Please read the following information if you are already participating in or interested in coming to the TSD Ranger Tri this weekend. We hope you have a great weekend!

The RANGER TRIATHLON, the first event of the newly created 1379 TRI SERIES, will be this upcoming SUNDAY, APRIL 18, 2010 beginning at 9:00 am. Thank you for taking an interest in our event. We are very excited in having you here at the Texas School for the Deaf for the 3rd Annual Ranger Triathlon!!!

This email contains important information to know in order to have a successful, smooth, fun, and safe event. Please take the time to review:

PACKET PICK-UP – PACKET PICK-UP – PACKET PICK-UP

FRIDAY, APRIL 16 at JACK & ADAMS BICYCLES, 1210 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX
Time: 11:00 am – 7:00 pm

SATURDAY, APRIL 17 at 1379 Family Sports Store, 2727 Exposition Dr., Austin, TX
Time: 11:00 am – 5:00 pm

PACKET PICK-UP. Each participant will need to get their race packet, which will include their race number (bib # and bike #), water bottle, etc.

USA TRIATHLON MEMBERSHIP. In order to participate, each athlete must have a valid USA TRIATHLON MEMBERSHIP. This may be purchased online by going to usatriathlon.org. Children ages, 17 and under, a one year membership is $5. Adults one-year membership costs $39.99. Adults may also purchase a one-day membership for $10.00. Or you may purchase a new membership at PACKET PICK-UP. PLEASE BRING CASH OR CHECK. IF PAYING BY CHECK, WRITE PAYABLE TO “USA TRIATHLON.” NO ATM/CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED.

Please bring a copy of your membership card to PACKET PICK-UP. If you cannot find your membership card, you may print a temporary copy by going to usatriathlon.org.

Special note: Those who participated in the RANGER TRIATHLON 2009, your USAT MEMBERSHIP is still active until May 16, 2010.

BICYCLE CHECK. Each bicycle must be in safe condition meaning that the tires are properly inflated, front and rear brakes work, and the handlebars have bar ends. Each bicycle will need to go through a mandatory check.

You may bring your bicycle to PACKET PICK-UP at JACK & ADAM’s BICYCLES on FRIDAY, APRIL 16 between 10:00 am to 7:00 pm or on SATURDAY, APRIL 17 between 10:00 am to 7:00 pm. This will assure you a quick entry into the transition area on Sunday morning. BICYCLES CHECKED PRIOR TO THE RANGER TRIATHLON will also be allowed quick access into any 1379 TRI SERIES EVENT as long as the bike check approval sticker remains on the bike.

You may also bring your bicycle to any BICYCLE SPORT SHOP location. Just mention 1379 TRI SERIES.

Or you may bring your bicycle to the transition area on Sunday morning before the race. Please realize that you may be in line waiting to have your bicycle checked, so arrive early.

DAY BEFORE RACE – DAY BEFORE RACE – DAY BEFORE RACE

NUTRITION:
Please drink water on the day before the race and the morning of the race so that you are properly hydrated. Eat healthy meals leading up to the race as well.

Be sure you have everything you need ready before you go to sleep. And do get a good night’s sleep.

TRI GEAR:
SWIM SUIT
SWIM GOGGLES
TOWEL
BICYCLE
HELMET
RUNNING SHOES
WATER BOTTLE
RACE #
RUNNING SHIRT (must have race # attached or use tri race belt)
TRI RACE BELT(not necessary)
BICYLE SHOES (not necessary)
RUNNING SHORTS (not necessary)
RACE BELT (not necessary)
BIKE AIR PUMP (not necessary, be sure your tires are inflated)

RACE DAY – RACE DAY – RACE DAY

LOCATION: Texas School for the Deaf, 1102 South Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78704 – enter campus via CONGRESS AVE GATE
CONTACT (any last minute questions): Nick Bannon (Text Message: 512-810-3739 or Email Pager: nickbannon@gmail.com)

GATES OPEN at 6:30 AM (also see SCHEDULE below)
[GATES WILL BE CLOSED FROM 8:30 AM UNTIL THE LAST CYCLIST IS OFF THE BIKE COURSE, WHICH WE ESTIMATE TO BE ABOUT 11:00 AM – NO DRIVING ON CAMPUS AT ALL WHILE CYCLISTS ARE STILL RACING)

PARKING: TSD SECURITY will guide you in where to park. After parking your car, walk with your bicycle and tri equipment to the TRANSITION AREA at the SOFTBALL FIELD (by the FOOTBALL FIELD), which is at the center of the school campus close to 1st St.

UPON ARRIVAL AT SOFTBALL FIELD/TRANSITION AREA:

1 – BODY MARKING –get your BODY MARKED/NUMBERED at the BODY MARKING AREA (by TRANSITION AREA)

2 – BIKE CHECK at TRANSITION AREA BEFORE ENTERING. MUST HAVE HELMET and MUST BE BODY MARKED. BICYCLE SPORT SHOP AND JACK AND ADAMS BICYCLE MECHANICS on site for very minor needs. NO MAJOR REPAIRS.

3 – TRANSITION AREA. Volunteers will be there to assist the athletes. Please place your bicycle and gear on the rack according to your age group. Some racks might be too high for certain bicycles. If so, bicycles may be left on the ground. Athletes will be encouraged to set up their bike area by themselves. However, a parent may assist their son/daughter.

4 – TIMING CHIP – get TIMING CHIP from CADENCE SPORTS TENT at the JACK AND ADAM’S FINISH CHUTE/FINISH LINE on TRACK – MUST SHOW YOUR RACE # (BODY MARK/NUMBER is fine).

SCHEDULE – SCHEDULE – SCHEDULE

6:30 am – TSD CAMPUS CONGRESS AVE GATE OPENS

6:45 am – 8:30 am – TRANSITION AREA OPENS

8:30 am – TRANSITION AREA CLOSES, GO TO TRACK BY FLAGPOLE for SWIM START LINE-UP

SWIM START LINE-UP – participants will line-up according to race #s:
#1-99 (7-10 year olds); #100-150 (11-14 year olds) will line up on track.
#200-299 (15+ year olds) shall line up in the pool area beginning around 9:30 am. Please be alert so that you will not miss your start time.

There will be a 20 +/- minute gap between age groups in starting times.

8:40 am – PRE-RACE ANNOUNCEMENTS and NATIONAL ANTHEM.

8:55 am – Athletes will proceed to the swimming pool for the SWIM START.

9:00 am – 7-10 year olds will start the race with a staggered start every 10 seconds, swimming 4 lengths (100m), 1 length in each of the 4 lanes.

9:20 am or so – 11-14 year olds will start the race with a staggered start every 10 seconds, swimming 8 lengths (200m), 2 lengths per lane in each of the 4 swim lanes.

9:40 am or so – 15+ year olds will start the race with a staggered start every 10 seconds, swimming 8 lengths (200m), 2 lengths per lanes in each of the 4 swim lanes.

Please be patient and courteous while you await your swim start time.

BIKE COURSE:

* Please walk/jog with your bike to the BIKE MOUNT LINE on the bike course road.

* The 7-10 year olds will bike, clockwise, 2 times (2.2 miles) around the campus road. The 11-14 and 15+ year olds will bike 5 times (5.5 miles), clockwise, around the campus road.

* TIMING MAT ON BIKE COURSE will be used to ensure that each cyclist makes the correct number of loops. IF THE CYCLIST DOES NOT COMPLETE THE CORRECT NUMBER OF LOOPS, HE/SHE WILL BE DISQUALIFIED, but will still be able to finish the race.

* Please exercise CAUTION on the bike course (when passing, going over 4 speed bumps spread out on the campus road. You will go over 3 speed bumps at a slower speed as you will be cycling up an incline or flat road surface. Please note that 1 speed bump is at the end of a long gradual decline and please use best judgement.)

* There will be one area that will be designated as a NO PASSING ZONE marked by cones. PLEASE GO SLOWLY as there will be no room to pass. This will be at the first 2 turns on the bike course, which will be right after the BIKE MOUNT LINE.

* Stay to the LEFT when you are lapping the bike course and be watchful of those entering/exiting the bike course. This will be marked closely with cones as well.

* Again, there is one gradual decline on the bike loop, please be careful and use your best judgment.

* Please SLOW DOWN to DISMOUNT and WALK/JOG your bike to TRANSITION AREA.

* IMPORTANT: There won’t be much of an opportunity to get into an aero or tucked position if you have aerobars due to the frequent, yet mild turns. There is one 90-degree angle turn soon after NO PASSING ZONE.

* IMPORTANT: Please be mindful of the metal manhole surfaces as they may be slick when wet or even dry. Try not to be on them when turning.

RUN COURSE:
* For the 7-10 year olds, you will follow the ORANGE SIGNS onto the track from T2 (Transition Area). You will run 2 FULL times (1/2 mile) around the track. The first time you will NOT go through the JACK & ADAMS BICYCLES FINISHER’s CHUTE. The second time you WILL go through the JACK & ADAM’s BICYCLES FINISHER’s CHUTE to FINISH.

* For the 11-14 year olds, you will follow the GREEN SIGNS on a run course that will consist of the following surfaces: grass, sidewalk, trail, one set of about 15-20 steps, more sidewalk and grass, and then running on the track to finish. You will run just ONE (1) FULL LAP on the 1 mile run course and then you will run onto the TSD track for a ‘victory’ lap before finishing at the JACK & ADAM’S BICYLCES FINISHER’s CHUTE. You will have actually ran 1.2 miles instead of 1 mile (due to the ‘victory’ lap – but it will be well worth it!!!).

* For the 15+ year olds, you will follow the GREEN SIGNS on a run course that will consist of the following surfaces: grass, sidewalk, trail, one set of about 15-20 steps, more sidewalk and grass, and then running on the track to finish. You will run TWO (2) FULL LAPS on the 1 mile run course and then you will run onto the TSD track for a ‘victory’ lap before finishing at the JACK & ADAM’S BICYLCES FINISHER’s CHUTE. You will have actually ran 2.2 miles instead of 2 miles (due to the ‘victory’ lap – but it will be well worth it!!!).

FINISHER MEDALS will be awarded to those athletes, ages 17 and under.

POST RACE WATER, FRUIT, SNACKS will be provided for THE ATHLETES.
FAIR BEAN COFFEE will sell refreshments and bakery-type snacks for spectators at the CONCESSION STAND.

FIRST AID. EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE and a NURSE will be present if you need any First Aid care. FIRST AID TABLE/TENT ON FOOTBALL FIELD.

RACE RESULTS will be posted momentarily as the race proceeds. The results will be posted on the concession stand outside wall. Please exercise extreme caution when crossing the track to view the results.

AWARDS will be presented on the FOOTBALL FIELD after the last person completes the race.

EVENT CONCLUSION. We hope to conclude the event by 12 noon.

INCLEMENT WEATHER PLAN. In the event of rain and/or thunderstorms, the event will become a aquathon, a swim/run. The bike leg will be dropped as the road will not be safe for cycling. The cycling course will become the run course for those ages 11 and up. Ages 11-14 will run 1 time, clockwise, around the campus road, 1 time around the track to finish. Ages 15+ will run 2 times around the campus road plus 1 time around the track to finish. Ages 7-10 will run 2 times around the track just as they would if the event were a triathlon. The distances will remain the same.

FUN AND CHALLENGE. Do have fun at the event and challenge yourself as best as you can!!!

Any questions or any concerns, you may contact me at:

nickbannon@gmail.com (email pager)
512-810-3739 (text message)

We’ll see you all on Friday, April 16 at Jack and Adam’s Bicycles or on Saturday, April 17 for packet pick-up/race registration and on Sunday, April 18 for the RANGER TRIATHLON!!!!

Please be sure to look into the remaining 1379 TRI SERIES events by going to www.kidstriseries.com

Again, THANK YOU for supporting the Physical Education Program at the Texas School for the Deaf.

Sincerely,

Nick Bannon
Ranger Triathlon Director