Bags

Those that have never taken part in a triathlon could be forgiven for thinking that to win the race you just have to be the fastest swimmer, cyclist and runner. However, what they will fail to take into consideration is that the transition stage, the point at which you change from one discipline into another, can actually make or break the race for competitors.

If you are not organised going into the transition stages then they can add costly seconds or even minutes onto your time, that is why it is vital that you properly prepare for these transitions and make sure that your triathlon gear bags and any other essentials are at hand for the change.

A good way to ensure you are fully organised is to get yourself a good tri transition bag, with enough compartments to fit in everything you'll need, from wetsuits and racing kit to sunglasses and your MP3 player.

When packing your gear, it is also a good idea to make a checklist and put all of your related items - swim, cycle, run and other essentials - into separate bags and then put all of these into your transition bag.

There are some items that you may want easy access to during the race, such as energy food, so it makes sense to also fit a bag onto your bike. Triathlon bike bags are slim in design and are fastened just behind the handle bars for ease of use and minimum wind resistance.