Travel Tips
You’ve put in months of training and race weekend finally has arrived. The hay is in the barn so to speak. All that’s left to do is stroke, ride and run to the finish, right? Unfortunately it’s not always that simple if you’re traveling to a race. Multisport travel requires its own training. Those who have it down to an art form reduce stress leading up to gun time and also ensure the best race possible.
Lewis Elliot knows this well. Having raced professionally for 10 years, he has flown everywhere from Hawaii to France to Cancun and even the Middle East to compete. “I have to put together a checklist with the most important things at the top so I don’t forget anything,” he says. “The best thing you can do is to plan ahead so you know what to expect.”
HOW TO PACK A WETSUIT
To protect your investment, follow these simple steps when packing your wetsuit:
1. Fully dry the wetsuit
2. Turn it inside out
3. Lay it on a large towel with the backside facing down
4. Fold the arms across the chest of the suit
5. Place a second towel on top
6. Carefully roll the suit sandwiched between the towels
7. Put a band around it to keep it from unrolling during travel
Departures
Once you’ve signed up for your competition, booking a flight is the next step. Confirming your trip far in advance is generally the best way to get a good deal. If you’re planning on traveling to other competitions in the future, it makes sense to sign up for a frequent flyer program to bank those miles.
Elliot also recommends getting as close to ready for race morning as you can during the packing process. Get your quick laces in your shoes and the chain on your bike lubed and clean. “You want to be prepared so you don’t have to hassle with it right before the race,” he says. “It helps to relieve a lot of stress.”
Now that you’ve figured out how to get yourself to the race and have taken stock of all your gear, you must decide how to get your bike there. This is the trickiest part of triathlon travel, and the best option is dependent on where you’re going and what airline you’re taking. “The fees involved with getting your bike to a race are a pretty common complaint,” says Elliot. “It can mean the difference between a good year and a bad year for a professional triathlete.” Consider the three main options:
1. Check the bike with the airline. “When I check my bike, I generally use a bike box,” says Elliot. Unfortunately, this method can cost upwards of $300. Todd Olson, Owner of Urban Tri, a triathlon specialty shop in Minneapolis, Minn., suggests using a soft case made by Aerus. “A lot of pros use that bag,” he says. The well-padded bag fully protects the bike during transport and can sometimes minimize fees as the airlines don’t always recognize the luggage as a bike bag.
72 USA TRIATHLON SUMMER 2011
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