"Review the course, ride it if you can.

I've seen the route map and although I don't ride there frequently I'm very familiar with it.

Will there be traffic control the day of your event? Not stopping at stop signs is weird.

Yes there will be... and that will definitely be weird!

Are you wearing a wetsuit? If you are, swim in it beforehand. Swimming is different in a wetsuit. Open water if you can, pool if you can't. Just rinse it out really well.

I will be wearing a wetsuit and I've swam in it 3 times - pool. Initially I thought it was too small because I was close to needing a larger size (chest area restrictive) but the last time I swam in it I felt more comfortable. A trick I learned was after getting in pool I pulled on neck to put water into suit then I was able to adjust it more easily and make it feel less restrictive. I bought it from Xterra and talked to them about fit - they recommended I stay with current size. Definitely different to swim in, didn't like it the first two times but by the third I was singing it's praises...

Most swim/bike transitions involve having right off on the bike. Make sure you're in the appropriate gear when you rack your bike on race day."

Not sure what you mean? By appropriate gear do you mean running shoes so I can run/walk to the finish after racking my bike? I've watched videos of previous events and read posts and it seems there is some distance to get to finish - some people commented that it was confusing and they had done events before. The transitions worry me the most because I don't have a clue what they're like.

Veronica, I really appreciate the tips, thanks!