Rookie IM transition question

Assuming this is an IM-brand race, you will grab a bag that you have filled with whatever you need for T1 (bike shoes, helmet, bodyglide, sun lotion, nutrition not already on your bike, etc.) and go into a changing tent.  There, you will change into anything you need to for the bike, apply any lotions, etc.  And you will put everything you aren't taking with you (including goggles & cap from the swim) back into the bag and drop it off.  Volunteers may help you with some of this (depending upon how crowded it is when you arrive).  Then you exit the tent and get your bike from its rack (or a volunteer will get your bike) and head straight out to the mount line.

Same routine is basically repeated when you come back for T2.  (You'll have another bag packed with your run stuff.)

Which race are you doing?

The WTC IM-branded races have you drop off your Swim-to-Bike and Bike-to-Run bags the day before. They then are organized by number and set up usually just outside of the change tent. As you run from swim to the change tent, you will find and grab your bag. Sometimes a volunteer will have it ready, but not a guarantee. 

You do not set up a traditional transition in IM-branded Ironmans. Everything is stored in the bags (see athlete guide).
Smaller races are probably different. 

Here is a photo of the Louisville transition area and white change tent in the background - both T1 and T2 bags were set up in numerical order here.

for Mdot IM races, bike shoes and helmet must go in t1 bag, not on bike

Mdot events: pros can have their shoes clipped in;  AGers cannot.

If my email was working properly right now, I could post a whole 'essay' I did about the IM bags...transitions, special needs.  It's just not like your regular triathlons where all your gear is by your bike.

See my new thread....lots of info I didn't want buried in the middle of a thread.