Race Etiquette...

If your race is USAT sanctioned you could get assessed a penalty for passing on the right or riding on the left, preventing people from passing.  It's just like driving a car.  Stay to the right, and when you're passing, give the rider ahead of you an "On your left" so they know your intention.

Otherwise, one thing to look out for is not clogging up the transition exits, particularly T1.  You see racers get just outside the transition area and stop to mount the bike when there's no room for other racers to get by and mount their bikes.  Don't leave any trash on the course and thank all the volunteers you can.

Best etiquette tip I can give you is to read, learn, and follow the USATriathlon rules:

http://www.usatriathlon.com/Rules_Officials/rules.htm

Generally speaking, you should stay to the right at all times on the bike. If you are not to the right, you may be called for a blocking violation. If there was room to pass on the right, then the rider being passed was (at least ) equally wrong for being that far out, and had no reason to be annoyed.

It is customary to say "on your left" as you overtake another rider on that side. Some newbies think that means "move to your left," so do this with caution.

Open water swims are a group-grope free-for-all.

Other tips: do not pass another participant without giving a positive, encouraging remark.

AMEN!  There's way too many times that I've had people pass on the right, or give no warning to me, as I'm about to zip left to pass someone else.  Same thing goes for the run - let them know where you are at.

Move over towards the aid station for water well BEFORE you get there.  It's ok to slow down, but keep the traffic lane clear.

When tossing the water cup (or spitting or doing a farmer's blow) PLEASE aim away from the traffic lane!  (Same thing goes for the bike...)

If it's a wave swim start, position yourself according to your ability.  I'm a slow swimmer, so I want to be behind the pack when it starts.  If you're moderately fast or better, by all means get in the front/middle.  If you are slow, stay out of the way of the others, or you may get knocked around a LOT.

Passing on the right is illegal and will get you penalized if a race official sees it. Also, it is hazardous simply because you're not supposed to pass on the right and you could easily startle someone (and maybe cause a wreck) if you pass them on the right. Always pass to their left.

The swim is a free for all. Good luck with that.

I suggest you go to any tri's that are happening in your general area before your tri in one month. Seeing it all come together will probably answer alot of your questions and may generate more questions, as well. Also, get a tri book and read it. They are very informative and thorough. An informed triathlete is a safe triathlete.

Bear, this happened to me during my tri on Sunday. I was taking a curve and not at all far from the curb - a chick cut into the gap between the curve and my bike. I always keep to the right because I'm always getting passed (sad but true). There was plenty of room for her to pass me on the left and her decision to overtake me on the right on a curve was a bad call.

People do make bad calls on the race course.

This is a great question.  I wish every race participant would think about stuff like this before their first event.  I'll take a stab at some tips for you.

1. Keep your transition area limited to your own block of space (as much as is possible).  If there are 5 bikes on your rack, I try to not take up any more than 1/5th of the space.  Oh, and never mess with anyone else's gear in transition and never touch my bike.  I will be happy to move it myself if its in anyone's way or racked improperly.
2. Rack your bike by the seat, not by the bars.
3. On the swim, if you want to pass me, then come up on my side.  If you grab me once, I'll let it go.  If you grab me twice, expect a foot upside your head.
4. On the bike leg, keep to the right whenever possible.  There are times when you have to swing to the left to avoid bad pavement or obstructions, but as a practice, keep right.  You can be given a "blocking" penalty for failing to observe this rule.
5. When you are passing me on the bike, don't immediately swing to the right, in front of the me once you've cleared my front wheel.  It forces me to slow down to avoid contact and potentially a drafting penalty.  Don't swing over till you're about 2 bike lengths ahead of me.
6. Don't pass me at the bottom of a hill if you are not a good climber.  Its like those semi's on the highway.  They pass you going downhill then just clog up traffic going uphill.  Its very annoying.
7. When approaching aide stations on the bike and/or run, get over to the RHS well ahead of time.  Its gets congested and when you have to cut across traffic, you could ruin someone's race.  I saw a really bad wreck at an aid station because someone cut across traffic at the last minute.  Keep in mind that there may be folks behind you that don't want to slow down or stop for the aid station.

If I'm in a race where I think there are a lot of newbies, or I'm coming up on someone who looks like they might be a newbie, I'll yell out "passing"  instead of "on your left."  People seem to hold their line better.

I've had the experience of someone swerving out in front of me and it was really scary.

Never pass on the right unless it is your ONLY option.

Passing on the run - you can pass on either side as far as I'm concerned - if it's a trail, I'm going to be running in the best part - so it's up to you to run around me, however you want to do it is fine.  (I never pass people on the run - I'm just waiting for the day.)

Swimming - try not to swim up on someone's feet and then keep touching them - it's really irritating.  Other than that - just defend yourself.  If you're in the middle you're probably going to be dealing with feet/arms/heads/etc.  If you are freaked out by being in the middle of that, just doggy paddle until the melee has passed you, then you can go to breast stroke.  DON'T breast stroke in the middle of a pack on the swim.  You will kick someone and could end up hurting them quite badly.  I got kicked in the stomach once. NOT a good experience.

This could be fun except that all of my Tri's have been wave starts so only men my age are around to grope. 

I get passed on the run by several people and never had a bad reaction to someone making an encouraging comment.  In fact, sometimes I give out a "looking good" to someone passing me (expeciallly on the bike where I can breathe and make a comment).  I know I'm slow, you know I'm slow -- so what?  A "keep at it"  or "you're doing fine"  are all cool to me.  Running by me without a by your leave or hello is worse in my opinion.  Talk to me, let me know I belong out there with you guys. 

Most newbies (me included) constantly wonder if we should even be there.  After a couple of races, I know that I do because people talk to me and are friendly.  I'd like to do the same to first time racers. 

From the race I am organzing these are some of the most important rules I suggest participants to remember, however as the Bear said. You SHOULD revise the USAT rules.

A few important drafting rules to remember:

           Ride on your right side of your lane

           Pass on the left of the cyclist in front, NEVER on the right

           Keep 3 bike lengths between yourself and the cyclist in front of you

           At “U” turns, unsafe turns or crossings you MUST slow down

           Complete your pass within 15 seconds

           If pass, you must drop completely out of the zone to the rear of the cyclist, before attempting to repass

The Head Referee's ruling is final in the case of Position Violations and there are no protests or appeals of Position penalties. 

Always have your helmet chinstrap securely fastened! The chinstrap rule is easiest to follow, but some folks always seem to forget-that's a DQ! (In the transition area it is a variable time penalty. Anywhere else on the course a DQ) [5.9 (b)].

Remember to treat other athletes, volunteers, and officials with courtesy and consideration. Failure to do so is called Unsportsmanlike Conduct and you will be disqualified. [3.4 (b)]

Edited by amiine 2005-07-21 11:35 AM

I always like it when a person says "Keep it up!" or "You're doing great!"  - "You're almost there" should be used with caution - cause it's really irritating when people say this at mile 1 of a 10k.  I am NOT almost there. 

"You ok" should be avoided (unless I'm lying on the ground.)  Cause then I know that I really do look as bad as I think I do.