Friday 25 May 2018

Triathlon checklist


Checks days before


  • Check the event's information pack for any specific rules about what you can take/leave in transition and for other useful information 
  • Check you have clean goggles & swim/wetsuit bag/kit
  • Check your bike is clean (especially of old stickers), has handlebar ends (go to Evans if you need some or steal from second bike if last minute) and that you have tyres etc in good condition.
  • Print off/save your swim time & plan parking, breakfast & route time before the day.
  • Plan what you’ll do with keys/valuables if you’re travelling alone.
  • Pack kit.

Carrying stuff
A small rucksack or carrier bag for post-event shower/change, toiletries, towel, car keys and valuables & some change for a locker (usually 20p, 50p or £1 coin at leisure centres)

A large reusable and foldable carrier bag for all things going to transition. Some events let you leave the bag in transition next to your bike-otherwise fold it up and put in your locker or under some shoes.

Swim kit for transition
·        Tri shorts, swimsuit, or tri suit (flip flops if allowed)

·        If you’re a woman you might want to wear a non-wired sports bra under your trisuit/swim gear for extra support on run route

·        Goggles/brightly coloured swim hat if not provided. Noseclip if you suffer from swimmers’ flu

·        Bath bright coloured towel

·        (Wetsuit if OW included)

Bike kit for transition
·        Bike (label it up before racking it in transition)

·        Helmet 

·        Cycling shoes and socks (if wearing)

·        Sunglasses

·        Water bottle(s) leave a bottle of plain water in transition in hot conditions

·        Nutrition 

·        Tool Kit: tube, levers, multi-tool (to be honest I use a track pump to sort my tyres on race day and leave a toolkit under my seat). I have never needed a repair kit.

·        Track pump (pump up your tires before you leave home) there will almost always be someone with a good pump at the event

Running kit
·        Running shoes with tri laces-Tobutt’s do a good selection and many events sell on day or pre-race registration

·        Race belt & scissors (snip 2 holes to make life easier)

·        Hat/visor and or sunscreen if it’s summer/sunny

Other optional in brackets
·        (Training device (Garmin, Timex, etc.) & heart rate strap)

·        Sunscreen

·        (Plasters)

·        (Post-race, warm change of clothes)

·        Post-race recovery drink/snack. Anything to eat and a glass of milk will help. Lots of fluid on hotter days

Race Day
·        Time when you’ll be able to eat breakfast and put your kit on afterwards

·        Eat only familiar, digestible foods (example: banana and a bagel with jam). Don’t eat anything new/faddy on race day

·        Sip fluids between breakfast & your start time.

·        Most races have your number attached to your spot in transition. Walk from swim exit to your bike a few times and check bike out and in.

·        Make a mental note of landmarks to help you easily find your place on rack.

·        Use a bright-colored towel on floor and I attach a cycling jersey to my bike to help it stand out.

·        If you’re putting on a cycling jersey leave snacks in pockets if not leave opened snack in shoes. A snack on bike leg will help the run. Cut a banana in half and leave in transition for a boost.

·        After setting up transition put valuables/post race gear into a locker & visit loo.

Friday 11 May 2018

Open Water Swimming at Elton Reservoir Bury

To register for open water swimming at Elton click here 

Bolton Tri Club are hosting open water swim sessions at Elton Sailing Club in Bury which start on 
Tue 15th May and run every Tuesday until 4th September. You can swim anytime between 5 and 8 pm (or 7.30pm on 4th Sept). There are changing rooms and hot showers. To save everyone time we ask people to register on-line beforehand - there will be no paper registration forms. It is £5 a swim or £3 for Bolton Tri Club members. For juniors it is £3 a swim or £2 for BTC members. But you can get free swims if you provide kayak safety cover for an hour. The registration fee for non-BTC members is normally £5 but has been reduced to £1 for the last 3 sessoins.

We have monthly training aquathons with a choice of distances on 12th June, 17th July and 14th August. For novice open water swimmers who want to improve their skills and confidence there will be coached sessions starting in June from 6.30 to 7.15pm. Also catch us on Facebook search  for 'Open Water Swimming at Elton Sailing Club'. 

Directions to Elton Sailing Club. Use this postcode if relying on SatNav BL8 2BR
If travelling down Bolton Road (A58) towards Bury turn right at the Wellington Pub into Kitchener Street signposted Elton Reservoir and Cygnet Hospital. 
At end of Kitchener St turn right into Buller Street. Turn left over a small bridge signposted Cygnet Hospital. Once over bridge bear right and down lane to Sailing Club.