BTF rule on towels

General
1

Been discussed in the trials club whatsapp, mostly because we wanted to order cmbranded towels as give aways. Seems overly restrictive to what doesn’t normally seem like a big issue.

The 2026 BTF Towel Rule (Section 7.1.z) Summary:

  • Large Towels Banned: Large towels or beach towels are no longer permitted to mark transition spaces.

  • Allowed Small Towel: Athletes may use a small towel, maximum 12" x 12" (30cm x 30cm) or roughly the size of a flannel.

@fatbuddha is the towel in transition often a problem? I’ve always taken a pool Towel, folded it small and placed it on shoes there so I can quickly dry feet.

2

I haven’t done many small races in recent years and normally have a towel in the T1 bag. Not quite a beach towel but not far off.

3

Always have a small towel and never been pulled up for it

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4

just as well, wouldn’t want anyone pulling up that towel if it’s small

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5

I had a union jack one, never caused an issue as my shoes and cap sat on it and wetsuit after swim.

6

I’ve just been warned of this today by a race official

7

A small towel the size of a flannel is not a towel, such a towel does not exist - it’s a flannel.

The smallest towel size is the Bar Towel at 50cm by 23cm.

If the rule is legal, mark transition with a flannel the size of a beach towel…

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8

The official explained that people were marking their bike with colourful beach towels, which undermines that they need to just know where their sodding bike is and stop being such lemons.

I may have added the sodding and lemons to his statement…

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9

Hopefully Ttowel wasnt banned, he’s not 12x12

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10

has been a problem for years for a few reasons

  1. people use it to mark their spots
  2. too many towels are too big and unnecessary in reality
  3. having them everywhere can cause trip hazards
  4. people just abandon them adding to 3

If you race GB AG at international events you won’t be allowed a towel of any sort (or racing elite UK events) - nobody complains much

What the BTF has done is overdue and is offering a transition period to hopefully banning them totally (imho)

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11

I always thought a towel was good as it sort of marked a spot for your equipment. I suppose what we need is someone to design an item to put your equipment in transition so it doesn’t go everywhere; an added bonus would be easy transportation to and from transition. They could call it TriBox™ or something

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12

I solved the problem by having a white seat. No one else has white seats.

The only time you need a towel in transition is when it’s a complete mudfest and you need to get the shit out of your toes. Castle Triathlon Series, I’m looking at you.

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13

If you race that level, you have about 40 other people racing and about 8 foot either side of your bike with a massive neon sign flashing your name.

So yeah. No need for a towel.

Also, no goose shit or grass. As those races are fully carpetted.

BTF really want to grow the sport.

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14

and fwiw - when I was racing I only ever took a bar towel just in case I ever needed something. Stayed under my BB and rarely used

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15

I still have my towel too! Its in the car. For the dogs. Just an IKEA hand towel.
Mainly to wipe off goose poo. And grass.

Do people not do the transition walks anymore?
Visualisation and all that jazz?

Third row from back, inline with the builders merchant yellow advertising sign. Blah blah blah.

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16

Agree.

The power is going to their heads.

I always use the smallest hand towel you can get which is bigger than the new rules allow.

Think they are 50 or 60x 30, Ill check and update.

17

I do…

Gap in the trees… but it is normally not needed… pick from these three bikes still in T1… :scream::woman_biking:

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18

you’d be amazed that even with numbered racking spots which should make life easy how many still can’t find their bikes. Mainly 'cos they haven’t recce’d where ins and outs are and which direction they should be going. Amuses the fuck out of me on a quiet day!

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19

I normally use a hand to brush the gravel, bark, stones, from my feet before getting on the bike. It saves stones/sand papering your feet on the bike in most events.

Oh yes and wet grass, increase chance of blisters on the bike and run.

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20

If there is duck shit etc and to avoid the towel issue I take an old sock and just use that to do the quick wipe down. Then put it under the shoes or whatever to hide it.

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