Triathlon - Newbie question: crashing

Getting ready for my first tri in April. Wish me luck!
Been reading a bit in the "Road Racing" forums . . . and every race they mention crashes! Bikes broken, road rash salved, and good looks ruined.

So, are the bike portions of triathlons relatively safe? Like the Simpsons say, bones heal, chicks dig scars, and the US has the best doctor-to-daredevil ratio in the country, but I'm protective enough of my poor bike that I've actually thought about walking it across railroad tracks.

The few I've been in are absolutely safe for the mid-packers. No drafting and big no-ride zones around every biker results in passes in safe areas only and no close riding. More dangerous getting TO the race than actually racing.

Tyson

The bike portion of a triathlon is nothing like a road race. I have seen folks crash (usually a single rider at a time). I wouldn't worry about crashing. Since this will be your first triathlon concentrate on having fun and learning from the whole experience.

Here's some advice from someone who has crashed during the bike leg of a tri...

1) Always stay to the far right of the course unless you are passing someone.
2) When passing, do it quickly and get back over to the right.
3) Don't let ego get in the way. If there is a big bunch of riders going through a small space, don't try to shoot through a small gap...even if you are going much faster than they are. Use your brakes and wait for the group to thin out.
4) Know who's around you when you come up on corners. Pick a line and stick with it.
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With reference to my crash, there were a ton of first-timers who were spread out all over the course and it was a two-lap bike leg so I was lapping people. I was doing about 30 mph and there were about 15 riders ahead of me. I tried to pass on the left but one guy (doing about 20 mph) kept moving over further and further. Just as I was going around him, I got hit from the back left by a guy who was trying to go around me. What a mess! The end result for me was a broken clavicle and scapula, a severe concussion, and road rash up my entire left side. As for my bike...scraped shifters and pedals...yep, that's it.

My tri that day ended up being swim-bike-ambulance...not exactly what I planned. Even with insurance, I'm sure the thing ended up costing me between $1000 and $2000
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Hopefully you are doing a USAT sanctioned race. Those seem to be safer and they do a good job of telling the newbies proper etiquette.

Have fun and good luck!

Not sure if you already know this, but when passing, it's proper etiqutte to tell the "passee" what side you're on. In other words, yell "on your left" if you are passing someone to their left side. However, I've found that a minority of riders will interpret "on your left" as "move to the left", which causes problems.

By the way, you may take a number of precautions to protect yourself, but the bike portion of a triathlon is dangerous. The danger factor increases if you are a slow swimmer and a fast cyclist because there will be more people on the road ahead of you after T1 and you will be passing them very quickly. But the element of danger is part of the fun, at least it is for me.

cjbruin is right in that USAT sanctioned races are good for newbies learning the rules. They are very specific about where each rider rides in relation to others on the course. Most (certainly not all) of the competitors racing in a USAT race should be aware of the rules for positioning, passing, and the like. Race officials will apply time penalties to anyone violating the rules. If you want to read what the rules are go to:

http://www.usatriathlon.org/Rules_Officials/rules.htm

It's good stuff to know. Everyone has to be aware during these rides, and there will deflinitely be accidents no matter what rules are in place or how they are enforced. But a little knowledge about the rules always helps.

MOP's are generally safe. If your race is a mutliple loop, you do need to watch for the elite's and pro's.

Thanks everybody . . . I need some more time in the pool, but my first race will be May 1. *crosses fingers*