Getting to the Race
If your race is in your hometown, you won't have much to worry about when it comes to transporting your bicycle. You already know how to haul your bike around town. You've been doing it for nearly three months during your training.
Even at this point, it is worth stating that when you invest in a bike rack, pay a little extra to get a good one. A cheap rack won't work as well and might damage your car. Ask the bike shop staff to show you their best racks.
Have Bike, Will Travel
If you have to travel to your race and you aren't driving, getting your bicycle to the race is a bit more complicated. One option is to rent a bicycle from a local shop in the city where your race is taking place. This is not recommended. You have been training for weeks on your own bicycle and presumably have achieved the desirable level of comfort on that machine. You will not have that with a rented bicycle. Use this option only if you have no other choice.
You can rent a bike box from your local shop that will hold your machine and keep it from being damaged in transit. Packing your bicycle in the box requires removing the wheels, the pedals, and the seat, then loosening the handlebars and turning them sideways. Be sure that you know how to put your bike back together when you arrive at your destination, and don't forget the wrenches you will need for the job.
When packing your bicycle in a box for an airplane flight, remember to mark the seat post before removing the seat to make sure you put it back in the right position. If the seat is too high or too low, your triathlon ride will be miserable. You don't want to waste time adjusting the seat during your race.
The airline will charge for carrying your bike box. It's usually about $100 each way. After you get your bicycle taken care of for the flight, do something for yourself in preparation for the journey: make sure you take water on the plane. The hyper-dry conditions in the cabin can leave you dehydrated at just the time when you need extra fluid.
Also consider taking extra vitamin C in preparation for the trip. During the flight, the air filtration system in the plane circulates whatever germs are in the atmosphere, leaving you more vulnerable to coming down with some ailment. You definitely do not want to wake up on race day with a cold or a sore throat, or both.
