T1 shoe question - gravel between swim and bikes...

Check with the race director as to what they plan to do about the gravel.  Most races do carpet over that kind of thing.

Swim socks / shoes / booties are usually not allowed unless the water is very cold.  Check the rules before you try that.

Bring flip flops as a backup.

During the race you will never notice the gravel. Don't even try to plan around things like this. It is 5 seconds of your day.

I wouldn't be too worried about it, you really won't notice it. I wouldn't bother with flip flops or any shoe protection near the water exit. It'll just add time to you transition. Just pop out of the water haul butt across that gravel and have a towel at your bike to clean off your feet real quick so you don't have a piece of gravel in your shoe during the ride. Have a blast and good luck!!

I had a race this summer where the transition area was an empty lot that was full of sharp rocks.  Almost everyone left shoes at the water exit and ran with their bike shoes on.  I decided to go ahead and run barefoot and clip my shoes in for the flying mount. 

People next to me in transition told me I was nuts.  I was really starting to have second thoughts, just walking around was pretty painful, but I went ahead with my plan.  When race time came, I did not notice the rocks one bit - with the adrenaline, the race atmosphere, all your thoughts are on things other than your feet  - you'll move so quickly over them you won't even feel them.