One more thing for the novices

Pin your race number on twice through each corner. Don't use the holes, they're irrelevant. Don't just stick the safety pin through willy-nilly, it's 'number, fabric, fabric, number, fasten'. It's really quite simple, it keeps your number from flapping around, makes it easier for the officials to read, and doesn't tear off as easily when you crash. (Not 'if', 'when'.) Personally, I'm a fan of six safety pins, but some people are happy with four and others can't live without the full eight. You can choose how ever many you like, just stop the flapping!

On a related note, those of you with long hair, braids, ponytails, whatnot? Pull it up and out of the way. Go watch a video replay of a sprint sometime (especially a black and white replay) and you'll understand why. Numbers are hard enough to read without adding to the confusion.

Anyone have any other pieces of advice they'd like to offer up?