how close is swim-run to swim-bike?

i am also relatively new to tri. only been doing them about a year. i personally do not find the swim-bike transition a difficult one, and did not do alot of swim to bike training. if you've done one before, what did it feel like? was it difficult? did your legs feel like they were screaming. If no, than you might not need to do alot of that type of training. your using very different muscle groups for the two sports so i have always felt pretty fresh getting on the bike from a swim. the most important thing (i think) to make sure you are training is the bike to run. for my first tri (a sprint) i did a brick workout every week so that i am not remotely phase by the move from biking to running, but I specifically remember feeling like death the first few times i did that.

on a different note.... why is it strategically difficult to train the swim to bike? does your pool have a bathroom or locker room? can you fit your bike in or on your car? are the roads near the pool user friendly for bikes? if yes, than it doesn't sound like it's difficult, maybe inconvenient.... but do it anyway.

Most people seem to focus on the bike/run BRICKs. Body position and muscle groups used on the bike make standing upright and running a bit awkward and uncomfortable for .5 - a mile or so. Everything becomes easier with practice, but you should be fine without doing specific swim/bike workouts. Do practice your T1 layout and routine, though.

If you are just looking for a little feedback about your choice of gear, you could get yourself wet in your own shower and run through the house to your bike. I've read about people who do that. The only thing you might experience from the swim to the bike is light-headedness from standing up so fast. HTH