Possible race in rain.. tips?

[Kimmyt]

OK, so it's looking like my race tomorrow may have intermittent thunderstorms/periods of rain. Any tips for dealing with this? I'm pretty sure if it does rain my bike speeds will drop accordingly, due to control issues and safety, so I'm ready for that. I'm wondering how Transitions will go... should I bring a trash bag to put my running shoes and socks in so they don't get wet should it rain before I get to them?

I don't actually mind the rain, and in fact if it rains on the run I might like that, because I'm very sensitive to heat so it might help cool me off.

Thanks!

K.

[echidna]

If it rains, it rains on everybody, so don't worry too much about it.

DO double check your tires for proper inflation and make sure there are no cuts, etc. (OK, you should do this anyway, right???) Rain = more road grit being washed to the shoulder = more opportunities for flats. MAYBE run your tire pressure a few PSI lower than you would normally for more grip (most triathletes run WAY more tire pressure than is optimal anyway;you're not likely giving up anything on rolling resistance until you go below 95 PSI or so). Also, double-check your brake pads; stopping distance increases under wet conditions. (Again, you've already done this to get ready for the race, but...).

Put a plastic baggie over your saddle. Sure, it's going to get wet anyway but you'll feel like a rockstar watching everyone else transition right onto a soggy saddle, while you sail by in queenly dryness.

Keeping your transition gear under a small tarp (3'x5') might be slightly faster than in a plastic bag....

HAVE FUN!!!!

[HillSlugger]

I did my April tri in a cold rain. I used a tarp for my transition area and draped it back over everything. My bike shoes and socks were dry when I put them on but I had to run through mud to get out of transition, so they were wet before I stated my ride. My running shoes stayed dry but my socks were soaked from the ride, and, again, I had to run through mud to get out of transition. So, it won't hurt to try to keep your stuff dry in transition but know that it probably won't stay that way for long once you get going.

I didn't see many people with bags over their saddles. I didn't bother.

I think the rain generally kept the bike speeds down, favoring the bold who were willing to take a chance and push it harder. Rooster tail spray from the riders in front of me were really annoying. I decided to ride without glasses, but ended up wishing I had them to keep the spray out of my eyes.

Bring extra towels and leave them in the car. Also bring large trash bags to put your wet stuff into before you put it into your car.

[alpinerabbit]

People bring plastic canisters with lids for their stuff, but a largish plastic bag will suffice. A vest will be useful. My second tri threatened rain and although the roads were still wet, I lucked.

Expect mud in the transition area, so be sure to bring a towel.


Edit : ^^^^FUçK SPAMMERS^^^^

[Eden]

Be very, very careful on the bike if you have to ride over road markings. The paint used for things like arrows, crosswalks, etc can be extremely slippery in the rain.