Profile makes a great set. They flex up and out of the way when you're not on them. I would say for safety reasons don't forget to get a brake installed on the aero bars.
If you are signing up to be part of a team, you just take one leg of the race. I've been the bike leg on a triathlon, and had a blast.
The QR isn't really a road bike, its a tri bike, suitable for time trials. Coming from a mountain bike background, you'll find riding position and muscle recruitment odd at first. Its a really nice one, but might be a tad small for you (I'm 5'8" and ...