T1 represents the transition in a triathlon when participants change sport from swimming to cycling. It marks a critical point when the athletes transition their equipment and proceed to the second sport as quickly as possible.
This involves emerging from the water, shedding a wetsuit (if you have one), donning a bike helmet and bike shoes, collecting your bike, and moving out of the transition area. A speedy T1 will save precious seconds or minutes, and getting familiar with the transition is a vital part of becoming prepared for a triathlon. Transition times are timed and tacked on to your overall race time, so you should not spend more time here than you have to.