Stupid newbie questions about stuff

One thing you don't want to do is try to put some sort of top on over a wet body.  Try it it's really tough, especially if you're in a hurry like you'll be in the first transition.

You can wear a bike jersey under your wetsuit.  You can also buy really inexpensive training top (C-9 brand) at Target.  If you get something that fits relatively close and is comfortable it can be worn under the wetsuit for the swim and be your top for the bike and run.

T-shirts, especially cotton just don't work well.  Pulling a T shirt on over a wet body is just tough.  I know this from experience.  Try it at home when you get out of the shower.

Good luck, I hope you enjoy your race!

Here's a quick breakdown of what you will need. Anything else is is a luxury item.

1. Tight fitting clothes comfortable for swimming, cycling, and running. (A tri suit or tri shorts are essential because of the thin quick-drying pad. If you're riding a hybrid, the padded shorts are not important. You can even get away with a one-piece swimsuit and slip on shorts in T1.)
2. If the water is cold, a wetsuit. In the US you can rent one for ~$50 for a week.
3. Goggles.
4. Swim cap (99.9% of all events will supply each racer with a color coded cap to keep track of starting waves/ages/genders. If the race does not, have your own brightly colored cap on hand. It's a safety issue. You want the race volunteers/lifeguards to be able to see you if anything happens.)
5. A bicycle and helmet.
6. Running shoes. (You don't need cycling shoes. You can ride in your running shoes.)
7. A race belt. (This can be substituted by pinning your bib to a t-shirt that you can slip on at T2. I once saw a guy using a bungee cord.)

Some things that you don't need, but will make things easier. Again, nothing luxurious, you already own most of these items.

1. Sunglasses. (For the bike and run.)
2. Towel. (For the transition area. Good to mark your area and to wipe your feet and hands.)
3. Transition bag. (A plain back pack is enough to carry all of your stuff in and out of the transition area.)
4. Sunblock. This should be in the first list, because you should always take care of your skin, but you can race without it.
5. Flashlight. (Many use a headlamp when setting up your transition area.)
6. Sandals. (Personally, I like to change out of my sweaty gear right after I race. Comfortable shoes included. They are also good for walking around before the race, since your running shoes are at the transition. I toss them in my car or put them in my wife's backpack right before heading to the starting line.
7. Extra towel. (I keep an extra towel in the car/wife's backpack to dry off and change after the race since all of my gear are still in the transition area.)
8. Water/nutrition.(there should be water at the transition and on the running course. But you're on your own on the bike course. Especially in a sprint race. Since your hands are free, you can eat and drink while riding.)
9. Cooking spray. (Spray some on your calves/ankles and the wetsuit will slide right off. Won't damage the suit, either. Petroleum jelly will hurt the wetsuit.)

At races, I'm always more proud of the racers riding what they already own (MTB, hybrid, beach cruiser), than those that spent thousands of dollars on their gear. These are the athletes that usually have the most fun.

Originally posted by Rollergirl

Originally posted by jashac

One thing you don't want to do is try to put some sort of top on over a wet body.  Try it it's really tough, especially if you're in a hurry like you'll be in the first transition.

You can wear a bike jersey under your wetsuit.  You can also buy really inexpensive training top (C-9 brand) at Target.  If you get something that fits relatively close and is comfortable it can be worn under the wetsuit for the swim and be your top for the bike and run.

T-shirts, especially cotton just don't work well.  Pulling a T shirt on over a wet body is just tough.  I know this from experience.  Try it at home when you get out of the shower.

Good luck, I hope you enjoy your race!

Sorry when I said T shirt I meant some kind of shirt in function materisl, not a cotton shirt. The idea of putting it over my swimsuit was to give me some kind of warmth, instead of cycling with a wet shirt. Not sure what the the weather will be like but at that time of the year over here could be anything between sun and high 50s and rain and low 40s. If it's the former, fine, if the latter... well, I can't see myself embarking on a bike ride with a wet shirt on. Thanks, I am sure I will enjoy it

Try running and riding in your swimsuit.  If it provides enough support and doesn't chafe, try again running and riding in a wet swimsuit.  Assuming you can comfortably ride and run in your swimsuit, plan to wear it the entire race.  If it doesn't, you'll have to find an alternative, but you most likely won't have a place to change.  

Are the temps I made bold Fahrenheit or Celsius?  If Fahrenheit,   try riding in wet clothes in those temperatures.  Personally, if it is 60F, I'm going to take some time to dry off as much as possible and probably put on a dry shirt even if it takes an extra minute in transition.  I do this for fun, and riding in 60F weather while wet isn't "fun" for me.  

I did my first two tri's wearing swim trunks and pulling on a cotton t-shirt after the swim.  That is what I had, and I had fun even with that modest amount of gear.  

I saw you were NOT from the US and it is a big difference between 45F and 45C.  If you're expecting temperatures that cold, definitely consider drying off and putting on some warm gear in T1.  I did an Olympic distance tri a few years ago and it was about 60F when I got on the bike still wet from the swim.  I was cold the entire hour and 15 minutes (20 mph)!