the timing chip eg & then you would need to run to your bike, & then head out. Likewise, (if this system is adopted), when you come back into transitions, you would rack your bike & then run to the designated spot where the team runners are waiting.

Either way, I'm sure that they will explain the procedure in the race briefing before the race. Good luck!

[frankie17]

Thanks guys. A lot of moving pieces in this caper!

[Sharky]

Frankie, in most team triathlons the rider must wait by his/her bike in the transition area until the swimmer exits the water and arrives. The timing bracelet is exchanged and only then, the rider can take the bike off the rack and run to a mount point usually out on the road, mount the bike and away.

Reverse when completing the ride. Rider dismounts at a signed point on the road and then runs back into transition to the point at the rack from where they departed, racks bike, and then hands over timing bracelet to runner who leaves the transition area for the run.

Oh, and the good news. The cyclist usually (at least in Queensland!) gets all the transition time added to their time. (ie cyclist time often starts when the swimmer exits the water prior to their run to the bike rider at the rack and ends when the runner exits the transition area. Tough but true)

Edited by Sharky, 17 January 2010 - 06:07 PM.

[Victory11]

 Sharky, on Jan 17 2010, 06:06 PM, said:

Oh, and the good news. The cyclist usually (at least in Queensland!) gets all the transition time added to their time. (ie cyclist time often starts when the swimmer exits the water prior to their run to the bike rider at the rack and ends when the runner exits the transition area. Tough but true)

Haha, that's tough!

I haven't done a team triathlon before, but love the idea and might have to give one a go this year. Might get a few mates from school to do it with me, I reckon it would be great fun.
Oh, and I would think I'd be doing the run leg, so if Sharky is right, I'm in luck!

[frankie17]

Also, what generally has to happen when the cyclist returns? Do I have to dismount and put the bike up on a rack before handing my transponder to the runner?

[miners]

As others mentioned it differs from race to race. However I'd be surprised if you didn't have to stand in a designated area, complete the tag, then make your way to the bike. Same deal for the runners, and you'd have to rack your bike before you can make your tag.

Hope you enjoy the race and you do the whole thing next time

 frankie17, on Jan 21 2010, 08:10 AM, said:

Also, what generally has to happen when the cyclist returns? Do I have to dismount and put the bike up on a rack before handing my transponder to the runner?

Edited by miners, 21 January 2010 - 08:27 AM.

[Goughy]

From what I've seen most change overs will take place at the bike. But cyclist can't grab bike before the timing chip is changed over, and cyclist will rack bike before changing over to runner, who will be waiting where the bike was racked for your return.

[frankie17]

Thks everyone again.

[moby]

 Sharky, on Jan 17 2010, 07:06 PM, said:

Frankie, in most team triathlons the rider must wait by his/her bike in the transition area until the swimmer exits the water and arrives. The timing bracelet is exchanged and only then, the rider can take the bike off the rack and run to a mount point usually out on the road, mount the bike and away.

Reverse when completing the ride. Rider dismounts at a signed point on the road and then runs back into transition to the point at the rack from where they departed, racks bike, and then hands over timing bracelet to runner who leaves the transition area for the run.

Oh, and the good news. The cyclist usually (at least in Queensland!) gets all the transition time added to their time. (ie cyclist time often starts when the swimmer exits the water prior to their run to the bike rider at the rack and ends when the runner exits the transition area. Tough but true)

I’ve done the run leg in a team tri and this is spot on. You exchange a velcro timing chip at the bike rack, although there was no-one policing the hand over before/after racking and unracking of bike.

They should have the team bikes allocated in an area all together and (at least in the case of the one I’ve done) a separate row to the other competitors so when standing around waiting for your team mates you aren’t getting in too many peoples way.