I will definitely be sure to do a lot of training on an actual bike before I do any events. I did bike a good bit a few years ago (before my bike got stolen), although I was doing much shorter distances, so I think a lot of the coordination-type stuff shouldn't take long to come back.

My body type is a little unusual (short with really short legs), so I haven't found anybody to borrow one from yet, and buying one used might be tricky as well, although I'm definitely keeping an eye out on craigslist, etc.