Hi Missy,
I am doing this tri for the third time. It is good fun (for me, more so after I successfully make it out of the water).
A couple of things about the course for you:
it is quite flat, with just a really small hill heading out to the freeway. On the freeway, the grades are gentle.
the 20km out is pretty easy as you normally have a tailwind. The return into the headwind is not as much fun....My (non-drafting!) speed dropped from 36km/h to 32km/h
you will be starting later than most, teams are off last. The wind and temp will likely be picking up...
despite the rules of no drafting, there are so many bikes on the road it is nearly impossible. Just make sure you drop back when the motorbike officials come alongside otherwise you will get hit with a time penalty or disqualified (happened to a friend last year when he didn't stop in the penalty box) Some guys are really quick and pretty good at dragging along a big group. last year i got stuck in a big bunch of at least 30 with about 10km to go and we easily pushed at over 40km/h....
say hi when you see me! I will be on the 08 red/white/blue 08 spesh tarmac with clip on aero bars (and more than likely with a big grin
after fighting through the massive QLD seas).