Traveling to races is a great way to explore new places and combine the love we have for our sports with an adventurous desire to take them to new places. For some athletes, a weekend race getaway to warmer climates is a great way to get through the cold Midwest winters. For others, it's a chance to try a race that isn't offered locally or to simply enjoy a change of scenery.

If your next race requires you to leave the comforts of your neighborhood or home town, read on for tips to ensure you are ready to race at your best away from home. Whether your travels involve a road trip to a neighboring state or a plane ride across an ocean, the most important thing is to plan ahead for both your travel and your race.

Travel Planning
Be sure you've made all your arrangements in advance including your race entry, airline travel, hotel and rental car. Triathletes and cyclists will need to consider whether they will take their bike, and/or other essential gear, with them on the plane (which requires an additional fee and also often advance arrangements) or use a shipping service and send their bike, and possibly other equipment, in advance. There are risks associated with both choices so consider what might work best for you.

On one hand, shipping your gear means that you don't have to carry it with you to the airport, through the airport, to your hotel and then all the way back again when you return home. The cost involved may be well worth saving your energy for the race, rather than for schlepping gear.

On the other hand, keeping your gear with you is best if you're at all concerned about your shipped items arriving on time for your event. It's also the better option if you're unsure whether your hotel or a nearby bike shop will receive items and hold them for you prior to your arrival.

An important and often overlooked concern athletes share is the need for hydration prior to their events. Don't let last minute planning and busy travel days prevent you from staying well hydrated, especially if your travel involves flying where re-circulated air is likely to be drier. Include a Nalgene bottle in your carry on gear and keep it nearby as you travel.

Race Planning
Let's start with the obvious - make a list. Include everything that you'll need pre race, during your event, and post race. As you're listing items, think through similar events you've done remembering things you needed or wished you'd had. If you're traveling to an event unlike any you've done before, rely on your training experience to help you think it through. You may also want to ask a friend with this sort of race experience to review your list and add any items you may have overlooked.

Normally you would take the gear you need for the event itself, taking into account the current season and local temperatures. But when traveling away from home, it's important to remember that the weather report you read before departure can change and now you find that you're in need of the wind jacket you don't have, or the shortie wetsuit instead of the long john you brought with you. As you're packing, be sure to expand your list of items to include any items you'd want for the range of weather conditions which are possible where you're going.

It's also important to remember your credit card. Let's face it. Even the most meticulous planner is likely to forget something important. Most races have some sort of an event expo where you can purchase essential items you may have forgotten. It's not ideal to be without something of your own, but purchasing a bike helmet or a pair of running shoes, when without them you wouldn't be able to compete, is a better alternative than traveling and having to spectate instead of participate.

Of course the best thing about traveling to races is that once your race is done you can enjoy spending time sightseeing at your chosen destination, staying up late, eating dessert and knowing you've earned the indulgence.