Yet Another Cycling Forum

General Category => Freewheeling => Racing => Topic started by: Frenchie on 30 March, 2008, 05:49:14 pm

Title: The TT Thread
Post by: Frenchie on 30 March, 2008, 05:49:14 pm
Post your times below (Distance, course type, weather conditions, bike ridden, time).
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: nic on 30 March, 2008, 06:09:23 pm
I have not completed any TT yet but I am looking forward to try it out. Two hill climbs are litterally next door (Conder Bottoms and Jubilee Tower Hill climbs). Why am I considering a time trial when I am pretty much granted the Lanterne Rouge position? Well, it sounds like a good challenge against myself and  this article on TT for beginners (http://www.cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/first_time_trial.asp) is quite inspiring.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frenchie on 30 March, 2008, 06:17:07 pm
Date           Distance         Course type         Weather conditions         Bike ridden            Time
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: clifftaylor on 30 March, 2008, 07:30:42 pm
Sorry for the variation in format, I'm old  :)

All rides on DC courses
All rides on Ribble 653 roadbike with clip-on tribars
All rides had weather of some sort
All rides between 1990 and 1994

10    21.36
25    55.45
50    1.59.30
100  4.23.45
12 hours  223.5

Edit: All rides on 32 spoke wheels with 18mm tubs
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 30 March, 2008, 08:18:19 pm
Last years best times:
Ribble 653 road bike.
10 miles - 29.17

Fuji track bike 48x16 gear - Caird Park velodrome:
flying 200 - 16.something
flying 400 - 35.something
1600m - 2.25ish

Match Sprint - 100% record (lost every one)

So plenty of room for improvement this season.

..d
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: clifftaylor on 30 March, 2008, 09:06:11 pm
Yay for Ribble 653 Road bikes  :D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: gonzo on 30 March, 2008, 09:09:45 pm
10mi - 22.24 - planet X with zipps (Frome bypass course)
12 hr - 205mi - regular road bike, 32 spokes, no tri-bars, unpleasant weather (Kent 12 hr course)

I've not done any individual time trials between these distances!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 30 March, 2008, 09:37:32 pm
24 hr - 373 miles - good conditions, unsupported - Mersey Roads course of course, my first British TT
12 hr - 217 miles - average conditions - on the 24 hr course.
100 miles - just over 5 hours - reasonable conditions - some SPOCO course in Norfolk
50 miles - 2:12 or so - up and down the A50, no fun at all.

All on S&S coupled Frezoni Audax with Profile clip-ons, 32/40 spokes, all except the 100 mile in 2002 (the only distance I repeated in 2003, my last TT).  It seemed like every week or two I was starting another TT half the distance of the previous one.

The only road TT distance done in Australia is 40 km (and that rarely), my fastest was a long 56 nearly 20 years ago on a flat, windless, virtually traffic-free course.  I did a 2:20 100 km team time trial around the same time.  I think I had a steel-forked Cannondale with tubs.

Track TT was 1:12 for a standing kilo - Chandler velodrome - steel Eddy Merckx, 28 spoke tubs, no aero bars.  Flying 200 was 12.35 seconds.

It was nice to be fit once...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 30 March, 2008, 09:53:29 pm

Date             Distance         Course type       Weather conditions            Bike ridden               Time

05/07/06           10mls/26.39    Rolling  Q10/26        cleardry             Raleigh 76" gear
12/07/06            10 mls/25.38      rolling Q10/26      clear dry           Raleigh 86" gear
21-22/07/07   24hr TT/334           rolling                   cold drizzle       Lambert 72" gear
15/08/07            10mls/26.45       rolling Q10/26      clear dry           Lambert 72" gear
30/03/08             9mls/29.37        Hillyish Qs/30        wet                  Lambert 76" gear 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Paul D on 31 March, 2008, 03:13:38 pm
The older I get, the faster I was.

No TTing for me since 2006. Times achieved on a Specialized Allez Comp 2002 with clip-on tribars.

Date             Distance         Course type       Weather conditions            Bike ridden               Time


28/6/06        10m                Flat                     Dry, sunny, don't remember much breeze          24:20
07/6/06        25m                Flat                     Ditto                                                          1:05:10


Hopefully getting better this year. Wouldn't have had any bike upgrades except my spesh frame has just broken, but no plans to buy a TT specific bike.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 17 April, 2008, 07:32:25 am
A bright sunny day, light wind but oh so bitter.. It was warm and pleasant when I left home, so I didn't take my long sleeve top. Not feeling terribly enthused, so it was a moral victory just turning up and sticking a number on my back. I decide to keep my fleece on under my jersey rather than freeze.

The course was a minor modification of the usual one, redesigned to avoid roadworks/traffic lights. We start at about 1k away from a roundabout at the top of the hill.

Sitting at the start I can see my breath steaming. My stopwatch has given up the ghost so I will have no pacing guide except the speedo.

Set off. Just before the roundabout I hit a pothole and felt my tri bars drop by a few inches. Somewhat disconcerting. Down the long hill and I was seriously contemplating just turning left and pulling a DNF.

But I hung on there, wondering why I was doing it, cursing my inability to get any kind of rhythm or speed. Clocked 29.15 for the night which made me suspect a generous mathematical error on the part of the timekeepers.

My legs hurt today. But I turned up and set a time, despite a lack of fitness and time on the bike.

..d


Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: harrumph on 17 April, 2008, 09:45:15 am

10    21.36

Bugger! 21:37 on the E2/10 (Six Mile Bottom) on 15/5/04 (Hutch did 18:38, the fastest ride of the season).

Mind you, that was on an 18lb Giant TCR with rear disc and aero front wheels, and a pretty good day on one of the fastest courses in the country. I reckon you're more than a second better than me.

I think my 22:53 on the Q10/22 (Harrietsham, Kent) later that year might have been a better ride - it's a fairly demanding course.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 17 April, 2008, 09:48:01 am
As I pointed out to one of the other guys in the club, having to go at max effort for 29 minutes is harder than than max for 22...

At least that is my excuse (and the aerobelly).

..d
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Maladict on 17 April, 2008, 07:04:55 pm
about Y2K or so I entered a 10 (no idea what cat, but it was flat, on the A10 north of Cambridge).

31.01

given my plan was to get under 35.00 I thought this was quite good but then when you consider I was last by 1 minute I didn't feel so good about it.  ::-)

I am thinking about entering the E3/10 at Bottisham (only a few miles from home) next week.  I should probably renew my membership (membership of BC is current, but not of Cambridge CC).
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 17 April, 2008, 08:49:07 pm

10    21.36


I think my 22:53 on the Q10/22 (Harrietsham, Kent) later that year might have been a better ride - it's a fairly demanding course.

 I have entered the Catford CC Open 10 26th April on that course, I'm not sure wether to leave the 76" gear on or put the 72" back on, it is quite rolling.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: IanDG on 17 April, 2008, 09:05:24 pm
just looked mine up from a few years ago

5 mile    10-26   K49   Stafford RC club event    3/9/80
10 mile  21-29   K6s   Stafford RC club event    27/8/80
25 mile  57-30   K6s   Stafford RC club event    3/8/77
50 mile  2-2-56  k7     Walsall roads open        10/07/83

and my fastest 4,000m pursuit was 5-02.348 (1/8 finals, national champs, Leicester, 4/8/81)

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: harrumph on 18 April, 2008, 10:32:29 am
I have entered the Catford CC Open 10 26th April on that course, I'm not sure wether to leave the 76" gear on or put the 72" back on, it is quite rolling.

Assuming that you still have to get down the big hill at the end with its rough surface, I'd leave the 76" gear on and just tough it out up the drags after the turn.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: harrumph on 18 April, 2008, 10:35:44 am
...I am thinking about entering the E3/10 at Bottisham (only a few miles from home) next week.  I should probably renew my membership (membership of BC is current, but not of Cambridge CC).

"British Cycling" (so called) is not the governing body for time trialling in England and Wales (oh, dear me, no!).

You need to be a member of a club affiliated to good old CTT to enter time trials - Cambridge CC would do very nicely, I'm sure. Although unless it's a club event, you are almost certainly too late to enter that particular one.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: harrumph on 18 April, 2008, 10:36:59 am
10 mile  21-29   K6s   Stafford RC club event    27/8/80

Pre tri-bars, too - I take my hat off to you!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: bobmick on 18 April, 2008, 10:54:42 am
I joined a local club this year with the aim of doing a 10 mile TT and then trying to beat it.  Never ridden one before (and I'm in my 40's) so I'll let you know how I did soon.  If I can beat 30 mins (or even get very close to it) first time out I'll be chuffed.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Maladict on 18 April, 2008, 11:19:40 am
...I am thinking about entering the E3/10 at Bottisham (only a few miles from home) next week.  I should probably renew my membership (membership of BC is current, but not of Cambridge CC).

"British Cycling" (so called) is not the governing body for time trialling in England and Wales (oh, dear me, no!).

You need to be a member of a club affiliated to good old CTT to enter time trials - Cambridge CC would do very nicely, I'm sure. Although unless it's a club event, you are almost certainly too late to enter that particular one.

Thanks for that clarification.  It is a club event, and you can just turn up on the line and pay £1 according to the website.  This is what I did in 2000.  I was a member last year but let it lap - members get priority.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 18 April, 2008, 11:57:08 am
Ours are run under BC (well, Scottish Cycling) which means they cost more and there are other differences (mandatory head gear for one).

..d
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: harrumph on 18 April, 2008, 12:56:50 pm
...you can just turn up on the line and pay £1 according to the website...
Ah - that's the "come and try it" scheme, the rules for which were always a bit hazy  :)

Still, if you intend to take TTing even slightly seriously, it's well worth being in a club with a TTing tradition.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: IanDG on 18 April, 2008, 05:48:34 pm
10 mile  21-29   K6s   Stafford RC club event    27/8/80

Pre tri-bars, too - I take my hat off to you!

National GHS10 winner in 1976, I was a mean 10 miler in my day.  ;)

Unfortunately the 10 wasn't a national championship event for juniors or seniors at the time, so I turned my sights to the track and pursuiting, and used the occasional '10' as a training event.

I never managed to adapt to the longer distance and achieve the same success at 25 mile

(http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1207/525364527_429295e971.jpg)

ego suitably massaged
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: bobmick on 18 April, 2008, 06:21:40 pm

(http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1207/525364527_429295e971.jpg)

ego suitably massaged

Thats fantastic gurning that is  ;D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Maladict on 18 April, 2008, 06:34:21 pm
...you can just turn up on the line and pay £1 according to the website...
Ah - that's the "come and try it" scheme, the rules for which were always a bit hazy  :)

Still, if you intend to take TTing even slightly seriously, it's well worth being in a club with a TTing tradition.

From the races page:

*  The start time is the time that the first rider begins the race/TT, please turn-up to sign on at least 15minutes before the time shown.

    * Rides are free to first and second claim members of Cambridge CC. There is a £1 fee for non-members.

    * Cambridge CC members get priority (except Come and Try It events).

    * Don't forget to do your bit as a helper.

    * The Come and Try It events are open to anybody irrespective of their membership status with this or any other club.

I find the final line slightly confusing since there is a suggestion that you can just pay £1 as a non-member on all club events.

Anyway I'll renew my membership and clarify the position before thursday.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rogerzilla on 18 April, 2008, 06:47:20 pm
I've done a lot of "10s".

You progress quite rapidly, largely because as you get to know a course you can pace yourself better.  I know, for instance, that I have to be out of the last roundabout by 21 minutes to be anywhere near PB.

Tri-bars are pretty essential; I've even used them on my Thorn Nomad (with rack, lights and mudguards) for sopping wet TTs, and scraped in at about 28:30.

Wear non-flappy clothing and try and maintain a constant power input (easier to gauge on flat courses), letting rip in the last half mile.  If you overcook it and feel oxygen debt or incipient cramp, you'll need to ease off but by then the time damage has been done.  Listen to what your legs and lungs are telling you.

If possible try and sign on immediately behind one or two of the slower riders (the ones doing it for a laugh on MTBs are a good bet).  Having someone to chase, and hopefully pass, is much better than riding on your own and only being passed yourself.

It's very tempting to take risks with cars at roundabouts if you're "on a ride", but there'll be another week.  Statistically, TTing is fairly dangerous, with the odd death each year.  Look where you're going too, because it's all too easy to stare at your front tyre in the aero position.  A former head of personnel at our place killed himself by doing this - straight into the back of a parked Range Rover.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Palinurus on 18 April, 2008, 07:05:10 pm
First one of the season for me yesterday.

Flattish 10, dry but windy, 24:36. Not great, but 35 seconds faster than I've gone before in perfect conditions. A pro can do this course in 20 mins, good club rider time about 22 mins. 21:55 was the fastest yesterday.

I was riding a better bike, but i've also done some training (only a bit mind). Don't know which was most responsible for my new turn of speed.

I'll be doing some 25s (an hour and 7 mins is my best there) and maybe a 50 (not done one yet) later in the season.

08/05/08 Just taken my 10 time down to 24:13. Wahhhhh!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Maladict on 18 April, 2008, 07:16:45 pm
My 31'0 was on a Trek 1000 without tri bars.  I'm having tri bars put on $newbike.

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: harrumph on 18 April, 2008, 07:37:03 pm
My 31'0 was on a Trek 1000 without tri bars.  I'm having tri bars put on $newbike.

Having now retired from time trialling (don't worry, I do something else (http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/ian.fardoe/BHPCCurborough07/photo#5116099279285225538) instead), may I wish all YACF time triallists a satisfying and safe season  :)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 18 April, 2008, 09:22:59 pm
I've done a lot of "10s".

You progress quite rapidly, largely because as you get to know a course you can pace yourself better.  I know, for instance, that I have to be out of the last roundabout by 21 minutes to be anywhere near PB.

Tri-bars are pretty essential; I've even used them on my Thorn Nomad (with rack, lights and mudguards) for sopping wet TTs, and scraped in at about 28:30.

Wear non-flappy clothing and try and maintain a constant power input (easier to gauge on flat courses), letting rip in the last half mile.  If you overcook it and feel oxygen debt or incipient cramp, you'll need to ease off but by then the time damage has been done.  Listen to what your legs and lungs are telling you.
As you get to know the course you also know where you need to push, and where you can get a bit back.

Quote
If possible try and sign on immediately behind one or two of the slower riders (the ones doing it for a laugh on MTBs are a good bet).  Having someone to chase, and hopefully pass, is much better than riding on your own and only being passed yourself.
Where do you get these guys? The ones locally 'doing it for a laugh' are the ones without disk wheels/deep section rims and pointy hats.. The ones of us on normal road bikes.

Quote
It's very tempting to take risks with cars at roundabouts if you're "on a ride", but there'll be another week.

Do that locally and you *will* be banned. No ifs, no buts. One bad apple can get a risk assessment for the next TT refused and all then lose out. At Wednesday's 10 we were told to proceed past the finish, up the hill and turn in the farm entrance. Pulling a U turn before then would result in your time being scratched and you being banned as it was a condition of the police approval.

Quote
  Statistically, TTing is fairly dangerous, with the odd death each year.  Look where you're going too, because it's all too easy to stare at your front tyre in the aero position.  A former head of personnel at our place killed himself by doing this - straight into the back of a parked Range Rover.

Yup. Push hard but don't be silly. There is normally a good community around these events and a good craic. And remember to thank the officials and marshals. They don't have to turn up and stand on a roundabout for an hour in the wind and rain.

..d (who has already gone faster than his best last year  :) )

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Maladict on 18 April, 2008, 10:22:30 pm
I thought I'd clarify the rules before turning up on spec and being told to piss off.  Right thing to do, it turns out.  And of course the club CTT sec (Nick Jackson) happens to be an old colleague of mine so we had a long chat on the phone about bikes and stuff.  I was told just to bring along my membership form and cheque to the start.  :D

Sorted.

I might do a DIY 200 tomorrow just to slow my legs down a bit.  8)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 20 April, 2008, 11:04:39 am
Date             Distance/Time         Course type       Weather conditions            Bike ridden               

05/07/06           10mls/26.39    Rolling  Q10/26        cleardry             Raleigh 76" gear
12/07/06            10 mls/25.38      rolling Q10/26      clear dry           Raleigh 86" gear
21-22/07/07   24hr TT/334           rolling                   cold drizzle       Lambert 72" gear
15/08/07            10mls/26.45       rolling Q10/26      clear dry           Lambert 72" gear
30/03/08             9mls/29.37        Hillyish Qs/30        wet                  Lambert 79" gear 


Did a Catford Club 10 this morning, punctured just as I set off so I fixed it and had a restart, then I snapped a spoke on the drive side with 1/3rd of a mile to go ::-)
Four seconds behind the winner, I must get thinner faster.

20/04/08           10mls/28.42    Hillyish Q10/3      dry and cold    Lambert 79" gear
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rogerzilla on 20 April, 2008, 06:01:59 pm
I did 26:41 on 70" fixed a few years ago.  It's not a fast course, and I'm not a fast rider.

As for the MTB riders - there's one guy who used to do the full A1 dragstrip thing with a 60T chainring, pointy hat, skinsuit, carbon bike etc but finally realised he was going mad and now rides an MTB with knobblies.  His times vary from evens to about 36".
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: desbnet on 21 April, 2008, 01:39:07 pm
Regulations extracted from the Official, Official Events Rulebook :-
 
16c) Equipment
Fixed wheeled machines are allowed, however the rider should be made aware of the current Century  (Derisory laughter from other competitors usually does the trick)
Any rider found not to have sufficiently barracked a "fixie" shall be designated a collaborator, & have their gearing publically stripped from the machine.

16d) Aerodynamic Accessories
Any riders found using Aero-bars shall immediately have them inserted where the sun don't shine.
Pretty-coloured Disc Wheels are for GURLS
A pointy nose gives an unfair advantage over those with the little button type. A mechanic should be supplied by the Event Organisers to rectify any overly-pointed nasal appendages - The use of Pliers & Cable-ties is recommended.
Large proboscus' in general - HOW MUCH AIR DO YOU WANT? Please leave some for the rest of us !

20c) Event Officials
We are all aware that Event Officials are hardy characters, but the Event Course should ideally start at a Pub, & end at a Pub to ensure that the Official Event Officials are in a fit state to both consternate the participants, and somewhat more importantly, screw up the timing, whilst reminiscing about The Good Old Days.
The expression "New-Fangled" must be included in each sentance.
The Event Officials should perform their "Comfort Breaks" in full view of the Event Riders - cringe-worthy remarks are essential during this proceedure.
The traditional Timekeepers Fart during the 10 second countdown does not apply to Hill Climbs as most competitors would nornally be suffering with colds/sinus blockages renedering the effect useless.

25e ) Conditions on the Day of the Event
Events should only take place if the following conditions apply :-
Visability           (that all is says, so I assume if you can see your bars, it's OK).
There must be a minimum of 3 Brass Monkeys frantically scrambling in the undergrowth.
Leaves are good - there is no such thing as "the wrong type of leaves"   

32c ) Parking at the Event HQ
You must be Joking! Why didn't you ride out ? GURL

758y) General Exceptions
a) The following excuse is the only acceptable reason for non-attendance:-
N/A

b) The following excuses, if used, will be recommended for recall at the Club Dinner :-
"My Carbon Brake Blocks have frozen"
Sorry, no dice - The only time you should use brakes is on a Hill Climb to stop yourself going backwards !
 
"My LBS haven't delivered my Cerveotta XYZ-Lite 2008 yet"
Well, it looks as if you will just have to choose between your 2006 and 2007 models instead then........
 
"I can't get enough pressure in my tyres"
Well, attach a hose to the Timekeepers backside - he'll have enough pressure to get you up to 130psi
 
800a) The Winner
The event winner shall be decided not on a time basis, but the quantity of saliva deposited upon his/her facial hair.       
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Rich753 on 21 April, 2008, 03:08:50 pm
I did 26:41 on 70" fixed a few years ago.  It's not a fast course, and I'm not a fast rider.

As for the MTB riders - there's one guy who used to do the full A1 dragstrip thing with a 60T chainring, pointy hat, skinsuit, carbon bike etc but finally realised he was going mad and now rides an MTB with knobblies.  His times vary from evens to about 36".

Excuse my ignorance, but what does "evens" mean in this context?

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Maladict on 21 April, 2008, 03:13:12 pm
I did 26:41 on 70" fixed a few years ago.  It's not a fast course, and I'm not a fast rider.

As for the MTB riders - there's one guy who used to do the full A1 dragstrip thing with a 60T chainring, pointy hat, skinsuit, carbon bike etc but finally realised he was going mad and now rides an MTB with knobblies.  His times vary from evens to about 36".

Excuse my ignorance, but what does "evens" mean in this context?



I believe it's 20mph - i.e. 30 mins for a 10.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Maladict on 24 April, 2008, 08:29:42 pm
24/04/08      E3/10     30'20 (ish - official times not released yet)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Treewheeler on 24 April, 2008, 08:52:50 pm
1st and only time under the hour.
54:12 P901 1994
 531c Raleigh with campag Athena but I borrowed Rocco Richardsons Campag Boras and tri bars.
I won the event by about 4 min and there was a marshalls enquiry after to make certain I never missed a turn.
 I was a second cat at the time.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 24 April, 2008, 09:07:06 pm
24/04/08      E3/10     30'20 (ish - official times not released yet)


Well done - your first 10?

..d
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Maladict on 24 April, 2008, 09:11:18 pm
24/04/08      E3/10     30'20 (ish - official times not released yet)


Well done - your first 10?

..d

Second - my first was in 2000 or 2001, I did 31'00.  This course was slower, and there was more wind (tail wind out, headwind back).  I'm on a faster bike now, with clip-on tri bars.  I slowed in the last km or so, misjudged when to start pushing a bit harder towards the end.

The new bike feels very fast.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Treewheeler on 24 April, 2008, 09:15:20 pm
Are you on foot...? ;D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Maladict on 24 April, 2008, 11:51:22 pm
Correction E3/10 24.04.08 30'15

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: nmcgann on 25 April, 2008, 09:58:51 pm
Correction E3/10 24.04.08 30'15


Just wait until you get your powertap applied to the job of training for TTs, that time will come down pretty quickly  ;)

I did 26m 34s last night, which was my PB on that course, but I'm still racing below my capability. I did the E3/13 in a training ride tonight (the E3/10 back from the stetchworth roundabout, but going round to 6mile bottom and down the A1304 to the same roundabout - 12.8 miles) and did more power than last night's race  ::-)

Neil
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Maladict on 25 April, 2008, 10:36:29 pm
Neil, I guess I should try to work out who you are next week.  ;D

Maybe you saw me.  I was in an Assos short-sleeved top, on the Madone.  Pumpers will be along in a minute to tell you which celebrity I look like.  8)

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: nmcgann on 25 April, 2008, 10:48:21 pm
Neil, I guess I should try to work out who you are next week.  ;D

Maybe you saw me.  I was in an Assos short-sleeved top, on the Madone.  Pumpers will be along in a minute to tell you which celebrity I look like.  8)


It's the fastest CCC course next week (Sawston) - fingers X'd for it not to be windy.

I didn't spot you, but my bike is easy to pick out - it's a Kaffenback with a fast-forward seatpost and a seriously down sloping stem, so it looks very odd.

Neil
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 26 April, 2008, 03:47:28 pm
Quote
Date             Distance/Time         Course type       Weather conditions            Bike ridden               

05/07/06           10mls/26.39    Rolling  Q10/26        cleardry             Raleigh 76" gear
12/07/06            10 mls/25.38      rolling Q10/26      clear dry           Raleigh 86" gear
21-22/07/07   24hr TT/334           rolling                   cold drizzle       Lambert 72" gear
15/08/07            10mls/26.45       rolling Q10/26      clear dry           Lambert 72" gear
30/03/08             9mls/29.37        Hillyish Qs/30        wet                  Lambert 79" gear 


20/04/08           10mls/28.42    Hillyish Q10/3      dry and cold    Lambert 79" gear

26/04/08          10mls/27.09      rolling Q10 /22   warm & sunny  Lambert 76" gear

 Not too bad a course in the end I could probably have left the 79" gear on as although it is rolling they are gentle long drags and I didn't have to get out of the saddle apart from the start  :)

 The winner P Bull from VC Elan did 21.14 I think.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: токамак on 29 April, 2008, 02:19:35 pm
A local club (Shaftesbury) has started their weekly 10 mile TT series near to me and I'm thinking of entering a few this year. Will be a new experience for me as I've not raced at all before. I'll be riding fixed wheel and I'm confident of going under half an hour. Anyone got any tips for me? Like, what sort of training should I be doing? should I invest in some aero-bars? Etc.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: delthebike on 29 April, 2008, 02:22:23 pm
A local club (Shaftesbury) has started their weekly 10 mile TT series near to me and I'm thinking of entering a few this year. Will be a new experience for me as I've not raced at all before. I'll be riding fixed wheel and I'm confident of going under half an hour. Anyone got any tips for me? Like, what sort of training should I be doing? should I invest in some aero-bars? Etc.

Southend Wheelers are doing their TT around Steeple (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Steeple&sll=54.162434,-3.647461&sspn=12.652358,31.948242&ie=UTF8&z=13) on Wed evenings.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 29 April, 2008, 02:24:59 pm
A local club (Shaftesbury) has started their weekly 10 mile TT series near to me and I'm thinking of entering a few this year. Will be a new experience for me as I've not raced at all before. I'll be riding fixed wheel and I'm confident of going under half an hour. Anyone got any tips for me? Like, what sort of training should I be doing? should I invest in some aero-bars? Etc.


A 10 is just an eyeballs-out, grimace-and-bear-it, flat-out ride. Get as low as you can. Use interval training to get as fast as you can.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 29 April, 2008, 02:28:57 pm
Correction E3/10 24.04.08 30'15


Typical climber's time ;)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: токамак on 29 April, 2008, 02:44:13 pm
Southend Wheelers are doing their TT around Steeple (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Steeple&sll=54.162434,-3.647461&sspn=12.652358,31.948242&ie=UTF8&z=13) on Wed evenings.

Not so easy for me to get to that one. I can ride to the Shaftesbury events from home in Chelmsford (actually it would be from Braintree if I factor in the ride from work to home as well), which should be a decent enough warm-up.

A 10 is just an eyeballs-out, grimace-and-bear-it, flat-out ride. Get as low as you can. Use interval training to get as fast as you can.

I've been practising going flat-out (or near flat-out) for 10 miles of a 20 mile circuit from home - and can maintain a 20mph average. I've not been looking forward to taking up interval training, but I guess it's got to be done if I want to go faster! I don't have a turbo trainer so all training will have to be done on the roads.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: IanDG on 29 April, 2008, 02:50:09 pm
A local club (Shaftesbury) has started their weekly 10 mile TT series near to me and I'm thinking of entering a few this year. Will be a new experience for me as I've not raced at all before. I'll be riding fixed wheel and I'm confident of going under half an hour. Anyone got any tips for me? Like, what sort of training should I be doing? should I invest in some aero-bars? Etc.


A 10 is just an eyeballs-out, grimace-and-bear-it, flat-out ride. Get as low as you can. Use interval training to get as fast as you can.

IMO There is slightly more to it than that - that approach will get you 'a good ride' but you can also do specialised intervals and progress through out the season building up to one 'big ride' with better results
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: bobb on 29 April, 2008, 02:53:40 pm
Southend Wheelers are doing their TT around Steeple (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Steeple&sll=54.162434,-3.647461&sspn=12.652358,31.948242&ie=UTF8&z=13) on Wed evenings.

Not so easy for me to get to that one. I can ride to the Shaftesbury events from home in Chelmsford (actually it would be from Braintree if I factor in the ride from work to home as well), which should be a decent enough warm-up.

A 10 is just an eyeballs-out, grimace-and-bear-it, flat-out ride. Get as low as you can. Use interval training to get as fast as you can.

I've been practising going flat-out (or near flat-out) for 10 miles of a 20 mile circuit from home - and can maintain a 20mph average. I've not been looking forward to taking up interval training, but I guess it's got to be done if I want to go faster! I don't have a turbo trainer so all training will have to be done on the roads.

Maybe we should reconnaissance the Shaftesbury route at the weekend? The Spesh may have to make its first appearance of the year if the weather is good  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Maladict on 29 April, 2008, 02:54:19 pm
Correction E3/10 24.04.08 30'15


Typical climber's time ;)

No doubt after I report on the Fred Whitton you will say "Typical sprinter's time  ;)"  ::-)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: BornAgainCyclist on 29 April, 2008, 03:02:57 pm
A local club (Shaftesbury) has started their weekly 10 mile TT series near to me and I'm thinking of entering a few this year. Will be a new experience for me as I've not raced at all before. I'll be riding fixed wheel and I'm confident of going under half an hour. Anyone got any tips for me? Like, what sort of training should I be doing? should I invest in some aero-bars? Etc.

Having returned to TTing last summer after 40+ years, I fitted aero-bars after the 1st five events, I reckon they knocked around 30secs of my 10 time. (26:25 at the moment). They seem to be the gizmo that gives the biggest improvement in speed and they're relatively inexpensive.
Practice with them before the event, and come back on the drops when cornering, going over bumby surfaces or honking - until you get used to them as bike handling is very much reduced.  Good Luck :)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: токамак on 29 April, 2008, 03:12:41 pm
Maybe we should reconnaissance the Shaftesbury route at the weekend? The Spesh may have to make its first appearance of the year if the weather is good  :thumbsup:

I've already printed off the route, so let's rec. it!

I fitted aero-bars after the 1st five events, I reckon they knocked around 30secs of my 10 time. They seem to be the gizmo that gives the biggest improvement in speed and they're relatively inexpensive.

Sounds like my kind of gizmo then, I'll keep an eye on the classifieds...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 29 April, 2008, 04:05:31 pm
...aero-bars...
Practice with them before the event, and come back on the drops when cornering, going over bumby surfaces or honking - until you get used to them as bike handling is very much reduced.  Good Luck :)

They are interesting on a tandem. It took me a while to gain confidence enough to corner on them.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 30 April, 2008, 09:41:57 pm
Bitterly cold and a stiff easterly tonight.

30:19  :(

Not so good.

My speedo packed up just before the start so I had no nagometer.

..d
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frenchie on 01 May, 2008, 09:03:11 am
I'll second the use of tri-bars. I race fixed mainly and that got me going faster for £25; I'm still not 100% comfortable with my setup but I keep doing 27' on a 72'' gear on a difficult course (bump; uneven road surface; junctions, inc. one with a give-way; wind!). I need to increase my gear to 75'' I think. And to find the time to go racing. This thread may help!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 01 May, 2008, 09:17:26 am


A 10 is just an eyeballs-out, grimace-and-bear-it, flat-out ride. Get as low as you can. Use interval training to get as fast as you can.

IMO There is slightly more to it than that - that approach will get you 'a good ride' but you can also do specialised intervals and progress through out the season building up to one 'big ride' with better results

Oh yes, I agree. I was just talking about the ride itself. As someone much faster than I once said to me, "There's no 'pacing yourself' on a 10, it's just flat-out on the pain barrier all the way."

Actually, that's a good way of judging how well you did - if it didn't hurt you weren't trying hard enough.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: IanDG on 01 May, 2008, 09:28:04 am

I agree with


A 10 is just an eyeballs-out, grimace-and-bear-it, flat-out ride. Get as low as you can. Use interval training to get as fast as you can.

IMO There is slightly more to it than that - that approach will get you 'a good ride' but you can also do specialised intervals and progress through out the season building up to one 'big ride' with better results

Oh yes, I agree. I was just talking about the ride itself. As someone much faster than I once said to me, "There's no 'pacing yourself' on a 10, it's just flat-out on the pain barrier all the way."

Actually, that's a good way of judging how well you did - if it didn't hurt you weren't trying hard enough.

Aah, understand.

 'if it didn't hurt....'   definitely, at the finish your legs should be burning and you should be 'coughing youe guts up'   ;D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 01 May, 2008, 10:07:09 am

 'if it didn't hurt....'   definitely, at the finish your legs should be burning and you should be 'coughing youe guts up'   ;D

That sounds familiar. I was absolutely wasted. The most depressing thing is that there is a speed sign just before the village (finish is just after the village up a hill - about 200m further than you think it will be.) You see teh cars flashing past and getting speeds of over the limit (40). Then it picks you up. And you feel knackered, and the speed is dismal.

I'll need to get a new speedo before next time - just hurting isn't enough of a guide, speed is the key.

..d
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: harrumph on 01 May, 2008, 10:18:44 am
...As someone much faster than I once said to me, "There's no 'pacing yourself' on a 10, it's just flat-out on the pain barrier all the way."

I didn't find that the fastest strategy; physiologically, depth and frequency of breathing requires ~3mins to adjust to demand, so I think that during the first three minutes of a 10 it is unproductive to try and go flat out. After all, it is still an endurance, rather than a sprint, event - compare it with athletics, where the closest equivalent is something between 5,000 and 10,000m.

Having said that, the people who are able to chat happily 5 minutes after finishing are the ones who don't know how to "get it all out". I couldn't speak anything but rubbish for a good half hour after a 10.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: harrumph on 01 May, 2008, 10:22:29 am
I'll need to get a new speedo before next time - just hurting isn't enough of a guide, speed is the key.

A heart rate monitor would be a better guide, and an (expensive) power meter better still... speed is too dependent on conditions. You can be doing a very good ride (relative to other competitors) and still not going very fast. Or you can be flying along with a tailwind, and not trying hard enough. A HRM tells you if you are slacking.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 01 May, 2008, 10:49:06 am
I'll need to get a new speedo before next time - just hurting isn't enough of a guide, speed is the key.

A heart rate monitor would be a better guide, and an (expensive) power meter better still... speed is too dependent on conditions. You can be doing a very good ride (relative to other competitors) and still not going very fast. Or you can be flying along with a tailwind, and not trying hard enough. A HRM tells you if you are slacking.

Mine doesn't - it just pegs out at far too high ;-)

A speedo is useful for gettting effective use of power - am I doing better riding this gear, or the other gear with a different cadence?

Actually, I wasn't doing too badly (for me) last night till about the 7 mile mark and then it went kind of downhill performance wise.

Fastest time was 21:54 on the night. I normally home to be within 8 mins of the fastest, ideally 7.

..d

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: BornAgainCyclist on 01 May, 2008, 11:26:03 am
I'll need to get a new speedo before next time - just hurting isn't enough of a guide, speed is the key.

A heart rate monitor would be a better guide, and an (expensive) power meter better still... speed is too dependent on conditions. You can be doing a very good ride (relative to other competitors) and still not going very fast. Or you can be flying along with a tailwind, and not trying hard enough. A HRM tells you if you are slacking.

I have mixed feelings regarding HRMs. They certainly tell you when your not trying, but as you get older and begin to feel less invinciple, they frighten you to death.
The highest maximum HR (using the most opimistic formulae I can find) for may age (64) is 170 BPM. During a "10" my HR will be around 160 - 165 peaking at 175BPM, I have to fight the temptation to throttle back at 170BPM for fear of blowing the engine.
I'm doing my first TT of the season this evening (Old Ports 12.6 mls) - if it's not p*ssing down. :)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: harrumph on 01 May, 2008, 11:36:21 am
...The highest maximum HR (using the most opimistic formulae I can find) for may age (64) is 170 BPM. During a "10" my HR will be around 160 - 165 peaking at 175BPM, I have to fight the temptation to throttle back at 170BPM for fear of blowing the engine.
I'm doing my first TT of the season this evening (Old Ports 12.6 mls) - if it's not p*ssing down. :)

Don't worry too much - predictive formulae for max HR are valid for entire populations, but aren't much use for individuals. Your real HRmax is probably ~180 (it's difficult to achieve in a flat TT, no matter how hard you try).

And reaching HRmax isn't (assuming you don't have a whole collection of risk factors) anything to be afraid of - otherwise exercise physiologists could never have collected the large volumes of data from which the various predictive formulae were worked out.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: BornAgainCyclist on 01 May, 2008, 11:40:16 am
Thanks for that - It'll be a PB tonight then. If you don't see any more of me feel very guilty ;D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Greenbank on 01 May, 2008, 11:47:42 am
(Cross posts with harrumph). HRmax misconceptions are a pet-peeve for me. :)

I have mixed feelings regarding HRMs. They certainly tell you when your not trying, but as you get older and begin to feel less invinciple, they frighten you to death.
The highest maximum HR (using the most opimistic formulae I can find) for may age (64) is 170 BPM. During a "10" my HR will be around 160 - 165 peaking at 175BPM, I have to fight the temptation to throttle back at 170BPM for fear of blowing the engine.

The formulae are there to estimate your HRmax in the absence of proper data. Your HRmax is not some magical limit that if you go over you'll die, it's simply the maximum HR you personally can achieve.

If you have no other data to draw from then use a formula (pick one, any one) and use that figure. If you see a higher figure on your HRM then start using that. If you want a more accurate HRmax test then there are plenty to find with google, you just have to get off the bike and do a bit of running (ideally on a treadmill) and get ready to visit the vomitorium.

I can get at least 15bpm over what most formulae suggest for my age. I'm 31 and I've seen 206bpm playing 5-a-side football, but I can only get it up to about 195bpm whilst cycling. It doesn't concern me at all as I'm perfectly healthy, and I've discussed this with doctors who showed no concern whatsoever.

The only thing to remember is that HRmax does trend down at about 1bpm (although it will vary between individuals) so it's best to re-evaluate your HRmax each year.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: harrumph on 01 May, 2008, 11:54:04 am
...HRmax does trend down at about 1bpm (although it will vary between individuals) so it's best to re-evaluate your HRmax each year.

Nooooooo! Never again!! Pleeeeeease!!!  :sick:



PS the downward trend with age is less marked in people who maintain regular high-intensity exercise, which might account in part for BornAgainCyclist's higher-than-predicted number at age 64

Anyway, good luck tonight, BAC! (though we know it's not got much to do with luck, don't we...)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: giropaul on 01 May, 2008, 03:01:05 pm
I'll need to get a new speedo before next time - just hurting isn't enough of a guide, speed is the key.

A heart rate monitor would be a better guide, and an (expensive) power meter better still... speed is too dependent on conditions. You can be doing a very good ride (relative to other competitors) and still not going very fast. Or you can be flying along with a tailwind, and not trying hard enough. A HRM tells you if you are slacking.

 A heart rate monitor can help you to try harder when it's easier - down hill or with a chuff wind (as you say) but it can also help you to not over cook it when it's hard, for instance up a hill. Some people try very hard uphill, but then have very little left to capitalise on the descent.

Paul Manning rode the Duo Normande with Chris Boardman (and they still have course record) He reckoned that Boardman was going up the climbs within his pulse zone, but went down the other side at the same effort.

As further evidence, in my younger days I once rode a "mountian" time trial (well, we all have something murky in our pasts). There were two timed climbs, both of which I was in the slowest 5 riders up. I finished in the top ten overall. (and before you ask there was a field of over 80 riders).
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: nmcgann on 01 May, 2008, 03:02:25 pm
I'll need to get a new speedo before next time - just hurting isn't enough of a guide, speed is the key.

A heart rate monitor would be a better guide, and an (expensive) power meter better still... speed is too dependent on conditions. You can be doing a very good ride (relative to other competitors) and still not going very fast. Or you can be flying along with a tailwind, and not trying hard enough. A HRM tells you if you are slacking.

..and a powermeter is an even better slacking detector. A HRM gives you a few 10s of seconds before it starts showing your drop in effort - a powermeter will tell you in 5s or less. It's very revealing, but quite a hard taskmaster too.

One of the good things I've found about using a powertap is that headwinds are no-longer so dispiriting. I can see if I'm maintaining the power and that is the important thing.

Neil
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Maladict on 01 May, 2008, 03:42:54 pm
Won't be riding tonight unfortunately.  :(
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 01 May, 2008, 03:57:52 pm
Paul Manning rode the Duo Normande with Chris Boardman (and they still have course record) He reckoned that Boardman was going up the climbs within his pulse zone, but went down the other side at the same effort.
Then Boardman was not a student of fluid dynamics. Because of the rise in friction with v^2, once you're freewheeling downhill at, say 30mph, it requires a lot of power to go 1mph quicker.
At least SOME of that power would be better spent where you're only doing 15mph flat out at your "average" effort.

Of course, if you overdo this you'll cook yourself, but there must be a compromise somewhere in between.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frenchie on 01 May, 2008, 04:28:21 pm
I never ride with any instrument on board the TT machine. I just try as hard as I can!

I think you mean form and friction drags Matt. If Boardman was working withinh his zone on both climb and ascent then he was okay I'd say; he may have also been working as a team for Manning.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 01 May, 2008, 08:12:15 pm
I'll need to get a new speedo before next time - just hurting isn't enough of a guide, speed is the key.

A heart rate monitor would be a better guide, and an (expensive) power meter better still... speed is too dependent on conditions. You can be doing a very good ride (relative to other competitors) and still not going very fast. Or you can be flying along with a tailwind, and not trying hard enough. A HRM tells you if you are slacking.

I have mixed feelings regarding HRMs. They certainly tell you when your not trying, but as you get older and begin to feel less invinciple, they frighten you to death.
The highest maximum HR (using the most opimistic formulae I can find) for may age (64) is 170 BPM. During a "10" my HR will be around 160 - 165 peaking at 175BPM, I have to fight the temptation to throttle back at 170BPM for fear of blowing the engine.
I'm doing my first TT of the season this evening (Old Ports 12.6 mls) - if it's not p*ssing down. :)

 Where do the old portlians run there TT from then?
 I'll have to try and get along to that, especially as the Bexley CC West Kingsdown course is still shut until end of May due to roadworks.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: harrumph on 02 May, 2008, 09:53:03 am
Paul Manning rode the Duo Normande with Chris Boardman (and they still have course record) He reckoned that Boardman was going up the climbs within his pulse zone, but went down the other side at the same effort.
Then Boardman was not a student of fluid dynamics. Because of the rise in friction with v^2, once you're freewheeling downhill at, say 30mph, it requires a lot of power to go 1mph quicker.
At least SOME of that power would be better spent where you're only doing 15mph flat out at your "average" effort.

Of course, if you overdo this you'll cook yourself, but there must be a compromise somewhere in between.

It's physiology, not fluid dynamics. Boardman rode at a more or less constant effort, carefully graded on the basis of his considerable experience to be sustainable over the distance to be ridden, and with a slight increase above maximum sustainable power output towards the end of the race. There's no doubt that that is the best approach, physiologically speaking - it means that you have a slowly accumulating intramuscular acidosis, but do not reach a level which is catastrophic to muscle function until you have just crossed the line, when it doesn't matter any more.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: BornAgainCyclist on 02 May, 2008, 10:20:03 am
I'll need to get a new speedo before next time - just hurting isn't enough of a guide, speed is the key.

A heart rate monitor would be a better guide, and an (expensive) power meter better still... speed is too dependent on conditions. You can be doing a very good ride (relative to other competitors) and still not going very fast. Or you can be flying along with a tailwind, and not trying hard enough. A HRM tells you if you are slacking.

I have mixed feelings regarding HRMs. They certainly tell you when your not trying, but as you get older and begin to feel less invinciple, they frighten you to death.
The highest maximum HR (using the most opimistic formulae I can find) for may age (64) is 170 BPM. During a "10" my HR will be around 160 - 165 peaking at 175BPM, I have to fight the temptation to throttle back at 170BPM for fear of blowing the engine.
I'm doing my first TT of the season this evening (Old Ports 12.6 mls) - if it's not p*ssing down. :)

 Where do the old portlians run there TT from then?
 I'll have to try and get along to that, especially as the Bexley CC West Kingsdown course is still shut until end of May due to roadworks.


Where do the old portlians run there TT from then?
 I'll have to try and get along to that, especially as the Bexley CC West Kingsdown course is still shut until end of May due to roadworks.

[/quote]

Starts at Crowhurst Village hall at 7:00pm on Thursday evenings, See:
http://www.oldportlianscc.co.uk/diary.htm
It's 2 laps of a 6.25 ml road circuit. Not flat, but neither could it be called hilly. The roads were quiet on the most part, with some braking needed in 2 or 3 places only. It cost £2 as a non-member. The guys from The Old Ports were welcoming (I'm not a member) and were going off to the local Pub afterwards for a "quick one" (I was tempted, but the trouble & strife was waiting at home to have dinner with me).
Anyway enough about them - what about me!
It turned out to be lovely sunny evening (after all the rain during the day), a bit chilly with loads of midges.
I did it in 37:30 which equates to 30:00 for a '10' - disappointing but it was the first race of the season and as you might imagine, the extra 2.5 miles were the slowest. (The winning time was 32:00).
As regards HRMs and Max BPM wot we discussed in earlier posts: My Max recorded HR was 175, but generally around 160-165, dropping to 158 on a few occassions when I lost the plot.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 02 May, 2008, 11:10:55 am
Paul Manning rode the Duo Normande with Chris Boardman (and they still have course record) He reckoned that Boardman was going up the climbs within his pulse zone, but went down the other side at the same effort.
Then Boardman was not a student of fluid dynamics. Because of the rise in friction with v^2, once you're freewheeling downhill at, say 30mph, it requires a lot of power to go 1mph quicker.
At least SOME of that power would be better spent where you're only doing 15mph flat out at your "average" effort.

Of course, if you overdo this you'll cook yourself, but there must be a compromise somewhere in between.

It's physiology, not fluid dynamics. Boardman rode at a more or less constant effort, carefully graded on the basis of his considerable experience to be sustainable over the distance to be ridden, and with a slight increase above maximum sustainable power output towards the end of the race. There's no doubt that that is the best approach, physiologically speaking - it means that you have a slowly accumulating intramuscular acidosis, but do not reach a level which is catastrophic to muscle function until you have just crossed the line, when it doesn't matter any more.

The perfect plan would be a combination of physiology AND fluid dynamics. I'll try one more time to illustrate this:
if your answer was always right, then we would not see elevated heart rates during climbs on mountain stages, and we wouldn't see riders eating on the descents.

So there.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: harrumph on 02 May, 2008, 11:53:14 am
...if your answer was always right, then we would not see elevated heart rates during climbs on mountain stages, and we wouldn't see riders eating on the descents.

So there.

They aren't time trialling, though, are they?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 02 May, 2008, 12:05:31 pm
...if your answer was always right, then we would not see elevated heart rates during climbs on mountain stages, and we wouldn't see riders eating on the descents.

So there.

They aren't time trialling, though, are they?
Is their speed irrelevant to them?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 02 May, 2008, 12:55:06 pm
(enough of this HR clap-trap ...)
I'd like to put myself in the running for ACF TT numpty:
I added an extra roundabout to the route last night. Maybe lost 10 seconds, it's impossible to tell accurately.

I wouldn't care normally, but this ride was carefully planned as a before/after test of my tri-bars. I kept exactly the same heart-rate as 2 weeks ago, and most of the same people were riding so I could have done a sensible comparison, despite a different course.

Doh!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: IanDG on 02 May, 2008, 01:40:40 pm
...if your answer was always right, then we would not see elevated heart rates during climbs on mountain stages, and we wouldn't see riders eating on the descents.

So there.

They aren't time trialling, though, are they?
Is their speed irrelevant to them?

Their speed may not be irrelevant, but riding a hilly TT requires a considerably different style and skill to that required for a hilly RR - and this thread relates to time trialling.

Pace (in a RR) is relatively fast uphill because of attacks, you try to drop weaker riders.

You eat going down hill because gravity helps maintain your pace while your firkin around in your pockets and fumbling with the energy bar wrapper.

Time trialling requires 'rhythm', and pushing oxygen debt every time you hit a rise is going to be detrimental in the long term.

Altho' Boardman was a great time triallist he never performed well on a mountain stage of the Tour, did he?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 02 May, 2008, 02:28:37 pm
You eat going down hill because gravity helps maintain your pace while your firkin around in your pockets and fumbling with the energy bar wrapper.
... which does in fact reinforce my point.

But anyway ...
unless anyone can point me at data showing heart rates and/or power over a hilly time-trial, with elite riders who knew what they were doing, I don't think we can prove this either way around.

I can say, with certainty, that calories spent climbing buy you more time than those spent descending. Against this is the fact that a constant effort is most efficient for your body (which I believe is the Windy/Harrumph angle). I'm surprised noone agrees that a combination of the two must be a winning strategy.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: IanDG on 02 May, 2008, 02:54:42 pm
I understand what you're saying, but it's the difference in the styles of racing that account for the relative differences in the amount of effort put into climbing/descending.

In a road race, actions are governed by other competitors, It's easy to open a gap uphill, difficult to close it downhill, hence the relative changes of 'speed'. The guy who can attack, recover, attack, recover constantly is the guy with more chance of winning.

In a time trial any action which pushes you too far into the red will be damaging to  performance, as you need to ease off and recover. The trick is to stay 'in control' and optimise your effort to be as constant as possible.

As a youth I was a rider who 'hung-on' over the hills in a RR, but had more than my fair share of wins at 10mile, 25 mile and hilly TT's upto 50 mile, thanks to my ability to maintain a 'constant effort' and keep out of the red till the last few miles
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: harrumph on 02 May, 2008, 06:52:01 pm
Is their speed irrelevant to them?

They are mainly interested in the position in which they finish, whereas a pure (British) time triallist is interested solely in the time in which s/he finishes.

But never mind - I don't do either, because recumbent racing is more fun  :)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Really Ancien on 03 May, 2008, 05:04:05 pm
[
Paul Manning rode the Duo Normande with Chris Boardman (and they still have course record) He reckoned that Boardman was going up the climbs within his pulse zone, but went down the other side at the same effort.


Surely the rider in front on a two-up should be just on the edge of anaerobic effort and recover when the other rider takes a turn, this would apply downhill as well. The hills are always going to be the crucial part of a team time trial. Manning is quite a bit bigger than Boardman was, isn't he?

Damon.

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Palinurus on 03 May, 2008, 06:49:36 pm
...As someone much faster than I once said to me, "There's no 'pacing yourself' on a 10, it's just flat-out on the pain barrier all the way."

I didn't find that the fastest strategy; physiologically, depth and frequency of breathing requires ~3mins to adjust to demand, so I think that during the first three minutes of a 10 it is unproductive to try and go flat out. After all, it is still an endurance, rather than a sprint, event - compare it with athletics, where the closest equivalent is something between 5,000 and 10,000m.

Having said that, the people who are able to chat happily 5 minutes after finishing are the ones who don't know how to "get it all out". I couldn't speak anything but rubbish for a good half hour after a 10.

I generally find it's better -for me- to build in the first couple miles, then increase the effort (gradually) during the ride, although some others adopt a more even pacing strategy.

I found this useful when I started out (not long ago..)

http://www.flammerouge.je/content/3_factsheets/constant/ttstrat.htm (http://www.flammerouge.je/content/3_factsheets/constant/ttstrat.htm)

I took about a minute off my best just by not going off like shit off a stick and practically throwing up within the first 30 seconds.

I wouldn't describe a 10 as flat out, it's gotta be pretty carefully judged- that fine line between a just sustainable very hard effort and a just-not-quite sustainable one. Put a couple short hills on a course and it can make it very hard not to overextend yourself, especially if your eyes are on the computer (sometimes I put a bit of electrical tape over the speed readout, but I find the distance display comforting)

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: peter carter 2 on 04 May, 2008, 11:29:11 pm
The return of the Eastway Tuesday Tens- but at Hog Hill

We think they should be starting up again @ Hog Hill from the end of this month.

I will post more details when I have them. They should be run much as they were at the Eastway with a 7.00 pm start

However, please remember that Hog Hill is ten miles further east than the Eastway .
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: peter carter 2 on 07 May, 2008, 09:23:35 pm
Sorry, but the latest is that they are unlikely to return this year.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 07 May, 2008, 10:07:40 pm
Bitterly cold and a stiff easterly tonight.

30:19  :(

Not so good.


What a difference a week makes. Different course, seems much flatter but has a dead turn and a series of sharp bends. The bends affect the faster riders more than the slow ones.

Got sent off at #28 which was a surprise. Seems every one saw the sun and turned up early so we had a record turnout of 47 riders.

Clocked 28:48 which is the second fastest ten (by 1s) I have ridden in Scotland. I didn't go off quite so hard, and seemed to rise into it - the middle stint seemed good to the turn and a bit beyond.Definitely feel where there is scope for improvement. Aiming to beat 28 this year...

..d
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 21 May, 2008, 09:48:35 pm
Tonight it was a wee bit windy. First ten of the year on this course (Meigle-Coupar Angus and back). A stiff tailwind on the out and a struggle coming back in.

Last year I clocked 29:17.

This year I managed to leave the computer behind (Doh!) and felt not very good most of the way round. I had readjusted the tri bars and found a good position - apart from the saddle which was too painful to sit on (needs to go forwards about 3 inches - new seat post required).

Clocked 29:15 - nothing if not consistent.

Fastest of the night was a new course record 21:22 by Mark Atkinson. Second fastest was 22:37, a rider who would clock sub 22 on this course on a still night.

Best performance was one of our Juniors who clocked 30:13 last year - 25:34 this year riding youth A gears. A really good performance and he took home the prize for the fastest Junior.

Plenty of tea, cakes and blethering afterwards. A good night out.
 
..d
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: nic on 28 May, 2008, 11:44:48 pm
Date             Distance         Course type       Weather conditions            Bike ridden               Time
28/5/08          17 miles        Circuit of Coniston  Wet / no wind / 12C          Focus Cayo              51'20s

First time trial ever!

I rode the Circuit of Coniston after being convinced by my mate Allan to have a go. Coniston is a bout an hour away from home so I took a day off and did most of the day out. Picnic and a nice walk around Tarn House. Gorgeous. The girls enjoyed their day.

Back on topic: This was unfamiliar territory to me. Not much scope to go off track even with my infamous orienteering skills: You keep on going left :-)

I survived the experience and I found it hard. Hard to judge how much effort to put in. Hard to judge what's coming next. Hard to judge whether to let yourself go on downhills if unfamilar with the course and in wet conditions.

I don't think I got the time trial bug yet but I am glad I tried one and I would not mind riding one again in the near future. As for improving on the above time, that will have to wait for one year. The circuit of Coniston time trials only run twice a year in May.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: giropaul on 29 May, 2008, 10:12:19 am
Lots of times being quoted, but where is the context of winner's time?

A 28 minute 10 with the winner doing 27 is different to if the winner does 19.

In Belgium no one ever talks about time, only position and gap to the winner.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 29 May, 2008, 10:40:45 am
Lots of times being quoted, but where is the context of winner's time?

A 28 minute 10 with the winner doing 27 is different to if the winner does 19.

In Belgium no one ever talks about time, only position and gap to the winner.

I pace myself off one of the chaps in the club who rides most of the races. Last year I was 7 mins back for a 10. This year 6.30 and improving. Position is (relatively) meaningless. My highest placing was 3rd. Usually I am n-1 or n-2 (where n is the field size - the 3rd was no exception)

..d
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: BornAgainCyclist on 29 May, 2008, 12:36:26 pm
. . . In Belgium no one ever talks about time, only position and gap to the winner.

Am I right in thinking that Road Time Trials in Belgium (and France) as races in their own right are virtually non-existant? And only come about as part of a Road Race, which may be why the emphasis is on places rather than times - as you have stated.
I believe the popularity of TTs is a pecularly British thing stemming from the times (pre-war) when any form of massed start Road Racing was illegal.
Feel free to correct me if I wrong. :)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Palinurus on 29 May, 2008, 12:54:46 pm
Lots of times being quoted, but where is the context of winner's time?

A 28 minute 10 with the winner doing 27 is different to if the winner does 19.

In Belgium no one ever talks about time, only position and gap to the winner.

I did my second 25 a few weeks ago and came 5th, 4'17" down on the winner. The fastest time was 1:00:31 and it is possible to do sub 55 minute rides on that course.

5th sounds much better than 1:04:48 tho'. It wasn't an open event, just a regular event organised by a group of local clubs.

Much work to do before I can get around in an hour.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: harrumph on 29 May, 2008, 01:02:44 pm
...In Belgium no one ever talks about time, only position and gap to the winner.

Yes, but the poor benighted foreigners don't race over the nice, neat standard distances that we Brits like, do they?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 29 May, 2008, 01:30:56 pm
Lots of times being quoted, but where is the context of winner's time?

A 28 minute 10 with the winner doing 27 is different to if the winner does 19.

In Belgium no one ever talks about time, only position and gap to the winner.

Here we refer to times, personal improvements, and 'PBs' or personal bests. Times are important because of the national competitions.

...5th sounds much better than 1:04:48 tho'.

You did a "four". If pressed for accuracy, you did a "long four".
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 11 June, 2008, 09:32:44 pm
Midweek TT again tonight. I missed last weeks because of a slight stomach upset which would have seen me taking a natural break in the bushes half way round. Last week was a float night with several PB's. Tonights times were nearly a minute back from those.

It was raining when I left Dundee but it cleared as i crossed Fife. Sign on - get number 7 which is about where I like to be. The rain has stopped, the sun is desperately trying to break through and the steam rising indicates that the roads are drying.  It is the first race with the saddle etc in the new improved position so hopefully my position will improve.

Didn't feel too hot off the start, just kept it rolling on the fast downhill (I do 45-50kph, the fast boys are nearer 60. I'm still nervous on the tri bars.) 2 miles in and my legs do their normal protest. Didnt drop too much speed on the climb to the roundabout though I have to get fit enough to really keep the power on.  Nearly overcooked it into the left turn but picked it up and pressed on.

The last part is longer than you remember and has small humps in it making it a pig into the wind. Fight like crazy and cross the line.

I thought I had done a short 28. I can't count. Couldn't believe it when the timekeeper read out my time - 26.55, a new PB by over 1m20. Ecstatic is not the word. I was secretly hoping for a 27 and prepared to be disapointed so a 26 knocked me sideways...

Fastest on the night was 22 dead.

..d
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frenchie on 11 June, 2008, 09:46:46 pm
Wow-wow! Well done David. Back on the TT scene next week I hope, on a 75''. I trialled the bike today and it goes...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: drossall on 11 June, 2008, 09:50:30 pm
Date             Distance         Course type       Weather conditions            Bike ridden               Time
1981?          10 miles        Boroughbridge   Good          Aende              23-42
1982           25 miles         F1                  Good          Aende              1-1-17
1980?          50 miles        Cheshire          Good          Aende              2-12-?? I think
1980?          100 miles       Cheshire         Good          Aende              4-54-??
1979          12 hours         Cheshire          Good          Aende              217.70 miles

Could check the details but wouldn't make much difference.

Can I have the prize for the biggest difference with my current times? 30-46 for the club 10 last night on the same Aende...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Maladict on 11 June, 2008, 09:56:14 pm
I mean to have another go soon.  When I was out on the Madone on Monday evening I felt quite comfortable at "evens" so I think I am faster - that was without the tri bars too.

Probably not tomorrow night as I have a 400 at the weekend.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 11 June, 2008, 10:04:53 pm
Wow-wow! Well done David. Back on the TT scene next week I hope, on a 75''. I trialled the bike today and it goes...

Good stuff.. Our local youth rider who does the 10's rides on restricted gears (87" top for youth A?) and put in a 24.22. He did 23.44 last week.

loads of fun. The thing that aches the most is my elbows..

..d
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 11 June, 2008, 10:07:05 pm
Date             Distance         Course type       Weather conditions            Bike ridden               Time
1981?          10 miles        Boroughbridge   Good          Aende              23-42
1982           25 miles         F1                  Good          Aende              1-1-17
1980?          50 miles        Cheshire          Good          Aende              2-12-?? I think
1980?          100 miles       Cheshire         Good          Aende              4-54-??
1979          12 hours         Cheshire          Good          Aende              217.70 miles

Could check the details but wouldn't make much difference.

Can I have the prize for the biggest difference with my current times? 30-46 for the club 10 last night on the same Aende...

Isn't Boro' one ofthe faster 10 courses? It is amazing how addictive times can be. I was really pleased whenI heard the time, then spent the 30 minute drive home working out how I could shave off more time (apart from the obvious - eat less and do some training YFB).

..d
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: IanDG on 11 June, 2008, 10:15:44 pm
Lots of times being quoted, but where is the context of winner's time?

A 28 minute 10 with the winner doing 27 is different to if the winner does 19.

In Belgium no one ever talks about time, only position and gap to the winner.

you're tempting me to massage my ego  ::-)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: annie on 11 June, 2008, 10:16:44 pm
If I was interested in having a go at a TT, how would I need to train to ensure I didn't make a complete noodle of myself?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Wowbagger on 11 June, 2008, 10:19:07 pm
If I was interested in having a go at a TT, how would I need to train to ensure I didn't make a complete noodle of myself?

This may be an unfounded prejudice, but I would have thought that TT types would take it all very seriously and that there would be no place for the sort of frivolity which is de rigueur when you've got a marmite sandwich stuck to your foot.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: annie on 11 June, 2008, 10:22:13 pm
If I was interested in having a go at a TT, how would I need to train to ensure I didn't make a complete noodle of myself?

This may be an unfounded prejudice, but I would have thought that TT types would take it all very seriously and that there would be no place for the sort of frivolity which is de rigueur when you've got a marmite sandwich stuck to your foot.
Damn, I knew I wouldn't fit in.  It didn't go down well on Sunday when I offered G & T's from the roadside.  I can be serious, normally between the hours of 4 and 5 am though which isn't much good in a time trial.  Perhaps I will do my own time trials, take the fixie and load it up with marmite sandwiches, sticking one on the bottom of each foot for luck. :)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: IanDG on 11 June, 2008, 10:26:50 pm
If I was interested in having a go at a TT, how would I need to train to ensure I didn't make a complete noodle of myself?

If TT'ing is the same as when I used to ride you wouldn't make a fool of yourself. In the cafe at the finish you would have race winners sharing a cup of tea with mr average club TT-er.

Training wise if you cycle regularly and have miles in the legs the next step would be to develop 'cruising' speed by tackling long intervals of around 5 mins - modern terminology would use words like 'anaerobic threshold'
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: annie on 11 June, 2008, 10:29:43 pm
If I was interested in having a go at a TT, how would I need to train to ensure I didn't make a complete noodle of myself?

If TT'ing is the same as when I used to ride you wouldn't make a fool of yourself. In the cafe at the finish you would have race winners sharing a cup of tea with mr average club TT-er.

Training wise if you cycle regularly and have miles in the legs the next step would be to develop 'cruising' speed by tackling long intervals of around 5 mins - modern terminology would use words like 'anaerobic threshold'

Thank you Windy.  Guess I ought to pop the HRM monitor on if I am to do this properly?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 11 June, 2008, 10:34:12 pm
If I was interested in having a go at a TT, how would I need to train to ensure I didn't make a complete noodle of myself?

You don't. You just turn up. If it is a club event with entry on the line then turn up early and see if you can get sent off at the top of the list.

Don't worry about people passing you. They will. Your time is your own, you will finish before the last person so will not keep anyone waiting (hence getting there early to get an early start time).

And enjoy it. The first one is a learning experience. The second one a revision. The third one would be good but the weather will crap out. ANd so it goes on, chasing that elusive performance.

I always finish near the bottom of the list. Tonight was the first time I did better than that. And to be honest, the only thing people care about is that you enjoy it. Your time is irrelevant to them (unless you are competetive for the top spots or aboutthe same time as them so they can use you as a marker)

Get out there, put a number on your back and ride. It is a different experience to just riding hard on your own, very different.

And given the dearth of women competing, you have a chance of doing quite well.


As for training, I really ought to do some at some point. In the last 2 months I have done more miles warming up for and riding 10's than all the rest combined. Not many at all.

..d
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: gonzo on 11 June, 2008, 10:39:03 pm
Did a short 23 last night. Not entirely sure what my time was as I wasn't officially timed.

I always finish near the bottom of the list. Tonight was the first time I did better than that. And to be honest, the only thing people care about is that you enjoy it. Your time is irrelevant to them (unless you are competetive for the top spots or aboutthe same time as them so they can use you as a marker)

Top stuff!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: annie on 11 June, 2008, 10:58:00 pm
Thank you David.  I am going to give it a go.  Will need to take off my mudguard, carradice bag and lights and just do my best I suppose.  If I spent as much time on my cycling as I do on running and now swimming I would probably do better but there isn't a chance of me giving up the others, they provide me with too much enjoyment and character building to quit.

Is it worth finding out the route first so I can go along and ride it beforehand?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Maladict on 11 June, 2008, 11:36:15 pm
It probably helps to know the route beforehand.  At the very least, you might be able to look at it on a map.

Please stop talking about this, I really shouldn't go on a TT tomorrow evening.  ;)

And you'll do just fine.  I set a target of 35 minutes for my first-ever 10 and did it in 31 minutes.  It didn't matter really that I came last, I beat my target.  :)

8 years later I did  my second ever 10, slower course, and went 45s faster.  And wasn't last.  Hell of a progress rate, that!

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: drossall on 11 June, 2008, 11:48:37 pm
Isn't Boro' one ofthe faster 10 courses?

How else do you think I did that time? That was on top Boro at the old Harrogate Festival of Cycling - I'm not sure the course is even there now.

The F1 is fast too.

The Cheshire courses were more sporting - as was my approach to the 12s :D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frenchie on 12 June, 2008, 08:45:06 am
Annie,

My first TT this year was done on my commuter, with guards, dynamo hub etc. The gate keeper teased me: "Are you planning to be out so long you'll your light etc."; but it was all very nice. I finished middle of the field and closer to the top guys than the slow brigade. I had fun. Nobody mentioned it afterwards. Then I took a faster bike out... I'm looking forward to going back next week.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 12 June, 2008, 09:21:38 am
As the weather could have turned bad, I had a light on my bike last night. Riding a black bike wearing black shorts and jersey (Astana 'special training'  kit ;-) ) in rain isn't my idea of smart, so I added a little electron band on flashy red thing to the seat post. I wasn't the only one to do that but in the end it wasn't needed.

Maladict(a) sounds like my story. Did my first 10 on the Princes Risboro' course in 1991. My next one was in 2004. Last night I finally beat the 1991 time.

It is well worth riding the course first, in part so you know just how fast you can take the corners and whether you are still on the right course.

..d
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: RogerT on 12 June, 2008, 10:26:36 am
I was going to have a go at the Ely CC 13 mile TT on Tuesday as it is in on a course I know Well, but I didn't..

Pathetice excuses..

1.. I had done a 100 Mile Charity ride on Sunday and still hurt ( a bit )
2.. I was going to use the skip/project bike as the Dawes is just to heavy, but it is a bit of an embarresment.
3.. I actually set out to ride to the start and convinced myself that I was going quite quickly, until I was passed by 2 people obviously on their way to the same thing.  I felt like I was going backwards.
4.. Not sure if the ego could stand finishing very last ? ( Hows that for negative thinking ?? )

I AM going to enter one..I am sure, possibly  ::-) ::-)

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: annie on 12 June, 2008, 10:30:53 am
I was going to have a go at the Ely CC 13 mile TT on Tuesday as it is in on a course I know Well, but I didn't..

Pathetice excuses..

1.. I had done a 100 Mile Charity ride on Sunday and still hurt ( a bit )
2.. I was going to use the skip/project bike as the Dawes is just to heavy, but it is a bit of an embarresment.
3.. I actually set out to ride to the start and convinced myself that I was going quite quickly, until I was passed by 2 people obviously on their way to the same thing.  I felt like I was going backwards.
4.. Not sure if the ego caould stand finishing very last ? ( Hows that for negative thinking ?? )

I AM going to enter one..I am sure, possibly  ::-) ::-)



Shall we make a deal, if you do I will?  I am pathetic when it comes to doing things like this and suddenly go all shy and retiring :-[
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: RogerT on 12 June, 2008, 10:32:13 am
Terms to be discussed on Sunday ??

But, yes, why not.

EDIT.. Shy and retiring..Not the Annie I know surely ???
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: annie on 12 June, 2008, 10:35:12 am
Terms to be discussed on Sunday ??

But, yes, why not.

EDIT.. Shy and retiring..Not the Annie I know surely ???

Done deal Mr T.

I don't like events like that in general.  When I was younger I ran cross country and ran well but when asked to run for the county I fell apart.  I haven't always been so bubbly and silly, or maybe I have and choose not to remember.

Anyway, it will be a good motivator for me, if your TT is on a Tuesday I then have to do mine on the Wed or Thur.

See you Sunday :)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: IanDG on 12 June, 2008, 11:36:10 am



As for training, I really ought to do some at some point. In the last 2 months I have done more miles warming up for and riding 10's than all the rest combined. Not many at all.

..d

Yeah, I suppose my post is suggesting 'serious' training. Loads of people ride TTs on just commuting and leisure miles

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: токамак on 12 June, 2008, 11:46:08 am
Did a Shaftesbury Evening 10 last night - my first time trial.

Date           Distance     Course type      Weather conditions     Bike ridden                  Time
11/06/08   10 miles       E.83a (http://questronics.org.uk/Shaftesbury/tt/courses/e83_10.html) rolling      overcast                    Raleigh, fixed - 84.1"    27.10 mins.

Club results page here. (http://questronics.org.uk/SccTTs/tt/2008/10_0611.HTM)

I was aiming for around 26 minutes so did about as expected. I've been having niggling problems with some old aero bars I acquired recently so didn't use them (can't quite clamp them sufficiently - get up/down movement and they're making a mess of my brake cables). From previous rides though, when using them, I estimate I could save a minute or two - so I might invest in a new set pretty soon!

Will try again next week...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: bobb on 12 June, 2008, 11:52:48 am
Haha! You were faster than half those blokes with disc wheels, aero helmets and bikes worth more than a young child's life!  :P

Edit: And faster than that other guy on fixed!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: токамак on 12 June, 2008, 11:57:32 am
£500 bike vs £2000 bike - bring it on! If I had the money though I'd be on one in a second.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 12 June, 2008, 12:07:38 pm
£500 bike vs £2000 bike - bring it on! If I had the money though I'd be on one in a second.

The fastest guys are on the fancy bikes. The fast guys are the ones who just clip on a pair of bars and still do a sub 25. There are a number of people in the local TT scene who ride full on kit but don't set 'good' times. Doesn't matter. The only times it matters is at the boxing day '10' when turning up on full on kit and setting a crap time will mean a fair amount of ribbing. Mudguards and no aero bars is the order of the day for that.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: токамак on 12 June, 2008, 01:01:14 pm
Clicky for picy's. (http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=4070.0)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: annie on 17 June, 2008, 09:09:19 pm
Congratulations Roger T, can't wait to hear all about the TT.  When I received your text I thought I was dreaming.  I will be looking to crawl home before everyone leaves from the pub.

A deal is a deal.  Now need to find a club and enter :o  Oh dearie dearie dumples ;)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: gonzo on 17 June, 2008, 09:18:28 pm
Good news everyone; I've just had a great TT and that was after staying up late last night and eating a large bar of dairy milk with crunchie. UI can therefore only conclude that these are beneficial for performance!

We'll ingore the good warm up I had for a change!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: annie on 17 June, 2008, 09:19:26 pm
Good news everyone; I've just had a great TT and that was after staying up late last night and eating a large bar of dairy milk with crunchie. UI can therefore only conclude that these are beneficial for performance!

We'll ingore the good warm up I had for a change!

Well done.  Dare I ask how well?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: gonzo on 17 June, 2008, 09:27:54 pm
A sub 24 minute 10 on a regular road bike with regular road kit!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: annie on 17 June, 2008, 09:36:39 pm
A sub 24 minute 10 on a regular road bike with regular road kit!

Blimey that's great.

I appear to have agreed to do a TT :-\ however, I didn't say what year.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: gonzo on 17 June, 2008, 09:42:18 pm
I appear to have agreed to do a TT :-\ however, I didn't say what year.

They're great fun. Remember a great tip I was once given though; push yourself till you're going to be sick then ease back a little and then hold that pain level. The fun thing... you get that afterwards, not during!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 17 June, 2008, 10:00:07 pm
Good news everyone; I've just had a great TT and that was after staying up late last night and eating a large bar of dairy milk with crunchie. UI can therefore only conclude that these are beneficial for performance!

We'll ingore the good warm up I had for a change!

Hmmm..

Up till 3 yesterday finishing off a grant application, then up at 7 as per usual. Up till 2 finishing an assignment today, up at 7.30. Not the best prep.
Going over tomorrows conference presentation with a student. She brought in a big bag of nice chocolates.

Out to the TT. Feeling tired. Early off (3 - the other David Martin was off at 1 - there is a third who is faster than both of us in Glasgow) which meant I hadn't got time for a proper warm up.
Mistimed my arrival at the start, rolled up just after the previous guy left.
30 secs. The holderupper's mobile rings so he decides that is more important than a decent start. Stand in holderupper appears but being a wee bit flustered I forget to reset my speedo (for distance) and don't notice that I have not clipped in properly.
Poor start. Spend the first two miles seriously contemplating turning round and going home. It gets better as I settle into it.

Turn, still feeling rubbish. Finish in  28.34 and am disappointed knowing I should have done significantly better.

However, it is my second fastest time this year, and the fastest on that course, 40+ secs of a month ago so I suppose I should be pleased.

Then had to get the tea and cakes out when I got back to the hall, and discovered I got beaten by a youth B for 11 secs (he took 2 mins off his time of a month ago).

Fastest on the night 22.11

..d
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: annie on 17 June, 2008, 10:53:42 pm
I appear to have agreed to do a TT :-\ however, I didn't say what year.

They're great fun. Remember a great tip I was once given though; push yourself till you're going to be sick then ease back a little and then hold that pain level. The fun thing... you get that afterwards, not during!

Gulp.  I am going to have a go at my own TT in the morning to see how I do, won't have a big breakfast just in case.  I managed seven in 20 minutes so who knows what is possible. 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: RogerT on 18 June, 2008, 07:17:13 am
1st ever TT last night !  10 mile Ely CC on an almost flat course.  Quite windy on the way out but lots of assitance on the way back.

Took the Carlton Skip bike which is not exactly ideal but managed a 30.24 which I was not dissapointed with.

I can see this becoming addictive  :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: IanDG on 18 June, 2008, 07:40:36 am
Nice one Roger, 'evens' is not out of reach
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: RogerT on 18 June, 2008, 08:29:45 am
A sub 24 minute 10 on a regular road bike with regular road kit!

Blimey that's great.

I appear to have agreed to do a TT :-\ however, I didn't say what year.

Oi !! No getting out of it Annie..a deal is a deal..

Simple Answer, Ely is only 1 hour from Needham Market ( I have recent experience of this ) so come up on a Tuesday night .  I am sure you will be very welcome.  A Bit of glamour always goes down well, and your not to bad either  ;) ;)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: annie on 18 June, 2008, 08:51:40 am
A sub 24 minute 10 on a regular road bike with regular road kit!

Blimey that's great.

I appear to have agreed to do a TT :-\ however, I didn't say what year.

Oi !! No getting out of it Annie..a deal is a deal..

Simple Answer, Ely is only 1 hour from Needham Market ( I have recent experience of this ) so come up on a Tuesday night .  I am sure you will be very welcome.  A Bit of glamour always goes down well, and your not to bad either  ;) ;)

Ok Roger, that is a deal.  Ely it is then.  I just need to have some directions.

The only question is, Betty Boop or The Gladiator top :-\

Am I dreaming, did I really just agree to do this?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frenchie on 18 June, 2008, 08:55:26 am
The tighter one Annie. More aerodynamic!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 18 June, 2008, 09:32:17 am
A sub 24 minute 10 on a regular road bike with regular road kit!

Who said full-time training doesn't help? :) You just need some sponsors now ;)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Maladict on 18 June, 2008, 11:02:40 am
Nice one Roger.

I was going to do one this Thurs perhaps but after the effect of footie last night and with a 600 this w/end I think not... I am aching in lots of places and need to recover!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: annie on 18 June, 2008, 11:07:10 am
The tighter one Annie. More aerodynamic!

If tightness is the key then it should be my tri-suit with my 'Skins' top :)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: annie on 18 June, 2008, 11:22:31 am
I have agreed to do a TT on 1st July :-\  No going back now.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: bobb on 18 June, 2008, 11:41:41 am
I have agreed to do a TT on 1st July :-\  No going back now.

You could always go along and watch first. I did that last week when TOKaMak did his first TT. I was a bit apprehensive as I didn't want to enter and do a shit time! Now I realise that it really doesn't matter. Even the super fast guys on bling machines were really friendly and one guy rocked up and did a really crap time but nobody mocked or blanked him just because he was slow.

I doubt I'll be able to leave work early enough today to do the local 10, but next week I'll be there and I don't care if I come in last with 35 mins or something!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: annie on 18 June, 2008, 11:43:51 am
I have agreed to do a TT on 1st July :-\  No going back now.

You could always go along and watch first. I did that last week when TOKaMak did his first TT. I was a bit apprehensive as I didn't want to enter and do a shit time! Now I realise that it really doesn't matter. Even the super fast guys on bling machines were really friendly and one guy rocked up and did a really crap time but nobody mocked or blanked him just because he was slow.

I doubt I'll be able to leave work early enough today to do the local 10, but next week I'll be there and I don't care if I come in last with 35 mins or something!

 :-* thanks Bobb, I feel much better for hearing that.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: gonzo on 18 June, 2008, 11:47:02 am
The only person I've ever seen mocked at a time trial was the guy who'd won the event consistently for the last 2 years and who did a bad time at the same time that someone else did a good one!

Annie; you'll be fine. You're only racing yourself anyhow!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: RogerT on 18 June, 2008, 11:50:59 am
One of the really nice things last night was the ( much faster ) guy who came past me but found time to offer a word of encouragement.  At no time did I feel intimdated, laughed at , or anything remotely offputting.  It was just bloody good fun and a real self learning experience.

You will be more than fine, but I must warn you that eating Marmite Sarnies en route will slow you down.  Just have 2 jelly people before you start ( you know which colour )
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: annie on 18 June, 2008, 12:48:15 pm
Thanks guys. 

I haven't been able to get out as Mr A announced he was going to the office >:(  Instead I did a 50 minute Spinervals session (cut down to 40) to miss out on the last ten minutes of squats etc.  Lean and Mean Intervals.  Now dripping over the floor.  I know it isn't the same as going outside but I haven't got any choice with JC in bed ill.  I am sure it will help me, please tell me it will.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 18 June, 2008, 11:39:14 pm
The only person I've ever seen mocked at a time trial was the guy who'd won the event consistently for the last 2 years and who did a bad time at the same time that someone else did a good one!

Annie; you'll be fine. You're only racing yourself anyhow!

Or turning up with a 4K bike and being beaten by a youth on a halfords special..

It is like any group. You have to be part of the crowd before they take the piss. Until that time you get encouragement and friendlyness, usually afterwards rather than before though.

Enjoy! Though I spent the first part of yesterdays wishing I hadn't entered.. but I'm glad I did now.

..d
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: IanDG on 19 June, 2008, 07:38:13 am
A sub 24 minute 10 on a regular road bike with regular road kit!

Nice one Gonzo  8) :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Blah on 19 June, 2008, 08:43:17 am
A sub 24 minute 10 on a regular road bike with regular road kit!

Would that be your Omega special with Zipp 606 and 808? Hardly regular road kit ;-)

Still a fantastic time though.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frenchie on 19 June, 2008, 08:50:42 am
The tighter one Annie. More aerodynamic!

If tightness is the key then it should be my tri-suit with my 'Skins' top :)

I feel hot suddenly...

Whenever I go, without much specific training, the chit-caht at the beginning and end, the 26-27' effort on my fixed etc. all make it a great time out.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: gonzo on 19 June, 2008, 09:22:47 am
Turns out that it was just over 24 minutes. I thought the finish was somewhere else and so I ended up sitting up for the last timed 50 meters. Bah.

Would that be your Omega special with Zipp 606 and 808? Hardly regular road kit ;-)

Nope, it was the Engima and it was with regular 28 spoke box section wheels. I even had a regular helmet on and gloves!

Tell you what though, the wrists hurt like hell holding the Millar-special TTing without bars position!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: annie on 19 June, 2008, 09:45:33 am
The tighter one Annie. More aerodynamic!

If tightness is the key then it should be my tri-suit with my 'Skins' top :)

I feel hot suddenly...

Whenever I go, without much specific training, the chit-caht at the beginning and end, the 26-27' effort on my fixed etc. all make it a great time out.

It makes me feel a bit hot as well ;)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 19 June, 2008, 07:23:00 pm
This may of already been discussed !

I am hoping to ride my first Time Trial next week - 10 mile with Severn Road Club, which starts approx 15 miles from my home, so cycling there should be a good warm up !

Are there any other suggestions / tips, members could give me . Ta
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: gonzo on 19 June, 2008, 09:04:48 pm
Dinamo;
1) know where the finish is (this cost me dearly on Tuesday night)
2) don't give it everything from the word go. Do the first 30 secs har, but not your hardest. Once you get past this point, get to your pain threshold then hold it for the next XX minutes.
3) Bottle on the seat tube, none on the downtube. It's the most aerodynamic configuration.

More adanced (for subsequent times):
4) If you're not one of the first three off, check what time they leave and then calculate the time you leave based on when they left. Alternatively, check the time keeper's watch.
5) The best warmup; start 5.5 minutes before you're off. 1 min spinning, 30 secs race pace. Repeat 3 times in total. Get to the start 2 mins before you're due to leave.

Most of all though, just enjoy. People are friendly before and after so just chat to some people.

(PS. new PB for the year; 23.11 on a slow night. Although I was on the TT bike, I still only had box sections)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frenchie on 19 June, 2008, 10:16:11 pm
Date / Distance / Course type / Weather conditions / Bike ridden / Time

19/6 / 10Mi / Country, one bump, poor surface / Nice, windy finish / Track fixed, 42x16 / 27:03 (fastest riders in the 24:20ish I think)

Not bad for a return after over two months away without any specific fast training. I plan to move to a 75'' next week and then to an 80''. That should help as I was running out of gear for most of the course. I am pleased with the way I paced myself though. I think I gave whatever was available considering how I struggled home!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: annie on 19 June, 2008, 10:17:31 pm
Date           Distance         Course type         Weather conditions         Bike ridden            Time

19/6           10Mi      Country, one bump, poor surface     Nice, windy finish   Track fixed, 42x16     27:03 (fastest riders in the 24:20ish I think)


Not bad for a return after over two months away without any specific fast training. I plan to move to a 75'' next week and then to an 80''. That should help as I was running out of gear for most of the course. I am pleased with the way I paced myself though. I think I gave whatever was available considering how I struggled home!

Well done Frenchie. :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frenchie on 19 June, 2008, 10:20:04 pm
I enjoyed it; in particular as I was eating my bowl of pasta afterwards! But also whilst riding, if I am honest.

Now enjoying a sorbet...  O:-)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 19 June, 2008, 10:30:16 pm

More adanced (for subsequent times):
4) If you're not one of the first three off, check what time they leave and then calculate the time you leave based on when they left. Alternatively, check the time keeper's watch.

And note when they say ' there are lots of you tonight, we may start early' though they tend to be good about giving you a proper start..

Quote
5) The best warmup; start 5.5 minutes before you're off. 1 min spinning, 30 secs race pace. Repeat 3 times in total. Get to the start 2 mins before you're due to leave.

No. Warm up first, then do that as a pre race conditioning. Take at least 20 mins just pootling level one/two to get the blood happily working through the legs. A few short stints of faster (level 4 or so for a few minutes) and more spinning. A good half hour is the minimum (though the time to ride out there counts)

Quote
Most of all though, just enjoy. People are friendly before and after so just chat to some people.

Absolutely. It is supposed to be fun.

The apprentice (youth A) pulled out a short 24 on Tuesday for a ten, then did a 2 last night for his first 25. On a standard Trek 1200 with a pair of clip on bars.

..d
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: gonzo on 19 June, 2008, 10:54:07 pm
On a standard Trek 1200 with a pair of clip on bars.

Hey, that's what I started out on. Did a PB that lasted for 3 years! It's also the only bike that I've ever won a road race on after accidentally breaking away!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 19 June, 2008, 11:22:20 pm
On a standard Trek 1200 with a pair of clip on bars.

Hey, that's what I started out on. Did a PB that lasted for 3 years! It's also the only bike that I've ever won a road race on after accidentally breaking away!

But could you do a long 23 on one now? And he is only just 16. A year ago he was a very podgy lump who had decided he liked riding a bike and everyone dropped himin all the races. Now he kicks their butts (and those of seniors on far better kit). He'll be riding Junior in the RRs next season - interesting to watch.

..d

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: drossall on 19 June, 2008, 11:32:02 pm
Some of the times in this thread are seriously depressing me :(
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: gonzo on 19 June, 2008, 11:33:22 pm
Yeah, the PB was 23.56! I was 18 admitadely, but if he's 16 then he's definately one to watch!

Some of the times in this thread are seriously depressing me :(

Don't worry, we all started somewhere. My first 10 was a 30.04!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frenchie on 19 June, 2008, 11:41:35 pm
I ride a 15 year old Reynolds 500 steel track frame, with regular wheels on Gatorskin tyres. I love it though. You don't need an all singing and dancing bike to have fun and get competitive...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: drossall on 20 June, 2008, 12:13:37 am
Don't worry, we all started somewhere. My first 10 was a 30.04!

Mine was a 29.45. My fastest is a 23.42. These days I usually do a 30 on a slightly sporting course.

It's not where I started or where I've been, it's where I am now that you are depressing me about...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 20 June, 2008, 08:48:02 am

Don't worry, we all started somewhere. My first 10 was a 30.04!

Mine was a 28.17 set in 1991.
I only beat it last week.

..d
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 20 June, 2008, 02:14:00 pm
Thanks for the advice - I will let you know my time.

I'll be riding a steel Colombus framed Peugeot Performance !
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 20 June, 2008, 02:40:00 pm
Thanks for the advice - I will let you know my time.

I'll be riding a steel Colombus framed Peugeot Performance !

'fast enough'. times are personal, and relevant to you. It doesn't bother me in the slightest that some go faster than me.. and a very few go slower...

..d
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 25 June, 2008, 10:07:02 pm
Date             Distance/Time         Course type       Weather conditions            Bike ridden               

05/07/06           10mls/26.39    Rolling  Q10/26        cleardry             Raleigh 76" gear
12/07/06            10 mls/25.38      rolling Q10/26      clear dry           Raleigh 86" gear
21-22/07/07   24hr TT/334           rolling                   cold drizzle       Lambert 72" gear
15/08/07            10mls/26.45       rolling Q10/26      clear dry           Lambert 72" gear
30/03/08             9mls/29.37        Hillyish Qs/30        wet                  Lambert 79" gear 
[/size]

20/04/08           10mls/28.42    Hillyish Q10/3      dry and cold    Lambert 79" gear

26/04/08          10mls/27.09      rolling Q10 /22   warm & sunny  Lambert 76" gear


25/06/08        10mls/27.24        rolling  Q10/26     hot/windy        Lambert 76" gear

 Very warm but also quite windy I was dissapointed not to beat 27 mins but will try again soon with a bigger gear  :)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frenchie on 25 June, 2008, 11:53:23 pm
Have just finished to put a 79'' on mine for tomorrow and should beat 27' unless the weather's poor.

Last week it was a bit windy and I did 27'03'' (42X16) on a course (our club course) including a bump and a junction (stop), so there's hope!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Andydauddwr on 26 June, 2008, 06:01:19 pm
First TT of the year for me last night.  The course was the fastest of the club 10 routes locally, which is still a little on the lumpy side.  It was very blustery with strong winds coming off of the sea out towards the return leg of the TT.

I went off first as I had to get to a meeting shortly after.  Riding sans computer at the moment and given the choice of aerodynamic position on my TT bike or bonkers lightweight and stiff on my bling road bike, decided to go for the latter, not least because it just needed a quick saddle & post change to be ready to go.

I screwed up the gearing on the start and was pushing such a big gear that I pulled a wheelie for the first few metres.  Forcing the legs around, the lungs were soon burning and I noticed ~ 190 bpm on the HRM.  Backed off a fraction, but kept forcing the pedals around in a slightly higher gear and lower candence than is truly comfortable.  Lost a couple of secs taking the only right turn of the course, as there were supporters in the road and didn't fancy an off.  Powered over a slight rise, then pedalled hard to the turn point.  Got there with 13 minutes elapsed, about where I had mentally targetted, but fluffed the U-turn at the far end, which was marked with a flag rather than the usual marshall standing in the road to turn around.  Also locked up the back wheel (combination of the wrong-way around US brake setup and wariness over a head on car which eventually let me go).  Powered back with the wind blustering against me.  Must have been a good 2 minutes until I passed my minute man, so 4 in real terms.

A clean turn at the junction with the main road and I was full-on into the wind.  Dug deep and tried to keep the intensity at or about red line.  I managed to stay on the drops pretty much all the way, staying there for the odd bits of standing needed to maintain pedal speed.  Could extrapolate from the time at around 20 mins that I was on for a 27ish, but kept digging deep and powered up the final drag before things flatten off towards the finish.  I opted for a seated grind, as the lungs didn't feel up to an out of the saddle explosion.

Once things flattened out, I dropped 2-3 cogs at the back and kicked hard for the line, which as ever took an eternity to arrive.  The score on the board was 27:26.  My course PB is 26:11, but given the wind and the lack of anaerobic work I've done this year, together with the fact that I spend too much time rowing instead of cycling I was quite pleased with this.

I don't have much by the way of stats, as the bike is sans computer at the moment, but my HRM is one of the fancy type that analyse training effect via the gap between pulses (the proprietary name for this is EPOC analysis).  The plot below shows HR on top and training effect below.  Level 5 is defined as over-reaching training effect, but I take that with a pinch of salt as I've always ridden 10s flat-out.  On the face of it, I went off the boil a little at around 22 minutes, but other than that fairly steady.  Have also included the stats, but take the average with a pinch of salt as I was tardy in stopping the clock.

(http://www.andsl.org/tt2506.jpg)

Think I should be on for a new PB this year if I can find a little time for cycling over rowing...

AC
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 26 June, 2008, 07:29:11 pm
Rode my first ever TT last night - 10 mile with Severn Road Club managed a time of 26 mins 16 secs - very happy with that, on quite a windy night.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: gonzo on 26 June, 2008, 08:38:34 pm
There was a guy out on Tuesday who turned up in baggy shorts and clip on tri-bars. I only beat him by 5 secs...but then again, he did do a 22.40!

That was his 4th TT!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Blah on 27 June, 2008, 08:14:25 am
There was a guy out on Tuesday who turned up in baggy shorts and clip on tri-bars. I only beat him by 5 secs...but then again, he did do a 22.40!

That was his 4th TT!

Blooming hell! Was that a Frome 10?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: gonzo on 27 June, 2008, 08:45:05 am
Sommer valley (so tuesday night)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 29 June, 2008, 10:45:40 pm

Date             Distance/Time         Course type       Weather conditions            Bike ridden               

05/07/06           10mls/26.39    Rolling  Q10/26        cleardry             Raleigh 76" gear
12/07/06            10 mls/25.38      rolling Q10/26      clear dry           Raleigh 86" gear
21-22/07/07   24hr TT/334           rolling                   cold drizzle       Lambert 72" gear
15/08/07            10mls/26.45       rolling Q10/26      clear dry           Lambert 72" gear
30/03/08             9mls/29.37        Hillyish Qs/30        wet                  Lambert 79" gear 
[/size]

20/04/08           10mls/28.42    Hillyish Q10/3      dry and cold    Lambert 79" gear

26/04/08          10mls/27.09      rolling Q10 /22   warm & sunny  Lambert 76" gear



25/06/08        10mls/27.24        rolling  Q10/26     hot/windy        Lambert 76" gear

 Very warm but also quite windy I was dissapointed not to beat 27 mins but will try again soon with a bigger gear  :)

28/06/08           10mls/27.16    Hillyish Q10/3      dry and hot Lambert 79" gear

Well a bigger gear on a hillier course and I was faster  :thumbsup: not much but on a hilly course I was pleased with that.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Palinurus on 01 July, 2008, 11:11:03 pm
Hmmmm.

There's a 50 near me in July. I suspect I'll regret it if I enter (two hours plus of that).

But I also suspect I'll regret it if I don't.

All I have to do is press send and the email goes..
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: RogerT on 02 July, 2008, 07:21:21 am
Tip from the Top..

Do not change your normal road bike wheels for something with less spokes and thinner tyres just before the start of a TT, unless you are ABSOLUTELY sure that the tyres are OK.

You may spend the evening watching everyone else dissapear over the horizon .
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 02 July, 2008, 10:10:38 pm
The slightly flatter but lumpy course with a dead turn tonight. Fastest on the night was a short 22.

The cross wind made coming back mostly a bit faster than going out (about 2mph) but one right angle bend turned right into the wind and it was like hitting a brick wall - speed dropped from 24-14mph..

Anyhow 28.11 on th enight - second fastest time ever and fastest for that course.

I now ache somewhat.

..d
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 03 July, 2008, 07:23:39 pm
Date              Dist         Course          Weather             Time

25/6/08        10          UC182          v.windy           26.16
02/7/08        10          UC182            windy            25.22

Rode the Severn Road Club course again, north of Thornbury.
A sunny evening with a good tailwind on the 3 miles along the A38 before turning off in the village of Stone then the south westerly wind became more prevelant as the route continued through Rockhampton. However not as windy as last week, and improved my time as a result of this !
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: nic on 03 July, 2008, 09:16:00 pm
Date             Distance         Course type       Weather conditions            Bike ridden               Time
03/7/08          10 miles        Salt Ayre Track           14C 9mph wind            Focus Cayo              27'12s

28/5/08          17 miles        Circuit of Coniston  Wet / no wind / 12C          Focus Cayo             51'20s

1st TT on 10 miles. 27'12s. 12.5 laps of the recently renovated Salt Ayre cycle racing track in Lancaster. Stopped counting laps after 2 of them. Not ideal. Fun event with many youngsters from the Go-Ride club as well as older time trial types.

Next TT: first Thursday of August. I wil be joined by my 7 year-old daughter. She wants to have a go at the 2.5 laps distance.  :o


Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frenchie on 03 July, 2008, 10:07:03 pm
Date          Dist         Course               Weather         Bike           Time

03/7/08      10       Notts Clarion        windy          Fixed/79''    26.35

I didn't start hard enough; I knew it the moment my minute man caught me, way too early. I sped up but I think I had already lost too much time. I finished very strongly but too comfortably.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 09 July, 2008, 11:40:37 pm


Date             Distance/Time         Course type       Weather conditions            Bike ridden               

05/07/06           10mls/26.39    Rolling  Q10/26        cleardry             Raleigh 76" gear
12/07/06            10 mls/25.38      rolling Q10/26      clear dry           Raleigh 86" gear
21-22/07/07   24hr TT/334           rolling                   cold drizzle       Lambert 72" gear
15/08/07            10mls/26.45       rolling Q10/26      clear dry           Lambert 72" gear
30/03/08             9mls/29.37        Hillyish Qs/30        wet                  Lambert 79" gear 
[/size]

20/04/08           10mls/28.42    Hillyish Q10/3      dry and cold    Lambert 79" gear

26/04/08          10mls/27.09      rolling Q10 /22   warm & sunny  Lambert 76" gear



25/06/08        10mls/27.24        rolling  Q10/26     hot/windy        Lambert 76" gear

 Very warm but also quite windy I was dissapointed not to beat 27 mins but will try again soon with a bigger gear  :)


28/06/08           10mls/27.16    Hillyish Q10/3      dry and hot Lambert 79" gear

Well a bigger gear on a hillier course and I was faster  :thumbsup: not much but on a hilly course I was pleased with that.

A horrible night and a horrible course that finishes half way up Cudham Lane by the Blacksmith Arms
 My Lambert got a puncture as I left then I couldn't get the tyre off and just grabbed my Ron Cooper complete with guards and dynamo hub  ;D
 Oh and I had a piece of my leg cut out today for tests and had my right leg in clingfilm to keep the stitches dry  ;D

 Then it all went pear shaped on the way home, see Road rash thread in health & fitness  :(

9/7/08    9mls/30,23       Hilly QS 30   pouring down/windy RonCooper71.22"gear
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 10 July, 2008, 01:26:56 pm
Date              Dist         Course          Weather             Time

25/6/08        10          UC182          v.windy           26.16
02/7/08        10          UC182            windy            25.22
09/7/08        10          UC182         wet&windy         24.50


Last nights TT was in horrible weather, heavy rain and quite windy on final section and lots of surface water  -  the forecast had said it was to improve late afternoon/early evening - but it seemed to get worse !
Even so an improvement again on my PB - used aero bars for the first time.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mr magnolia on 10 July, 2008, 06:28:21 pm
It's official - I'm sick of this thread and all of your fleshily accomplished fast times and long distances, and I have now to confront my own inadequacies, advancing years,  wobbly belly and fear of sheep.

I've never done a time trial of any sort and I'm unlikely so to do, but for the last few years, on the recovery path since being bumped off the road and getting a new bike, I've gone up to the Mussleburgh 10mile TT course a couple of times a year and done it on my own, just to see if my time has imporoved along with my general fitness.

It hasn't  :(

I always take between 32 and 35 minutes, seemingly dependant upon weather or time of day.  I kind of wanted to break evens before I broke the half century life span, but I'm rapidly running out of time.  Maybe I need some new drugs - this Extracold Peroni Only doesn't seem to be helping....

Anyhoo - keep up the good work, all you FBs; I'll just keep plugging away. :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: gonzo on 10 July, 2008, 06:30:53 pm
MrM; on race day you push yourself far harder than if you're on your own. You'll be a lot closer to evens than you think if you do it properly!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mike on 10 July, 2008, 06:34:11 pm
Damn.  Someone has recommended I 'give it a go' and I'm a bit tempted...  I might soon be joining your jolly tales of vomiting and seeing stars. 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 10 July, 2008, 06:45:42 pm
Damn.  Someone has recommended I 'give it a go' and I'm a bit tempted...  I might soon be joining your jolly tales of vomiting and seeing stars. 

I'm not fit enought to do that..

MrM - If you ride the course on your own in 32 then you are likely close to or better than evens on race day. Adrenalin really does interesting things to your speed and pain threshold..

Give it a whirl..

..d
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frenchie on 10 July, 2008, 09:13:36 pm
Damn.  Someone has recommended I 'give it a go' and I'm a bit tempted...  I might soon be joining your jolly tales of vomiting and seeing stars. 

You'll love it, Mike! You will.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 10 July, 2008, 09:55:33 pm
Damn.  Someone has recommended I 'give it a go' and I'm a bit tempted...  I might soon be joining your jolly tales of vomiting and seeing stars. 

 Mike you will do well with your power and someone to chase. :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mike on 10 July, 2008, 10:43:12 pm

 Mike you will do well with your power and someone to chase. :thumbsup:

Oi!! - are you calling me fat?

 ;)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 10 July, 2008, 10:50:20 pm

 Mike you will do well with your power and someone to chase. :thumbsup:

Oi!! - are you calling me fat?

 ;)

 "err no"  put a sarnie in your minute mans jersey pocket and you'll catch him before the turn ;) :-*
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 11 July, 2008, 09:31:19 am
Damn.  Someone has recommended I 'give it a go' and I'm a bit tempted...  I might soon be joining your jolly tales of vomiting and seeing stars. 

After 3 weeks of TT ing, I can recommend it, an excellent evening out with like minded individuals insert different meaning if required !
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frenchie on 11 July, 2008, 09:43:53 am
Damn.  Someone has recommended I 'give it a go' and I'm a bit tempted...  I might soon be joining your jolly tales of vomiting and seeing stars. 

After 3 weeks of TT ing, I can recommend it, an excellent evening out with like minded individuals insert different meaning if required !

I love it too and I have only done about 5 on an old bike. I wish I could find the time (energy in fact) to do more. Ours are very friendly, yet competitive.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 11 July, 2008, 10:38:28 am
Likewise. I have managed 7 this year and hope to get into double figures (need to find a babysitter for next Weds.) Three more tens, one 5, two hill climbs  ::-) and a 1 mile sprint to go. I'll probably have to miss one of the tens.

..d
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 11 July, 2008, 02:13:28 pm
Our 10 was ridden by this old fast bloke last night
Cycling into Old Age | Cycling UK (http://cyclinginfo.co.uk/blog/cycling/cycling-into-old-age/)
(and he beat me by 3 minutes).

We were chatting with some other guys about the 24hr (his PB? over 500 miles), but I didn't really twig how old he was or quite how fast he used to be. Very nice chap, too.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: RogerT on 16 July, 2008, 10:25:33 am
HELP !!

I have now done 3 TTs, really enjoyed all 3 , BUT, I am getting slower.  Having been very cloes to evens on the 1st one, last night I only managed a paltry 32.50.

Why am I going backwards ?

( Also, fastest time was on Skip bike, 5 gears, mudguards et al )

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Palinurus on 16 July, 2008, 01:03:58 pm
Interesting..

First thought is that the weather conditions were better the first time. On my regular course the wind direction, even if it is light, makes a big difference to my times. I like a slight tailwind out ideally. Always faster then. There's the air pressure too, don't really have a handle on how significant that is.

Maybe you get a better position on the skip bike? maybe the hubs are smoother? tyres easier rolling?

I went slower for the first two after my first one too. I originally thought I was just so nervous the first time I pushed myself harder than I was able to after. Chances are that wasn't the case though, the weather is a more likely explanation.

I've only started getting significantly better since I've started training specifically for time trials. I don't stick to my programme, but I do some of it and that has some benefit. Improvements take some time.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Jasmine on 17 July, 2008, 09:55:13 am
I did my first TT of the year last night.  I've been living away from home during the week, so no time to do TTing until last night.  Rode tandem with Andy, hoping to come in under 30 mins as I've still got the back end of a cold.  I managed to stop coughing my lung lining out for long enough to get round the slower of the club 10s.

At the start, the marshalls were fairly new, so were slightly baffled at the tandem, but gave it a go and managed to hold us upright for the start.  We ground away and were soon up to a decent speed.  The course has a smallish hill at about 2 miles in which was a bit of a grind, but we pushed on and at 4 miles we could see our minute man.  At the halfway turn I could see our 2 minute man was only just in front of the minute man.  Hurting now.  Pushing on we were closing on both 1 and 2 and as we approached 6 miles we overtook the first man but couldn't shake him off.  At the small hill 2 miles from the finish we we were re-taken by our minute man, as we were also passed by the starter from 1 minute behind and we overtook the 2 minute man.  We caught the minute man on the downhill and blasted away for the last mile.  Rounding the final corner, the 3 minute man was only about 100 m in front, but too far.

Lung burning, thigh aching 25.14.  6th out of 22.  My best time by about 3 minutes.  Andy's best by 1 minute.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 17 July, 2008, 10:46:11 am

Date              Dist         Course          Weather             Time

25/6/08        10          UC182          v.windy           26.16
02/7/08        10          UC182            windy            25.22
09/7/08        10          UC182         wet&windy         24.50
16/7/08        10          UC182             dry              25.06

Much better conditions this week, however a slower time !
The first time I hadn't improved on PB - it had to happen one day.

May have to miss TT for the next couple of weeks - working  >:(


Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Palinurus on 17 July, 2008, 09:56:53 pm
First one of the season for me yesterday.

Flattish 10, dry but windy, 24:36. Not great, but 35 seconds faster than I've gone before in perfect conditions. A pro can do this course in 20 mins, good club rider time about 22 mins. 21:55 was the fastest yesterday.

I was riding a better bike, but i've also done some training (only a bit mind). Don't know which was most responsible for my new turn of speed.

I'll be doing some 25s (an hour and 7 mins is my best there) and maybe a 50 (not done one yet) later in the season.

08/05/08 Just taken my 10 time down to 24:13. Wahhhhh!

Well I got the 25 time down to 1:04:48- that was back in May (HCC113, fine weather, winner 1:00:31)

Today I took a little bite out of the 10 time- same course as above (F11Z) 24:09 (overcast, breezy, don't know the winners' time yet- now I do: 21:42)

Rubbish start sort of put me off for a bit but once I got going I managed to just concentrate on my rhythm and mentally it was the best TT I've ever done- felt my pacing was better than usual. Also took a much longer warm-down and I feel better than I usually do after.

First 50 at the weekend.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Palinurus on 20 July, 2008, 02:28:54 pm
First 50, HCC128, pretty breezy, colder than I expected for July (arm warmers stayed on).

02:15:38

The official target was just to do one, but I was aiming at under two hours fifteen. I probably wasted 38 seconds plus tryna eat a cereal bar- one of the moister, squashier variety- because I didn't have a chance to get any of those gel things at the bike shop yesterday. Note to self: buy them earlier next time.

Still, did I say it was breezy? what better excuse.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Blah on 20 July, 2008, 07:01:42 pm
First 100, a bit breezy, on a sporting course: 4:40:09. Winner about an hour faster.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Bigdaveskinnytyre on 20 July, 2008, 07:57:47 pm
Good rides guys, it's been a bit breezy this weekend.

I did a 25 last night with a strong cross wind, pulled off a short 56, gutted I didn't go harder in the first half as I could've been on for a PB.

Second 50 next weekend, if conditions are good I'm aiming at going under 2 hours.

Blah, was it the national? can't see myself doing a 100 for a long time :hand:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Blah on 21 July, 2008, 09:10:46 am
Blah, was it the national? can't see myself doing a 100 for a long time :hand:

Yup. No idea why they let me in as this was my first TT so couldn't give them previous times. It was good fun actually. Beautiful course on the A40 between Brecon and Carmarthen in Wales. Some of the smoothest tarmac you could wish for and rolling enough to keep it interesting without any of the hills being brutal or breaking the rhythm.

Kevin Dawson did 3:42:something. The man is a beast. That means he must have been powering up the hills at 22 or 23 and have been sitting at over 30 on the flats and well over 40 on the downs.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Bigdaveskinnytyre on 21 July, 2008, 11:18:03 pm
There are some scary fast guys out there, when I did my 25 PB earlier this year (56:00)  Hutchinson did a mid 48 in the pouring rain, its just not natural.

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: drossall on 22 July, 2008, 07:54:23 am
There are some scary fast guys out there, I can barely manage evens these days and some fellows do 56:00 in the pouring rain, it's just not natural.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Bigdaveskinnytyre on 22 July, 2008, 10:05:48 am
I only had rain for the last 9 miles though ;)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: drossall on 22 July, 2008, 09:49:13 pm
Oh, that's alright then, if I can find a 25 where it doesn't rain much I'll be able to do a '56' as well ;D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 23 July, 2008, 09:57:16 pm
It was a humid and muggy evening. Get up and go seemed to be a bit lacking and everyones edge seemed blunted by the extreme heat as the thermometer soared over 20C. Signed on, feeling a bit out of sorts and unenthusiastic. Did a reasonable warmup considering and managed to set my GPS to track from the start.

There was little wind so I eased into the ride - it is a ski jump start and there is no point blowing myself out for a .5kmh improvement at 50+ on the downhill. Pushed hard on the uphill - still too fat and suffering, must move my tribar elbow rests out a smidgin.

Passed by my minute man at 4km. Passed by 2 minute man at 10km.Really, really trying to hang on there.

My speedo is miscalibrated so my final surge to the line petered out with 200m to go. Came in on a long 27 which was my second fastest time.

For the stats book: FI-7/10 27.44, fastest on the night was my clubmate with 21.44.

A number of people slower than me so I wasn't doing too badly - about 40 or so riders out tonight.

Ouch my lungs still hurt.   

..d
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 23 July, 2008, 10:03:21 pm



Date             Distance/Time         Course type       Weather conditions            Bike ridden               

05/07/06           10mls/26.39    Rolling  Q10/26        cleardry             Raleigh 76" gear
12/07/06            10 mls/25.38      rolling Q10/26      clear dry           Raleigh 86" gear
21-22/07/07   24hr TT/334           rolling                   cold drizzle       Lambert 72" gear
15/08/07           10mls/26.45      rolling Q10/26      clear dry       Lambert 72" gear
30/03/08             9mls/29.37       Hillyish Qs/30        wet            Lambert 79" gear 
20/04/08           10mls/28.42    Hillyish Q10/3      dry and cold    Lambert 79" gear
26/04/08           10mls/27.09      rolling Q10 /22   warm & sunny  Lambert 76" gear
25/06/08        10mls/27.24        rolling  Q10/26     hot/windy        Lambert 76" gear
28/06/08           10mls/27.16    Hillyish Q10/3      dry and hot Lambert 79" gear
9/7/08         9mls/30,23    Hilly QS 30   pouring down/windy RonCooper71.22"gear

23/07/08  10mls/25.33 rolling Q10/26  hot & windy Graham Weigh  83" gear

 A new personal best, my minute man caught me around the 7 mile mark and I buried myself to keep him in sight  :)  I is happy  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 24 July, 2008, 10:55:36 am
FixedWheelNut - you appear to have 4 time trial bikes. How on earth do you choose?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 24 July, 2008, 06:21:02 pm
FixedWheelNut - you appear to have 4 time trial bikes. How on earth do you choose?

 ;D  Technically only one the Graham Weigh as the Tri-bars came off of my Lambert so that is now an ordinary bike again.

 The Ron Cooper is my Audax bike complete with guards and dyno hub that just got a run out due to the Lambert getting a last minute pun***re and the Raleigh frame snapped last year and is no longer with us  ;D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: gonzo on 24 July, 2008, 08:57:31 pm
TT tonight was cancelled after one of the earlier guys got hit by someone pulling out of a side road. It was a straight stretch of single carriageway conditions were brilliant, she just didn't see him apparently.

Ambulance called, Police closed off the road, he was conscious but broke his collar-bone we think.

Stay careful out there guys!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Maladict on 24 July, 2008, 09:11:18 pm
Quote
E3/1024.04.0830'15
E3/10a24.07.0828'05

 :thumbsup:

Not been on a bike much (I did say at all, but I just remembered the 33 miles I did last saturday  ::-) ) since 600km Audax the weekend before last.  Rushed to get to the start due to work I had to do before I left, and having to refit the tri-bars before I could ride over - got to the start as the first riders were setting off.

Paced myself rather better, though had to back off due to sore stomach about 1/3 way round.  Finished much more strongly than last time, didn't have to back off in the last km and pushed hard (over 40kph) for the last 500m.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 26 July, 2008, 05:44:42 pm
Date             Distance/Time         Course type       Weather conditions            Bike ridden               

05/07/06           10mls/26.39    Rolling  Q10/26        cleardry             Raleigh 76" gear
12/07/06            10 mls/25.38      rolling Q10/26      clear dry           Raleigh 86" gear
21-22/07/07   24hr TT/334           rolling                   cold drizzle       Lambert 72" gear
15/08/07           10mls/26.45      rolling Q10/26      clear dry       Lambert 72" gear
30/03/08             9mls/29.37       Hillyish Qs/30        wet            Lambert 79" gear 
20/04/08           10mls/28.42    Hillyish Q10/3      dry and cold    Lambert 79" gear
26/04/08           10mls/27.09      rolling Q10 /22   warm & sunny  Lambert 76" gear
25/06/08        10mls/27.24        rolling  Q10/26     hot/windy        Lambert 76" gear
28/06/08           10mls/27.16    Hillyish Q10/3      dry and hot Lambert 79" gear
9/7/08         9mls/30,23    Hilly QS 30   pouring down/windy RonCooper71.22"gear
23/07/08  10mls/25.33 rolling Q10/26  hot & windy Graham Weigh  83" gear


Another personal best on my first flat course on the Isle of Grain at High Halstow.

26/07/08   10mls/25.30  flat    Q10/24   hot /windy   Graham Weigh 83" gear

 A bit of a crosswind in both directions and slight rise to the end along with squllions of flying ants  "extra protein, is that an advantage" ??  :)  :-X
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: gonzo on 26 July, 2008, 05:59:35 pm
You reckon that course was flat!?!?!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 26 July, 2008, 06:05:19 pm
You reckon that course was flat!?!?!

 Er yes compared to the ones I usually ride  ;)  do you think otherwise then Rob ?  ;D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: gonzo on 26 July, 2008, 06:11:17 pm
The last mile is up a 2 or 3% hill!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 26 July, 2008, 06:16:01 pm
The last mile is up a 2 or 3% hill!

 I was feeling pretty sick riding up to the roundabout  :sick:   ;D  trying to catch my three minute man
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: gonzo on 26 July, 2008, 06:26:18 pm
You aren't a real TTer until you've thrown up whilst still pedalling!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: nic on 26 July, 2008, 06:36:11 pm
You aren't a real TTer until you've thrown up whilst still pedalling!
Easy. Eat scampi and chips 20' before the start.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Gus on 26 July, 2008, 06:38:42 pm
You aren't a real TTer until you've thrown up whilst still pedalling!

Then I'm a TTer  :sick:
(don't do TT the day after a Rammsteinconcert and lots of lager)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Bigdaveskinnytyre on 27 July, 2008, 11:40:10 am
Second 50 today, dropped my PB from 2:04:31 to 1:54:48 8)

It didn't feel as hard as the first one either
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Blah on 28 July, 2008, 09:27:10 am
Good show Dave, you're obviously going well!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 29 July, 2008, 12:47:34 pm
You aren't a real TTer until you've thrown up whilst still pedalling!

On Saturday I threw up just off the bike. 120 miles done, still 15 hours to go. Several people have said that this makes me a proper athlete now - I just felt an idiot!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 30 July, 2008, 10:32:37 pm
The last 10 of the season for me. On the Cleish course which I didn't ride two weeks ago due to babysitting duties.

Warm and humid.The rain had passed through so it wasn't really warm and really humid. Still a good field (31 riders) despite the inclement weather.

I had planned to go off at a reasonable pace then work hard to not lose speed through the first set of lumps (I don't do hills very well). This went according to plan, but then picking up the speed into the second quarter was hard. Below my target and Iwas really suffering. Kicked hard, got passed by my 2 minute man at about 5.5k which meant I was doing reasonably well (he normally takes about 6 minutes on me) There must have been a slight headwing going out to the turn (very quiet road so we can have a dead turn). I managed to pick the speed up for the return leg - even got into a good rhythm then BANG - I blew at about 12 miles and was touring for a few hundred metres. checked the time and distance, realised that if I could get it together I'd scrape a respectable time (for me). Hammer down, distance ticking away, time ticking away, would I get inside 28 minutes?

No. 28.11. Equal fastest time I have ridden for that course. I should be pleased with it on what was a bit of a curates egg of a ride. Very promising in parts, but seriously lacking in others.

At the start of the season I hadn't ridden faster than 28.47 in the previous five years. My PB was 28.17 set in 1990. This year I have ridden 4 out of 8 tens faster than my old PB and set a new PB of 26.55.

It has been a good year.

..d
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 31 July, 2008, 12:08:03 am

Date             Distance/Time         Course type       Weather conditions            Bike ridden               

05/07/06           10mls/26.39    Rolling  Q10/26        cleardry             Raleigh 76" gear
12/07/06            10 mls/25.38      rolling Q10/26      clear dry           Raleigh 86" gear
21-22/07/07   24hr TT/334           rolling                   cold drizzle       Lambert 72" gear
15/08/07           10mls/26.45      rolling Q10/26      clear dry       Lambert 72" gear
30/03/08             9mls/29.37       Hillyish Qs/30        wet            Lambert 79" gear 
20/04/08           10mls/28.42    Hillyish Q10/3      dry and cold    Lambert 79" gear
26/04/08           10mls/27.09      rolling Q10 /22   warm & sunny  Lambert 76" gear
25/06/08        10mls/27.24        rolling  Q10/26     hot/windy        Lambert 76" gear
28/06/08           10mls/27.16    Hillyish Q10/3      dry and hot Lambert 79" gear
9/7/08         9mls/30,23    Hilly QS 30   pouring down/windy RonCooper71.22"gear
23/07/08  10mls/25.33 rolling Q10/26  hot & windy Graham Weigh  83" gear
26/07/08   10mls/25.30  flat    Q10/24   hot /windy   Graham Weigh 83" gear


29/07/08   10mls /25.40  rolling Q10/26  hot slight wind  Graham weigh 83" gear

 Didn't feel as windy as last week but everybody said it felt harder and slower to the turn, pleased I still had a good time for me but I'd rather have gone a bit faster  :)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 31 July, 2008, 01:55:37 pm
Date              Dist         Course          Weather             Time

25/6/08        10          UC182          v.windy           26.16
02/7/08        10          UC182            windy            25.22
09/7/08        10          UC182         wet&windy         24.50
16/7/08        10          UC182             dry              25.06
30/7/08        10          UC182            warm            24.41

Managed to negotiate some time off work to ride last nights TT.
A warm night, with only a slight wind attracted over 50 riders.

Improved on my PB by 9 seconds - Got a good start on the downhill stretch of the A38 and kept the momentum going for quite a while, felt strong as turned back through the lanes towards Rockhampton, but again struggled on the uphill ( not really a hill, more an incline* in the road ) section about 2 miles from the finish, before it flattens out again.

*Any suggestions to help overcome tiredness on incline, would be gratefully received

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Blah on 31 July, 2008, 03:06:54 pm
*Any suggestions to help overcome tiredness on incline, would be gratefully received

Shit loads of hill repeats. Find the baddest hill around and learn to love it :-)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Simon Galgut on 31 July, 2008, 03:56:35 pm
Last ten of the season last night. Finished third overall in the competition and top vet - I think there's a prize !!  (£10?)

Managed six PBs this season including two in 25s. Might have been a better result if I hadn't been injured for the first five events of the season after my broken steerer incident. Still not too shabby.

Now there's the hillclimbs to do. Managed to be second vet last year, so there's room for improvement.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 31 July, 2008, 04:02:19 pm
*Any suggestions to help overcome tiredness on incline, would be gratefully received

Shit loads of hill repeats. Find the baddest hill around and learn to love it :-)
Are you riding fixed? Is the hill steep enough that you run out of (sensible) gears? If not, and at the risk of disagreeing with the forum's leading '100' rider, I don't think hills need any training - it's all a question of pacing.

We all slow down a bit on hills - if you don't, then you obviously aren't trying hard enough on the flat bits!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 31 July, 2008, 04:50:34 pm
Last ten of the season last night. Finished third overall in the competition and top vet - I think there's a prize !!  (£10?)

Our league includes the 5 next week, the two hill climbs and the 1 mile sprint. Points count from all events so the league won't be sewn up till september. It has an interesting scoring scheme.
Points from 20-1 for the top 20 and 1 point for finishing an event  for everyone else. Then your 12 best scores are multiplied by the number of events you have scored points at or marshalled/officiated.

So the final tally will only be known at the end of the season. I might manage 12 events this year (I've done 8 and there are 4 to go) but have only got more than the 1 point in 1 of them.

Quote
Now there's the hillclimbs to do. Managed to be second vet last year, so there's room for improvement.

I might ride them if the weather is not great. If it is just right then I will bring the camera out for the first one - there is a stunning view to capture the riders against. I'm no good on hills (too much excess baggage) but can set a time to beat next year.

..d
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Simon Galgut on 31 July, 2008, 09:45:00 pm
At least I can understand our scoring system  ;D     Points scored 20 down, best 7 events from 15 score.

The hillclimb is a separate competition, but the first leg is horrible - by the time I finished it last year I couldn't see anything and could hardly breathe. Thankfully it is only once a year.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Blah on 01 August, 2008, 08:43:05 am
*Any suggestions to help overcome tiredness on incline, would be gratefully received

Shit loads of hill repeats. Find the baddest hill around and learn to love it :-)
Are you riding fixed? Is the hill steep enough that you run out of (sensible) gears? If not, and at the risk of disagreeing with the forum's leading '100' rider, I don't think hills need any training - it's all a question of pacing.

We all slow down a bit on hills - if you don't, then you obviously aren't trying hard enough on the flat bits!

I'm not riding fixed at the moment, and the hill isn't steep enough that I run out of sensible gears on my geared bike.

I agree that hills are a question of pacing, but I think that needs some practice. After a couple of years of riding only fixed I had to learn to use my gears again. I can get up most hills in most gears, but it's certainly faster in some gears than in others.

The point of hill repeats for me is to beast yourself on a training session, then anything on the flat or on a hill at a slightly lower effort will feel 'easy'. Not sure I'm explaining myself very well.

Quote
the forum's leading '100' rider

 :-[

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Greenbank on 01 August, 2008, 11:14:14 am
The point of hill repeats for me is to beast yourself on a training session, then anything on the flat or on a hill at a slightly lower effort will feel 'easy'. Not sure I'm explaining myself very well.

After just one run of the Cheam & Morden Hilly 50km route (1000m climbing in 50km, on fixed) I found the hills on my usual DIY200 route up to Cambridge and back (1400m climbing in 210km) had almost completely disappeared.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 01 August, 2008, 11:38:18 am
I'm not riding fixed at the moment, and the hill isn't steep enough that I run out of sensible gears on my geared bike.

I agree that hills are a question of pacing, but I think that needs some practice. After a couple of years of riding only fixed I had to learn to use my gears again. I can get up most hills in most gears, but it's certainly faster in some gears than in others.
Sorry, I did some unclear quoting back there ...
I was wondering if DINAMO was on fixed, because he was asking about a particular course with a hill - if he's racing on gears, I don't think hills need any special prep.

Quote
The point of hill repeats for me is to beast yourself on a training session, then anything on the flat or on a hill at a slightly lower effort will feel 'easy'. Not sure I'm explaining myself very well.
Yup, riding hills is an excellent way to FORCE yourself to train in the critical zones. Of course, it's purely psychological, as I can ride on the flat at 180bpm too, but we all need every motivational trick we can get!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 01 August, 2008, 01:54:16 pm
No, I'm not riding fixed - just find I'm knackered by this point (more incline rather than hill) in the ride and even changing down gears doesn't help.
Once back on the flat for final mile my pace picks up again.

I'm sure in time my strength / ability will improve ( only 5th week of TT ing )
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Blah on 03 August, 2008, 09:11:59 pm
Bornemouth 50 today. Time? Don't know. Went the wrong way at the finish, you're not supposed to do a U-turn on the roundabout by the finish, you're supposed to go straight on to the next roundabout. :'(

I thought my time looked a bit too fantastic the first time I finished. Then a fellow competitor told me that I probably hadn't gone straight on as I was supposed to. So, just as I was thinking, thank ffff this is done, I won't be needing my big chainring again today, I went off again to do the loop properly and finish properly.

Official time 2:16:58. Judging by my average speed (22.45) and what I lost I must have done well under 2:14. I had thought between 2:10 and 2:15, so on a day with quite a strong headwind toward the finish, I'm happy with that.

Oh well. Pay better attention to the route next time and don't rely on the marshals*.

* I don't blame the marshal, I blame my interpretation of his hand signal.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: gonzo on 03 August, 2008, 09:14:47 pm
23.20 Yesterday morning for a 10. That put me 7th of about 40 starters.

Not a great day; the fastest time was 21.58!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 06 August, 2008, 08:45:35 pm
Some days are good. Some are less good. Some are best forgotten.

Wet. Very wet and windy. The final midweek 5 mile of the season. I ended up being off number 1. Not properly warmed up, stomach complaining, legs felt empty.

My aim was to beat my time on a slightly different course  at the start of the season. I did, but disapointingly only by 5 secs. 13.55.

However, the low turnout meant I got nearly as many league points from my placing tonight as I did from all my other rides this year.

..d
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 06 August, 2008, 10:53:13 pm


Date             Distance/Time         Course type       Weather conditions            Bike ridden               

05/07/06           10mls/26.39    Rolling  Q10/26        cleardry             Raleigh 76" gear
12/07/06            10 mls/25.38      rolling Q10/26      clear dry           Raleigh 86" gear
21-22/07/07   24hr TT/334           rolling                   cold drizzle       Lambert 72" gear
15/08/07           10mls/26.45      rolling Q10/26      clear dry       Lambert 72" gear
30/03/08             9mls/29.37       Hillyish Qs/30        wet            Lambert 79" gear 
20/04/08           10mls/28.42    Hillyish Q10/3      dry and cold    Lambert 79" gear
26/04/08           10mls/27.09      rolling Q10 /22   warm & sunny  Lambert 76" gear
25/06/08        10mls/27.24        rolling  Q10/26     hot/windy        Lambert 76" gear
28/06/08           10mls/27.16    Hillyish Q10/3      dry and hot Lambert 79" gear
9/7/08         9mls/30,23    Hilly QS 30   pouring down/windy RonCooper71.22"gear
23/07/08  10mls/25.33 rolling Q10/26  hot & windy Graham Weigh  83" gear
26/07/08   10mls/25.30  flat    Q10/24   hot /windy   Graham Weigh 83" gear

29/07/08   10mls /25.40  rolling Q10/26  hot slight wind  Graham weigh 83" gear


 A perfect night if only a bit warm, and another personal best I worked on the principal that every time I put a bigger gear on I go faster so I upped it to 47 x 14  88" gear.
6/8/08       10mls / 25.10  rolling Q10/26  hot             Graham Weigh  88" gear
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 07 August, 2008, 09:09:53 am
Date              Dist         Course          Weather             Time

25/6/08        10          UC182          v.windy           26.16
02/7/08        10          UC182            windy            25.22
09/7/08        10          UC182         wet&windy         24.50
16/7/08        10          UC182             dry              25.06
30/7/08        10          UC182            warm            24.41
06/8/08        10          UC182             dry              24.27


PB again last night,  a dry night although was raining by the time I cycled back to Bristol.
Took on board Blah and Mattc advice and comments and pushed hard on the hill towards the end of the course, seemed to work and PB was beaten by 14 sesc.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: nic on 07 August, 2008, 09:01:18 pm
Date             Distance         Course type       Weather conditions            Bike ridden               Time
07/8/08          10 miles        Salt Ayre Track           19C 4mph wind            Focus Cayo              26'47s

03/7/08          10 miles        Salt Ayre Track           14C 9mph wind            Focus Cayo              27'12s
28/5/08          17 miles        Circuit of Coniston  Wet / no wind / 12C          Focus Cayo             51'20s

Last time trial of the year on the Salt Ayre track. I can't say I felt good during the ride as my legs felt heavy may be because of the Bowland and the mid peak audaxes. Happy to have improved on my previous time. :)

Bring on the hill climbing early September :-X
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Maladict on 07 August, 2008, 09:16:32 pm
Glad I didn't ride tonight, with the thunder and lightning!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frenchie on 07 August, 2008, 09:50:21 pm
Date              Dist         Course          Weather             Time

07/8/08        10          Clarion       nice/windish         26.12

Reasonably pleased. Am still not *dying* though and still riding a 79''. I could accommodate a mid 80'' gear now I think, and would hope to follow FWN. The work done in recent weeks1 has led to a 23 sec. improvement on that sporting course though.

1 I am aiming for a couple of 25s in late August and September and riding longer distances at present. Hence sticking to 79'' as well.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Palinurus on 08 August, 2008, 12:51:42 pm
Last 10 of the season for me (usual course, F11Z). 24 mins dead. Best this year 23:54 on the same course but I'm happy with the 24 because it was breezy, and in the wrong direction too. It's faster when the wind is following on the way out. 22:08 was the winning time.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 09 August, 2008, 12:10:57 am
Date              Dist         Course          Weather             Time

07/8/08        10          Clarion       nice/windish         26.12

Reasonably pleased. Am still not *dying* though and still riding a 79''. I could accommodate a mid 80'' gear now I think, and would hope to follow FWN. The work done in recent weeks1 has led to a 23 sec. improvement on that sporting course though.

1 I am aiming for a couple of 25s in late August and September and riding longer distances at present. Hence sticking to 79'' as well.

 Frenchie, try a bigger gear it is surprising that it is not much harder to ride, once you have that race mode on to push yourself harder up the slopes the rest is easier  :thumbsup:

 My average cadence on a TT has always been around 95 to 110 [overall], it was 91 rpm on the 88" gear but a faster ride. I just find it easier on the faster bits to hold a fast cadence around  120-130.
 Riding a lower gear I find it harder to maintain the higher cadence on the flatter or downhill bits over the 130, "especially on the tri bars", so lose time when I slow to recover.
 The biggest downhill bit is usually  a thigh burning 158-180  ;D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frenchie on 09 August, 2008, 11:17:15 am
I have just ordered a new chainset from P-X with a BCD which should make getting the right chainrings and gears easier! I do appear to be running a bit out of gear on some of the longer running sections, as you do, so I'll try and swap chainsets and get a bigger gear on for the last 10s.

23 Mi/h average, spinning at about 95 RPM average on that course (on 72'' I reach in excess of 110 I think) but we have a few twitchy turns, bad road surface in the finale, a bump (canal bridge and small climb) and a stop (well I do slow down a bit, ready to stop)! On longer rides, in preparation for the 25s, I am not that much slower, 21 and bit to 22 Mi/h average, but I do not try to ride as hard on the flat bits.

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 09 August, 2008, 08:06:05 pm
Club 25 today. Rode out to the start, it began raining. Rode 5 miles to my marshalling point. Managed through careful application of voice to prevent two clueless lasses who were drifting over the road without looking becoming speared on a pair of tri-bars. Astonished that someone from one of the not quite so local clubs would follow their clubs apparent interpretation of the highway code and cut the white lines on some blind bends (duly reported to the commissaire).

Rode back to the finish in the p***ing rain. Stood under my gazebo drinking coffee, eating biscuites and blethering before blagging a lift home (save an hours ride) and de-signing the route (only four signs left by the other marshalls, generally a good result) and discovered why I have been feeling crap all week.

Spent all afternoonin bed feeling v.v. rough.

So that is the last event of the season. Time to tidy up, dust off, and look forward to the midweek winter training rides (steady paced chain gang). and plan my training and nutritional taper in time for the 13 mile club Boxing Day 10 (bring tri-bars and you should get a time penalty).

..d
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: RogerT on 13 August, 2008, 07:13:31 am
I am a very happy bunny !  Unlike all the TT racing snakes on here I am best described as built for comfort, not speed.

However, last night I achieved my personal ambition for the year by reaching evens in the Ely 10mile TT. 

29.04 on a somewhat breezy course.

It has only taken 5 weeks and a new frame..not much really  ;) ;)

I can retire now.  :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 13 August, 2008, 07:28:33 am
I am a very happy bunny !  Unlike all the TT racing snakes on here I am best described as built for comfort, not speed.

However, last night I achieved my personal ambition for the year by reaching evens in the Ely 10mile TT. 

29.04 on a somewhat breezy course.

It has only taken 5 weeks and a new frame..not much really  ;) ;)

I can retire now.  :thumbsup: :thumbsup:


Well done! I too am far from being a racing snake and also had the ambition of beating evens all season.. Tribars and a bit of practice should see some consistent times..

..d
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frenchie on 13 August, 2008, 08:39:50 am
I am no racing snake either; rather a big steady Diesel riding an old fixed. Maybe I should try my geared bike on our course?!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: gonzo on 13 August, 2008, 08:41:45 am
It's now the end of my season, but here are the best rides in every category I rode this season;
10 miles 22.36 mins
12 hour  217.526 miles
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mike on 13 August, 2008, 09:46:54 am
doing my first one tomorrow night..  am quite nervous, I've even fitted tri bars!

how do I find out what the route is from the strange looking course number?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: drossall on 13 August, 2008, 10:05:34 am
You can look them up in the handbook, but some club courses may not be listed. I tried the Web site (http://www.cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/) but the page doesn't seem to be available. Descriptions are sketchy, eg Stansted - Newport.

What is the course number? Someone may know it.

Can be quicker to ask someone in the organising club. You've checked their Web site I presume?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: RogerT on 13 August, 2008, 10:07:15 am
doing my first one tomorrow night..  am quite nervous, I've even fitted tri bars!

how do I find out what the route is from the strange looking course number?

Good Luck.. which Bike are you using ?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mike on 13 August, 2008, 10:16:36 am
Good Luck.. which Bike are you using ?

carbon sportive bike with tri bars.

What is the course number? Someone may know it.

 good idea - I'll ping maladict(a) and see if he knows it.. it's F16/10 from Barton (nr cambridge).
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Greenbank on 13 August, 2008, 10:29:58 am
good idea - I'll ping maladict(a) and see if he knows it.. it's F16/10 from Barton (nr cambridge).

Can't find it on Google, or CCC's website.

Probably out and back along the A603 towards Orwell which is a nice smooth surfaced road with good sightlines for overtaking cars.

Either that or along the B1046 through Comberton, Toft, Kingston and turn somewhere by Bourn.

Nice roads. I know them well, and depending on the route you go you'll go past one or two of my old schools (Barton Primary and Comberton Village College).

It's not listed here: http://www.srcf.ucam.org/cycling/images/maps/overview.jpg
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 13 August, 2008, 10:38:33 am
Hopefully this address takes you to Cambridge CC web page , then click on Time Trial and F16/10 is shown there  :)

Cambridge Cycling Club (http://www.cambridgecc.org.uk/)

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Greenbank on 13 August, 2008, 10:42:38 am
Ta Dinamo. As I thought, it's an out and back on the A603. Starts from right near the Mullard Radio Observatory.

Mainly flat, good road surface, up over Orwell Hill, down and along past Wimpole and a turn at the A1198 roundabout, back over Orwell Hill and power on to the finish.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mike on 13 August, 2008, 10:47:56 am
Hopefully this address takes you to Cambridge CC web page , then click on Time Trial and F16/10 is shown there  :)

Cambridge Cycling Club (http://www.cambridgecc.org.uk/)



fantastic, thanks Dinamo.  I'd been looking at the similar but different & less useful http://www.cambridge-cycling-club.org.uk/ 

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Lucky on 13 August, 2008, 10:57:23 am
it's F16/10 from Barton (nr cambridge).

Quite a nice course, though the traffic tends to pass quite close on that road, and the pacing can be tricky as, although it's reasonably flat, the lump about halfway to the turn is quite steep on both sides. Careful on the turn, it's easy to take the wrong exit and find yourself heading off towards Huntingdon.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: drossall on 13 August, 2008, 11:08:20 am
Good luck - can't get there tomorrow to watch. Our club uses the B road west of the roundabout as part of a circular 12-mile course from Guilden Morden, and that section always seems a bit of a drag :-\
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Palinurus on 13 August, 2008, 12:41:58 pm
Course routes.

It's worth searching Bikely using the course code- sometimes you'll get lucky.

I've put up most of the local courses I've ridden.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Maladict on 13 August, 2008, 02:37:31 pm
The website is a bit in limbo, was supposed to have moved but only part of it has made it, and the guy doing the website is too busy atm.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 13 August, 2008, 10:42:22 pm


Date             Distance/Time         Course type       Weather conditions            Bike ridden               

05/07/06           10mls/26.39        Rolling  Q10/26     cleardry           Raleigh 76" gear
12/07/06            10 mls/25.38      rolling Q10/26      clear dry          Raleigh 86" gear
21-22/07/07   24hr TT/334           rolling                   cold drizzle     Lambert 72" gear
15/08/07           10mls/26.45        rolling Q10/26      clear dry         Lambert 72" gear
30/03/08             9mls/29.37       Hillyish Qs/30        wet                Lambert 79" gear 
20/04/08           10mls/28.42    Hillyish Q10/3      dry and cold       Lambert 79" gear
26/04/08           10mls/27.09      rolling Q10 /22   warm & sunny   Lambert 76" gear
25/06/08        10mls/27.24        rolling  Q10/26     hot/windy         Lambert 76" gear
28/06/08           10mls/27.16    Hillyish Q10/3      dry and hot        Lambert 79" gear
9/7/08         9mls/30,23    Hilly QS 30   pouring down/windy RonCooper71.22"gear
23/07/08  10mls/25.33 rolling Q10/26  hot & windy           Graham Weigh  83" gear
26/07/08   10mls/25.30  flat       Q10/24   hot /windy                   Graham Weigh 83" gear 
29/07/08   10mls /25.40  rolling Q10/26  hot slight wind              Graham weigh 83" gear
6/8/08       10mls / 25.10  rolling Q10/26  hot                     Graham Weigh  88" gear

 A very windy night with everyone slower than normal, I was very pleased to catch my minute man, two minute man and four minute man, allthough Reg Smith came from behind to take about three minutes from me :)
13/08/08    10mls/26.04         rolling Q10/26  very windy             Graham Weigh 88" gear

Bexley evening ten results (http://www.cycleclub-bexley.org.uk/Evening_10_results_08.html#30Jul)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mike on 14 August, 2008, 09:04:52 pm
My first go tonight...  finally I can add something to this thread!! 

It was out to a roundabout and back, with a [surprisingly large!] hill in the middle with a brisk headwind for the first half. 

It was all a bit of a blur but I realised my goose was well and truely cooked about 10 minutes in when I was struggling to maintain double figures towards the top of the hill, I think I worked much too hard into the headwind going uphill.  From then onwards it was a balancing act, watching my heart rate and trying to keep it in a sensible range (I hit 196, average was 188.  My maximum is 197).


time? - total 29.50 by my watch, after I got to the turn in 16.20 so the second half was 13.30.  Pleased with the second half, but I think if I'd taken 5% off the work in the first part, then I'd have a lot more left towards the end. 


I was waiting at the start and chatting to a couple of others and this guy I vaguely recognise rolls up.  "Evening Hutch", someone says, then I twigged where I'd seen his photo.  He came past at about 10 minutes, having started 3 minutes behind, which was nice.
 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Maladict on 14 August, 2008, 09:09:09 pm
Nice one Mike.  That hill is non-trivial.

Try the E3/10a course next time it's up, that's the fastest course CCC use for club TTs.

E3/10 is nice, and flatter than the one you just did, similarly being out to a roundabout and back.  Wrong side of Cambridge for you, though.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frenchie on 14 August, 2008, 10:36:15 pm
Date             Distance/Time         Course          Weather conditions            Bike ridden               

14/08/08           10mls/26.15        Notts Clarion       clear/bit windy           Track/79" gear

Missed my start!! So I got going, courtesy of the time keeper, a bit in limbo... I was back into business soon after and worked well, even running out of gear on the "way down". I made the first climb okay and negotiated the stop at the first junction rather well. Unfortunately a car turned right in front of me further down the course and I had to lift and get on the hood ready to brake. It was a bit cool and windy, but it was a good night. I definitely need a bigger gear --looking forward to getting that new chainset-- but I am very comfortable on that distance now.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: drossall on 14 August, 2008, 10:50:30 pm
Do you really mean that you did that two years ago?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: RogerT on 15 August, 2008, 07:12:46 am
Well done Mike, that strikes me as a cracking time for your first go in somewhat challenging conditions.  :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 20 August, 2008, 05:49:40 pm
Tonight is the hill climb. Get home, changed, load car. Flat battery.

Car is parked round the corner away from the house, no time to sort it out.

Bugger.

No I can't ride 25 miles in sufficient time and compete.

..d
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: nmcgann on 20 August, 2008, 07:57:20 pm
My first go tonight...  finally I can add something to this thread!! 

It was out to a roundabout and back, with a [surprisingly large!] hill in the middle with a brisk headwind for the first half. 

It was all a bit of a blur but I realised my goose was well and truely cooked about 10 minutes in when I was struggling to maintain double figures towards the top of the hill, I think I worked much too hard into the headwind going uphill.  From then onwards it was a balancing act, watching my heart rate and trying to keep it in a sensible range (I hit 196, average was 188.  My maximum is 197).


time? - total 29.50 by my watch, after I got to the turn in 16.20 so the second half was 13.30.  Pleased with the second half, but I think if I'd taken 5% off the work in the first part, then I'd have a lot more left towards the end. 


I was waiting at the start and chatting to a couple of others and this guy I vaguely recognise rolls up.  "Evening Hutch", someone says, then I twigged where I'd seen his photo.  He came past at about 10 minutes, having started 3 minutes behind, which was nice.
 

Well done Mike. I hate that course, there's always a roaring headwind and cars come really close. (and I never do a good time on there  :-[)

Neil
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mike on 20 August, 2008, 08:20:17 pm
My first go tonight...  finally I can add something to this thread!! 

It was out to a roundabout and back, with a [surprisingly large!] hill in the middle with a brisk headwind for the first half. 

It was all a bit of a blur but I realised my goose was well and truely cooked about 10 minutes in when I was struggling to maintain double figures towards the top of the hill, I think I worked much too hard into the headwind going uphill.  From then onwards it was a balancing act, watching my heart rate and trying to keep it in a sensible range (I hit 196, average was 188.  My maximum is 197).


time? - total 29.50 by my watch, after I got to the turn in 16.20 so the second half was 13.30.  Pleased with the second half, but I think if I'd taken 5% off the work in the first part, then I'd have a lot more left towards the end. 


I was waiting at the start and chatting to a couple of others and this guy I vaguely recognise rolls up.  "Evening Hutch", someone says, then I twigged where I'd seen his photo.  He came past at about 10 minutes, having started 3 minutes behind, which was nice.
 

Well done Mike. I hate that course, there's always a roaring headwind and cars come really close. (and I never do a good time on there  :-[)

Neil

*now* he tells me!  My official time was actually a bit better than I'd measured and - best news of all- I wasnt last!!

Bottisham course tomorrow, will try and pace myself a bit better. 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: nmcgann on 20 August, 2008, 09:23:22 pm

Well done Mike. I hate that course, there's always a roaring headwind and cars come really close. (and I never do a good time on there  :-[)

Neil

*now* he tells me!  My official time was actually a bit better than I'd measured and - best news of all- I wasnt last!!

Bottisham course tomorrow, will try and pace myself a bit better. 

The E3/10 is better, it's not an easy course, but I think it's an "honest" course. The trick is not to shoot your bolt over the hill on the way out, it's much less steep on the way back and it tends to be sheltered from the prevailing wind so there's quite a bit of course that isn't as slow as you'd think. The worst bit (IMO) is the final drag after the downhill on the way back - it's into the wind and very slightly uphill so if you haven't kept a little in reserve it's a struggle :-\

Neil
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 20 August, 2008, 10:02:03 pm
Tonights TT cancelled, due to accident on M5 north of Bristol, diversion of all motorway traffic onto the A38, therefore making section of course unsafe for TTing.
Instead those present rode proposed route for next seasons Evening 10s.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Andydauddwr on 20 August, 2008, 10:03:35 pm
Did the slower of our club 10s tonight on wet roads with a stiff wind.  Second go at a 10 on my Planet X Stealth and this time I'd cut the bars down and found it a lot more comfortable.  I was also sporting my new aero h*lm*t.

Having pushed hard on what didn't feel like my best legs, I managed to hold off my minute man and crossed the line in 25:13.  This is nearly a minute inside of my solo PB for a 10 and 2 seconds faster than our tandem performance, so the natural order of things is restored for the time being...

AC
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 20 August, 2008, 11:25:56 pm

Date             Distance/Time         Course type       Weather conditions            Bike ridden               

05/07/06           10mls/26.39        Rolling  Q10/26     cleardry           Raleigh 76" gear
12/07/06            10 mls/25.38      rolling Q10/26      clear dry          Raleigh 86" gear
21-22/07/07   24hr TT/334           rolling                   cold drizzle     Lambert 72" gear
15/08/07           10mls/26.45        rolling Q10/26      clear dry         Lambert 72" gear
30/03/08             9mls/29.37       Hillyish Qs/30        wet                Lambert 79" gear 
20/04/08           10mls/28.42    Hillyish Q10/3      dry and cold       Lambert 79" gear
26/04/08           10mls/27.09      rolling Q10 /22   warm & sunny   Lambert 76" gear
25/06/08        10mls/27.24        rolling  Q10/26     hot/windy         Lambert 76" gear
28/06/08           10mls/27.16    Hillyish Q10/3      dry and hot        Lambert 79" gear
9/7/08         9mls/30,23    Hilly QS 30   pouring down/windy RonCooper71.22"gear
23/07/08  10mls/25.33 rolling Q10/26  hot & windy           Graham Weigh  83" gear
26/07/08   10mls/25.30  flat       Q10/24   hot /windy                   Graham Weigh 83" gear 
29/07/08   10mls /25.40  rolling Q10/26  hot slight wind              Graham weigh 83" gear
6/8/08       10mls / 25.10  rolling Q10/26  hot                     Graham Weigh  88" gear
13/08/08    10mls/26.04         rolling Q10/26  very windy             Graham Weigh 88" gear

Another windy night just starting to rain towards the end, legs felt cramped on the hilly stretch out but livened up for the spinfest back.

20/08/08   10mls/26.11       Rolling Q10/26   very windy              Graham Weigh  88" gear


 Last one for this year, I must lose weight for next year.

Bexley evening ten results (http://www.cycleclub-bexley.org.uk/Evening_10_results_08.html#30Jul)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: drossall on 21 August, 2008, 05:11:16 pm
I only rode a few club 10s this year. If we can keep this thread going all winter, I'm going to feel compelled to make more of an effort next season :D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 21 August, 2008, 05:14:46 pm
I only rode a few club 10s this year. If we can keep this thread going all winter, I'm going to feel compelled to make more of an effort next season :D

That was me last year... This year I have achieved my target of ten events (I've ridden 11 and one to go, not including the club hill climb and boxing day 10). Next year I aim to do a 25 and some of the club APR.

..d
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frenchie on 21 August, 2008, 05:17:02 pm
I started this year, on my 15-yr old fixed. We're getting better -- I have learnt a lot -- and I have realised I need a bigger gear to get faster now. I should do my last 10 tonight and have 2 25s coming to conclude the "season". It's been great fun! Bring on the 25' and 24' next year I say!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: blackpuddinonnabike on 21 August, 2008, 05:18:24 pm
My brother's riding a 10 mile TT in Fife this Sunday. I'm going up to get some pics (and try out his new 'Stealth'). I'll be taking my bike up, so will undoubtedly get some odd looks as I rock up on a most-definitely-not-TT bike.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frenchie on 21 August, 2008, 05:20:50 pm
My brother's riding a 10 mile TT in Fife this Sunday. I'm going up to get some pics (and try out his new 'Stealth'). I'll be taking my bike up, so will undoubtedly get some odd looks as I rock up on a most-definitely-not-TT bike.

I ride my old Orbit track... It how you ride that counts.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 21 August, 2008, 05:28:21 pm
What with preparing for the 24h, I nearly got sucked into the 'proper' TT bike trap this year.

If I ride any next year it will be with whatever bike I rode to work on that day (usually the same slow one). I'm never going to win any, so it's just me against the clock.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: blackpuddinonnabike on 21 August, 2008, 05:30:43 pm
My brother's riding a 10 mile TT in Fife this Sunday. I'm going up to get some pics (and try out his new 'Stealth'). I'll be taking my bike up, so will undoubtedly get some odd looks as I rock up on a most-definitely-not-TT bike.

I ride my old Orbit track... It how you ride that counts.

That's my problem...  :-[
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mike on 21 August, 2008, 08:08:22 pm
2nd ever TT tonight, which I managed to pace much better.  If anything, I slightly under-cooked it but after exploding 5 minutes in last week, I was determined to make it to the finish able to see!

I think my time was just under 28 minutes.  Chuffed.

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frenchie on 22 August, 2008, 08:47:58 am
Bl**dy hell! I am a disgrace.  :-[

I took my fast audax bike to the last club TT and posted one of my worse times ever in 27'. The first and the last time I take a geared bike. I was never in the right gear/tempo and felt I was bouncing on the bike; maybe I am not used to it and of course I had no tri-bars etc. ? Okay I was a bit tired too <excuses, excuses...> and the course isn't that fast, but I was really surprised by that time.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 22 August, 2008, 11:36:49 am
Bl**dy hell! I am a disgrace.  :-[

I took my fast audax bike to the last club TT and posted one of my worse times ever in 27'. The first and the last time I take a geared bike. I was never in the right gear/tempo and felt I was bouncing on the bike; maybe I am not used to it and of course I had no tri-bars etc. ? Okay I was a bit tired too <excuses, excuses...> and the course isn't that fast, but I was really surprised by that time.

 What was the weather like Frenchie??

 If you look at my times on the same course windy weather can make a minute or mores difference on the time.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frenchie on 22 August, 2008, 02:07:15 pm
I'm sure I've posted faster times in windier weather (we live in the EM after all where it is often windy!). I was really, really surprised. Maybe I was tired; maybe it was the position on the bike, although I remember lying low on the drops...  ??? One to forget because I felt I had given a lot on top of it all!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 22 August, 2008, 10:28:51 pm
Bl**dy hell! I am a disgrace.  :-[

I took my fast audax bike to the last club TT and posted one of my worse times ever in 27'. The first and the last time I take a geared bike. I was never in the right gear/tempo and felt I was bouncing on the bike; maybe I am not used to it and of course I had no tri-bars etc. ? Okay I was a bit tired too <excuses, excuses...> and the course isn't that fast, but I was really surprised by that time.

So that is the tri bar minute down on your usual time on a bike that is race unfamiliar?
Sounds reasonable to me.

..d
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frenchie on 22 August, 2008, 10:31:50 pm
Bl**dy hell! I am a disgrace.  :-[

I took my fast audax bike to the last club TT and posted one of my worse times ever in 27'. The first and the last time I take a geared bike. I was never in the right gear/tempo and felt I was bouncing on the bike; maybe I am not used to it and of course I had no tri-bars etc. ? Okay I was a bit tired too <excuses, excuses...> and the course isn't that fast, but I was really surprised by that time.

So that is the tri bar minute down on your usual time on a bike that is race unfamiliar?
Sounds reasonable to me.


I don't always use tri-bars on the fixed and those I have are cheap short extensions; but I guess they help as you point out. I was really disappointed as I felt I had tried very hard on the geared bike, using big gears (bigger than on my fixed), but found it surprisingly hard! I was more knackered than I usually am.

It poured cold water on my dream of a geared TT bike!  ;D But I have been thinking about a fast fixed low rider too...  :o
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: gonzo on 24 August, 2008, 09:14:15 am
I switched to my TT bike from my road bike at the start of the TT season without enough practice in the correct position and posted some terrible times. I switched back to my road bike (which was quicker than the TT bike!) and trained in the TT bike position on the turbo. When I'd got used o the position, I went back to the TT bike and starting knocking 1 minute+ off the road bike time.

You can't base your entire future opinion on one off tests!

The advantages of a TT bike;
- Very close gears so you can always get the gear you want
- Shifters on the end of the bars; you're more likely to shift if your hands are resting on the shifters
- Then all the positioning, reduced drag stuff that'll make you faster.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 27 August, 2008, 09:06:14 pm
The final event, and the fastest.

I covered the first mile in 2:10 and it is flat! (ish, slightly rolling) (and there was a monster tailwind).

Yup, end of season 1 mile sprint. Highest finish of the year at 11th, and looking forward to next year. Fastest on the night was 1.48.4

One rider DQ'd for swearing at the starter.

..d
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mike on 28 August, 2008, 06:56:05 pm
missed tonights TT thanks to idiot customers, but here's a pic of me coming round the half-way roundabout last week:

(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a19/mikes99mail/DSCN2834-2.jpg)

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: drossall on 28 August, 2008, 09:01:24 pm
Did a 0:00 in the last club 10 on Tuesday. Turned up. No-one else did. Got the last event wrong - it was last week :-[
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frenchie on 02 September, 2008, 01:18:17 pm
Did a great 25 the other WE. Just got lost! But comfort, pace and feeding were all working well. With the commute I ended up riding my fixed TT machine for 60+ Mi. I'll be ready for the CTT race in 10 days though. I know where I went wrong!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: julianbramley on 02 September, 2008, 02:25:11 pm
I've not done a 10 all year, and I'm probably fitter than I've ever been.
However I'm always scared the 'race of truth' will find me out to be a liar, and I'll record a rubbish time.
Still I know where the course is so I could always sneak out and do a secret one!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frenchie on 02 September, 2008, 02:39:09 pm
I've really enjoyed my 10s this year, although time pressure means I only rode 4 competitive ones! I race myself, with my trusted fixed and that's it! Sheer fun. 1h30 out dor to door, short if 40 Mi in total... Bring on next year I say!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 02 September, 2008, 06:59:49 pm
I've really enjoyed my 10s this year, although time pressure means I only rode 4 competitive ones! I race myself, with my trusted fixed and that's it! Sheer fun. 1h30 out dor to door, short if 40 Mi in total... Bring on next year I say!

My first season of TT, and cannot wait for next year either.
First ride recorded a time of 26.16 eventually reduced this to 24.27  :thumbsup:

Finished 6th in the Severn RC Evening 10 points competition.  :o

I'm tempted to enter the Club Hill Climb in early October,
and will be out for the Boxing Day 10m TT.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Greenbank on 04 September, 2008, 04:47:14 pm
If I needed any further encouragement I went out for a few beers with an old school friend of mine who I used to do loads of cycling with when younger. He'd been going through the loft and found his old TT results and records:

23:02 and 1:03:56.

Aged 15.

They've stood as his old club's junior records for coming up 17 years now.

His outright bests were 22:xx and 58:xx and I'm pretty sure this was as a junior then too but there must be some reason why they aren't down as the club records.

To think I used to be able to keep up with him too.

Git.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: nic on 04 September, 2008, 08:04:37 pm
First Hill Climb at Conder Bottoms (http://lancastercc.co.uk/Courses/CBinfo.htm) (Lancaster). 2'41.8s over 0.6 miles. Shortest ride but the hardest ever. I am still coughing my lungs out 30' after the finish.

Quote
04 September 2008
Lancaster Cycling Club 1st stage Hill Climb Champs
Condor Bottoms


1 Garham Atkinson 2:17.9
2 Patrick Chisholm 2:26.0
3 Simon Mumford (Lune RCC) 2:31.0
4 Graham Kennerley 2:38.0
5 Nic Bertrand (Lune RCC) 2:41.8
6 Ian Boyden 2:45.9
7 Graham Harcourt (BCW) 2:50.2
8 Paul Maxwell (Lakes RC) 2:55.8
9 Ian Harcourt (BCW) 2:58.1
10 Tim Rollinson 3:01.5
11 Phil Taylor 3:29.1

Pictures taken by Robb Edge (http://www.flickr.com/photos/shoei/sets/72157607111440726/)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 05 September, 2008, 08:58:40 am
First Hill Climb at Conder Bottoms (http://lancastercc.co.uk/Courses/CBinfo.htm) (Lancaster). 2'41.8s over 0.6 miles. Shortest ride but the hardest ever. I am still coughing my lungs out 30' after the finish.

Quote
04 September 2008
Lancaster Cycling Club 1st stage Hill Climb Champs
Condor Bottoms


1 Garham Atkinson 2:17.9
2 Patrick Chisholm 2:26.0
3 Simon Mumford (Lune RCC) 2:31.0
4 Graham Kennerley 2:38.0
5 Nic Bertrand (Lune RCC) 2:41.8
6 Ian Boyden 2:45.9
7 Graham Harcourt (BCW) 2:50.2
8 Paul Maxwell (Lakes RC) 2:55.8
9 Ian Harcourt (BCW) 2:58.1
10 Tim Rollinson 3:01.5
11 Phil Taylor 3:29.1

Pictures taken by Robb Edge (http://www.flickr.com/photos/shoei/sets/72157607111440726/)

Tis a very short hill - our local hill climbs tend to be in the 6-8 minute category.

(club hill climb on Tuesday, I will do badly, but at least I will do)

..d
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: nic on 05 September, 2008, 09:03:05 am
Tis a very short hill - our local hill climbs tend to be in the 6-8 minute category.

(club hill climb on Tuesday, I will do badly, but at least I will do)

..d
Very short indeed but terribly painful. No scope for pacing yourself at all on there. Next Thursday evening will see the Jubilee Tower hill climb.  Between about 8-12' of pain and misery.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frenchie on 14 September, 2008, 01:56:09 pm
Oh dear!

I went to a local 25 Mi TT this morning after about 2 weeks off the bike. And it felt. After 45 Min I felt very uncomfortable on the bike (crouch and hand/arm positions). I soldiered on, but I kept sliding on the tribars. Results nearly 70'! Most of my club mates were in the 64'. There's always next year...

On the plus side I am sure I had the cheapest bike in the race! And it could have been fun had I been better on the bike!

I was riding my beloved fixed and a 79'' gear, which was too short, but that's all (the largest) I can fit at the moment.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 14 September, 2008, 03:09:32 pm
 I rode our last Catford Event today, it was moved to the Cudham course due to road works at Polhill.
 It's about 9.5 miles but horrible starting and finishing halfway up Cudham lane
 I rode my Lambert on 51 x 18 = 74.5" gear  for 28.48

 I was pleased with that as it is my fastest on that course, the winner Steve Brake rode 26.13
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 05 October, 2008, 11:13:24 am
First ever Hill Climb yesterday, up Hinton Hill Course UH90, 2 miles east of Pucklechurch.
Hill is measured at 0.8km in distance and at a 1 in 7 gradient.
Rode in time of 3:06 which I was happy with. Winners time was 1:51  :o

(http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee253/ianrsparrow/DSC05216.jpg)

Photo taken by Mrs Dinamo at the final bend on hill, where a small crowd was cheering each rider as they passed.

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/UH90-Hinton-hill-climb (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/UH90-Hinton-hill-climb)

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: BornAgainCyclist on 06 October, 2008, 01:16:38 pm
Anyone from YACF doing the Catford Hill Climb next Sunday?
If so, look for old bald geezer in GS Avanti jersey - that'll be me. Introduce yourself.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: LEE on 06 October, 2008, 02:19:32 pm
Let's say I wanted to find out how slow I was over a 10m TT course in Hampshire.

Can anyone tell me any official 10mile routes I can go to and have a try in my own time?

PS.  I'm NOT cycling along the A303 like I see some folks doing.  I'm afraid that's just too scary (although I may achieve a quick time if I'm embedded in the radiator grill of a 40 ton Slovakian Lorry)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: giropaul on 06 October, 2008, 02:37:44 pm
Let's say I wanted to find out how slow I was over a 10m TT course in Hampshire.

Can anyone tell me any official 10mile routes I can go to and have a try in my own time?

PS.  I'm NOT cycling along the A303 like I see some folks doing.  I'm afraid that's just too scary (although I may achieve a quick time if I'm embedded in the radiator grill of a 40 ton Slovakian Lorry)

That's how the TT people go fast - lots of traffic and drag from lorries. It may be a motorway in all but name, but "it's a fast course".

A friend of mine, an ex-pro rider, refers to "voluntary euthanasia" courses!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: LEE on 06 October, 2008, 02:42:25 pm
Let's say I wanted to find out how slow I was over a 10m TT course in Hampshire.

Can anyone tell me any official 10mile routes I can go to and have a try in my own time?

PS.  I'm NOT cycling along the A303 like I see some folks doing.  I'm afraid that's just too scary (although I may achieve a quick time if I'm embedded in the radiator grill of a 40 ton Slovakian Lorry)

That's how the TT people go fast - lots of traffic and drag from lorries. It may be a motorway in all but name, but "it's a fast course".

A friend of mine, an ex-pro rider, refers to "voluntary euthanasia" courses!

I'l need to find a slower course then because it's just too dangerous cycling on the A303.  I know, I've done it (for the time it took me to get to the next junction off it).
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: clarion on 06 October, 2008, 02:44:10 pm
The problem in London is finding anywhere to ride for a reasonable distance without being stopped - by lights, roundabouts, junctions, crossings, eejits, eejits in motor vehicles etc.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: LEE on 06 October, 2008, 06:57:35 pm
No problem with needing to stop around here, I regularly ride for several hours without needing to stop for any reason.  The main problem is the lumpiness, not big hills as such, just that the area is rarely flat for more than a few hundred yards. 

I think I may have found my own stretch of Time-Trialiness though.

Hurstbourne Priors to Hurstbourne Tarrant, just east of Andover, follows the Test River for about 10km without crossing any roads or encountering any roundabouts, it's usually very quiet so I may measure out a 8.045km outward leg and do a 'there and back' run.  I'll never achieve A-road speeds on such a country road but it would be nice to see exactly what I am capable of.

This 'flat' route of 16.09km has 135m of ascent (and corresponding descent) which I consider dead flat for these parts

The first 16.09km of my 'lumpy loop' has 210m of ascent with a gnarly little 1 chevron climb which must account for a couple of minutes in my granny gears.

My average speed around my 14.7 mile "lumpy loop" is 18.8mph which would give me a 32min 10mile TT time.

I'd be happy to go under 30 mins (20mph average) along a flatter route for now.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: harrumph on 08 October, 2008, 02:43:10 pm
That's how the TT people go fast - lots of traffic and drag from lorries...
So road racers have always said; from my experience, lots of traffic does not equate to fast times, just lots of buffeting. Give me a still day on an empty road any time.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: gonzo on 08 October, 2008, 03:12:44 pm
I found down around Bath that the fastest times were recorded when there was a slight side wind. Also, the number of lorries on the route was directly related to increase on average speed.

Basically, that's agreeing with what aerodynamic studies have found.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: harrumph on 08 October, 2008, 05:48:51 pm
...the number of lorries on the route was directly related to increase on average speed...

I would need to be able to subject your data to independent statistical analysis before I would be convinced of this  :P
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: LEE on 12 October, 2008, 11:54:21 am
Well, I went out on my stretch of flattish 10 mile country lane and clocked 30 mins 10 seconds.  (Yes 10 bloody seconds).

I lost some time stopping and turning around after 5 miles then a slow RLJ at a tiny hamlet and temporary lights so I know I could have got (just)under 30 minutes.  I'm pretty happy with my 20mph average though.

Unfortunately my personal rules state that I can't bleat about any obstructions (traffic, road works, cats, ducks, and so on) so I need to get out there again and try again, I'll be happy with 29 mins 59secs.

Also I did it on my touring bike and rode 8 miles to the start, next time I'll use the Orbit Road Bike.
I can still remember the pain so I'll leave it a week.  Chapeau to all you 24 minute types.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 12 October, 2008, 07:37:15 pm

That's how the TT people go fast - lots of traffic and drag from lorries. It may be a motorway in all but name, but "it's a fast course".

A friend of mine, an ex-pro rider, refers to "voluntary euthanasia" courses!

This is a bone of contention. I suggested using a local dual carriageway during quiet hours (before 9 on a Sunday morning - flat, great visibility, risk assessed till the cows come home).

There was much muttering from one section of the club about lorry chasers etc. I proffered the counts and pointed out there were more lorries on the current courses used (which are starting to worry me a bit - Anth has seen some of them) which are SC and not terribly pleasant.

Why would I ride the fast flat course? Because it is fast, it is flat and there is plenty of space and little traffic. We are pressing ahead with the risk assessment and going to talk to the local plod about it at some point.

..d
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Palinurus on 12 October, 2008, 07:43:10 pm
I've no idea whether extra trucks on a course makes me faster, but I prefer it when it's quiet and I can concentrate on the traffic a little less and on my pacing a little more.

The only time I'm sure it helps is in the specific circumstance when a faster rider overtakes me and a truck gets stuck between us, but that doesn't happen often (enough).
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 28 December, 2008, 08:55:03 am
Date              Dist         Course          Weather             Time

25/6/08        10          UC182          v.windy           26.16
02/7/08        10          UC182            windy            25.22
09/7/08        10          UC182         wet&windy         24.50
16/7/08        10          UC182             dry              25.06
30/7/08        10          UC182            warm            24.41
06/8/08        10          UC182             dry              24.27
04/10/8        HC          UH90              damp            3.06
26/12/8        10          UC101            clear             27.26

Rode the Severn Road Club Boxing Day 10, in a time of 27:26. ( 7th position )
A lovely dry, clear day with the temperature at only 2 C with a cold easterly wind.
Winning time was a low 25 minutes, a good field of 28 riders enjoyed the conditions
and the welcome hot drinks at the finish.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rogerzilla on 31 December, 2008, 05:37:14 pm
I'm going for evens tomorrow on the Brompton (I did 29:36 or something the last time I did a New Year's Day "10", and that was with the proper bike, so it's unlikely).  The Brompton only has a 69" top gear, which gets you 21mph or so.

EDIT: damn, the lurgy struck in the night and I have a mild viral infection (temperature and weakness).  I had this at New Year last year too, and I fainted when I tried to ride a bike.  I'll have to give it a miss.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: ChrisO on 30 January, 2009, 04:44:23 pm
Not a TT as such, but the cycle leg of a half-ironman triathlon in Dubai (I was just doing the cycle bit in a team). No drafting so effectively a TT.

Mostly flat course but a moderate and changing wind as it's next to the sea.

91.4km, 2hrs 33mins.

Average just under 36km/h. Funnily enough did the same course last year on fixed (though just 40km) and was faster.

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: vorsprung on 30 January, 2009, 04:55:43 pm
(http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1197/3166348101_11022754f6.jpg?v=0)

Here I am on my first and only time trial.  This was Exeter Clubs year news thing.  I came 26th out of 38 entries :)

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: gonzo on 30 January, 2009, 05:03:24 pm
I guess I should point this out here, but for those amongst us who can't afford to splash out on discs, you can get wheel covers which are indistinguishable (to the wind at least)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: ChrisO on 30 January, 2009, 05:09:58 pm
Really, do you have a link.

I just use my normal road bike - haven't got aero bars or TT rests or anything.

There was a bloke on a Kuota with no seat tube - I must look it up, I've never seen anything like it before.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: gonzo on 30 January, 2009, 05:12:27 pm
Really, do you have a link.
To the data or the people who make them?

Quote
I just use my normal road bike - haven't got aero bars or TT rests or anything.
Get some aero clip ons - that'll save you about 1minute per 10 miles

Quote
There was a bloke on a Kuota with no seat tube - I must look it up, I've never seen anything like it before.
Yeah, there have been quite a few of them made, but they've never been particularly commercially viable because they aren't allowed for UCI events.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frenchie on 12 February, 2009, 08:54:27 am
Well, well, club MG TTs are back soon, Jacques is ready, but am I?!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 12 February, 2009, 10:30:30 pm
 I am definitely out of shape, this chest/throat infection has done me in for over a month now, just to inspire me I found a set of pics by Roger Bunnett on Flickr last night of the Bexley CC evening tens and it includes two of me pulling race faces.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kent-guy/sets/72157606727518642/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/kent-guy/sets/72157606727518642/)

 The reason my tongue is hanging out is my lungs were pushing it  :P
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Wobbly John on 12 February, 2009, 10:43:09 pm
Our club's first open event of the year is on Sunday  - 25 mile 'Hardriders'.

I had intended to enter this year, but have hardly trained for 2 months due to a virus.

Oh...


... and there's 3 " of snow on the circuit at the moment!  :o :o :o
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: julianbramley on 13 February, 2009, 06:42:56 pm
Its the first of Nottingham Clarions medium gear series tomorrow, I'll hopefully ride out with Frenchie and do a lap for a laugh.

Nottingham Clarion Medium Gear Series 2007 Information and Results (http://www.nottinghamclarion.co.uk/clubevents/mediumgear.html)

My Pompino is not exactly cut out for serious time trialling with 32mm Marathon Plus's and full guards!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: RogerT on 13 February, 2009, 07:31:43 pm
Our club's first open event of the year is on Sunday  - 25 mile 'Hardriders'.

I had intended to enter this year, but have hardly trained for 2 months due to a virus.

Oh...


... and there's 3 " of snow on the circuit at the moment!  :o :o :o

And I will be taking part.....as a Marshall  ;D ;D ;D  ( I am not that foolish )
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Paul D on 22 February, 2009, 09:29:00 pm
Not counting last Octobers' hill climb, it was my first 'proper' time trial since 2006 today.

It hurt! 27km not-very-hilly-but-laney course so I took the road bike as I thought it would be a bit filthy on the lanes. A little bit on sunshine in the last couple of days meant an amazing turnout of 33 riders, most with proper TT bikes hence a disappointing 26 place for me at 48mins 35 seconds. Never mind, rode to the HRM so we'll call it 'training'.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frenchie on 24 February, 2009, 10:35:26 am
28-08 in the wind on Saturday on a 72'' gear... Tough but made me feel well alive!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: ChrisO on 24 February, 2009, 05:46:51 pm
Really, do you have a link.
To the data or the people who make them?



Sorry for late reply - the to the people who make them. Or just a name.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: gonzo on 24 February, 2009, 06:34:04 pm
Really, do you have a link.
To the data or the people who make them?
Sorry for late reply - the to the people who make them. Or just a name.
It's been so long that I can't work out what we were talking about!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: ChrisO on 25 February, 2009, 03:54:54 am
The "like-a-disc" wheel covers.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: gonzo on 25 February, 2009, 05:51:31 pm
The "like-a-disc" wheel covers.
wheelbuilder.com is a site frequently recommended on another foum I use.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Rhys W on 01 March, 2009, 02:12:41 pm
First race as a vet this morning, haven't done any TTs apart from 3 club 10s in the last 4 years. It was a two-up 25 and we did 1:05:59. We had 8 teams entered from our club and only one of them beat us. I saw a couple of 56-minute times go up on the results board.

So, overall,  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frenchie on 02 March, 2009, 08:48:27 am
I went backward at the WE; dear, dear... 28-17. Not happy.  :( I should be going faster!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rogerzilla on 07 March, 2009, 01:09:03 pm
Well, I have some new tyres for the Fuji (Fortezza TriComp - should be worth a few seconds over the old Spesh tyres), so I'm doing this season's "10s"  :o

84" fixed to start with, moving to a headbanging 90" when it gets warmer.

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: gonzo on 08 March, 2009, 07:34:43 pm
The "like-a-disc" wheel covers.

I should point out that you can build your own rather cheaply; I made one last week for under a fiver!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rogerzilla on 08 March, 2009, 07:35:44 pm
Do CTT allow them now?  The old Uni-Disc was classed as a "fairing" and banned - you had to have a proper disc wheel.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frenchie on 08 March, 2009, 09:49:51 pm
Well, I have some new tyres for the Fuji (Fortezza TriComp - should be worth a few seconds over the old Spesh tyres), so I'm doing this season's "10s"  :o

84" fixed to start with, moving to a headbanging 90" when it gets warmer.



So you've not started with a MG?! (72'')

My club has just completed the MG championship this Saturday; I couldn't put the power down on such a gear (!) on Saturday but spun quite a bit and practised my stop/start courtesy of a Jaguar driver. 27-58 was the verdict. Bring on an 81''...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rogerzilla on 14 March, 2009, 08:25:40 pm
Hats off to anyone who can beat 25 minutes on a medium gear.  Like you, I can't get the power down - I can spin at 150rpm, but that's just keeping up with the pedals, not propelling the bike. 

The 90" gives 85rpm on the flat at 23mph, which is a reasonable cadence for a TT, but it's really needed because the first half mile, where a PB can be won or lost, is slightly downhill and 30mph is normal.  In fact, a few years ago in an open TT I did 30mph all the way to the turn with a stiff tailwind directly down the course (an old Roman road). 15mph all the way back though.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frenchie on 15 March, 2009, 12:01:07 am
The best guy in my club is just over 25' on a 72'' gear; amazing considering the course!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rogerzilla on 15 March, 2009, 09:04:08 am
Someone went just over 20 minutes on our course (U48/10) although I don't think it's fast at all, with three 180 degree roundabout turns.  I've often had to wait for traffic and ruined my time.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Palinurus on 21 March, 2009, 06:38:01 pm
First one of the season for me tomorrow, a local 25 on the A413 (HCC113). Not really underway with the training yet, a couple of weeks done. Maybe cyclocross over the winter will have helped some.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Palinurus on 22 March, 2009, 11:57:18 am
Ugh! It was windy. Terrible headwind out, cold too, and there were temporary traffic lights on the course (I was stopped both out and back).

1:07:58, a PW.

Still, good to get started again.

Saw Charlotte and Liz before the start, no idea how they got on as I rode home as soon as my time was in.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Charlotte on 22 March, 2009, 05:09:38 pm
Liz did 1:27:26, which was absolutely amazing.  She was well happy and is actually talking about the next one already.

I did 1:14:58 - two seconds under evens!  I was well chuffed with that.   Especially after this happened with about three miles to go:

(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b187/vicechair/P3210433.jpg)

I'd only fettled the bike the night before and clearly hadn't mongo'd up the seat bolt tight enough.  The road surface was shite and at 40kph hitting a pothole's not going to be good at the best of times.  It was one of those, "do I stop and try to fix it?" moments.  I'm glad I didn't, though.  I just rode the last couple of miles on the drops and pushing hard because there was no way I was going back down on the tribars after that.

We both had a great morning's racing - many thanks to the Hillingdon Triathletes for such a smooth event.  See you at the evening 10s...

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: andygates on 22 March, 2009, 05:34:34 pm
Nicely done!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: fruitcake on 22 March, 2009, 05:43:39 pm
Feeling a couple of bumps at the end of the ride, C's saddle became all excited. Knowing she was nearly there, C ignored the painful protrusion and managed to finish in good time.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Palinurus on 22 March, 2009, 06:25:07 pm
1:14:58- perfect! was that with or without waiting at the lights?

The results have been posted already

 [url=http://www.middlesexrc.fsnet.co.uk/wlc/tt_2009/03_22.htm]WLC 10 22-03-2009 (http://www.middlesexrc.fsnet.co.uk/wlc/tt_2009/03_22.htm)[/url]
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Charlotte on 22 March, 2009, 06:28:15 pm
1:14:58- perfect! was that with or without waiting at the lights?

Without...   :demon:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 22 March, 2009, 06:42:48 pm
1:14:58- perfect! was that with or without waiting at the lights?

Without...   :demon:

I did my first 10 at a WLC event.. Great report. Is that really the fastest lady's name? You are less than a couple of mins behind.

..d
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Julian on 22 March, 2009, 08:15:33 pm
Liz did 1:27:26, which was absolutely amazing.  She was well happy and is actually talking about the next one already.

I was hoping for 1:40 and said I'd be extremely happy if I managed 1:30, so I'm very chuffed.  Especially since I wasn't the very slowest.  I was the second slowest.

"Enjoyed" would be the wrong word, but I enjoyed having done it.  And 1:27 manages to be respectable for a first go but with "room for improvement" as they say.  :)

It's very peculiar doing a cycle 'event,' finishing feeling as knackered as if I'd done a 200k, and then having the rest of the day free!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Palinurus on 22 March, 2009, 08:22:27 pm
That's time-trialling. I was back in bed with a book and a cup of tea by 10:15.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Greenbank on 22 March, 2009, 08:26:17 pm
The new bike (hopefully will have it in about 4 weeks) is for TT-ing (amongst other things).

Can't wait...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Really Ancien on 22 March, 2009, 08:31:43 pm
I see John Warnock is off to a good start, is he doing LEL ?

Damon.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 23 March, 2009, 11:09:50 am
That's time-trialling. I was back in bed with a book and a cup of tea by 10:15.

For my first 10 I rode out to the course from Harrow (it was the Princes Risborough course) then on to Oxford for lunch..

And got the train home  :thumbsup:

Nearly twenty years later I am still TTing on the same bike (different bars, forks, wheels, seat post, groupset, pedals, stem, paint job...)

..d
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Charlotte on 23 March, 2009, 12:44:39 pm
I see John Warnock is off to a good start, is he doing LEL ?

Damon.

Actually, I don't know.  I shall ask him when I next see him steaming past me  :)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mike on 23 March, 2009, 12:51:36 pm
Liz did 1:27:26

I did 1:14:58

fantastic results! - Congratulations both  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frenchie on 23 March, 2009, 05:21:15 pm
Well done girls!

I'm looking to some 25s this year as well. On fixed the gear choice is all so important as I discovered last year, finishing 5 to 6 minutes behind my team mates...

In the meantime since we are now allowed to gear up, I'll stick a 81'', and possibly an 86'' later, for the next 10!

PS My bike is 16 years old this year... but I still enjoy racing it, although the headtube ought to be shorter to TT properly on it.

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Rhys W on 23 March, 2009, 10:55:21 pm
I did a 3-up 10 yesterday. We were an utter shambles  :(

 I rode with a guy I rode a great 2-up 25 with a month ago, and another vet, who's usually a decent rider - I've seen him stay in a fast group on a long ride as I go out the back, many a time. If there's one thing he can do, is hold a wheel. I was keeping an eye on both on last Wednesday's club ride, and it was me who was struggling to stay with them. We dropped him in the first mile on Sunday, and I didn't feel like we were going hard. We quickly regrouped and he did a couple of short pulls while we did more work, and got to the turn together. 200 metres later he'd gone again. We sat up for a while, looking back, but he wasn't closing the gap, so we carried on half-heartedly, torn between waiting for our teammate and doing a respectable time. Then my remaining teammate's tribars came off in his hand... We sat up again while he stuffed the loose parts down the front of his skinsuit.

 We eventually got back in a semi-respectable time, if we'd stayed together and hadn't sat up and dithered, we would have easily gone under 25 minutes. Dropping a teammate was wrong though, no point in doing a contre la montre equipe if you can't ride together.

 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 29 March, 2009, 09:53:52 pm
My (http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingmrso/3394494637/sizes/l/in/set-72157615986932385/) first open TT in approx 7 yrs.

Not displeased with the result.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Charlotte on 29 March, 2009, 10:12:42 pm
Looking sleek there, Ian  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 29 March, 2009, 10:21:22 pm
Looking sleek there, Ian  :thumbsup:

Why thank-you Miss B.

I'm still getting used to the new bike. The old carcass ain't so supple no more.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 30 March, 2009, 08:43:25 am
Looking sleek there, Ian  :thumbsup:

Why thank-you Miss B.

I'm still getting used to the new bike. The old carcass ain't so supple no more.

You've got a nice position on the bike.. 9 days till our season opener 5 mile.

..d
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: giropaul on 30 March, 2009, 09:08:58 am
I did a 3-up 10 yesterday. We were an utter shambles  :(

 I rode with a guy I rode a great 2-up 25 with a month ago, and another vet, who's usually a decent rider - I've seen him stay in a fast group on a long ride as I go out the back, many a time. If there's one thing he can do, is hold a wheel. I was keeping an eye on both on last Wednesday's club ride, and it was me who was struggling to stay with them. We dropped him in the first mile on Sunday, and I didn't feel like we were going hard. We quickly regrouped and he did a couple of short pulls while we did more work, and got to the turn together. 200 metres later he'd gone again. We sat up for a while, looking back, but he wasn't closing the gap, so we carried on half-heartedly, torn between waiting for our teammate and doing a respectable time. Then my remaining teammate's tribars came off in his hand... We sat up again while he stuffed the loose parts down the front of his skinsuit.

 We eventually got back in a semi-respectable time, if we'd stayed together and hadn't sat up and dithered, we would have easily gone under 25 minutes. Dropping a teammate was wrong though, no point in doing a contre la montre equipe if you can't ride together.

 

If it's a three-up the time will be on the third rider, unless you wait and nurse the rider your time will be even slower.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: токамак on 30 March, 2009, 11:16:06 am
Did the Chelmer Hardriders 25 (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/E99-25) yesterday - a rolling course in North Essex. This was my first proper time trial really since joining Chelmer CC at the end of last year, and I had a new bike (http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=17.msg302804#msg302804) for the occasion. I got a lift to the start to save me cycling the 20 miles from Chelmsford, but roadworks at Wethersfield and a ridiculous diversion meant I only just made my start time, having just 5 minutes to warm up. The conditions on the day were pretty good - a light north westerly wind and dry roads. My time was 1 hour 13 minutes and 51 seconds - an average speed of 20.xxmph. I was pretty happy with this for a first attempt, and even won £10 for the best time in my group! The fastest time of the day was an incredible 59 minutes something.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rogerzilla on 02 April, 2009, 06:54:04 pm
Total fail tonight.

Tried to phone the organiser at 9am to reserve a start slot (optional and not normally required) but he didn't answer.  Was in a meeting all day.  Drove out to the start to sign on and was 36th in line...entry closed at 35 riders  >:(
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: nic on 02 April, 2009, 08:47:40 pm
Here we go again... 1st TT of the year.

Date             Distance         Course type       Weather conditions            Bike ridden               Time
02/4/09          10 miles        Salt Ayre Track           12C 10mph wind          Russian Titanium      26'36s
07/8/08          10 miles        Salt Ayre Track           19C 4mph wind            Focus Cayo              26'47s
03/7/08          10 miles        Salt Ayre Track           14C 9mph wind            Focus Cayo              27'12s
28/5/08          17 miles        Circuit of Coniston  Wet / no wind / 12C          Focus Cayo             51'20s
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 03 April, 2009, 08:16:21 am
Total fail tonight.

Tried to phone the organiser at 9am to reserve a start slot (optional and not normally required) but he didn't answer.  Was in a meeting all day.  Drove out to the start to sign on and was 36th in line...entry closed at 35 riders  >:(

After the phenomenal success of last year (when we had > 50 riders at some events) we now have a cap of 40 per event. This could get ugly.. Either that or we start a satellite series north of the Tay.

..d
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: gonzo on 05 April, 2009, 12:16:20 pm
First ever 25 for me today - 1.01.28. Winner did a 54.06. Could have gone faster, but didn't want to blow up before the end.

I did, however, get the fastest time in my category and so won my entry fee back + £3. I suspect that I was in the wrong category though as I was fastest in mine, the one above and the one above that. I think I was only 10 secs off winning the 2nd from top one!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frenchie on 05 April, 2009, 11:05:15 pm
Well I have an 81'' on one side and a 86'' on the other. Can't wait for the new season club TTs...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Blah on 06 April, 2009, 09:10:05 am
First ever 25 for me today - 1.01.28. Winner did a 54.06. Could have gone faster, but didn't want to blow up before the end.

I did, however, get the fastest time in my category and so won my entry fee back + £3. I suspect that I was in the wrong category though as I was fastest in mine, the one above and the one above that. I think I was only 10 secs off winning the 2nd from top one!

Nice one, that's a respectable time as it is but it sounds like a sub-hour is on!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: gonzo on 06 April, 2009, 10:30:16 am
Nice one, that's a respectable time as it is but it sounds like a sub-hour is on!

Thanks and yup, that's the sub hour is something that I'm really after. Having said that though, the conditions for the course I was on yesterday were apparently the best they've ever been.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 08 April, 2009, 10:06:44 pm
Strong winds tonight. Tough on the longer leg going out, coming back I started to settle but missed my target time. Given my relative placing I thin I am going better than last year.

5 miles. 14.14
Last year's times were 13.55 and 13.59 on a course without a dead turn. (and less wind) Going out I was struggling to get to 20.  Coming back I was doing 29mph on the flat. The out leg is 1km longer than the return.
30th out of 45.

..d
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: токамак on 15 April, 2009, 03:06:49 pm
I did the Bishops Stortford CC Easter Hilly on Monday. And it was hard! Lots of up and down with sharp bends and gravel to keep you on your toes. Course E15/27 (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=9887837648449888778,51.950880,0.038580%3B2045053392959494382,51.972610,0.155440%3B2620754978779259915,51.989150,0.156890%3B2534802125457689593,52.006662,0.170831%3B14698274274819251777,52.007396,0.136473%3B18310813185359960607,52.019980,0.134820%3B6984641087324386070,52.030629,0.067402%3B11535477968435316556,52.009620,0.025950%3B13016219430209218821,52.022760,0.054090%3B11999486708409402899,52.003490,0.086380%3B15836111124963884937,51.967423,0.090703%3B6577649830145482166,51.958092,0.084345&saddr=B1038+%4051.950880,+0.038580&daddr=B1038%2FClatterbury+Ln+%4051.972610,+0.155440+to:Unknown+road+%4051.989150,+0.156890+to:B1039%2FRoyston+Rd+%4052.006662,+0.170831+to:Unknown+road+%4052.007396,+0.136473+to:Cogmore+%4052.019980,+0.134820+to:B1039%2FBarley+Rd+%4052.030629,+0.067402+to:B1368%2FBarkway+Hill+%4052.009620,+0.025950+to:Bogmoor+Rd+%4052.022760,+0.054090+to:Unknown+road+%4052.003490,+0.086380+to:Unknown+road+%4051.967423,+0.090703+to:Unknown+road+%4051.958092,+0.084345+to:51.951248,0.037251&mra=mi&mrcr=11&mrsp=12&sz=13&sll=51.962356,0.073986&sspn=0.049925,0.099392&ie=UTF8&ll=51.990589,0.094414&spn=0.146087,0.30899&z=12) - advertised as 27.5 miles but more like 28.5 going over the finish line. It was a good morning for it, a bit overcast but otherwise pleasant, and if it wasn't for slogging my guts out I could have enjoyed the scenery more! My time: 1 hour 23 minutes and something seconds, just above 20mph average. I think the winning time was around 1 hour 9 minutes.

Antelope RT 50km 3up Team Time Trial this Saturday!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mike on 15 April, 2009, 04:27:02 pm
E15/27 (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=9887837648449888778,51.950880,0.038580%3B2045053392959494382,51.972610,0.155440%3B2620754978779259915,51.989150,0.156890%3B2534802125457689593,52.006662,0.170831%3B14698274274819251777,52.007396,0.136473%3B18310813185359960607,52.019980,0.134820%3B6984641087324386070,52.030629,0.067402%3B11535477968435316556,52.009620,0.025950%3B13016219430209218821,52.022760,0.054090%3B11999486708409402899,52.003490,0.086380%3B15836111124963884937,51.967423,0.090703%3B6577649830145482166,51.958092,0.084345&saddr=B1038+%4051.950880,+0.038580&daddr=B1038%2FClatterbury+Ln+%4051.972610,+0.155440+to:Unknown+road+%4051.989150,+0.156890+to:B1039%2FRoyston+Rd+%4052.006662,+0.170831+to:Unknown+road+%4052.007396,+0.136473+to:Cogmore+%4052.019980,+0.134820+to:B1039%2FBarley+Rd+%4052.030629,+0.067402+to:B1368%2FBarkway+Hill+%4052.009620,+0.025950+to:Bogmoor+Rd+%4052.022760,+0.054090+to:Unknown+road+%4052.003490,+0.086380+to:Unknown+road+%4051.967423,+0.090703+to:Unknown+road+%4051.958092,+0.084345+to:51.951248,0.037251&mra=mi&mrcr=11&mrsp=12&sz=13&sll=51.962356,0.073986&sspn=0.049925,0.099392&ie=UTF8&ll=51.990589,0.094414&spn=0.146087,0.30899&z=12)


:)

goes within 1/2 mile of my front door - you should have popped in for a cup of tea on the way past!!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Palinurus on 15 April, 2009, 06:54:37 pm

Antelope RT 50km 3up Team Time Trial this Saturday!

I entered that a couple of years back, it's a good event. I liked the course (although I don't know what it's like when there's a breeze blowing). Meant to try and get a team together to do it this year but didn't get round to it.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 15 April, 2009, 11:52:22 pm
First 10 of the year. FI-7 course with a brisk Northeasterly. Not helped by having my bike computer fail on me before the start. Seemed to feel like I was pacing it well, finished with a 28.18 which put me 36th on the night (out of 41). Possibly underpaced it. Just over 21.5mph average.

I will be stiff tomorrow.

..d

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frenchie on 16 April, 2009, 09:08:31 am
Grrr... cold, dark, rainy day here which makes me an unlikely starter tonight!!  >:(
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: токамак on 16 April, 2009, 09:45:14 am
E15/27 (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=9887837648449888778,51.950880,0.038580%3B2045053392959494382,51.972610,0.155440%3B2620754978779259915,51.989150,0.156890%3B2534802125457689593,52.006662,0.170831%3B14698274274819251777,52.007396,0.136473%3B18310813185359960607,52.019980,0.134820%3B6984641087324386070,52.030629,0.067402%3B11535477968435316556,52.009620,0.025950%3B13016219430209218821,52.022760,0.054090%3B11999486708409402899,52.003490,0.086380%3B15836111124963884937,51.967423,0.090703%3B6577649830145482166,51.958092,0.084345&saddr=B1038+%4051.950880,+0.038580&daddr=B1038%2FClatterbury+Ln+%4051.972610,+0.155440+to:Unknown+road+%4051.989150,+0.156890+to:B1039%2FRoyston+Rd+%4052.006662,+0.170831+to:Unknown+road+%4052.007396,+0.136473+to:Cogmore+%4052.019980,+0.134820+to:B1039%2FBarley+Rd+%4052.030629,+0.067402+to:B1368%2FBarkway+Hill+%4052.009620,+0.025950+to:Bogmoor+Rd+%4052.022760,+0.054090+to:Unknown+road+%4052.003490,+0.086380+to:Unknown+road+%4051.967423,+0.090703+to:Unknown+road+%4051.958092,+0.084345+to:51.951248,0.037251&mra=mi&mrcr=11&mrsp=12&sz=13&sll=51.962356,0.073986&sspn=0.049925,0.099392&ie=UTF8&ll=51.990589,0.094414&spn=0.146087,0.30899&z=12)
goes within 1/2 mile of my front door - you should have popped in for a cup of tea on the way past!!

Then you should have been out competing on your new bike! ;)

Antelope RT 50km 3up Team Time Trial this Saturday!
I entered that a couple of years back, it's a good event. I liked the course (although I don't know what it's like when there's a breeze blowing). Meant to try and get a team together to do it this year but didn't get round to it.

I'm looking forward to it, big event. You've got all the university and college teams earlier in the day and then the club riders. My club (Chelmer) has 4 teams entered - an A B and C team for the men and a women's team too.

I went out for practice run with the other two guys last night - none of us have done a team time trial before (we're the C team). We had a bit of coaching from a more experienced club member, and I'm glad we had a rehersal for this - it's not easy! The hardest part for me was getting on the back of the group after a stint at the front - a big push when your legs just want to give up!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 16 April, 2009, 03:29:13 pm
First TT of the season last night.
Severn RC Evening 10 on their new course, UC186.
With the passing of a fairly severe thunderstorm 90 minutes before the off,
the course was on damp roads in humid conditions.
Finished on 24:53 ( 4th out of 19th ! ) very pleased with that  ;D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Palinurus on 19 April, 2009, 12:04:40 pm
Another 25, another cold and windy morning (my hands were freezing in mitts on the way over). This time the HCC114 course on the A413.

1:05:50

I would've liked to have got under 1:05, but considering the wind conditions that's not a bad time for me. Should be able to get under my target of 1:02:30 this season (thought that under the hour was a bit of a stretch).

What with riding there and back and a bit of a warm-up I got a metric century in too.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 19 April, 2009, 01:42:12 pm



Date             Distance/Time         Course type       Weather conditions            Bike ridden               

05/07/06           10mls/26.39        Rolling  Q10/26     cleardry           Raleigh 76" gear
12/07/06            10 mls/25.38      rolling Q10/26      clear dry          Raleigh 86" gear
21-22/07/07   24hr TT/334           rolling                   cold drizzle     Lambert 72" gear
15/08/07           10mls/26.45        rolling Q10/26      clear dry         Lambert 72" gear
30/03/08             9mls/29.37       Hillyish Qs/30        wet                Lambert 79" gear 
20/04/08           10mls/28.42    Hillyish Q10/3      dry and cold       Lambert 79" gear
26/04/08           10mls/27.09      rolling Q10 /22   warm & sunny   Lambert 76" gear
25/06/08        10mls/27.24        rolling  Q10/26     hot/windy         Lambert 76" gear
28/06/08           10mls/27.16    Hillyish Q10/3      dry and hot        Lambert 79" gear
9/7/08         9mls/30,23    Hilly QS 30   pouring down/windy RonCooper71.22"gear
23/07/08  10mls/25.33 rolling Q10/26  hot & windy           Graham Weigh  83" gear
26/07/08   10mls/25.30  flat       Q10/24   hot /windy                   Graham Weigh 83" gear 
29/07/08   10mls /25.40  rolling Q10/26  hot slight wind              Graham weigh 83" gear
6/8/08       10mls / 25.10  rolling Q10/26  hot                     Graham Weigh  88" gear
13/08/08    10mls/26.04         rolling Q10/26  very windy             Graham Weigh 88" gear

[/size]

 My first TT of the year, I rode our Catford CC club event on the Q10/18, cold and windy I was pleased with 27.01 on an 88" gear as the course has some sharp bends and a couple of small hills.

19/04/09    10mls/27.01    rolling Q10/18  cold/windy    Graham Weigh  88" gear
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: токамак on 20 April, 2009, 10:24:26 am
Rode in the Antelope RT 50km 3up Team Time Trial on Saturday, and I liked it! We did it in 1 hour 20 minutes something - and could have been quicker had one of our guys not crashed! He clipped my back wheel at the top of a hill and fell in the road. Got a bloody knee and a few other grazes, but not too badly hurt, the bike was OK and after a minute or so we got going again - a bit gingerly at first but soon got back up to pace.

I lifted this from the official photographer's website: (me at the back)
(http://www.sarahbrookephotography.co.uk/imgs/gallerylarge/1602_99560786249eb78bcac17c.jpg)
 Sarah Brooke Photography (http://www.sarahbrookephotography.co.uk/photo2434678.html)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: bobb on 20 April, 2009, 10:51:49 am
Nice pic! You could, perhaps, have been a little tighter - GB team pursuit style  :P
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: токамак on 20 April, 2009, 11:08:19 am
Shut it, you! It's harder than it looks! It was the first time any of us had ridden in a team time trial - I think we did pretty well! ;)

[edit] our av. speed was over 23mph :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: bobb on 20 April, 2009, 11:18:34 am
Pfffft..... Next you'll be shaving your legs  :P
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: токамак on 20 April, 2009, 12:37:14 pm
Nah mate, I'll leave that sort of thing to the Pro's... and ladies. ;)

A proper time trial bike could be beneficial tho! Maybe next year.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Deano on 20 April, 2009, 12:41:03 pm
Rode in the Antelope RT 50km 3up Team Time Trial on Saturday, and I liked it! We did it in 1 hour 20 minutes something - and could have been quicker had one of our guys not crashed! He clipped my back wheel at the top of a hill and fell in the road. Got a bloody knee and a few other grazes, but not too badly hurt, the bike was OK and after a minute or so we got going again - a bit gingerly at first but soon got back up to pace.

I lifted this from the official photographer's website: (me at the back)
(http://www.sarahbrookephotography.co.uk/imgs/gallerylarge/1602_99560786249eb78bcac17c.jpg)

Why are you all dressed as Australians?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: токамак on 20 April, 2009, 12:46:35 pm
 ;D We're hoping to get resident visas and emigrate! ;)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: bobb on 20 April, 2009, 12:49:15 pm
The colours of Chelmer existed at least a thousand years before Australia was colonised by Europeans! In fact Lord Chelmsford was a prominent figure in the early colonial history of Sydney, which possibly explains where they stole got their national colours from.....
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 20 April, 2009, 08:16:34 pm
Date              Dist         Course          Weather             Time

25/6/08        10          UC182          v.windy           26.16
02/7/08        10          UC182            windy            25.22
09/7/08        10          UC182         wet&windy         24.50
16/7/08        10          UC182             dry              25.06
30/7/08        10          UC182            warm            24.41
06/8/08        10          UC182             dry              24.27
04/10/8        HC          UH90              damp            3.06
26/12/8        10          UC101            clear             27.26
15/4/09        10          UC186            damp           24:53
22/4/09        10          UC186             dry             25:04

25:04 last Wednesday. 11 seconds slower from previous week !
Lovely evening with over 40 riders taking part, fastest man 21:27 !!!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Jasmine on 21 April, 2009, 09:46:45 pm
Did my first 10 in 2 years tonight by doing the Gwynedd Cycling Association TT.  Previous best of 28.50.

Course is D9/10.  Starting at Llanfairpwll, out on the A5 towards Holyhead & back.

Clocked in at 27.35, which was good enough for the fastest lady trophy on the night.  Fastest time was in the 22 minutes region.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mike on 22 April, 2009, 10:37:06 pm
inglorious fail for me tonight. 

Today was crazy at work, and I didnt have lunch till about 4.30.  I then went off a bit hard and got to have another look at my cheese and pickle sandwich about 10 minutes in.

you'd think I'd have learnt by now...... ;D

 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Paul D on 22 April, 2009, 10:41:33 pm
Not bad for me tonight - first proper TT for 3 years. 24.59 (10 mile) including a 7 second stop at a roundabout. Not the fastest course, although our club superman did 21.27. 12th out of 32. Happy :thumbsup:

   Result (http://www.pwresults.pipeten.co.uk/ResultInd.aspx?EventId=442&SubEventID=1)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: токамак on 23 April, 2009, 12:48:57 pm
Antelope RT 3up 31 - Results (http://cyclingtimetrials.janet0102.co.uk/Default.aspx?&ge482__geka=zDDQ-6ZV33MzjqeBwbmQrz_ANSkB_T7qN_S6WibhjZQ7lWdVorNhujUmx1ZTuQec&ge482__gevi=bkosVTEcmXX5ekdECVvBmA&gv484__gvac=2&gv484__gvff0=53806&gv484__gvfl0=0&language=en-GB&tabid=109). So there I am down in 48th (of 63) - and you can see from the split lap times that our guy crashing cost us about 4 minutes! We could have been on for a 1.16.xx and very close to where our A and B teams came in! In fairness the A team had a disaster with one of their guys pulling up with cramp and could have gone much quicker, but I'm well pleased that my rookie C team were in contention with the more experienced B lot for a while there! We'll take them next time! :demon:

[edit] It was only our B team that got round the course without any drama. One of the ladies got a p*nct*re, C team had a smack-down, and the A team broke up. It makes me realise that you take your chances in this kind of event - give it everything and just hope you manage to finish!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Palinurus on 23 April, 2009, 09:42:28 pm
First evening 10 of the year on the regular course. Breezy, headwind on the way back (generally the course is fastest when the wind is in this direction, but the breeze was perhaps just a bit too strong tonight- actually definitely too strong- on the way out I was doing 28 uphill)

24:10, about where I was at the end of last season. Winner was 21:20 something. Haven't got the full results yet.

There's some serious potholes developed over the winter, I'll have to ride up there with a camera next week and get reporting.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rogerzilla on 23 April, 2009, 10:03:19 pm
Finally got a ride.  First "10" for 4 years, 27:54 on 48 x 15 fixed.  The wind was in the opposite direction to normal which confused me on the way out (it seemed much harder than I remembered) but I got the benefit on the way back.

PB of 26:41 seems beatable this year in warmer conditions.  There's life in the old dog yet.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frenchie on 24 April, 2009, 09:12:29 am
10 Mi course, rather cold, a bit breezy, but I managed a 26:33 on a 48x16. There are margins. I just need to train a bit!

I don't have, yet, the others' results.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Rob on 24 April, 2009, 10:16:29 am
Not bad for me tonight - first proper TT for 3 years. 24.59 (10 mile) including a 7 second stop at a roundabout. Not the fastest course, although our club superman did 21.27. 12th out of 32. Happy :thumbsup:

   Result (http://www.pwresults.pipeten.co.uk/ResultInd.aspx?EventId=442&SubEventID=1)


I saw riders warming up for that when I was out for a ride on Wed night.   Looked like a good night for it.

Rob
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frenchie on 24 April, 2009, 10:37:40 pm
10 Mi course, rather cold, a bit breezy, but I managed a 26:33 on a 48x16. There are margins. I just need to train a bit!

I don't have, yet, the others' results.

7th overall (18 ranked; 25 odd in total), 2:14 behind the winner.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 25 April, 2009, 09:30:43 pm



Date             Distance/Time         Course type       Weather conditions            Bike ridden               

05/07/06           10mls/26.39        Rolling  Q10/26     cleardry           Raleigh 76" gear
12/07/06            10 mls/25.38      rolling Q10/26      clear dry          Raleigh 86" gear
21-22/07/07   24hr TT/334           rolling                   cold drizzle     Lambert 72" gear
15/08/07           10mls/26.45        rolling Q10/26      clear dry         Lambert 72" gear
30/03/08             9mls/29.37       Hillyish Qs/30        wet                Lambert 79" gear 
20/04/08           10mls/28.42    Hillyish Q10/3      dry and cold       Lambert 79" gear
26/04/08           10mls/27.09      rolling Q10 /22   warm & sunny   Lambert 76" gear
25/06/08        10mls/27.24        rolling  Q10/26     hot/windy         Lambert 76" gear
28/06/08           10mls/27.16    Hillyish Q10/3      dry and hot        Lambert 79" gear
9/7/08         9mls/30,23    Hilly QS 30   pouring down/windy RonCooper71.22"gear
23/07/08  10mls/ 25.33  rolling Q10/26  hot & windy           Graham Weigh  83" gear
26/07/08   10mls/25.30  flat       Q10/24   hot /windy                   Graham Weigh 83" gear 
29/07/08   10mls /25.40  rolling Q10/26  hot slight wind              Graham weigh 83" gear
6/8/08       10mls / 25.10  rolling Q10/26  hot                     Graham Weigh  88" gear
13/08/08    10mls/26.04         rolling Q10/26  very windy             Graham Weigh 88" gear
19/04/09    10mls/27.01    rolling Q10/18  cold/windy    Graham Weigh  88" gear
[/size]

25/04/09     10mls/25.28   flat Q10/19     slight wind     Graham Weigh    88" gear

 Our Catford CC Open Ten today on the Q10/19
 It was a fast course with the fast boys out, I decided to go as fast as possible up the drag to the turn and try and survive the roll back down that seemed to have a crosswind, I struggled a bit feeling sick at the seven mile mark but it payed off with a second best time of 25.28 good for me especially this time of year  :thumbsup:
 Averaged 90rpm and maxed 171rpm at 44.5mph probably down the ski slope slip road to the A21  ;D
 Winner  MATTHEW MILES  WILDSIDE 707 RT   rode a 20.22

Results here http://www.catfordcc.co.uk/OPEN%2010%20result%2009%5B1%5D.pdf (http://www.catfordcc.co.uk/OPEN%2010%20result%2009%5B1%5D.pdf)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: disrail on 29 April, 2009, 02:49:02 pm
Going to ride my first ever TT at the club tonight. It's a slowish 10 course and I'll be doing it on my 78" with 20 Spoke front, 32 Spoke rear, old steel Harry Quinn, Conti GP Attack/Force tyres. It's got a lower position than my Condor Fratello.

Considering I've been doing chaingangs recently and challenging club runs over the winter I'll be disapointed if I don't get under 30 mins. It's a great leap into the unknown, especially when this bike doesn't have a speedo or HRM  ;D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: disrail on 29 April, 2009, 08:34:44 pm
25m53s. I'm well chuffed :thumbsup:

I went out a bit hard started cramping in my left calf on the first lap of this pig of a 10 circuit. I couldn't stop pedaling to stretch. I considered stopping and stretching for 15 seconds, but opted to pedal with one foot and try my best to stretch.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: nic on 29 April, 2009, 08:59:21 pm
2nd time trial around Coniston. I tend to learn a lot on how not to ride time trials on this SpoCo course. Last year I learned not to eat Scampi and chips just before a time trial. Today I have learned not to consider riding a time trial if you suffer from Jetlag. The worst experience on a bike I ever experienced.


Date             Distance         Course type       Weather conditions            Bike ridden               Time
29/4/09          17 miles        Circuit of Coniston      12C 10mph wind          Russian Titanium       50'34s
02/4/09          10 miles        Salt Ayre Track           12C 10mph wind          Russian Titanium      26'36s
07/8/08          10 miles        Salt Ayre Track           19C 4mph wind            Focus Cayo              26'47s
03/7/08          10 miles        Salt Ayre Track           14C 9mph wind            Focus Cayo              27'12s
28/5/08          17 miles        Circuit of Coniston  Wet / no wind / 12C          Focus Cayo             51'20s
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 29 April, 2009, 09:40:14 pm
1st club 10 of the season and my first 10 for around 5 years. Rain and gusty wind, so not ideal. Winner did 22.44; I managed 5th 6th with 25.19, last off at no.31. Second time out on the new TT bike. Getting used to it gradually.

Perfect preparation for this (http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=17119.msg307647#msg307647) tomorrow.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mike on 01 May, 2009, 07:09:24 am
First finish of the season on wednesday night, and the results are just out.  Quite pleased with the mid-table respectability, given I'm still not used to the strange position yet.

29/4/09    /   rolling e33/13    /    sunny, 10mph wind   /    12.8 miles    /    35.49  (av. 21.4mph)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Paul D on 01 May, 2009, 07:53:53 am
Second week on the P402C course. Quite windy tonight. Disappointed to get beaten by one second by somebody. Still plenty of room for improvement. Different course next week.

Date   Course   DistanceTime   Place/total no. of riders   Winner's time
29/4/09   P402c   10 miles   25.06   13/36   21.27   
22/4/09   P402c   10 miles   24.59   12/32   21.38   
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: токамак on 01 May, 2009, 10:00:07 am
E91/10 (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/E91-10) - 10 miles, pretty flat - good conditions*. 24.57. Well pleased with that - first proper 10 and first time using aero bars. Will be doing the same course on the bank holiday Monday in the ECCA Festival (http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=18139.0), so will see if I can beat that time, although I might be a bit tired from 2 days of racing previous.

[edit] *evening of 30/04/09
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: bobb on 01 May, 2009, 11:33:41 am
Nice work!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: nmcgann on 01 May, 2009, 05:25:29 pm
First finish of the season on wednesday night, and the results are just out.  Quite pleased with the mid-table respectability, given I'm still not used to the strange position yet.

29/4/09    /   rolling e33/13    /    sunny, 10mph wind   /    12.8 miles    /    35.49  (av. 21.4mph)

The position comes with practice. I did all my winter turbo work on the TT bike so the aero position feels completely natural now.

You might be surprised how much power you can lose until you have adapted to it - did you use your powertap on Weds?

Neil
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mike on 01 May, 2009, 05:33:12 pm
- did you use your powertap on Weds?

Neil

that *was* you, wasnt it?  in the silver helmet, setting off about 12 or 13?  Nice time...  :)

yep, had the powertap on.  My 2 x 20s on the road bike are at about 220 - 330W average, but on the TT bike on thursday I averaged 300.  I wasnt feeling 100% so that might account for some of it, but I was surprised how far off I was. 

I'll try the 2 x 20s on the TT bike on Monday so I get more used to it.

Fun, isnt it?


Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Palinurus on 01 May, 2009, 06:11:13 pm
Ususal course, usual evening 10. Weather and wind almost exactly the same as last week, time also almost exactly the same.

24:02.

Position was the same too, seventh out of thirty or so. Winner's time 21:30, last week 21:20 (same guy, and an exceptionally good time for the course)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: nmcgann on 01 May, 2009, 10:58:07 pm
- did you use your powertap on Weds?

Neil

that *was* you, wasnt it?  in the silver helmet, setting off about 12 or 13?  Nice time...  :)

yep, had the powertap on.  My 2 x 20s on the road bike are at about 220 - 330W average, but on the TT bike on thursday I averaged 300.  I wasnt feeling 100% so that might account for some of it, but I was surprised how far off I was. 

I'll try the 2 x 20s on the TT bike on Monday so I get more used to it.

Fun, isnt it?


Yes, that was me off at no 14.

I averaged 288W, so nothing spectacular on power but having a reasonable aero position and being fairly light helps. I was concentrating on pacing evenly (I am very prone to going out too hard and blowing in the first 5 mins), so didn't go at 100% but was still pleased with my time - 50s better than the same course last April  :thumbsup:

Ride the TT bike as much as you can. When I got my Giant frame last August I was 20W down on power due to the different position (but still faster due to the aero advantage), but I have got all that back plus quite a bit more now.

Neil
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rogerzilla on 07 May, 2009, 09:51:55 pm
Horrid tonight - 11 deg C and drizzling, although the wind was a pure crosswind and didn't really interfere.  I don't have a computer on the bike, but it was either about 27:15 (unlikely in those conditions) or 28:15.  I was just glad to get home in one piece, since the light was really bad, I was wearing black and it was slippy on the turns.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Palinurus on 07 May, 2009, 10:42:50 pm
Well I'm consistent. 24:04 today.

However it was very breezy on the return. I changed my pacing strategy for this one and took it easier than usual on the way out, felt better, and I think- given better conditions- it'll pay off.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frenchie on 09 May, 2009, 11:22:13 am
Well I'm injured and haven't had a decent ride in two weeks; probably race induced too! Bursitis or some form of tendonitis at the hip...  >:(
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 13 May, 2009, 11:00:30 pm
24.34. My first open 10 for around 8 yrs. It felt like hard work. Winner was 21 something. See if the 25 next week suits me better. I'll put the best wheels on for that.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Julian on 13 May, 2009, 11:07:42 pm
Sunday's 25 was 1:23:10.  Beautiful sunshine but a nasty headwind on one section.

Not brilliant but 4 minutes faster than my last 25, and not last either.  Being a slowcoach means I can only get faster :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 13 May, 2009, 11:14:31 pm
Sunday's 25 was 1:23:10.  Beautiful sunshine but a nasty headwind on one section.

Not brilliant but 4 minutes faster than my last 25, and not last either.  Being a slowcoach means I can only get faster :thumbsup:

4 mins improvement is good. It takes a while to get the 'hang' of TTs. Once you do you go quite a bit faster.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 13 May, 2009, 11:37:58 pm
It's "Retro" night tomorrow for DPCC; "road bikes", no disks, tri-bars, pointy hats. I should be thrilled, but instead I may boycott due to their insistence that carbon is allowed.

(Without carbon, half the club would be forced to wheel out their MTBs and/or daughter's bikes - I might have stood half a chance...)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 13 May, 2009, 11:47:53 pm
It's "Retro" night tomorrow for DPCC; "road bikes", no disks, tri-bars, pointy hats. I should be thrilled, but instead I may boycott due to their insistence that carbon is allowed.

(Without carbon, half the club would be forced to wheel out their MTBs and/or daughter's bikes - I might have stood half a chance...)

Without carbon you would have no steel either.

..d
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Andrij on 14 May, 2009, 08:18:04 am
It's "Retro" night tomorrow for DPCC; "road bikes", no disks, tri-bars, pointy hats. I should be thrilled, but instead I may boycott due to their insistence that carbon is allowed.

(Without carbon, half the club would be forced to wheel out their MTBs and/or daughter's bikes - I might have stood half a chance...)

Without carbon you would have no steel either.

..d

And the Pedant of the Week award goes to ...   ;D  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frenchie on 14 May, 2009, 01:43:01 pm
It's "Retro" night tomorrow for DPCC; "road bikes", no disks, tri-bars, pointy hats. I should be thrilled, but instead I may boycott due to their insistence that carbon is allowed.


"Strong man" style then...

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rogerzilla on 14 May, 2009, 05:47:14 pm
I did 27:18 last week!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Palinurus on 14 May, 2009, 10:36:17 pm
Wind's finally dropped, thought it'd be a fast night but went slower than I have all season.

24:19

I think I screwed up the pacing for one thing, I just couldn't pick up the pace at the end the way I did in the warmup. Went off too fast, again. Next week I'm going to stick a bit of electrical tape over the computer so I can't see my average speed on the way out. I'll peel it off at the turn.

Plus I haven't been on the bike this week- except a couple of short trips around Paris on a Velib'. The croissants/ pain au chocolat/ beer/ cheese / etc. probably won't have helped.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 14 May, 2009, 10:48:38 pm
I looked as though I was going fast. (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2231/3530101343_f3233d048a.jpg?v=0)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 15 May, 2009, 09:02:10 am
It's "Retro" night tomorrow for DPCC; "road bikes", no disks, tri-bars, pointy hats. I should be thrilled, but instead I may boycott due to their insistence that carbon is allowed.

(Without carbon, half the club would be forced to wheel out their MTBs and/or daughter's bikes - I might have stood half a chance...)

Without carbon you would have no steel either.

..d
I never said I'd be riding a steel bike.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 15 May, 2009, 01:53:10 pm
Wednesday night rode the Severn Evening 10 managed 25:13 -
20 seconds down on my PB.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 19 May, 2009, 10:38:35 pm
Local open 10. Rode over with a visitor from London. Wind, a fair amount of it. Rain. Missed the worst of it. Last years times were 29.14 and 29.13. This year... 27.18. Big improvement. Beat a club mate who should have taken at least a minute out of me by 2"  ;D

Nioce ride back between the showers. Late evening sun, pink tinged sunset, fields glowing in the low sun and taking deep lungfuls of fresh clean post rain air. Home before the showers returned.

My legs will hurt tomorrow, btu on a windy day to get within 23 seconds of my PB was a good ride.

..d
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 19 May, 2009, 11:27:29 pm
That was a disaster. My first 25 for about 12 years. I managed to leave most of my kit in Ealing. Scavenged around and found enough to do the job, if not elegantly. Then I was late to the start, so off 4 minutes late (but only 2 minutes recognised 'late start' (arcane CTT rules: that being when I reported to the time-keeper). Anyway, actual riding time 1.03.06, which I suppose I'm not too displeased with. I left before all the times were posted, but two 54s were on the board. My legs hurt.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 21 May, 2009, 12:18:54 am



Date             Distance/Time         Course type       Weather conditions            Bike ridden               

05/07/06           10mls/26.39        Rolling  Q10/26     cleardry           Raleigh 76" gear
12/07/06            10 mls/25.38      rolling Q10/26      clear dry          Raleigh 86" gear
21-22/07/07   24hr TT/334           rolling                   cold drizzle     Lambert 72" gear
15/08/07           10mls/26.45        rolling Q10/26      clear dry         Lambert 72" gear
30/03/08             9mls/29.37       Hillyish Qs/30        wet                Lambert 79" gear 
20/04/08           10mls/28.42    Hillyish Q10/3      dry and cold       Lambert 79" gear
26/04/08           10mls/27.09      rolling Q10 /22   warm & sunny   Lambert 76" gear
25/06/08        10mls/27.24        rolling  Q10/26     hot/windy         Lambert 76" gear
28/06/08           10mls/27.16    Hillyish Q10/3      dry and hot        Lambert 79" gear
9/7/08         9mls/30,23    Hilly QS 30   pouring down/windy RonCooper71.22"gear
23/07/08  10mls/ 25.33  rolling Q10/26  hot & windy           Graham Weigh  83" gear
26/07/08   10mls/25.30  flat       Q10/24   hot /windy                   Graham Weigh 83" gear 
29/07/08   10mls /25.40  rolling Q10/26  hot slight wind              Graham weigh 83" gear
6/8/08       10mls / 25.10  rolling Q10/26  hot                     Graham Weigh  88" gear
13/08/08    10mls/26.04         rolling Q10/26  very windy             Graham Weigh 88" gear
19/04/09    10mls/27.01    rolling Q10/18  cold/windy    Graham Weigh  88" gear

25/04/09     10mls/25.28   flat Q10/19     slight wind     Graham Weigh    88" gear

 [/size]

20/05/09    10mls/26.07 rolling Q10/26  slight wind/warm       Graham Weigh 88"gear
 Could have been just under 26 minutes I was blocked by a car for ten seconds waiting to turn right, winner did a 21.15 Gary Birch VC Elan
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: nic on 21 May, 2009, 09:08:19 pm
Damn, I am getting slower! By the end of the year I might be cycling backward. Anybody can lend me a mirror so I can practice?  ::-)

Date             Distance         Course type       Weather conditions            Bike ridden               Time
21/5/09          10 miles        Salt Ayre Track           12C 15mph wind          Russian Titanium      27'05s
29/4/09          17 miles        Circuit of Coniston      12C 10mph wind          Russian Titanium       50'34s
02/4/09          10 miles        Salt Ayre Track           12C 10mph wind          Russian Titanium      26'36s
07/8/08          10 miles        Salt Ayre Track           19C 4mph wind            Focus Cayo              26'47s
03/7/08          10 miles        Salt Ayre Track           14C 9mph wind            Focus Cayo              27'12s
28/5/08          17 miles        Circuit of Coniston  Wet / no wind / 12C          Focus Cayo             51'20s
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rogerzilla on 21 May, 2009, 09:21:58 pm
26:57 tonight.  My 5 year old PB of 26:41 looks likely to fall soon, since I'm in the third day of a cold and I haven't even fitted the "high season" 14T sprocket yet.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rogerzilla on 28 May, 2009, 09:20:22 pm
Nearly killed myself tonight. 

Absolutely flying on 48 x 14 and on course for a sub-26 time until I had to put on an unplanned spurt to pass my two-minute man.  As Nigel Tufnel says, when you're already at 10, where can you go?  Nowhere, that's where.  Hello MHR.  Felt sick, faint, heart pounding, even sweat smelling bad.  Had to coast right down to walking pace, looking for a place to get off and lie down before I fainted.  Bloke I'd just passed couldn't believe his luck and sailed past.

After about 90 seconds the old cardiovascular system rebooted itself, I looked at the time and decided I was still vaguely in the PB zone despite everything.  Off I go again.  Caught no.12 within a few hundred yards and passed him again (Christ knows what he thought was going on) and got pretty much back to my previous cruising speed.  Coming up the final straight I was passed by the rider one minute behind me, but then passed him again, then he passed me again just before the finish.

26:47, six seconds off my ancient PB.  But it could have been 26:00 so easily.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 28 May, 2009, 11:33:10 pm
Nearly killed myself tonight. 
...looking for a place to get off and lie down...
26:47, six seconds off my ancient PB.  But it could have been 26:00 so easily.

A ten with a sleep halfway round and still under 27. I'm impressed.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Jasmine on 29 May, 2009, 12:50:19 pm
I spent the week in Aberystwyth this week, so did an Ystwyth 10 mile as a change from Anglesey & Gwynedd courses.  Slightly flatter course than up here, but has a difficult turn in the road and a right turn.  Previous best on that course was 28.45.  Wednesday night I was having a good night, and came in at 26.52.  :)

Back in January, I decided my season aim was to go faster than 28 minutes on a 10.  I think I need to revise it.

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 30 May, 2009, 03:54:47 pm



Date             Distance/Time         Course type       Weather conditions            Bike ridden               

05/07/06           10mls/26.39        Rolling  Q10/26     cleardry           Raleigh 76" gear
12/07/06            10 mls/25.38      rolling Q10/26      clear dry          Raleigh 86" gear
21-22/07/07   24hr TT/334           rolling                   cold drizzle     Lambert 72" gear
15/08/07           10mls/26.45        rolling Q10/26      clear dry         Lambert 72" gear
30/03/08             9mls/29.37       Hillyish Qs/30        wet                Lambert 79" gear 
20/04/08           10mls/28.42    Hillyish Q10/3      dry and cold       Lambert 79" gear
26/04/08           10mls/27.09      rolling Q10 /22   warm & sunny   Lambert 76" gear
25/06/08        10mls/27.24        rolling  Q10/26     hot/windy         Lambert 76" gear
28/06/08           10mls/27.16    Hillyish Q10/3      dry and hot        Lambert 79" gear
9/7/08         9mls/30,23    Hilly QS 30   pouring down/windy RonCooper71.22"gear
23/07/08  10mls/ 25.33  rolling Q10/26  hot & windy           Graham Weigh  83" gear
26/07/08   10mls/25.30  flat       Q10/24   hot /windy                   Graham Weigh 83" gear 
29/07/08   10mls /25.40  rolling Q10/26  hot slight wind              Graham weigh 83" gear
6/8/08       10mls / 25.10  rolling Q10/26  hot                     Graham Weigh  88" gear
13/08/08    10mls/26.04         rolling Q10/26  very windy             Graham Weigh 88" gear
19/04/09    10mls/27.01    rolling Q10/18  cold/windy    Graham Weigh  88" gear

25/04/09     10mls/25.28   flat Q10/19     slight wind     Graham Weigh    88" gear


20/05/09    10mls/26.07 rolling Q10/26  slight wind/warm       Graham Weigh 88"gear
  [/size]


30/05/09   10mls/25.39    rolling Q10/22  warm/cross wind  Graham Weigh  88" gear
 Winner Peter Tadross  20.37  :o

Our club 10 was included in todays Medway Velo event and I came fourth in our club, Andy Beswetherick first in our club with 24.39, 2nd to 4th split within twelve seconds and has been over the last three club events so I can almost catch them.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 03 June, 2009, 11:55:35 pm
Date             Distance/Time         Course type       Weather conditions            Bike ridden               

05/07/06           10mls/26.39        Rolling  Q10/26     cleardry           Raleigh 76" gear
12/07/06            10 mls/25.38      rolling Q10/26      clear dry          Raleigh 86" gear
21-22/07/07   24hr TT/334           rolling                   cold drizzle     Lambert 72" gear
15/08/07           10mls/26.45        rolling Q10/26      clear dry         Lambert 72" gear
30/03/08             9mls/29.37       Hillyish Qs/30        wet                Lambert 79" gear 
20/04/08           10mls/28.42    Hillyish Q10/3      dry and cold       Lambert 79" gear
26/04/08           10mls/27.09      rolling Q10 /22   warm & sunny   Lambert 76" gear
25/06/08        10mls/27.24        rolling  Q10/26     hot/windy         Lambert 76" gear
28/06/08           10mls/27.16    Hillyish Q10/3      dry and hot        Lambert 79" gear
9/7/08         9mls/30,23    Hilly QS 30   pouring down/windy RonCooper71.22"gear
23/07/08  10mls/ 25.33  rolling Q10/26  hot & windy           Graham Weigh  83" gear
26/07/08   10mls/25.30  flat       Q10/24   hot /windy                   Graham Weigh 83" gear 
29/07/08   10mls /25.40  rolling Q10/26  hot slight wind              Graham weigh 83" gear
6/8/08       10mls / 25.10  rolling Q10/26  hot                     Graham Weigh  88" gear
13/08/08    10mls/26.04         rolling Q10/26  very windy             Graham Weigh 88" gear
19/04/09    10mls/27.01    rolling Q10/18  cold/windy    Graham Weigh  88" gear
25/04/09     10mls/25.28   flat Q10/19     slight wind     Graham Weigh    88" gear
20/05/09    10mls/26.07 rolling Q10/26  slight wind/warm       Graham Weigh 88"gear
  [/size]
30/05/09   10mls/25.39    rolling Q10/22  warm/cross wind  Graham Weigh  88" gear

 3/06/09    10mls/25.14    rolling Q10/26  cool slight wind  Graham Weigh 88" gear

 Felt really good tonight and only 4 seconds off my personal best despite the cross wind that never really hampered us too much.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: disrail on 04 June, 2009, 11:42:42 am
Bah, can't get the tables working.


Date             Distance         Course type       Weather conditions            Bike ridden               Time
29/04/09       10 miles          Hale Village        Clear Mod West Wind         79" Harry Quinn        25m53s
03/06/09       10 miles          Hale Village        Warm Light East Wind        79" Harry Quinn        25m14s



Last nights ride was painful. 1 rider ahead of me was Hannah from our club who's been bragging about how she took me and another strong male rider out on a hilly wales ride on Sunday and destroyed us both, I had to get the train home and the other guy turned off before the halfway point. I caught her half way through, and took 2 minutes out of her in the end  ;D. When i passed her she was able to utter a half sentance of dispair. At that point I couldn't have uttered more than one syllable.....
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 04 June, 2009, 11:56:22 am
Bah, can't get the tables working.


Date             Distance         Course type       Weather conditions            Bike ridden               Time
29/04/09      10 miles          Hale Village        Clear Mod West Wind         79" Harry Quinn       25m53s
29/4/09        10 miles          Hale Village        Warm Light East Wind        79" Harry Quinn       25m14s


So you were faster on the second lap and teh wind did change direction?
or is one of the dates wrong?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: disrail on 04 June, 2009, 11:57:05 am
Fixed.....
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rogerzilla on 04 June, 2009, 10:05:50 pm
Finally!  26:30 for a lifetime PB.  Missed my start slot and went off last; I did the same thing in 2004 when I set my previous PB.

It was hard tonight - no wind, but the course actually favours a moderate westerly wind because you spend more time going SW than you do NE.  More oxygen in the air than last week, though, which was a bit more stuffy.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: SpaceBadger on 04 June, 2009, 10:31:53 pm
The smile says it all. The boy-RZ knows he's on for a good time tonight...

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2471/3596470156_836b5ba0fc_o.jpg)

Congratulations on the PB!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rogerzilla on 04 June, 2009, 10:34:44 pm
I decided not to sell the jersey...it's the tightest one I have.

EDIT: I'm sure I'm not that fat.  I think my enormous lung capacity displaces my stomach, like Miguel Indurain.

I wish

actually I can hit the end of a peak flow meter, so maybe it's true
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 04 June, 2009, 11:22:45 pm
There was a serious crash at our midweek TT on Wednesday. A rider who had either finished or was not racing turned right across the  front of another racer about 1/2 mile  just after and downhill from the start (would have been going at 30-35mph). After the collision the racing rider had to be airlifted to hospital. He has a fractured scull, broken bones including vertebrae in his neck and collar bone. He is currently in an induced coma but is still seriously ill.

Everyone is shaken and concerned. It was a stupid, stupid collision that should not have happened. (The other rider was able to walk away with just a bloody nose. He has been encouraged to not stop walking and preferably to run).

..d
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 04 June, 2009, 11:50:43 pm
That was a 25.05 (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2447/3595063822_789055eab5.jpg?v=0). Not brilliant given that the winner was a 22 something. It's not the fastest course. My excuse is that i was still tired after a weekend of little sleep running my 600 (http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=2362.msg350208#msg350208). I've got to beat 25 next week, or else...

I wonder where the false nose came from...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 05 June, 2009, 09:34:43 am
That was a 25.05 (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2447/3595063822_789055eab5.jpg?v=0). Not brilliant given that the winner was a 22 something. It's not the fastest course. My excuse is that i was still tired after a weekend of little sleep running my 600 (http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=2362.msg350208#msg350208). I've got to beat 25 next week, or else...

I wonder where the false nose came from...

That's a really good picture Ian - you look faster than when I've met you :)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 05 June, 2009, 09:53:35 am
...Ian - you look faster than when I've met you :)

Trouble is I do look faster than I am.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rogerzilla on 05 June, 2009, 05:43:20 pm
I thought these were SpaceBadger's best pictures of me.  And Ian H and I are the only two people in Britain still racing without h*lm*ts  ;D

Coming out of turn 2 - note big 92" gear:

(http://www.cig.canon-europe.com/ph/OPA/aig/I0KCcLy0J47sCNBM3603ks3kskXL0103kskXLRnw4Fpmg.jpg)

Just before the finish:

(http://www.cig.canon-europe.com/ph/OPA/aig/2lLgNBx1wqmJmawSCU03ks3kskXL0103kskXLRnw4Fpmg.jpg)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 05 June, 2009, 06:08:08 pm
 And Ian H and I are the only two people in Britain still racing without h*lm*ts

We cannot. SC/UCI rules as CTT doesn't stretch north of the border. :(
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rogerzilla on 05 June, 2009, 06:18:36 pm
That'll make up for free university tuition then  :D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: drossall on 05 June, 2009, 06:21:19 pm
I don't race in a helmet either :D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 05 June, 2009, 07:02:58 pm
...And Ian H and I are the only two people in Britain still racing without h*lm*ts  ;D


Our club coach keeps telling me I'd go faster if I wore a pointy one.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 05 June, 2009, 07:22:38 pm
I don't race in a helmet either :D

 N'or me

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3005/2782774662_e57dd67bc6.jpg?v=0) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/kent-guy/2782774662/)

Pic courtesy of Roger Burnett
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 05 June, 2009, 07:35:06 pm
Ah, I see. I thought that shiny dome was a helmet.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 05 June, 2009, 07:38:02 pm
Ah, I see. I thought that shiny dome was a helmet.

 ;D ;D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rogerzilla on 05 June, 2009, 07:52:12 pm
...And Ian H and I are the only two people in Britain still racing without h*lm*ts  ;D


Our club coach keeps telling me I'd go faster if I wore a pointy one.
A disc wheel would make a lot more difference.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 05 June, 2009, 10:06:15 pm
...And Ian H and I are the only two people in Britain still racing without h*lm*ts  ;D


Our club coach keeps telling me I'd go faster if I wore a pointy one.
A disc wheel would make a lot more difference.

I'd look silly with one of those on my head.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rogerzilla on 05 June, 2009, 10:16:50 pm
Not dissimilar to

(http://blogs.fayobserver.com/faytoz/files/2009/05/enterprise.jpg)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: simonp on 05 June, 2009, 11:00:47 pm
I think those polished heads are cheating!

 >:(
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: drossall on 06 June, 2009, 12:20:29 am
My head is long and pointy.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rogerzilla on 06 June, 2009, 06:23:11 am
http://nikari.gd-kun.net/coneheads.jpg

I'd forgotten how horribly similar to Dan Aykroyd I look.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 06 June, 2009, 09:38:12 am
I don't race in a helmet either :D

Nor me !

(http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee253/ianrsparrow/DSC05534.jpg)
Photo courtesy of Mrs Dinamo.

Did manage to beat my PB this week, by 8 seconds  ;D
First time I had beaten it, had progressively got slower over the past month !
PB is now 24:45.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rogerzilla on 11 June, 2009, 09:25:37 pm
One second slower tonight.  Unhelpful wind, although my legs are getting better - not a twinge of cramp.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Treewheeler on 11 June, 2009, 09:29:15 pm
Is this a thread about rambling...?
 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Palinurus on 11 June, 2009, 11:12:39 pm
Nothing to report, not getting better or much worse. I need to work out a better training program, perhaps even follow it from time to time.

And lay off the beer.

24 minutes and a bit every week. 24.17 this week, it was a bit breezy.

I've got a 25 coming up on Sunday. What a stupid sport. Who wants to get up at 5 am on a Sunday just so breakfast'll have a good chance of staying where you put it. I'm just in a bad mood because I forgot all about it until the start sheet appeared in the post today.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Wascally Weasel on 11 June, 2009, 11:17:03 pm
Ok, after TRAT and the Marmotte are over, I think I would like to have a go at a few time trials before the summer ends.

I live in Kingston and would ideally be looking for a 10 for my first effort.  Any suggestions?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Palinurus on 11 June, 2009, 11:26:25 pm
Go for it. You should be flying after that.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Jasmine on 12 June, 2009, 07:04:19 am
Did a slow 11 (yes, 11 - shortened course from the 15 which has roadworks at the moment) on Tuesday.

Massive improvement Thursday.  I did a 10 in Holyhead (A5 & A55) and came in at 26.08.  First time I'd done that course, a tricky roundabout to contend with (remembering to get back onto the A5), but it was a lovely surface with not too much wind.  PB for a 10 by 44 seconds.  I've taken 2 minutes 45 seconds out this year.  Will try to push on below 26 minutes.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Blah on 12 June, 2009, 09:57:32 am
...And Ian H and I are the only two people in Britain still racing without h*lm*ts  ;D


Our club coach keeps telling me I'd go faster if I wore a pointy one.
A disc wheel would make a lot more difference.

Not a LOT more and it would depend on the course.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 12 June, 2009, 01:08:20 pm
...And Ian H and I are the only two people in Britain still racing without h*lm*ts  ;D


Our club coach keeps telling me I'd go faster if I wore a pointy one.
A disc wheel would make a lot more difference.

Not a LOT more and it would depend on the course.

Despite the cost, I'd far rather invest in funky wheels than a funky hat.Perhaps I'm too vain ...

( "... depend on the course"; is it as simple as
fast=aero-critical, slow=weight ?
So disc wheels are best on fast courses.
On the basis that faster courses tend to involve less climbing and accelerations.)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 12 June, 2009, 01:10:34 pm
It has to be very hilly to lose the aero advantages. If you are averaging >20mph on a hilly course then aero will make a big difference (for given values of big).

..d
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 12 June, 2009, 11:31:04 pm

Date             Distance/Time         Course type       Weather conditions            Bike ridden               

05/07/06           10mls/26.39        Rolling  Q10/26     cleardry           Raleigh 76" gear
12/07/06            10 mls/25.38      rolling Q10/26      clear dry          Raleigh 86" gear
21-22/07/07   24hr TT/334           rolling                   cold drizzle     Lambert 72" gear
15/08/07           10mls/26.45        rolling Q10/26      clear dry         Lambert 72" gear
30/03/08             9mls/29.37       Hillyish Qs/30        wet                Lambert 79" gear 
20/04/08           10mls/28.42    Hillyish Q10/3      dry and cold       Lambert 79" gear
26/04/08           10mls/27.09      rolling Q10 /22   warm & sunny   Lambert 76" gear
25/06/08        10mls/27.24        rolling  Q10/26     hot/windy         Lambert 76" gear
28/06/08           10mls/27.16    Hillyish Q10/3      dry and hot        Lambert 79" gear
9/7/08         9mls/30,23    Hilly QS 30   pouring down/windy RonCooper71.22"gear
23/07/08  10mls/ 25.33  rolling Q10/26  hot & windy           Graham Weigh  83" gear
26/07/08   10mls/25.30  flat       Q10/24   hot /windy                   Graham Weigh 83" gear 
29/07/08   10mls /25.40  rolling Q10/26  hot slight wind              Graham weigh 83" gear
6/8/08       10mls / 25.10  rolling Q10/26  hot                     Graham Weigh  88" gear
13/08/08    10mls/26.04         rolling Q10/26  very windy             Graham Weigh 88" gear
19/04/09    10mls/27.01    rolling Q10/18  cold/windy    Graham Weigh  88" gear

25/04/09     10mls/25.28   flat Q10/19     slight wind     Graham Weigh    88" gear


20/05/09    10mls/26.07 rolling Q10/26  slight wind/warm       Graham Weigh 88"gear
  [/size]

30/05/09   10mls/25.39    rolling Q10/22  warm/cross wind  Graham Weigh  88" gear
 
03/06/09  10mls/25.14       rolling Q10/26  warm                   Graham Weigh 88" gear

10/06/09   10mls/25.34  rolling Q10/26  cool/ slight wind to turn Graham Weigh 88" gear

every one found it slower tonight with a headwind on the uphill stretch to the turn.
 Winner Gary Birch  with 21.17

One funny part at the finish my club mate Paul told me while he was waiting to be pushed off as I came spinning down the hill [43mph @175rpm] and the bloke holding him up looked across and said "f***in hell look at him" ;D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Palinurus on 14 June, 2009, 06:36:40 pm
A 25 today on the HCC113. A PB too, but only by 10s. 1:04:38.

Lovely weather, bit of a breeze so tougher going out than I expected.

Felt I paced it badly, on the way out I was struggling to find a rhythm, although it's a lumpy course with more uphill on the way out and the breeze wasn't helping.

Oh look, someone had a camera. I could do with working on that position some..

Might try and replace the extension bars with some of those jobs that fit underneath the bullhorns.

(http://i.imgur.com/699ydIT.jpg)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 14 June, 2009, 06:40:31 pm
Last Wednesday's ten was cancelled because of a downpour. Today was my first fifty for I can't remember how long. 2.09.17. Winner was a 50.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 18 June, 2009, 12:25:43 am

Date             Distance/Time         Course type       Weather conditions            Bike ridden               

05/07/06           10mls/26.39        Rolling  Q10/26     cleardry           Raleigh 76" gear
12/07/06            10 mls/25.38      rolling Q10/26      clear dry          Raleigh 86" gear
21-22/07/07   24hr TT/334           rolling                   cold drizzle     Lambert 72" gear
15/08/07           10mls/26.45        rolling Q10/26      clear dry         Lambert 72" gear
30/03/08             9mls/29.37       Hillyish Qs/30        wet                Lambert 79" gear 
20/04/08           10mls/28.42    Hillyish Q10/3      dry and cold       Lambert 79" gear
26/04/08           10mls/27.09      rolling Q10 /22   warm & sunny   Lambert 76" gear
25/06/08        10mls/27.24        rolling  Q10/26     hot/windy         Lambert 76" gear
28/06/08           10mls/27.16    Hillyish Q10/3      dry and hot        Lambert 79" gear
9/7/08         9mls/30,23    Hilly QS 30   pouring down/windy RonCooper71.22"gear
23/07/08  10mls/ 25.33  rolling Q10/26  hot & windy           Graham Weigh  83" gear
26/07/08   10mls/25.30  flat       Q10/24   hot /windy                   Graham Weigh 83" gear 
29/07/08   10mls /25.40  rolling Q10/26  hot slight wind              Graham weigh 83" gear
6/8/08       10mls / 25.10  rolling Q10/26  hot                     Graham Weigh  88" gear
13/08/08    10mls/26.04         rolling Q10/26  very windy             Graham Weigh 88" gear
19/04/09    10mls/27.01    rolling Q10/18  cold/windy    Graham Weigh  88" gear
25/04/09     10mls/25.28   flat Q10/19     slight wind     Graham Weigh    83" gear
20/05/09    10mls/26.07 rolling Q10/26  slight wind/warm       Graham Weigh 83"gear
  
30/05/09   10mls/25.39    rolling Q10/22  warm/cross wind  Graham Weigh  83" gear
03/06/09  10mls/25.14       rolling Q10/26  warm                   Graham Weigh 83" gear
10/06/09   10mls/25.34  rolling Q10/26  cool/ slight wind to turn Graham Weigh 83" gear

Just realised tonight I have been on an 83" gear most of this year must have put the wheel in the wrong way round after a tyre change  ::-)
17/06/09   10mls/25.20  rolling Q10/26 cool/windy    Graham Weigh 88" gear
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Rhys W on 18 June, 2009, 10:04:23 pm
4-up 25 tonight. Rather windy and threatening heavy showers. Three of us did the 190km Dragon Ride 4 days ago...

So we were all pleased with a 58:05, we had 6 teams from our club entered and we were fastest by a second  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rogerzilla on 19 June, 2009, 06:34:14 am
I was start timekeeper tonight.  As usual when I do this, one of the watches was broken, so we had to use my wristwatch and keep the stopwatch for the finish timekeeper  ::-)

49 riders.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: blackburnrod on 19 June, 2009, 09:43:22 am
I have 3 timers plus a radio controlled clock running for timing the Mersey Nat Champs 24hr..I learned my lesson many years ago in a club event when 2 watches stopped whilst riding from start to finish.I also set my wristwatch chronograph to the same time.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 21 June, 2009, 09:44:20 pm
I have 3 timers plus a radio controlled clock running for timing the Mersey Nat Champs 24hr..I learned my lesson many years ago in a club event when 2 watches stopped whilst riding from start to finish.I also set my wristwatch chronograph to the same time.

Our club's just bought some newfangled digital watches with printout facility.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 21 June, 2009, 09:46:26 pm
Another 50 this morning. Another 2.09. It's a harder course though, and my clubmate was 3 minutes slower, so perhaps it counts as an improvement.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: SpaceBadger on 21 June, 2009, 09:47:23 pm
I have 3 timers plus a radio controlled clock running for timing the Mersey Nat Champs 24hr..I learned my lesson many years ago in a club event when 2 watches stopped whilst riding from start to finish.I also set my wristwatch chronograph to the same time.

Our club's just bought some newfangled digital watches with printout facility.

Do you know what they are and do they seem to be any good? I think both RZ and I would be interested in passing the info on to our local weekly TT organiser.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 24 June, 2009, 10:05:42 pm

Date             Distance/Time         Course type       Weather conditions            Bike ridden              

05/07/06           10mls/26.39        Rolling  Q10/26     cleardry           Raleigh 76" gear
12/07/06            10 mls/25.38      rolling Q10/26      clear dry          Raleigh 86" gear
21-22/07/07   24hr TT/334           rolling                   cold drizzle     Lambert 72" gear
15/08/07           10mls/26.45        rolling Q10/26      clear dry         Lambert 72" gear
30/03/08             9mls/29.37       Hillyish Qs/30        wet                Lambert 79" gear  
20/04/08           10mls/28.42    Hillyish Q10/3      dry and cold       Lambert 79" gear
26/04/08           10mls/27.09      rolling Q10 /22   warm & sunny   Lambert 76" gear
25/06/08        10mls/27.24        rolling  Q10/26     hot/windy         Lambert 76" gear
28/06/08           10mls/27.16    Hillyish Q10/3      dry and hot        Lambert 79" gear
9/7/08         9mls/30,23    Hilly QS 30   pouring down/windy RonCooper71.22"gear
23/07/08  10mls/ 25.33  rolling Q10/26  hot & windy           Graham Weigh  83" gear
26/07/08   10mls/25.30  flat       Q10/24   hot /windy                   Graham Weigh 83" gear  
29/07/08   10mls /25.40  rolling Q10/26  hot slight wind              Graham weigh 83" gear
6/8/08       10mls / 25.10  rolling Q10/26  hot                     Graham Weigh  88" gear
13/08/08    10mls/26.04         rolling Q10/26  very windy             Graham Weigh 88" gear
19/04/09    10mls/27.01    rolling Q10/18  cold/windy    Graham Weigh  88" gear
25/04/09     10mls/25.28   flat Q10/19     slight wind     Graham Weigh    83" gear
20/05/09    10mls/26.07 rolling Q10/26  slight wind/warm       Graham Weigh 83"gear
30/05/09   10mls/25.39  rolling Q10/22  warm/cross wind  Graham Weigh  83" gear
03/06/09  10mls/25.14    rolling Q10/26  warm                   Graham Weigh 83" gear
10/06/09  10mls/25.34  rolling Q10/26  cool/ slight wind  Graham Weigh 83" gear
17/06/09   10mls/25.20  rolling Q10/26 cool/windy    Graham Weigh 88" gear


21/06/09  10mls/25.25  rolling Q10/18  warm             Graham Weigh 88" gear

24/06/09   10mls/25.05 rolling Q10/26 warm    Graham Weigh 88" gear

 Beat my personal best tonight by 5 seconds chuffed with that but at the same time dissapointed being so close to a long 24  :)

http://www.cycleclub-bexley.org.uk/Evening_10_results_09.html#24Jun (http://www.cycleclub-bexley.org.uk/Evening_10_results_09.html#24Jun)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 24 June, 2009, 10:46:41 pm
24.41 tonight. Caught my two minute man and was three seconds behind my minute man at the finish. Getting better.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 25 June, 2009, 10:43:16 am
Last night I was a DNF on the Severn RC Evening 10.
Had to stop behind a horsebox ( that I had caught up after the fast downhill start) as it was then turning right and blocking road  :(
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rogerzilla on 25 June, 2009, 09:24:32 pm
Didn't look promising tonight except for the warmth (it thins out the air, dontcha know?).  Wind in the wrong direction, legs felt like lead.

Then I went and knocked 16 seconds off my PB.  Oh well  :)

26:14...at this rate I might even record an "athlete's time" one day.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: nic on 02 July, 2009, 10:02:13 pm
Personal best tonight. Time trials are still horrible things... Excellent turn out with again plenty of youngsters some as young as 8. My daughter was one of them for her first 2 miles time trial. She loved it. She's already looking forward to improving on her time (9'21s).

Date             Distance         Course type       Weather conditions            Bike ridden               Time
02/7/09          10 miles        Salt Ayre Track           26C 5mph wind            Russian Titanium      26'05s
21/5/09          10 miles        Salt Ayre Track           12C 15mph wind          Russian Titanium      27'05s
29/4/09          17 miles        Circuit of Coniston      12C 10mph wind          Russian Titanium       50'34s
02/4/09          10 miles        Salt Ayre Track           12C 10mph wind          Russian Titanium      26'36s
07/8/08          10 miles        Salt Ayre Track           19C 4mph wind            Focus Cayo              26'47s
03/7/08          10 miles        Salt Ayre Track           14C 9mph wind            Focus Cayo              27'12s
28/5/08          17 miles        Circuit of Coniston  Wet / no wind / 12C          Focus Cayo             51'20s
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: valkyrie on 02 July, 2009, 10:20:19 pm
First every TT for me tonight! Did the club (West Lothian Clarion) 10 in 27:28. Quite chuffed with myself for my first effort, apparently it's a hard(ish) course. Key learnings were -
1. If you're going to change your rear mech the night before a ride you should really test it properly. My indexing was a bit out. ::-)
2. Grabbing a quick drink just before the steepest hill is a bad idea - this was just after the turn and I spent most of the rest of the ride trying not to puke. Had to swallow it back down a few times :sick:

I'm an audaxer not a tester, so I must stop looking at all those lovely TT bikes and listening to the evil people who tell me how many minutes they'd save me...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Palinurus on 02 July, 2009, 11:07:24 pm
For me a TT bike is worth, I reckon, around 60-80s over ten miles. TT bike is carbon, typical handlebar setup but without disc wheels. On an evening 10 I come in at around 24 minutes to 24:30 depending on the wind. Usually closer to 24 minutes.

Tonight I used a heavy steel roadbike (pretty poor frame- a Tange training frame, it is heavy and generally not very responsive), 8 speed, downtube shifters. Wheels/tyres however were the same as I use on the TT bike.

It's the worst bike I've ever ridden for a TT. It was a former commute hack, I'm retiring it and wanted it to go out in style.

25:20. It was a good night, warm and a bit breezy.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 03 July, 2009, 09:03:25 am
...
Tonight I used a heavy steel roadbike ...
You don't say whther Tri-bars on both?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 05 July, 2009, 03:06:01 pm

Date             Distance/Time         Course type       Weather conditions            Bike ridden              

05/07/06           10mls/26.39        Rolling  Q10/26     cleardry           Raleigh 76" gear
12/07/06            10 mls/25.38      rolling Q10/26      clear dry          Raleigh 86" gear
21-22/07/07   24hr TT/334           rolling                   cold drizzle     Lambert 72" gear
15/08/07         10mls/26.45      rolling Q10/26      clear dry            Lambert 72" gear
30/03/08         9mls/29.37       Hillyish Qs/30        wet                    Lambert 79" gear  
20/04/08        10mls/28.42    Hillyish Q10/3      dry and cold          Lambert 79" gear
26/04/08        10mls/27.09      rolling Q10 /22   warm & sunny      Lambert 76" gear
25/06/08        10mls/27.24        rolling  Q10/26     hot/windy         Lambert 76" gear
28/06/08           10mls/27.16    Hillyish Q10/3      dry and hot        Lambert 79" gear
9/7/08             9mls/30,23      Hilly QS 30   pouring down/windy RonCooper71.22"gear
23/07/08       10mls/ 25.33  rolling Q10/26  hot & windy                  Graham Weigh  83" gear
26/07/08       10mls/25.30  flat      Q10/24   hot /windy                   Graham Weigh 83" gear  
29/07/08       10mls /25.40  rolling  Q10/26  hot slight wind             Graham weigh 83" gear
6/8/08           10mls / 25.10 rolling Q10/26  hot                     Graham Weigh  88" gear
13/08/08       10mls/26.0   rolling    Q10/26  very windy                      Graham Weigh 88" gear
19/04/09       10mls/27.01  rolling   Q10/18  cold/windy                     Graham Weigh  88" gear
25/04/09       10mls/25.28     flat    Q10/19     slight wind                   Graham Weigh    83" gear
20/05/09       10mls/26.07  rolling  Q10/26  slight wind/warm           Graham Weigh 83"gear
30/05/09       10mls/25.39  rolling  Q10/22  warm/cross wind            Graham Weigh  83" gear
03/06/09       10mls/25.14  rolling  Q10/26  warm                              Graham Weigh 83" gear
10/06/09       10mls/25.34  rolling  Q10/26  cool/ slight wind             Graham Weigh 83" gear
17/06/09       10mls/25.20  rolling  Q10/26 cool/windy                       Graham Weigh 88" gear
21/06/09        10mls/25.25  rolling Q10/18  warm                             Graham Weigh 88" gear
24/06/09        10mls/25.05 rolling Q10/26 warm                     Graham Weigh 88" gear


http://www.cycleclub-bexley.org.uk/Evening_10_results_09.html#24Jun (http://www.cycleclub-bexley.org.uk/Evening_10_results_09.html#24Jun)

 05/07/09  25mls/1:05:34  rolling Q25/8 hot      Graham Weigh 88" gear

 My first 25TT and a benchmark for the future, I found this hard and could have done with the 83" gear back on it has to be the hilliest river valley I have ridden :)  my back was aching the last two miles.

 The winner Kevin Tye rode a 53:16
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: alan on 05 July, 2009, 05:49:25 pm
 01 07 09         16k        32:33
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 05 July, 2009, 08:17:09 pm
Last Wednesday rode Severn RC UC186, 22 seconds slower than PB.
The hot temperature and the feeling of lack of air possibly accounted for slower time.

Have entered the Clubs Open 10 TT event next Saturday on the U7b !
As long as I can beat my Vets standard time (25:54) I will be happy  ;)

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Palinurus on 05 July, 2009, 10:50:35 pm
...
Tonight I used a heavy steel roadbike ...
You don't say whther Tri-bars on both?

No tribars on the heavy roadbike. The TT bike has usual bullhorns and bar-extensions, bar-end shifters. Usual sort of thing.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: alan on 08 July, 2009, 07:12:28 pm
Turned up for a replay of last week's attempt to be told I couldn't ride "because you are not a club member"
A discussion ensued as to why other clubs,ie last weeks organising club could do temp.membership for insurance purposes(a la Audax rides)  & tonight's officiating club could not,without a satisfactory explaination from the marshalls. ::-)

I was told I could ride if I joined the club & declined.
My lbs sponsors this lot & I have a need to go into the shop on Friday.I doubt that they will be seeing the colour of my money.
All things considered I feel increasingly  >:( at this exclusive attitude.Little wonder that some clubs are heard to express concern regarding diminishing membership.
Seems to be "my-way-or-no-way."
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: clarion on 08 July, 2009, 07:15:21 pm
Seems a bit snobby.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: toekneep on 08 July, 2009, 08:33:01 pm
Don't let them put you off, this could be the beginning of a whole new career. There is a big race on in France at the moment, I could see you over there in the yellow jersey in a couple of seasons. (That's you in the yellow jersey, not me. I'll be the one in the Devil's outfit by the side of the road.)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: drossall on 08 July, 2009, 10:18:34 pm
Can't remember the exact rules, but for time trialling you are supposed to be a member of an affiliated club (or the HQ club). It's been relaxed recently to allow beginners to "come and try it", but the idea is that you do that once or twice and then join.

Of course, there are more and less friendly ways of explaining that. It's not the only sport though where you do need to register in a least some way.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 08 July, 2009, 10:35:14 pm
 You could get a club together and get it affiliated to the CTT, the fee is not that expensive so I hear.

 Plenty of info here; http://cyclingtimetrials.janet0102.co.uk/Default.aspx (http://cyclingtimetrials.janet0102.co.uk/Default.aspx)

 As mentioned above only a few events are run where non-club riders can take part due to insurance etc but could have been worded differently for you to be more sympathetic.

Is YACF affiliated?? as a club.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 08 July, 2009, 10:41:13 pm
We were only allowed to register one of our evening tens as 'come and try it'. It's next Wednesday. Other than that we have to insist on club membership otherwise insurance cover is invalid.

It was a horrible ride this evening, windy and heavy. No one got under 24. I managed 25.13.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: drossall on 08 July, 2009, 10:42:47 pm
Or join a different club that you like better. You don't normally have to join the organising one.

Might be fun to have a YACF club - but I would always want to ride for my local one.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Martin on 08 July, 2009, 10:51:15 pm
Seems a bit snobby.

Not wishing to denigrate from the great amount of pleasure many people on here derive from it, IMO it is; I had 3 soul destroying years of TT before I discovered Audax and other ways of enjoying cycling. I always thought that it would be a bit like running where they welcome all abilities; not the case at all IMX. I've even had finish controllers tell me they were about to pack up as they assumed I had punctured and my own clubmates apologise on my behalf for being slow and entered a SPOCO only to be omitted from the finish list for being too slow for them to bother looking down the result sheets >:( I will now never ride another one out of principle.

With the increasing number of alternative rides to TT's and lack of new blood coming in it could die a slow death if it doesn't shape up.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 08 July, 2009, 10:57:31 pm


With the increasing number of alternative rides to TT's and lack of new blood coming in it could die a slow death if it doesn't shape up.

I'm riding a 25 on Sunday with 120 starters. so it's not that unpopular. But yes, there can be unwelcoming atitudes especially among older club(wo)men.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: drossall on 08 July, 2009, 11:04:28 pm
Again, must depend on where you ride and with which club...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 08 July, 2009, 11:18:52 pm
Turned up for a replay of last week's attempt to be told I couldn't ride "because you are not a club member"
A discussion ensued as to why other clubs,ie last weeks organising club could do temp.membership for insurance purposes(a la Audax rides)  & tonight's officiating club could not,without a satisfactory explaination from the marshalls. ::-)

I was told I could ride if I joined the club & declined.
My lbs sponsors this lot & I have a need to go into the shop on Friday.I doubt that they will be seeing the colour of my money.
All things considered I feel increasingly  >:( at this exclusive attitude.Little wonder that some clubs are heard to express concern regarding diminishing membership.
Seems to be "my-way-or-no-way."

Well, there are rules and regulations for the insurance etc. I'm not sure how CTT ones are run but we are under Scottish Cycling (BC/UCI) rules so have to do things like have BC silver membership (34 quid a year) or get temp membership at 10 quid per event. Club membership not required (but cheaper than BC membership in our case)

It does seem that there was someone who was a bit of an arse and didn't understand the alternatives.

BTW, how much are we talking about here? Is it worth joining the club to do the TTs or a personal membership of CTT if such a thing exists?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 08 July, 2009, 11:20:13 pm
Again, must depend on where you ride and with which club...

Absolutely. Our local series is very friendy and welcoming.

..d
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 08 July, 2009, 11:41:52 pm

BTW, how much are we talking about here? Is it worth joining the club to do the TTs or a personal membership of CTT if such a thing exists?


 Just had a look around the CTT site and once logged in forms are available to download, the Affiliation renewal/application form has the fee down as £30
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: drossall on 08 July, 2009, 11:58:15 pm
Cheaper to join us. Since it doesn't matter which club you're in ;D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: simonp on 09 July, 2009, 01:08:48 am
Cheaper to join us. Since it doesn't matter which club you're in ;D

it might if the event is full as they will probably give priority to members.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: alan on 09 July, 2009, 08:20:51 am
very friendy and welcoming.

..d


Last night's experience reinforced my belief* that the most local club to me don't do "welcoming" & are strangers to the social concept of "friendly".

As I said,at least one other club are different .

* Some few years ago I attended the weekly club night.It rapidly became clear that this is a racer's club.Other types seem to be second class citizens.The guy who organises touring-type stuff within the club was,apparently, absent more often than not.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Martin on 09 July, 2009, 08:30:37 am
very friendy and welcoming.

..d


Last night's experience reinforced my belief* that the most local club to me don't do "welcoming" & are strangers to the social concept of "friendly".

As I said,at least one other club are different .

* Some few years ago I attended the weekly club night.It rapidly became clear that this is a racer's club.Other types seem to be second class citizens.The guy who organises touring-type stuff within the club was,apparently, absent more often than not.

you should try our club nights; it's just the renegade BEER drinkers, the serious racers are all off abstaining in preparation for the weekend TT  :P

But I think there is often a lack of Audax / touring type members in many clubs
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: clarion on 09 July, 2009, 09:19:55 am
Join the Clarion! ;)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 09 July, 2009, 09:27:35 am
Consult the CTT's list of affiliated clubs (http://www.ctt.org.uk/Clubs/tabid/118/Default.aspx) if you want to compete. There's generally a choice of clubs in any locality - you don't have to join the nearest.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: alan on 09 July, 2009, 12:17:36 pm
Consult the CTT's list of affiliated clubs (http://www.ctt.org.uk/Clubs/tabid/118/Default.aspx) if you want to compete. There's generally a choice of clubs in any locality - you don't have to join the nearest.
Thanks for that:very usefull.
I realise that membership of any affiliated club would suffice, but......

why can I not try 2 or 3 sessions before I commit to joining a club?...that's the crux of the issue.
Most other clubs of other sports/past-times allow it.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: valkyrie on 09 July, 2009, 12:29:45 pm
Consult the CTT's list of affiliated clubs (http://www.ctt.org.uk/Clubs/tabid/118/Default.aspx) if you want to compete. There's generally a choice of clubs in any locality - you don't have to join the nearest.
Thanks for that:very usefull.
I realise that membership of any affiliated club would suffice, but......

why can I not try 2 or 3 sessions before I commit to joining a club?...that's the crux of the issue.
Most other clubs of other sports/past-times allow it.

How many free goes exactly do you think you should be entitled to? I imagine it takes a fair bit of effort and commitment by volunteers to put on these events. Clubs don't have much money and it seems fair to spend a small amount of money on membership to take part in club events.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 09 July, 2009, 12:41:19 pm

why can I not try 2 or 3 sessions before I commit to joining a club?...that's the crux of the issue.
Most other clubs of other sports/past-times allow it.

We (Exeter Wheelers) were told we couldn't nominate all our club tens as 'come and try it', so we've got just one, on the 15th. CTT make the rules and provide the insurance. If we step outside the rules we lay ourselves open to sanctions.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: alan on 09 July, 2009, 12:49:39 pm
The CTT have a short sighted policy then with regard to promoting expansion of the sport.This in turn does nothing to enhance the reputation of cycling clubs in general.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: alan on 09 July, 2009, 12:56:29 pm
Consult the CTT's list of affiliated clubs (http://www.ctt.org.uk/Clubs/tabid/118/Default.aspx) if you want to compete. There's generally a choice of clubs in any locality - you don't have to join the nearest.
Thanks for that:very usefull.
I realise that membership of any affiliated club would suffice, but......

why can I not try 2 or 3 sessions before I commit to joining a club?...that's the crux of the issue.
Most other clubs of other sports/past-times allow it.

How many free goes exactly do you think you should be entitled to? I imagine it takes a fair bit of effort and commitment by volunteers to put on these events. Clubs don't have much money and it seems fair to spend a small amount of money on membership to take part in club events.

More than one.
I understand your comment relating to club logistics.
Equally,I don't have much money & wish to be certain that I would continue TT-ing before I throw £70-ish at some aero bars.
Moreover I don't feel entitled to any free rides.I did make the point that I paid the ride fee plus a little more for temp. insurance. the previous week when a different club were marshalling the event.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: alan on 09 July, 2009, 01:16:28 pm
Again, must depend on where you ride and with which club...

Sums it up neatly.
I'll have a trawl through Ian's CTT link to see which other local clubs are affiliated.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 09 July, 2009, 01:18:25 pm

Equally,I don't have much money & wish to be certain that I would continue TT-ing before I throw £70-ish at some aero bars.
Moreover I don't feel entitled to any free rides.I did make the point that I paid the ride fee plus a little more for temp. insurance. the previous week when a different club were marshalling the event.

Many of our riders don't use dedicated TT bikes. As for temp insurance, I suspect the club is on dodgy ground there. I don't believe the CTT deals in temporary insurance.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: alan on 09 July, 2009, 01:27:51 pm
I don't believe the CTT deals in temporary insurance.

mmmm,that's interesting.

I wonder if the "previous week" club may have done everyone involved a dis-service in an attempt to be helpfull.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: clarion on 09 July, 2009, 01:49:00 pm
Join the Clarion! ;)

Even better, join (refers to CTT affiliations):

 North (L)
   
National Clarion CC 1895 (North Lancs Union)
   
C A Jepson
   
01254 51302

It's £2.00
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: gonzo on 09 July, 2009, 01:57:58 pm

Equally,I don't have much money & wish to be certain that I would continue TT-ing before I throw £70-ish at some aero bars.
Moreover I don't feel entitled to any free rides.I did make the point that I paid the ride fee plus a little more for temp. insurance. the previous week when a different club were marshalling the event.

Many of our riders don't use dedicated TT bikes. As for temp insurance, I suspect the club is on dodgy ground there. I don't believe the CTT deals in temporary insurance.

I think that CTT has 3rd party insurance for TTs.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: tatanab on 09 July, 2009, 02:01:39 pm
why can I not try 2 or 3 sessions before I commit to joining a club?...that's the crux of the issue.
Most other clubs of other sports/past-times allow it.
You can.  Look through the listings of club timetrials (not opens) by the local clubs.  If you find "Come and try it" events you are in luck.  These are specially nominated events to try to attract the general public and other non-club riders to give time trialling a go.  They are usually over short distances, sometimes even less than 10 miles, because they are for the general population.

Some CTC "local groups" are CTT affiliated, so if you are a CTC member of one of those groups you are already covered.

Special equipment is not "needed" to ride time trials.  Unless you are quick it is probably a waste of money except for your personal satisfaction.

Your extra fee for temporary insurance was probably not that.  It was almost certainly a fee for temporary membership of the club which then automatically gives you the CTT insurance for the event.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: alan on 10 July, 2009, 08:17:17 pm
While reading the website of the club who would not allow me to ride their TT the other night I see that it states..
"day membership is available" relating to TT-ing.

I have sent an e-mail to the club's Time Trialing secretary via the link therein advising him of the events of the other night asking him to clarify the club's policy because of the confusion arising from the content of the website.
I look forward to a reply,the content of which will influence my thinking with regard to pursueing any more TT-ing.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 10 July, 2009, 09:07:58 pm
The Wednesday evening 10 was horrible. A gusty wind that seemed to hit in both directions. nobody got under 24; I managed 25.13.

We'll see what Sunday's 25 is like.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: nic on 11 July, 2009, 11:02:23 am
Summer is coming and going fast, isn't it?

next Thursday will be my last TT of 2009 around the Salt Ayre cycle track. It's not the last of the series but holidays in August and LEL will get in the way. :)
 
Finish on a high hopefully... then it's hill climbs early September.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: gonzo on 11 July, 2009, 06:34:46 pm
Equally,I don't have much money & wish to be certain that I would continue TT-ing before I throw £70-ish at some aero bars.
Moreover I don't feel entitled to any free rides.I did make the point that I paid the ride fee plus a little more for temp. insurance. the previous week when a different club were marshalling the event.

My first tri bars came 2nd hand from this forum for about £30. Look for something second hand and you can go cheaper quite easily.

Also, just checking, but do you have carbon bars?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: alan on 11 July, 2009, 06:42:13 pm


Also, just checking, but do you have carbon bars?

No
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 11 July, 2009, 08:19:48 pm


Also, just checking, but do you have carbon bars?

No

Just ride your normal road bike, on the drops, body as low as possible, and see what you can do.

Oh, and keep your elbows in.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: gonzo on 11 July, 2009, 08:20:43 pm
Also, just checking, but do you have carbon bars?
No
That's good - carbon bars and clip-ons don't play nicely together!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 11 July, 2009, 09:01:54 pm
Have entered the Clubs Open 10 TT event next Saturday on the U7b !
As long as I can beat my Vets standard time (25:54) I will be happy  ;)

My first Open 10 TT today, rode it in 25:16, 38 faster than my Vet. satandard  ;D

A straight course on the A38 approx halfway between Bristol and Gloucester, with the halfway turn being the Slimbridge roundabout. A fairly brisk tailwind took us up to the turn, and my average speed was proving that I was being wind assisted, however on heading south the first mile or so I really slowed, I then found a comfortable rhythm and was able to keep going at a fairly good pace !

The winning time was 21:17  :o  The top 5 riders were within 18 seconds of each other.

It was good to see 8 Juniors competing in the GHS West Dist. Championship with the fastest time being 23:37.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 12 July, 2009, 08:48:25 pm
1.01.15 this morning. What are the chances of under the hour this season, I wonder.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: giropaul on 12 July, 2009, 10:36:11 pm
1.01.15 this morning. What are the chances of under the hour this season, I wonder.

Just find a fast course/motorway and keep entering until you get a float night.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: alan on 13 July, 2009, 03:52:05 pm
While reading the website of the club who would not allow me to ride their TT the other night I see that it states..
"day membership is available" relating to TT-ing.

I have sent an e-mail to the club's Time Trialing secretary via the link therein advising him of the events of the other night asking him to clarify the club's policy because of the confusion arising from the content of the website.
I look forward to a reply,the content of which will influence my thinking with regard to pursueing any more TT-ing.

I have received a very equitable reply from the Club Secretary.So much so that I may join the club which would make the issue a non-issue of course.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 13 July, 2009, 04:31:07 pm
1.01.15 this morning. What are the chances of under the hour this season, I wonder.

Just find a fast course/motorway and keep entering until you get a float night.


I'd spend much more time travelling to and fro than actually riding them. I might see what's on later in August once I've got the long one out of the way.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Palinurus on 13 July, 2009, 06:36:08 pm
Entered a local 50 yesterday. Haven't seen the results yet, probably around about 2 hrs 15, including getting stopped at some temporary lights (again). Lumpy sort of course, especially the few miles leading in and out of the turn.

I'm having a bit of trouble negotiating stairs today.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Blah on 14 July, 2009, 03:22:52 pm
I'd spend much more time travelling to and fro than actually riding them. I might see what's on later in August once I've got the long one out of the way.

What long one would that be?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 14 July, 2009, 03:32:18 pm
I think he might be going for a PB on a 1400. Here's hoping for 4 float nights!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 14 July, 2009, 04:12:55 pm
I think he might be going for a PB on a 1400. Here's hoping for 4 float nights!

Nope. The shorter one with more marshals and fewer controls.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 15 July, 2009, 11:13:52 pm
24.26. Best this year. One person squeezed in just under 23.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Andydauddwr on 16 July, 2009, 01:04:20 pm
New lifetime PB for me last night of 24:56.  I think there's probably more in the bag, as I lost 5-10 secs to traffic, there was a fair bit of wind and my legs weren't feeling great.  The new disc wheel is certainly helping a bit.  Wondering about having an excursion to a dual carriageway somewhere before the end of the season to see what I could do on a faster course.

AC
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 16 July, 2009, 02:13:39 pm
Last night was our come-and-try-it event. It was very successful: 49 entries with a large number of them being new riders. We signed up three new members. We even had a stall selling cakes at the finish.

Our TT sec confirrmed that according to the District Council we are not allowed to offer temporary membership to riders.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 16 July, 2009, 09:07:49 pm
New lifetime PB for me last night of

24.26.

By 1 second !  From last seasons course

Although last nights time is on their new slightly longer course, beating this seasons PB by 19 seconds.
I didn't hold out much hope of a PB last night, with a brisk SW wind slowing progress from the Aust  roundabout along the Avonmouth road. However on turning towards Pilning and profiting from the wind. It also helped when one of the fast boys passed me with about 2 miles to go and I was able to keep him within sight, just !
My season goal was to reach a PB of 24:30 so I will now have to re-evaluate my goal....... 23:59 ?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mike on 17 July, 2009, 09:34:28 am
only 2 of us turned up for the informal 10 last night, so we did it self-timed.  Its my first one for a couple of months and it showed - power was about 30W down on last time and I went out a bit hard then suffered in the headwind on the way home, fairly pleased with about 12.00 to the turn and 26.30 at the end.  Lots more in the next couple of weeks, aiming for a 25:?? by the end of the year.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 17 July, 2009, 09:49:14 am
Does anyone know if the course records are available for the less ... err 'popular' courses?

(here's one to test you; CC241)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 17 July, 2009, 10:03:40 am
Does anyone know if the course records are available for the less ... err 'popular' courses?

(here's one to test you; CC241)

You'll probably have to ask one of the clubs that use the course.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Palinurus on 19 July, 2009, 11:46:39 am
Oooh, PB for the regular 10 last week, 23:44

Slight breeze, but in the right direction (following wind during the longer, uphill, outward leg)

Still some way off the target of a sub 23 minute time for this season.

Didn't have my computer for this one and preferred it that way.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 19 July, 2009, 04:40:52 pm
Date             Distance/Time         Course type       Weather conditions            Bike ridden              

05/07/06           10mls/26.39        Rolling  Q10/26     cleardry           Raleigh 76" gear
12/07/06            10 mls/25.38      rolling Q10/26      clear dry          Raleigh 86" gear
21-22/07/07   24hr TT/334           rolling                   cold drizzle     Lambert 72" gear
15/08/07         10mls/26.45      rolling Q10/26      clear dry            Lambert 72" gear
30/03/08         9mls/29.37       Hillyish Qs/30        wet                    Lambert 79" gear  
20/04/08        10mls/28.42    Hillyish Q10/3      dry and cold          Lambert 79" gear
26/04/08        10mls/27.09      rolling Q10 /22   warm & sunny      Lambert 76" gear
25/06/08        10mls/27.24        rolling  Q10/26     hot/windy         Lambert 76" gear
28/06/08           10mls/27.16    Hillyish Q10/3      dry and hot        Lambert 79" gear
9/7/08             9mls/30,23      Hilly QS 30   pouring down/windy RonCooper71.22"gear
23/07/08       10mls/ 25.33  rolling Q10/26  hot & windy                  Graham Weigh  83" gear
26/07/08       10mls/25.30  flat      Q10/24   hot /windy                   Graham Weigh 83" gear  
29/07/08       10mls /25.40  rolling  Q10/26  hot slight wind             Graham weigh 83" gear
6/8/08           10mls / 25.10 rolling Q10/26  hot                     Graham Weigh  88" gear
13/08/08       10mls/26.0   rolling    Q10/26  very windy                      Graham Weigh 88" gear
19/04/09       10mls/27.01  rolling   Q10/18  cold/windy                     Graham Weigh  88" gear
25/04/09       10mls/25.28     flat    Q10/19     slight wind                   Graham Weigh    83" gear
20/05/09       10mls/26.07  rolling  Q10/26  slight wind/warm           Graham Weigh 83"gear
30/05/09       10mls/25.39  rolling  Q10/22  warm/cross wind            Graham Weigh  83" gear
03/06/09       10mls/25.14  rolling  Q10/26  warm                              Graham Weigh 83" gear
10/06/09       10mls/25.34  rolling  Q10/26  cool/ slight wind             Graham Weigh 83" gear
17/06/09        10mls/25.20  rolling         Q10/26 cool/windy               Graham Weigh 88" gear
21/06/09        10mls/25.25           rolling Q10/18  warm                     Graham Weigh 88" gear
24/06/09        10mls/25.05 rolling Q10/26 warm                     Graham Weigh 88" gear
 05/07/09        25mls/1:05:34       rolling Q25/8 hot                          Graham Weigh 88" gear



 15/07/09   10mls/25.45  rolling Q10/26 windy   Graham Weigh  83" gear

19/07/09    25mls/1.08.22  rolling Q25/20 windy Graham Weigh 83" gear

 I knew the 25 today was a harder course so I geared back down to an 83" gear and glad I did, I was flying for the first 9.2 miles to the turn when I realised why, a headwind for the next 13 miles before turning again and a much needed tail wind for the final 3ishmiles.
 From the mear mortal riders such as myself we were all around two - three minutes slower than the previous easier course, but several hardcore TT regulars went under the hour with Peter Tadros winning with 53.06.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 19 July, 2009, 05:58:03 pm
 Some climbing data from South East courses I have ridden.
Q10/26 West Kingsdown -                Climb 141m / descent 243m = diff 102m

Q10/18 Polhill - Pilgrims Way             Climb 146m / descent 223m = diff 77m

Q10/19 Tonbridge -                           Climb 152m / descent 216m = diff 64m

Q10/22 Harrietsham                          Climb 111m / descent 150m = diff 39m

Q10/3  Knockholt-Green st green      Climb 207m / descent 207m = diff 23m

QS/30 Cudham circuit                         Climb 195m / descent 195m = diff 0m

Q25/8 Chilham A28                             Climb 307m / descent 386m = diff 79m

Q25/20 Harrietsham                           Climb 381m / descent 428m = diff 47m
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 19 July, 2009, 06:07:07 pm
Hmm. Perhaps I ought to build up my other fixed frame as a TT bike.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: gonzo on 19 July, 2009, 09:44:52 pm
Q25/20 Harrietsham                           Climb 381m / descent 428m = diff 47m
Elevation profile for the 25 on this course here:

   RunSaturday Activity - Kent - Biking - 7:49 AM - Sunday, April 05, 2009
 (http://www.runsaturday.com/Charts/tabId/64/activityId/58938/subView/Charts/Default.aspx)

The 10 version of the route:

   RunSaturday Activity - Kent - Biking - 7:55 AM - Saturday, July 04, 2009
 (http://www.runsaturday.com/TabId/64/ActivityId/111182/SubView/Charts/Default.aspx)

Anyhow, this morning I rode a 15km version of that course in 48 minutes dead. Not that impressive for me, but I was riding point for a hand cyclist. He did the first 10 in 32. The winner averaged 20.2 (and it's far from a flat course!)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 30 July, 2009, 10:42:37 am
Last nights Evening 10 was cancelled due to inclement weather causing, and I quote  
'unacceptable road conditions for racing'.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: valkyrie on 01 August, 2009, 04:18:28 pm
Having now done three club 10s I've rather rashly entered a 50. I'm riding the 10s in about 27 minutes. Anyone got any advice on how I should pace myself on the 50? I can't image sustaining the 10 mile effort for over 2 hours, but I'm not sure how I set a pace that isn't too fast or too slow.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: clifftaylor on 01 August, 2009, 04:33:34 pm
I'd suggest riding a few 25s first, but as you've already entered.......
You won't be able to ride it at 10 pace, or 25 for that matter. Don't scare yourself by trying do a fast ride - do the first one mainly to get a feel for the distance; keep a steady speed, and push a bit towards the end if you can. You will get caught by faster riders, but don't try to stay with them - you can lose a lot of time during the second half of a 50 if you get it wrong. As with most TTs, confidence plays a large part, and once you know that you can do the distance without blowing up, it becomes much easier.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 01 August, 2009, 05:12:47 pm
If you've ridden any distance you'll perhaps have gained an idea of how hard you can go without blowing up. Some folk rely on a heart monitor to tell them, but I find I can do it without. I can feel what's sustainable by how much my legs hurt and how hard my breathing is. The trick is to stay just below the threshold - slowing down on the ups, and not easing off on the downs.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: giropaul on 01 August, 2009, 06:56:36 pm
If you've ridden any distance you'll perhaps have gained an idea of how hard you can go without blowing up. Some folk rely on a heart monitor to tell them, but I find I can do it without. I can feel what's sustainable by how much my legs hurt and how hard my breathing is. The trick is to stay just below the threshold - slowing down on the ups, and not easing off on the downs.

Paul Manning rode the Duo Normande with Chris Boardman. He reported that Boardman din't go up hill that fast, but therefore had enough in the tank to absolutely blitz the downhill and flat bits.

They broke the course record!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 01 August, 2009, 08:58:09 pm
Anyone got any advice on how I should pace myself on the 50?

Perhaps calculate an average speed you would be happy with, and try to keep to that as a guide to your pace for the ride !
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 01 August, 2009, 09:21:56 pm
Date             Distance/Time         Course type       Weather conditions            Bike ridden              

05/07/06           10mls/26.39        Rolling  Q10/26     cleardry           Raleigh 76" gear
12/07/06            10 mls/25.38      rolling Q10/26      clear dry          Raleigh 86" gear
21-22/07/07   24hr TT/334           rolling                   cold drizzle     Lambert 72" gear
15/08/07         10mls/26.45      rolling Q10/26      clear dry            Lambert 72" gear
30/03/08         9mls/29.37       Hillyish Qs/30        wet                    Lambert 79" gear  
20/04/08        10mls/28.42    Hillyish Q10/3      dry and cold          Lambert 79" gear
26/04/08        10mls/27.09      rolling Q10 /22   warm & sunny      Lambert 76" gear
25/06/08        10mls/27.24        rolling  Q10/26     hot/windy         Lambert 76" gear
28/06/08           10mls/27.16    Hillyish Q10/3      dry and hot        Lambert 79" gear
9/7/08             9mls/30,23      Hilly QS 30   pouring down/windy RonCooper71.22"gear
23/07/08       10mls/ 25.33  rolling Q10/26  hot & windy                  Graham Weigh  83" gear
26/07/08       10mls/25.30  flat      Q10/24   hot /windy                   Graham Weigh 83" gear  
29/07/08       10mls /25.40  rolling  Q10/26  hot slight wind             Graham weigh 83" gear
6/8/08           10mls / 25.10 rolling Q10/26  hot                     Graham Weigh  88" gear
13/08/08       10mls/26.0   rolling    Q10/26  very windy                      Graham Weigh 88" gear
19/04/09       10mls/27.01  rolling   Q10/18  cold/windy                     Graham Weigh  88" gear
25/04/09       10mls/25.28     flat    Q10/19     slight wind                   Graham Weigh    83" gear
20/05/09       10mls/26.07  rolling  Q10/26  slight wind/warm           Graham Weigh 83"gear
30/05/09       10mls/25.39  rolling  Q10/22  warm/cross wind            Graham Weigh  83" gear
03/06/09       10mls/25.14  rolling  Q10/26  warm                              Graham Weigh 83" gear
10/06/09       10mls/25.34  rolling  Q10/26  cool/ slight wind             Graham Weigh 83" gear
17/06/09        10mls/25.20  rolling         Q10/26 cool/windy               Graham Weigh 88" gear
21/06/09        10mls/25.25           rolling Q10/18  warm                     Graham Weigh 88" gear
24/06/09        10mls/25.05 rolling Q10/26 warm                     Graham Weigh 88" gear
 05/07/09        25mls/1:05:34       rolling Q25/8 hot                          Graham Weigh 88" gear
15/07/09   10mls/25.45  rolling Q10/26 windy   Graham Weigh  83" gear

19/07/09    25mls/1.08.22  rolling Q25/20 windy Graham Weigh 83" gear



01/08/09   10mls/26.02  flattish Q10/24 bloody windy  Graham Weigh 88" gear

 Bloody wind was a pain today at first it seemed to be a cross wind but after the turn it was much worse :(
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: gonzo on 01 August, 2009, 09:28:46 pm
If you've ridden any distance you'll perhaps have gained an idea of how hard you can go without blowing up. Some folk rely on a heart monitor to tell them, but I find I can do it without. I can feel what's sustainable by how much my legs hurt and how hard my breathing is. The trick is to stay just below the threshold - slowing down on the ups, and not easing off on the downs.

Paul Manning rode the Duo Normande with Chris Boardman. He reported that Boardman din't go up hill that fast, but therefore had enough in the tank to absolutely blitz the downhill and flat bits.

They broke the course record!

Purely from a scientific background, the best way of doing it is to up the effort a little on the uphill when drag is lower (power is proportional to V³). On the downhill ease up a little as the change in speed is lower per unit of power in.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Palinurus on 02 August, 2009, 09:40:35 am
I tend to put more in uphill, at least I think I do- relying on perceived effort.

I'm fairly light an have a bit of an advantage uphill. In a recent hilly 20 I was within 30s of a guy who normally puts 2 minutes or more into me on a flat 10. I jammed the hills and coasted a couple of the descents- once I'd wound up the speed- so I could recover. Unfortunately I don't ride the course enough to know whether this is a good pacing strategy or not.

Give me a headwind though and I'm useless.

Otherwise this week has seen 24:02 in the regular evening 10 and 24:30 in an open event (F12/10- flat, out and back course) yesterday. Windy for the open event, nasty crosswind.

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: giropaul on 02 August, 2009, 03:58:09 pm
I'm sure that everyone will have their favourite way - if it works for them then that's great.

I do recall riding the Beacon Mountain Time Trial in my mis-spent earlier years. I am not a "natural climber" in any way shape or form.

There are two timed climbs in the event. I was in the slowest 5 up both. I finished in the top 15 (can't remember exactly what, but it wasn't podium but it was respectable. (I seem to recall a field of at least 75-80, maybe more)

That suggests to me that some people, at least, had put such a lot into the climbs that they were not as fast as they could have been on the flatter and downhill bits.

Just my personal thoughts.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Palinurus on 02 August, 2009, 07:25:41 pm
That's interesting, probably a different type of course but I might give that approach a go. The local hilly course has one shortish steep climb and is otherwise just a bit lumpy- maybe next season I'll ride it a few times in training and see what happens when I vary the way I approach the climb.

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 04 August, 2009, 08:47:35 pm
Club hill climb tonight. I turned up as the reigning holder (Don't laugh, it was raining last year and noone else was stupid enough to turn up so I won by a ride over..)

Five people at the start - it was to be run as an APR rather than a TT so Charlie got 2 mins 15s, then I was off. Chris was 30 secs later and Brian and Neil 1 min 30 behind him.

Ouch. Just passing the farm at about 2/3 when Chris passed me but I got his wheel as we passed Charlie. Coming to the top of the steep bit I was holdin ghim fine and felt him start to slow so I kicked past him over the brow. 150m to the finish, barely able to breathe, just hanging on there. First over the line shortly followed by Chris by about 5-10s. Neil just pipped Brian and Charlie rolled over about 15s behind me (so good handicapping there).

Fast times with the tailwind - 6.03 for the winner. Then Barry arrived on a single speed MTB having ridden the course in 6.20 on knobblies with a rucksack. Kenny, Ali and Joy then appeared and it was a pack ride back into town with a sprint for the 30 taken by Neil.

A good evening out. Fun racing without it being too serious.

..d

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Wobbly John on 04 August, 2009, 10:26:14 pm
My first ever DNF tonight.  >:(

Set off No. 3, had caught my minute man and was closing rapidly on 2min (wo)man, when I found a bend with diesel spilt on it.  :o  Was down & out before I knew about it.  :-\

Got back on after finding no bits of me were too badly borked, but chain was off and tangled round rear mech.

I got off and walked back to the corner to warn the other riders. One more off as I got back to the corner. Several slid despite being warned.

One slid - recovered - hit verge on other side of road - took off! - recovered (on the grass verge) - bailed before disappearing into the ditch!  ::-)

My bike was OK once the chain was untangled.

Despite having blood covering and dribbling off 2 fingers at one stage, I only have a couple of small lumps of flesh missing from knuckles, badly grazed hip bone and a grazed lump the size of an egg on one knee.  :-\ Minor scrapes on calf & shoulder and lots of bruises.

I guess falling and sliding at speed is no worse than a fall at walking pace.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: nuttycyclist on 05 August, 2009, 12:09:43 am
GWS.


Well done on walking back to warn others.  Diesel is evil.


I guess falling and sliding at speed is no worse than a fall at walking pace.

I recall my worst "off" on road, 30mph, post summer thunderstorm, van pulled out, blah blah blah.     I slid three shop fronts whilst thinking "this doesn't hurt as much as I thought it would" and idly watched the bow wave of standing water spraying over me.   There is a reason I always wear leather when motorbiking.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 05 August, 2009, 01:24:13 am
GWS.

Well done on walking back to warn others.  Diesel is evil.


 Diesel is the Devils piss
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 05 August, 2009, 11:23:44 pm
I was organiser for tonight's ten, so no ride. My daughter ran the signing on and made up the board. Stu and Clare volunteered for the turn, and I pushed off. I tried Didier's preferred method - the track position standing behind the bike - and it was easier. Even holding up the tandem wasn't a problem. Fastest time: 21.44 from one of the sponsored clubs.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 05 August, 2009, 11:30:45 pm
Date             Distance/Time         Course type       Weather conditions            Bike ridden              

05/07/06           10mls/26.39        Rolling  Q10/26     cleardry           Raleigh 76" gear
12/07/06            10 mls/25.38      rolling Q10/26      clear dry          Raleigh 86" gear
21-22/07/07   24hr TT/334           rolling                   cold drizzle     Lambert 72" gear
15/08/07         10mls/26.45      rolling Q10/26      clear dry            Lambert 72" gear
30/03/08         9mls/29.37       Hillyish Qs/30        wet                    Lambert 79" gear  
20/04/08        10mls/28.42    Hillyish Q10/3      dry and cold          Lambert 79" gear
26/04/08        10mls/27.09      rolling Q10 /22   warm & sunny      Lambert 76" gear
25/06/08        10mls/27.24        rolling  Q10/26     hot/windy         Lambert 76" gear
28/06/08           10mls/27.16    Hillyish Q10/3      dry and hot        Lambert 79" gear
9/7/08             9mls/30,23      Hilly QS 30   pouring down/windy RonCooper71.22"gear
23/07/08       10mls/ 25.33  rolling Q10/26  hot & windy                  Graham Weigh  83" gear
26/07/08       10mls/25.30  flat      Q10/24   hot /windy                   Graham Weigh 83" gear  
29/07/08       10mls /25.40  rolling  Q10/26  hot slight wind             Graham weigh 83" gear
6/8/08           10mls / 25.10 rolling Q10/26  hot                     Graham Weigh  88" gear
13/08/08       10mls/26.0   rolling    Q10/26  very windy                      Graham Weigh 88" gear
19/04/09       10mls/27.01  rolling   Q10/18  cold/windy                     Graham Weigh  88" gear
25/04/09       10mls/25.28     flat    Q10/19     slight wind                   Graham Weigh    83" gear
20/05/09       10mls/26.07  rolling  Q10/26  slight wind/warm           Graham Weigh 83"gear
30/05/09       10mls/25.39  rolling  Q10/22  warm/cross wind            Graham Weigh  83" gear
03/06/09       10mls/25.14  rolling  Q10/26  warm                              Graham Weigh 83" gear
10/06/09       10mls/25.34  rolling  Q10/26  cool/ slight wind             Graham Weigh 83" gear
17/06/09        10mls/25.20  rolling         Q10/26 cool/windy               Graham Weigh 88" gear
21/06/09        10mls/25.25           rolling Q10/18  warm                     Graham Weigh 88" gear
24/06/09        10mls/25.05 rolling Q10/26 warm                     Graham Weigh 88" gear
 05/07/09        25mls/1:05:34       rolling Q25/8 hot                          Graham Weigh 88" gear
15/07/09   10mls/25.45  rolling Q10/26 windy   Graham Weigh  83" gear
19/07/09    25mls/1.08.22  rolling Q25/20 windy Graham Weigh 83" gear
01/08/09   10mls/26.02  flattish Q10/24 bloody windy  Graham Weigh 88" gear



 Tonights 10 was warm and only slight wind just a shame my legs couldn't do it justice.
05/08/09     10mls/25.11    Q10/26 rolling/warm   Graham Weigh 88" gear

Winner Andy Meliak 20.58
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: gonzo on 06 August, 2009, 01:36:10 pm
Did a 24.26 last night on the Harrietsham course (you can tell I'm not a TTer as I have no idea about the code).

In my defence, it was on the road bike!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 06 August, 2009, 10:10:51 pm
GWS.

Well done on walking back to warn others.  Diesel is evil.


 Diesel is the Devils piss

...anagram of Diesel = Slidee
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 06 August, 2009, 11:18:39 pm
Did a 24.26 last night on the Harrietsham course (you can tell I'm not a TTer as I have no idea about the code).

In my defence, it was on the road bike!

Q10/22 I think  ;D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 06 August, 2009, 11:22:12 pm
...you can tell I'm not a TTer as I have no idea about the code)...

What a pathetic attempt to excuse a crap performance*.   ;)



* Which exactly equals my pb this year.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: gonzo on 07 August, 2009, 10:41:37 am
That's the one!

It wasn't that much of a bad performace - I was only 15 odd seconds behind a vet lady (even though it was Carole Gandy)!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 07 August, 2009, 10:26:05 pm
* Which exactly equals my pb this year.

.....and mine  ;D .... ever !
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: valkyrie on 09 August, 2009, 01:40:04 pm
Did my first 50 this morning - start at Blairdrummond, course MI 50/4. Started with wet roads but soon dried out and thankfully there was very little wind.  Did 2:16:42 which I'm quite chuffed with, although as the winner did 1:51 or thereabouts I can see there's plenty scope for improvement. Only issue I had was that my left elbow cup and pad fell off after less than 20 miles. Didn't stop to pick up the bits (got them later) but spent most of the ride a bit lop-sided, with my right elbow in a pad and my left resting on the top of my bars. Felt alright when I was riding but my the pain when I stopped - I've never had such sore muscles. Muscles on the insides of both thighs right up to my groin were burning. I think my saddle was maybe a fraction too low.

Must try a 25 now - this TT thing could be addictive!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: eck on 09 August, 2009, 05:59:02 pm
Must try a 25 now - this TT thing could be addictive!
I'd keep quiet about that if I were you. I've done my duty as Himself's  ;) Mersey Roads 24hr tandem partner. It's somebody else's turn next year.  :demon:

Er, well done by the way. I hope you'll have calmed down before the Cullen Stink.  ::-)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 10 August, 2009, 09:10:57 am
Did a 24.26 last night on the Harrietsham course (you can tell I'm not a TTer as I have no idea about the code).

In my defence, it was on the road bike!

Q10/22 I think  ;D
Think how fast he'd go with proper training...           :-P
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 12 August, 2009, 10:45:56 pm
First ten since the 24 - 3 weeks after - and I managed a 24.43. The legs did feel strange.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: drossall on 12 August, 2009, 10:59:16 pm
Total wash-out last night. Good night, but Bedfordshire Council decided to resurface part of the course >:(

We turned up, judged it unsafe and repaired to the pub.

Still, saves me admitting to the time I would have done.

I need one more ride to count in the series competition. Only one more chance, next week. Wonder what they'll resurface this time?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: gonzo on 13 August, 2009, 01:09:32 pm
My best ride of the season - 25.46.

Horrible nasty course, dodgy road surface, 3 tight turns, 1 right, starting at the bottom of a hill, finishing at the top. The winner did 23.50. He's been down to 20 minute 10s this season!

Oh yeah, I was riding the road bike, box section wheels, saddle bag, rear lights etc. I even wore a regular helmet.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 13 August, 2009, 01:31:14 pm


Oh yeah, I was riding the road bike, box section wheels, saddle bag, rear lights etc. I even wore a regular helmet.

...had ten pints the previous night, rode with a broken leg, run over by lorry on the course...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: clifftaylor on 16 August, 2009, 04:47:17 pm
And if you want to see how it should be done, the mighty Andy Wilkinson has, earlier today, done the first 100 in the National 12 hour championship in 3.45.30 :o
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: gonzo on 16 August, 2009, 11:28:17 pm
And if you want to see how it should be done, the mighty Andy Wilkinson has, earlier today, done the first 100 in the National 12 hour championship in 3.45.30 :o

But the strategy of some of the top guys is to ride the first 100 like a 100 then just hang on!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: clifftaylor on 17 August, 2009, 07:14:44 am
And he did - 302 miles, comp record.
Which is 30 consecutive 24 minute 10s. :o :o
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: jimtester on 17 August, 2009, 01:12:12 pm
Chapeau to Wilko, he passed me like I was stopped! Most riders thought it was a hard day with 15 -20 mph winds. However this clearly did not affect the top riders with 3 rides above 280 miles on a moderate course.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 17 August, 2009, 02:07:51 pm
And he did - 302 miles, comp record.
Which is 30 consecutive 24 minute 10s. :o :o

Some people didn't do that on the 24.

I predict another attempt at the 24hr record next year - remind me who holds that? ;)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 19 August, 2009, 10:49:03 pm
Last club ten of the season. There's a youngish lad who's been around 20 seconds either side of my time all season. Tonight I put 59 seconds into him and was almost on his wheel at the finish. Which produced a not stunning time of 24.15. Best this year.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 19 August, 2009, 11:39:23 pm
Date             Distance/Time         Course type       Weather conditions            Bike ridden              

05/07/06           10mls/26.39        Rolling  Q10/26     cleardry           Raleigh 76" gear
12/07/06            10 mls/25.38      rolling Q10/26      clear dry          Raleigh 86" gear
21-22/07/07   24hr TT/334           rolling                   cold drizzle     Lambert 72" gear
15/08/07         10mls/26.45      rolling Q10/26      clear dry            Lambert 72" gear
30/03/08         9mls/29.37       Hillyish Qs/30        wet                    Lambert 79" gear  
20/04/08        10mls/28.42    Hillyish Q10/3      dry and cold          Lambert 79" gear
26/04/08        10mls/27.09      rolling Q10 /22   warm & sunny      Lambert 76" gear
25/06/08        10mls/27.24        rolling  Q10/26     hot/windy         Lambert 76" gear
28/06/08           10mls/27.16    Hillyish Q10/3      dry and hot        Lambert 79" gear
9/7/08             9mls/30,23      Hilly QS 30   pouring down/windy RonCooper71.22"gear
23/07/08       10mls/ 25.33  rolling Q10/26  hot & windy                  Graham Weigh  83" gear
26/07/08       10mls/25.30  flat      Q10/24   hot /windy                   Graham Weigh 83" gear  
29/07/08       10mls /25.40  rolling  Q10/26  hot slight wind             Graham weigh 83" gear
6/8/08           10mls / 25.10 rolling Q10/26  hot                     Graham Weigh  88" gear
13/08/08       10mls/26.0   rolling    Q10/26  very windy                      Graham Weigh 88" gear
19/04/09       10mls/27.01  rolling   Q10/18  cold/windy                     Graham Weigh  88" gear
25/04/09       10mls/25.28     flat    Q10/19     slight wind                   Graham Weigh    83" gear
20/05/09       10mls/26.07  rolling  Q10/26  slight wind/warm           Graham Weigh 83"gear
30/05/09       10mls/25.39  rolling  Q10/22  warm/cross wind            Graham Weigh  83" gear
03/06/09       10mls/25.14  rolling  Q10/26  warm                              Graham Weigh 83" gear
10/06/09       10mls/25.34  rolling  Q10/26  cool/ slight wind             Graham Weigh 83" gear
17/06/09        10mls/25.20  rolling         Q10/26 cool/windy               Graham Weigh 88" gear
21/06/09        10mls/25.25           rolling Q10/18  warm                     Graham Weigh 88" gear
24/06/09        10mls/25.05 rolling Q10/26 warm                     Graham Weigh 88" gear
 05/07/09        25mls/1:05:34       rolling Q25/8 hot                          Graham Weigh 88" gear
15/07/09   10mls/25.45  rolling Q10/26 windy   Graham Weigh  83" gear
19/07/09    25mls/1.08.22  rolling Q25/20 windy Graham Weigh 83" gear
01/08/09   10mls/26.02  flattish Q10/24 bloody windy  Graham Weigh 88" gear
05/08/09     10mls/25.11    Q10/26 rolling/warm   Graham Weigh 88" gear


Missed the last Bexley CC ten tonight for our Catford CC club event on the Q10/18 Polhill course.
 A warm night with a slight breeze I managed to get second place due to two usually faster riders one a bit unfit after a lay off and the second got bad cramp half way around and couldn't finish.

19/08/09   10mls/25.15      Q10/18  rolling/hot      Graham Weigh  88" gear

 Winner Steve Brake 24.15,    beggining of this year Steve was always around 10 seconds faster than me on a ten speed steel racer, he has just got an aluminium bike with better kit and is suddenly taking over a minute out of me :(    :D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Palinurus on 21 August, 2009, 06:04:45 pm
The club 10s are all over for me now. Got within two points of the club handicap trophy. One day I'll win something..

23:44 was the best this season, 44 seconds off my goal. I'll shake up my training next season, try again.

I'll probably put away the TT bike and just do 'cross, but I might try a 25 on the H25/2 later, because it's faster than the usual courses I use and I might achieve my 25 target for the season.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Julian on 23 August, 2009, 08:46:18 am
My first ever 10 (and therefore my best ever) with 35:04 today.  It was Richmond Park so not quite flat, so I'm happy with that. 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Wascally Weasel on 23 August, 2009, 09:04:35 am
It's 10.4 miles as well as being not flat!

I was 1 minute 20 seconds slower than last time, so I was less than happy (have been looking forward to it all week and up until yesterday was in good shape - then I was caught in a bus on West Hill on my way to the cinema.  Traffic wasn't miving at all and had to get off the bus early and run all the way there to be in time for the film, shagging up my legs in the process - I could see from my HRM today that that I was putting in all the effort I could but my speed was dropping as I went).

Anyway, official time was 32:40
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Charlotte on 23 August, 2009, 09:24:39 am
31:49

But I really did it 30 seconds faster... (http://bicycleslut.wordpress.com/2009/08/23/richmond-park-time-trial/)

::-)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: velocitizen on 23 August, 2009, 10:11:01 am
Rode my first TT on Thursday evening.
VC Long Eaton's 10 mile Kingston-on-Soar course.
Quite breezy and lumpy, I did 26.58.
I'll probably be joining them and riding their Thursday night series next year.

6 am Sunday morning? I'm keen, but not that keen.

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: nic on 24 August, 2009, 04:40:26 pm
Date             Distance         Course type       Weather conditions            Bike ridden               Time
28/5/08          17 miles        Circuit of Coniston  Wet / no wind / 12C          Focus Cayo             51'20s
03/7/08          10 miles        Salt Ayre Track           14C 9mph wind            Focus Cayo              27'12s
07/8/08          10 miles        Salt Ayre Track           19C 4mph wind            Focus Cayo              26'47s
02/4/09          10 miles        Salt Ayre Track           12C 10mph wind          Russian Titanium      26'36s
29/4/09          17 miles        Circuit of Coniston      12C 10mph wind          Russian Titanium      50'34s
21/5/09          10 miles        Salt Ayre Track           12C 15mph wind          Russian Titanium      27'05s
02/7/09          10 miles        Salt Ayre Track           26C 5mph wind            Russian Titanium      26'05s
20/8/09          10 miles        Salt ayre track           18C  20mph wind         Russian Titanium      26'24s


Still riding my road bike with no clip-ons etc...

Last 10 around the Salt Ayre track. very windy conditions. Winner was Matt Cronshaw (Rapha-Condor) in 23.03 on his road bike.

Felt good until the 6 miles mark where I slowed down quite a bit. Speed picked up again in the last 2 laps. I am convinced I would have got a PB if the conditions had been better.

Next TT will be on Caton road near Lancaster. Trying out my mate's aging Giant TT bike.

Edit: 2009 Season results are out. I am feeling distinctively average.
10s-2009_1_ (http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=tedagoUwVm47pxCjB8fsqHg&output=html)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: LEE on 25 August, 2009, 08:52:16 pm
I did my first ever TT this evening.  Andover Wheelers 8.5mile.

Actually I just barged in without registering.  I rode what I thought was the route this lunchtime in 25:29 and then did 23:22 this evening (the 'hare' I could always see in front of me was responsible for the improved time)

I wasn't going to join in, rather just see how it all worked because my legs were still sore from lunchtime.

My time didn't disgrace me and I did it on my 48x18 single-speed.  The final 1/3 is almost all a gentle downhill and, with a tailwind, it proved just a bit too fast for 48x18.  I couldn't manage more than 43km/hr by that downhill stage having gone out a bit too hard into the first 1/3 (gentle uphill and headwind).

I can see how this may get addictive and that 23 minute barrier has already started to bug me.

Next week I plan to arrive with fresher legs and a few training rides under my belt.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 26 August, 2009, 08:49:31 am
I did my first ever TT this evening.  Andover Wheelers 8.5mile.

Actually I just barged in without registering.  I rode what I thought was the route this lunchtime in 25:29 and then did 23:22 this evening
So 27:30-ish. I think this excludes you from the back-of-the-Audax-pack club (just in case you had thoughts of rejoining it).

A fine start!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Andydauddwr on 27 August, 2009, 10:15:57 am
It was the last running of the year for the (relatively) fast club 10 course last night.  Pushed hard all the way and seemed to hold speed well into a strong headwind on the return leg.  Crossed the line in 25:12, so within 20 secs of PB.  As this is the first time I've straddled the beasty in competition since Mersey Roads, not too unhappy with that.

Doing a couple of tandem TTs over the next few days.  A 10 up in Holyhead tonight and another 10 down in Pembroke on Sunday morning.  Hoping to come out somewhere in the mid-24s and beat my solo PB of 24:56...

AC
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Bigsybaby on 27 August, 2009, 10:32:12 am
This is my modest record:
   A10/1   
                   Time   Standard
13/05/2008   00:34:21   00:27:33
01/07/2008   00:29:36   00:27:33
08/07/2008   00:31:12   00:27:33
15/07/2008   00:30:54   00:27:33
26/05/2009   00:27:08   00:27:46
02/06/2009   00:25:23   00:27:46
16/06/2009   00:25:41   00:27:46
23/06/2009   00:25:45   00:27:46
      
   A10/11   
                   Time   Standard
10/05/2007   00:34:42   00:27:20
17/05/2007   00:32:22   00:27:20
24/05/2007   00:32:53   00:27:20
07/06/2007   00:32:10   00:27:20
19/07/2007   00:31:32   00:27:20
02/08/2007   00:31:20   00:27:20
09/08/2007   00:30:14   00:27:20
22/05/2008   00:32:35   00:27:33
19/06/2008   00:30:31   00:27:33
03/07/2008   00:30:56   00:27:33
21/05/2009   00:27:03   00:27:46
11/06/2009   00:26:18   00:27:46
18/06/2009   00:26:12   00:27:46
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: gonzo on 27 August, 2009, 11:07:08 am
At least it's a nice consistent improvement!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: nic on 27 August, 2009, 08:41:50 pm
Date             Distance         Course type       Weather conditions            Bike ridden               Time
28/5/08          17 miles        Circuit of Coniston  Wet / no wind / 12C          Focus Cayo             51'20s
03/7/08          10 miles        Salt Ayre Track           14C 9mph wind            Focus Cayo              27'12s
07/8/08          10 miles        Salt Ayre Track           19C 4mph wind            Focus Cayo              26'47s
02/4/09          10 miles        Salt Ayre Track           12C 10mph wind          Russian Titanium      26'36s
29/4/09          17 miles        Circuit of Coniston      12C 10mph wind          Russian Titanium      50'34s
21/5/09          10 miles        Salt Ayre Track           12C 15mph wind          Russian Titanium      27'05s
02/7/09          10 miles        Salt Ayre Track           26C 5mph wind            Russian Titanium      26'05s
20/8/09          10 miles        Salt ayre track           18C  20mph wind         Russian Titanium      26'24s
27/8/09          10 miles        Caton Road                18C  15mph wind         Russian Titanium      26'57s


New course tonight. Mate's TT bike was left at home - it does not fit me. so I rode on my road bike. Lumpy course. Busier with traffic than expected - probably because it started earlier with the days getting shorter. next Thursday - conder bottom hill climb.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mike on 27 August, 2009, 09:40:46 pm
26.55 for me tonight, which I was quite pleased with cos I had quite a lot left by the end.  Others who race that course every week recon it was about a minute slow because of the wind, so I'm on track to do a 25 something this season, hopefully.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 20 September, 2009, 11:55:16 pm

Date             Distance/Time         Course type       Weather conditions            Bike ridden              

05/07/06           10mls/26.39        Rolling  Q10/26     cleardry           Raleigh 76" gear
12/07/06            10 mls/25.38      rolling Q10/26      clear dry          Raleigh 86" gear
21-22/07/07   24hr TT/334           rolling                   cold drizzle     Lambert 72" gear
15/08/07         10mls/26.45      rolling Q10/26      clear dry            Lambert 72" gear
30/03/08         9mls/29.37       Hillyish Qs/30        wet                    Lambert 79" gear  
20/04/08        10mls/28.42    Hillyish Q10/3      dry and cold          Lambert 79" gear
26/04/08        10mls/27.09      rolling Q10 /22   warm & sunny      Lambert 76" gear
25/06/08        10mls/27.24        rolling  Q10/26     hot/windy         Lambert 76" gear
28/06/08           10mls/27.16    Hillyish Q10/3      dry and hot        Lambert 79" gear
9/7/08             9mls/30,23      Hilly QS 30   pouring down/windy RonCooper71.22"gear
23/07/08       10mls/ 25.33  rolling Q10/26  hot & windy                  Graham Weigh  83" gear
26/07/08       10mls/25.30  flat      Q10/24   hot /windy                   Graham Weigh 83" gear  
29/07/08       10mls /25.40  rolling  Q10/26  hot slight wind             Graham weigh 83" gear
6/8/08           10mls / 25.10 rolling Q10/26  hot                     Graham Weigh  88" gear
13/08/08       10mls/26.0   rolling    Q10/26  very windy                      Graham Weigh 88" gear
19/04/09       10mls/27.01  rolling   Q10/18  cold/windy                     Graham Weigh  88" gear
25/04/09       10mls/25.28     flat    Q10/19     slight wind                   Graham Weigh    83" gear
20/05/09       10mls/26.07  rolling  Q10/26  slight wind/warm           Graham Weigh 83"gear
30/05/09       10mls/25.39  rolling  Q10/22  warm/cross wind            Graham Weigh  83" gear
03/06/09       10mls/25.14  rolling  Q10/26  warm                              Graham Weigh 83" gear
10/06/09       10mls/25.34  rolling  Q10/26  cool/ slight wind             Graham Weigh 83" gear
17/06/09        10mls/25.20  rolling         Q10/26 cool/windy               Graham Weigh 88" gear
21/06/09        10mls/25.25           rolling Q10/18  warm                     Graham Weigh 88" gear
24/06/09        10mls/25.05 rolling Q10/26 warm                     Graham Weigh 88" gear
 05/07/09        25mls/1:05:34       rolling Q25/8 hot                          Graham Weigh 88" gear
15/07/09   10mls/25.45  rolling Q10/26 windy   Graham Weigh  83" gear
19/07/09    25mls/1.08.22  rolling Q25/20 windy Graham Weigh 83" gear
01/08/09   10mls/26.02  flattish Q10/24 bloody windy  Graham Weigh 88" gear
05/08/09     10mls/25.11    Q10/26 rolling/warm   Graham Weigh 88" gear
19/08/09   10mls/25.15      Q10/18  rolling/hot      Graham Weigh  88" gear


 I rode the Surrey/Sussex VTTA 25TT this morning, one of my Catfordd CC clubmates has been on at me to try gears for a change so we set up one of his bikes for me an old Raleigh Ti Proffessional and I decided to give it a go.
 Well it felt much harder than riding fixed, "having only ridden on gears twice in the last six years the bike handling felt wrong" it was going ok at first but I blew up towards the end and took a wrong turn which aded about 40-50 seconds, only one of my clubmates coming back up the course in his car after marshalling chasing me down stopped me continuing to Edenbridge ::-)

 So gears are not really for me I think.
20/09/09  25/1:09:50  G25/89 rolling, damp     Raleigh Ti Proffessional 14speed
Title: New 25TT record
Post by: blackburnrod on 21 September, 2009, 07:57:43 am
Still provisional   David McCann,Phoenix CC (Ireland) 45m 54s on a course in S.Wales.
Title: Re: New 25TT record
Post by: nmcgann on 21 September, 2009, 08:52:46 am
Still provisional   David McCann,Phoenix CC (Ireland) 45m 54s on a course in S.Wales.

For people that don't know, the old record was held by Chris Boardman and had stood since May 1993.

Neil
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: gonzo on 21 September, 2009, 08:57:20 am
It was a good day from what I hear - all three of my club mates who were down there got PBs
Title: Re: New 25TT record
Post by: mattc on 21 September, 2009, 09:39:23 am
Still provisional   David McCann,Phoenix CC (Ireland) 45m 54s on a course in S.Wales.

For people that don't know, the old record was held by Chris Boardman and had stood since May 1993.

Neil
That's about 33mph.

I think Boardman's hour record (not sure of the date) was/is about 35mph. On an indoor track.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: clarion on 21 September, 2009, 10:05:57 am
Still provisional   David McCann,Phoenix CC (Ireland) 45m 54s on a course in S.Wales.

Crikey.  Hutchinson must be gutted.  He was so close.  That's a great ride, though, if it's confirmed.
Title: Re: New 25TT record
Post by: giropaul on 21 September, 2009, 01:34:19 pm
Still provisional   David McCann,Phoenix CC (Ireland) 45m 54s on a course in S.Wales.

For people that don't know, the old record was held by Chris Boardman and had stood since May 1993.

Neil
That's about 33mph.

I think Boardman's hour record (not sure of the date) was/is about 35mph. On an indoor track.

No, competition record must be on an approved road course. This also excludes multiple circuits of a course in most cases.
Title: Re: New 25TT record
Post by: mattc on 21 September, 2009, 01:47:35 pm
Still provisional   David McCann,Phoenix CC (Ireland) 45m 54s on a course in S.Wales.

For people that don't know, the old record was held by Chris Boardman and had stood since May 1993.

Neil
That's about 33mph.

I think Boardman's hour record (not sure of the date) was/is about 35mph. On an indoor track.

No, competition record must be on an approved road course. This also excludes multiple circuits of a course in most cases.
I was just surprised at how close the road record speed was to the (vaguely similar) track record. (Since that post I've found out by how little McCann broke the record - just 3 secs!)

So I guess a very fast road course is very nearly as quick as riding indoors.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: gonzo on 21 September, 2009, 02:06:14 pm
So I guess a very fast road course is very nearly as quick as riding indoors.

Road courses have traffic which can drag the bikes along as they pass. Of course, the track bikes are more aero due to less stuff on them and lower yaw angles.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 25 September, 2009, 03:05:31 pm
Anybody here entered the Blenheim Palace TT on the 4th October ?
Part of their Bike Blenheim Day, also includes the Brompton Worlds.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: clarion on 25 September, 2009, 03:13:44 pm
It's a bit of a piss-take having a Bike Blenheim Day, after the fuss His Bloody Grace made about cyclecampers at the C&CC NFOL this summer.  >:(
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: alan on 25 September, 2009, 03:45:19 pm
It's a bit of a piss-take having a Bike Blenheim Day, after the fuss His Bloody Grace made about cyclecampers at the C&CC NFOL this summer.  >:(

It's also probably a £-take into HBG's pocket on this occassion so it's different this time :demon:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: clarion on 25 September, 2009, 03:53:29 pm
He didn't do badly out of having the NFOL onsite...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: alan on 25 September, 2009, 03:54:59 pm
He didn't do badly out of having the NFOL onsite...

Without the caravans the bikes will be more high profile :demon:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: clarion on 25 September, 2009, 04:00:28 pm
Yup.  It was the legions of hyowge caravans, SUVs and immense motorhomes extending into the next county that will have buggered up his grounds, not the four (count them - four (of which we were three)) cycle campers ;D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: CotterPin on 01 October, 2009, 03:44:56 pm
Anybody here entered the Blenheim Palace TT on the 4th October ?
Part of their Bike Blenheim Day, also includes the Brompton Worlds.

I shall be doing it - look out for a tubby man on a pink Condor! I did it last year and managed 39mins 45 seconds.  Hoping for a PB this year  :)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: gonzo on 03 October, 2009, 10:29:23 pm
Club hill climb chaps tomorrow; 0.7miles up a hill which starts at 6% and reaches 16% shortly before the finish line.

I've been intending to diet for the last week which seems to have reduced my weight to near 10stone. My bike's got the fancy kit on and the superfluous things like the saddle bag have been removed. Total weight is now 17.2 pounds. If I can achieve a solid 475watts, I should be able to pull off a 3.40 or so.

All that remains now is just to see if I am better at suffering than my clubmates!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mike on 03 October, 2009, 10:47:43 pm
blimey, good luck.  I dread to think what I'd get, I might get close to 450W but I might be a smidge heavier... :D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: gonzo on 04 October, 2009, 03:04:49 pm
Phew; that was a hard one!

At the start line, I joked with the time keepers. Bad move; if you want to do well, you should focus. I started feeling slightly light-headed* with panic. Then came the 15 second call. About this time, I noticed that my front brake block was rubbing. I don't think the time keepers have ever seen such furious screwing as I tried to loosen the gap!

Then it was time to go. I had to power from the start in the saddle as 20 odd members of my club were mocking me about my 'stay in the saddle' comments. Fortunately, by 0.3 miles in, my body had put together a coordinated effort to overcome gravity and I started to go well. This was at fortunate as at 0.4miles, the gradient was over 10% and steadily increasing. Around this time, I became vaguely aware of over 100 supporters on the side of the road. They were cheering and clapping, I think. It's hard to tell when the entire world consists of myself, lactic acid, a bike and a spot of tarmac 1ft in front of my tyre which I was having a stating competition with.

0.6miles. We've hit 16% and I'm out of gears. At this time my body reacted in a quite bizarre way. It conjured up a song I've not heard for about 5 years. Not a helpful high tempo song, but an acoustic one. Oooo, there's a chequered flag in front. Time to sprint. Out of saddle and shifting like crazy. gggg-click-aaaaa-click-RRRRRRRR-click-click-RRRRRR-click-GGGGGHHHH! That flag's not getting nearly close enough nearly quickly enough. Must sit down. That was a bad idea. Stand up again. Ow, ow, ow, ow, finish line, ow, ow, ow. Check time. 3.46. Arms in air!

* but unfortunately, it didn't actually change weight

The winner did a 3.08 which is an average of nearly 15mph up a 12% hill!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 04 October, 2009, 03:18:54 pm
Well done Rob, I expect to see some photos on the SFA flickr group soon of you gurning in pain up the hill.

Catford CC hill climb on Yorks Hill next Sunday 10 am and the Bec CC on White Hill later  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: gonzo on 04 October, 2009, 03:25:38 pm
There were a lot of people with cameras. I probably shouldn't have focussed on looking composed and should have worried about going fast!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 04 October, 2009, 03:45:49 pm
I've just come back from the Clifton CC hillclimb up Garrowby Hill here (http://www.cliftoncc.org/qcs.php?cs_id=23)  It's 1.2 miles at about 10% plus a run in.

I got a time of 7.04 which seemed reasonable for the first time I'd done it, or indeed any hillclimb (Okay, I recce'd the route on Tuesday, in the dark).  The course record's 5.24, I think today's best time was 6.something.  

I could definitely lose some weight for next year.  The 7 minute barrier is so going to fall.

[EDIT: The fastest time this year was 6.34 and I was 6th out of a field of 32 (including vets, ladies etc)]
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 18 October, 2009, 02:24:32 pm
This (http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=25087.msg449728#msg449728), yesterday, probably wasn't the best preparation for today's hill climb. 6:53 against a winning time of 4:58 (course record is 4:28 set by Colin Lewis). My friend Mike, who's usually about a minute slower than me on a 10, beat me by 4 seconds.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 27 February, 2010, 12:20:05 pm
First TT of the season tomorrow. Severn RC 25 mile on the U17
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/U17-25-mile-time-trial-course335629 (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/U17-25-mile-time-trial-course335629)
Competing in the 2 UP with a fellow club member, should be fun as neither of us have ever ridden a 25m TT or a 2 UP before !
Forecast doesn't look too good - sleet !
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Rhys W on 27 February, 2010, 10:46:12 pm
Ah, the new season!

Good luck - I've got another week before my 2-up 25.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 27 February, 2010, 11:03:10 pm
End of the month for the first evening TT.

..d
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Rig of Jarkness on 28 February, 2010, 08:09:22 am
Good luck to everyone about to embark on their new racing seasons  :thumbsup:  I made a relaxed return to racing last year with a few club 10s.  I'm intending more of the same this year but I've also taken out SC membership to allow me to ride a few open events too.  But for me its all still a good 2 months away...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Wobbly John on 28 February, 2010, 01:00:14 pm
Our weekly evening events start when the clocks go back (or forwards - I can never work that one out), but we had our annual open 'Hardriders' 25 on Valentines day. I had intended to ride, but had the start of a cold at the time I would register, so decided against it. I marshaled - warning riders of potholes coming up on the worst section.

Winning time was a short 57'  :o
 New course record!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 28 February, 2010, 08:09:49 pm
First TT of the season tomorrow. Severn RC 25 mile on the U17
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/U17-25-mile-time-trial-course335629 (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/U17-25-mile-time-trial-course335629)
Competing in the 2 UP with a fellow club member, should be fun as neither of us have ever ridden a 25m TT or a 2 UP before !
Forecast doesn't look too good - sleet !

Weather was kinder than predicted !
Managed our 2 - UP in 1 hour 9 mins & 34 secs.  Although I must thank my club mate for pulling me round the majority of the course  :o
Thoroughly enjoyed it and can't wait for the next one.
Thanks to organizer, marshalls and all helpers.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 25 March, 2010, 03:44:25 pm
Rode my first TT in the WTTA Hardriders Series last Sunday.
On course U601 Sporting 23. A lovely morning with clear skies and only a slight breeze !
I rode it in 1 hr 8 mins 54 secs !!! Winning time was 53 mins !
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Blah on 26 March, 2010, 12:45:49 pm
Rode my first TT in the WTTA Hardriders Series last Sunday.
On course U601 Sporting 23. A lovely morning with clear skies and only a slight breeze !
I rode it in 1 hr 8 mins 54 secs !!! Winning time was 53 mins !


Are you doing the Rudy Project on Sunday? I'm off at 10:41
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 26 March, 2010, 08:11:36 pm
Rode my first TT in the WTTA Hardriders Series last Sunday.
On course U601 Sporting 23. A lovely morning with clear skies and only a slight breeze !
I rode it in 1 hr 8 mins 54 secs !!! Winning time was 53 mins !


Are you doing the Rudy Project on Sunday? I'm off at 10:41

No, but have entered the WTTA 29 miler U87 from Sutton Benger on Easter Sunday  :o
Good luck to you for this week  ;)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Rhys W on 27 March, 2010, 12:24:00 am
I rode it in 1 hr 8 mins 54 secs !!! Winning time was 53 mins !

I did a 2-up in 1:08:35, on a windy day with the finish moved on an additional 300 metres. Winning time was only a 59! Pleased with that.  :)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Blah on 27 March, 2010, 09:24:57 pm
Rode my first TT in the WTTA Hardriders Series last Sunday.
On course U601 Sporting 23. A lovely morning with clear skies and only a slight breeze !
I rode it in 1 hr 8 mins 54 secs !!! Winning time was 53 mins !


Are you doing the Rudy Project on Sunday? I'm off at 10:41

No, but have entered the WTTA 29 miler U87 from Sutton Benger on Easter Sunday  :o
Good luck to you for this week  ;)

Thanks! Haven't entered the Easter Sunday one, but maybe see you the week after for the Bristol South 25? Good luck on Easter Sunday, should be a laff ;-)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: valkyrie on 01 April, 2010, 10:55:46 pm
Just filled in the entry form for my first ever 25 - 'tis the Mackie Tankard organised by Fife Century CC. A week on Sunday and I'm not feeling at peak fitness, but I've got a new TT bike so I want to ride an event to see if I can get my position right.

I'm a bit hacked off with the British Cycling website - tons of info and calendars of events, but nowhere can I find an entry form or instruction on how to fill it in. No doubt it's obvious when you've done it a few times but it's pretty off-putting for a newbie.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 01 April, 2010, 11:27:45 pm
Just filled in the entry form for my first ever 25 - 'tis the Mackie Tankard organised by Fife Century CC. A week on Sunday and I'm not feeling at peak fitness, but I've got a new TT bike so I want to ride an event to see if I can get my position right.


Wednesday evening - Cleish 5 mile.

Are you doing the midweeks rides this year? Can we tempt Mecwales out of the alehouses of st andys to partake?

Should be down for the next couple, then have to see how family things go.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Rig of Jarkness on 02 April, 2010, 07:26:05 am
I'm a bit hacked off with the British Cycling website - tons of info and calendars of events, but nowhere can I find an entry form or instruction on how to fill it in. No doubt it's obvious when you've done it a few times but it's pretty off-putting for a newbie.

I've been looking for an entry form too - where did you find it ?  (I've been looking on the SCU site rather than the BCF one).
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 02 April, 2010, 09:12:52 pm
Event Organiser Support (http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/web/site/SCU/tt/sc_time_trial_event_organiser_support.asp)

The individual entry form should do. Some of it depends on the event. Fife midweeks - sign on on the line. Local opens - just tell the organiser whn you see him/her on the club run.

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 04 April, 2010, 07:36:56 pm
Rode my 2nd WTTA Hardriders event today, on the U87, a 29 mile course starting in Sutton Benger continuing onto Malmesbury then along to Wootton Bassett and back to Malmesbury before finishing in Upper Seagry.
A fairly flat route, but I God did I struggle today seemed to be riding into a headwind all day  :o
However due to a smallish field managed claim 87 points towards my total !
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: BrianI on 06 April, 2010, 06:33:44 pm
Last seasons Fife Midweek TT Results, all ridden on my old Lemond Etape road bike.  Part way into the season last year I managed to get a set of clip on tri bars, (Deda Clip One off ebay)


Quote
5 Mile:

08/04/09   14:38   20.50mph           Cleish



10 Mile:
15/04/09   28.58   20.71 mph   Fruchie FI-7 (11sec off PB)
22/04/09   28:42   20.90 mph   Cleish

A pair of clip on tri bars later:

29/04/09   27.19   21.96 mph   Fruchie
03/06/09   27.40   21.68 mph   Cleish
15/07/09   26.59   22.24 mph   Cleish
22/07/09   26.57   22.26 mph   Fruchie 10 PB!

25 Mile:

08/07/09   1:15:06   19.97 mph   Fruchie

I have a 5 mile TT tomorrow night at Cleish, hoping to beat the time from last year!

-- Edit -- Got 13.53!  Quite lucky as I rolled up to the start thinking I still had 5 minutes or so to wait, but I was actually next! 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 06 April, 2010, 07:32:15 pm
Hope to see you there. What have the turnouts been like?
13.55 to beat.

..d
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 07 April, 2010, 09:14:46 pm
Well, Brian beat his time of last year. He also beat me by 10s.

I had forgotten just how hard that was.

It was a full field, and plenty of ladies and youths too. Hard into the wnd on the outward leg. I suffered like crazy on the early lumps but settled up to the turn and was much better coming back. Pleased to only be a few seconds off my PB of last year.

14.03. My clubmate Tim the unpronounceable (you had to be there) did 14.04 so I had a second helping of smug.

HRM trace. Click for notes.

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2699/4500598457_620d2a7003.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidmam/4500598457/)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 08 April, 2010, 11:55:47 am

HRM trace. Click for notes.

May I critique? If the course was lumpy, your race HRM looks pretty consistent (168-180-ish?). There's no point trying to sit bang on your "optimum" if the gradient (or wind) is varying. Pretty close is pretty good.

Your warm-up is a bit odd - your hardest effort is barely after you started!
The ideal is steadily increasing bursts (with enough time before the off to recover). Of course I don't know the layout of the start area etc, so you may well have just made the best of things. I've never downloaded my HRM data, so it would probably reveal a tale much worse than yours!

I must suggest a few 5milers down here for early season ...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 08 April, 2010, 01:13:24 pm
Yes, the warmup is a bit strange. I wasn't watching the HRM at all - no readout, it just logs.

The course isn't lumpy. It has a fair drag from about 1 mile to 2, then some bends which possibly could be taken full gas with some courage.

I had meant to do about a ten minute gentle spin, then some increasing efforts. but the best laid plans etc. Might take the rollers next time and the HRM with a readout.

I was surprised at how consistent the HR trace was. It was probably a wee bit over the optimum. Riding on the maxim of "if it doesn't hurt, ride faster. If it does hurt, ride faster."
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: valkyrie on 08 April, 2010, 10:18:58 pm
Looks like you were working pretty hard! I'm still pondering how hard I should try and go on my first ever 25 this Sunday - is it a really long 10 or a half-distance 50?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: clifftaylor on 10 April, 2010, 02:40:35 pm
If it's your first 25, I would doubt that you could ride it as  two and a half 10s. Stay well within yourself for the first half, then gradually pile it on - you should have enough left to give the last 3 or 4 miles some stick. Doing good TTs has a lot to with knowing the course, and knowing what your body is telling you!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 10 April, 2010, 06:17:07 pm
EWCC 17 mile hilly next weekend will be my first of the season.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Rig of Jarkness on 10 April, 2010, 09:23:10 pm
Event Organiser Support (http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/web/site/SCU/tt/sc_time_trial_event_organiser_support.asp)

The individual entry form should do. Some of it depends on the event. Fife midweeks - sign on on the line. Local opens - just tell the organiser whn you see him/her on the club run.
 

David, thanks for the link...yes, event organiser support, just where I'd expect to find an entry form !  (Down south we used to complain about the stealth and obscurity of the RTTC but the SCU surpass them by an order of magnitude...)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 10 April, 2010, 10:13:41 pm
Event Organiser Support (http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/web/site/SCU/tt/sc_time_trial_event_organiser_support.asp)

The individual entry form should do. Some of it depends on the event. Fife midweeks - sign on on the line. Local opens - just tell the organiser whn you see him/her on the club run.
 

David, thanks for the link...yes, event organiser support, just where I'd expect to find an entry form !  (Down south we used to complain about the stealth and obscurity of the RTTC but the SCU surpass them by an order of magnitude...)

 ;D It takes years of training to be that awkward.

Have you ridden the course (FI-1) before? My predictions are Steve Nutley  for the win. He is going like a train at the moment.

..d
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Rig of Jarkness on 11 April, 2010, 08:19:53 am
No, I've not ridden any of the courses in Fife.  I'm just trying to psyche myself up to entering something local to Embra for the moment.   
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 11 April, 2010, 01:12:55 pm
Hope you did OK today. If you like that course then it is the same for the midweek 10 - just turn left instead of right at the roundabout and finish as per the 25.

..d
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: valkyrie on 11 April, 2010, 06:08:56 pm
Well I got a new PB  :thumbsup:, but given that it was my first attempt at a 25 that was inevitable. Brilliant weather, lots of fast times and the winner (can't remember the name but he was riding for Sandy Wallace) did a 53. I really struggled to get going - not so much physically as mentally. Felt close to packing for the first few miles, just didn't want to be there. Perked up a bit after the turn - once I'd resigned myself to a worse than hoped for time I just got on with the pedalling. Did 1:09:46 which is actually a bit slower than the 50 ride I did last August. Slightly tougher course but I was hoping for a 1:05. Didn't help that my brand new Polar HRM/Cycle Computer wasn't getting a definite pick-up from the magnet so that my speed was constantly varying between 0 and my actual speed.

First outdoor ride that I've ever done with a HRM on, which I found interesting. I was pretty steady around 173BPM for the whole time, which is higher than my normal peak on the turbo! I usually ride indoors with a peak of 165. I think I need to push myself harder on the turbo, if I can do 173 for an hour then what should I be aiming for on say a 2 * 20?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 11 April, 2010, 07:44:36 pm
Didn't help that my brand new Polar HRM/Cycle Computer wasn't getting a definite pick-up from the magnet so that my speed was constantly varying between 0 and my actual speed.

First outdoor ride that I've ever done with a HRM on, which I found interesting. I was pretty steady around 173BPM for the whole time, which is higher than my normal peak on the turbo! I usually ride indoors with a peak of 165. I think I need to push myself harder on the turbo, if I can do 173 for an hour then what should I be aiming for on say a 2 * 20?
If using an HRM, i have no idea why you would pay attention to a speedo - maybe it's just me!

This is probably one for the Intervals thread, but I don't think your intervals should be any harder than your 25 pace. I'll have to re-read the Science, but I think 2*20min interval HR is probably about = 25mile HR. But probably best to read the other thread ... ! (I know this sounds counter-intuitive, but training is like that - who'd have thought that riding SLOWLY was beneficial?!?)

Anyway ... my first of the season today - 11am start, very relaxed, nice ride over and home with some other riders, lovely morning out.
I finished 10secs ahead of someone with surname Tantrum !
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 12 April, 2010, 11:06:44 pm

Date             Distance/Time         Course type       Weather conditions            Bike ridden              

05/07/06           10mls/26.39        Rolling  Q10/26     cleardry           Raleigh 76" gear
12/07/06            10 mls/25.38      rolling Q10/26      clear dry          Raleigh 86" gear
21-22/07/07   24hr TT/334           rolling                   cold drizzle     Lambert 72" gear
15/08/07         10mls/26.45      rolling Q10/26      clear dry            Lambert 72" gear
30/03/08         9mls/29.37       Hillyish Qs/30        wet                    Lambert 79" gear  
20/04/08        10mls/28.42    Hillyish Q10/3      dry and cold          Lambert 79" gear
26/04/08        10mls/27.09      rolling Q10 /22   warm & sunny      Lambert 76" gear
25/06/08        10mls/27.24        rolling  Q10/26     hot/windy         Lambert 76" gear
28/06/08           10mls/27.16    Hillyish Q10/3      dry and hot        Lambert 79" gear
9/7/08             9mls/30,23      Hilly QS 30   pouring down/windy RonCooper71.22"gear
23/07/08       10mls/ 25.33  rolling Q10/26  hot & windy                  Graham Weigh  83" gear
26/07/08       10mls/25.30  flat      Q10/24   hot /windy                   Graham Weigh 83" gear  
29/07/08       10mls /25.40  rolling  Q10/26  hot slight wind             Graham weigh 83" gear
6/8/08           10mls / 25.10 rolling Q10/26  hot                     Graham Weigh  88" gear
13/08/08       10mls/26.0   rolling    Q10/26  very windy                      Graham Weigh 88" gear
19/04/09       10mls/27.01  rolling   Q10/18  cold/windy                     Graham Weigh  88" gear
25/04/09       10mls/25.28     flat    Q10/19     slight wind                   Graham Weigh    83" gear
20/05/09       10mls/26.07  rolling  Q10/26  slight wind/warm           Graham Weigh 83"gear
30/05/09       10mls/25.39  rolling  Q10/22  warm/cross wind            Graham Weigh  83" gear
03/06/09       10mls/25.14  rolling  Q10/26  warm                              Graham Weigh 83" gear
10/06/09       10mls/25.34  rolling  Q10/26  cool/ slight wind             Graham Weigh 83" gear
17/06/09        10mls/25.20  rolling         Q10/26 cool/windy               Graham Weigh 88" gear
21/06/09        10mls/25.25           rolling Q10/18  warm                     Graham Weigh 88" gear
24/06/09        10mls/25.05 rolling Q10/26 warm                     Graham Weigh 88" gear
 05/07/09        25mls/1:05:34       rolling Q25/8 hot                          Graham Weigh 88" gear
15/07/09   10mls/25.45  rolling Q10/26 windy   Graham Weigh  83" gear
19/07/09    25mls/1.08.22  rolling Q25/20 windy Graham Weigh 83" gear
01/08/09   10mls/26.02  flattish Q10/24 bloody windy  Graham Weigh 88" gear
05/08/09     10mls/25.11    Q10/26 rolling/warm   Graham Weigh 88" gear
19/08/09   10mls/25.15      Q10/18  rolling/hot      Graham Weigh  88" gear
20/09/09     25/1:09:50  G25/89 rolling, damp     Raleigh Ti Proffessional 14speed


 I struggled on my first TT yesterday, one lap of the Cudham Lane course, I hate it at the best of times but being so unfit at the moment  :-X :(

11/04/10    9.5mls/28:07   QS/30  Hilly/cold           Lambert Proffessional  76" gear

 First time I have worn a heart rate monitor on a TT  163bpm max 151bpm average
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 14 April, 2010, 09:30:38 pm
First midweek ten of the year. Out with a tailwind, back into the wind. Felt not too bad. Passed my minute and 2 minute men. Got passed by my minus 1 and minus2 men. Very chill wind.

27.43 which is the fastest I have done at this point in the season. My legs will hurt tomorrow.

These events are getting popular - 8 riders turned away leaving a full field of 45. Priority given to club riders so a good idea to turn up early.


..d
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Noodley on 14 April, 2010, 09:43:10 pm
These events are getting popular - 8 riders turned away leaving a full field of 45. Priority given to club riders so a good idea to turn up early.
..d

I was speaking to one of my clubmates earlier this week and he said they were getting really popular - hopefully there'll be space for me sometime when I get my TT bike sorted  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Rich753 on 14 April, 2010, 09:46:52 pm
My club has instituted a pre-booking system - which suits me, after being turned away last year.  It's great they are so popular, but i'd like to know that I'm going to get a ride if I turn up.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Noodley on 14 April, 2010, 09:53:59 pm
My club has instituted a pre-booking system - which suits me, after being turned away last year.  It's great they are so popular, but i'd like to know that I'm going to get a ride if I turn up.

Another of my clubmates didn't go tonight as he didn't fancy being turned away...difficult to know what to do in the circumstances - too many people turned away or not turning up might lead to numbers dwindling; increasing the field leads to additional costs and responsibilities....

But it might lead to more DAs running more TTs  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 14 April, 2010, 10:26:31 pm
You are with ABC? RG was third or fourth tonight.

Would ABC be interested in starting a tayside league along similar lines to the fife one? We'd have to identify a few suitable courses but I'd be much keener to have events I could ride to rather than driving across Fife to not get a ride. There would be interest from the North Fifers as well.

..d
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Noodley on 14 April, 2010, 10:36:42 pm
You are with ABC? RG was third or fourth tonight.

Would ABC be interested in starting a tayside league along similar lines to the fife one? We'd have to identify a few suitable courses but I'd be much keener to have events I could ride to rather than driving across Fife to not get a ride. There would be interest from the North Fifers as well.

..d

I can't speak for the club, but I would think it'd be an idea worth raising at the next DA meeting?

A couple of ABC members were in Fife last weekend doing their TT timekeepers course...


I'll ask at the Nick Hardy RR on Sunday about potential interrest.  I know the ABC duathlon is well subscribed and there is a growing number of triathletes, so maybe it could be another opportunity for events...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Noodley on 14 April, 2010, 11:17:42 pm
Okay, question asked on ABC forum.... :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 14 April, 2010, 11:38:58 pm
If wee can get the two(three?) dundee clubs, ABC and Perth to organise a couple of events each around the existing events then that makes a series. Join with Fife for the midweek 25s etc.

Courses would be interesting.
ideas:
From Balgavie to Friockheim then completing the circuit by turning left  makes a '10' (and has car parking). I can construct a course on the Carse with little problem. I'm sure there is scope for a perthwards course and so on.

If there is the desire then it can be done.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Noodley on 14 April, 2010, 11:43:48 pm
I'm keen to give TT a go, and I know some ABC members are already established TTers and others would turn up...sounds like a good idea  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 15 April, 2010, 08:09:04 pm
First 'Severn RC Evening 10' last night. On the UC186 course.
Good conditions with only a gentle breeze  :-\ but dry and sunny.

I got round in 25:12, which I was fairly pleased with as this was first of season.
PB'd last year at 24:26 so will attempt to better  ;D

A good attendance with nearly 50 riders, and many youngsters out.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 18 April, 2010, 07:00:53 pm
Baptism of fire: first TT of the year, a 17 mile hilly. Dragged E and my daughter along to marshal. 51 entries. Finished in 41 something or other. My legs stopped hurting after seven miles. It didn't help that it was cold enough for a frost this morning.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: velocitizen on 22 April, 2010, 07:03:07 pm
I Rode the Beeston RC/CC 10 mile TT on Tuesday evening.
The 'West Leake' course, not sure of its code.
Only my third TT ever.
Very windy and quite cool.
25 minutes 57 seconds.
Very happy with that, and thanks to Pippa I now have some clip-on tri bars to try and bring my time down through the summer.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: gonzo on 22 April, 2010, 10:14:38 pm
24.49
On a road bike, no aero wheels/helmet and with a bottle.
On what was, apparently, a slow night!

First time on the course too!
If I hadn't got stuck behind a car when it pulled over, I'd have saved another 20 seconds too.

My first non-aero 24 :)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 22 April, 2010, 11:04:21 pm
If I hadn't got stuck behind a car when it pulled over, I'd have saved another 20 seconds too.

Us real testers never get stuck behind anything. Are you man or mouse?

;)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: gonzo on 23 April, 2010, 04:51:37 pm
He wedged up against the side of the road whilst an ambulance came flying past the traffic on the other side of the road.

I suppose that if I went for it and it all went wrong, there was an easy evac!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 24 April, 2010, 08:44:51 pm


Date             Distance/Time         Course type       Weather conditions            Bike ridden              

05/07/06           10mls/26.39        Rolling  Q10/26     cleardry           Raleigh 76" gear
12/07/06            10 mls/25.38      rolling Q10/26      clear dry          Raleigh 86" gear
21-22/07/07   24hr TT/334           rolling                   cold drizzle     Lambert 72" gear
15/08/07         10mls/26.45      rolling Q10/26      clear dry            Lambert 72" gear
30/03/08         9mls/29.37       Hillyish Qs/30        wet                    Lambert 79" gear  
20/04/08        10mls/28.42    Hillyish Q10/3      dry and cold          Lambert 79" gear
26/04/08        10mls/27.09      rolling Q10 /22   warm & sunny      Lambert 76" gear
25/06/08        10mls/27.24        rolling  Q10/26     hot/windy         Lambert 76" gear
28/06/08           10mls/27.16    Hillyish Q10/3      dry and hot        Lambert 79" gear
9/7/08             9mls/30,23      Hilly QS 30   pouring down/windy RonCooper71.22"gear
23/07/08       10mls/ 25.33  rolling Q10/26  hot & windy                  Graham Weigh  83" gear
26/07/08       10mls/25.30  flat      Q10/24   hot /windy                   Graham Weigh 83" gear  
29/07/08       10mls /25.40  rolling  Q10/26  hot slight wind             Graham weigh 83" gear
6/8/08           10mls / 25.10 rolling Q10/26  hot                     Graham Weigh  88" gear
13/08/08       10mls/26.0   rolling    Q10/26  very windy                      Graham Weigh 88" gear
19/04/09       10mls/27.01  rolling   Q10/18  cold/windy                     Graham Weigh  88" gear
25/04/09       10mls/25.28     flat    Q10/19     slight wind                   Graham Weigh    83" gear
20/05/09       10mls/26.07  rolling  Q10/26  slight wind/warm           Graham Weigh 83"gear
30/05/09       10mls/25.39  rolling  Q10/22  warm/cross wind            Graham Weigh  83" gear
03/06/09       10mls/25.14  rolling  Q10/26  warm                              Graham Weigh 83" gear
10/06/09       10mls/25.34  rolling  Q10/26  cool/ slight wind             Graham Weigh 83" gear
17/06/09        10mls/25.20  rolling         Q10/26 cool/windy               Graham Weigh 88" gear
21/06/09        10mls/25.25           rolling Q10/18  warm                     Graham Weigh 88" gear
24/06/09        10mls/25.05 rolling Q10/26 warm                     Graham Weigh 88" gear
 05/07/09        25mls/1:05:34       rolling Q25/8 hot                          Graham Weigh 88" gear
15/07/09   10mls/25.45  rolling Q10/26 windy   Graham Weigh  83" gear
19/07/09    25mls/1.08.22  rolling Q25/20 windy Graham Weigh 83" gear
01/08/09   10mls/26.02  flattish Q10/24 bloody windy  Graham Weigh 88" gear
05/08/09     10mls/25.11    Q10/26 rolling/warm   Graham Weigh 88" gear
19/08/09   10mls/25.15      Q10/18  rolling/hot      Graham Weigh  88" gear
20/09/09     25/1:09:50  G25/89 rolling, damp     Raleigh Ti Proffessional 14speed
11/04/10    9.5mls/28:07   QS/30  Hilly/cold           Lambert Proffessional  76" gear

 

Our Catford CC open 10TT today nice day just didn't have the legs, even got a bit dizzy at the turn  with the effort but it wasn't getting to my legs.

24/04/10   10mls/26.42   Q10/19  flat with a drag dry/mild   Graham Weigh 88" gear
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 25 April, 2010, 06:21:20 pm
Rode the Dursley RC Hardriders event today 28.2 miles with a 1000 metres of climbing  :o.
Now, my aIm in these Hardrider events is to finish so was glad to break the 2 hour mark for this one  ;D  1:59:02
Winning time was an amazing 1:23 ! With the top 8 all beating 1:30 !
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: velocitizen on 28 April, 2010, 08:43:36 pm
24:52,
1:05 better than last week.
All thanks to Pippa's Tri-bars ;D.
Thank you.
Same course, slightly less wind.
Just thinking if I can get down to 24' or less this year?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: disrail on 28 April, 2010, 09:20:20 pm
My 3rd Club 10 this evening, 1st of this season and my 3rd PB!! (i used tri bars this year, so it was pretty much in the bag)

24.25  On a Harry Quinn 84" fixed and 32 spoke 3x wheels.

Was a bit blustery and the Club 10 circuit is a dog. I'll definitely do a sub 24 this year on Rainford bypass (of Boardman fame) but will i break the hour in a 25??? Need to find one in the North West to enter.



Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: drossall on 28 April, 2010, 10:31:01 pm
Gosh, the Rainford bypass. I remember riding across Cheshire to a Merseyside Ladies' CC Open event on there, arriving with 30 seconds to spare, and dumping everything except my bike and racing gear in front of the timekeeper.

Must have been more than 30 years ago. Don't remember what time I did. Nothing special...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 28 April, 2010, 10:59:11 pm
First of the evening tens. 25.48. It felt like a grind.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Rig of Jarkness on 29 April, 2010, 07:16:25 am
Ditto, first of the club 10's last night, was pleased with 26.13 on a windy night.  Yes I know it's pretty slow but its over a minute faster than my first ride last year  :)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 29 April, 2010, 10:55:48 pm
My first helper role - start timekeeper, field of 24, so quite a low effort job!

Quite illuminating - I'd recommend it, at least once, to any entrant. You see the different approaches various riders have, as well as a good chance to survey kit. (not to mention the attitudes of motorists >:(  )

OT:
We REALLY must start a compulsory-help-at-one-club-event-rule. There are too many soft touches in the club ...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 29 April, 2010, 11:09:02 pm
OT:
We REALLY must start a compulsory-help-at-one-club-event-rule. There are too many soft touches in the club ...

Add it in to the qualification for club/league prizes. All senior riders must be named as helpers on at least one club event to qualify for the league. I'd pick the day when it is great weather and a good field, as when it is crap and a small field I get more points..
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 30 April, 2010, 09:00:46 am
(I assume by "Senior" you mean Not Junior i.e. 18+ !)

Sounds simple, doesn't it? But it's been discussed for at least a year, I think noone's brave enough! We do get by, but it seems jolly harsh on the poor sods that organise everything ...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 30 April, 2010, 09:08:09 am
I'm trying to get a local TT series up and moving for next year. Definitely some interest so I'll see if I can get that to a critical mass.. Much talking and arm twisting to be done.

..d
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Rhys W on 02 May, 2010, 02:52:32 pm
Just back from my first solo 25 for a couple of years. I covered the first 15.5 miles in about 33:30, then had to fight a brutal headwind for the last 10 miles. Ended up with 1:05:06. One of my clubmates was 6 minutes slower than about 3 weeks ago on the same course! Quite pleased though, I was fastest out of 4 from the club.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 03 May, 2010, 12:38:39 am


Date             Distance/Time         Course type       Weather conditions            Bike ridden              

05/07/06           10mls/26.39        Rolling  Q10/26     cleardry           Raleigh 76" gear
12/07/06            10 mls/25.38      rolling Q10/26      clear dry          Raleigh 86" gear
21-22/07/07   24hr TT/334           rolling                   cold drizzle     Lambert 72" gear
15/08/07         10mls/26.45      rolling Q10/26      clear dry            Lambert 72" gear
30/03/08         9mls/29.37       Hillyish Qs/30        wet                    Lambert 79" gear  
20/04/08        10mls/28.42    Hillyish Q10/3      dry and cold          Lambert 79" gear
26/04/08        10mls/27.09      rolling Q10 /22   warm & sunny      Lambert 76" gear
25/06/08        10mls/27.24        rolling  Q10/26     hot/windy         Lambert 76" gear
28/06/08           10mls/27.16    Hillyish Q10/3      dry and hot        Lambert 79" gear
9/7/08             9mls/30,23      Hilly QS 30   pouring down/windy RonCooper71.22"gear
23/07/08       10mls/ 25.33  rolling Q10/26  hot & windy                  Graham Weigh  83" gear
26/07/08       10mls/25.30  flat      Q10/24   hot /windy                   Graham Weigh 83" gear  
29/07/08       10mls /25.40  rolling  Q10/26  hot slight wind             Graham weigh 83" gear
6/8/08           10mls / 25.10 rolling Q10/26  hot                     Graham Weigh  88" gear
13/08/08       10mls/26.0   rolling    Q10/26  very windy                      Graham Weigh 88" gear
19/04/09       10mls/27.01  rolling   Q10/18  cold/windy                     Graham Weigh  88" gear
25/04/09       10mls/25.28     flat    Q10/19     slight wind                   Graham Weigh    83" gear
20/05/09       10mls/26.07  rolling  Q10/26  slight wind/warm           Graham Weigh 83"gear
30/05/09       10mls/25.39  rolling  Q10/22  warm/cross wind            Graham Weigh  83" gear
03/06/09       10mls/25.14  rolling  Q10/26  warm                              Graham Weigh 83" gear
10/06/09       10mls/25.34  rolling  Q10/26  cool/ slight wind             Graham Weigh 83" gear
17/06/09        10mls/25.20  rolling         Q10/26 cool/windy               Graham Weigh 88" gear
21/06/09        10mls/25.25           rolling Q10/18  warm                     Graham Weigh 88" gear
24/06/09        10mls/25.05 rolling Q10/26 warm                     Graham Weigh 88" gear
 05/07/09        25mls/1:05:34       rolling Q25/8 hot                          Graham Weigh 88" gear
15/07/09   10mls/25.45  rolling Q10/26 windy   Graham Weigh  83" gear
19/07/09    25mls/1.08.22  rolling Q25/20 windy Graham Weigh 83" gear
01/08/09   10mls/26.02  flattish Q10/24 bloody windy  Graham Weigh 88" gear
05/08/09     10mls/25.11    Q10/26 rolling/warm   Graham Weigh 88" gear
19/08/09   10mls/25.15      Q10/18  rolling/hot      Graham Weigh  88" gear
20/09/09     25/1:09:50  G25/89 rolling, damp     Raleigh Ti Proffessional 14speed
11/04/10    9.5mls/28:07   QS/30  Hilly/cold           Lambert Proffessional  76" gear

 

Our Catford CC open 10TT today nice day just didn't have the legs, even got a bit dizzy at the turn  with the effort but it wasn't getting to my legs.

24/04/10   10mls/26.42   Q10/19  flat with a drag dry/mild   Graham Weigh 88" gear

 A big cock up with the timings as people were sent off in the wrong slot means that after going over the results with a fine tooth comb some riders had their times corrected.

 :) mine was one of them and upgraded to 25:47  ;D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: токамак on 04 May, 2010, 03:17:17 pm
A good ECCA Festival weekend for me.

Saturday 1st - 11th in the Hog Hill circuit 10 with 25:15, and we made 4th team.
ECCA Festival - Result Sheet (http://questronics.org.uk/EasternCounties/festival/2010/E101%2010%20TT%20RS.html)

Sunday 2nd - 22nd in road 10 (was supposed to be a 25 but got downgraded because of flooding on the course) with 25:09, and 4th team.
ECCA Festival - Result Sheet (http://questronics.org.uk/EasternCounties/festival/2010/E91%2025%20TT%20RS.html)

Monday 3rd - 18th in scheduled road 10 with 24:29, and 3rd team.
ECCA Festival - Result Sheet (http://questronics.org.uk/EasternCounties/festival/2010/E91%2010%20TT%20RS.html)

Chelmer came in 4th overall. ECCA Festival Club Championship (http://questronics.org.uk/EasternCounties/festival/2010/team%20RS.html)

easterncounties.org.uk (http://www.easterncounties.org.uk/)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: bloomers100 on 09 May, 2010, 09:15:18 pm
tokamak, you are turning in some great results this year, very impressed I am. :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: токамак on 10 May, 2010, 08:41:08 am
Thanks bloomers. Had a good result this Saturday too at the Shaftesbury Middlemarkers on the E2/25 - got under the hour! 59:15, 12th overall and 4th on improvement - which nets me £20. :D The 12.5 miles out was stonking, with tailwind and barely going below 30mph, then as soon as you made the turn the wind hit you full on. It was wet too, but despite my initial apprehension about riding on a dual carriageway (A14, A11) I got round without incident. Richard Evans stormed it and got 3rd overall with 55:46, and Neil Hornett did 59:18 - which gave us the fastest team time! :thumbsup: Corinna and Ann had a good result in the women's race too, with 5th, 1:02:31 and 6th, 1:02:43. Up the Chelmer! ;)

OPEN Result (http://questronics.org.uk/SccTTs/tt/2010/OPEN25.HTM?Open%20MM%2025)

Shaftesbury Cycling Club (http://questronics.org.uk/Shaftesbury/)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: bobb on 10 May, 2010, 09:32:49 am
I didn't realise you got 20 quid for your efforts!! That now makes you a professional cyclist!  :P
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: токамак on 10 May, 2010, 09:35:03 am
Nor did I until I looked up the results on the Shaftesbury website this morning! I should have hung about a bit longer afterwards for the cash! I think we get medals for the team win too. :D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 10 May, 2010, 02:30:55 pm
It's normal etiquette to give your winnings to the team, isn't it?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: токамак on 10 May, 2010, 02:46:40 pm
Maybe. I'll have to ask my club mates. With Richard's 3rd place prize added to the pot, I'd only lose out on £4! ;)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: bloomers100 on 12 May, 2010, 06:53:13 am
What benefit in terms of seconds does the new bike make do you reckon, not taking anything away from your physiological gains and efforts you've made this season, I'm just being a bike geek with wheel envy.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: токамак on 12 May, 2010, 09:46:10 am
Compared with last year, I can get a better aero position for a start because the frame is a better fit for TT (very small road frame with short 70mm stem). In the ECCA Festival I raced on the wet Sunday with my Campag Zondas in, and on the Monday I had my Zipps in, and although it was drier on Monday the windy conditions were pretty much the same, so I could say the Zipps gave me 40 seconds over 10 miles.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: bloomers100 on 12 May, 2010, 11:57:11 am
Interesting.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: токамак on 12 May, 2010, 12:05:15 pm
Is 40 seconds worth £1000?!

I'm minutes rather than seconds faster on last year though, so I'd say the combined effect of better kit and more serious winter training has paid off nicely. ;)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: bobb on 12 May, 2010, 12:18:32 pm
Is 40 seconds worth £1000?!

If you continue to win prize money, then yes!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: velocitizen on 12 May, 2010, 06:43:27 pm
25:00 on the Beeston CC/RC 10 course.
After a 24:52 and 24:56 in previous weeks.
I'm happy that they are consistent.
It was cool and Breezy last night, so when Summer comes I'll be knocking a few seconds off.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Rig of Jarkness on 12 May, 2010, 08:57:31 pm
A grim 26-36 tonight, we seemed to have a headwind both ways  :(  Still, at least the sleet of this morning had given way to bright sunshine this evening  :)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 12 May, 2010, 10:15:00 pm
24.43 tonight in the club open. Not brilliant, but okay (I suppose) considering my training was the Wu'ze 400 and a week in Scotland without a bike.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 15 May, 2010, 10:33:22 am
Marshalled for the first time on Wednesday night ( unable to ride stuggling with a chest infection  :(  )
53 riders took part on a cold evening 8 degrees at the start only 5 degrees ! by the time they had all finished  :o Managed to miss the heavy showers that where in the locality.
I was marshalling at the Aust M49 roundabout.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 19 May, 2010, 11:10:44 pm
A warm evening in Perthshire and the local open 10. Which turned into a not quite ten due to roadworks appearing unannounced overnight and the course being changed (frantic calls to get police approval and insurance cover)

I will spare you the excuses but managed to get my first ever lanterne rouge in a time trial. Mr Noodley did somewhat better than me in the 'not quite ten'

..d
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 20 May, 2010, 12:47:34 am



Date             Distance/Time         Course type       Weather conditions            Bike ridden              

05/07/06           10mls/26.39        Rolling  Q10/26     cleardry           Raleigh 76" gear
12/07/06            10 mls/25.38      rolling Q10/26      clear dry          Raleigh 86" gear
21-22/07/07   24hr TT/334           rolling                   cold drizzle     Lambert 72" gear
15/08/07         10mls/26.45      rolling Q10/26      clear dry            Lambert 72" gear
30/03/08         9mls/29.37       Hillyish Qs/30        wet                    Lambert 79" gear  
20/04/08        10mls/28.42    Hillyish Q10/3      dry and cold          Lambert 79" gear
26/04/08        10mls/27.09      rolling Q10 /22   warm & sunny      Lambert 76" gear
25/06/08        10mls/27.24        rolling  Q10/26     hot/windy         Lambert 76" gear
28/06/08           10mls/27.16    Hillyish Q10/3      dry and hot        Lambert 79" gear
9/7/08             9mls/30,23      Hilly QS 30   pouring down/windy RonCooper71.22"gear
23/07/08       10mls/ 25.33  rolling Q10/26  hot & windy                  Graham Weigh  83" gear
26/07/08       10mls/25.30  flat      Q10/24   hot /windy                   Graham Weigh 83" gear  
29/07/08       10mls /25.40  rolling  Q10/26  hot slight wind             Graham weigh 83" gear
6/8/08           10mls / 25.10 rolling Q10/26  hot                     Graham Weigh  88" gear
13/08/08       10mls/26.0   rolling    Q10/26  very windy                      Graham Weigh 88" gear
19/04/09       10mls/27.01  rolling   Q10/18  cold/windy                     Graham Weigh  88" gear
25/04/09       10mls/25.28     flat    Q10/19     slight wind                   Graham Weigh    83" gear
20/05/09       10mls/26.07  rolling  Q10/26  slight wind/warm           Graham Weigh 83"gear
30/05/09       10mls/25.39  rolling  Q10/22  warm/cross wind            Graham Weigh  83" gear
03/06/09       10mls/25.14  rolling  Q10/26  warm                              Graham Weigh 83" gear
10/06/09       10mls/25.34  rolling  Q10/26  cool/ slight wind             Graham Weigh 83" gear
17/06/09        10mls/25.20  rolling         Q10/26 cool/windy               Graham Weigh 88" gear
21/06/09        10mls/25.25           rolling Q10/18  warm                     Graham Weigh 88" gear
24/06/09        10mls/25.05 rolling Q10/26 warm                     Graham Weigh 88" gear
 05/07/09        25mls/1:05:34       rolling Q25/8 hot                          Graham Weigh 88" gear
15/07/09   10mls/25.45  rolling Q10/26 windy   Graham Weigh  83" gear
19/07/09    25mls/1.08.22  rolling Q25/20 windy Graham Weigh 83" gear
01/08/09   10mls/26.02  flattish Q10/24 bloody windy  Graham Weigh 88" gear
05/08/09     10mls/25.11    Q10/26 rolling/warm   Graham Weigh 88" gear
19/08/09   10mls/25.15      Q10/18  rolling/hot      Graham Weigh  88" gear
20/09/09     25/1:09:50  G25/89 rolling, damp     Raleigh Ti Proffessional 14speed
11/04/10    9.5mls/28:07   QS/30  Hilly/cold           Lambert Proffessional  76" gear
24/04/10   10mls/25.47   Q10/19  flat with a drag dry/mild   Graham Weigh 88" gear
 


 19/05/10   10mls/26.14  Q10/26 cool/ breeze  Graham Weigh 88" gear

 Struggled on the hill to the turn and couldn't gain anything on the way back, I need to lose weight
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: MattH on 20 May, 2010, 08:44:33 pm
First TT ever this evening, out with Farnborough & Camberley Cycling Club (who I'm considering joining). I had no idea how well I'd do; I'm still stiff from riding 965km at the weekend (riding to/from the BCM). I took the Audax MK3, but did take off the Carradice and put a little saddle pack on that was just big enough for a tube, levers and basic tools. Otherwise the bike was as I ride on Audaxes, so tribars, mudguards, 28mm tyres, SON hub and lights, rear rack, frame pump etc.

I was the only one on a steel bike, the only one with mudguards, the only one with a rack, the only one with dynamo lights. I got some envious glances from those who cannot afford such luxuries, I can tell you!

Anyway, I was aiming for better than 30 minutes. Had a nice 10km ride out there (met a lovely lady triathlete who was out for an easy spin) as warm up.

CC175 10 miles 25:10

Started out third, finished third (overtook number one, got overtaken by number 4, both near the end). Pretty pleased with that!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mike on 20 May, 2010, 08:48:18 pm
excellent result!!!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: токамак on 21 May, 2010, 09:28:20 am
25:38 for a medium gear 10, last night. 70" (48x18) - this (http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=17.msg626629#msg626629).
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 21 May, 2010, 05:03:03 pm
First TT ever this evening, out with Farnborough & Camberley Cycling Club (who I'm considering joining). I had no idea how well I'd do; I'm still stiff from riding 965km at the weekend (riding to/from the BCM). I took the Audax MK3, but did take off the Carradice and put a little saddle pack on that was just big enough for a tube, levers and basic tools. Otherwise the bike was as I ride on Audaxes, so tribars, mudguards, 28mm tyres, SON hub and lights, rear rack, frame pump etc.

I was the only one on a steel bike, the only one with mudguards, the only one with a rack, the only one with dynamo lights. I got some envious glances from those who cannot afford such luxuries, I can tell you!

Anyway, I was aiming for better than 30 minutes. Had a nice 10km ride out there (met a lovely lady triathlete who was out for an easy spin) as warm up.

CC175 10 miles 25:10
I do laugh at stories like this:
"I beat my target by nearly 5 minutes" Not great at picking targets, are we ;)

Still, you're way quicker than me (but I guessed that). Rode the Audax bike last night just for convenience (no tribars, 25mm tyres, rack pack lights, etc). 27:21, just 14s off my PB (on the Bianchi, July 08). That's with a 46x13 top (which I may not have used).

It were very quick conditions last night - you'll do well to go much faster next week, but at least you've got a target now :)

Tip: Try not riding 900k this weekend.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: MattH on 21 May, 2010, 05:55:05 pm
I do laugh at stories like this:
"I beat my target by nearly 5 minutes" Not great at picking targets, are we ;)

Nope  :) I had no idea how long it'd take - my daily commute is usually 35 minutes for 10 miles, I knew I'd be faster than that but that's all.

Quote

Still, you're way quicker than me (but I guessed that). Rode the Audax bike last night just for convenience (no tribars, 25mm tyres, rack pack lights, etc). 27:21, just 14s off my PB (on the Bianchi, July 08). That's with a 46x13 top (which I may not have used).

It were very quick conditions last night - you'll do well to go much faster next week, but at least you've got a target now :)

I think it'll be tough to do faster anyway - this course started with a reasonable downhill run first, that you don't have to climb at the end.   There was a headwind though, and a shorter run back with a tailwind.

For the first time last night I really felt why people have close ratio cassettes - I have an 11-30 fitted (being a hard man I don't mind carrying the extra weight of that 30 tooth cog up hills rather than the softies who have to shave off the grammes with a 23 tooth) - but at one point struggled to find the right gear as it was between two. Never have that trouble cruising on Audaxes!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 21 May, 2010, 10:11:21 pm
Beating 30 minutes for a first ever ten is good going. It takes a while to get the hang of ten miles of pain.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 22 May, 2010, 01:03:37 pm
Yes, getting the pace right for 10 miles is tricky at first.

But I suspect most novices underestimate their speed cos they  underestimate just how fast most TT courses are, compared to any 10 miles that you would normally choose to ride.

Flat (sometimes downhill!), no congestion, no TLs or right turns (except RABs) ... it all makes a huge difference to your average speed.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: clarion on 22 May, 2010, 01:05:41 pm
I want to try a TT, but I have no idea how fast I could be, because I don't get to ride 10 miles without numerous stops...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 22 May, 2010, 03:28:06 pm
Find a local course and go for a blast on whatever bike you have handy (preferably not in a gale!).

Actually this can be tricky, but there's a good chance your local club will have some sort of listing. You could even just phone up the TT secretary!

[if you really struggle, I have 'contacts' in your neck of the woods.]

I have a feeling that in your parish the courses may all be Dual C-ways, c'est la vie.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: clarion on 22 May, 2010, 03:31:01 pm
I fancy just rolling up on my vintageish road bike & having a go.  No expectations, just riding.  Doin it could probably be the best way to learn ;D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 22 May, 2010, 09:04:09 pm
25:38 for a medium gear 10, last night. 70" (48x18) - this (http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=17.msg626629#msg626629).
Chapeau for spinning that, a respectable time for a less than medium gear
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: токамак on 24 May, 2010, 09:15:14 am
Thanks! Was resisting the bounce on a few fast sections ;)

Did 59:41 on the Essex Roads E22/24 yesterday (TT bike - not the 70" fixer!). Beautiful morning for it.

Clarion - find a local club running evening 10's, turn up on your Woodrup Giro and just have a go. Whatever time you do is not really important, but do go back again and see if you can better your previous time, or try a different bike and see if it's any quicker. You'll be a racing snake before you know it. :P
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: clarion on 24 May, 2010, 09:28:09 am
Thanks! Was resisting the bounce on a few fast sections ;)

Did 59:41 on the Essex Roads E22/24 (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/E22-24) yesterday (TT bike - not the 70" fixer!). Beautiful morning for it.

Clarion - find a local club running evening 10's, turn up on your Woodrup Giro and just have a go. Whatever time you do is not really important, but do go back again and see if you can better your previous time, or try a different bike and see if it's any quicker. You'll be a racing snake before you know it. :P

Thanks for the encouragement.  The Giro's the only bike that I could turn up with that wouldn't cause major sniggering. ;D  I figure it's a race against myself, so I'd want to go back & see how (if) I could improve.  Racing snake?  Never.  Faster than I am now?  Possibly ;)

Your times are pretty impressive.  I'll try not to let that put me off.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: токамак on 24 May, 2010, 09:38:17 am
Club TT's are a mixed affair - riders of all abilities testing themselves. Even the open events if you're up for it - there's a guy called Alan Nye round our way who turns up on his trike and averages about 12mph :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 24 May, 2010, 09:51:35 am
Thanks! Was resisting the bounce on a few fast sections ;)

Did 59:41 on the Essex Roads E22/24 (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/E22-24) yesterday (TT bike - not the 70" fixer!). Beautiful morning for it.

Clarion - find a local club running evening 10's, turn up on your Woodrup Giro and just have a go. Whatever time you do is not really important, but do go back again and see if you can better your previous time, or try a different bike and see if it's any quicker. You'll be a racing snake before you know it. :P

Thanks for the encouragement.  The Giro's the only bike that I could turn up with that wouldn't cause major sniggering. ;D  I figure it's a race against myself, so I'd want to go back & see how (if) I could improve.  Racing snake?  Never.  Faster than I am now?  Possibly ;)

Your times are pretty impressive.  I'll try not to let that put me off.

We have people of all sorts of builds, ages etc. Some will only turn up if it is a specified distance and good weather. Some aim to win. Others are built for comfort rather than speed and do it for th etaking part and personal challenge. One of the local series organisers is far more generously proportioned than you an rides a ten in about 34 mins on a good day. Nobody laughs, nobody sniggers. If he turned up on a 3K carbon frame with disk wheels, pointy hat and so on, then there might be comments made. But if you are bold enough to turn up and put a number on your back, noone will diss you for that.

Try one, see what it is like. See if Superstoker (if he is over 12 he can do it too) can beat you yet over that distance..

WARNING: it can become addictive.
..d 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: clarion on 24 May, 2010, 09:56:33 am
I suspect that the lad can beat me already.  But I can live with that.

So, do I just find out when they're riding & turn up, or do I have to be a member, or have a licence or whatnot?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 24 May, 2010, 10:00:14 am
I suspect that the lad can beat me already.  But I can live with that.

So, do I just find out when they're riding & turn up, or do I have to be a member, or have a licence or whatnot?

Depends on the club/event.
If it is an open event then you might be able to just turn up. Some are Entry on the Line only.
If it is a club (confined) event then you will need to be a member.

You will probably need to either have British Cycling Silver membership, be a member of a RTTC affiliated club, or pay a day license fee.

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: clarion on 24 May, 2010, 10:21:32 am
National Clarion is CTT affiliated, so that should be OK :)

The lad has a BC license.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: токамак on 24 May, 2010, 10:23:26 am
Our club evening TT's are open to anyone, you don't need to be a member - just £3 and a name and number on the entry form / start sheet.

You don't need a British Cycling race license to race TT's - they fall under Cycling Time Trials (http://www.ctt.org.uk/) regulations. A BC licence is required for road bunch races and track events, possibly mountain biking and BMX events too.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: tatanab on 24 May, 2010, 10:24:22 am

If it is an open event then you might be able to just turn up. Some are Entry on the Line only.
If it is a club (confined) event then you will need to be a member.

You will probably need to either have British Cycling Silver membership, be a member of a RTTC affiliated club, or pay a day license fee.
You've got that pretty much back to front.

An open event is open to members of all CTT clubs and is entered by sending an entry form and payment about 10 days before the event.  These events are listed in the CTT handbook.  There is no entry on the line.

A club event is a much lower key event for club members, members of local clubs who come along.  The only stipulation is that you must be  amember of a CTT affiliated club for insurance purposes.  Some clubs get over this by signing you up as a temporary member for the event or for a few weeks.  These events are enter on the line and usually you only find out about them by contact with local clubs.

The CTT has also introduced a category of event labelled "come and try it".  This enables clubs to run an event like a club event but open to the general public.  The events tend to be short, less than 10 miles, and people ride everything from BMX up.  You need to check what local clubs are putting on.

There are some events that are club confined events, but these are rare and getting rarer.  These are association or interclub events.  Again you would only know about these by being a part of your local club.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: токамак on 24 May, 2010, 10:33:36 am
Clarion, as an example, Redhill CC runs a regular Wednesday evening series Club TT Series | Redhill Cycling Club (http://www.redhillcc.co.uk/page/club-tt-series) I don't know how convenient that would work out for you, but I'd suggest that going to club evening events is the best way of getting into time trailing before bothering with entry forms and deadlines for Sunday morning open events etc.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: clarion on 24 May, 2010, 10:52:26 am
That's probably near enough that I don't have an excuse ;)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: токамак on 24 May, 2010, 11:04:04 am
Note that through June and July they use a dual carriageway course between Horsham and Crawley - probably not what you want. But there will be other clubs in your area...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 24 May, 2010, 09:35:58 pm
 The Bexley CC Wednesday night 10TT is a turn up and pay £3 to ride, all sorts turn up, even fat bald sods like me, some riders on full CF TT bikes are still doing over 30 min tens but they are riding to beat their own time and thats what it is all about after all.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 24 May, 2010, 09:57:29 pm

If it is an open event then you might be able to just turn up. Some are Entry on the Line only.
If it is a club (confined) event then you will need to be a member.

You will probably need to either have British Cycling Silver membership, be a member of a RTTC affiliated club, or pay a day license fee.
You've got that pretty much back to front.


OK. It is correct for Scotland though as CTT don't exist up here.  ;D

..d
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: drossall on 24 May, 2010, 10:34:36 pm
The Giro's the only bike that I could turn up with that wouldn't cause major sniggering.

If anyone sniggers, try a different club. In fact, if the winner doesn't seem willing to talk to the slower riders, try a different club too. We've variously had fashions for old bikes, fixed bikes, and so on. Beginners have turned up on cheap ten speeds. I got soundly beaten in another club's hilly event once by a rider who took a fancy to sticking his racing wheels into his mountain bike. I don't know why he did that, but he flew past me all the same.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 24 May, 2010, 10:39:17 pm
Last year, Hill Climb TT event in Fife. Hi tech TT bike..

(http://aaaphoto.co.uk/viewimage.php?src=23/images/6)

Nobody laughed. He came last but he enjoyed himself and everyone was welcoming.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: clarion on 25 May, 2010, 09:13:55 am
Fair enough.  You've convinced me.  But my stable does contain, alongside the Woodrup: Two tourers - one approaching 40 and the other (my daily commuter) with front & rear racks; a full-guarded Carlton fixie on it's way to 30; and a 1951 Rudge fixed.

This last may have a certain retro cachet, mind... ;)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: bobb on 25 May, 2010, 11:26:10 am
When I went to watch токамак TTing a while back, I turned up on my tourer with a big rack bag to stow my camera so I could get some pics. Everyone was trying to get me to enter, but I declined as I was on my Surly which weighs about seven thousand pounds. They then regaled the story of a Dutch girl who turned up and did the 10 on a Dutch town bike. She managed about 35 minutes! On a town bike! Apparently she came back a few weeks later on a road bike and blitzed it.

It would have to be a pretty anal club to take the piss out of people for being slow or on a non TT/Road bike....
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: токамак on 26 May, 2010, 01:49:34 pm
So, 15th on Sunday: Essex Roads CC - Open 24 mile Time Trial - Results (http://www.essexroadscyclingclub.com/pages/2010/TT2010/TT20100523%28Open24%29.html)

And Clarion - note the range of times. Trike man Alan Nye pulled out a big one and managed 13mph average. ;D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 27 May, 2010, 11:01:32 pm
My first time-trial tonight. 28:53 on my Audax bike complete with mudguards and a rackpack and no tri-bars. I'm not displeased with that. I wasn't last!

More pleasing was that the club seemed like a really nice friendly bunch (Didcot Phoenix). I think I might have another go sometime soon...  :thumbsup:

That's faster than me the other week on a carbon race bike with tribars...

..d
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 27 May, 2010, 11:05:04 pm
A completely indifferent 25.32 on Wednesday. Legs like lead and a profound disinclination to really try. An off-day.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 27 May, 2010, 11:05:54 pm
A completely indifferent 25.32 on Wednesday. Legs like lead and a profound disinclination to really try. An off-day.

Now you are really trying to piss me off for being so damned slow....
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 27 May, 2010, 11:15:43 pm

Now you are really trying to piss me off for being so damned slow....

Oh dear. Sorry.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: teethgrinder on 27 May, 2010, 11:48:43 pm
A completely indifferent 25.32 on Wednesday. Legs like lead and a profound disinclination to really try. An off-day.

Now you are really trying to piss me off for being so damned slow....

If it helps, I could only manage about 27:20 on the club 10. It's got a few little ups and downs and the fastest was about 22 something. That was slower than the 26:50 I rode two weeks before.
It starts by going up a little hill and I think that I hit it too hard and spend the rest of the ride trying to recover while trying to keep my pace up.
I need more practice and to learn how to pace myself for these short events...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: токамак on 28 May, 2010, 08:52:35 am
A PB for me last night on the club 10 (9.65 actually (http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-kingdom/writtle/629126365971998107)). I'm on an improving trend at the moment, which is great, although I do wonder how long it can be sustained? 23.26. My plan for this year was to be more consistent, i.e. race on a more regular schedule compared with last year (which was my first at competing). It seems to be working for now.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 28 May, 2010, 10:50:52 am

Now you are really trying to piss me off for being so damned slow....

Oh dear. Sorry.


;D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 28 May, 2010, 11:16:03 am
A PB for me last night on the club 10 (9.65 actually (http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-kingdom/writtle/629126365971998107)).
What is it with your club?

9.65 miles, 24 miles ... are you rebelling against the standard distances?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 28 May, 2010, 11:27:31 am
My first time-trial tonight. 28:53 on my Audax bike complete with mudguards and a rackpack and no tri-bars. I'm not displeased with that. I wasn't last!

More pleasing was that the club seemed like a really nice friendly bunch (Didcot Phoenix). I think I might have another go sometime soon...  :thumbsup:

Hmm ... I wonder if we could start an Audaxing Gentlemen* TT club ... I know there is already participation at the 24H level.

We could compile results from across the country, maybe bikejournal style. It would be a point of honour to only use Audax equipment, and to carry everything with you, so no leaving jackets with the timekeepers etc. No chaps in blazers looking for tri-bars, shiny overshoes or aero spokes.

If it gets big enough we could get results sheet annotated with our status (like the ladies, trikeys and vets currently have). This would all help remove the pressure to
get a TT bike, leave the rack-pack at home, and other modern shenanigans.

(currently I'm beating Ross, but that's neither here nor there ... ;) )

*To also include gentle ladies, of course.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 30 May, 2010, 01:02:54 am


Date             Distance/Time         Course type       Weather conditions            Bike ridden              

05/07/06           10mls/26.39        Rolling  Q10/26     cleardry           Raleigh 76" gear
12/07/06            10 mls/25.38      rolling Q10/26      clear dry          Raleigh 86" gear
21-22/07/07   24hr TT/334           rolling                   cold drizzle     Lambert 72" gear
15/08/07         10mls/26.45      rolling Q10/26      clear dry            Lambert 72" gear
30/03/08         9mls/29.37       Hillyish Qs/30        wet                    Lambert 79" gear  
20/04/08        10mls/28.42    Hillyish Q10/3      dry and cold          Lambert 79" gear
26/04/08        10mls/27.09      rolling Q10 /22   warm & sunny      Lambert 76" gear
25/06/08        10mls/27.24        rolling  Q10/26     hot/windy         Lambert 76" gear
28/06/08           10mls/27.16    Hillyish Q10/3      dry and hot        Lambert 79" gear
9/7/08             9mls/30,23      Hilly QS 30   pouring down/windy RonCooper71.22"gear
23/07/08       10mls/ 25.33  rolling Q10/26  hot & windy                  Graham Weigh  83" gear
26/07/08       10mls/25.30  flat      Q10/24   hot /windy                   Graham Weigh 83" gear  
29/07/08       10mls /25.40  rolling  Q10/26  hot slight wind             Graham weigh 83" gear
6/8/08           10mls / 25.10 rolling Q10/26  hot                     Graham Weigh  88" gear
13/08/08       10mls/26.0   rolling    Q10/26  very windy                      Graham Weigh 88" gear
19/04/09       10mls/27.01  rolling   Q10/18  cold/windy                     Graham Weigh  88" gear
25/04/09       10mls/25.28     flat    Q10/19     slight wind                   Graham Weigh    83" gear
20/05/09       10mls/26.07  rolling  Q10/26  slight wind/warm           Graham Weigh 83"gear
30/05/09       10mls/25.39  rolling  Q10/22  warm/cross wind            Graham Weigh  83" gear
03/06/09       10mls/25.14  rolling  Q10/26  warm                              Graham Weigh 83" gear
10/06/09       10mls/25.34  rolling  Q10/26  cool/ slight wind             Graham Weigh 83" gear
17/06/09        10mls/25.20  rolling         Q10/26 cool/windy               Graham Weigh 88" gear
21/06/09        10mls/25.25           rolling Q10/18  warm                     Graham Weigh 88" gear
24/06/09        10mls/25.05 rolling Q10/26 warm                     Graham Weigh 88" gear
 05/07/09        25mls/1:05:34       rolling Q25/8 hot                          Graham Weigh 88" gear
15/07/09   10mls/25.45  rolling Q10/26 windy   Graham Weigh  83" gear
19/07/09    25mls/1.08.22  rolling Q25/20 windy Graham Weigh 83" gear
01/08/09   10mls/26.02  flattish Q10/24 bloody windy  Graham Weigh 88" gear
05/08/09     10mls/25.11    Q10/26 rolling/warm   Graham Weigh 88" gear
19/08/09   10mls/25.15      Q10/18  rolling/hot      Graham Weigh  88" gear
20/09/09     25/1:09:50  G25/89 rolling, damp     Raleigh Ti Proffessional 14speed
11/04/10    9.5mls/28:07   QS/30  Hilly/cold           Lambert Proffessional  76" gear
24/04/10   10mls/25.47   Q10/19  flat with a drag dry/mild   Graham Weigh 88" gear
 19/05/10   10mls/26.14  Q10/26 cool/ breeze  Graham Weigh 88" gear

 


26/05/10      10mls/25.51  Q10/26   cool breeze  Graham Weigh  90.5" gear

Well I tried out the HED Disc wheel and upped the gear to 90.5" but that made it harder to the turn, I may gear back down, I also got a horrible speed wobble on down Gorse Hill at 38mph and had to back off  :(
 Faster than last week but not fast enough.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 31 May, 2010, 11:08:14 am
http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/iforpowell/SRC10_26_05_2010?feat=directlink#5475677574866151986 (http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/iforpowell/SRC10_26_05_2010?feat=directlink#5475677574866151986)

Click the link for a picture of me last Wedsnesday riding the Severn RC Evening 10 managed a time of 25:03 my fastest this year !
Still way down on my PB of 24:26 set last July.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Rhys W on 31 May, 2010, 11:17:59 am
That Avonlea guy on the red and white Colnago did our open event at Abercarn a few weeks ago. I chatted to his friend at the start line, he was riding his friend's old Colnago frame, of which I was very envious!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Tim Hall on 02 June, 2010, 12:52:02 pm
This week I'm at the tandem club rally at Ringmer. As part of the festivities, Lewes Wanderers allocated a few slots for Tandem Club members in their evening 10. I and a friend borrowed a Chas Roberts from a local bloke and had a go. And won the Tandem Club section! 26: 13. Gobsmacked.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Russell on 02 June, 2010, 01:03:16 pm
And won the Tandem Club section! 26: 13. Gobsmacked.

If we had been there I would have been happy with evens - very well done Tim!

Better weather today is it?

R
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: clarion on 02 June, 2010, 01:28:29 pm
Which was nice </Fast Show> ;D

Great stuff! :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 02 June, 2010, 09:32:17 pm

Date             Distance/Time         Course type       Weather conditions            Bike ridden               

05/07/06           10mls/26.39        Rolling  Q10/26     cleardry           Raleigh 76" gear
12/07/06            10 mls/25.38      rolling Q10/26      clear dry          Raleigh 86" gear
21-22/07/07   24hr TT/334           rolling                   cold drizzle     Lambert 72" gear
15/08/07         10mls/26.45      rolling Q10/26      clear dry            Lambert 72" gear
30/03/08         9mls/29.37       Hillyish Qs/30        wet                    Lambert 79" gear 
20/04/08        10mls/28.42    Hillyish Q10/3      dry and cold          Lambert 79" gear
26/04/08        10mls/27.09      rolling Q10 /22   warm & sunny      Lambert 76" gear
25/06/08        10mls/27.24        rolling  Q10/26     hot/windy         Lambert 76" gear
28/06/08           10mls/27.16    Hillyish Q10/3      dry and hot        Lambert 79" gear
9/7/08             9mls/30,23      Hilly QS 30   pouring down/windy RonCooper71.22"gear
23/07/08       10mls/ 25.33  rolling Q10/26  hot & windy                  Graham Weigh  83" gear
26/07/08       10mls/25.30  flat      Q10/24   hot /windy                   Graham Weigh 83" gear 
29/07/08       10mls /25.40  rolling  Q10/26  hot slight wind             Graham weigh 83" gear
6/8/08           10mls / 25.10    rolling Q10/26  hot                            Graham Weigh  88" gear
13/08/08       10mls/26.0   rolling    Q10/26  very windy                      Graham Weigh 88" gear
19/04/09       10mls/27.01  rolling   Q10/18  cold/windy                     Graham Weigh  88" gear
25/04/09       10mls/25.28     flat    Q10/19     slight wind                   Graham Weigh    83" gear
20/05/09       10mls/26.07  rolling  Q10/26  slight wind/warm           Graham Weigh 83"gear
30/05/09       10mls/25.39  rolling  Q10/22  warm/cross wind            Graham Weigh  83" gear
03/06/09       10mls/25.14  rolling  Q10/26  warm                              Graham Weigh 83" gear
10/06/09       10mls/25.34  rolling  Q10/26  cool/ slight wind             Graham Weigh 83" gear
17/06/09        10mls/25.20  rolling         Q10/26 cool/windy               Graham Weigh 88" gear
21/06/09        10mls/25.25           rolling Q10/18  warm                     Graham Weigh 88" gear
24/06/09        10mls/25.05 rolling Q10/26 warm                     Graham Weigh 88" gear
 05/07/09        25mls/1:05:34       rolling Q25/8 hot                          Graham Weigh 88" gear
15/07/09        10mls/25.45  rolling Q10/26 windy   Graham Weigh  83" gear
19/07/09        25mls/1.08.22  rolling Q25/20 windy Graham Weigh 83" gear
01/08/09        10mls/26.02  flattish Q10/24 bloody windy  Graham Weigh 88" gear
05/08/09        10mls/25.11    Q10/26 rolling/warm   Graham Weigh 88" gear
19/08/09        10mls/25.15      Q10/18  rolling/hot      Graham Weigh  88" gear
20/09/09        25/1:09:50  G25/89 rolling, damp     Raleigh Ti Proffessional 14speed
11/04/10        9.5mls/28:07   QS/30  Hilly/cold           Lambert Proffessional  76" gear
24/04/10       10mls/25.47   Q10/19  flat with a drag dry/mild   Graham Weigh 88" gear
 19/05/10      10mls/26.14  Q10/26 cool/ breeze  Graham Weigh 88" gear
26/05/10      10mls/25.51  Q10/26   cool breeze  Graham Weigh  90.5" gear
02/06/10      10mls/24.58  Q10/26   warm/breeze   Graham Weigh 90.5" gear
15/06/10      10mls/25.50   Q10/29 flat       warm/windy   Graham Weigh 90" fixed
17/06/10      10mls/25.15  Q10/29  Flat     warm/windy   Graham Weigh  90.5" gear
23/06/10      10mls/25.32  Q10/26    Rolling warm/windy Graham Weigh  90.5" gear
07/07/10      10mls/24:53  Q10/26     Rolling warm/breeze Graham Weigh 90.5" gear
14/07/10      10mls/25:44  Q10/26  rolling/cool/windy Graham Weigh 90.5" fixed
15/07/10      9.5mls/27:33 QS/30   Hilly breezy           Lambert Proffessional 76" gear
18/07/10      23.4mls/1:05:41 Q25/20 modified hilly  Graham Weigh 90" fixed
21/07/10      10mls/25:14    Q10/26  hilly breezy      Raleigh Banana 94" fixed
28/07/10      10mls/25:12    Q10/26  hilly/breezy      Raleigh Banana 94" fixed
11/08/10      10mls/24:56   Q10/26  Hilly/calm         Raleigh Banana 85" fixed
15/08/10      50mls/2h:22m:25sec Q50/1 hilly/windy Raleigh Banana 85" fixed
05/09/10      12hour/190.03mls Q12/1   rolling/windy   Raleigh Banana  85" fixed
26/09/10    25mls/1:08:38  G25/53 Cold/windy brake rubbing Raleigh Banana 85" fixed
09/04/11    10mls/24;38  Q10/19  cool no wind   Raleigh Banana 85" fixed Personal Best
02/06/10      10mls/24.58  Q10/26   warm/breeze   Graham Weigh 90.5" gear
04/05/11  10mls/27:12  Q10/26  slight breeze  Holdsworth Typhoon 72" gear
11/05/11   10mls/26:04   Q10/26 warm       Holdsworth Typhoon 84" gear
25/05/11  10mls/25:48  Q10/26 warm   Holdsworth Typhoon  84" gear
 31/05/11   10mls/25:06  Q10/24 warm/ windy Raleigh Team Professional 84" gear
 01/06/11  10mls/25:08  Q10/26  cool      Raleigh Team Professional 84" gear
 07/06/11  10mls/25:54  Q10/24 windy  Raleigh Team Proffesional 84" gear
03/07/11 25mls/1:03:20  Q25/10 warm  Raleigh Team Proffessional 97" gear
13/07/11  10.4mls/31:21  QS/30 warm/hilly    Unknown 531C tourer 73" gear
19/07/11  10mls/24:42  Q10/24  cool/slight wind  Raleigh Team Proffessional 97" gear
24/07/11  10mls/24:36  warm/slight wind Raleigh Team Proffessional 97" gear
27/07/11  10mls/24:20 slight breeze Raleigh Team Proffessional 97" gear
02/08/11  10mls/23:58  Q10/24 slight wind  Raleigh Team Proffessional 97" fixed gear
14/08/11  50mls/2:23:17 Q50/1 hilly Raleigh Team Proffessional 86" fixed gear
16/08/11 10mls/24:32  Q10/24/ Windy to turn Raleigh Team Professional 97" fixed
18/08/11 9.5mls/27:57 Q30S/very windy & raining & hilly Raleigh Team Professional 84" fixed


02/06/10      10mls/24.58  Q10/26   warm/breeze   Graham Weigh 90.5" gear
 A Personal Best tonight and my first time under 25 mins, I kept the big gear on and decided to push as hard as I could to the turn and new I was doing better with 20.5mph average up to the turn and just buried myself on the way back.
 Got the speed wobble again at 39 but relaxed and held it and it didn't get worse so rode with it.
 I was literally coughing across the line and couldn't even shout my number :)

 I'll have to try and stay under 25 now.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Jasmine on 03 June, 2010, 01:39:46 pm
First 25 of the season on Tuesday.  Hilly course on the A5 on Anglesey.  I rode 1 h 12 m 16 s, which was ok, but not great.  Mid-field pretty much.  Winner came in at 58 minutes.  At least it's practise for doing the same course again next week.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 08 June, 2010, 08:40:51 pm
Last Sunday I took part in the SomerValley CC Hardrider event 21 miles along the A361 from 2 miles east of Shepton Mallet and along the Frome by-pass. A tailwind and a largely downhill first 10 miles in 23:30 however the last 11 miles was a much slower 38 minutes  :o into a head wind and largely uphill ! Tried my hardest to beat the hour, but just couldn't manage it  :(
The fastest rider (who passed me with ease ) finished in 48 minutes winning by 2 seconds !!!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 15 June, 2010, 09:28:38 pm
Club open 10 tonight. Windy, draggy and a bit lumpy at times. Meigle - Coupar Angus - Meigle.

I was first man off. Got held up by a lorry at the turn and died a thousand deaths on the return leg.

Ended up with a far faster time than expected at 28.22.

Mr Noodley was also there. He clocked 28.23 and I think he may be out for revenge at the next showdown.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 15 June, 2010, 10:41:24 pm
Previous results
http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=229.msg635834#msg635834 (http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=229.msg635834#msg635834)

15/06/10  10mls/25.50   Q10/29 flat       warm/windy   Graham Weigh 90" fixed

Tonight was a bit windy and a different course for me, I went down to the Southborough & District Wheelers evening 10 at East Peckham on the Q10/29 not as hard as the West Kingsdown course as it is flatter but then less top speed a s well.
Turned in a 25.50, there is another one on Thursday night I'll see if I can have another go.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Jasmine on 16 June, 2010, 11:21:43 am
Last week was a bit of a roadworks blowout for TT here.  Wednesday's Gwynedd cycle association open 25 was cancelled due to roadworks and the course for the Rhos on Sea 10 has been altered to a horrible hill thing so I decided it wasn't worth the travel for a super-crap time.  Holyhead 10 on Sunday morning --> lesson #342 of TT - do not give blood the day before a TT.  I was really suffering whole distance.  Finished with 27.10 so not overly happy about that. 

Hilly-ish 8 last night at Brynsiencyn.  21.27, which turned out to be a PB despite felling like I'd been hit with a brick.  Best time of the night was 17.30 - a clear 2 minutes 20 seconds ahead of anyone else!  I'm a bit perplexed that the 4 other ladies started numbers 1-4 and then I got #15.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Rhys W on 17 June, 2010, 11:52:32 pm
Just back from the Port Talbot Wheelers 4-up 25. We lost one of our riders as we finished our warmup and rolled to the start - he was looking at his computer instead of the road and rode right up against the kerb, the wheels got "sucked in" and he went flying into the hedge. We were 5 mins from our start, he was shaken up so we told him to give it a miss if he didn't feel like it. Turns out he couldn't pedal anyway as he'd  bruised his thigh. So, we took the start line as a 3-up...

The rest of us worked well together, I felt very powerful during my turns and we ended up with 1:02:37, pretty happy with that considering we were only at 75%.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 18 June, 2010, 10:35:33 pm
17/06/10   10mls/25.15  Q10/29  Flat     warm/windy   Graham Weigh  90.5" gear

 Still windy but second time on this course mean't I could pace myself better and pull back another 40 seconds from Tuesdays effort.

previous results;
http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=229.msg635834#msg635834 (http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=229.msg635834#msg635834)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: valkyrie on 19 June, 2010, 08:04:14 pm
A quick question on entering an English TT. I've just joined the vets and I'm looking at a CTT entry form for the first time. There's a box for "Member of VTTA Group" which I presume I fill in with "Scotland" but there's no space for my VTTA membership number. Is it just not required?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Lucky on 24 June, 2010, 09:52:44 pm
First TT in 2 years tonight. Fast course (F2A/10), but I was on a road bike. No official time yet, but my computer tells me I rode 24:38 for a 24.4 mph average speed. Pleased with that! :)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: MattH on 25 June, 2010, 09:27:18 am
Did my second TT yesterday, mainly because my son (13) wanted to give it a go.

He did really well, coming in last (as he expected) but giving it a good ride. There were compliments from some of the old boys on how well he was riding and holding his line, and he is keen to go again  :thumbsup:

The timekeeper queried if I'd actually done a double loop of the bypass (which I had, it's only 3 miles) as I came in a solid 2nd place, riding my mudguard, dynohub and racked up steel audax bike  :)  (I did "cheat" by not leaving my nelson longflap on!).  Admittedly some of the seriously fast lads were out at Woking watching the racing instead of riding.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 25 June, 2010, 09:40:34 am
A quick question on entering an English TT. I've just joined the vets and I'm looking at a CTT entry form for the first time. There's a box for "Member of VTTA Group" which I presume I fill in with "Scotland" but there's no space for my VTTA membership number. Is it just not required?

No. They just need the name of your CTT affiliated club.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 25 June, 2010, 10:11:51 am
A quick question on entering an English TT. I've just joined the vets and I'm looking at a CTT entry form for the first time. There's a box for "Member of VTTA Group" which I presume I fill in with "Scotland" but there's no space for my VTTA membership number. Is it just not required?

No. They just need the name of your CTT affiliated club.

Or BC affiliated club in the Scottish region. There is a reciprocal arrangement.

..d
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 25 June, 2010, 08:08:33 pm
First TT in 2 years tonight. Fast course (F2A/10), but I was on a road bike. No official time yet, but my computer tells me I rode 24:38 for a 24.4 mph average speed. Pleased with that! :)

Lucky!  "That's more than lucky" ;D

A few weeks back in the TTs and you will be under 24 minutes  :)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 25 June, 2010, 08:13:09 pm
23/06/10   10mls/25.32  Q10/26    Rolling hot/windy Graham Weigh  90.5" gear

 Still getting the 38mph speed wobble, had a look at the rear wheel after a few recommendations  and it looks like the Tub is out of shape at least 4-5mm out of round so a new tub is on the menu.

Previous results  http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=229.msg635834#msg635834 (http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=229.msg635834#msg635834)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Palinurus on 25 June, 2010, 10:48:00 pm
Haven't really got going this year, few club 10s, one VTTA event (flattish DC course, cold, breezy, 25 minutes-ish sort of time), did manage a 23:46 on the club course early in the season and have got slower ever since.

Club hilly yesterday, around 19 miles. Was on target for getting close to last years time but on the second lap I somehow managed to start the climb in the big ring. Panting like crazy trying to keep on top of a way too large gear and going 6 mph. Never really got it back together after that. First lap 17:10, second 17:50 third similar to second. Last year 17:00, 17:10, 17:12. Came fourth, but only 15 starters and over three minutes down on the winner.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 26 June, 2010, 09:01:55 am
First TT in 2 years tonight. Fast course (F2A/10), but I was on a road bike. No official time yet, but my computer tells me I rode 24:38 for a 24.4 mph average speed. Pleased with that! :)
I've only just realised that there is a 'magic number' for 10 miles:
24.4949mph = 24.4949minutes (24.5 is pretty close)  [square root of 600, to be precise ]

I can't think of a use for this at the moment ...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Tom on 26 June, 2010, 07:38:19 pm
Have entered my first 12hr next weekend - promoted by Icknield RC.  Anyone got any experiences of it?  I'm told it's pretty flat and the first 93 miles looks to bear that out - it's up and down a 15 mile section of the A1!

I got back into cycling last year through audax and did LEL, suffered like a dog and swore I'd never do it again.  However, the cycling bug had well and truly reawakened in me and I've become totally obsessed with racing.  I've done some okay times on my road bike (with tri bars and smurf hat), but have now 'invested' heavily in a blinged up tt bike and am hoping for some payback.  Based on 22'27 for 10, 59'50 for 25 and 2h03 for 50, all on 'sporting' Sussex courses, what do peope think is a reasonable target for a flattish 12?

Thanks.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 27 June, 2010, 02:34:51 pm
My PB from last season on the Severn RC Evening 10 UC186 is 24:26
Haven' t managed to better that this year......yet !

14 April                   25:12
5 May                     26:04         very windy
26 May                    25:03        thunderstorm
9 June                     24:52        
16 June                   25:26        n.e wind
22 June                   25:17        s.w. wind


Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 27 June, 2010, 05:18:41 pm
Based on 22'27 for 10, 59'50 for 25 and 2h03 for 50, all on 'sporting' Sussex courses, what do peope think is a reasonable target for a flattish 12?
If you had some 'flat' course times, then i'd go look at the 10/25/50 PBs of riders who rode the Icknield 12 last year.

Without that data it's imposible even to guess - I suppose you could guess a lower limit, give yourself an easy target :)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 02 July, 2010, 09:09:32 am
Well, today was supposed to see me flaunting a new PB time using the "new" green bike. But last night wasn't as planned.

01/07/10  10mls / 27:22  CC118   Flat-ish course, headwind out  Steel TT bike

I've been  quicker with drops-rack-n-mudguards :(
So what are my excuses ...
It was a slow night, not our fastest course. I came 2nd in the "improvement" race, with lots of people 1minute+ off this year's PB. Cross-wind all the way, worst on the way out.(3mph faster after the turn).
First and last 2 miles are very bumpy on this course. The middle is lovely new smooth tarmac. But the TT bike is rather lively, and I'm still not comfortable on it, so lots of bouncing around and freewheeling over rough stuff.
I've had a hard-ish week, and did a run in the morning. Probably no big deal.
-ve Excuses:
Pacing seemed OK: low 160s from the off, then let it creep up from the turn, 169-171 for the last 2 miles. Computer over-read, so I didn't have much left for a sprint!
Good warmup 10-mile ride to the start.

Conclusions:
I hoped to be a load faster on this bike. Arguably I can knock off 50 seconds on a "good night", and I'll go faster as I get more comfortable, but this is all a bit desperate...
Depressing. I haven't got time before the MC1K to have another really good go at this. So: do a few more gentle miles to build up the arms, so get smoother,  and hope to get a good ride in late August.

And there's a fair chance that my Mersey 24h club record will get pinched back in July. Woe is me!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 04 July, 2010, 10:26:46 pm
59.17. 1st 25 for a year. Chuffed. As was young Tom who won with his first time under 50 mins.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 07 July, 2010, 03:03:14 pm
Slightly slower than Ian, but still a fairly succesful ride in the DPCC 25champs:


04/07/10 25mls / 1:10:48 H25/17 A420, strong headwind out     Ti Audax bike

1st in guards-n-rack class, 18th overall (out of 18) :)
I've only done two 25s before, both in 2008; matching my time on the Bianchi is very encouraging.

01/07/10 10mls / 27:22  CC118   Flat-ish course, headwind out  Steel TT bike

03/07/08 25mls/1:10:46  H25/1 not-smooth A4   Bianchi road bike
20/07/08 25mls/1:11:59  F13 rolling/windy   Dynatech sans rack/mudguards

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 08 July, 2010, 12:08:45 am
Another personal best tonight 24:53 on the Q10/26 West Kingsdown course

07/07/10 10mls/24:53  Q10/26  rolling/warm/breeze Graham Weigh 90" fixed

previous results  http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=229.msg635834#msg635834 (http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=229.msg635834#msg635834)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 08 July, 2010, 08:14:33 am
Got ready to ride out to the start last night, changed the wheels, pumped up the tyres, changed, put rucksac on...PPSSSSsssst. Took the back wheel out, removed tyre, patched tube, refitted and rode off. Got the last number and set off before a late-starter. Thought the tyre was going soft then decided it wasn't. Passed Richard for two minutes. Rim bottomed on a drain. Rode increasingly gently to the finish, Richard came past. 28.somethingorother. Timekeeper Pete gave me a lift to the HQ. Changed the tube, pumped up the tyre, broke the valve-lock off. Bvgger! Anyway the tyre was up, so rode to the pub, then home. I need to buy tubes.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 15 July, 2010, 10:50:53 pm

14/07/10 10mls/25:44  Q10/26  rolling/cool/windy Graham Weigh 90" fixed
15/07/10  9.5mls/27:33 QS/30   Hilly breezy           Lambert Proffessional 76" gear

 Last nights ride was windy and I was blown everywhere on the disc wheel I really struggled, tonights course is horrible especially on fixed and I always die up the final part of the climb Cudham Lane.

previous results  http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=229.msg635834#msg635834 (http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=229.msg635834#msg635834)
 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 15 July, 2010, 11:01:52 pm
24.50 on a windy evening. Me telling the turn marshal there are two more to come (http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4101/4796604356_05ba16f212.jpg).
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Steve Kish on 16 July, 2010, 08:51:50 pm
All done in the early 1990's when I had just turned a vet:-

10 = 20.36
25 = 52.37
30 = 1-5-09 (only ever road one)
50 = 1-55-summat (only ever road two)
100 and 12-hr = er, no thank you!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 18 July, 2010, 07:40:16 pm
 
18/07/10  23.4mls/1:05:41 Q25/20 modified hilly  Graham Weigh 90" fixed

Gravesend 25TT was shortened due to road works to 23.4 miles and added in the climb from Harrietsham to Lenham, only six people went under the hour
 Dave Wheeler won it with 53:36


previous results  http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=229.msg635834#msg635834 (http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=229.msg635834#msg635834)
 
 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 18 July, 2010, 08:46:25 pm
Just been polishing the bike.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 02 August, 2010, 10:53:49 am
I did my first official club 10 on Thursday.  Results are here (http://discussion.cliftoncc.org/viewtopic.php?t=3038), my time was 26:11.  Sadly it's the last run of the year on that course, so I'll have to wait until 2011 to get my time under 26 mins.

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 02 August, 2010, 11:26:05 am
Breckland 12H on Sunday - it's weeks since I've TTed, so hopefully this will just seem much shorter than an Audax! Wave if you're on the A11 ...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: токамак on 02 August, 2010, 11:54:21 am
I did my first official club 10 on Thursday.  Results are here (http://discussion.cliftoncc.org/viewtopic.php?t=3038), my time was 26:11.  Sadly it's the last run of the year on that course, so I'll have to wait until 2011 to get my time under 26 mins.

Pretty good time for a first attempt, I'd say. :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 02 August, 2010, 03:11:29 pm
Why thankyou, though I did recce the course on Tuesday evening.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 02 August, 2010, 09:36:11 pm
Breckland 12H on Sunday - it's weeks since I've TTed, so hopefully this will just seem much shorter than an Audax! Wave if you're on the A11 ...

Good luck. How close can you get to 300?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 02 August, 2010, 11:27:20 pm
Breckland 12H on Sunday - it's weeks since I've TTed, so hopefully this will just seem much shorter than an Audax! Wave if you're on the A11 ...

Good luck. How close can you get to 300?


;) Comp record is something over 300 miles, so I shall assume you mean 300k!

The going rate seems to be about 60% of a 24H, so I should be targetting 193. But if I avoid the problems I had on the Mersey I should eke out another 15 miles; we'll see ...

[rehearsal for the 2011 24h. So unsupported on the Audax bike, - luggage, + aerobars. And I can't be bothered to take the mudguards off! ]
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: teethgrinder on 03 August, 2010, 07:29:57 am
I reckon you'll do more than 200 miles (as long as you keep riding and don't stop to faff about :P)
Good luck  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Bairn Again on 05 August, 2010, 02:05:20 pm
Went to do my club midweek 10TT last night.

Punctured about 50 yards and 60 seconds before my 19.04 start time.  I had to be back at work by around 8pm so didnt have time to have it fixed and tag on as last rider around 19.45.  Id got there especially early too in order to bag an early start time.  Bugger.

Insult to injury - twas the same wheels & tyres that did 379 on Mersey Roads TT. 

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frenchie on 05 August, 2010, 09:24:11 pm
First TT in, I think 15 months, this week. Strong man style & after 3.5 weeks away w/out bike, 26.37. Enjoyed it too but mut do better.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 16 August, 2010, 10:52:29 am

previous results  http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=229.msg635834#msg635834 (http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=229.msg635834#msg635834)
 
 

 The Wednesday 10 this week was a fairly good night, I had geared down to 48 x 15 =85" gear for the upcoming 50 and managed a 24.56 my second fastest to date.

 Yesterday Sunday I rode the KCA 50 on the Q50/1 course at Harrietsham.
 My first 50 at race pace and I managed 02:22:25 on top of that we won the Team prize see quote from  http://spinwheels.co.uk/ (http://spinwheels.co.uk/)
Quote

Kent CA Open 50, Sunday 15th August 2010

The weather was very unkind to the riders that entered the KCA 50 held on the Q50/1 (A20 Leeds - Ashford twice) course with the strong cross wind taking its toll on the riders. This was evident in the times being returned with only the event winner J White (Cycle Premier) beating the 2 hours with a time of 1.55.54. The silver medal for second place went to Bec CC’s K Coffey who returned a 2.01.58 with B Phillips (East Grinstead CC) taking the Bronze with a time of 2.02.27.
The team award went to the Catford CC trio of Steve Airey (2.22.25), P Smith (2.14.31) and P Hayes (2.30.14) giving them a total time of 7.07.10, a fitting result as the Catford CC used this event as their club championship.
Phil Bull (VC Elan) took the Gilt Medal for the first vet on age standard with  a plus of 28.41 beating Rye & District Wheelers rider Bob Giles (+28.34)  into silver place by just 7 seconds. Alan Brown (West Kent RC) took the Bronze Medal with a plus of 28.34.
The Gilt Medal for the fastest lady went to A Shuttleworth (Chelmer CC) with a time of 2.23.29 with S Cater (Farnborough & District) taking the silver with a 2.25.13. Sally Smith (Medway Velo) took the Bronze with time of 2.41.39.
As another example of the difficulty the course was causing on the day only one rider qualified for the best improvement award. This was won by A Halliday (Westerly CC) who had an improvement of 1 min 44 sec.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 16 August, 2010, 03:15:22 pm
Race abandoned - there's another thread somewhere. And I "blogged" about it.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 16 August, 2010, 04:04:35 pm
Yes, it's much nicer. There's hardly any DC, lots more ups and downs, much greener, bendier, quieter, no fast slip roads (especially at exits from racing tracks!), a longer lap, and a fair bit of time on a more rural "holding" circuit. None of it felt dangerous when I rode.

This should be in the Mersey thread, but Howard did a really useful
map of the route (http://oranj.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/24map3.jpg)
[hope that links ok]

EDIT: & FYI the thread in the other forum: 12/24hr TT's (http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=36478.0)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 24 August, 2010, 08:39:43 pm
Club hill climb tonight. 2.5km, 120m ascent so not too steep but tough enough. The morning rain had eased to a partially cloudy sky with nice warm sun and a stiff breeze. The ride out was gentle till we went the long way round and over a hill that was a bit bigger and steeper than I remembered. And so we all gathered at the start. In the absence of our usual official we had to improvise. Having discovered that the app on my blackberry can do split times, I was the official timekeeper. Watches synchronised and I was off at minute 1 which meant I couldn't slack off as I had to get to the top before anyone else.

My time was therefore a bit approximate (though not enough to change any positions. I timed everyoen as they came through the finish, and then we had a discussion to work out who started when and what the times were. Eventually we came to a believable consensus and people were satisfied that they had an accurate time. With a howling tailwind, the downhill run back into town was fast. Very fast. Probably well over 30mph before winding up for the sprint for the 30mph signs (at which point I lost the wheel in front of me, sat up and coasted in hoping my lungs would follow)

Upshot of the hill climb was that I came 8th of 9. The 9th being the only lady to take part. My time was slower than last year, despite the added incentive of having to get to the top in time. I blame the windpies.

Overall jolly good fun. Sufficiently serious, and sufficient levity to make it a good evening event.

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 24 August, 2010, 11:14:00 pm
Excellent!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Jasmine on 25 August, 2010, 11:46:23 am
Oh no David.  You've just reminded me that the end of regular TTs means the start of hill climbs.  :'(

If only the hill climbs here were 120 m over 2.5 km.  At least they are on Sundays so we can have second breakfast at Pete's Eats in Llanberis on the way home  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 25 August, 2010, 01:56:00 pm
Oh no David.  You've just reminded me that the end of regular TTs means the start of hill climbs.  :'(

If only the hill climbs here were 120 m over 2.5 km.  At least they are on Sundays so we can have second breakfast at Pete's Eats in Llanberis on the way home  :thumbsup:

That is the top half of the usual Thursday hill. We have a nice range of 200-250m ascent hills along the ridge by the Tay, and the club runs north go up Tullybaccart, not very far off the scale of Llanberis pass (from the steep side).

My hill climbing ability is legendary. It takes so long that the start is a matter of legend.

..d
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 25 August, 2010, 02:05:46 pm

If only the hill climbs here were 120 m over 2.5 km. 

That's about the same difficulty as riding a flat road with your dynamo on.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 25 August, 2010, 02:42:47 pm

If only the hill climbs here were 120 m over 2.5 km. 

That's about the same difficulty as riding a flat road with your dynamo on.

An interesting dynamo you have then..
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 06 September, 2010, 09:26:18 am
Finished the KCA 12 hour TT yesterday all in all a bloody hard ride.

Well there isn't much of me that doesn't ache, all started well keeping a good pace on 85" fixed until I turned left on to the marsh  suddenly I was grovelling along at 10-13mph, on the Rye circuit I started getting cramp despite stuffing water with Nuun tabs in.
By 12 my knees were killing me so Ibuprofen came out shortly after that I punctured so took the opportunity to flip the gear to 80", and I just suffered to the end.
My Garmin said 190.1 at the 12 hour point but I immediately cramped solid couldn't even lift my leg over the bike, eventually I hobbled up the hill.
Three people stopped to offer lifts but I explained I needed to get to the next timekeeper, which I did eventually, that extra time might effect my final mileage calculation.

 That's 132 miles further than my longest ride this year not exactly good preparation was it :)

 Unofficial results have Steve Berry of San Fairy Anne CC at 276miles with a new course record.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 06 September, 2010, 01:19:25 pm
That sounds a very respectable distance on a lumpy course (and with no long ride training!) :thumbsup:

My Garmin said 190.1 at the 12 hour point but I immediately cramped solid couldn't even lift my leg over the bike, eventually I hobbled up the hill.
Three people stopped to offer lifts but I explained I needed to get to the next timekeeper,
Excellent - had to happen to someone sometime!


This sounds quite a 'nice' course (although i was worried opening your map that it might go down that awful gdunk-gdunk-gdunk road to Dingyness!). I might think about it next year if I fancy doing a 12 for BAR. Not very likely mind ...

(And close to Ashford BR, which is useful).
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 06 September, 2010, 06:27:20 pm
 I think a lot of the roads there have that g-dunk, g-dunk feeling, I reckon they bury ladders under the tarmac ::-)
 I certainly felt everyone of them after about 4 O'Clock  :'( It was a good move wearing two skin suits so I had double padding  ;D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Jasmine on 07 September, 2010, 09:35:37 pm
Hill climbs started this week  :'(

2.4 miles up Marchlyn Mawr.  Rode to the start, which was 45 minutes of solid climbing from home (live by the coast).

Most of the climb is 10-14%; steepest is 17%.  20 min 44 sec makes an average speed of just under 7mph  :hand:
Fastest was 14 min 18 sec.

Fantastic combination of 20 mph wind and horizontal rain.  Not nice.

Apparently the view at the top over Llanberis lake is amazing.  The view on Sunday extended to 1 metre in front of the bike.

Llanberis Pass next week.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Rhys W on 10 September, 2010, 12:10:12 am
14-20 minutes - that's my kind of hillclimb. None of this 2min30s rubbish.

I remember doing a Clwb Rasio Mona hillclimb one year on a new course someone had found somewhere near Traeth Coch, practically straight up from the beach. When I saw riders topple over into the hedge as I waited at the start line I knew I was in trouble. The guy who won (Andy Ward - is he still around?) knew about it and had fitted an MTB cassette onto his road bike!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Jasmine on 10 September, 2010, 10:44:38 am
At 20 minutes, I was nowhere near last either.  Last guy in was 28 minutes.  He stopped for a breather halfway up for a couple of minutes.

CRM don't have that climb this year.  Is it that nightmare out of Llanddona?  No Andy Ward I don't think. 

Rasio Mona are buggers for hilly timetrials though.  They have a 31 mile event that starts in Llanberis, pops over the pass, left to Capel Curig, left back down the Ogwen valley to Bangor services then left towards Pentir and back up to Llanberis.  Held on a sunday, it always rains for that event.  Fortunately, it's not required for the local BAR, so quite a few riders are always noticably absent.

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Rhys W on 10 September, 2010, 11:09:40 am
I'd love to do that one, I often do that loop when I stay at my sister's house in Bethesda. I've done the 25 that comes back up the A5 from Llanfair PG, and a few of the 8-mile ones from Brynsiencyn, but not for a few years now.

That climb could have been Llanddona, it was somewhere between Beaumaris and Pentraeth anyway.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Jasmine on 10 September, 2010, 03:26:41 pm
It's a nice loop at your own pace.  I actually quite like it, but  CRM always have the event on a day when there definitely is no tailwind up the pass, but a very very noticable gale force headwind through the Ogwen.  You know there's something wrong when you *know* you are going downhill but your computer tells you you are doing 14 mph!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Rhys W on 10 September, 2010, 05:08:26 pm
I remember riding it a couple of years ago, with a fierce headwind going up Pen y Pass. All the time, I was thinking "Dyffryn Ogwen is parallel to this road, so at least I'll have a nice tailwind coming back." Wrong!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 12 September, 2010, 12:46:35 pm
Just back from riding the Swindon RC Hardriders 23 mile TT.

Starting in Broad Town the circular route took us thru' Wootton Bassett and Lyneham before the final climb UP Clyffe Pypard  :o

Winning time was 55 mins  :o  I managed it in 1:10:58
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: tonyh on 13 September, 2010, 06:52:16 am

Clyffe Pypard is virtually overhanging!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 13 September, 2010, 02:27:34 pm

Clyffe Pypard is virtually overhanging!


There was some serious zig-zaging going on  ;)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Jasmine on 14 September, 2010, 10:05:10 am
Second of the Clwb Rasio Mona hill climbs on Sunday.  Starts at the car park in Nant Peris and goes to the top of Pen y Pass.  3 miles total, climb doesn't start for the first half mile or so. It was an open event, so there was a good turn out of 40 riders.

17.15 so average speed of 10.4 mph  :hand: (although this did get me fastest lady and therefore a trophy - Yay!)

Depressingly, I was chased over the line by Ryan Mullen who started 6 minutes back*.

Winning time was 10.53, which is an average of 16.4 mph up the pass!!

Next week is the Gwynant hill climb - Pen y pass from the other direction.  ::-)




*And he's only 15 years old.  Although he is the national junior TT champion, so I can't take it that badly really.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 26 September, 2010, 10:45:17 pm
Previous results http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=229.msg635834#msg635834 (http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=229.msg635834#msg635834)

26/09/10  25mls/1:08:38 G25/53 cold/windy  Raleigh Banana 85" fixed

 The makings of a fast course I was going well and was right on the rear wheel of my minute man at eight miles when 'ping' a front spoke went and the rim started rubbing the brakes, I backed off the release on the caliper but it still rubbed it was just bloody hard work from then on as I watched my minute man break away again :(

 Met Tom of this parish who rode a very respectable 56.35 for a personal best "Well done"
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Tom on 28 September, 2010, 07:49:35 pm
Thanks Steve.  Was really nice to meet you after reading about your exploits online.  Hard luck with the front spoke - could well have made the difference and got you that PB.  Mind you, you could always try using one or two of those new-fangled dérailleur things... 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 03 October, 2010, 05:06:40 pm
This year's hillclimb was in the pi$$ing rain.  I posted a time of 8.03 which also counts as pi$$ poor; it was 59 seconds slower than my effort last year and it placed me as the penultimate senior on a roadbike!  Dang it, I knew I was unfit at the moment. 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 18 October, 2010, 06:42:19 am
Yesterday rode the Bristol South hill climb, 2 miles up to the top of Burrington Combe. A cold morning but glorious sunshine once you where high enough ! I got up in 11.16 the winning time was just over 7 mins., in fact the first 6 riders all broke 8 mins. A field of 50 riders, with plenty of suppprt on the roadside.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 28 October, 2010, 02:17:57 pm
Final WTTA Hardrider results out. They are calculated as your best 6 results from the 13 events held through the year. I managed to complete 6 events and was a DNS in 2 others due to arm injury. Finishing 6 events gave me a final position of 33rd scoring 534 points ( points are calculated as 120 for 1st place, 119 2nd 118 3rd etc. )
My first season of competing in the Hardrider series, some really tough events, but already looking forward to next years events.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: teethgrinder on 19 March, 2011, 02:45:28 pm
Dug the Specialized Allez out of hibernation for the club 10. 28 minutes and a few seconds in perfect conditions. Bugger me I'm unfit! I can manage that for the first 10 miles of a 24 hour and not feel like I'm trying. No tri bars on the Specialized though and I am unfit.
Fastest rider was Simon Cannings, who caught me for 5 minutes just before the finish line. Luck I felt my pump try to jump out of my jersey pocket and caught it before it did, I doubt he'd have been pleased if it had gone into his wheel. Apparently he's aiming for a sub 20 minute 10 this year.
I really need to get some more exercise! Still, I didn't come last...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: teethgrinder on 26 March, 2011, 11:53:38 am
Another go at the same course as last week. I wasn't as enthusiastic when I woke up and arrived with 3 minutes to sign on. At least being last, nobody will overtake me. Then someone else turned up.
I just chucked it in a big gear and ground away and it felt much better, so I kept doing that for the rest of the ride. I felt faster than lsat week and indeed, I was. I took exactly 1:30 out of last week and came up with 26:38. Still about 4 minutes slower than the winner, but not 5 like last week. :) I was one of the very few without tri-bars. I think that the chap who started a minute behind me was also sans tri bars. He caught me half way around and beat me by 1:58, so I reckon I must have paced it at leas as good as a regular.
Seems to be more balance in discomfort this week too. Last week it was mostly my lungs, this week it seems to be well balanced.
Big gears FTW. :thumbsup:
Think I'll go and buy myself an 11 up cassette...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 09 April, 2011, 11:13:27 am

http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=229.msg635834#msg635834 (http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=229.msg635834#msg635834)


09/04/11  10mls/24:38 Q10/19 cool no wind  Raleigh Banana 85" fixed a new personal best  ;D

Catford CC Open 10 mile TT on the Q10/19 a personal best on my first Time Trial of the year 24:38 on 85" fixed, Peter Tadros won it again with 19:38
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Steve Kish on 09 April, 2011, 09:19:25 pm
10-mile = 20.37
25-mile = 52.26
30-mile = 1:5:13 (only one I ever rode)

All done in the late 1980s/early 1990s on Roberts Columbus SLX steel frame or Emperor Sport in Ishiwata 017 steel frame on huge gears (either 55/57/60 x 12-17).  My avatar shows me on the Emperor Sport machine in 1986 on the Q10/19 (Kent).
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: токамак on 09 April, 2011, 10:18:45 pm
Essex boy, Alex Dowsett (Sky Pro Cycling), smashed 46.35 today on the E2/25. Look out for him in the London Olympic TT next year! Another Essex boy (me) did a PB with 56.38. Next week, Antelope 3up TTT...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Steve Kish on 09 April, 2011, 10:26:00 pm
Quote
Next week, Antelope 3up TTT...
I was nearly conned persuaded to come out of retirement and ride that one.  Organised by Ralph Dadswell, one of my sparring partners from the 1990s ... say 'hello' to him from me. :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: токамак on 09 April, 2011, 10:37:19 pm
If I see him, I will do. It's a good course - this will be my third time.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Rhys W on 09 April, 2011, 10:53:42 pm
10-mile = 20.37
25-mile = 52.26
30-mile = 1:5:13 (only one I ever rode)

Respect.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: токамак on 09 April, 2011, 10:56:54 pm
^+1
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: токамак on 09 April, 2011, 11:07:32 pm
09/04/11  10mls/24:38 Q10/19 cool no wind  Raleigh Banana 85" fixed a new personal best  ;D

It's been a good day for PB's, let's hope the form continues!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Steve Kish on 11 April, 2011, 03:02:07 pm
Thanks guys but it's such a l-o-o-o-ng time ago! :-\

Quote
If I see him, I will do. It's a good course - this will be my third time

FWIW, the 25 time was done on the same day that Ralph Dadswell did a very fast time on his trike.  Remind him that this was on the A34 between West Ilsley and South Hinksey and that I caught and passed him after about 5 miles. ;D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: teethgrinder on 11 April, 2011, 06:35:45 pm
09/04/11  10mls/24:38 Q10/19 cool no wind  Raleigh Banana 85" fixed a new personal best  ;D

10-mile = 20.37
25-mile = 52.26
30-mile = 1:5:13 (only one I ever rode)


Looks like I've got a long way to go then.
I managed 30:55 on the club 10 11 and a bit, which put me 7th out of 10. Fastest ride was about 27 something.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 11 April, 2011, 06:41:12 pm

...Looks like I've got a long way to go then...


I reckon you'd go a lot faster if you'd just warm up beforehand properly. 100 miles should do it.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Steve Kish on 11 April, 2011, 09:04:41 pm
Quote
Looks like I've got a long way to go then

These are my best-ever rides, not the ones I used to do every week. 

As an example, I only ever managed to do about 6-ever sub 21-minute rides between 1985 and 1991 ... that's less than one a year!

We all start with slow times and depending on how much we put into it, we improve in big or small strokes.  If you want to improve, just keep riding and this will come.

Also, don't judge yourself too much on your times but also factor in how you did against opposition of equal or slightly greater ability than you. 

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Rig of Jarkness on 11 April, 2011, 09:12:47 pm
10-mile = 20.37
25-mile = 52.26
30-mile = 1:5:13 (only one I ever rode)

Respect.  :thumbsup:

Pah !  I once won the Ambergate sign on the Derby chaingang.  Now that's proper racing  :)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: teethgrinder on 12 April, 2011, 12:17:08 am

...Looks like I've got a long way to go then...


I reckon you'd go a lot faster if you'd just warm up beforehand properly. 100 miles should do it.

OK. Thanks Ian, I'll do that. :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: teethgrinder on 12 April, 2011, 12:24:00 am
Quote
Looks like I've got a long way to go then

These are my best-ever rides, not the ones I used to do every week. 

As an example, I only ever managed to do about 6-ever sub 21-minute rides between 1985 and 1991 ... that's less than one a year!

We all start with slow times and depending on how much we put into it, we improve in big or small strokes.  If you want to improve, just keep riding and this will come.

Also, don't judge yourself too much on your times but also factor in how you did against opposition of equal or slightly greater ability than you. 



I know I'm not doing too bad. I think I was the only one without tri bars this weekend and I was less than a minute slower than about 3 others. If I used tri bars I'd probably take another minute or two off my time. But I'm only riding short TTs as training for 24 hour TTs. The course we used wasn't fast either. More of a sporting course
My best 10 was 20:54 in 1993. I never used tri bars then, which is why I'm not using them now, to see how I compare to almost 20 years ago. I'll have a better idea when I ride a faster course. I also want to break the hour for a 25 without tri bars, because I've never broke the hour before. But that's all a side show to riding the 24s.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: токамак on 12 April, 2011, 09:53:10 am
I overheard a couple of old boys the other week lamenting the lack of interest in long distance TT's now. I'll be attempting a 100 in June. I think I'd need about a year to mentally prepare to take on a 12 or 24 hour TT!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: токамак on 12 April, 2011, 09:54:50 pm
Provisional confirmation of Alex Dowsett's amazing ride on th E2/25 last Saturday: 09/04/11 - Lea Valley CC 25 (http://cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/Default.aspx?&ge482__geka=8sW2Q7VKZmF8CUWP7ygm7riwpLFKNCEAIlX03Hp4_FhPDrktfqfkoQzxx15QQk__u1mHvL3hocSFROAW6IAusA&ge482__gevi=bkosVTEcmXX5ekdECVvBmA&gv484__gvff0=55937&gv484__gvfl0=0&gv676__gvac=2&language=en-GB&tabid=109)

I'm in there at 39.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Steve Kish on 12 April, 2011, 10:20:58 pm
I tried all the TT gimicks like aero tubing, drilled components, rear disc wheel, concealed cables, hidden brakes but IMHO, it's the tri-bars that are worth all of these put together.

However, some of the old skool time trial greats like Adkins, Engers, Cottington, Pyne, Queen, Ballard etc. etc. just didn't get on with them, as it was their style and concentration on position that set them apart from other riders.

Nowadays, the use of tri-bars is the 'great leveller' that allows anyone to have a decent position.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 12 April, 2011, 10:25:00 pm
...the use of tri-bars is the 'great leveller'...

Literally.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: drossall on 12 April, 2011, 10:32:50 pm
I'll be attempting a 100 in June. I think I'd need about a year to mentally prepare to take on a 12 or 24 hour TT!
Depends how you approach them. I rode 12s as fast touring events - only did 217 miles so didn't exactly set the world on fire, but enjoyed them off the back of relatively little experience (couple of years' racing as a teenager).

I've never really fancied riding all day and night though. I realise that makes me odd in the eyes of many Audaxers :)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: teethgrinder on 13 April, 2011, 06:40:11 pm
I overheard a couple of old boys the other week lamenting the lack of interest in long distance TT's now. I'll be attempting a 100 in June. I think I'd need about a year to mentally prepare to take on a 12 or 24 hour TT!

I (and many others I've talked to) reckon that a 100 mile TT is the toughest. I've never ridden a 50 or 100 before, but have ridden quite a few 12s and 24s. You sort of relax a bit on the long rides. 100s, I'd guess are very intense for a long time.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Steve Kish on 13 April, 2011, 06:49:23 pm
Being a short distance man, I'd only ever ride a 24 if it was found that a 25 course had been measured too short! ;)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: tatanab on 13 April, 2011, 07:04:40 pm
Being a short distance man, I'd only ever ride a 24 if it was found that a 25 course had been measured too short! ;)
Roy Cromack, long time record holder, is reputed to have treated his record 507 mile ride as a series of 25s.

I rode 10s (not many in my day), lots of 25s,  a few 30s and 50s, never 100, and  a couple of 12s but never a 24.  Like drossall I treated a 12 like a long touring ride/club run.  I was never any good anyway at any distance.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 13 April, 2011, 10:59:52 pm
First Severn Club '10' of the season this evening.
A wet & windy evening only brought out 16 riders, the winning time was 23:11 !
I was way down on my PB of 24:26, but for the first ride on a wet course it wasn't too bad.
My 26:02 put me in 10th place.
The course takes you from Old Down to the Aust m/way roundabout along the A403 to Northwick then back to Tockington.

EDIT : Was given a WTTA medal for being part of Severn RC team who finished 5th in last years WTTA Hardriders events  :thumbsup:

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: teethgrinder on 13 April, 2011, 11:39:48 pm
Roy Cromack, long time record holder, is reputed to have treated his record 507 mile ride as a series of 25s.

He trained by riding 25 miles very fast, twice a day. Regular 24 riders were concerned about his lack of long rides. He only rode one ride over 200 miles in his training. Apparently, he was a well established short distance TTer of note.
That's still 350 miles a week though, all at high intensity.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 14 April, 2011, 02:50:46 pm
The great thing about the 12/24s is the fixed time format - you know the winner will have to suffer just as long as everyone else!

If I ever ride a 100 I can imagine finishing an hour after many people - just too demoralising...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: токамак on 18 April, 2011, 11:24:16 am
Top tip - don't mess with your race bike on race day! I put in a new steerer bung before setting off for the Antelope RT 3up, noticed there was a bit of play in the fork when we arrived, went to tighten the top nut holding the front end together and sheared the bolt in half! Bloody cheap aluminium thing... I may have over-torqued it a little ;) Anyway, no race for me. Was a great day for a great event though - only slightly marred by a couple of nasty sounding accidents, I believe broken bones were sustained, ouch.

Fortunately I'd had the foresight to enter two events this weekend and after sorting the bike on Saturday evening did 59.50 on the E91/25 Sunday morning. Missed out on 3rd place by 8 seconds!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: clifftaylor on 18 April, 2011, 06:01:57 pm
Top tip - don't mess with your race bike on race day! I put in a new steerer bung before setting off for the Antelope RT 3up, noticed there was a bit of play in the fork when we arrived, went to tighten the top nut holding the front end together and sheared the bolt in half! Bloody cheap aluminium thing..

The top nut shouldn't have been holding anything together - the stem bolts do that......
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: токамак on 18 April, 2011, 09:28:15 pm
If you want to pull the headset arrangement together it's necessary to loosen off the stem before screwing down the top nut. Once I'd borked the bolt it wasn't possible to get enough compression to pull the whole lot together satisfactorily.

[edit] but I get your point, once the stem is tightened, it's that which effectively holds everything in place...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Chris N on 19 April, 2011, 09:34:17 pm
First ever 10 tonight - a 'sporting' course. 27:10.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: TOBY on 19 April, 2011, 09:39:20 pm
First ever 10 tonight - a 'sporting' course. 27:10.  :thumbsup:

Top job Chris  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Steve Kish on 19 April, 2011, 10:02:23 pm
First ever 10 tonight - a 'sporting' course. 27:10.  :thumbsup:

The first one is the benchmark for improvement - well done! :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 20 April, 2011, 09:07:21 pm
Much better time this week, in much better conditions.
Riding my old Peugeot managed to beat last weeks time by exactly one minute  :thumbsup:
Lots of fast times tonight, with plenty of riders out enjoying the fine evening.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Jasmine on 21 April, 2011, 08:09:41 pm
First 10 of the year for me tonight.

Had a crap start to the year (slow 4 mile, DNS an 8, stupid mechanical on another 8, DNS a 10), so needed to get some confidence tonight.

10 miles Holyhead course - 25.49   PB by 16 seconds.  Happy dance  :D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Palinurus on 22 April, 2011, 11:45:10 am
First evening 10 of the year, probably the first time this year I've been in the big ring for more than five minutes too.

25:00 apparently, perhaps because I had a tailwind for the more uphill first leg. Felt terrible, unsurprising having done no cycling except riding to work after my last 'cross race in December, at which point I had even poorer form than usual anyway.

Glad to get going again though. Slept well after, even with the cat trying to wake me up every hour or so.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 27 April, 2011, 09:16:56 pm
3 seconds faster than last week  :thumbsup: slowly closing in on my PB !!!
60 riders out tonight, maximum allowed at this time of year.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: токамак on 28 April, 2011, 10:33:58 am
Eastern Counties Cycling Association Festival this weekend. I'm entered in four events - two solos and two 2ups.

Festival Poster - PDF (http://questronics.org.uk/EasternCounties/pdfWindow.html?festival/2011/Poster.pdf)

As for the weather forecast, windy with gusts of 40mph! Grrr, I hate this wind with a passion.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 01 May, 2011, 07:17:31 pm
Only 2nd Open 10 ridden, 120 riders signed up for this TT on the very popular U47 course, HQ at Ashton Keynes, course on Dual carriageway between Cirencester and Cricklade.
A strong Easterly crosswind didn't help conditions, felt pretty good on the outward section, but wind took its toll on the return, managed a PB by 9 seconds though.
Some amazing times ridden despite the conditions, and some amazing bikes as well  :o
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Wobbly John on 04 May, 2011, 01:43:26 pm
That's the TT bike fecked then.  >:(

(http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y252/wobblyjohn/Mechmeh.jpg)

Wrecked mech & cable, snapped mech hanger, at least 6 spokes on the Ksyrium rear wheel (maybe have to junk the whole wheel if the rim is split)  :facepalm:

At least it happened after the finish.

No damage to me - only my wallet.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 04 May, 2011, 02:58:59 pm
And your time was?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: clarion on 04 May, 2011, 02:59:39 pm
You must have been giving it some to do that!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: токамак on 04 May, 2011, 03:00:05 pm
You were clearly putting way too much power through it.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Wobbly John on 04 May, 2011, 03:09:19 pm
And your time was?

27 something - I did no training over winter. Was riding 26/long 25's for last year's 10 mile TTs

Wasn't putting any power in, I was changing down after crossing the line. I was doing 29mph over the line, but then there's a short climb and parked cars to negociate.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 05 May, 2011, 12:00:10 am

http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=229.msg635834#msg635834 (http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=229.msg635834#msg635834)


09/04/11  10mls/24:38 Q10/19 cool no wind  Raleigh Banana 85" fixed a new personal best  ;D


04/05/11  10mls/27:12  Q10/26  slight breeze  Holdsworth Typhoon 72" gear

TT bike has headset woes at present so rode it on a 72" medium gear for a change
av speed 22.06 @ 103rpm av  and 41mph max aat approx 187rpm :)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 12 May, 2011, 12:44:01 am

http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=229.msg635834#msg635834 (http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=229.msg635834#msg635834)


09/04/11  10mls/24:38 Q10/19 cool no wind  Raleigh Banana 85" fixed a new personal best  ;D


04/05/11  10mls/27:12  Q10/26  slight breeze  Holdsworth Typhoon 72" gear

TT bike has headset woes at present so rode it on a 72" medium gear for a change
av speed 22.06 @ 103rpm av  and 41mph max aat approx 187rpm :)

11/05/11   10mls/26:04   Q10/26 warm       Holdsworth Typhoon 84" gear
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/85042112 (http://connect.garmin.com/activity/85042112)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 13 May, 2011, 08:02:48 pm
66 riders turned out this week on a cold and very windy night.
If you ever consider this club TT turn up early as some riders were turned away as time/sunset didn't permit them to ride.
I really struggled riding into the strong S wind, slowest ride ever for me tonight  :(
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: токамак on 16 May, 2011, 10:49:16 am
The wind has been a real b*stard the last few weeks. I'm a lightweight rider and it's really slapped me down! The big strong guys seem to be less affected by the conditions. Give me a technical, hilly course with no wind and I'm laughing. ;)

27th and 2nd on handicap yesterday with 2:00:24
Norlond TT Combine - F1/50 - 15/05/11 - CTT Results (http://cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/Default.aspx?&ge1246__geka=zDDQ-6ZV33MzjqeBwbmQr0ELd7vY1GJQywTngQ2oPU-2R7Wo4ht6aSrM95O4UZpI&ge1246__gevi=bkosVTEcmXX5ekdECVvBmA&gv484__gvac=2&gv484__gvff0=56110&gv484__gvfl0=0&language=en-GB&tabid=109)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 16 May, 2011, 11:03:59 am
It must be tough not winning on handicap - hope the weather improves for you ;)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: токамак on 16 May, 2011, 11:28:54 am
It's been a weekend of 2nd's - on Saturday I came 2nd in the Lea Valley CC Middle Markers event on the E2/10 - 23:13

In the scratch event Hutch did 18:55!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: delthebike on 16 May, 2011, 11:30:25 am
In the scratch event Hutch did 18:55!
Leg stubble chaffing?  ::-)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: токамак on 16 May, 2011, 11:38:37 am
No, it's the slow itch muscle fibres in his legs that make him so good at cycling.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Steve Kish on 16 May, 2011, 02:48:04 pm
Quote
In the scratch event Hutch did 18:55!

Obviously the last dress rehearsal before the he -v- Wiggo next Saturday in the National 10.  Wish I lived closer to Hartlepool. ::-)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: токамак on 16 May, 2011, 03:38:32 pm
And they didn't get a full field - should have sent in an entry, would have got a ride! RTTC 10 Mile National Championships - CTT Startseets (http://cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/Default.aspx?&ge390__geka=zDDQ-6ZV33MzjqeBwbmQrz_ANSkB_T7qN_S6WibhjZQIXum8hU14ondLtAAQHoEs&ge390__gevi=bkosVTEcmXX5ekdECVvBmA&gv391__gvac=2&gv391__gvff0=3153&gv391__gvfl0=0&language=en-GB&tabid=62)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 17 May, 2011, 10:53:49 pm
First local 10 tonight.

Back onto the thread. Out into a strong headwind. Back was 10mph faster!

a slothful 28.41

..d
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 08 June, 2011, 12:51:46 am


http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=229.msg635834#msg635834 (http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=229.msg635834#msg635834)


09/04/11  10mls/24:38 Q10/19 cool no wind  Raleigh Banana 85" fixed a new personal best  ;D



04/05/11  10mls/27:12  Q10/26  slight breeze  Holdsworth Typhoon 72" gear

TT bike has headset woes at present so rode it on a 72" medium gear for a change
av speed 22.06 @ 103rpm av  and 41mph max aat approx 187rpm :)

11/05/11   10mls/26:04   Q10/26 warm       Holdsworth Typhoon 84" gear
 

 25/05/11  10mls/25:48  Q10/26 warm   Holdsworth Typhoon  84" gear
 31/05/11   10mls/25:06  Q10/24 warm/ windy Raleigh Team Professional 84" gear
 01/06/11  10mls/25:08  Q10/26  cool      Raleigh Team Professional 84" gear
 07/06/11  10mls/25:54  Q10/24 windy  Raleigh Team Proffesional 84" gear

 Built my Raleigh Team Professional frame up as a TT bike now so back with aero bars :) Very windy tonight on the Gravesend CC course with a headwind on the uphill to the turn section made it hard work. forty six seconds slower than last week :(
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/90898787 (http://connect.garmin.com/activity/90898787)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 08 June, 2011, 08:59:57 am
2nd midweek 10. Suffering a minor cold so manned a roundabout with the camera instead.

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5110/5809706582_355aa5902f.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidmam/5809706582/)
Barry3_t (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidmam/5809706582/) by davidmamartin (http://www.flickr.com/people/davidmam/), on Flickr

and many more besides. Only a handful of riders as it was pouring at sign on, but the rain had stopped for the ride and there was only a light wind.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 08 June, 2011, 05:16:06 pm
No ride this week - I'm tapering, and resting on my laurels :smug: . finally rode Ye Ancient Lo-Pro bike on a fast course (if a bit windy), having got used to the bloody thing over the winter:

02/06/11  10mls/H10/17r (A420) 26:03
Gentle head-wind Little Green Bike, PB by a minute!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Rhys W on 11 June, 2011, 11:27:45 pm
This week the timekeeper decided to spice up the club 10 by offering a bottle of wine as a handicap prize (based on the last couple of weeks' times). The last couple of weeks have been terribly windy, so I had just turned up on a road bike purely for the training. This week, despite being only about 10 deg C and raining, the wind had dropped, so I brought out the lo-pro and upped my game to see if I could make something of my generous handicap. I went a minute and a half faster!

(http://homepage.ntlworld.com/rhys.llangefni/lluniau/prize.jpg)


Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Peter on 11 June, 2011, 11:31:29 pm
This week the timekeeper decided to spice up the club 10 by offering a bottle of wine as a handicap prize (based on the last couple of weeks' times). The last couple of weeks have been terribly windy, so I had just turned up on a road bike purely for the training. This week, despite being only about 10 deg C and raining, the wind had dropped, so I brought out the lo-pro and upped my game to see if I could make something of my generous handicap. I went a minute and a half faster!

(http://homepage.ntlworld.com/rhys.llangefni/lluniau/prize.jpg)




If it was horse-racing, I think you'd probably be referred to the stewards, so drink the wine quickly while you've still got it!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 17 June, 2011, 08:21:45 pm
After battling the M32/M4/M5/M42/M6/M1/M69 and finally the A46 ! I just made it to the start of 'Leicester Forest CC' Evening 10 last night ( I know its a long way to go, but I was working in Leicester today ).
Made very welcome by them, in fact they were quite intrigued how a Bristolian had found their club's Evening 10. With only a short warm up I was off, managed to stay on course, although got a good soaking on the homebound stretch as the heavens opened !
A good course, with the added bonus of coffee and cake at the finish  ;D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Steve Kish on 17 June, 2011, 11:13:25 pm
Great looking bike, Rhys! :thumbsup:  You've gotta get a blue rear tyre for it, though. ;D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Rhys W on 19 June, 2011, 10:10:52 am
It matches the colours of my club skinsuit. I've had blue tyres and red tyres on it, and the thought of a red/blue combo has occurred to me many times - definitely next time!


Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: AndyH on 20 June, 2011, 10:04:14 pm
Rode my first evening club 10 for about 25 years on 24th May courtesy of the fine ladies & gents at Addiscombe CC. Rode my Audax bike minus mudguards but complete with saddlepack & lights, 27:55.

Second one tomorrow night, same course - the G10/42 from Holmwood. Hopefully this will help, it felt quick when I tested it out last Thursday night.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-hl6OEV4Y9bE/Tfo-KlYdmwI/AAAAAAAAAaA/rusW4sHulNs/s800/IMAG0280.jpg)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: drossall on 20 June, 2011, 10:13:41 pm
Blimey, you're getting serious quickly :)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: AndyH on 20 June, 2011, 10:36:52 pm
That's last years Audax bike with a bunch of 2nd hand kit and some new bar tape  ;D

It was never really suited to Audax, but has done me very well.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: drossall on 20 June, 2011, 10:46:38 pm
So you ride TT bikes on Audaxes, and now you have ridden an Audax bike on a TT. Please don't try downhill on a track bike.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: AndyH on 21 June, 2011, 11:33:45 pm
It looked a bit different (http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=17.msg968519#msg968519) when I used it for Audax.

Anyway, Rode a Jack and Jill 2 up with a lady called Robyn. I felt pretty crap because I didn't warm up properly. Since I've been riding longer audaxes I find it takes at least 20 miles to get going. I drove to the start because I'd left my front light at home in Dorset  :-[. 27:38 I think was our time. 18 seconds off my vet's standard. There is more in the tank I'm sure, I just need to work out how to get it out.

Bike felt good, a bit strange though, 1st time using tri bars, which I hadn't tightened up properly. I hit a bump & one side slipped down ::-). And I couldn't get top gear, but it's quite encouraging that I felt I needed it.

Robyn seemed very happy. Which was nice.

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Rhys W on 24 June, 2011, 05:41:01 pm
Did a 4-up TT last night, with TOBY of this forum in my team. We scraped under the hour with 59:40, I was just glad we kept the team together and my legs still worked after riding the length of Wales last Saturday.

The course was the Rhigos-Glynneath-Resolven course that Michael Hutchinson did 47:00 a few weeks ago. Winners were Cwmcarn Paragon with 49-something. 30mph!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 02 July, 2011, 05:12:11 pm
Here (http://www.welshcycling.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=138&Itemid=123) we go.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Jasmine on 02 July, 2011, 06:13:31 pm
There's a lot of familiar names there.  7 Ystwyth CC rides to watch out for, at least 3 of them could knock out some serious distance on a good day...

Good luck Ian.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 03 July, 2011, 11:09:47 am
 

Previous results.
http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=229.msg635834#msg635834 (http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=229.msg635834#msg635834)


Personal best today at the Thanet RC 25 mile TT 1:03:20 on a 97" gear, even smashed through the ten mile mark in 24:15 :)
Winner was Kevin Tye 52:43 new course record

03/07/11 25mls/1:03:20  Q25/10 warm  Raleigh Team Proffessional 97" gear
HR 160bpm max, 151bpm average

Garmin data link http://connect.garmin.com/activity/96442365 (http://connect.garmin.com/activity/96442365)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 04 July, 2011, 02:51:50 pm
There's a lot of familiar names there.  7 Ystwyth CC rides to watch out for, at least 3 of them could knock out some serious distance on a good day...

Good luck Ian.  :thumbsup:

Not brilliant, but not too bad (http://www.timetriallingforum.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=59489). I reckon I was on the verge of heatstroke. Toby did extremely well. Oranj's result looks okay...then you realise he riding a trike.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Jasmine on 04 July, 2011, 03:27:39 pm
I've seen a couple of pictures on Facebook.  Everyone looked pretty good.  Who was the guy on a folder?

I imagine it was a hot one!  Nice for a ride, hard for a long TT!

Well done.  Going to the Mersey 24 as well Ian?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 04 July, 2011, 03:48:23 pm
I've seen a couple of pictures on Facebook.  Everyone looked pretty good.  Who was the guy on a folder?

I imagine it was a hot one!  Nice for a ride, hard for a long TT!

Well done.  Going to the Mersey 24 as well Ian?

He was 40th, pleased to get over 200. It was a rattly Moulton 3-speed.

I'll give the 24 a rest this year. Perhaps next.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: TOBY on 05 July, 2011, 03:51:41 pm
Rhys forgot to mention the fun stuff from the 4up TTT, our rider that took the 1st exit at the rbt when it was 2nd ex SO and that I managed to say hello to the floor after we'd finished (but 4 miles ride from the HQ  ::-) )



The WCA 12hr was an excellent event if a little hot, is it going back to September next year?  :-\ I liked the summer but maybe the cooler days would give a better distance?

Ice cream cones filled with creamed rice are amazing!

Fantastic distance by the winner of 267 in that heat* and well done Howard is that a new trike record?

Looking forward to next year when I'll have a proper go at it  :thumbsup:

*passed a couple of people being  :sick: up on the finishing circuits
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: AndyH on 05 July, 2011, 11:34:53 pm
Congratulations Oranj & Toby.

It must have felt strange coming 9th though Toby  ;)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 13 July, 2011, 09:23:32 pm
First TT for a month tonight, and lack of fitness was evident, I just couldn't get going, a shame as the conditions were very good. Big field out enjoying the fine evening.

DateCourseDistanceTimePos.Notes
13 AprUC1869.6miles26:0210/16Wet & SE Wind
20 AprUC1869.6miles25:0232/54Warm & Light Wind
27 AprUC1869.6miles24:5930/60Sunny & N Wind
30 AprU4710 miles25:0992/120Strong E Crosswind PB on a Std 10
4 MayUC1869.6miles25:4231/54Overcast & E Wind
11 MayUC1869.6miles26:1243/66Dry & Strong S Wind
16 JunA10/1110 miles27:1412/27Wet & Crosswind
13 JulyUC1869.6 miles26:0840/55Warm & Sunny
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Peter on 14 July, 2011, 12:39:12 am
I was in the cafe in Slaidburn on Sunday, when I met a guy who had done 504 miles on the North Road 24.  Obviously, it was some time ago as I'd say he was about 60-65.  He was well over six feet tall.  I didn't ask him his name as he seemed embarrassed (it was his wife who buttonholed me!).  Any idea who it might be? 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Rig of Jarkness on 14 July, 2011, 07:20:38 am
Is Sean Yates really entered for the RTTC 12 hour championship this year ?  Anyone know ?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Steve Kish on 14 July, 2011, 09:29:51 am
Quote
Any idea who it might be?

I'd guess Roy Cromack.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: drossall on 14 July, 2011, 11:48:17 pm
Didn't he do 507 in the Mersey, when he famously went so fast that the marshals weren't ready on the finishing circuit?

504 is pretty fast, so it shouldn't be too hard to figure out who it was.

And older riders are still competitive in time trials, so it might not be that long ago...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Rainmaker on 15 July, 2011, 08:41:09 am
Posted by: Peter  Posted on: Yesterday at 12:39:12 AM 
Insert Quote 
I was in the cafe in Slaidburn on Sunday, when I met a guy who had done 504 miles on the North Road 24.  Obviously, it was some time ago as I'd say he was about 60-65.  He was well over six feet tall.  I didn't ask him his name as he seemed embarrassed (it was his wife who buttonholed me!).  Any idea who it might be?   

Another possibility is S.W. (Stuart) Jackson, he certainly used to live in the Dales, somewhere in the Gargrave area, and he is tall.   I've looked at the 24 hour Champions on the CTT site, he won the National 24 more than once but no mention of 504 miles.    I'm not sure that 60 - 65 is accurate though. 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Steve Kish on 15 July, 2011, 08:40:32 pm
Quote
S.W. (Stuart) Jackson

Was he bearded?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 15 July, 2011, 11:14:15 pm

Previous results.
http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=229.msg635834#msg635834 (http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=229.msg635834#msg635834)


13/07/11  10.4mls/31:21  QS/30 warm/hilly    Unknown 531C tourer 73" gear

 Abysmal ride I hate this course, usually nine miles but slightly extended via Halstead due to roadworks on Rushmore Hill, used my Audax touring bike with a lower 73" gear but still died up Cudham Lane to the finish.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/98956024 (http://connect.garmin.com/activity/98956024)
 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Tom on 16 July, 2011, 09:35:16 pm
I was in the cafe in Slaidburn on Sunday, when I met a guy who had done 504 miles on the North Road 24.  Obviously, it was some time ago as I'd say he was about 60-65.  He was well over six feet tall.  I didn't ask him his name as he seemed embarrassed (it was his wife who buttonholed me!).  Any idea who it might be?

These are the only riders to have topped 500 miles in a 24 (courtesy of ttforum).

Andy Wilkinson   541.17   2011   National Champs      
John Warnock   520.19   2010   National Champs       
Nik Gardiner   513.65   2008   National Champs       
Gethin Butler   509.25   2000   National Champs       
Roy Cromack   507           1969          
John Woodburn505.47   1980   National Champs      
Ian Butcher   501.31   1998   National Champs       
Eamonn Deane501.04   2007   National Champs       
Ian Dow           500.1   1987   National Champs   
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 17 July, 2011, 12:40:31 am
Those are only their longest distances, some of them have done other rides of >500 miles.  However, the North Roads course hasn't had any rides of 504 or over except for 1980 when John Woodburn won with 505.47 miles.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Peter on 17 July, 2011, 12:49:30 am
Thanks for those replies.  It's a bit of a puzzle.  It was his wife who said 504.  The only one who looks the right age is Roy Cromack but he has 507 and it probably wasn't on the North Road.  I'm beginning to wonder if it was actually kilometres!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 17 July, 2011, 02:06:24 pm
Horrible windy, gusty, rainy day. Managed a short 4. Winner was a 53.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Steve Kish on 17 July, 2011, 10:44:19 pm
Can't be Woodburn as he's about 5ft 8ins. ::-)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Rhys W on 19 July, 2011, 10:10:39 pm
Feeling pretty good tonight, did 24:34 - fastest I've gone for a few years. An improvement of 1:10 (or 4.5%) on Saturday, and only 47s off my PB from about 8 years ago.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Steve Kish on 19 July, 2011, 10:20:03 pm
Feeling pretty good tonight, did 24:34 - fastest I've gone for a few years. An improvement of 1:10 (or 4.5%) on Saturday, and only 47s off my PB from about 8 years ago.  :thumbsup:

I sense a 25mph ride coming soon! :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 20 July, 2011, 12:43:24 am


Previous results.
http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=229.msg635834#msg635834 (http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=229.msg635834#msg635834)


 Good ride tonight, second fastest 10 and I won the bottle of wine for best improvement tonight :) :P
 I left the 97" gear on it was hard uphil into a slight headwind to the turn but managed to improve with it on the way back.

19/07/11  10mls/24:42  Q10/24  cool/slight wind  Raleigh Team Proffessional 97" gear
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 24 July, 2011, 01:38:25 pm


Previous results.
http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=229.msg635834#msg635834 (http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=229.msg635834#msg635834)


 A new Personal best this morning at our Club 10TT on what is usually slower course on Polhill.
24/07/11  10mls/24:36  Q10/18 warm/slight wind Raleigh Team Proffessional 97" gear  ;D

[edit] to add another PB 24:20 on the Bexley CC evening 10 at Westr Kingsdown.

27/07/11  10mls/24:20  Q10/26 slight breeze  Raleigh Team Proffessional 97" gear

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/102189598 (http://connect.garmin.com/activity/102189598)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 28 July, 2011, 08:10:46 pm
Good ride last night, a warm evening with some cloud, but no wind for a change !!
Kept up a good speed and was pleased with my time  :thumbsup:
Maybe last one of season on this course as South Gloucestershire Council are planning to strengthen a bridge on the route ( why can't they wait until September ? )
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 29 July, 2011, 08:44:11 am
Pretty steady ride at the weekend - moving average just over 16mph.


I was pushing-off at our club 2-up last night. (What a contrast to Saturday). I wasn't sure what the etiquette was - it seems clear that you don't want to push the 2nd rider too hard. And if you're pushing the lead rider, you need to be bloody careful to not lose an ear on the 2nd riders handlebars!

Matt's Top Tip: put your bigger rider on the front, as he's less likely to accidentally jump clear at the start (assuming you're well matched for speed).
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 31 July, 2011, 10:10:47 pm
The Elmet 12 hour TT for me this weekend.  I reckon I did 222 miles, we'll see what the timekeepers say when they've worked it out.  This was unsupported but the course is quite good because, unlike the ESCA 24, all the laps passed the HQ.  I was never more than 40 miles away from my bag drop  :thumbsup:  The winner did 279 or something like that 275.

[EDIT: Official results are up (http://cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/Default.aspx?&ge482__geka=zDDQ-6ZV33MzjqeBwbmQrz_ANSkB_T7qN_S6WibhjZQ7lWdVorNhujUmx1ZTuQec&ge482__gevi=bkosVTEcmXX5ekdECVvBmA&gv484__gvff0=56498&gv484__gvfl0=0&gv676__gvac=2&language=en-GB&tabid=109).  I got 222.43]
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 01 August, 2011, 09:18:54 am
The Elmet 12 hour TT for me this weekend.  I reckon I did 222 miles, we'll see what the timekeepers say when they've worked it out.  This was unsupported but the course is quite good because, unlike the ESCA 24, all the laps passed the HQ.  I was never more than 40 miles away from my bag drop  :thumbsup:  The winner did 279 or something like that 275.

[EDIT: Official results are up (http://cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/Default.aspx?&ge482__geka=zDDQ-6ZV33MzjqeBwbmQrz_ANSkB_T7qN_S6WibhjZQ7lWdVorNhujUmx1ZTuQec&ge482__gevi=bkosVTEcmXX5ekdECVvBmA&gv484__gvff0=56498&gv484__gvfl0=0&gv676__gvac=2&language=en-GB&tabid=109).  I got 222.43]
That sounds a nice event - course looks nice
http://cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/Default.aspx?&gv852__gvac=2&gv852__gvff0=948&gv852__gvfl0=0&tabid=362

(if not very fast, going by results?)

This confirms my suspicion that Southern England is not a great place for long TTs!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 01 August, 2011, 09:25:25 am
Well it looked nice, and it's oop north!

EDIT:so I guess it's this one http://cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/Default.aspx?&gv852__gvac=2&gv852__gvff0=1210&gv852__gvfl0=0&tabid=362

(It goes past the front door of my uncle-n-aunt, so might be doable, some day. And on the LEL route </audax diversion> )

Have I read this right - two 12s on the same day in Lancashire/Yorkshire? I know the two nations don't talk, but I assume that is what the CTT is for ...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 01 August, 2011, 11:24:53 am
There were some lovely bits of tarmac on there, which were blissful revelations every time I got onto them and off the pitted lanes that made up the rest of the course.  I think the A614 may be my new favourite road - I could ride on the left rather than alternating sides to avoid the broken tarmac. 

Still, nice course.  I'll do it again next year if it's not the week after the Mersey, but my hopes aren't high on that front.

[EDIT: Yes Matt, you should do it.  It's friendly and charming, plus I don't want to be the slowest senior male again  :P]
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 01 August, 2011, 01:03:08 pm
I'll do it again next year if it's not the week after the Mersey, but my hopes aren't high on that front.

[EDIT: Yes Matt, you should do it.  It's friendly and charming, plus I don't want to be the slowest senior male again  :P]
I don't know how I can refuse such a charming invitation. Sadly it's a year too late for me to solve that particular problem for you. ;)

[What is an MM? You are one, and so are the lady vets ...  ??? ]
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 01 August, 2011, 01:19:30 pm
I don't know, I was wondering that too.  Oranj, can you enlighten us?

[and it seems that one Ed Page has taken the senior male wooden spoon from me with 214.82 miles.  Thanks Ed.]
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: drossall on 01 August, 2011, 08:59:00 pm
Presumably from the old tradition for laying out a field. Fastest rider goes number 120. Second fastest 60 (maximum separation). Next two go 30 and 90, obviously. Then the other 10s. Then the 5s for the next 12 riders. These 24 riders are on the marks. Then the rest get the 2-4 and 6-9 numbers. They are the middle-markers. Certainly I was always one :)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Steve Kish on 02 August, 2011, 12:02:31 am
From my experience in the 1980/1990s, 120 was fastest, 110 next, 100 after that and so on through 90 down to 10.  This is followed by 115, 105 etc. - but not always the case! 

I rode the National 25 in 1985 where the defending champion Darryl Webster was sent of no. 60 ... he wasn't happy about this and said so, despite successfully defending his title.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: drossall on 02 August, 2011, 07:53:39 am
May depend on the event. The object is to prevent interference. If two riders of similar standard catch each other, they may race each other directly. There's not much chance of one top rider catching another off ten minutes in a 25. Different in a longer event.

Similarly, the riders in front of someone on a mark are very likely to get caught, but you'd be trying to prevent them from being in a position to try to chase the faster rider, or each other. There's some fairly detailed thinking that I was told about the ordering of the middle-markers, but I can't remember it :-[

Doesn't always work anyway, of course.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Steve Kish on 02 August, 2011, 05:09:12 pm
Quote
If two riders of similar standard catch each other, they may race each other directly.
This is what happened a few years ago (about 1971) when Derek Cottington from the Charlotteville was last man off and one minute behind Phil 'The Engine' Bayton.  The organiser was Roger Iddles who for some reason set out the field like this.

End result was that Cotters caught Bayton and did about 50:47, some 13 seconds faster than Alf Engers competition record but this was disallowed because of the placing of the riders.  This was despite the fact that Bayton kept a reasonable distance behind Cotters after being caught and there was no re-overtaking. 

Cotters (who I know quite well) was not too fused about this, as he was National 25 and 50 Champion that year but in all probability, it was this event that was the main cause for field settings after that time.   
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 02 August, 2011, 05:18:03 pm
We need a nickname for you Steve - something like Statto. Facto?!?

The other issue that I've noticed is that it's incredibly tedious overtaking someone only slightly slower than you. [and an increased chance that they'll reovertake. if your pacing is only a little different].
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 02 August, 2011, 09:22:23 pm
Rode VC Bristol's TT course tonight on the UC101, starting in Iron Acton along the B4058 to Cromhall and back.
A fairly flat course with only light winds tonight.
Managed a course PB by 54 seconds ( bearing in mind I've only ridden the course on a Boxing Day before )
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 02 August, 2011, 10:33:12 pm
 


Previous results.
http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=229.msg635834#msg635834 (http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=229.msg635834#msg635834)


 Another new Personal best tonight at the Gravesend CC evening 10TT with 23:58 I am finally a 25mph man :D and I won another bottle of wine for best course time improvement
02/08/11  10mls/23:58  Q10/24   Raleigh Team Proffessional 97" fixed gear
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Steve Kish on 03 August, 2011, 10:46:55 pm
Quote
We need a nickname for you Steve - something like Statto. Facto?!?

Fatto Statico may be better, Matt. ;D

Lots on memories since my first time trial in 1965. ::-)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 09 August, 2011, 09:16:39 pm
New course tonight riding the Sodbury Cycle Sport Evening 10.
HQ at the Cross Hands in Old Sodbury on the A46.
An undulating route through the villages of Acton Turville, Badminton and Petty France.
Probably one of the best courses I've ridden.
My minute man was Molteni Mike from the Timetriallingforum
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 14 August, 2011, 04:35:33 pm
 


Previous results.
http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=229.msg635834#msg635834 (http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=229.msg635834#msg635834)

14/08/11 50mls/2:23:17  Q50/1 Hilly Raleigh Team Professional  86" fixedgear
  KCA 50mile TT 14/08/2011 on 86" fixed, two laps of a horrible hilly course. I was almost a minute slower than last year so not too pleased with 2:23:17 but pleased Paul, James and I took home the team win for the Catford CC.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/106431701 (http://connect.garmin.com/activity/106431701)

Edit to add last nights 10, pleased as it was a windy night.
16/08/11 10mls/24:32  Q10/24/ Windy to turn Raleigh Team Professional 97" fixed

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/107101551 (http://connect.garmin.com/activity/107101551)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 17 August, 2011, 12:57:34 am
Course PB tonight on the UC101, 4 seconds faster at 26:26 !
A nice evening although quite breezy after the turn at Cromhall.
Large field out tonight with the added attraction of a buffet in the pub afterwards.

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 17 August, 2011, 07:07:23 pm
Course PB tonight on the UC101, 4 seconds faster at 26:26 !
A nice evening although quite breezy after the turn at Cromhall.
Large field out tonight with the added attraction of a buffet in the pub afterwards.

 Well done, always good to improve on a pb :)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 17 August, 2011, 10:49:29 pm
Course PB tonight on the UC101, 4 seconds faster at 26:26 !
A nice evening although quite breezy after the turn at Cromhall.
Large field out tonight with the added attraction of a buffet in the pub afterwards.

 Well done, always good to improve on a pb :)

Thanks Fixedwheelnut
I'm sure I once read a book called ' Every 4 Seconds Count'  ;D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 20 August, 2011, 10:48:15 am
 

Date             Distance/Time         Course type       Weather conditions            Bike ridden               

05/07/06           10mls/26.39        Rolling  Q10/26     cleardry           Raleigh 76" gear
12/07/06            10 mls/25.38      rolling Q10/26      clear dry          Raleigh 86" gear
21-22/07/07   24hr TT/334           rolling                   cold drizzle     Lambert 72" gear
15/08/07         10mls/26.45      rolling Q10/26      clear dry            Lambert 72" gear
30/03/08         9mls/29.37       Hillyish Qs/30        wet                    Lambert 79" gear 
20/04/08        10mls/28.42    Hillyish Q10/3      dry and cold          Lambert 79" gear
26/04/08        10mls/27.09      rolling Q10 /22   warm & sunny      Lambert 76" gear
25/06/08        10mls/27.24        rolling  Q10/26     hot/windy         Lambert 76" gear
28/06/08           10mls/27.16    Hillyish Q10/3      dry and hot        Lambert 79" gear
9/7/08             9mls/30,23      Hilly QS 30   pouring down/windy RonCooper71.22"gear
23/07/08       10mls/ 25.33  rolling Q10/26  hot & windy                  Graham Weigh  83" gear
26/07/08       10mls/25.30  flat      Q10/24   hot /windy                   Graham Weigh 83" gear 
29/07/08       10mls /25.40  rolling  Q10/26  hot slight wind             Graham weigh 83" gear
6/8/08           10mls / 25.10    rolling Q10/26  hot                            Graham Weigh  88" gear
13/08/08       10mls/26.0   rolling    Q10/26  very windy                      Graham Weigh 88" gear
19/04/09       10mls/27.01  rolling   Q10/18  cold/windy                     Graham Weigh  88" gear
25/04/09       10mls/25.28     flat    Q10/19     slight wind                   Graham Weigh    83" gear
20/05/09       10mls/26.07  rolling  Q10/26  slight wind/warm           Graham Weigh 83"gear
30/05/09       10mls/25.39  rolling  Q10/22  warm/cross wind            Graham Weigh  83" gear
03/06/09       10mls/25.14  rolling  Q10/26  warm                              Graham Weigh 83" gear
10/06/09       10mls/25.34  rolling  Q10/26  cool/ slight wind             Graham Weigh 83" gear
17/06/09        10mls/25.20  rolling         Q10/26 cool/windy               Graham Weigh 88" gear
21/06/09        10mls/25.25           rolling Q10/18  warm                     Graham Weigh 88" gear
24/06/09        10mls/25.05 rolling Q10/26 warm                     Graham Weigh 88" gear
 05/07/09        25mls/1:05:34       rolling Q25/8 hot                          Graham Weigh 88" gear
15/07/09        10mls/25.45  rolling Q10/26 windy   Graham Weigh  83" gear
19/07/09        25mls/1.08.22  rolling Q25/20 windy Graham Weigh 83" gear
01/08/09        10mls/26.02  flattish Q10/24 bloody windy  Graham Weigh 88" gear
05/08/09        10mls/25.11    Q10/26 rolling/warm   Graham Weigh 88" gear
19/08/09        10mls/25.15      Q10/18  rolling/hot      Graham Weigh  88" gear
20/09/09        25/1:09:50  G25/89 rolling, damp     Raleigh Ti Proffessional 14speed
11/04/10        9.5mls/28:07   QS/30  Hilly/cold           Lambert Proffessional  76" gear
24/04/10       10mls/25.47   Q10/19  flat with a drag dry/mild   Graham Weigh 88" gear
 19/05/10      10mls/26.14  Q10/26 cool/ breeze  Graham Weigh 88" gear
26/05/10      10mls/25.51  Q10/26   cool breeze  Graham Weigh  90.5" gear
02/06/10      10mls/24.58  Q10/26   warm/breeze   Graham Weigh 90.5" gear
15/06/10      10mls/25.50   Q10/29 flat       warm/windy   Graham Weigh 90" fixed
17/06/10      10mls/25.15  Q10/29  Flat     warm/windy   Graham Weigh  90.5" gear
23/06/10      10mls/25.32  Q10/26    Rolling warm/windy Graham Weigh  90.5" gear
07/07/10      10mls/24:53  Q10/26     Rolling warm/breeze Graham Weigh 90.5" gear
14/07/10      10mls/25:44  Q10/26  rolling/cool/windy Graham Weigh 90.5" fixed
15/07/10      9.5mls/27:33 QS/30   Hilly breezy           Lambert Proffessional 76" gear
18/07/10      23.4mls/1:05:41 Q25/20 modified hilly  Graham Weigh 90" fixed
21/07/10      10mls/25:14    Q10/26  hilly breezy      Raleigh Banana 94" fixed
28/07/10      10mls/25:12    Q10/26  hilly/breezy      Raleigh Banana 94" fixed
11/08/10      10mls/24:56   Q10/26  Hilly/calm         Raleigh Banana 85" fixed
15/08/10      50mls/2h:22m:25sec Q50/1 hilly/windy Raleigh Banana 85" fixed
05/09/10      12hour/190.03mls Q12/1   rolling/windy   Raleigh Banana  85" fixed
26/09/10    25mls/1:08:38  G25/53 Cold/windy brake rubbing Raleigh Banana 85" fixed
09/04/11    10mls/24;38  Q10/19  cool no wind   Raleigh Banana 85" fixed Personal Best
02/06/10      10mls/24.58  Q10/26   warm/breeze   Graham Weigh 90.5" gear
04/05/11  10mls/27:12  Q10/26  slight breeze  Holdsworth Typhoon 72" gear
11/05/11   10mls/26:04   Q10/26 warm       Holdsworth Typhoon 84" gear
25/05/11  10mls/25:48  Q10/26 warm   Holdsworth Typhoon  84" gear
 31/05/11   10mls/25:06  Q10/24 warm/ windy Raleigh Team Professional 84" gear
 01/06/11  10mls/25:08  Q10/26  cool      Raleigh Team Professional 84" gear
 07/06/11  10mls/25:54  Q10/24 windy  Raleigh Team Proffesional 84" gear
03/07/11 25mls/1:03:20  Q25/10 warm  Raleigh Team Proffessional 97" gear
13/07/11  10.4mls/31:21  QS/30 warm/hilly    Unknown 531C tourer 73" gear
19/07/11  10mls/24:42  Q10/24  cool/slight wind  Raleigh Team Proffessional 97" gear
24/07/11  10mls/24:36  warm/slight wind Raleigh Team Proffessional 97" gear
27/07/11  10mls/24:20 slight breeze Raleigh Team Proffessional 97" gear
02/08/11  10mls/23:58  Q10/24 slight wind  Raleigh Team Proffessional 97" fixed gear
14/08/11  50mls/2:23:17 Q50/1 hilly Raleigh Team Proffessional 86" fixed gear
16/08/11 10mls/24:32  Q10/24/ Windy to turn Raleigh Team Professional 97" fixed
18/08/11 9.5mls/27:57 Q30S/very windy & raining & hilly Raleigh Team Professional 84" fixed


18/08/11 9.5mls/27:57 Q30S/very windy & raining & hilly Raleigh Team Professional 84" fixed

 Horrible wet & windy night & cold for August, a lot of drain covers on the route made it a bit dodgy in places I just really hate this course it's not fixed friendly :)

 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 22 August, 2011, 06:24:47 am
Blenheim Palace 20km TT yesterday.
Ideal conditions on this undulating car free course, 3 laps of the Palace grounds.
An 84 second improvement on last year ! Finishing in 35:10 !
Michael Hutchinson won it in a time of 26 minutes !!!!!!!!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Rhys W on 22 August, 2011, 11:03:30 am
Rode the Welsh Championship 10 yesterday, did 24:34. I did the exact same time as I did on another course about a month ago, but a couple of friends I beat that day put 20s or more into me yesterday, so slightly disappointing in that way. The winner was Kieron Davies of the Bynea CC with an astonishing 19:49 and Rebecca Romero won the women's event despite a 1:08 late start!

The day was marred by a car running over scratchman Stuart Dodd as he warmed up. Apparently he indicated that he was turning right (presumably into a side road rather than a u-turn) and moved to the middle of the road; the car behind slowed down to let him turn off, but another car overtook this and whacked him. The driver has admitted he was doing 70-85mph in a 60mph zone, hopefully the police will take note of this. He didn't drive off and leave him injured in the road, which was nice. It's all on the timetrialling forum, at least he doesn't sound too badly injured. Not a good week for cyclists in South Wales.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 24 August, 2011, 09:24:24 pm
My last TT of the season last night.
Riding the Sodbury Cycle Sport Evening 10 course again.
Improved by 65 seconds  :thumbsup: giving me a time of 26:35 !
Shame season has come to an end as feeling strong at the moment.
35 riders last night, the largest field for the club this season, a mixture of good evening, good course and end of season awards/buffet in pub after proved a successful night.
Fastest time of season was set last night at 22:08  :o

DateCourseDistanceTimePos.Notes : PB's in Bold
13 AprUC1869.6miles26:0210/16Wet & SE Wind
20 AprUC1869.6miles25:0232/54Warm & Light Wind
27 AprUC1869.6miles24:5930/60Sunny & N Wind
30 AprU4710 miles25:0992/120Strong E Crosswind
4 MayUC1869.6miles25:4231/54Overcast & E Wind
11 MayUC1869.6miles26:1243/66Dry & Strong S Wind
16 JunA10/1110 miles27:1412/27Wet & Crosswind
13 JulyUC1869.6 miles26:0840/55Warm & Sunny
27 JulyUC1869.6 miles25:1643/60Warm & Cloudy
2 AugUC1019.8 miles26:3016/23Warm & Light Wind
9 AugUC1089.8 miles27:4014/24Warm & Light Wind
16 AugUC1019.8 miles26:2622/50Warm & Breezy
21 AugB'heim12.5miles35.1083/201Fair & Undulating
23 AugUC1089.8miles26.3516/35Warm & Light Wind
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 24 August, 2011, 10:23:19 pm
Previous results http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=229.msg1025707#msg1025707 (http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=229.msg1025707#msg1025707)

 I rode the last Gravesend Evening 10TT 'Old Skool' style with no aero gear other than a skinsuit


23/08/11  10mls/26:15 Q10/24/windy 1956 Claud Butler 97" fixed gear
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Rhys W on 17 September, 2011, 07:36:14 pm
Last one of the season for me today. Heavy showers and cold meant I was soaked when I got to the start line, and when I got going I felt only at 80% effort, but my computer said I was up to 43km/h straight away. I got to the turn at 11:19, thinking it's too good to be true, I'm going to suffer in the headwind return. A couple of drags slowed me down, but I could wind it up to 42-43km/h on parts that weren't uphill.

I crossed the line in 24:16, fastest I've gone for 6-7 years and 29s short of my PB - and almost half a minute faster than the same course a month ago in much nicer conditions. The course record was broken by a second (19:48) so it must have been a decent day despite the rain. A bit of focussed training next year and on the right day my PB should be in sight.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: drossall on 17 September, 2011, 10:15:18 pm
First race for two years - I haven't done that much for a number of seasons, but last year was the first since 1977 that I hadn't ridden any time trial at all.

Anyway, new course being tried just south west of Bedford. It started at the top of a hill and finished at the bottom, with the longer leg being (very) wind assisted. I still didn't quite beat evens (30:03), but the 40+mph start was fun, and I could easily get the bug again ;D

It was a real struggle back into the wind. Still, I always feel that I've got more riding for my start money than anyone else ;D ;D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 19 September, 2011, 05:24:54 pm
In a complete change to my 24h/12h/PBP season so far, I've just filled in my entry forms for a bunch of hillclimbs

02/10  My local club climb (http://www.cliftoncc.org/competition/hillclimb)
08/10  Huddersfield Star Wheelers
22/10  Yorkshire RC 2 stage
29/10  BUCS

The nearest hill is 14 miles from here, I'd better go and do some sprint intervals  :-\
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 19 September, 2011, 07:16:58 pm
...I just really hate this course it's not fixed friendly :)

I can think of at least two solutions to this problem. But if I tell you, you'll only hate me.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: токамак on 28 September, 2011, 11:46:08 am
A couple more events remaining for the season, but good to put down a PB on a fast course at the last opportunity - 8th overall, 28.4mph, but still some way off Hutch at 32.5mph!

ECCA 10 - 24/09/11 - E2/10 (http://cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/Default.aspx?&ge1246__geka=zDDQ-6ZV33MzjqeBwbmQr0ELd7vY1GJQywTngQ2oPU-2R7Wo4ht6aSrM95O4UZpI&ge1246__gevi=U-QaIPDhZgjolyf4lwbmcA&gv484__gvac=2&gv484__gvff0=56789&gv484__gvfl0=0&language=en-GB&tabid=109)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: bobb on 28 September, 2011, 01:08:19 pm
Mixing it with the big boys now, eh?!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: токамак on 28 September, 2011, 01:16:36 pm
I wasn't even fastest Chelmer, got to step it up for next year - time to start training!

[edit] at one point I was right up on Hutch's back wheel - it was at the start line, he was 130 and I was 131 ;)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Rhys W on 28 September, 2011, 08:45:14 pm
It's no fun being a "1", normally you have no chance of catching your minute man. Similarly for a "9", you know somebody on a shiny new Cervelo is going to come past you soon, disk wheel swooshing.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 03 October, 2011, 11:21:26 am
6.57 on the Clifton CC hillclimb, 8th out of 23 and pleased to beat 7 minutes.  This year was a very fast race, in 2009 I came 6th/36 with a time of 7.04 whereas there were 9 people under the 7 this time  :o

The 9th was the other club member who's done PBP, so I was pleased to beat him by one second.   I've now got him beat at both ends of the spectrum, I'll just have to work at everything inbetween ;D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: токамак on 03 October, 2011, 11:38:25 am
Hutch smashed the 30 mile comp record on Saturday - CTT News (http://www.ctt.org.uk/Home/tabid/36/itemid/2716/Default.aspx) - an incredible 32.3mph average.

Pretty good day for it, although personally I found the heat a bit oppressive, I prefer the cool early morning starts.

Nik Bowdler also got under the hour - CTT Results (http://cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/Default.aspx?&ge1246__geka=zDDQ-6ZV33MzjqeBwbmQrz_ANSkB_T7qN_S6WibhjZRirRv2b2BrK4cQfHshgCaVbB33hrFyqUDslvAOFhWvnQ&ge1246__gevi=9U_xAO8fp0lQqgbHCX_zhQ&gv484__gvac=2&gv484__gvff0=56806&gv484__gvfl0=0&language=en-GB&tabid=109)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Doosh on 05 October, 2011, 12:38:45 pm

Nik Bowdler also got under the hour - CTT Results (http://cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/Default.aspx?&ge1246__geka=zDDQ-6ZV33MzjqeBwbmQrz_ANSkB_T7qN_S6WibhjZRirRv2b2BrK4cQfHshgCaVbB33hrFyqUDslvAOFhWvnQ&ge1246__gevi=9U_xAO8fp0lQqgbHCX_zhQ&gv484__gvac=2&gv484__gvff0=56806&gv484__gvfl0=0&language=en-GB&tabid=109)

Is that he of the mahoosive chain ring?  8)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: токамак on 05 October, 2011, 12:53:25 pm
77T - that's the one, he cruised past me, 4 minutes up, just before the turn. Whereas most guys with a disc rear create a whoosh-whoosh sound as they push the pedals round at a high cadence, his set-up makes more a constant drone, it was like being overtaken by a robot!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 10 October, 2011, 04:07:28 pm
24/38 in the Huddersfield Star Wheelers hillclimb on Saturday, with a time of 5:56.  Not as good as I hoped, and I felt that I could have pushed a bit harder, but at least I beat the clubmate who beat me last week!  The event was won by Matt Clinton, so I didn't really have a chance of a top placing  ;)  Anyway, my next hillclimb is the Yorkshire RC 2 stage in a fortnight, so let's see what difference I can make before then.  Top half of the field, here we come!

[Edit: Grr, the organiser's called me the wrong name on the results list!]
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 23 October, 2011, 03:48:25 pm
I came second to last in the Yorkshire RC 2 stage hillclimb yesterday  :facepalm:

Errors were:
Thinking and acting like the season was over two weeks ago, i.e. no training
Never getting warmed up properly
Setting off with pointless extra items for both stages: a bottle the first time and a mobile phone the second.
Doing a 2-3 minute sprint climbs in the first place, after a year of long distance stuff.  Next week's climb will be about 7 minutes long like the other HCs I've done this  year, so it should suit me a bit better.  After that the season really will be over and I can get fat with impunity.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 30 October, 2011, 09:44:09 pm
Last one of the year for me: the BUCS hillclimb.  This went up Curbar Gap, gaining 180m in 1.7km, with the steepest part at the start and a long drag up to the finish.  The field looked strong, all my good intentions re: practice visits and training had come to naught and my recce of the climb was scary: it would be very easy to go too hard at the start and blow out before the finish.  I was nearly last off so I had a few hours to wait around, then it was time to warm up and line up.  Gulp.

I did exactly what I hadn't meant to do: go off too hard and die halfway  ::-)  I sat up for the mid section, but then thought what the heck and gave it full gas to the line, collapsing on the nearest available grass bank.  My time was 7:30, a bloke from Leeds won with 5:37 and I'd clawed my way into the middle third with 94th equal in a field of 150.  I was fairly happy with that, except I'd really wanted to beat the UCL guy (call this University Challenge round 2) and he rode it in 7:08.

It was an excellent event, so it's a shame I've only got one more year to try it (and even that could be a little dodgy, but seeing as I won't win, nobody will care.)  I'd really like to get 7 minutes but yesterday I found that nobody's done it on a tandem before, so I've suggested that we take the club tandem and set a new course record.  We shall have to see which option wins out.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: drossall on 30 October, 2011, 09:59:49 pm
...a bloke from Leeds won with 5:37...
Hooray. In my day (a long time ago), it was the British Student Sports Federation, though.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 10 April, 2012, 08:56:55 pm
My first TT of the season tonight, on the Severn RC Evening 10 course.
A very windy night with a headwind for the first 6 miles from the start to the Aust/Severn Bridge motorway roundabout and down the A403. Then headed back to Tockington.
Offical results not at HQ when I left but my computer was reading 25:48 ! Not bad for first ride.

EDIT :  25:47 :  20th out of 34 riders
Fastest time was 21:31  :o
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 10 April, 2012, 09:03:52 pm
My first for nearly a year, on Saturday, was 25.05, but I think it might have been a better day than yours. Winner was a short 21.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 22 April, 2012, 03:26:06 pm
This has been a testing weekend.  The Ravensthorpe 10 yesterday, which I got round in 25:15.  Team 100%ME turned up in force and took the top six places, with the winner on 20:47 and the first non-100%ME rider on 22:05.  This morning was the Otley 25, where I got a time of 1:01:21.  That was my first open 25, so I'm looking forward to the BUCS 25 next week where I won't have 60 miles in my legs.  Barring calamity, I'll definitely aim to come in under the hour. 

I hadn't ridden either course before.  Te 25 was two laps of DC, but the '10 was more of an up/out, back/down than I'd anticipated. This meant I didn't give enough on the outward leg, then span out my 50x12 top gear on the return.  Drat those 15 seconds! 

Anyway, now it's time to settle down and watch the pros do the hard work on telly.  I think Liege has got the rain that was forecast for here - I raced in the dry on both days.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 24 April, 2012, 09:56:40 pm
Good conditions tonight on the Severn Evening 10 course, UC186.
Going well for 8.5 miles until something didn't feel right .............. puncture  :demon:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 25 April, 2012, 09:52:54 pm
My second TT of the week tonight and what a difference in the weather, wet and very windy.
Only 8 brave souls turned out for the first 'Sodbury Cycle Sport' Evening 10 of the season.
This season the club has managed to lengthen the course to make it a proper 10.

Here is my Garmin link to the course details and an elevation chart.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/171758579 (http://connect.garmin.com/activity/171758579)

(http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee253/ianrsparrow/ucs108.jpg)

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 29 April, 2012, 12:11:48 am
I'm looking forward to the BUCS 25 next week where I won't have 60 miles in my legs.  Barring calamity, I'll definitely aim to come in under the hour. 

'Twas not to be.  MarchApril winds and April showers joined forces with the unfitness of my legs to deny me the hour.  1.02.49.  Now I need to find another 25 to have another go!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: GrahamG on 30 April, 2012, 03:05:40 pm
This is my first year of TT'ing after dipping my toe last year on the audax bike. So far I've gone off course on a 25, done a 1.02 something on a hilly 23 and 1.04.36 for the local 25 course known as 'the graveyard' (CR is about 52.30).  Got some serious work to do to go quicker... this wednesday is the 10mile version on the graveyard. I'm aiming for sub-25 minutes.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Jasmine on 30 April, 2012, 03:29:31 pm
I missed the very beginning of the TT season for 2 reasons:
1. Easter Arrow travel
2. The first 2 weeks were 4 milers - who does that? It takes me nearly a mile to get to full speed, so there's not much point for me.

First TT was a regional league event on 19th April - 10 miles on A5/A55 toward Holyhead.  It was grim - massive headwind on the way out over the cob brought my average down to 20 mph to the turn.  Sections of the return leg hit 32 mph on the flat and I geared out.  27.39 in the end, so not so good, but first lady.  The super-fast boys didn't seem to feel the wind, fastest was 21.20, a new course record.

Second TT was another regional event the following Tuesday on the A5 from Llanfairpwll.  It's a horrible course, with a massive hill in the middle (not even straight). Tailwind out, and down the hill, headwind on the return.  I broke a cleat on the start line, which was a bit of a bummer, as it seriously restricted climbing.  28.06 to finish, again first lady, but about 2/3rd down the men's field.  The winner pulled a 20.43 on a shocking day.   :o
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Lady Cavendish on 30 April, 2012, 03:39:07 pm
I'm loving having evening TT's back again :) This will be my 2nd season, did my 1st one at the end of May last year.

Our club uses a couple of 'slow' courses at this time of year, I've done a 25.58 on one and 26.28 on the other. On a faster course but awful weather I've got a 24.27 in 3 weeks ago, but I want to get our evening club ones onto the faster dual carriageway course- I think this is the last 'slow' week.

Feeling faster and more back into the swing of things than when I did the 24.27, I'd like to get back into the 23s pretty quickly now I've remembered how to ride the TT bike.

Now could we please switch off the wind as my last 3 TT's have been freezing, wet, and windy. I thought this was a summer sport?!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 30 April, 2012, 05:24:13 pm
I missed the very beginning of the TT season for 2 reasons:
1. Easter Arrow travel
2. The first 2 weeks were 4 milers - who does that? It takes me nearly a mile to get to full speed, so there's not much point for me.


Don't worry, it gets worse as you get older. I seem now to be faster over 25 than I am over 10 miles.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 30 April, 2012, 05:49:33 pm
I missed the very beginning of the TT season for 2 reasons:
1. Easter Arrow travel
2. The first 2 weeks were 4 milers - who does that? It takes me nearly a mile to get to full speed, so there's not much point for me.


Don't worry, it gets worse as you get older. I seem now to be faster over 25 than I am over 10 miles.

So far this season, so am I!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 06 May, 2012, 02:49:22 pm
 

Date             Distance/Time         Course type       Weather conditions            Bike ridden               

05/07/06           10mls/26.39        Rolling  Q10/26     cleardry           Raleigh 76" gear
12/07/06            10 mls/25.38      rolling Q10/26      clear dry          Raleigh 86" gear
21-22/07/07   24hr TT/334           rolling                   cold drizzle     Lambert 72" gear
15/08/07         10mls/26.45      rolling Q10/26      clear dry            Lambert 72" gear
30/03/08         9mls/29.37       Hillyish Qs/30        wet                    Lambert 79" gear 
20/04/08        10mls/28.42    Hillyish Q10/3      dry and cold          Lambert 79" gear
26/04/08        10mls/27.09      rolling Q10 /22   warm & sunny      Lambert 76" gear
25/06/08        10mls/27.24        rolling  Q10/26     hot/windy         Lambert 76" gear
28/06/08           10mls/27.16    Hillyish Q10/3      dry and hot        Lambert 79" gear
9/7/08             9mls/30,23      Hilly QS 30   pouring down/windy RonCooper71.22"gear
23/07/08       10mls/ 25.33  rolling Q10/26  hot & windy                  Graham Weigh  83" gear
26/07/08       10mls/25.30  flat      Q10/24   hot /windy                   Graham Weigh 83" gear 
29/07/08       10mls /25.40  rolling  Q10/26  hot slight wind             Graham weigh 83" gear
6/8/08           10mls / 25.10    rolling Q10/26  hot                            Graham Weigh  88" gear
13/08/08       10mls/26.0   rolling    Q10/26  very windy                      Graham Weigh 88" gear
19/04/09       10mls/27.01  rolling   Q10/18  cold/windy                     Graham Weigh  88" gear
25/04/09       10mls/25.28     flat    Q10/19     slight wind                   Graham Weigh    83" gear
20/05/09       10mls/26.07  rolling  Q10/26  slight wind/warm           Graham Weigh 83"gear
30/05/09       10mls/25.39  rolling  Q10/22  warm/cross wind            Graham Weigh  83" gear
03/06/09       10mls/25.14  rolling  Q10/26  warm                              Graham Weigh 83" gear
10/06/09       10mls/25.34  rolling  Q10/26  cool/ slight wind             Graham Weigh 83" gear
17/06/09        10mls/25.20  rolling         Q10/26 cool/windy               Graham Weigh 88" gear
21/06/09        10mls/25.25           rolling Q10/18  warm                     Graham Weigh 88" gear
24/06/09        10mls/25.05 rolling Q10/26 warm                     Graham Weigh 88" gear
 05/07/09        25mls/1:05:34       rolling Q25/8 hot                          Graham Weigh 88" gear
15/07/09        10mls/25.45  rolling Q10/26 windy   Graham Weigh  83" gear
19/07/09        25mls/1.08.22  rolling Q25/20 windy Graham Weigh 83" gear
01/08/09        10mls/26.02  flattish Q10/24 bloody windy  Graham Weigh 88" gear
05/08/09        10mls/25.11    Q10/26 rolling/warm   Graham Weigh 88" gear
19/08/09        10mls/25.15      Q10/18  rolling/hot      Graham Weigh  88" gear
20/09/09        25/1:09:50  G25/89 rolling, damp     Raleigh Ti Proffessional 14speed
11/04/10        9.5mls/28:07   QS/30  Hilly/cold           Lambert Proffessional  76" gear
24/04/10       10mls/25.47   Q10/19  flat with a drag dry/mild   Graham Weigh 88" gear
 19/05/10      10mls/26.14  Q10/26 cool/ breeze  Graham Weigh 88" gear
26/05/10      10mls/25.51  Q10/26   cool breeze  Graham Weigh  90.5" gear
02/06/10      10mls/24.58  Q10/26   warm/breeze   Graham Weigh 90.5" gear
15/06/10      10mls/25.50   Q10/29 flat       warm/windy   Graham Weigh 90" fixed
17/06/10      10mls/25.15  Q10/29  Flat     warm/windy   Graham Weigh  90.5" gear
23/06/10      10mls/25.32  Q10/26    Rolling warm/windy Graham Weigh  90.5" gear
07/07/10      10mls/24:53  Q10/26     Rolling warm/breeze Graham Weigh 90.5" gear
14/07/10      10mls/25:44  Q10/26  rolling/cool/windy Graham Weigh 90.5" fixed
15/07/10      9.5mls/27:33 QS/30   Hilly breezy           Lambert Proffessional 76" gear
18/07/10      23.4mls/1:05:41 Q25/20 modified hilly  Graham Weigh 90" fixed
21/07/10      10mls/25:14    Q10/26  hilly breezy      Raleigh Banana 94" fixed
28/07/10      10mls/25:12    Q10/26  hilly/breezy      Raleigh Banana 94" fixed
11/08/10      10mls/24:56   Q10/26  Hilly/calm         Raleigh Banana 85" fixed
15/08/10      50mls/2h:22m:25sec Q50/1 hilly/windy Raleigh Banana 85" fixed
05/09/10      12hour/190.03mls Q12/1   rolling/windy   Raleigh Banana  85" fixed
26/09/10    25mls/1:08:38  G25/53 Cold/windy brake rubbing Raleigh Banana 85" fixed
09/04/11    10mls/24;38  Q10/19  cool no wind   Raleigh Banana 85" fixed Personal Best
02/06/10      10mls/24.58  Q10/26   warm/breeze   Graham Weigh 90.5" gear
04/05/11  10mls/27:12  Q10/26  slight breeze  Holdsworth Typhoon 72" gear
11/05/11   10mls/26:04   Q10/26 warm       Holdsworth Typhoon 84" gear
25/05/11  10mls/25:48  Q10/26 warm   Holdsworth Typhoon  84" gear
 31/05/11   10mls/25:06  Q10/24 warm/ windy Raleigh Team Professional 84" gear
 01/06/11  10mls/25:08  Q10/26  cool      Raleigh Team Professional 84" gear
 07/06/11  10mls/25:54  Q10/24 windy  Raleigh Team Proffesional 84" gear
03/07/11 25mls/1:03:20  Q25/10 warm  Raleigh Team Proffessional 97" gear
13/07/11  10.4mls/31:21  QS/30 warm/hilly    Unknown 531C tourer 73" gear
19/07/11  10mls/24:42  Q10/24  cool/slight wind  Raleigh Team Proffessional 97" gear
24/07/11  10mls/24:36  warm/slight wind Raleigh Team Proffessional 97" gear
27/07/11  10mls/24:20 slight breeze Raleigh Team Proffessional 97" gear
02/08/11  10mls/23:58  Q10/24 slight wind  Raleigh Team Proffessional 97" fixed gear
14/08/11  50mls/2:23:17 Q50/1 hilly Raleigh Team Proffessional 86" fixed gear
16/08/11 10mls/24:32  Q10/24/ Windy to turn Raleigh Team Professional 97" fixed
18/08/11 9.5mls/27:57 Q30S/very windy & raining & hilly Raleigh Team Professional 84" fixed
21/04/12 10mls/25:46  Q10/19 cool breeze          Planet X multiple gears
02/05/12  10mls/25:18  Q10/26  wet and breeze      Planet X TT bike
05/05/12  25mls/1:07:07 E33/25  cool wind   Raleigh Team Proffessional 86" fixed [2 up TT]
06/05/12  25mls/1:09:11 Q25/8  Very wet/windy and freezing cold  Planet X TT bike
02/05/12 Q10/26  10mls/25:18 muggy drizzle Planet X TT bike
23/05/12 Q10/26 10mls/25:30 Very hot   Raleigh Team Professional 86" fixed
29/05/12 Q10/24  10mls/24:03 cool breeze  Planet X TT bike
27/06/12 Q10/26  10mls/24:36 hot muggy Raleigh Team Professional 97" fixed
21/05/13 Q10/24  10mls/24:43 mild breezy Raleigh Team Professional 97" fixed
04/06/13 Q10/24  10mls/23:57 mild breezy Raleigh Team Professional 97" fixed
16/06/13 Q100     100mls 05:00:24 mild fairly windy Raleigh Team Professional 86" fixed
27/08/13 Q10/24  10mls/23:43 Warm no wind Raleigh Team Professional 97" fixed


 21/04/12 10mls/25:46 Q10/19 cool breeze Planet X multiple gears

 Our club 10 on the A21 Tonbridge course, I am still overweight and spent half the ride getting used to gears again  ::-) ;D

02/05/12  10mls/25:18  Q10/26  wet and breeze      Planet X TT bike
 The Wednesday evening 10 was wet and very slippery this week plus I discovered my seatpin had slipped down so reset that again after the ride.

05/05/12  25mls/1:07:07 E33/25  cool wind   Raleigh Team Proffessional 86" fixed
 My friend Paul and I rode this 2 up event on 86" fixed it is a rolling sporting course consisting of two laps of a triangle
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/175078802 (http://connect.garmin.com/activity/175078802)

06/05/12  25mls/1:09:11 Q25/8  Very wet/windy and freezing cold  Planet X TT bike
Todays Wigmore 25 or Wetmore/Windymore TT was horrible I struggled on tired legs in wet windy freezing rain and my seat pin still slipped by 7mm during the ride again  :'(

 Verdict so far = gears are not making me quicker :D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 06 May, 2012, 10:03:12 pm
I got my first win today!  This was Roses (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roses_Tournament), the annual York vs Lancaster Uni sporting competition.  The cycling contest, which for the first time actually counted for points towards the overall competition, was a 10 mile TT over 12.5 laps of a circuit (http://www.celebratingcycling.org/more_info.asp?current_id=264).  I finished in 24:08, with 2nd place going to another Yorkie in 25:42.  That was fun  :D

[EDIT: In a change to what was written above, I'm now faster over 10 than 25 miles.  Phew!]
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 07 May, 2012, 07:58:53 pm
I got my first win today!

Well done, Mr Bunbury  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 09 May, 2012, 08:59:52 pm
Beat my PB by 49 seconds tonight on the new UC108 course  ;D
Conditions much the same as last time with heavy rain and a strong southerly wind.
Only a field of nine riders - I came 3rd  :o
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 09 May, 2012, 10:50:31 pm
Well done Dinamo! 

In other news, I've entered the Anfield 100 on Liz's bank holiday.  Ooh-er!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 13 May, 2012, 09:04:20 pm
Well done both!

I've not done much so far this year - even thought I've got a new bike, which is based on one of the carbon frames direct from the manufacturer in China which I've built up myself.

I did a hilly 30-miler back in March which went ok.  I did get overtaken by CET, who started a minute behind me, within seven minutes of starting.  My excuse was that on a downhill I had had to stop behind a horse.  Otherwise, he may not have passed me within 10 minutes!

I then did a 10, which I used more as a training ride.  I did it on my audax bike and had a 25-mile ride out each way.  Those bits went fine but it was the slowest 10 I've ever done. 

Otherwise, my club organises evening TTs at the Hillingdon track (11 laps is about 10.35 miles).  My first one was ok (26:15).  The second one was hilarious as it was blowing a gale.  One guy with a disc wheel got blown off the track and a couple of others decided not to ride for fear of being blown off.  Everyone was a couple of minutes slower and I did 28:55 - another personal slowest time.  Last week the conditions were better and I did 26:04, 4 seconds faster than at the same stage last season. 
 
Yesterday, I had entered a 100 in Norfolk but decided to do the Severn Across instead.  On the way back from Reading via the A4 at 2:30 this morning, I suddenly found myself on familiar territory as the Reading-Marlow section is part of one of our regular 25 courses.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: токамак on 21 May, 2012, 03:01:58 pm
...Yesterday, I had entered a 100 in Norfolk but decided to do the Severn Across instead.

I rode that 100 - North Norfolk Wheelers, a new event in the calendar. I think I'll go back next year, it was really well organised and marshalled. I liked the course too and it helped that we had a sunny dry day for it.

Quite a result for my club, Chelmer CC - 1st, 2nd, team and 2nd lady! Results on Cycling Time Trials (http://cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/Default.aspx?&ge1246__geka=zDDQ-6ZV33MzjqeBwbmQr0ELd7vY1GJQywTngQ2oPU-2R7Wo4ht6aSrM95O4UZpI&ge1246__gevi=1PJ6PX1Q8jzQ-ZPHo2cjJPdjEmy2NG-WpixMj6pLE8w&gv484__gvac=2&gv484__gvff0=57217&gv484__gvfl0=0&language=en-GB&tabid=109)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 24 May, 2012, 09:56:27 am
Glad you enjoyed it!  The problem of not being able to do two things on the same day!

It was a cracking evening yesterday.  We had 22 for our evening TT at Hillingdon Circuit and probably the majority of us got PBs.   I got 24:59, which was almost half a minute better than mine and at 24:9 mph, my fastest on any course.  :)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Lady Cavendish on 24 May, 2012, 10:11:18 am
I had a great one Tuesday, really hoping tonight is great and the wind stays down again as I'm hoping for a 22.xx this evening. This is perrrrfect TT weather, loving it!!! Got an operation tomorrow so its my last one for a few weeks :(
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 24 May, 2012, 01:20:42 pm
How not to do a ten: Choose the old road bike with nearly touring tyres and ride 17 miles to the start. On the way chase down a cyclist who turns out to be a fast TT winner out training. Ride pathetically slowly (27.43, though to be fair, no one got under 23 - horrible course). Then continue to the usual Wednesday pub, and home again after a few pints to total just over 50 miles.
photo (http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingmrso/7258171232/)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 24 May, 2012, 10:24:36 pm
The club's evening series started tonight.  I followed a couple of Ian's tips: set out too late and go rather fast to the start.  I couldn't find any zip ties at home so my Legend HCX did service as a computer, which probably cost me all of a second  :o

24.25 over 10 miles which is a course PB for me, but I was hoping to get under 24.  Maybe next time. 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 25 May, 2012, 06:44:46 am
Front wheel puncture on Wednesday night, only a mile into my clubs Evening 10  :demon:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 25 May, 2012, 10:58:45 pm
I turns out my 1.02.49 was enough to get me 39/82 in the (windy) BUCS 25, it's nice to be in the better half.  I also came 10/33 in the club 10 last night, so I'm moving up in the world :)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 26 May, 2012, 09:11:05 am
Hounslow Wheelers 100 tomorrow.  First leg of a hopeful BBAR tilt this year.  Don't know whether I want it to go badly so I don't have to do the other rides or go well and keep me in contention.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 28 May, 2012, 10:46:15 am
I've seen CET's result but I'll let him give the good news himself.  How did you find it, CET?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 30 May, 2012, 08:36:30 am
b...awful

have a new tactic this year for TTs which is to set off hard - and reached 25 in 1-02-16.  Was still going well up to 40 miles when the wind picked up.  On the run down past the Bull to the Coxbridge O it was hard to reach 40kph when speeds are usually closer to 50.  After that the heat started to get to me.  I was OK with 2-07-57 for the '50' but the last 40 miles were pure suffering, there was nothing in the legs.  A 4-36-56 time means my BBAR is under water at the moment - but will go all-out for the '50' on the A4 in mid-July.  If I can get 2-02 on that then will be back in contention (just). 

I learnt later that air temperatures were in the 26 - 27C range by the time we finished and were already 21 - 23C at the time we started.

Conclusion - wasn't fully over the Bryan Chapman the previous weekend, had worked a 65+ hour week and so wasn't mentally rested, the late start time (9-27) meant I got the worst of the weather.

At least I now have a monkey off my back.  My last 100 was on a perfect day in 2009 when the legs kept going strong all the way to the checkerboard and I finished in 4-10.  I've been dreading doing another ride  since then because it will be v. difficult to go faster.  Next time - my last '100' will be a slightly easier to improve on  4-36  :-\

And - next week - my wife decided to book a villa in Mallorca - about 3km from Pollenca - at the start of the famous mountain road that all the professionals train on - so will have a cool time on the Airnimal   ;D ;D :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 30 May, 2012, 10:29:39 am
Racing in that heat can't have been comfortable.  What sort of 12 hour distance will you be aiming for, something around 250?  I've not done anything between 25 miles and 12 hours before so I think I'll schedule for 4.15 in the Anfield on Monday and see what happens.  There's then the YCF 100 in July so I can count this as practice for that, as well as practice for the Mersey Roads next year - as long as I can get up in time: I'm off at 6.15.  Ugh I hate early mornings! 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 30 May, 2012, 04:55:11 pm
I did 226 in the first half of the Sussex '24' last year.  I know I lose 3mph in the dark - so that would make 240 a par score and 250 the stretch target - provided I can find someone to hand me up bottles pork pies and Twix on the A11 on 5 August.  :-\
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 30 May, 2012, 07:50:41 pm
Good conditions for my first ride on the Clevedon & Dist. Evening 10 course last night.
A relatively flat course with only two motorway bridges to cross.
Fairly pleased with my time and a 6th place  :o
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 30 May, 2012, 10:30:33 pm
Previous efforts (http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=229.msg1225254#msg1225254)

02/05/12 Q10/26  10mls/25:18 muggy drizzle Planet X TT bike
23/05/12 Q10/26 10mls/25:30 Very hot   Raleigh Team Professional 86" fixed
29/05/12 Q10/24  10mls/24:03 cool breeze  Planet X TT bike

 Last nights effort was only five seconds away from my personal best, seem to have stopped the seat pin slipping on the Planet X with some of the wife's hairspray :D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 31 May, 2012, 08:39:53 am
I did 226 in the first half of the Sussex '24' last year.  I know I lose 3mph in the dark - so that would make 240 a par score and 250 the stretch target - provided I can find someone to hand me up bottles pork pies and Twix on the A11 on 5 August.  :-\
Good luck on the A11 - I nearly died of boredom on that one! But I expect the 100 course was not dissimilar.

I had a look at 12h/24h distances for various riders last year, and found that a "60%" rule seemed to work pretty well. [If noone posts a counter example I shall eat all the hats I am currently wearing.]
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 31 May, 2012, 10:16:37 pm
29.59 on my first proper go at the local hilly 10.5 mile circuit tonight.  I couldn't quite get my head into it the whole way round; I couldn't find quite enough concentration to really dig in.   Still, 7/29 wasn't a bad placing :)

Matt, is that a 12 hour distance as 60% of a 24 hour distance?  That's interesting; it suggests I underperformed for my 12 last year, which makes sense as I didn't feel nearly as good as I did on the 24 - possibly due to my hilly 400k the week before!  To save you eating your hats, a prime counter-example is Mr Wilkinson himself: just over 300 for the 12 and 541 for the 24.  That's a whole 41 miles over-distance!  It makes you wonder what sort of a 12 he could do.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 01 June, 2012, 08:23:08 am
Matt, is that a 12 hour distance as 60% of a 24 hour distance?  That's interesting; it suggests I underperformed for my 12 last year, which makes sense as I didn't feel nearly as good as I did on the 24 - possibly due to my hilly 400k the week before!  To save you eating your hats, a prime counter-example is Mr Wilkinson himself: just over 300 for the 12 and 541 for the 24.  That's a whole 41 miles over-distance!  It makes you wonder what sort of a 12 he could do.
Yes exactly. Of course Mr W has done a number of 24s and 12s, and - surprise! - he didn't ride the same distance each time. So my "rule" is - again, surprise! - not going to predict every performance.

The correlation between 12 &24h PBs won't be as close as (say) between 10&25, because peeps don't ride as many of them. Therefore they're less likely to make their theoretically-possible-maximal performance. (And of course the courses make a difference).

60% just seems to be roughly what people actually ride (in the year I looked at); quite useful to give yourself a benchmark, rather than something to base a massive spread betting strategy on!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 01 June, 2012, 10:22:13 am
I did 226 in the first half of the Sussex '24' last year.  I know I lose 3mph in the dark - so that would make 240 a par score and 250 the stretch target - provided I can find someone to hand me up bottles pork pies and Twix on the A11 on 5 August.  :-\
Good luck on the A11 - I nearly died of boredom on that one! But I expect the 100 course was not dissimilar.

I had a look at 12h/24h distances for various riders last year, and found that a "60%" rule seemed to work pretty well. [If noone posts a counter example I shall eat all the hats I am currently wearing.]

I'm happy with boredom if it gives me a good time.  Of course I might think differently 6 hours in.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 05 June, 2012, 06:14:06 pm
4:46:04 in the Anfield 100 for me, so CET's YACF BAR place is not in danger from me at least.  I've written a full report here (http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=60171.0).
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 07 June, 2012, 06:32:07 pm
H10/17r  - A420 | 31st May 2012 - 25:06

About a minute knocked off my PB - set on the same event last year. They're my only 2 rides on a quickish course, but last year was awfully windy on the way out. Last week was very good conditions indeed.

Am I happy? Of course not, I want to be 7 seconds faster ...  ::-) (And Ross wasn't there to beat  ;D )

I don't expect to go any faster this season - no club nights on quick courses - so emphasis will shift to the long stuff (on a comfortable bike!). Is it time to start a 2012 M24h thread?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 07 June, 2012, 11:02:08 pm
Matt, I thought you kept going on about being slow and faffing about?  That's an excellent time! 

Tonight's ride was slow for a number of reasons: the pi$$ing rain, my having missed a night's sleep last night, and my 25 this Saturday which meant I didn't want to destroy myself tonight.  In fact, I only turned up because I thought I might have to marshal.  As it turned out I didn't, so I started pre-drenched to see what I could do.  Hey, I hadn't ridden the course before so at least it would give me a recce for next time. 

49.15 for a hilly 17 miles.  I was 5th out of the 9 drowned rats who turned up tonight - we normally get more like 30.  Still, 5th is 5th - that means lots of points for me towards the club league  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 08 June, 2012, 12:20:28 am
Another wet & windy Wednesday night for the Sodbury TT.
But I did manage to knock 20 seconds off my PB  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 08 June, 2012, 10:56:33 pm
H10/17r  - A420 | 31st May 2012 - 25:06

About a minute knocked off my PB - set on the same event last year. They're my only 2 rides on a quickish course, but last year was awfully windy on the way out. Last week was very good conditions indeed.

Am I happy? Of course not, I want to be 7 seconds faster ...  ::-) (And Ross wasn't there to beat  ;D )

I don't expect to go any faster this season - no club nights on quick courses - so emphasis will shift to the long stuff (on a comfortable bike!). Is it time to start a 2012 M24h thread?

 Virtually the same as mine last Sunday, a hilly 18 miles in terrible conditions where most of my clubmates punctured before even starting.

 03/06/2012 QS30 x 2  18mls/57:50 Hilly/pouring rain & cold  Planet X TT bike
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 10 June, 2012, 12:02:51 am
58.43 in the National 25 today.  I've broken the hour, WOOOOOOHOOOOO!

The course was fairly fast if not completely flat.  From talking to a guy on the start, I thought the way back would be harder than it was, so I held a bit back for a big hill that never came.  I had current speed and average speed on my computer and at about 3/4 of the way in, I had an average speed of ~41.6kph that hadn't shifted in a while, so I knew I was going to do it. Since my target had explicitly been the hour, it was interesting that I then just plugged away at the same speed rather than raising my game and risking blowing up - and in the end I still had something to give when I crossed the line.  With hindsight, I should have switched to distance at that point, to help me manage my efforts over the last part of the course (You may have guessed that I didn't know this course at all, it was the first time I'd clapped eyes on it.) 

Hutch won the day with 47.01, beating Alex Dowsett by all of 7 seconds and Matt Bottrill by a good minute and a half.  My efforts got me 111th place out of 126 finishers in the guys event - 117 of us came in under the hour.  That was a fast race, much as you'd expect!  Ryan Mullen won the juniors in a stonking 48.48 and Julia Shaw beat Ciara Horne and Rebecca Slack to win the women in 54.57.

Well, that's one of my 2012 resolutions ticked off already :D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 10 June, 2012, 12:04:37 am
Wasn't one of the ladies hit by a car?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 10 June, 2012, 12:19:36 am
I didn't hear about it, but I didn't really hang around.  There was an ambulance by the side of the course on the way back, so it sounds like you're right.

Looking at TTF, yes you're right: Jane Kilmartin got wing mirrored.  It sounds like she's okay but still,  >:(

Her back's broken. (http://www.timetriallingforum.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=69360)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 25 June, 2012, 08:13:44 pm
Hope she makes a good recovery.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 25 June, 2012, 08:15:56 pm
Just got the start sheet for the 3rd, and find that I'm off at 79 - second last and minute-man to an under-50 rider. That's minutes, not years (well, years too).
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 26 June, 2012, 12:22:04 am
Have a good ride! 

Also, good ride wishes to Toby and RossBD in the WCCA 100 on the 1st.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 27 June, 2012, 11:35:48 am
Rode the Clevedon & Dist. Evening 10 last night.
A wet miserable evening with only 3 riders competing !
I came 2nd with a time of 26:39 !

Thanks to the club offical for running the event   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 28 June, 2012, 11:18:10 pm
Previous results (http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=229.msg1225254#msg1225254)

27/06/12 Q10/26 10mls/24:36  warm muggy    Raleigh Team Professional on 97" fixed

 Return to fixed and pleased with the time as I have had two weeks off the bike with a chest infection  :thumbsup:

Ignore the top speed on Strava it seems to pick up the bit where I swith it bac on at home to upload the data  ::-)  http://app.strava.com/rides/11896137 (http://app.strava.com/rides/11896137)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 02 July, 2012, 06:54:16 pm
That looks pretty respectable. There are some quick people just ahead of you. (Hard to compare, as hardly anyone on that event has ridden events over here, if you see what I mean!)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 02 July, 2012, 08:09:25 pm
I'm using my 24-hour set up for every ride at the moment.  It has the bars about 2 inches up from normal TT position and the saddle back a bit.  That's my excuse for doing 1:06:10 on a fast 25 course on Sunday!  The last time I rode the course at the end of last season I was hoping to break the hour but the legs weren't quite there so I sat up at the turn and still finished in 1:05...! 

Apart from being very slow, it felt ok.  Heart rate was where it should be and, at the end, I felt like I could keep riding.

Well done Greg on breaking the hour ^^^
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 04 July, 2012, 12:45:12 pm
Heavy rain welcomed the riders on last nights Severn RC Evening 10 and this deterred many riders with 'only' 20 riders starting ( normally in excess of 50 riders start !!! ).

Amazingly I managed to post my fastest time for 15 months  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 04 July, 2012, 02:28:43 pm
Bloody event was cancelled: "Mist on the top turn." It was also pouring down.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 04 July, 2012, 09:40:53 pm
Good conditions tonight for my 2nd TT of the week, much better conditions, even some sunshine  :o
PB'd by 15 seconds so pleased with that, although very tired on final straight.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 08 July, 2012, 01:32:16 am
1.01.57 on the Cardiff 100 milers' 25. About 4 minutes slower than Toby. I suppose I should be pleased with my first 25 for about a year.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 09 July, 2012, 08:44:43 pm
Well done, Ian!

I did my first 100 yesterday.  It was the D100/1 which is largely the same course as the 24. 

I had a great time - enjoyed it more than anything I've ridden since PBP!  It went better than I hoped, too.  I got round in 4:38:03, having targeted 4:40-5 hrs beforehand.  Beautiful sunny day, well organised event. 

Was shattered afterwards.  Had to pull off the motorway and had a nice 45 mins nap at a service station.   
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 09 July, 2012, 11:59:14 pm
Well done, Ian!
Thank-you - though I don't deserve it.
Quote
I did my first 100 yesterday...

...I had a great time - enjoyed it more than anything I've ridden since PBP!...

"Yer not doing it right".
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 12 July, 2012, 02:43:39 pm
The course for tonights club 10 has just been resurfaced - with loose chippings, natch  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Lady Cavendish on 12 July, 2012, 02:45:49 pm
I'm going to get back to it tonight. It won't be pretty after 7 weeks off. I'm starting the season again goddamit.

Enjoy those chippings!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Lady Cavendish on 13 July, 2012, 09:48:15 pm
Mine was cancelled!!!!! Too wet and flooded
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 13 July, 2012, 11:37:35 pm
Yeovil 25 Sunday morning. Will it be dry?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 15 July, 2012, 01:37:41 pm
I DNF'd the YCF 100 today.  Organising yesterday's audaxes had left me with two nights of very limited sleep, after a fairly active week, and had evidently taken more out of me than I'd realised.  I rushed to the start (because I really didn't want to get up at 5.00) and did the first lap of 15ish miles.  It felt like the second hundred of a 12 hour, I was looking at a >5h time, so I climbed off there.  Now begins a program of comprehensive R&R in preparation for the 12 in two weeks, where I want to avoid a repeat of today!  My club/British BAR plans are looking very ropey, now I'll have to rely on my 4.46 in the Anfield BC.  I'd better start training for a very fast 50!

The consolation is that I did fairly well in the club SPOCO on Thurday - not that I actually know my position, as the person in charge of posting results is currently on holiday watching Le Tour! 

Talking of which, today has live coverage so I'm off to watch that.  It's much easier watching the pros race than doing it yourself.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 15 July, 2012, 02:31:40 pm
I've just done 1:14:57 in a 50.  Not fast but my main consolation was that the last 25 was almost 5 mins faster than the first.   It was a windy day on a hilly course and the other people i knew also said they were slower than usual.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 15 July, 2012, 04:37:22 pm
1.03.14. Not too bad on a day when not many squeezed under the hour. Someone next to me squinting at the results said - Bloody hell! Old Ian Hennessey was riding. Cue meeting of old friends.
I beat a Richard Turpin.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 15 July, 2012, 07:03:07 pm
I've just done 1:14:57 in a 50.
New comp record?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 16 July, 2012, 08:27:52 am
Wonder what he'll do on the 24!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 17 July, 2012, 10:18:22 pm
...probably do another typo!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 18 July, 2012, 11:20:19 am
I finally got my results through, I was third, though it doesn't sound quite so good considering that I was the only senior male there!  I'm now 1 point in the league behind someone who I particularly want to beat; that should give me plenty of motivation to cause myself plenty of pain in the last few races of the year  :thumbsup:

I've entered the Manchester Wheelers 50 as I've gone and booked a holiday over the date of the local ride  ::-)  Still, at least it's meant to be a fast course.  Anyone else there?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 18 July, 2012, 11:56:27 am
I finally got my results through, I was third, though it doesn't sound quite so good considering that I was the only senior male there!

A podium finish, well done Mr. B   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 19 July, 2012, 09:50:11 am
Another very windy night on the UC108 last night.
Strong westerly wind blowing, gave us assistance for the first leg, in fact my first 2.5 mile check was done in under 5 mins !
However a time of 27:46 shows how slow I was on the rest of the ride !
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 27 July, 2012, 02:16:58 pm
W/C July 21st
Sat: Long steady ride
Sun: See above

Thu: First ever 2-up!
I was head-hunted by someone about 90secs slower than me. Kev's first 2-up too, but he had never even ridden in a chain-gang type setup, so I had a lot of explaining/bull$h1tting to do on the ride over, and didn't have high hopes for our team.
It wasn't the smoothest TTT ever, but we did more right than wrong. My PB on that course is high 27summat, and Kev normally does 27:30 on club courses, so 26:00 (http://ridewithgps.com/trips/805056) seemed like a decent time in the circumstances. Kev did far too much work in the first 5 miles, and - still being cautious after the weekend - I didn't reciprocate; until 6 miles, at which point I rode almost all the way back on the front.
Winning team: 22:41 - Fastest solo 22:54
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Jasmine on 27 July, 2012, 02:59:01 pm
58.43 in the National 25 today.  I've broken the hour, WOOOOOOHOOOOO!

That was a fast race, much as you'd expect!  Ryan Mullen won the juniors in a stonking 48.48 a

This is one of the total shitters about living where I live.  Imagine the total field is 30 people in a club TT.  Local TTs here often involve getting thrashed by the Welsh Road Race Champion, the Welsh Hill Climb Champion and a 17 year old in Planet X kit who happens to hold some British records. 

Yesterday I rode up to Holyhead to ride a North West Wales league 10.  I only had the Welsh Road Race Champion and the Welsh Hill Climb Champion to deal with this time.  I had a season's best of 26.21, which is the fastest I've been since the first accident last May.  Good enough for fastest lady. I'm happy with that time as it felt pretty good - my head was in the right place, which has been a rare occurance of late.  Apart from a bit of minor knee twinge and the distinct lack of power in the legs, it started to feel like it used to  :)

The only down side was that I was overtaken by my 4 minute man  :facepalm:  He did go on to win though.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 29 July, 2012, 11:12:56 pm
235.49 miles in the Nat. 12.  I managed to arouse some interest in the club after my ride last year, so there were three of us doing it this time.  Thankfully I managed to hold onto the club trophy by the skin of my teeth, or rather 1.5 miles.  As for the third rider, I suspect she's just set a new women's record.  Andy Bason rode a brave 300+ miles, only to be beaten by Nik Bowdler doing the same +1.

A grand day out, if rather a lot of hard work!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 30 July, 2012, 10:40:02 am
Thanks!  I saw you'd entered the Breckland, I hope you find your mojo somewhere this week.  I certainly feel better having got the pre-race nerves out of the way.  I notice that Nik Bowdler is also down to ride too: what a glutton for punishment!  Wilko was being sanguine about his chances yesterday, but I bet he wants the comp record back off Jeff Jones.

I'm waiting to see if I've got into the Manchester Wheelers 50, otherwise it'll be no BAR set for me.  Not that there's likely to be any 'best' about it, as the rider behind me in the 12 has a 100 time 15 minutes faster than me, so I'd need to ride a very fast first 50 to claw back the deficit. 

That was the last Elmet 12 and nobody has volunteered to take over the event.  That's a shame, as it's a really nice course.  Anway, have 'fun' on the Breckland.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 30 July, 2012, 10:48:40 am
Well done, Greg. 
 :thumbsup:
300 miles in a 12 is a long way to ride and not be the winner!  But 235 is a decent result for a mortal, and would have won my club trophy in any of the last half dozen years.

I'm not down to do a 12 this year (unless I decide to have a shot at the Welsh one at the start of September) but I am helping a clubmate who is targeting our club record in the Eastern Counties one so I can experience the fun without getting a time)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Jasmine on 30 July, 2012, 10:52:25 am
Well done Greg.  235 miles is really good for a mere mortal over 12 hours.   :thumbsup:

Did your female clubmate set a club women's record, or a general 12 record?  How far was it?  Either way, well done to her.  :D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 30 July, 2012, 11:09:42 am
She did 218.4 miles, which I *think* is a women's club record, though for all I know we had some superstar back in 1963 or whatever.  For a mother of two doing her first 12, I'm seriously impressed.  The men's club record is something silly, somewhere heading towards 280. 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 31 July, 2012, 09:48:25 pm
Well done Mr Bunbury  :thumbsup: 
An Evening 10 tonight for me on the local VC Bristol course UC101 from Iron Acton to Cromhall, managed a 41 second PB - 25:45.
Quite good conditions, humid but the showers held off, cycled to the start so perhaps this helped as a warm up ?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 01 August, 2012, 11:01:42 pm
Went to a TT today. Quite a good crowd though rather a low turn out. Not a sporting course though it was a non standard distance. Some chap from Lancashire won with a german lad second.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 05 August, 2012, 05:58:32 pm
Got a 25 PB today - 1:00:32. 
25 seconds better than my previous best from last year.  I thought I might have had a chance to break the hour but just tired a bit on the last leg into the wind.
It was on the F1/25 (on the A1 near Sandy), the first time I'd ridden the course.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 05 August, 2012, 08:44:59 pm
Well done Frank.

Wilko did 317.9 miles in the Breckland 12 today  :o
To put that in perspective that's nearly thirteen 56:40 25 mile rides done back to back!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Peter on 06 August, 2012, 12:43:45 am
Who needs perspective?!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Biff on 07 August, 2012, 01:55:45 am
Well done Frank.

Wilko did 317.9 miles in the Breckland 12 today  :o
To put that in perspective that's nearly thirteen 56:40 25 mile rides done back to back!

On a mountain bike!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 07 August, 2012, 10:57:19 am
Yeah!

Oranj has said in another parish that he's probably missed the trike comp record by 300 yards.  Gutted for you.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 07 August, 2012, 02:41:21 pm
Was he not using a (very light) hardtail MTB frame at some point? Or did I imagine that?!?

p.s. good effort Oranj! Better luck next year.  :P
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 07 August, 2012, 02:51:22 pm
... and thus are legends born!


(or urban myths, depending on viewpoint)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 07 August, 2012, 02:57:59 pm
Leg ends? I put socks on my leg ends.  I came 7th in the club's SPOCO league this year: maybe I should try leving my leg ends bare in order to save weight and move up to 6th next year.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Biff on 07 August, 2012, 04:55:43 pm
On a mountain bike!

Wilko would be the first to correct you there - his bike is *nothing* like a mountain bike. It's a custom-built frame from Dolan, specifically made to his dimensions and closely matching a previous titanium frame which he broke. The only thing it has in common with an MTB are the V-brakes.

I stand corrected. I got my info from a spectator. Wilko definitely used to ride out to Broxton on a MTB, take off his saddlebag, ride a '25' then go touring for the day. He caught me for 4 mins once on that bike, doing a '57'.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Lady Cavendish on 07 August, 2012, 04:58:53 pm
I always stare out the window at work about this time of day, and seem to despair at rain and wind. I don't want to go and do a TT in wet wind!!!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 07 August, 2012, 09:11:47 pm
I always stare out the window at work about this time of day, and seem to despair at rain and wind. I don't want to go and do a TT in wet wind!!!

Crikey that was WET tonight !!!
A small field on the Severn RC Evening 10 UC186 - lots of water on the course.
I managed a 25:04 - 38 seconds down on my PB !
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 07 August, 2012, 09:37:04 pm
Well done!

Pity you couldn't have done 43 seconds ;)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 16 August, 2012, 07:39:53 pm
Another windy Wednesday last night on the challenging Sodbury Cycle Sport UC108 course.
Sixteen riders turned out for a dry evening, after what had been a very wet day.

I finished 8th and was 3 seconds off beating my PB  :( 

But was very pleased with the time considering the windy conditions, the wind sock on the Badminton airfield was hanging on for dear life  ???
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Lady Cavendish on 16 August, 2012, 09:56:00 pm
Managed a 3 sec course PB tonight even though it was windy- really pleased with that. Threw up at mile 5 and 7- had a headwind at the time so got loads of horrid splashback lol. I'm so classy.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Chris S on 16 August, 2012, 10:01:15 pm
Managed a 3 sec course PB tonight even though it was windy- really pleased with that. Threw up at mile 5 and 7- had a headwind at the time so got loads of horrid splashback lol. I'm so classy.

Jeez. Therein lie the reasons I don't do TTs. I tried one and barfed my tea in the hedge, much to the amusement of those at the finish line. No thanks  :hand:.

My nephew is a Cat III and used to do TTs. His coach reckoned if he hadn't parked his lunch somewhere, he wasn't trying hard enough.

ETA: I may have already mentioned this on this thread. This is the problem with (a) getting old and (3) having such long threads.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Lady Cavendish on 17 August, 2012, 06:17:15 am
Lol Chris. I totally agree. If the contents of the stomach are still inthere- not trying. (I do find it better tho throw up on the finish line though as you tend to get covered in less of it :) )
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 18 August, 2012, 08:28:28 pm
Oranj and I were racing the Team Swift 100 today, on the A168/A19. 

Unfortunately, a rider was killed at about 75 miles.  He got rear ended by a car, and ended up lying in the middle of the road.  Traffic was stationary on the northbound carriageway, with maybe 1/4 mile tailback when I got there.  I climbed the barrier and rode home, as did everyone else who'd been riding north.  Some people got through before it happened but the race got scrubbed anyway.   

Respects to him and his family.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: cyclone on 18 August, 2012, 10:10:57 pm
+1 Oranj.....It seems that the death stats are increasing for tt's, I hope they start to come down with the expected increase in participants following Bradleys exploits..

Sad, sad news, condolences to riders family and friends
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 18 August, 2012, 10:23:21 pm
+1 Oranj.....It seems that the death stats are increasing for tt's, I hope they start to come down with the expected increase in participants following Bradleys exploits..

Sad, sad news, condolences to riders family and friends

He's named on the time-trialling forum (http://www.timetriallingforum.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=71739).
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 19 August, 2012, 01:47:07 am
That is sickening news Mr Bunbury.

This was a new course to me, and certainly far from the worst dual carriageway I've ridden in the last few years (this may be the first accident, fatal or otherwise, on it).

The northern end of this course was the southern end of the national 25.  It was about 20 miles north of this crash where Jane Kilmartin got knocked off in that race.I've ridden on much 'worse' A roads in the past, but the A168/A19 has exacted a toll this year.  So sad.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: cyclone on 19 August, 2012, 08:31:11 am
Thanks Ian, it's hard enough following the sport in the UK let alone France...... :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Climberruss on 19 August, 2012, 08:37:53 am
This was my first ever 100ml and first experience of a "drag strip" course. When I started, I questioned in my mind the reasoning behind holding a major event like this on a busy holiday route on a Sat afternoon. Cars and caravans were passing very close.
I was the last rider to finish who got a time and as such, I rode past the accident scene just after the ambulance had arrived. It was sickening to see the damage to the car and know that it was caused by a fellow cyclist. The impact must have been very high speed.
My heart goes out to his family.
RIP
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 19 August, 2012, 05:55:30 pm
Cyclist dies in time trial event: BBC North Yorkshire (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-19311114)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 19 August, 2012, 09:14:24 pm
Cyclist dies in time trial event: BBC North Yorkshire (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-19311114)

Tragic news, my condolences to all concerned.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 20 August, 2012, 10:33:06 am
I spotted the story in the Evening Press. 

Very sad. It's a flat dragstrip of a road, but I wouldn't have thought of it as dangerous unless people are riding out in the lane. Visibility is good.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: LindaG on 20 August, 2012, 02:06:30 pm
A lady came to us outside Suggitt's in Great Ayton and asked if this was one of our number.  She expressed her sadness and sorrow at what had happened.  So I thought I'd pass it on.

RIP.  Awful news. 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 20 August, 2012, 02:29:07 pm
It seems that the death stats are increasing for tt's, I hope they start to come down with the expected increase in participants following Bradleys exploits..

I think you should be cautious with statements like that.

"It seems ..." - do you have the stats, and if so, what do they say? (I haven't seen any, so deaths may be up or down, I don't know.)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 20 August, 2012, 02:40:08 pm
The numbers are probably within statistical noise.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 24 August, 2012, 04:18:40 pm
Another windy night down in the SW  :demon:
Outward leg was very hard work after initial downhill section, although I did manage to make up time after the turn, but alas not enough  ???



DateCourseDistance TimePositionNotes : PB's in Bold
10 Apr       UC186       9.6miles         25:47       20/34          Wet & SE Wind
25 Apr      UC108       10.2miles     28:50        5/8             Wet & V.Windy
9 May      UC108       10.2miles       28:01        3/9         Wet & V.Windy again !
29 May      UC242       10.2miles       25:50        6/23        Warm & Light Wind
6 Jun      UC108       10.2miles       27:41        9/12         Wet & Windy
26 Jun      UC242       10.2miles       26:39        2/3        Mist & Drizzle
3 Jul      UC186       9.6miles       24:47        8/20        Heavy Rain
4 Jul     UC108       10.2miles       27:26        9/14        SW Wind & Warm
18 Jul      UC108       10.2miles       27:46        13/15        Dry & V.Windy
31 Jul     UC101       10.1miles       25:45        10/18       Light Wind & Humid
7 Aug     UC186       9.6miles       25:04       10/18       Very Wet
15 Aug     UC108       10.2miles       27:29      8/16       Very Windy
21 Aug     UC186     9.6miles       25:1310/25       Strong SW Wind
29 Aug     UC108     10.2miles       27:1510/16       Fair & Slight SW Wind
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 25 August, 2012, 05:27:02 pm
The best TT in the country? (well, SE anyway):

http://www.kingstonwheelers.co.uk/kwccforum/viewtopic.php?t=5872&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0
http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=428007

(It's been running 53 years, how come noone told me?!? )
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 30 August, 2012, 07:45:52 pm
Final Sodbury TT of the season last night, and after a day of heavy showers the evening was pleasant although plenty of water remained on the course.

PB'd by 11 secs - 27:15  :thumbsup: 

After the ride, the club held their presentation evening with sandwiches & chips and I even managed to win the Vet40 award/prize for the season !!! ( a Camelbak water bottle & a Leyzme rear light )
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Lady Cavendish on 01 September, 2012, 06:53:57 pm
Well done on your PB :)

I though today looked like a great day for my open 25 but it still managed to be windy!!! Won a massive £10 for 2nd lady, I'm booking a Caribbean cruise :)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 02 September, 2012, 07:34:38 am
Yesterday, I was on for going under the hour for the first time after the first lap of a 2-lap 25 on the course on the A31 at Bentley. 

I attacked the first upwind leg hard and did the first lap averaging 25.1mph.  But I couldn't do it again, struggled into the wind and ended up with 1:00:34 (24.8mph average).  2 seconds below my PB but 20-odd seconds faster than I've done on that course. 

Going downwind was fun: 28-32mph for five or six miles!

I'll have another go in a couple of weeks time.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: vorsprung on 02 September, 2012, 11:34:19 am
I've never done a time trial before the 25 mile one (http://cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/Default.aspx?&ge514__geka=zDDQ-6ZV33MzjqeBwbmQrz_ANSkB_T7qN_S6WibhjZQGy0scVJXHewgHvcr1T1ZBWz-oxLC6LVgI_XjpwQJFOmoZVAgtR2M0uIUdPm8eFn3OdbXYumfwb4JVLHUIiq9ui1sZQsY0_zA62tz4YritRJOHN_-UrdILoJQr1x4VaK_imZxq4oX1Od1z-s59lFKEGWi9BRES824NxEbzv1v4dN0xn6-q9PcVkR_yUkx66fE&ge514__gevi=CoEoCKpuvIciRfHkSGI0Lg&gv850__gvac=2&gv850__gvff0=52965&gv850__gvfl0=0&tabid=361) I did this morning
I'd not really trained for it, I only decided to do it a month ago.  I did some intervals last weekend, that was about it.
To get to the start I had to ride through a couple of floods.  I had intended to find the start, then go off and warm up a bit.  But I didn't fancy going through the floods again.
I started off as number 9, at nine minutes past eight.
All the other riders had TT bikes and were wearing pointy hats

After 4km, number 10 over took me,  After 8km, number 11 passed.  Pretty much all the starters from 10 to 16 passed me.  And number 20 too.

I went ok until 27km when I had a bit of trouble with a long steady hill.  In the last 10km I picked up the pace again.   At the finish I got out of the saddle to sprint for the line and my legs didn't cramp up, although I could feel they were on the edge

At the end Mike said there was a headwind on the way back, and wasn't it terrible.   I didn't feel the headwind.  I was going slowly up the hills because I didn't have it in my legs.

I finished in 1:08-ish, I didn't hang around to get the results.  Hopefully this will be good enough to not come last  ;D

If I did it again I would make my position better, warm up properly and train more specifically. TBH though, not sure I CBA...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 02 September, 2012, 12:15:50 pm

I finished in 1:08-ish

1.07 something. Pippa was impressed.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 02 September, 2012, 03:03:20 pm
Well done Vorsprung!

Better luck next time Frank.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 02 September, 2012, 04:08:43 pm
I though today looked like a great day for my open 25 but it still managed to be windy!!! Won a massive £10 for 2nd lady, I'm booking a Caribbean cruise :)

..... and well done to you Lady C. on your 2nd place, enjoy your cruise  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 02 September, 2012, 07:16:03 pm
Final Sodbury TT of the season last night, and after a day of heavy showers the evening was pleasant although plenty of water remained on the course.

PB'd by 11 secs - 27:15  :thumbsup: 

After the ride, the club held their presentation evening with sandwiches & chips and I even managed to win the Vet40 award/prize for the season !!! ( a Camelbak water bottle & a Leyzme rear light )
Well done!  :thumbsup: Now don't expect us to keep up with you though!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dibdib on 02 September, 2012, 07:29:01 pm
Just worked out what kind of time I could possibly manage in a ten mile TT. Let's just say it was nowhere nearly as impressive as some of these times!

I think next spring will have my first attempt at one, so I have the winter to shed the aerodynamically cuvaceous beer belly and harden up the legs  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 02 September, 2012, 07:35:27 pm
Just worked out what kind of time I could possibly manage in a ten mile TT. Let's just say it was nowhere nearly as impressive as some of these times!

I think next spring will have my first attempt at one, so I have the winter to shed the aerodynamically cuvaceous beer belly and harden up the legs  :thumbsup:

Don't worry, the race numbers have magic properties.  When you pin one on your back, it suddenly makes you go faster.  Don't tell anyone I told you this, it's protected by an omerta code.  Michael Hutchinson may hunt me down and kill me if he finds out I've spilled the go-faster beans  ;)

(The effect is real though: you can never push yourself as hard in training as you can in a race.)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 04 September, 2012, 07:30:57 pm
Photo taken during my final TT of the season, last Wednesday.
After a day of heavy rain, riding across sodden roads near to Badminton Airfield.

(http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee253/ianrsparrow/7892724996_7d1a1e921d_b.jpg)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 05 September, 2012, 11:32:37 am
Good shot, to go with the good PB  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 05 September, 2012, 11:53:57 am
Good shot, to go with the good PB  :thumbsup:

It was quite a damp ride, with lots of spray   :facepalm:  ( well captured in the image )
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 06 September, 2012, 02:10:35 pm
Finally broke my hill-climb duck on Sunday. The outcome was exactly as predicted - 2nd last, and nearly failed to get up the 2nd (steeper) climb. For more tedious detail:
(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Lady Cavendish on 06 September, 2012, 02:23:30 pm
Well done Matt, I wouldn't fancy it! Our club's numbers are much smaller for the hill climbs too- I've never turned up to one. I'd just get destroyed by the skinny guys. Plus it would be horrible. I don't like hills!

Our club's last one tonight but I have girlflu so I'm not doing it. What on earth do we do till March now?!?!?!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 06 September, 2012, 02:48:04 pm
Our club's last one tonight but I have girlflu so I'm not doing it. What on earth do we do till March now?!?!?!
That's an easy one:
http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=4705.0
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Lady Cavendish on 06 September, 2012, 02:50:42 pm
LOL. I've just done my 11th one actually- 1 to go :) But yes, I guess we just continue those for a while. Nothing better than riding all day freezing to death in the winter months ;)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 06 September, 2012, 03:01:03 pm
My attendance at club Freewheeling comps has been nearly 100%  :smug:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Lady Cavendish on 06 September, 2012, 03:04:22 pm
Anyway, why are all the hill TTs going up, they should do them going down. Dont you think I would win those?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 06 September, 2012, 05:28:37 pm
Anyway, why are all the hill TTs going up, they should do them going down. Dont you think I would win those?
Do I have to answer that?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Lady Cavendish on 06 September, 2012, 05:32:31 pm
 :) :P Maybe I'll stick to the flat ones :)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Jasmine on 07 September, 2012, 10:15:55 am
Oh god, hill climb season   :'(
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 07 September, 2012, 10:28:58 am
Oh god, hill climb season   :'(

One solution is to qualify as a time-keeper.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: teethgrinder on 07 September, 2012, 10:31:33 am
My attendance at club Freewheeling comps has been nearly 100%  :smug:

They won't let me play on freewheel comps. :'(
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: teethgrinder on 07 September, 2012, 10:34:16 am
Oh god, hill climb season   :'(

I might have a go at the club hill climb this year. It'll be my 2nd TT this year and it'll mean I'll have ridden the longest and shortest distance TTs possible.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 11 September, 2012, 08:54:35 am
Michael Hutchinson has broken 25 mile record: 45.46
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: clarion on 11 September, 2012, 10:39:32 am
Oh splendid!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 11 September, 2012, 10:42:27 am
Two comp records in a year: it seems that commentating on the TdF/Olympics is as good as training.  Maybe I should change career?
The longer distances haven't given such good luck though.  I'm gutted for Wilko: he basically just had to finish a 100 to get a new BBAR record, but with the Team Swift abandoned and the BDCA called off, he can't do it  :-[
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 11 September, 2012, 11:58:34 am
The Anfield would have been my counting 100, except that family stuff scuppered my 50, so I'll have to try again another year.  Next year isn't looking very likely, as I'll be concentrating on the 24, and real life is looking quite uncertain next year anyway  >:(
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 15 September, 2012, 07:37:12 pm
I've finally made it under the hour :)
Did 59:34 on the course from Bentley on the A31 - exactly a minute better than two weeks ago.
I might never get a better opportunity to give up time trialling!

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fohat on 17 September, 2012, 08:21:48 pm
Brilliant news Frank, well done

(Tim C, Westerley CC)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 24 September, 2012, 10:13:19 pm
Well done Frank, the road man's dream to go under the hour Chapeau
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: vorsprung on 12 October, 2012, 11:33:44 am
I just worked out if I want to go under the hour I will have to

1) Increase power by 15% - this is loads and implies a 3 month training program.  Might be able to gain some "power" by improving my position though.

2) Decrease weight by 5Kg - it's a hilly course.  This is possible, I've been that weight recently

3) Learn to go faster downhill.  I mean, don't ease off on the downhill

This all sounds a bit much but it will also make riding audaxes easier  ;D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 12 October, 2012, 11:38:56 am
4) Find an excuse to visit a faster course!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Lady Cavendish on 12 October, 2012, 11:39:54 am
I'd go with 4 as well. I first went under the hour on one that didn't have big hills in it, merely undulations- problem solved  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Rhys W on 14 October, 2012, 04:46:39 pm
Take a trip to the R25/3 (http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://timetrialmaps.com/ImageGen/ImgGen3.aspx%3Ffile%3DR25-3L.csv&imgrefurl=http://timetrialmaps.com/Courses/ShowCourse.aspx%3FCourseID%3D59&usg=__kyTc9tHiwiva6GtcTT5QwBLhknc=&h=250&w=750&sz=55&hl=en&start=16&zoom=1&tbnid=RJQtCvECktULSM:&tbnh=47&tbnw=141&ei=v916ULGAPIjA0QWF1oGwAw&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dr25%2B3%2Btime%2Btrial%2Bcourse%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DX%26gbv%3D2%26tbm%3Disch%26prmd%3Divnsfd&itbs=1) (if you can get an an entry). A look at the profile will explain why it's known locally as the "ski slope"  ;)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 15 October, 2012, 02:27:08 pm
That is stretching the definition of the start being within a certain distance of the finish..
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: vorsprung on 15 October, 2012, 03:21:27 pm
Take a trip to the R25/3 (http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://timetrialmaps.com/ImageGen/ImgGen3.aspx%3Ffile%3DR25-3L.csv&imgrefurl=http://timetrialmaps.com/Courses/ShowCourse.aspx%3FCourseID%3D59&usg=__kyTc9tHiwiva6GtcTT5QwBLhknc=&h=250&w=750&sz=55&hl=en&start=16&zoom=1&tbnid=RJQtCvECktULSM:&tbnh=47&tbnw=141&ei=v916ULGAPIjA0QWF1oGwAw&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dr25%2B3%2Btime%2Btrial%2Bcourse%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DX%26gbv%3D2%26tbm%3Disch%26prmd%3Divnsfd&itbs=1) (if you can get an an entry). A look at the profile will explain why it's known locally as the "ski slope"  ;)

shall I put lead weights in my water bottles for that course?

how ridiculous
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 15 October, 2012, 05:56:03 pm
Take a trip to the R25/3 (http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://timetrialmaps.com/ImageGen/ImgGen3.aspx%3Ffile%3DR25-3L.csv&imgrefurl=http://timetrialmaps.com/Courses/ShowCourse.aspx%3FCourseID%3D59&usg=__kyTc9tHiwiva6GtcTT5QwBLhknc=&h=250&w=750&sz=55&hl=en&start=16&zoom=1&tbnid=RJQtCvECktULSM:&tbnh=47&tbnw=141&ei=v916ULGAPIjA0QWF1oGwAw&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dr25%2B3%2Btime%2Btrial%2Bcourse%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DX%26gbv%3D2%26tbm%3Disch%26prmd%3Divnsfd&itbs=1) (if you can get an an entry). A look at the profile will explain why it's known locally as the "ski slope"  ;)


shall I put lead weights in my water bottles for that course?

how ridiculous

Quite a few courses exploit the maximum allowed distance between start and finish. The Welly Wheelers' 10 used to, but they've changed the course.

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: giropaul on 15 October, 2012, 06:33:02 pm
Fast times require (in order of importance) -

1) A "fast" course - like the Welsh one mentioned
2) A good traffic count and lots of trucks
3) A "fast" day - wind in right direction etc
4) Fitness

 :demon:

It's down to the "golf handicap" view of UK timetrialling. Better to be 110th in 54.30 than 3rd in 1.3.27 etc.

Seriously though, the best way to go under is to go under - in other words once you've done it it gets easier to do it again. Several people I know have stuggled to go under, then ridden a 2 up which did, and from then on went under regularly. Once I'd gone under I never did a 1hr+ ride for 2 seasons.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Rhys W on 15 October, 2012, 10:31:07 pm
It's a typical valley course - the wind can only blow up the valley or down the valley. A good day is when any wind blows you back up the valley on the return leg. The last time I did it was on a pretty windy day - in the wrong way. The turn is at 15 miles and I got there in something like 33 minutes, thinking I could easily do the remaining 10 miles in less than 27 mins even in a headwind... no chance!

It used to known only locally until the Port Talbot Wheelers ran the National 25 a few years ago, now people like Michael Hutchinson turn up and do it in 45 minutes. I think that on that windy morning I mentioned only about 10-15 went under the hour. A lot of people had travelled very far to get there and a lot went home very disappointed!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 21 October, 2012, 06:16:57 pm
18 minutes, 16.3 seconds for me in the Yorkshire RC's hillclimb up Cragg Vale.  That was enough to get me a placing of 16/40.  I'm in the top half of an open HC at last - my tactic of removing the inner chainring and stopping out my 25 sprocket obviously worked!    I also beat my clubmate, so I'm currently wearing a big stupid grin. 

The winning time was 15.49.5, beating the course record by a whopping 50 seconds.  Given that the previous record was set by Matt Clinton, that's no mean feat!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 21 October, 2012, 06:32:00 pm
Hang on, is that you beating the former course record as well?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 21 October, 2012, 06:34:03 pm
Oops no, mistype alert!  I've fixed it now  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 21 October, 2012, 06:41:42 pm
A god for 20 minutes  ;D

(good effort anyway)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 21 October, 2012, 06:55:27 pm
Haha, I wish I was that good! 

Here was my secret weapon: I removed the inner chainring to save weight.  I also stopped my rear mech down so I couldn't use the 25t sprocket.  I suppose I should have saved more weight by replacing it with a spare 13t jobbie, but I wasn't quite that conscientious.

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8196/8109482441_220165770a_z.jpg)

Keen eyes might notice that I also moved the outer chainring onto the inner side of the spider, to give better chainline in the gears I'd mostly be using.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Rhys W on 21 October, 2012, 10:27:35 pm
You should have removed your LH shift lever as well then.  ;)

(This used to be seen on fixed hill climb bikes - just a hood to grab onto, with the brake lever removed)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 22 October, 2012, 02:48:40 pm
You should have removed your LH shift lever as well then.  ;)

(This used to be seen on fixed hill climb bikes - just a hood to grab onto, with the brake lever removed)
That would have been illegal!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 22 October, 2012, 03:13:36 pm
Only if it was not a fixed. A rider got DQ'd in scotland for this last year.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 22 October, 2012, 03:32:00 pm
Look again at the picture, notice the derailleurs  :P
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 22 October, 2012, 04:14:43 pm
My mind boggles at the idea of only using the big ring for a hill climb. Ok, I don't know this particular hill, but the name Crag must tell something. Grand chapeau to Bunbury.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 22 October, 2012, 04:19:42 pm
Mapmyride (http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/1011274) should tell you all you need to know.  It's the longest continuous climb in England, has an average gradient of 3.5% and a maximum gradient of 10%.   It's well known round these parts as the last 5 miles of the Three Coasts audax.

Next week's climb will necessitate removing the big ring and leaving the small ring in place!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 23 October, 2012, 12:12:16 pm
Completely different from what I expected! Both the "Cragg" in the name and idea of it being a hill climb suggested to me something shorter but quite a bit steeper. Still, chapeau!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 29 October, 2012, 10:12:03 am
Well Cudzo, here's something more to your taste  ;)

This Saturday was the BUCS climb up Curbar Gap (http://www.strava.com/segments/curbar-gap-628640) in Derbyshire: 1790 yards at just over 11%.  The event was really popular this year, with a full field of 150, several reserves and about 75 entries returned for the men, plus 42 women.

The trick up Curbar Gap is not to go off too hard on the first steep section, so you've still got something left for the rest of the climb.  I fell foul of this last year, so set off quite steadily this year, increasing my effort up the climb.  In fact, I erred on the side of caution - I reckon I had a little bit left to give at the top. I did 6:56 which I was pleased with, as I'd been aiming for under 7 minutes  :)  I was a little bit annoyed, though, to find that my clubmate who rides for a different university had beaten me by 3 seconds!

Full Results on TTF (http://www.timetriallingforum.co.uk/index.php?s=53d4092626d6866ff53652ccacac46d8&showforum=41)

Right, that's the season over for me, now it's time for lots of beer and pies! 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 29 October, 2012, 10:23:15 am
Just found our local one on Strava, 13% but only half a mile. So more like Curbar Gap, and more like _I'd_ always imagined HC courses:

http://www.strava.com/segments/streatley-hill-hcc005-tt-course-729782


(the club "double-header" also uses the longer steadier Goring side, as I think I posted at the time.)


n.b. I may not be the Matt C that is Curbar Gap strava leader.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 29 October, 2012, 10:29:49 am
That's Matt Clinton, he won the RTTC national hillclimb in 2008 and came 3rd in this year's event on Ramsbottom Rake (http://cyclinginfo.co.uk/blog/3782/cycling/the-rake-hill-climb/) yesterday (now that really is a short'n'steep climb). 

PS Cudzo, for your interest I gave my 39x25 bottom gear plenty of love this weekend  ;)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Peter on 29 October, 2012, 10:30:47 am
Bunbury, where do they start and finish the climb on Cragg?  Well done, by the way!

Peter
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 29 October, 2012, 10:40:33 am
Peter, see the course description (http://www.rttc.org.uk/?&gv852__gvac=2&gv852__gvff0=1242&gv852__gvfl0=0&tabid=362).
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Peter on 29 October, 2012, 10:45:38 am
Thanks, B!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: drossall on 29 October, 2012, 12:10:45 pm
This Saturday was the BUCS climb up Curbar Gap (http://www.strava.com/segments/curbar-gap-628640) in Derbyshire..
Who were you riding for? My avatar is from the 1978 '25' (BSSF in those days). Don't recall a hill climb, but then I probably wouldn't have entered, as I'm much more built for freewheeling competitions.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 29 October, 2012, 12:47:22 pm
As I've told you my time, a check of the results sheet on CTT will narrow me down to two options  ;)

Annoyingly, a friend has decided to get married on the day of this year's 25.  Why can't she just live in sin?!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Peter on 29 October, 2012, 08:16:03 pm
As I've told you my time, a check of the results sheet on CTT will narrow me down to two options  ;)

Annoyingly, a friend has decided to get married on the day of this year's 25.  Why can't she just live in sin?!

I imagine she's tried that (I know I did) and, like an audaxer, wants the certificate.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 29 October, 2012, 08:35:23 pm
Just scanning down for our guys. Good ride by Jamie. Calum may look slow but that is a really good result considering he had a massive off on the club run on the Thursday night. 30mph sprint for the 30's and his cleat disintegrated. Cue a bit of tarmac surfing and polystyrene smashing. A lot of cleats checked and replaced this week :)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 29 October, 2012, 09:08:06 pm
Well done, Greg!  Not ridden it but it sounds like a good hill to get your teeth into.

I managed not to come last in my club hill climb, which was all I was hoping for - by a second :P
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mzjo on 29 October, 2012, 09:37:27 pm
This Saturday was the BUCS climb up Curbar Gap (http://www.strava.com/segments/curbar-gap-628640) in Derbyshire..
Who were you riding for? My avatar is from the 1978 '25' (BSSF in those days). Don't recall a hill climb, but then I probably wouldn't have entered, as I'm much more built for freewheeling competitions.

There was in 1976 because I rode it (but didn't count for BUSF because Aberystwyth didn't have a BUSF affiliated cycle club; I rode for Ystwyth CC). It was somewhere near Halesowen, 25% and short and I was last, about 50secs behind the winner. It took me 5 mins just to recover my breath. Only hill-climb I ever rode.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 29 October, 2012, 10:22:54 pm
n.b. I may not be the Matt C that is Curbar Gap strava leader.
I had wondered...  ;)

PS Cudzo, for your interest I gave my 39x25 bottom gear plenty of love this weekend  ;)
I still favour 34x28 - purely tactically, of course!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 02 March, 2013, 07:15:39 pm
Let's crack this thread out again for 2013.

23:23 for me today in the Stockton Wheelers 10.  This was the second half of my season-opening mini stage race, with a 4th cat race at Croft circuit in the morning, before I toddled over to Crathorne and skinsuited up for my first TT of the year.

I was hoping to get a qualifying time for the Good Friday 10 on the V718 but 'twas not to be.  TBH I shouldn't have done the first race if I was really serious about that - I was overly warmed up to say the least!  To quote the Good Friday's organiser "Still in reserves but moves you up a bit!"
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 02 April, 2013, 10:14:11 pm
First Evening 10 tonight, a lovely evening beautiful sunshine ...... however it was only about 4 degrees C with a strong easterly wind blowing & with the course starting on top of the southern edge of the Cotswolds it was freezing.
Only managed a 29:52, my PB is 27:15 !!!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Glover Fan on 02 April, 2013, 10:35:54 pm
First Evening 10 tonight, a lovely evening beautiful sunshine ...... however it was only about 4 degrees C with a strong easterly wind blowing & with the course starting on top of the southern edge of the Cotswolds it was freezing.
Only managed a 29:52, my PB is 27:15 !!!
Which TT was that if you don't mind me asking?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 03 April, 2013, 08:16:53 am
Which TT was that if you don't mind me asking?

Sodbury Cycle Sport TT on the UC108 course.
HQ is the Cross Hands pub on the A46 at Old Sodbury.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 03 April, 2013, 11:28:19 am
Struggled round the first of the year, our club's hilly. Actually, 'struggled' is wrong as I'm not yet fit enough even to struggle. Still, I was by no means last and (importantly!) I was only beaten by younger men.

25 this weekend.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 04 April, 2013, 12:04:03 am
Struggled round the first of the year, our club's hilly. Actually, 'struggled' is wrong as I'm not yet fit enough even to struggle. Still, I was by no means last and (importantly!) I was only beaten by younger men.

25 this weekend.
Happy Birthday!

How young were the younger men who beat you?
 :D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 04 April, 2013, 07:44:46 am
25 this weekend.
Happy Birthday!
I wish!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 12 April, 2013, 05:48:50 pm
Quite a close finish last night:
1    Ron    Smith    DPCC       29.15    
2    Neil    Ashcroft    DPCC       29.15    
3    Steve    Mead    OT       29.15    
4    Mike    Cooper    DPCC       29.17    
....

!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 12 April, 2013, 11:45:49 pm
We use very fancy watches that cannot be stopped as you lock them once started. Then just press the big red button and it stores the split times and prints them on a little roll of paper.

Very nice and dead good, but not cheap.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 13 April, 2013, 08:40:27 pm
Different course this week the UC109 ( roadworks on regular course ).
Harder route with a tough uphill section ridden twice.
Pleased to beat my time from last week by 40 seconds :)

Club offical advised me to alter my position slightly after going over pictures taken during event, move saddle forward & tribars back a little.
So hopefully more improving times to follow ???
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 15 April, 2013, 01:25:12 pm
We fielded two teams for the Darlington CC 2-up 12.5 this weekend. The sky was blue, the sun shone, my skinsuit made its second outing of the  year and had there not been a big wind, it could almost have been an idyllic summer's day! My friend Neil and I placed 7th with a pleasingly sub-30 time of 29:50, then watched our ladies' team come home in 34:35. This was extra impressive as they were the youngest team racing, they were the only all-female team and while none of us had done a 2-up before, one of them was riding her first race or TT of any description.  Their stated aim had been to not come last, and they achieved that with style.

The 2-up was really good fun and it was a learning experience for me: I had to work as a pair with Neil, going as fast as possible while staying as close as possible, taking care neither to blow him off when i was on the front or else to lose his wheel when I went to the back. The tactic that seemed to work best was that whichever of us was feeling stronger took longer turns on the front, rather than riding faster and losing the partner.  From the event photos, it also looks like we need to work on keeping closer together.

I definitely want to do this again if I'm still in the area next year.  You should all try one  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Deano on 15 April, 2013, 01:28:17 pm
What was the route, Greg?

Shame I was away, I'd have come along to point and laugh offer support.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 15 April, 2013, 01:31:16 pm
The HQ was East Cowton, the course is normally a 10 mile out and back to Scorton on the B1263.  This had to be moved due to road works, so it was two laps of this (http://goo.gl/maps/tZMAS).
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 23 April, 2013, 09:46:28 pm
New experimental course tonight ( avoiding the A46 ! )
Starting from Old Sodbury & heading east to Acton Turville on the B4040, then onto Badminton village before an uphill section into a strong westerly wind, this section was ridden twice !

http://app.strava.com/segments/3910119

The Strava link shows the course & elevation, however sadly the times are inaccurate  ???

I did it in 28:00 - my fastest 10 of the season so far  ;D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 23 April, 2013, 11:00:16 pm
Sunday was the first 25 of the year for me.  It was also our club champs, after the event we usually use got moved by the DC to the same day as our club road race  :facepalm:

Not a great race for me.  I started off with a 30s late start penalty (oops!) and finished 1:51 behind our new 25 mile champion.  I never really got my head in the right place, otherwise I could have whittled down those 81 seconds  :demon: 

Well, I may like to think that but as they say; in time trialling, if you could have gone faster, you would have.  All the reasons for going slow are ultimately your fault.  I'll just have to try harder next time!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 08 May, 2013, 10:00:15 am
The YCF 10 was my last night's entertainment, on Boro' (the V212).  A warm sunny evening was complemented by a light wind blowing back up the uphill home leg of the course, to give clement conditions all round.  The course is a bit undulating and so not particularly fast, but fun nonetheless.  This was my first open 10 of the year, after my abortive attempt on the V718 a couple of months ago.  The uni club had had a varsity TT around sixteen laps of a circuit at the weekend, but that doesn't compare very well to an out and back event! 

23:37 for me, which was fourteen seconds off my PB but enough to win on handicap (how do they do those anyway?) and 17/50 overall.  I suppose that makes me moderately happy ... but I'd be happier if on of my six clubmates also racing hadn't done 23:05!  Three of the seven in our oversized team were also students who'd done the circuit jobbie on Saturday; two of us managed exactly the same 2:49 improvement over our times round the track, while the other made a measly 2:34 improvement - what a slacker ;)

[Edit: Ooh, my handicap win means I should expect a brown envelope with £25.  Pro cycling starts here!]
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 08 May, 2013, 07:58:03 pm
Club Evening 10 last night in good conditions, light SE wind & warm.
A new course is now being used ( UC108A ) a gift hill to start and then 2 loops passing through the villages of Acton Turville & Badminton.
The club has had good feedback from all participants and it seems faster than the 'old' course which included an undulating section along the A46.

A good PB for me last night knocking over 70 seconds off  ;D
Giving me a time of 26:42 & an 8th place out of 15.

Hopefully as the season progresses I maybe able to get under 26 mins  ???

DateCourseDistance TimePositionNotes : PB's in Bold
2 Apr       UC108       10.2miles         29:52       5/10         Strong SW Wind
9 Apr       UC109       10.2miles         29:12       9/14          Strong E Wind
23 Apr       UC108A       10.1miles         28:00       11/14          Strong SW Wind
7 May       UC108A       10.1miles         26:42       8/15          Warm & Light SE Wind
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: simonp on 15 May, 2013, 08:38:24 pm

CourseDateTimeComments
E3/1024.04.0830'15Madone 5.2, racelite wheels, 25mm tyres, clip ons, normal helmet
E3/10a24.07.0828'05Madone 5.2, racelite wheels, 25mm tyres, clip ons, normal helmet
U21/1015.05.1329'22Madone 5.2, open pro wheels, 23mm tyres, dynohub, edelux, drops, windy, no helmet

First TT in nearly 5 years. Goal, get under 30 minutes (bike is set-up for audax riding, so is slower than the configuration used for the previous 2 times). My second best time for a 10.

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 16 May, 2013, 08:56:19 pm

CourseDateTimeComments
U21/1015.05.1329'22Madone 5.2, open pro wheels, 23mm tyres, dynohub, edelux, drops, windy, no helmet

First TT in nearly 5 years. Goal, get under 30 minutes (bike is set-up for audax riding, so is slower than the configuration used for the previous 2 times). My second best time for a 10.

Well done for beating evens  ;)
What's the U21/10 like ? Start near Axbridge ?


Set up my clubs course this week ( UC108a )  on Tuesday evening, heavy rain, cold & windy, but even the dire conditions didn't deter 6 riders showing up !
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 16 May, 2013, 09:40:30 pm
Our club runs a league based on placings, so it's a canny move to turn up on all the horrible evenings: not many people will brave the weather so you'll get lots of points for your 'high' position.

This is why I'm doing my mandatory marshalling stint next week, for the first flat 10 of the season.  It's always the best-attended event, see  ;)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: L CC on 17 May, 2013, 06:34:54 am
What's a respectable time for a 50?

My stoking power has been requested for a repeat of our 30 mile record breaking setting run, and although, apparently 'we just have to finish', I'd like not to be too embarrassing. We broke evens for the 30, FWIW, and I think I may be on better form, as long as I don't overdo it on the audaxing between now and then (June 23rd).
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: JonBuoy on 17 May, 2013, 02:36:02 pm
It was the first of the 2013 Thursday evening club TTs yesterday.  After a lovely day we got hit by the rain on the edge of a thunderstorm just as we were starting.  Quite a few DNS and I seriously considered a DNF.  I was the slowest on the night at 28:22 for the 10 miles.  This is about 2:30 down on my fastest last season but more importantly my colleague beat me for the first time.  I will have to take the mudguards off for next week.

The tea and cake at the end was as good as ever  :)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Lady Cavendish on 17 May, 2013, 02:38:54 pm
There is no cake at my evening 10s. I think I need to change club.

A couple of decent 10s for me this week. Cracked out a 22 on a good course on Weds.

Fboab, I don't know what a 'good time' is for a 50, I've only done one.....
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: simonp on 17 May, 2013, 02:46:53 pm

CourseDateTimeComments
U21/1015.05.1329'22Madone 5.2, open pro wheels, 23mm tyres, dynohub, edelux, drops, windy, no helmet

First TT in nearly 5 years. Goal, get under 30 minutes (bike is set-up for audax riding, so is slower than the configuration used for the previous 2 times). My second best time for a 10.

Well done for beating evens  ;)
What's the U21/10 like ? Start near Axbridge ?


Set up my clubs course this week ( UC108a )  on Tuesday evening, heavy rain, cold & windy, but even the dire conditions didn't deter 6 riders showing up !

The course is almost entirely flat, straight out and back to the East Brent roundabout on the A38. The only climbing is the M5 bridge. The road surface is a bit rough in places. It was windy but dry and sunny. I averaged about 29.7kph in the cross/headwind to the turn and about 36.4kph on the return. I rode a now defunct course on the A10 in 2000, on drops, virtually identical course, and took 31 minutes.

I have some new clip-ons in the post. I should be able to improve on the 28.05 on this course, especially when I put my faster wheels back on.

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: L CC on 17 May, 2013, 03:28:50 pm
Fboab, I don't know what a 'good time' is for a 50, I've only done one.....
Doesn't need to be good, just, not embarrassing!
We'll have two engines but an extra wheel so should we expect to match a solo lady? I don't think we'd be able to hold evens over the whole distance but should manage 18s? I really have no idea!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Lady Cavendish on 17 May, 2013, 03:37:58 pm
You're strong, so you definitely wouldn't do an 'embarrassing' time!

I did 2 hours, but the one I did I think there were quite a few around the 2.30 mark (this was on a pretty quick course) and definitely some the other side of it. You'll be totally fine.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 20 May, 2013, 08:37:38 pm
I did 2:08 last weekend, which put me about 2/3 of the way down the field.  Fastest time was 1:44 and slowest was 2:39, so I expect you'll be somewhere between those. 

Last season I did one on the bike that you saw me on in the 3 Down, which is set up for the 24 with the bars much higher, and it was about 4 minutes slower. 

Good luck!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: simonp on 22 May, 2013, 08:12:12 pm
PB for a given distance in bold.

CourseDateTimeComments
E3/1024.04.0830'15Madone 5.2, racelite wheels, 25mm tyres, clip ons, normal helmet
E3/10a24.07.0828'05Madone 5.2, racelite wheels, 25mm tyres, clip ons, normal helmet
U21/1015.05.1329'22Madone 5.2, open pro wheels, 23mm tyres, dynohub, edelux, drops, windy, no helmet
U21/1022.05.1327’05Madone 5.2, racelite wheels, 23mm tyres, blustery cross-wind, clip-ons, bambino helmet, not happy with position yet

Was bloody hard work, especially 3 day after the Bryan Chapman. Conditions were not ideal, sunny and warm, but blustery cross-wind was not the best.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 22 May, 2013, 08:36:58 pm
PB for a given distance in bold.
27’05
...

Was bloody hard work, especially 3 day after the Bryan Chapman.
Well I did say you should be going faster! [On friday night]  :thumbsup:

I have no idea how you did that. Yesterday I rode 10 miles of the club (20 mile) chain gang. I got chicked and dropped quite comprehensively. Sore legs wasn't the limit - I couldn't get my HR upto anywhere near race pace.

Just pathetic, even worse than I'd expected.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: tonyh on 22 May, 2013, 09:00:57 pm

PB for a given distance in bold.
27’05

Congrats!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Lady Cavendish on 22 May, 2013, 09:03:31 pm
Nice one Simon.

I had a go at a course with a good downhill start.

21.60 ;) Next time grrrrrr.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: simonp on 22 May, 2013, 10:01:05 pm

Well I did say you should be going faster! [On friday night]  :thumbsup:

I have no idea how you did that. Yesterday I rode 10 miles of the club (20 mile) chain gang. I got chicked and dropped quite comprehensively. Sore legs wasn't the limit - I couldn't get my HR upto anywhere near race pace.

Just pathetic, even worse than I'd expected.

Eating lots of carbs since the Bryan Chapman? I don’t know. I expected to improve on last week, given that I changed wheels, added clip-ons, removed gps and edelux, and had an aero helmet. But when I did 28’05 on the fastest Cambridge CC course, I had everything except the aero helmet, and it was, IIRC, 10 days after the Bryan Chapman.


Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 22 May, 2013, 10:46:46 pm

PB for a given distance in bold.
27’05

Congrats!

Well done Simon.
May try to come down & ride it on June 5th !
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: drossall on 22 May, 2013, 11:25:47 pm
31:39 which is rubbish, even on our sporting course, which makes a circuit round the Shuttleworth aircraft collection at Old Warden. However, I've now raced twice in a month, which is the first time for some years, and I never do any of that underhand training stuff.

Went the whole way round just knowing why I've always enjoyed doing this, and wanting more. Whereas others were saying how they hated it. So you're here why exactly ???
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 24 May, 2013, 12:01:58 pm
Last night was my first experience of timekeeping.  There was a bitter wind and a threat of rain, so I wasn't sure whether I'd have preferred to shiver on the line or to race round in the blustery conditions.  Turnout was predictably low on what is usually the most popular event of the season: the first flat 10.  Still, at least it meant I didn't have to stand on the line for very long! 

We had several people doing their first TT, which is always heartwarming.  It does mean that I've just posted something on the club forum about placing your number (i.e. low) and calling it out when you cross the line.  Still, we managed to get correct times recorded for everyone.  Phew, now I feel like a proper tester!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 26 May, 2013, 07:17:03 pm
Just woken up from my post-TT afternoon nap.  PB for 100 :)   Did 4:18:21 on the H100/88 course down on the A31.   Was a good day on a road that I like and it was 20 mins faster than my only other previous 100.  With the possible exception of PBP in 2011, it's probably the best bike ride I've done so am feeling very happy.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 26 May, 2013, 07:23:38 pm
4:18?  That's an amazing time, chapeau and chapeau again to you! 

I've entered the ECCA so I'll see how I'll ride 2 weeks after doing a 600km audax.  I was going to aim for 4:20 but I guess I'll have to revise that down by 2 minutes now :P  More tellingly, I've entered a 10 on the V718 that is 2 days after said audax, so I'll see if I get the simonp effect!

[PS If you knock another 20 minutes off next time, you'll start to challenge Oranj for his PB  ;) ]
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 27 May, 2013, 10:30:56 am
We had several people doing their first TT, which is always heartwarming.  It does mean that I've just posted something on the club forum about placing your number (i.e. low) and calling it out when you cross the line.  Still, we managed to get correct times recorded for everyone.  Phew, now I feel like a proper tester!

As timekeeper you need (ideally) at least two and preferably three people. A time keeper, a number spotter and a recorder. The timekeeper takes the times, in order which the recorder then writes down. The number spotter takes the numbers in order and then the two lists can be reconciled.
If I can get hold of them I use these for timing where I can then write the riders number next to the split time.
http://www.amazon.com/Ultrak-Memory-Stopwatch-Printer-System/dp/B0001F2NCW
They are not cheap but are very very nice to use and provide an audit trail.

One common mistake by people who are novice timekeepers and/or who have not been properly trained is that they record the wrong time. It is not acceptable to give the rider a time faster than they rode, so all times are rounded *up* to the next whole unit of measurement. So if you ride 24:55.01 that is recorded as a 24:56, exactly the same as if you rode 24:55.99 (assuming you are recording to the nearest whole second which is the principle for manually timed TTs) I did have an argument with a long established local official when all our times were 1 second out.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 29 May, 2013, 06:53:56 am
Club Evening 10 last night, cold wet & 'orrible !
Only 7 riders braving the elements, I rode my commute bike for a very slow 29:03.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 05 June, 2013, 10:00:21 pm
Rode the Somerset RC Evening 10 from Axbridge tonight - U21/10.
A flat out & back course on the A38.
Fair breeze blowing tonight but this didn't stop me producing my fastest time on a 10 ! 24:40 :)
Just to put it into perspective though I believe the fastest time was 20:30  ::-)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 11 June, 2013, 10:59:24 pm
Tonight was my first open 10. Not as a rider but as the organiser.

In total we had 27 riders start including 1 youth B, 1 youth A and 1 junior. We should have had another youth A but he was out with a broken collarbone following a racing crash in Milton Keynes at the weekend.

A damp start but drying. My turn marshal team were expertly led, reported in on time having ridden out there directly and reported no problems.
Building bridges with officialdom, the chief commisaire was our SC regional development officer who was very impressed. Signage well up to standard, marshals in all needed places, plenty of help from the club. A relative cornucopia of overflowing food afterwards.

Only slight hiccup was me missing a time when sorting out the prizes. Soon resolved with a bit of embarasment on my part. And a novel prize being a data geek, the rider with the time closest to the average (one rider hit it dead on).

And relax.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: simonp on 12 June, 2013, 12:42:03 pm
Rode the Somerset RC Evening 10 from Axbridge tonight - U21/10.
A flat out & back course on the A38.
Fair breeze blowing tonight but this didn't stop me producing my fastest time on a 10 ! 24:40 :)
Just to put it into perspective though I believe the fastest time was 20:30  ::-)

I’d have been there if it wasn’t for the lurgy. Still not 100% so not sure if I will ride tonight, riding to/from work in Bristol took its toll.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 12 June, 2013, 12:44:25 pm
... cannot ... resist ...

"average" time David? Was that the median?!?

IGMC ...

p.s. well done, sounds like a great evening.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 12 June, 2013, 12:48:45 pm
No, it was the mean. Median would be far too easy and difficult if there were an even number of starters.

It was won by the rider who finished 17 of 27 finishers
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 12 June, 2013, 10:58:02 pm
Rode the Somerset RC Evening 10 from Axbridge tonight - U21/10.
A flat out & back course on the A38.
Fair breeze blowing tonight but this didn't stop me producing my fastest time on a 10 ! 24:40 :)
Just to put it into perspective though I believe the fastest time was 20:30  ::-)

I’d have been there if it wasn’t for the lurgy. Still not 100% so not sure if I will ride tonight, riding to/from work in Bristol took its toll.

Couldn't make tonights TT.
Hopefully meet at Hadspen on Saturday & hopefully Sunday  ???
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Jasmine on 13 June, 2013, 07:33:59 pm
Went out to Chester to to do the D10/19 course last night.  It's our nearest semi-regular open TT but is an hours drive away, so a bit of a PITA.  I was out on the boat in the day, so had taken medication for motion sickness, so felt really groggy before the start.  I also realised I hadn't brought a bottle and had cotton wool mouth  :(

So I was very pleased to do 25.07.  My fastest 10 by about 45 seconds, and on a not totally flat course in the rain.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 13 June, 2013, 10:41:01 pm
Nice one!

No such luck for me.  I punctured a mile and a half from the end of our rolling 13 mile circuit. (http://cyclinginfo.co.uk/blog/5214/timetrials/clifton-cc-13-mile-time-trial/). Doh!  At least I stayed up - it was a front blowout on the last downhill, so I was preparing myself to face the road until I eventually managed to come to a halt.  Let's hope I don't have a repeat performance in Tuesday's circuit race. 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 16 June, 2013, 04:08:35 pm
My first TT for many years today - Kent CA 100.   Managed 4:57:48 which I'm very happy with as I hoped I could go under 5hrs and only an hour slower than the winner.   Used a 79" fixed which seemed about right for the pretty flat route in quite windy conditions.

I'm doing the 12hr on the same roads in Sep.   Can anyone suggest what mileage I should schedule for ?



Rob
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: drossall on 16 June, 2013, 05:26:39 pm
Well years ago I did a couple of 12 hours off a 100 time around that, and did 217.70 miles one year and 217.61 >:( the next. A rider who had done about the same as me in the first year passed me in the second, and made it clear that he thought I should be aiming for a significant improvement. I think he may have added ten miles or so.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 16 June, 2013, 05:37:17 pm
The simplest way to get a rough estimate is to look at the VTTA tables.

For a given 100 mile time, you can quickly see the 'equivalent' figures for the other events. [they're online and googlable]
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 16 June, 2013, 06:55:54 pm
I'm still coming to terms with the whole veteran thing so please don't bring it up too often  :).   So my time for 100 is the standard for a 51 yr old.   The same rider is expected to do 198 miles in a 12.   I'm pretty sure I can do a bit more than 200 miles but not sure how much.

The interesting thing today is that I went through the 50 mile check in approx 2hrs 29m so my pace was very steady.   That said I definitely can't hold that speed for 12hrs.   

My standard for a 12 is 212 miles which looks like a decent goal.   Looks in line with drossall's advice  :thumbsup:


Rob
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 16 June, 2013, 07:01:38 pm
Well 14 miles isn't a huge difference! So I guess anything between the two figures would be a good guide.  :thumbsup:

I think course/conditions will have more effect than that. Plus any improved fitness in the next 3 months.


p.s. I know what you mean - I find those tables depressing too ;)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Lady Cavendish on 16 June, 2013, 07:53:40 pm
I'm liking these conversion tables. I'm not sure what to aim for in the longer ones. Part of the reason I have never tried a 100 even. I can ride 2 hours for a 50 but am not sure how much to drop off.

(I consider 14 miles in a 12 hour a very big difference! Over a mile an hour? To have set off at a pace over a mile an hour too fast (or slow) and I wouldn't expect to have a good experience!)

I recced a TT course yesterday I'm having a go at on Tues for a PB. I will get a 21 dammit.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 16 June, 2013, 08:04:29 pm
Riders will often vary by 5% from one ride to the next. If you take the 2 figures as extremes, it becomes more like 2.5%.

Anyway, I was just trying to help - you tell Rob your predictions!!!

(To have set off at a pace over a mile an hour too fast (or slow) and I wouldn't expect to have a good experience!)
Seems to be your Audax strategy  ;)


(I have actually been told by the local vet guru - full grey beard and everything - that the vets tables are a little conservative for the 12 and 24. My rides seem to confirm this!)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 16 June, 2013, 08:36:24 pm
I agree the standards tables look a bit easier as you go longer.   For example, I'd have had to go 13 mins faster to get my standard today but I have the 12 and 24 standards down as 'do-able', but I'm coming at this from an audax background.

Thanks for the tables Oranj, they seem to also confirm where I should be heading.   I had found the ABCC article and will probably try the advice of doing a 50 mile test ride at 12hr pace.   Looking at my HRM stats for today I averaged 164bpm for 5hrs.   For the 12 I'll need to run at 150-155bpm, I believe, to avoid blowing up.

My training between now and then will be 2 * 200s and LEL.   I'll build in some fast 50s during July.


Rob
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 16 June, 2013, 11:43:16 pm
Look on the CTT database for some riders that did the same time as you in the 100, see what times they've done in 12hr races and try to match those.  Look at the KCA 12hr archive (http://) as I don't think it's the fastest 12hr around.  FWIW I've done one 100 (the Anfield) which I did in 4:46:04, and two 12h races (both on the Elmet course) I did 222.43 and 235.49.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 18 June, 2013, 11:21:49 am
I may see you at the Kent 12h, Rob. Looking through the list of 12-hour TTs left, it's one of the few I've not ridden and as every year more disappear from the CTT calendar (no Lancs 12h this year - I've never ridden it because although a flat course it was just a bit too far north), it would seem churlish not to give it a go. I hear it's not the fastest of courses but that won't bother me, I'm having a bit of a year off taking my racing seriously.

(I've not ridden the D12 either, but that's the same roads as the Anfield 100 and Mersey 24, so I feel like I've done those enough already. It's the same day as the National 12 which is on a fast course, so not likely to get many entries.)

It's an hours drive for me, as was the 100 so ideal.   It's very flat but there's quite a few turns.   The 100 did 2 laps of the big circuit so I've got some experience now.   The afternoon and finishing circuits I'm going to go and have a ride round during July/August.   I've audaxed round there a lot but never pieced all the bits together.   Last years course and start sheet are on the KCA12hr website - http://www.kca12hour.org.uk/ (http://www.kca12hour.org.uk/).

I look forward to being passed by you lots of times.


Rob

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Lady Cavendish on 18 June, 2013, 09:41:54 pm
Finally a night with decent weather and a good course

New PB 21.41. Absolutely buried myself. Very happy.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Lady Cavendish on 19 June, 2013, 09:00:12 am
It was as close to a float evening as we were going to get. If we are being picky, there was a *slight* wind in the 'wrong' direction but it was so light. I'm not used to these good conditions. If they could resurface the hellish first couple of miles it would be amazing.

Splits for anyone whose done the course....
2.22
2.21
2.26 (double roundabout)
2.17
1.40 (spot the slope)
1.46
2.08
2.14 (roundabout)
2.12
2.12

The last 2 miles were so far into the paincave it wasn't funny, but I did make it a metre or 2 past the finish before throwing up all over myself. I prefer to at least finish before I do that. I keep looking at these splits and thinking I could go obv go faster in the first couple of miles, but on that surface I'm not sure I can.

Still really happy.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 19 June, 2013, 09:02:54 am
Great time Lady C.

Where is the course ?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Chris S on 19 June, 2013, 09:09:02 am
The last 2 miles were so far into the paincave it wasn't funny, but I did make it a metre or 2 past the finish before throwing up all over myself. I prefer to at least finish before I do that. I keep looking at these and thinking I could go obv go faster in the first couple of miles, but on that surface I'm not sure I can.

Still really happy.

 ::-)

And people call audaxers "mad"! The only time I rode a TT, I was sick in the hedge. Clearly it's a theme.

Well done!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Lady Cavendish on 19 June, 2013, 09:23:29 am
Great time Lady C.

Where is the course ?

Aston Clinton, Herts
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Lady Cavendish on 19 June, 2013, 09:24:38 am
The last 2 miles were so far into the paincave it wasn't funny, but I did make it a metre or 2 past the finish before throwing up all over myself. I prefer to at least finish before I do that. I keep looking at these and thinking I could go obv go faster in the first couple of miles, but on that surface I'm not sure I can.

Still really happy.

 ::-)

And people call audaxers "mad"! The only time I rode a TT, I was sick in the hedge. Clearly it's a theme.

Well done!

Thanks. But Audaxers are mad. Cycling at bedtime is silly.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 19 June, 2013, 09:37:54 am
That is the one just outside Princes Risborough? Scene of my first ever 10 way back in 1990
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Lady Cavendish on 19 June, 2013, 09:40:34 am
Its a fairly new course so there must be a couple round there....
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: simonp on 19 June, 2013, 08:02:54 pm
PB for a given distance in bold.

CourseDateTimeComments
E3/1024.04.0830'15Madone 5.2, racelite wheels, 25mm tyres, clip ons, normal helmet
E3/10a24.07.0828'05Madone 5.2, racelite wheels, 25mm tyres, clip ons, normal helmet
U21/1015.05.1329'22Madone 5.2, open pro wheels, 23mm tyres, dynohub, edelux, drops, windy, no helmet
U21/1022.05.1327’05Madone 5.2, racelite wheels, 23mm tyres, blustery cross-wind, clip-ons, bambino helmet, not happy with position yet
U21/1019.06.1326’11Madone 5.2, racelite wheels, 23mm tyres, bambino, new better clip-ons, light headwind out

Getting faster…
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 19 June, 2013, 08:07:18 pm
PB for a given distance in bold.

CourseDateTimeComments
E3/1024.04.0830'15Madone 5.2, racelite wheels, 25mm tyres, clip ons, normal helmet
E3/10a24.07.0828'05Madone 5.2, racelite wheels, 25mm tyres, clip ons, normal helmet
U21/1015.05.1329'22Madone 5.2, open pro wheels, 23mm tyres, dynohub, edelux, drops, windy, no helmet
U21/1022.05.1327’05Madone 5.2, racelite wheels, 23mm tyres, blustery cross-wind, clip-ons, bambino helmet, not happy with position yet
U21/1019.06.1326’11Madone 5.2, racelite wheels, 23mm tyres, bambino, new better clip-ons, light headwind out

Getting faster…

How were the conditions Simon, it seems a quick night - warm, not much wind.
I hope to ride that course again, depends on work, family, life etc  ::-)

BTW ............  well done  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: simonp on 19 June, 2013, 08:17:43 pm

How were the conditions Simon, it seems a quick night - warm, not much wind.
I hope to ride that course again, depends on work, family, life etc  ::-)

BTW ............  well done  :thumbsup:

Conditions were far better than I’ve seen before on that course, finally the wind wasn’t strong. It was a headwind out, so I averaged about 34.5kph to the turn and about 38kph on the return. It is much warmer than previous times, first time I’ve ridden with bare knees. I was slightly surprised to have a headwind again, I expected a cross-wind given the forecast.

Some tweaks still needed to my position but it’s far better than I’ve had previously. I think drop the bars a bit and bring the clip ons back slightly.

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 19 June, 2013, 10:42:19 pm
First tt of the year. Preparation consisted of three 25s (all DNS) and a ride round Richmond Park on Tuesday. Surprised myself with a 25.31, which was good enough for 8th 9th out of 32 entries. Fastest was 23.03; not a fast course, but not a bad evening.
Now for a 50 on Sunday.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: simonp on 19 June, 2013, 11:45:01 pm
I forgot to add that I have new Continental Grand Prix TT tyres on. Wonder how many of the 54 seconds improvement was down to them?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 21 June, 2013, 10:57:47 pm
I'm still coming to terms with the whole veteran thing so please don't bring it up too often  :).   So my time for 100 is the standard for a 51 yr old.   The same rider is expected to do 198 miles in a 12.   I'm pretty sure I can do a bit more than 200 miles but not sure how much.

The interesting thing today is that I went through the 50 mile check in approx 2hrs 29m so my pace was very steady.   That said I definitely can't hold that speed for 12hrs.   

My standard for a 12 is 212 miles which looks like a decent goal.   Looks in line with drossall's advice  :thumbsup:


Rob

 Great ride Rob, you will go well in the 12hr, miles in the legs are more beneficial than speed for those distances.


 My time was 5hrs 00mins 24secs on 86" fixed  I spent 5mins off the bike a/ stopping rear brake rubbing b/ swapping drinks bottles c/ stretching my aching back.

 That was my first ride over 67 miles this year so I was pleased really :D just a bit gutted about those 24seconds :(
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 21 June, 2013, 11:12:22 pm
 A couple of Personal Bests this month on sweet FA training so I am pleased really  :)

04/06/13 Q10/24  10mls/23:57      mild breezy         Raleigh Team Professional 97" fixed
16/06/13 Q100     100mls 05:00:24 mild fairly windy  Raleigh Team Professional 86" fixed

Previous rides https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=229.msg1225254#msg1225254 (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=229.msg1225254#msg1225254)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 22 June, 2013, 11:52:20 am
I'm still coming to terms with the whole veteran thing so please don't bring it up too often  :).   So my time for 100 is the standard for a 51 yr old.   The same rider is expected to do 198 miles in a 12.   I'm pretty sure I can do a bit more than 200 miles but not sure how much.

The interesting thing today is that I went through the 50 mile check in approx 2hrs 29m so my pace was very steady.   That said I definitely can't hold that speed for 12hrs.   

My standard for a 12 is 212 miles which looks like a decent goal.   Looks in line with drossall's advice  :thumbsup:


Rob

 Great ride Rob, you will go well in the 12hr, miles in the legs are more beneficial than speed for those distances.


 My time was 5hrs 00mins 24secs on 86" fixed  I spent 5mins off the bike a/ stopping rear brake rubbing b/ swapping drinks bottles c/ stretching my aching back.

 That was my first ride over 67 miles this year so I was pleased really :D just a bit gutted about those 24seconds :(

Thanks.   I didn't stop at all so you were travelling faster than me so it was a good ride for you as well.   Carried 2 large bottles and had food in a tri bag.   I used 79" which was about right.

I've written a schedule for the 12 and the only change I'll make is to bring the tri-bars back as my lower back hurt a lot after the ride.   I have a helper for the 12 as well.


Rob
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 22 June, 2013, 07:02:46 pm
 I only had one bottle cage so cable tied a second full one to the top tube, did have a tri bag with gels and such in it but the drinks were both carbs, dropped the tri bag and empty drink bottle at Ray's spot in Rye and put the full one from the top tube in my bottle cage, second time I came round I swapped my bottle for the other he had refilled, so I got round on 2.5 carb drinks and a mars bar :)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 22 June, 2013, 07:09:42 pm
I forgot to add that I have new Continental Grand Prix TT tyres on. Wonder how many of the 54 seconds improvement was down to them?

None. The rule is: if you go slower your equipment is to blame; if you go faster, it's entirely down to you.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: L CC on 22 June, 2013, 07:38:52 pm
I forgot to add that I have new Continental Grand Prix TT tyres on. Wonder how many of the 54 seconds improvement was down to them?

None. The rule is: if you go slower your equipment is to blame; if you go faster, it's entirely down to you.
And on a tandem, fast is down to me, and slow is the other fella?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 22 June, 2013, 09:46:19 pm
I forgot to add that I have new Continental Grand Prix TT tyres on. Wonder how many of the 54 seconds improvement was down to them?

None. The rule is: if you go slower your equipment is to blame; if you go faster, it's entirely down to you.
And on a tandem, fast is down to me, and slow is the other fella?

Yup, and it works the same way for Mr S. I can't remember whether Einstein's special theory or quantum physics explain it best.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: L CC on 23 June, 2013, 11:19:24 am
23/06/13 B50/17 2:32:11 Jane Swain up front on Jack Taylor Tandem Trike. Lots of wind, head & tail.

Got into the pain cave at the start (thanks for that description, Lady C) & never left it. Please let me remember this so jes doesn't manage to persuade me again.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 23 June, 2013, 02:22:51 pm
Blown backwards, sideways, all ways today. It was a hard way to earn a personal worst.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Chris S on 23 June, 2013, 02:29:39 pm
23/06/13 B50/17 2:32:11 Jane Swain up front on Jack Taylor Tandem Trike. Lots of wind, head & tail.

Got into the pain cave at the start (thanks for that description, Lady C) & never left it. Please let me remember this so jes doesn't manage to persuade me again.

 :thumbsup:

First roundabout, tailwind, downhill - at least 40mph - one handed Jes, really?  :o
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7281/9116915176_e46e875517.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/40735552@N05/9116915176/)
50tta (http://www.flickr.com/photos/40735552@N05/9116915176/) by Pelotonhound (http://www.flickr.com/people/40735552@N05/), on Flickr

Far end turn, the prospect of 13 miles of 20mph againsterly doesn't show - concentrating too much on staying stuck to the road...
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7326/9114688461_143c1a5d1b.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/40735552@N05/9114688461/)
50ttb (http://www.flickr.com/photos/40735552@N05/9114688461/) by Pelotonhound (http://www.flickr.com/people/40735552@N05/), on Flickr

One mile to go - straight into the wind. Race faces on  :D
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5548/9116914212_c3663e5baa.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/40735552@N05/9116914212/)
50ttc (http://www.flickr.com/photos/40735552@N05/9116914212/) by Pelotonhound (http://www.flickr.com/people/40735552@N05/), on Flickr

Well done you two - there were plenty of "old hands" at the finish muttering stuff like "hardest 50 I've done" and "I want my mummy".
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 23 June, 2013, 03:50:33 pm
The wind was also pretty bad on the ECCA 100, I suspect that many mummies were cried for. I came home in 4:28:17, a crushing 20 seconds in front of Frank.

Can I sleep now please?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 24 June, 2013, 05:53:07 pm
The last 2 miles were so far into the paincave it wasn't funny, but I did make it a metre or 2 past the finish before throwing up all over myself. I prefer to at least finish before I do that. I keep looking at these and thinking I could go obv go faster in the first couple of miles, but on that surface I'm not sure I can.

Still really happy.

 ::-)

And people call audaxers "mad"! The only time I rode a TT, I was sick in the hedge. Clearly it's a theme.

I think there's an echo in here:

Managed a 3 sec course PB tonight even though it was windy- really pleased with that. Threw up at mile 5 and 7- had a headwind at the time so got loads of horrid splashback lol. I'm so classy.

Jeez. Therein lie the reasons I don't do TTs. I tried one and barfed my tea in the hedge, much to the amusement of those at the finish line. No thanks  :hand:.

My nephew is a Cat III and used to do TTs. His coach reckoned if he hadn't parked his lunch somewhere, he wasn't trying hard enough.

ETA: I may have already mentioned this on this thread. This is the problem with (a) getting old and (3) having such long threads.
(last para made me laugh, in this context!)


EDIT: only found this as I was a following the link to some bad news from that month.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Chris S on 24 June, 2013, 06:02:29 pm
(snipped - assorted embarrassing memory lapses)

You, young man, have way too much time on your hands.

 :P
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 25 June, 2013, 11:01:19 pm
Beat my PB by 11 seconds tonight on my Clubs Evening 10 course, UC108A  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Wobbly John on 25 June, 2013, 11:06:57 pm
Last week I did a PB of 25.07 on the club 10.  :smug:

I commented on the club's forum that I'd have managed a 'long 24' if I'd worn a pointy hat and pumped the tyres up.

To prove the point, tonight, I doned said pointy hat, put a bit more puff in the tyres and did the 10 miles's in under 25 minutes for the first time (24.55).  :demon:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 29 June, 2013, 10:48:08 pm
^^ well done John  ;D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 30 June, 2013, 11:49:07 am
I can now add a new  skill to my repertoire: getting lost on a 25.
Missed the top turn on the Chippenham 25 and slogged on for a while wondering if that was it. Eventually a lack of returning riders persuaded me to turn back, so hopped over the barriers, rode back and up the slip road to tell the marshal, then completed the course rather behind schedule. 1:12:??.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 30 June, 2013, 12:52:16 pm
I can beat that Ian, I once got lost on a 10. 

Talking of getting lost, I've been looking at Oranj's map (http://www.flickr.com/photos/oranjh/3752418410/sizes/o/in/photostream/) of the Mersey Roads course.  I'm having trouble distinguishing the colours in the key, so just to check, is this the route?

Out to Prees
Prees ckt x2
Quina Brook ckt x6
Prees ckt x4
Quina Brook ckt x6
Back to finishing ckt
Finishing ckt until time runs out.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 30 June, 2013, 12:58:37 pm
Yup, that looks spot-on.

(you do know there are at least 2 threads for that event, and the route was discussed at length in last year's thread?!?!?!?!?! Including Oranj's map. And my scans of the official map  ... <ad nauseum> ... )


I was 3rd time lucky on navigation round our club's preferred circuit (there are about 12 roundabouts)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 30 June, 2013, 01:00:56 pm
You can lecture me on posting etiquette if you agree to support me at the Mersey  :P
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 30 June, 2013, 01:35:39 pm
Number of laps of any of the circuits varies according to your speed and start position. There may also be short circuits (shocking!).
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 30 June, 2013, 01:57:35 pm
Well, you could save a sh1t-load of time by reading the 2012 thread ... but it's upto you ...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dibdib on 06 July, 2013, 12:26:26 pm
Just rode up to Cricklade to have a quick recce of the local club 10 course before I consider doing my first "official" TT, to make sure I won't completely embarrass myself.

Then I saw some of the times in this thread.

I'm going to need some tri bars. And a pointy hat. Oh, and some deep carbon wheels. Screw it, a new bike. And some EPO too.   :'(
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 06 July, 2013, 03:47:54 pm
Just rode up to Cricklade to have a quick recce of the local club 10 course before I consider doing my first "official" TT, to make sure I won't completely embarrass myself.

Then I saw some of the times in this thread.

I'm going to need some tri bars. And a pointy hat. Oh, and some deep carbon wheels. Screw it, a new bike. And some EPO too.   :'(

 Everyone starts somewhere, don't worry, rock up and ride and you will have a time to beat for the next time.

 Plus a number on your back makes you faster :D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 06 July, 2013, 04:12:33 pm
It turns out that my time in the ECCA 100 was good enough to take the handicap prize, by a thumping 3 seconds!  Now I've won two handicaps this year, I just need to start winning real races.

Plus a number on your back makes you faster :D

This man speaks the truth.  I think it's magic.  Also, getting a disc wheel and pointy hat and then finishing slowly would be far more embarrassing than clocking the same time in jersey and shorts.  I look forward to your first results post :)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: tonyh on 06 July, 2013, 04:17:16 pm
...getting a disc wheel and pointy hat and then finishing slowly would be far more embarrassing than clocking the same time in jersey and shorts.

Hence my preference for mudguards, rack and rackbag.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Jonah on 09 July, 2013, 09:43:39 am
I'm looking into trying TT riding - Could anybody reccomend a club in North/East London?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Lady Cavendish on 09 July, 2013, 10:22:58 am
DibDib have a go, really, you'll be fine. I did my first few on an entry level really rubbish road bike, and I had never got over 18mph on my bike before. I amazed myself by riding 28.50, I was really shocked as I NEVER thought I could have got under 30 mins. I got sucked in and now 2 years later I *do* have all the silly hat, skinsuit, TT bike, power, deep section and disc wheels etc. I can now ride 21 mins with it all and I reckon I'm 2 minutes faster than without all the kit.

People ride all sorts of bikes and are all sorts of standards- our club TT times range from 20 mins to about 35 mins, hey people even use Bromptons sometimes! Do it, you'll love it, and it makes you faster :)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: marcusjb on 09 July, 2013, 10:37:58 am
I am riding my first ever TT this Sunday - it's around Richmond Park (so not very flat!) and it's 10.4 miles just to be kinky.

It has a road and an aero category which makes it a little unusual.  Organised by London Dynamo.

Should be a laugh.

I might even take off the mudguards and Bagman for this.  Whilst I am not aiming to win, I'd like to put in a reasonable show and not come last!

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dibdib on 09 July, 2013, 01:23:59 pm
*Gulp* I've missed the "come and try it" TT in Swindon and I've been meaning to join anyway (I've been on a few of their Saturday morning rides). So I'm now a member of Swindon RC, and I'll either

a) be posting here on Thursday evening with my STUNNING new 10mi PB, or

b) be dead.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: TimC on 09 July, 2013, 03:10:54 pm
I'm still trying to pluck up the courage and also find the time to enter my first TT. I ride at around 16.5 - 18mph average over 15 - 40 miles, so I guess I'd be unlikely to crack evens on anything but a flat course, but I just need a Thursday night at home and free of other commitments!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Greenbank on 09 July, 2013, 03:33:29 pm
I keep meaning to write something to scrape through all of my old GPX tracklogs to find my fastest 10 mile time (I should be able to remember from the ride whether there was a huge tailwind or not). It would also be careful to note the start and end elevations to rule out pseudo-courses with a huge ski ramp start (such as starting at the top of Cross Foxes!)

Surprised that something like Strava doesn't offer this already (it may do it for people that pay them money).
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: L CC on 09 July, 2013, 04:12:50 pm
I keep meaning to write something to scrape through all of my old GPX tracklogs to find my fastest 10 mile time (I'll be able to remember from the ride whether there was a huge tailwind or not). It would also be careful to note the start and end elevations to rule out "courses" with a huge ski ramp start!

Surprised that something like Strava doesn't offer this already.
You get this on endomondo, it tells you your best times for various distances. Unfortunately it only works when you're using the app, rather than uploaded GPXs. It's also credited me with a faster 50 than I actually rode, TT-ing, so not completely accurate.
(http://i952.photobucket.com/albums/ae7/fboab/best.jpg)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: TimC on 09 July, 2013, 04:23:52 pm
It does work on the website, but in a different format. Mind you, according to that my best 10m this year is 27:56, and I have absolutely no idea when that was!

Edit: Ah - it was an indoor session!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 09 July, 2013, 09:24:11 pm
Good conditions this evening for the Severn RC event.
Due to roadworks they used an alternative course, which turned out to be quicker & flatter !

Recorded my fastest ever 10m time ... 24:05  :thumbsup:  taking 35 seconds off my previous PB  ;D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 11 July, 2013, 06:33:39 pm
Nice work Dinamo  :thumbsup:

Yesterday was another running of the Cragg Vale hillclimb.  Last October I did 18:16, this year I did a blistering 19:31!

Hey hey, not so fast Batman.  Last October I placed 17/39, this time I placed ... 16/38!  There was a good 10mph tailwind, which meant that five riders finished inside the old record time, set last October as it happens.  Ali Wareham won with a truly blistering 15:15, taking over 30 seconds off the old record.  There was also a tandem entered, which broke the old tandem record with 17:29.  I suspect that unless I get really, really good, that will stand as my course PB.

I've got a bit of thesis belly on me at the moment and haven't been able to train as hard as I'd have liked.  I'd say that my ride was possibly slightly better last time, but then I did move up a place in what was probably a stronger field, so maybe not.  The really hard bit of this climb is the second half, starting from the top of the steep bit, where it levels out to a mild uphill 4km with some vague bumps and it's really hard to keep your focus: you drift off and all of a sudden you're not trying very hard anymore.  Anyway, this is a really fantastic event, which my clubmate rated as the best he'd ever ridden - even though I beat him!  It's a 'sensible' hill (4.8 miles of average 3%, max 10%) with stunning views and very little traffic.  Next summer's race up there is five days before the Tour de France climbs the same hill, so I suspect it will have nice new tarmac too. 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dibdib on 11 July, 2013, 09:13:38 pm
*Gulp* I've missed the "come and try it" TT in Swindon and I've been meaning to join anyway (I've been on a few of their Saturday morning rides). So I'm now a member of Swindon RC, and I'll either

a) be posting here on Thursday evening with my STUNNING new 10mi PB, or

b) be dead.

I'm still alive.

31:13. Not bad for a 16 stone first-timer.

Excuse me while I just go and curl up in a ball for a while.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 11 July, 2013, 09:41:43 pm
Well done, now you've got a nice target to aim for :)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dibdib on 12 July, 2013, 11:38:21 pm
Well done, now you've got a nice target to aim for :)

Thanks :-) strangely it didn't hurt as much today as I expected, so I clearly wasn't pushing hard enough! Other than that, a look at the speed graph on Strava (http://app.strava.com/activities/66392455) suggests my pacing was pretty much spot on, with a pretty much constant speed, so at least I got that right. It was definitely harder to maintain that speed in the last mile or so though!

Next aim is definitely to lose another couple of kilos so the fuel tank isn't in the way of a decent aero position and get under the half hour mark :-)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dibdib on 13 July, 2013, 08:01:25 pm
Sad to report that while driving down the A419 from the M5 to Swindon this evening I saw a lot of timetriallists, a very patient Iceland HGV sitting in the outside lane to give them lots of room, and sadly a bit later, a bunch of emergency services vehicles on the other carriageway and a very mangled-looking TT bike.

Not sure I'd say 7pm on a Saturday is really the ideal time to run a TT on a fairly busy dual-carriageway, but I wouldn't want that to reduce the sympathy I have for the downed rider. Hope he/she's OK.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 13 July, 2013, 08:31:44 pm
Hmm. I've ridden that road a couple of times, though only early in the morning. Looks as though this was just a 10.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: marcusjb on 14 July, 2013, 08:37:26 am
Well - I made it around the Richmond Park TT - 10.4 miles, not exactly flat - 29:20

Certainly not last in my category (normal road bike), so that's good.

Pleased as I've ridden something like 70 laps of Richmond Park this year - and I did a lot of PBs on various Strava segments.

It was fun - especially seeing the really fast TT bikes.  I'd like to do some more, maybe on more conventional courses.  I'd eventually like to ride the 24 - hopefully, next year.

Only marred slightly by a random nutter questioning my girlfriend's knowledge of geography when questioning her where she came from - "Which New York City?  There are loads, learn your geography!"

(not making (too many) excuses) - but for those who don't know Richmond Park - the profile looked like this:

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7320/9283129352_6da45e41f6_o.jpg)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: teethgrinder on 14 July, 2013, 09:17:17 am
I'd eventually like to ride the 24 - hopefully, next year.

There will be 2 next year. Mersey Roads and one in Sussex, which is the course where Wilko got the record and is the only 24 that 2 riders got over 500 miles (John Warnock with 517)
The Sussex was a very good event and will be pretty easy for you to get to. :)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: marcusjb on 14 July, 2013, 01:51:58 pm
Yes - Sussex 24 looks interesting and possibly more practical etc.

It'd certainly make for a different goal for next year - really rather daunting, but exciting.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 14 July, 2013, 10:04:55 pm
Go for it, Marcus!

I'm just back from the National 100.  Came 22nd with a new PB of 4:16:11. 

Not an easy course but probably the most scenic I've ridden.  It's on the A66 around Keswick and Cockermouth.  I come from round there so had driven down the road hundreds of times but never raced on it until now, hence I'd never realised how hilly it was!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 15 July, 2013, 12:10:55 am
Hilly?  You still did a 4:16!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 15 July, 2013, 10:53:38 pm
I'd eventually like to ride the 24 - hopefully, next year.

There will be 2 next year. Mersey Roads and one in Sussex, which is the course where Wilko got the record and is the only 24 that 2 riders got over 500 miles (John Warnock with 517)
The Sussex was a very good event and will be pretty easy for you to get to. :)

Whereabouts is the Sussex 24 held ?
Is it flatter than the Mersey ?

Maybe my 2014 goal   :-\
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 15 July, 2013, 11:28:57 pm
See here (http://www.esca24hour.org.uk/news.php) for the provisional 2014 course.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 16 July, 2013, 09:15:06 am
I'm very happy with 4:16.  Lowers my PB by a couple of minutes.

My Strava track says 1015m
http://app.strava.com/activities/67088541
 (http://app.strava.com/activities/67088541)

But it's not so much the amount of climbing.  It has long, flat sections and a few quite big hills that are too long to blast up so they do slow you down.  So, it felt harder to me than H25/8, which is probably hillier but has short hills you can power up.  On the other hand, it wasn't too windy, so it felt a lot easier than the E2 a few weeks ago!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 16 July, 2013, 11:27:46 am
Basically they are not very accurate! 

Getting a bit into detail here, but...

Mine recorded a lower figure to begin with (about 700m from memory).  I then noticed that there was a fair degree of 'altitude drift' over the day (a hill being significantly lower the second and third times I went over it compared to the first).  This often happens as the air pressure changes from 7am towards midday.

I then pressed the altitude correction button.  It tries to build it up from map data.  But I can see that it isn'r right either as it's put in some extra lumps. 

I often see quite different figures for the same course and have seen significantly different figures from clubmates riding the same TT using the same GPS gadget. 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 16 July, 2013, 11:52:41 am
Basically they are not very accurate! 

<snip>

I often see quite different figures for the same course and have seen significantly different figures from clubmates riding the same TT using the same GPS gadget.
Hallejulah!

(Of course this wont stop the endless debates about climbing figures on Audaxes - and now it seems TT courses ... )
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Lady Cavendish on 16 July, 2013, 11:58:27 am
The national champs being in Sussex next year may well suck me in. I have said I will only do a 24 hour if I feel I can give it 100% commitment, and it wouldn't be a half hearted effort. I'd only do it with a proper support crew etc but it might be interesting to see what I can do. Perhaps.

One 'issue' is that after a 50 (and I don't do these regularly!!!) I am usually in a fair amount of pain in the 'lady bits' area. I never have any problems on long rides on my road bike, even on the long Audaxes it's been fine, but on the TT bike, well, jeeeeez. I keep having to lift off the saddle a bit quickly in the last few miles and it feels all bruised and bashed by the finish (does this class as TMI?!?!) Now I imagine this must also be an issue for guys as they have things to get in the way. It's putting me off trying the longer TTs. Do people change their set up at all for the longer rides or is mine just all wrong?!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 16 July, 2013, 12:07:18 pm
Yes.  I'm running a 2cm shorter stem, I've raised the bars by 4.5cm and shortened the tribars a bit, and also dropped the saddle just a touch, so I'm sitting back on it a bit more, rather than hanging off the nose.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 16 July, 2013, 12:21:26 pm
It is something that you only get right with experiment and with testing your setup to see how it goes. 

Some people certainly do change theirs, as Mr B describes.  Others don't, if they don't need to. 

Last year, I did the 24 on a bike with the bars a full 9cm higher than I used for 10s and 24s.  It was an armchair ride but I felt I was pushing a lot of air! 

This year I am doing a 12-hour on exactly the same setup as I use for short TTs.  Having tested it on 3 x 100 mile TTs and an 8hour / 240km audax, I think I can get away with it.   

One thing I will do more is lift out of the saddle whenever a hill presents itself - and even if it doesn't and things start to feel sore or stiff. 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 16 July, 2013, 01:07:41 pm
You see a lot of riders on the finishing circuit unable/unwilling to use their aerobars, so it's clearly very common to get this wrong. (you see quite a few much earlier too!)

I went for a setup I knew would be comfy for 24h (tested on 600km), then refined it be as aero as I dared. Always had the drops to fall back on - I'm faster in the drops than sitting up on a 'full TT' setup. Remember you'll be averaging more like 19mph* than your usual 28mph - drag isn't QUITE as crucial.

If a 50 is a chore, you do need some changes :)

*Total guess. Feel free to ignore!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Lady Cavendish on 16 July, 2013, 01:42:43 pm
Hmmm, well I'll need to change something.

I'm not sure how I'd 'know' it was comfy for 24 hours- I can't see myself doing a 600k on a TT bike?! I guess I'd need to do a 12 hour or something?

As for speed- who knows, I guess I'd have to just try and find out what people think I should be able to do who know more than me. Which is pretty much everyone.

I had a look at results earlier, the female entries seem really quite low.....
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: L CC on 16 July, 2013, 01:57:21 pm
I had a look at results earlier, the female entries seem really quite low.....
Low number of entries, and low miles. S'interesting... (It is not impossible I will be doing both 24s next year. On neither would I be in charge of the bike.)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Lady Cavendish on 16 July, 2013, 02:04:22 pm
Exactly- I don't understand it! There are plenty doing the 10s and 25s, the layyddeees obv just have no interest in the long stuff. There are very few females putting in over 400 miles.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: L CC on 16 July, 2013, 02:57:27 pm
Just like on audaxes though, isn't it? Lots on the 100s, a few on the 200s, 3/85 on the National 400, 3/80 on the 600s...

Better things to do with their time. Like you said yourself- do a marathon and you're home for lunch.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Lady Cavendish on 16 July, 2013, 03:00:03 pm
Yes very true. It's not like that in running though- it seems almost 50/50 on the entrants for things between say, 50 miles and 24 hours+.  I am getting lazy myself in my old age however, and just want to be home for lunch :)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 16 July, 2013, 04:28:32 pm
After the 100 my lower back gave me a lot of trouble.   I've moved the Tri Bars back 3cm and angled slightly upwards, but can't put them any higher without changing the stem.   The front end of the bike is pretty high anyway so it may just be stretch.   It seems to be more of an issue when I'm 'pushing' the gear into the wind than when spinning with the wind behind me.   Doing a 50 this Sunday so can give it another go.

7 weeks to the 12hr.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: simonp on 17 July, 2013, 08:13:58 pm
PB for a given distance in bold.

CourseDateTimeComments
E3/1024.04.0830'15Madone 5.2, racelite wheels, 25mm tyres, clip ons, normal helmet
E3/10a24.07.0828'05Madone 5.2, racelite wheels, 25mm tyres, clip ons, normal helmet
U21/1015.05.1329'22Madone 5.2, open pro wheels, 23mm tyres, dynohub, edelux, drops, windy, no helmet
U21/1022.05.1327’05Madone 5.2, racelite wheels, 23mm tyres, blustery cross-wind, clip-ons, bambino helmet, not happy with position yet
U21/1019.06.1326’11Madone 5.2, racelite wheels, 23mm tyres, bambino, new better clip-ons, light headwind out
U21/1019.06.1326’33As above, but lowered and shortened arm position. Very hot, not too windy.

Getting slower - not ridden much for a couple of weeks due to my ankle sprain.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: teethgrinder on 17 July, 2013, 10:53:00 pm
Whereabouts is the Sussex 24 held ?
Is it flatter than the Mersey ?

Maybe my 2014 goal   :-\

I'm probably not the best person to ask where the start is, since I arrived at the start line 15 seconds before I was off after a frantic 5 mile ride from HQ to start line after getting a bit lost on the way to the start, but it's near Eastbourne.
At least I could relax a bit once I started the race.

It's about the same as the Mersey. Neither are flat. The Mersey course changed about 10 years ago and it did make it a bit faster, especially with the Hodnet bypass.


I prefer the Sussex to the Mersey, except if I ride it next year unsupported I might plant food and drink bags around the course.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: teethgrinder on 17 July, 2013, 10:56:01 pm
Hmmm, well I'll need to change something.

I'm not sure how I'd 'know' it was comfy for 24 hours- I can't see myself doing a 600k on a TT bike?! I guess I'd need to do a 12 hour or something?

As for speed- who knows, I guess I'd have to just try and find out what people think I should be able to do who know more than me. Which is pretty much everyone.

I had a look at results earlier, the female entries seem really quite low.....

If you can spare the time, then maybe you could come up to Shropshire this weekend for the 24 hour. Not only will you see what people use and how it is set up, you can chat to the marshalls or help the timekeepers, many of whom were accomplished 24 hour riders, including national champions and former record holders.
Sunday is probably best on the finish circuit.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Lady Cavendish on 18 July, 2013, 07:58:33 am
It's a good idea TG for sure. Bad timing tho, really not v well at the mo plus I would never get a weekend pass to go all the way up there at late notice!!

I've done 24 hour events in the past but seeing how people set up their TT bikes would be helpful. Although perhaps not that helpful as we all know I will have to get someone else to set it up for me due to my bike incompetence ;)

Another issue- I have tubs, what do people do if they puncture? In a 10, 25 or whatever it's just game over and go home, but after training for a 24 that would be horrid. I guess I need someone in a support crew that can change one ?!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: drossall on 18 July, 2013, 08:08:38 am
Spare wheels. You'd need to carry a spare anyway, but change the wheel for first choice.

I was lucky when I punctured in a 12 years ago. Another rider's support crew lent me a wheel, took my spare, changed it for me, and swapped back a few miles later.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Lady Cavendish on 18 July, 2013, 08:10:57 am
Good point. I don't have any spare discs lying around at home but I'm sure I could borrow one for it
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 18 July, 2013, 08:12:12 am
Whereabouts is the Sussex 24 held ?
Is it flatter than the Mersey ?

Maybe my 2014 goal   :-\

I'm probably not the best person to ask where the start is, since I arrived at the start line 15 seconds before I was off after a frantic 5 mile ride from HQ to start line after getting a bit lost on the way to the start, but it's near Eastbourne.
At least I could relax a bit once I started the race.

It's about the same as the Mersey. Neither are flat. The Mersey course changed about 10 years ago and it did make it a bit faster, especially with the Hodnet bypass.


I prefer the Sussex to the Mersey, except if I ride it next year unsupported I might plant food and drink bags around the course.

Website for next year.   Not that I've been studying it or anything.

http://www.esca24hour.org.uk/ (http://www.esca24hour.org.uk/)

Substantially re-written from last time with the 3 circuits much closer too each other.   I was assisting last time.   Amazing atmosphere and can't wait to give it a go next year.


Rob
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dibdib on 18 July, 2013, 09:22:13 pm
CourseDateTimeComments
U482013-07-1131:13Tricross, 28mm tires, clip-ons
U482013-07-1830:47Tricross, 28mm tires, clip-ons

Getting faster less slow...  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 21 July, 2013, 01:14:16 pm
VTTA (Kent) 50m this morning. 2h25m39s.

Pretty windy day.   Back hurt after an hour and a half.   Still need to work on the position before doing anything longer.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: JonBuoy on 25 July, 2013, 11:16:18 pm
26:20 on this evening's club 10 in virtually flat calm, but very warm, condiitions.  It would have been faster but... I was passed at 3 miles by a rider who was then left-hooked.  I slowed to check that he was OK.  He sorted out his bike (twisted brifter and unshipped chain) then went past me again to record 23:37 !  He has a lot of road rash and I suspect will be very sore in the morning.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 26 July, 2013, 09:16:45 am
W/C July 21st
Sat: Long steady ride
Sun: See above

Thu: First ever 2-up!
I was head-hunted by someone about 90secs slower than me. Kev's first 2-up too, but he had never even ridden in a chain-gang type setup, so I had a lot of explaining/bull$h1tting to do on the ride over, and didn't have high hopes for our team.
It wasn't the smoothest TTT ever, but we did more right than wrong. My PB on that course is high 27summat, and Kev normally does 27:30 on club courses, so 26:00 (http://ridewithgps.com/trips/805056) seemed like a decent time in the circumstances. Kev did far too much work in the first 5 miles, and - still being cautious after the weekend - I didn't reciprocate; until 6 miles, at which point I rode almost all the way back on the front.
Winning team: 22:41 - Fastest solo 22:54
A year on, 2nd 2-up for me and Kev, same course ...... another 26:00  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 01 August, 2013, 10:51:07 am
PB on Hillingdon Circuit last night
24:06 for 11 laps = 10.35 miles (25.8mph average speed)
Very pleased: that should clinch the Handicap trophy, provided I can ride a bike for the last one in two weeks' time, after my 12-hour!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: essexian on 01 August, 2013, 03:51:35 pm
Looks like I am doing my first ever TT on Sunday as my local club Is running a “come and try” event. 

I know I am going to finish last as, at 131kg I am not fast!!! However, any time better than my PB (16.03) on the course (K7/5w) will be good…. (although I would like a sub 15 min ride.... not sure I am up to that!).

Wish me luck.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 04 August, 2013, 09:23:14 pm
PB for 50 miles.  I managed 2:05:52 on a wet day up and down the A40 east of Abergavenny.   Nice course and not a bad day as not too windy.  Might have been about a minute quicker but decided to stop to investigate a wheel cover rubbing on my chainstay. 

First time I've stopped during a TT (apart from the 24) and it felt very strange!  Have now fixed the cover so it should be ok for my 12-hr next Sunday.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: vorsprung on 06 August, 2013, 04:06:24 pm
Now I'd got over helping on LEL I am back training.  My knees hurt after intervals at lunchtime.  I have entered the Exeter Wheelers 25 on the 1st of September
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 12 August, 2013, 08:48:41 am
I managed 255.5 miles in the 12-hour National Championships yesterday.  Club record was (is) 259.7.  Feet were on fire in the last two hours so slowed down a bit and couldn't quite get there, but still very pleased with the result.  My legs have never felt so stiff and bruised as they do today.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 12 August, 2013, 09:36:39 am
Very nice!  I'm not surprised your legs feel stiff, I reckon 12s are harder than 24s as you're more inclined to race them.  It wasn't meant to be a fast day either, was it?*  Also, I see you beat Hoppo, so I'm sure MattC will be along to offer his own congratulations shortly :thumbsup:

Other notable results:
Nik Bowdler beat Steve Berry by half a mile to win it with 293.2, half a mile!
Stuart Birnie did 271.6 off the back of his Mersey 24 win.
Peter Yates, the 80 year old from Otley who won the vets award in the Mersey, was out again with 193.1 miles.
JES did 187.9 on her trike, but a solo trike this time

*That's on the basis that NikB did about 8 miles less than last year, which really wasn't a fast day at all.  Then again, Jilko went about 7 miles further to win the women's event.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: tonyh on 12 August, 2013, 09:55:49 am
Thanks Mr B. !
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 12 August, 2013, 11:49:07 am
Hoppo is saying over on TTF that he did 266, so it sounds like he might have beaten Frank after all.  Sorry Matt  :P
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 16 August, 2013, 09:01:08 pm
On holiday in Dorset last week, so took the bike  :thumbsup:

Rode the CC Weymouth R459 Evening 10 on Tuesday.

A challenging course with headwind on the uphill final 4 mile section  :o

http://www.strava.com/activities/74426372
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 24 August, 2013, 01:37:38 pm
KCA 12hr now a week away.   Have changed my position to be more upright with a shorter stem.   Survived 200k in that position last week so I'm now a lot happier.   I am, however, about as aero as a breeze block.

Why am I panicking more about this than a long randonnee ?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 24 August, 2013, 01:59:55 pm
Because the 12hr will hurt more (if you do it properly)?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 30 August, 2013, 12:40:25 am
 Another Personal best at last a warm night with very little wind on the Gravesend CC last evening ten of the year 23:43 :D
27/08/13 Q10/24  10mls/23:43 Warm no wind Raleigh Team Professional 97" fixed


Previous rides https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=229.msg1225254#msg1225254 (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=229.msg1225254#msg1225254)
 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: vorsprung on 01 September, 2013, 08:06:39 pm
Did my only TT for the year, the 25 mile Exeter Wheelers

I improved on last year and achieved my two aims of not coming last and getting a better time than when I did this event last year.

I did 1h04s27 and came second from last!!  Hurrah for me  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 01 September, 2013, 09:52:36 pm
Did my only TT for the year, the 25 mile Exeter Wheelers

I improved on last year and achieved my two aims of not coming last and getting a better time than when I did this event last year.

I did 1h04s27 and came second from last!!  Hurrah for me  ;D ;D ;D

Well done! Sorry I wasn't there to cheer. Next year I might try to overcome my helmet phobia and ride.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 01 September, 2013, 11:40:46 pm
Well done!

I entered a 10 up north, but prior commitments overran so I didn't manage to do it :(
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 02 September, 2013, 08:26:55 am
216 miles in the KCA 12hr yesterday (according to the computer - left before they posted the results).   That hurt a lot.

Pleasure to meet Oranj at the start and a couple of times on the road.



Rob
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: L CC on 02 September, 2013, 10:20:03 am
My friend Sharon of the WSW apparently got first lady.
It was bloody windy up in Norfolk so if you guys had the same she'll have had to be working extra hard for that.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 02 September, 2013, 10:47:02 am
My friend Sharon of the WSW apparently got first lady.
It was bloody windy up in Norfolk so if you guys had the same she'll have had to be working extra hard for that.

The wind was definitely stronger than forecast, making parts of the main and afternoon circuit tough.   The finishing circuit was more sheltered and I was able to pick up speed round there.

I should also add that this is an incredibly well run event.   The support out on the course was great.   Not sure how this compares to other events.


Rob
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: vorsprung on 02 September, 2013, 12:27:06 pm
blog post on my recent time trial now up

http://audaxing.wordpress.com/2013/09/02/short-distance-cycling-made-difficult/
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: RossBD on 02 September, 2013, 12:54:35 pm
The Welsh 12 was indeed excellent for their support and feeds. The handed-up rice pudding ice cream cones were very welcome.
It's a shame my fitness didn't live up to it. (I struggled to 198.2 miles)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 02 September, 2013, 02:18:08 pm
Yes, the Welsh 12 was a great event: really well organised and swarming with enthusiastic marshalls and applauding helpers / spectators who were willing us on the whole time.  The rice pudding was great and they stopped the traffic at many of the junctions to let us through.  The weather was also kind.

Alas I didn't do it justice as I abandoned after five and a half hours when it became clear I had slipped off my (rather ambitious) goal.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dinamo on 02 September, 2013, 02:46:33 pm
Just entered my first 50m TT, the Severn RC event on the 15th Sept.
On the U21/50 course, looks pretty flat !

Any tips on riding a 50 most welcome :)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 02 September, 2013, 08:26:42 pm
Nothing particularly special to a 50 really.  Nowadays I generally take one bottle of energy drink but wouldn't bother with solid food.  Some people don't even take any drink, but I would for your first one. 

You might ride it at an intensity level where your heart is 5 beats lower than on a 25, but it is hard to get into that sort of fine-tuning of pacing until you have done a few, so I would just ride it more or less as a 25 but holding back slightly rather than pushing all out. 

Good luck!

[Edit: goes away to research flat 50 course!]
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 17 September, 2013, 03:26:28 pm
Got a 25 PB on Saturday - 58:25, on the H25/8 A31 course. 
Very pleased!  Only my second 25 of the year as I've mostly been focusing on longer distance rides and touring. 
That's probably me finished for this year, apart from the end-of-season club friendly 2-up. 

How was the 50? ^^
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 23 September, 2013, 11:20:23 am
First ever Hill Climb yesterday, up Hinton Hill Course UH90, 2 miles east of Pucklechurch.
Hill is measured at 0.8km in distance and at a 1 in 7 gradient.
Rode in time of 3:06 which I was happy with. Winners time was 1:51  :o

(http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee253/ianrsparrow/DSC05216.jpg)

Photo taken by Mrs Dinamo at the final bend on hill, where a small crowd was cheering each rider as they passed.

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/UH90-Hinton-hill-climb (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/UH90-Hinton-hill-climb)
Just for a laugh, I timed myself up this hill yesterday. 4:18 from edge of the car park to the topmost road sign, pedestrians and horses - that was from a rolling start, maybe if I train hard, make a real effort and take the saddlebag off, I'll get it down to 4:17.  ;)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 23 September, 2013, 08:22:59 pm
That's not long enough to be a proper hill climb under Scottish regs. Good job it is south of the border.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 28 September, 2013, 08:51:20 pm
And today was our hill climb. 20 riders in the end which is a good turnout for what is a rather tough event. Fastest time was 9.42 for the 3 mile course.
Thought for a moment I was going to have to postpone as the day started with a thick haar but this cleared up to leave a cool, sunny and still day. Perfect conditions for a course record (I think)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 29 September, 2013, 07:35:12 pm
Interesting. English HCs seem to be a lot shorter. Ours is about 660m long, 90m ascent. [someone work that out as a %!] I have no idea if the CTT sets limits.

I guess Scotland has a lot more loooong hills on TT suitable roads. Or you just prefer easier, less steep courses.  :P
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 29 September, 2013, 10:11:53 pm
Given the average speed of the winner was just over 27kph, probably. There are limits set in the little blue book[1] for the minimum length of a hill climb (1 mile IIRC)  and they are all run as BC regional C events which makes TT's more expensive here than down south.

[1] rules and regs of the Scottish Cycling Union
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 14 October, 2013, 03:28:39 pm
I was just scanning the list (http://www.bucs.org.uk/core/core_picker/download.asp?id=22609&filetitle=BUCS+Hill+Climb+%2D+Accepted+Entries) of accepted entrants to the BUCS hillclimb, and thought it looked slightly short.  I was also worried that my name wasn't there ... until I realised that I was only viewing the female entrants.  In total there are 74 girls and 226 guys, making a grand total of 300 entrants, or two full extended events  :o

Only one entrant from Dundee though; David, were your guys not keen this year or did the drive down put them off?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 14 October, 2013, 03:43:52 pm
Not sure, there should have been some. Who has entered?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 14 October, 2013, 03:50:50 pm
A. Douglas
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 20 October, 2013, 06:22:16 pm
Competition Records claimed in 2013 - CTT (http://ctt.org.uk/Home/tabid/36/itemid/3501/Default.aspx)

It's nice to see some familiar names up in lights.  Well done Boab, Arabella and Jes, not one but for TWO comp records!  :)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 20 October, 2013, 06:43:47 pm
Yup, 2 comp records for Jes, impressive stuff. (and one each for Ara and boab  :thumbsup: )

(TTs are all about pedantry  O:-) )


So, Dr B, can you explain this one, to a person of lesser qualifications:
10 Miles, Bicycle, Team, Men    19/06/2013    00:56:57
Team Swift, Joel Wainman, Andy Jackson, Alastair Wareham

How does that work? 56mins is not very fast for 10 miles, so I presume I'm missing something!

EDIT: doh! I was reading it as a 4-member team; 3 times adding up to 56:57 makes perfect sense - thanks LWaB. Nothing to see here ...  :-[
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 20 October, 2013, 06:53:54 pm
All team members' time combined. They rode individually.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 25 November, 2013, 12:16:33 am
2014 national championship dates and courses (http://www.velouk.net/2013/11/18/news-major-time-trial-dates/)

The 10 (Aug 31st) is on a variant of the V718 for the men, so the entry times required will be disgustingly, scarily quick.  That's good, it'll mean that I won't be tempted to enter, as it's 2 weeks after the 12 hour so I'd not do anything good anyway.  The women and juniors race is in Warwickshire on the Saturday.

The 25 (Aug 3rd) is between Keswick and Cockermouth and looks like the basis for a very pleasant weekend away in the Lake District :)  Women and juniors are in Cheshire the previous day.

The 50 (Jun 7th for women, 8th for men) is down in Dorset, so IanH and Vorsprung can enjoy that one.

The 100 (Jul 13th) on the B100/6, which is obviously somewhere in the Eastern district but I have no idea what it is.  Over on TTF they say it's some SPOCO affair.

The 12 hour (Aug 17th) is on the Mersey course, or something that looks very like it.  Hello again, Raven cafe!

The 24 (Jun 21st) is in Sussex, but we all knew that.

The hillclimb is up Stocksbridge, on its normal last Sunday in October.


That looks pretty good to me.  Ideally I'll do the 25, 100 and 12, then go down and wave at the 10.  The precise details will depend on what other events are in the handbook when it comes out. 

[EDIT: The national 100 will probably clash with the Yorkshire 100, i.e. a fast event near to home.  How annoying.]
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Lady Cavendish on 25 November, 2013, 10:52:04 am
Some of these are my main 2014 events.....

Gutted the men have got that 10 course whilst we are stuck down in Alcester.

And between Macclesfield and Northwich isn't quite as nice as the Lake District but will make do with that.

I like Poole, so happy with the 50.

I was thinking about doing the 100, but if its a SPOCO course I'll prob swerve that one.

Have no idea what any of these courses are like so might have to go and hunt down reports of them somewhere.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 25 November, 2013, 11:34:40 am
The 100 is laps of this circuit (http://www.timetriallingforum.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=82250&st=210#entry1180838).  It could be fun but for the sake of the travel, I might just stay up north. 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: L CC on 25 November, 2013, 11:44:43 am
If that (http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6142209)'s right it's got a hill in it!
I wouldn't have said that was fast, especially for round here.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 25 November, 2013, 11:46:48 am
Don't worry fboab, nobody's done a women's tandem trike 100 yet so you'll get the comp record anyway.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: L CC on 25 November, 2013, 12:19:00 pm
LOL, I wasn't planning on entering, I don't really know what Jes's plans are for next year.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: tatanab on 25 November, 2013, 12:37:12 pm
13th July, National 100 incorporates the Tricycle Association championship 100.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: drossall on 25 November, 2013, 07:56:15 pm
Have no idea what any of these courses are like so might have to go and hunt down reports of them somewhere.
The J2/9 has changed since I started my racing career there in the late 1970s. However, the roads are flattish without being fast. There's a dip at Badger Bank on the A535 (done twice, by the look of it), and a smaller one south of there at Jodrell Bank (yes, that one), done once. The biggest hill on the A537 is the railway bridge at Chelford. This circuit, or one very similar, used to be the finishing circuit of the Manchester and District 12, so shouldn't be too hard! Both dips can just be sprinted if you're fit.

When I rode in that area, you went from the A537, starting towards Monks Heath, down the A535 to Holmes Chapel, and then left and left down the A54 to Congleton, before turning in the road (not allowed now) and retracing. The bank at Saltersford, just north of Holmes Chapel, is bigger than either of the ones you'll cover. All the roads in this area were used exclusively for club courses (and for the 12s) because the open courses were on the faster Northwich bypass, but that has traffic lights now.

Hope this helps. You may as well plan to visit the telescope while you're there :) :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 25 November, 2013, 08:01:37 pm
Gutted the men have got that 10 course whilst we are stuck down in Alcester.

And between Macclesfield and Northwich isn't quite as nice as the Lake District but will make do with that.
you'd only moan about the inconvenience of travelling to far-flung races.


Can I have a moan? Apart from the 24, the nationals are _completely_ irrelevant to me. I won't be welcome on the nice fast 10, or 25/50s in Cumbria/Dorset  :(

Right, I feel better now - you lot carry on  :P
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 25 November, 2013, 08:48:46 pm
You should try the 12: you've done a decent 24 distance, you know those roads and being a 12, the event won't fill up.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 03 March, 2014, 10:38:47 pm
It's time to crack this thread out again for the new season.

I kicked off my season with the Stockton Wheelers 10 on Saturday.  I did this last year but there were multitudinous differences this time around:

1) I knew I was less fit this year.
2) However, I hadn't just done a circuit race in the morning.
3) I was on a proper TT bike this time
4) However, this was its maiden outing and I still wasn't used to it.
... plus a few others.

I PB'd by 3 seconds, on what was a slightly slower day than last year.  Most of that was likely the bike, so I'll look forward to what I can do on it once I've got some proper training done.

[Oops, I forgot to mention my time didn't I?  23:20.  The course was the T102 if anyone's interested.]
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dibdib on 03 March, 2014, 11:01:34 pm
I'm looking forward to my club 10 starting in a few weeks - I got bitten by the bug last year but started late and only managed a couple of runs before life got in the way.

Fingers crossed for some quick gains in pb, there's certainly lots of scope for improvement  ;)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: marcusjb on 04 March, 2014, 09:46:41 am
Sort of planning my 24 hour ride now. 

I will probably do a 100 in late May to make sure everything works.  Probably not much else (living in South-West London and not having a car is not really conducive to being at a layby in the middle of nowhere at 7am for a 10 mile TT) - I will probably take part in some of the Westerley Wednesday Hillingdon TTs as that is easy for me.

All exciting stuff.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 14 March, 2014, 12:01:55 pm
Heading back to Lincs for the Scunthorpe RC 10 on Saturday and the LRRA 25 on Sunday.   Haven't ridden those distances for 20 years so I'm not sure I'll be able to wring myself out properly.    It's all a learning experience.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 17 March, 2014, 04:29:03 pm
Heading back to Lincs for the Scunthorpe RC 10 on Saturday and the LRRA 25 on Sunday.   Haven't ridden those distances for 20 years so I'm not sure I'll be able to wring myself out properly.    It's all a learning experience.

24:54 in Saturday's 10.    Very gust sidewind but fast overall.   Winner did 20:31.

The 25 on Sunday was shortened to 15 due to roadworks.   Did 38:13.

Struggled both days to get my HR high enough.   This may just come with experience.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 17 March, 2014, 05:15:30 pm
Struggled both days to get my HR high enough.   This may just come with experience.
Are you warming up sufficiently? Ideally you'd manage a few seconds at target effort level. But you do need a lot of time to do this properly.

It's a nice problem to have - more common is going too high in the first 4 miles ...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 17 March, 2014, 05:20:23 pm
Struggled both days to get my HR high enough.   This may just come with experience.
Are you warming up sufficiently? Ideally you'd manage a few seconds at target effort level. But you do need a lot of time to do this properly.

It's a nice problem to have - more common is going too high in the first 4 miles ...

Rode to and from both events - mostly zone 2 for an hour-ish*.    There was then a bit of sitting around and faffing before riding to the start.   Should probably have done a few sprints to get my HR up.

TBH I'm training for the longer events so going so well (for me) over the shorter distances is encouraging.



* I was offered a lift by another competitor who was 'surprised' I was riding 25 miles home after a 10.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 22 March, 2014, 11:07:25 pm
I won myself a tenner today, for being fastest in my category - some sort of handicap based on start time.  This was on a flat course and my time was 24:31, well over a minute down on my PB.  That should tell you what sort of (blustery, rainy, cold) March winds were blowing.  Furthermore, I'd had an attack of the 6P deficit when running for the train, so was riding in summer kit.  I was freezing by the end!

This was the first ever open TT promoted by Bolsover & District CC, and they did a stonking job of it.  140 riders of all ages including an impressive number fielded by the promoting club, lots of cake and fast return of results.  Their next event is on June 28th, you should try it.

[Doh!  24:31 not 23:41]
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: EMnut on 31 March, 2014, 02:07:37 pm
I did my first time trail (Didcot Phoenix, Hilly Harwell 11 miles), and it struck me that this could be one of the most inclusive forms of cycling there is? There was no flashy sponsorship or anything remotely commercial about it. No one upmanship on bikes or kit (full aero bikes, and borrowed from garage specials did not seem to matter).

I invited my daughters boyfriend to come along, and next week I will try and get my other son in law and maybe my step-daughter along too. Hopefully the rest of the family can watch too if they want, and for the 11 mile Hilly Harwell course, they would not have hang around too long.

Next week I might do a faster time on my same bike, and then there would be an improvement, but it really does not matter what bike I use, I'm only racing against myself.

Yep it was hard, a series of deflating moments, being over-taken within the first 2 miles, the last hill and sprint with nothing left, I am not sure if fun is the right word. But with all the commercialisation of cycling now, it is so nice to see something so grassroots, and run by enthusiasts for the love of it.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: drossall on 31 March, 2014, 02:28:49 pm
It could be, but for some reason it isn't. You're right, for decades it was the traditional induction to cycle racing. You don't need to understand bunch racing. It doesn't really matter what bike you have. Clubs can be (but are not always) very friendly and welcoming, and provide lots of advice.

Most importantly, it doesn't matter if you get hammered because, next week, you come back and compete against your own best time, so everyone can get something out of it.

There were always arguments about whether it's a good introduction for those who want to go on to road racing, because it requires different skills but, at a basic level, it's a pretty obvious way in.

Sadly, it's struggling to attract new riders, possibly because, in this age when image matters, it's a low key, non-glitzy sport and, as you say, grass roots by its nature.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: marcusjb on 31 March, 2014, 02:47:04 pm
I, for one, look forward to experiencing it all this year.

I've now put my name down to enter a 100 mile TT in late May - but as mentioned below, I will do some of the Westerley CC Hillingdon TTs on Wednesday nights as those kick off soon.

Things have gone maybe not as well as I hoped in some ways - February was a washout and my mileage was well down on previous years.

But things seem to be okay on pace - I am lapping Richmond Park substantially faster on fixed than I could do on gears at the same time last year (and from Strava I can see I am throwing away way over a minute on the two descents being on fixed).  Still using the fixed bike quite a bit for shorter training efforts.  Comfort/distance on the geared bike seem pretty good on the aero bars as well.

I've an issue that half my intended support team may become unavailable - so that will throw a small spanner in the works - nothing insurmountable though.  Worst comes to the worst, I leave the saddlebag on. 
 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 31 March, 2014, 02:53:31 pm
It could be, but for some reason it isn't.
It isn't what?!?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 31 March, 2014, 03:02:25 pm
Did the Sydenham Wheelers 25 yesterday - 1:03:19.   Please with that as it's 7 minutes faster than my PB from when I was 17.

I'm quite enjoying TTs this year.    It's a whole different set of faces but all seem pretty friendly.    It's quite competitive at the sharp end, but for everyone else it's about PBs and Vets Standards.    I'm doing a couple more 25s and then ramping the distances up in May to prep for the 24.

New bike runs very well and I'm now able to hold the position for 3/4 hrs.   The core strength work over the Winter has made a big difference.


Rob
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: drossall on 31 March, 2014, 03:04:39 pm
It isn't what?!?

... one of the most inclusive forms of cycling there is...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 31 March, 2014, 03:08:03 pm
This suggests it is very inclusive to me:
There was no flashy sponsorship or anything remotely commercial about it. No one-upmanship on bikes or kit (full aero bikes, and borrowed from garage specials did not seem to matter).

(Are we talking at cross-purposes? Care to offer a different defn of "inclusive", drossall?  ???  )
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: drossall on 31 March, 2014, 03:15:32 pm
Probably. When I read inclusive, I think of something that attracts all ages and types. What I see happening is that open TTs in particular are becoming mostly the preserve of older riders.

It's not a criticism of the way that they are run - as we've said, it's a grass roots sport and, at least in principle, all are welcome. However, it doesn't seem that all are coming.

We've been describing some events that do attract a wider range, but I'm not sure whether it's generally true.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 31 March, 2014, 03:41:37 pm
Ah, gotcha.

That sort of fits what one YACFer  said to me after a first 'serious' year on her bike: that the club events were as friendly as any sport she'd done, but the "Opens" were much less so.

(I've only done Opens at 12hour and longer - half of which were National Champs - so probably don't have a representative experience!)

And you missed the key thing - the magazines aren't covering/promoting TTs  ::-)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: drossall on 31 March, 2014, 04:17:34 pm
I'm not sure whether opens are unfriendly. The entry process is a bit arcane and the events are low profile, but you'd normally join a club and they'd get you past those things. Going to your first few with club mates is best anyway. You wouldn't really enter an open badminton competition without going through a club first, I'd imagine.

Don't get me started on the comic. If you took that seriously, these days, you'd do three years' hard training, spend £2000 on equipment, modify your diet considerably and then spend 15 minutes warming up, before even riding down to the shops. I appreciate the fitness market, but for the newcomer it all seems so serious and inaccessible compared to when I started. I get depressed every time I read it ;)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: EMnut on 31 March, 2014, 08:31:04 pm
I suppose I should clarify what i meant by inclusive

I'm lucky that many members of my family enjoy cycling, but finding things we can do together is not easy. One of my sons in law is a Professional cyclist, one a fast team rider who has done well in Cat 3 races, my daughter has done a triathlon and dragged me along on Sportifs, and then there is me, the carthorse.

With the TT we can all go off and race at own relative paces, yet still take part in the same event. The duration of the a 10 mile TT is not so long, not a whole day out (difficult with young kids), so it works in that sense too. And its cheap, and we are not well off, so that is good too.

But I also meant in contrast to a Sportif, there were not tons of sponsors ramming products down our throats like energy gels and all that stuff. No silly entry fees, some events charge fifty quid plus, juts to ride a bikeThere were none of the business you get at some Sportifs with people on crazy expensive bikes, thinking  themselves as the next Wiggo, no formalities. and no snobbery, and I'm not saying that all people that do Sportifs are like this, but there is an element that is.

I was 'team mechanic' for a triathlon last year, and was very impressed with how friendly that was, and how people were not really bothered by kit, and how everyone seemed to be having fun.

I do know people like Matt and other DPCCers, so that is how I found out about the TT event. But I'd agree that if events were better advertised, there might be more takers.

The magazines will probably never really push it. Their agenda is to sell stuff, and get advertising space, and the Sportif rider is what they aim at. Most of us here probably know that you can race on a very modest bike, and that have the latest kit probably does not make such a huge difference.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dibdib on 31 March, 2014, 08:37:25 pm
That's what I like about them too - although I've only ever done club 10s, not opens.

It's just simple, unpretentious racing. Turn up on anything, give them four quid, roll to the start, and turn yourself inside out for ten miles. Nobody seems to care that I'm slow, or that I turned up on a cx/touring bike (I did take the rack off). Then get your time, come back next week and try to beat it.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: drossall on 31 March, 2014, 08:47:00 pm
In one club's sporting 10 series that I rode, there was a rider on a hand-cycle. Pretty respectable times too. Those hills must have hurt...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: EMnut on 01 April, 2014, 12:04:42 am
Long Hanborough is not a million miles from Abingdon. Which club do that TT? Actually more to the point is there a good website for finding what is on locally. I'm hoping to do a few more with the family
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 01 April, 2014, 09:30:00 am
I do know people like Matt and other DPCCers, so that is how I found out about the TT event. But I'd agree that if events were better advertised, there might be more takers.

The magazines will probably never really push it. Their agenda is to sell stuff, and get advertising space, and the Sportif rider is what they aim at. Most of us here probably know that you can race on a very modest bike, and that have the latest kit probably does not make such a huge difference.
If you want proper advertising, the entry fees would have to pay for it.

Awareness is a funny thing. Your club is at least 4 years old? It was formed about 6 miles from DPCC (your nearest TT club) and barely further from Oranj's club (who also hold weekly TTs). The races have been on those club websites. There is enough overlap between the clubs' riders/memberships, so You and Your Members MUST know about the TTs. And yet in all that time you may be the first to actually ride one. Why is that?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 01 April, 2014, 11:10:15 am
Our club's first TT of the year on Sunday morning. A 3-lap hilly TT around Long Hanborough for which I was doing the signage and timekeeping. Everyone wants lap times of course, and some riders are coming through on their second laps when the last rider of the field has barely got off the line. Starting my season's timekeeping off with an event that's ten times more difficult to time than a standard out-and-back 10 or 25 when I've yet to get my stopwatch-fu under control is hard work. I had to have a lie down in the sunshine in the afternoon!

Oh and yes, a little circuit race like this (it's similar to the Harwell Hilly, I think, our lap was 7.9 miles) is ideal for anyone that wants to have a go, or just watch, we also had a couple of first-timers.

Seekrit projekt #2. A timing device that not only records the times but also snaps a pic of the rider as they pass so you can correlate rider and time.

How accurate is a DS1307 RTC?

..d
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 01 April, 2014, 11:45:38 am
That's what I like about them too - although I've only ever done club 10s, not opens.

It's just simple, unpretentious racing. Turn up on anything, give them four quid, roll to the start, and turn yourself inside out for ten miles. Nobody seems to care that I'm slow, or that I turned up on a cx/touring bike (I did take the rack off). Then get your time, come back next week and try to beat it.
Do people do TTs with mudguards and saddlebags? I sometimes fancy having a go at a short, local one - I fully expect the timekeeper to have gone home before I finish - but can't be arsed to take all that stuff off my bike.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: drossall on 01 April, 2014, 11:50:18 am
If they care, find another club to try it with.

That said, because the aim is to beat your previous best time, then if you enjoy it you're pretty-soon going to feel that you can be bothered to remove them.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: tatanab on 01 April, 2014, 12:42:08 pm
Do people do TTs with mudguards and saddlebags?
Yes, you could ask for an early start and leave your bag in the timekeeper's car or with a club mate.

Inclusive?  I think that grass roots/club level time trialling is less so than when I started in 1969.  It was not unusual for impoverished teenagers to ride very basic machines.  My first timetrial was on a Raleigh roadster frame with 27" wheels shoehorned in, 83" fixed and all steel equipment.  I did 28:45.  These days, at my local evening events there is more carbon than after a forest fire, many TT specific bikes, and the riders do not seem to be going much quicker than the fast men all those years ago.  There is only one person who shows up with a steel framed bike - complete with mudguards.  In my youth almost everybody cycled to local races, now all but a very small handful drive there which causes a problem for the organiser.  Rose tinted spectacles perhaps.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: EMnut on 01 April, 2014, 12:45:00 pm
to answer Matts question about why did I not try a TT

I'm not really into 'racing' in the sense of the pub and MTBing were far more interesting places to be when I was in my yoot and bike racing would not have been on my radar. I did the Cape Argus a few times on an MTB, and once borrowed a road bike. But I don't drive and consider a bike as a car foremost, so do ride a lot.

So now I'm middle aged, and go and watch my family take part in events where they spin along at 30mph, and watch in admiration and with great pride, I'll let them do that, and not feel too much regret that I did not do this when I was their age.

I did a couple of Sportifs, but they are not for me, as they are not really racing like the Hillingdon circuits are,
So mentally I'd never consider myself a racer

But then this year I thought I'd try some new things, I rode an Audax (or should I say failed an Audax), rode a tandem for the first time, got back into Mountain biking, and then due to a brag about overtaking Road bikers when I was riding my MTB, Matt rightly threw down the gauntlet to do a TT, And what the hell, you only live once.

Of course now I've done it once, I get it. I get the does not matter what you ride, racing against yourself, and informality. I'll do it again when I can, but I'm short on time to commit to anything now.

As to the other riders from Freewheeling, watch this space, I've had a couple of interested parties for the Cholsey event, although it clashes with another ride, we might be along this sunday. Others just want to do the same old, same old, and will never try it. But by doing it myself, I'm hoping that people might think, if he can do it, so can I
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 01 April, 2014, 12:52:45 pm
to answer Matts question about why did I not try a TT
Actually that's not what I asked! :P
But thanks for an interesting answer  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 01 April, 2014, 01:01:15 pm
Inclusive?  I think that grass roots/club level time trialling is less so than when I started in 1969.  It was not unusual for impoverished teenagers to ride very basic machines.  My first timetrial was on a Raleigh roadster frame with 27" wheels shoehorned in, 83" fixed and all steel equipment.  I did 28:45.  These days, at my local evening events there is more carbon than after a forest fire, many TT specific bikes, and the riders do not seem to be going much quicker than the fast men all those years ago.  There is only one person who shows up with a steel framed bike - complete with mudguards.  In my youth almost everybody cycled to local races, now all but a very small handful drive there which causes a problem for the organiser.  Rose tinted spectacles perhaps.
I'd agree with your observations. The bling quotient is bound to increase as cycling creeps further into the wealthier classes; and folks drive to ALL cycling events these days, local TTs may actually have less drivers!
But are expensive bikes a problem? Not really, certainly not if you're welcomed on your steel commuter. Only a few people are in the position that buying a TT-specific bike is the difference between winning and not.

Perhaps "inclusive" is not the best word? It's not the same as diverse. This isn't my specialist area, so of course I went to Wiki...
Oddly they had nothing about bike racing, but they had this:
Quote
Inclusion is a term used by people with disabilities and other disability rights advocates for the idea that all people should freely, openly and without pity accommodate any person with a disability without restrictions or limitations of any kind[citation needed].
That seems to be about accommodating everyone - it's not about whether they actually turn up!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: drossall on 01 April, 2014, 01:11:18 pm
These days, at my local evening events there is more carbon than after a forest fire...
I still say go along and try, and be prepared to try somewhere else if they look down at you for riding a wooden trainer bike. Cycling clubs are like everything else - they come in all shapes and sizes, and it doesn't necessarily follow that what you've seen at one will be what you see elsewhere. Some clubs are out and out racing teams, taking it very seriously.

I'm not sure it would work if all were the same - I've seen youngsters join family clubs, get the bug, and go off to more race-oriented ones but, if there weren't a range of clubs, how would we keep their interest? Would grass-roots football survive without higher-level clubs to motivate the keen fan and talented player alike? Or could the Premier League be there without the grass roots?

But there's no point in complaining that you went along to Chelsea and they looked funny at you when you stood their in old trainers and asked if you could have a kick about. You probably couldn't even do that with the first team of your local club.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: EMnut on 01 April, 2014, 01:15:38 pm
Oh yes see what you mean now, could have saved myself a waffle then.

I think they know that DPCC do TTs, but what they (and I) did not know is that non DPCC can enter some of them (is it correct that as long you pay a pound extra, you don't have to be a DPCC). Your post on facebook might have just changed all of that.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 01 April, 2014, 01:18:15 pm
But there's no point in complaining that you went along to Chelsea and they looked funny at you when you stood their in old trainers and asked if you could have a kick about. You probably couldn't even do that with the first team of your local club.
The beauty of the time-trial is that it's nothing like trying to play football with Pelé : it doesn't matter if the winner takes half the time of the slowest  :thumbsup:

( Admittedly it is wise to send the slower riders off first, but that's just admin. Look at the results of the National 24s - it simply isn't a problem. )

Wiggo would be just as welcome at our races as EMNut - and neither would cause any problem if their speed was radically different from the regulars.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: EMnut on 01 April, 2014, 01:23:31 pm
I'd agree about the cycling clubs being different, we have 2 here and they are very different...
One loves carbon flashy new kit stuff, has a codebook with rules, always ride specific routes that never change, and call each other buddy and all that type stuff
The other one, is chaotic, disorganised, does not give a monkeys about kit, finishes rides at the pub, and is held together with
string and sellatape, and was called a bunch of complete amateurs. by the one above.
They do tend to appeal to different people, and the best thing to do is join more than one
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: drossall on 01 April, 2014, 01:37:55 pm
The beauty of the time-trial is that it's nothing like trying to play football with Pelé : it doesn't matter if the winner takes half the time of the slowest  :thumbsup:
The beauty of the time trial is that, being the slowest, I get twice the riding-time value for my £2 that the winner does :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 01 April, 2014, 02:02:36 pm
The beauty of the time-trial is that it's nothing like trying to play football with Pelé : it doesn't matter if the winner takes half the time of the slowest  :thumbsup:
The beauty of the time trial is that, being the slowest, I get twice the riding-time value for my £2 that the winner does :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Amen to that!

(I must check if there is a min speed for CTT events ... )
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 01 April, 2014, 02:07:57 pm
Long Hanborough is not a million miles from Abingdon. Which club do that TT? Actually more to the point is there a good website for finding what is on locally. I'm hoping to do a few more with the family
Oranj is with Club Orange: http://www.ocrc.co.uk/timetrials/TTProgram.asp

I think that lists all the 3xOxford Club events. You're only really in range of those + DPCC

To get a full/nationwide list, either buy a CTT handbook or use the CTT's online calendar thingie (which makes the AUKweb one look user-friendly!)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 01 April, 2014, 02:33:52 pm
CTT online calendar - just had a look at it, found some of the TTs I often see going up and down the A38, and one of them (U17) contains this gem of a description. "The finish is at the second drain cover past Catherine Villa (white house next to garage) " I love the idea of marshalls and riders counting drain covers!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: GrahamG on 01 April, 2014, 02:42:48 pm
CTT online calendar - just had a look at it, found some of the TTs I often see going up and down the A38, and one of them (U17) contains this gem of a description. "The finish is at the second drain cover past Catherine Villa (white house next to garage) " I love the idea of marshalls and riders counting drain covers!

That's my first event as organiser this year - unfortunately due to the arcane CTT rules, you're too late to enter for this Saturday ;)

I've got all blinged up this year with pointy hat, carbon tri-spoke wheels and even a skin suit. Makes one hell of a difference, I've been averaging ~23mph on the early season hilly events so can't wait to get a bit more fitness and try some flatter TT's in the more traditional sense.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: tatanab on 01 April, 2014, 03:22:44 pm
CTT online calendar -
It sounds as if you are looking at "open" events, typically £9 to enter with restrictions by closing date, affiliated club membership etc.  For a beginner or an experiment I think you should look at "club" events usually listed on your local club websites.  You will probably be permitted to ride as a guest, these are typically £2 which is mainly the CTT levy.

Before entering a TT, please read the rules on the CTT website.  When you sign the from you are signing to say that you have read and understood these rules.  I frequently have to tell people in club events that their number is in the wrong place (what good is it between your shoulder blades?) and I have seen people refused a ride in an open because they show up wearing trade team clothing.  I also remember a parent going berserk because little Johnny had gone off course in a club event.  Open events will be adequately marshalled but club events will probably not - the onus is on the rider to know the course.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Veloman on 01 April, 2014, 04:00:51 pm
" I love the idea of marshalls and riders counting drain covers!

Finish Timekeeper needs to know the exact finish point so they can put the chequered flag out for riders to see and have a definitive point to stop the watch.  Good course measurement!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: drossall on 01 April, 2014, 04:03:50 pm
Until someone renames his/her house ;D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: EMnut on 01 April, 2014, 04:21:45 pm
Its too late now, but would be nice to tag in a TT to Abingdon Spring Cycle festival. If there was an event that sunday, we could get people to sign up, and ride with them to the event, and bring them back, it would not need specifically for the festival, but just be tagged on as an 'event'. Might be a good intro. The Oxford Cycling is (yawn) a Sportif, so a TT could be a fab element in the mix.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 01 April, 2014, 06:04:33 pm
CTT online calendar - just had a look at it, found some of the TTs I often see going up and down the A38, and one of them (U17) contains this gem of a description. "The finish is at the second drain cover past Catherine Villa (white house next to garage) " I love the idea of marshalls and riders counting drain covers!

That's my first event as organiser this year - unfortunately due to the arcane CTT rules, you're too late to enter for this Saturday ;)
I think it was actually a different event on the same course I was looking at, but good luck with your organising!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 01 April, 2014, 07:55:53 pm
Just ridden an extinct course (supposed to be a group-riding session, but I was a bit mis-matched so that didn't last very long!).

11 miles in about 31:30. With a few (very short) rises (well, bridges in fact). Road-bike no aero stuff. That'll do for early April, after a weekend of 150 welsh mountain miles. Glad I went out, nice to get a stake in the sand, and I've felt very lethargic the last 48 hours  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: drossall on 01 April, 2014, 09:48:41 pm
In one club's sporting 10 series that I rode, there was a rider on a hand-cycle. Pretty respectable times too. Those hills must have hurt...
I was reminded, while riding home from our first club 10 of the season tonight - we've also had members racing each other on Bromptons ;D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 08 April, 2014, 03:19:34 pm
I've now put my name down to enter a 100 mile TT in late May - but as mentioned below, I will do some of the Westerley CC Hillingdon TTs on Wednesday nights as those kick off soon.

Look forward to seeing you tomorrow, Marcus! 

In case anyone else in the vicinity of West London fancies it, our fortnightly evening TTs at Hillingdon circuit start tomorrow (Wednesday 9 April).  The weather forecast looks pretty good for the first one and there are spaces left.

In addition to the main series, we're trying something new this year, which is three time trials for road bikes only.  They are on 4 June, 29 June and 16 July - with men's and women's prizes for each one.  All are 11 laps of the circuit which works out to about 10.35 miles.

Full details are here:
www.westerley-cycling.org.uk/racing/time-trials/hillingdon-evening-time-trial-series-2013 (http://www.westerley-cycling.org.uk/racing/time-trials/hillingdon-evening-time-trial-series-2013)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 09 April, 2014, 12:03:30 am
That's what I like about them too - although I've only ever done club 10s, not opens.

It's just simple, unpretentious racing. Turn up on anything, give them four quid, roll to the start, and turn yourself inside out for ten miles. Nobody seems to care that I'm slow, or that I turned up on a cx/touring bike (I did take the rack off). Then get your time, come back next week and try to beat it.
Do people do TTs with mudguards and saddlebags? I sometimes fancy having a go at a short, local one - I fully expect the timekeeper to have gone home before I finish - but can't be arsed to take all that stuff off my bike.

Yes, but typically just the boxing day TT where there is a penalty of 1min for every bit of aero kit and 30 sec for no mudguards . (Nobody tells you this, the timekeepers just make it up on the day to their own rules). The former scottish champ rocks up and rides with saddlebag, mudguards and usually just a bobble hat on his head.

Ride what you want - there are 'official' rules but they are treated more like guidelines unless you are looking like setting a course record or a youth and needing your gears measured. (OK, the last TT I organised I refused to do the gear check. It was a hill climb and I suggested that if they could do the ride in a non-legal gear then good on them )
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: marcusjb on 09 April, 2014, 01:05:16 am
I've now put my name down to enter a 100 mile TT in late May - but as mentioned below, I will do some of the Westerley CC Hillingdon TTs on Wednesday nights as those kick off soon.

Look forward to seeing you tomorrow, Marcus! 

In case anyone else in the vicinity of West London fancies it, our fortnightly evening TTs at Hillingdon circuit start tomorrow (Wednesday 9 April).  The weather forecast looks pretty good for the first one and there are spaces left.

In addition to the main series, we're trying something new this year, which is three time trials for road bikes only.  They are on 4 June, 29 June and 26 July - with men's and women's prizes for each one.  All are 11 laps of the circuit which works out to about 10.35 miles.

Full details are here:
www.westerley-cycling.org.uk/racing/time-trials/hillingdon-evening-time-trial-series-2013 (http://www.westerley-cycling.org.uk/racing/time-trials/hillingdon-evening-time-trial-series-2013)

I am out of the country this week, but hope to be available for the next one!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 09 April, 2014, 01:35:07 am
... if she lets you!     ;)


<many congrats BTW - I couldn't bring myself to post on Arsebook, despite the lovely piccies!>
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: marcusjb on 09 April, 2014, 01:01:42 pm
Thanks Matt! Round 2, the American wedding, coming up this weekend.

Back on topic - the Richmond park TTs are now open for entry - a great event that has aero and road bike categories - dates don't work for me this year, but they are a lot of fun (and no cars etc.) and a good intro to TT in my very limited experience. Not a flat course mind - it is a long old slog up sawyers and then back up from ham gate to richmond gate.

http://www.riderhq.com/events/67526/richmond-park-tt-1/enter

http://www.riderhq.com/events/67527/richmond-park-tt-2/enter


Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: menthel on 09 April, 2014, 01:23:47 pm
Thanks Matt! Round 2, the American wedding, coming up this weekend.

Back on topic - the Richmond park TTs are now open for entry - a great event that has aero and road bike categories - dates don't work for me this year, but they are a lot of fun (and no cars etc.) and a good intro to TT in my very limited experience. Not a flat course mind - it is a long old slog up sawyers and then back up from ham gate to richmond gate.

http://www.riderhq.com/events/67526/richmond-park-tt-1/enter

http://www.riderhq.com/events/67527/richmond-park-tt-2/enter

I would sem to have entered on the 22nd of June! Never done anything like this before...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 16 April, 2014, 10:39:47 pm
I've just picked up my club 100 mile cup from last year (yes, I know it's next spring already).  The club record isn't 3:50:20 like I thought it was: it's 3:33:56. Strangely enough I think I went to the club dinner that year, but I must have not registered when it got presented.

Somebody give me a break  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 24 April, 2014, 10:41:07 pm
My first TT as a commissaire tonight. I had been hand-holding the organiser as this was the first event his club (a relatively new club) had organised. Went down very well, loads of folk helping out and no problems.

My club TT on Tuesday as our test event on a new and very different course.

..d
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 30 April, 2014, 08:01:04 am
Last weekend brought my (very) last BUCS event: the 25 on the H25/17 near Oxford.  My work affiliation to KCL is just about strong enough to let me ride BUCS for this year only; I was hoping to go out on a high, especially after the disaster that was the hillclimb.

Well, it wasn't perfect but ... I did it. My ride and my prep could both have been better but I did 58.29 to place 39/102nd male on a windy day, and grab myself a 14 second PB in the process. I think I can leave student sport with my head held high after that.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 30 April, 2014, 11:50:02 am
Last weekend brought my (very) last BUCS event: the 25 on the H25/17 near Oxford.  My work affiliation to KCL is just about strong enough to let me ride BUCS for this year only; I was hoping to go out on a high, especially after the disaster that was the hillclimb.

Well, it wasn't perfect but ... I did it. My ride and my prep could both have been better but I did 58.29 to place 39/102nd male on a windy day, and grab myself a 14 second PB in the process. I think I can leave student sport with my head held high after that.

Very good ride early in the season on a fairly hilly and often exposed course. 
And only 4 seconds outside my 25 PB  ;)   I expect you'll go a lot faster than that soon!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 30 April, 2014, 05:03:36 pm
Last night was the first event on the new 10 course. The start will have to be moved slightly to improve safety, but otherwise it went well. Fast course on a good day - there was a 12-15mph headwind on the outward leg slowing the fastest time to 22.23. Riders liked it - only needs two marshals and start/finish crew.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 18 May, 2014, 09:48:47 am
North Norfolk Wheelers 100 yesterday.    3 laps of a sporting course on what turned out to be a hot day.   Went well for the first 50 then went to pieces.    12.5 min improvement to PB with 4:45:16.    Splits tell the story 2:16 & 2:29.   I was chasing an ambitious 4:30 schedule early on and paid for it.

Need to find somewhere to fit a 3rd bottle or persuade a helper to come out next time.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: teethgrinder on 18 May, 2014, 10:07:59 am
    12.5 min improvement to PB with 4:45:16.   

 :thumbsup:

Quote
Splits tell the story 2:16 & 2:29.   I was chasing an ambitious 4:30 schedule early on and paid for it.


Still got a PB by quite a margin though, so you must have done something right. 4:30 is a pretty good ride on a fast course, let alone a sporting one.




Quote
Need to find somewhere to fit a 3rd bottle or persuade a helper to come out next time.


You mean you only had 2 bottles on a warm day riding a 100!? :o
Bugger me! I'd want more than that riding the first 100 of a 24 hour where I'd be riding at a significantly lower intensity!
It might have been worth hiding a few bottles in some bushes. Not many would ride a 100 miler without support!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 18 May, 2014, 03:53:15 pm
Thanks, TG.

I rode a 100 on a flat course in Kent last year and managed in 2 large bottles.   It was, though, on a chilly ish June morning to the point where I needed a base layer.   My mistake was not making allowance for the warm temperatures yesterday.   The expected cloud cover and showers didn't turn up either.

I struggle to get support when further from home, but maybe should have hidden some bottles on the course.   I have a kit in the garage to mount a 3rd bottle on the aero bars which I might fit.

I have the Icknield 100 on the F1 in 2 weeks which is on a faster course and has a very early start time.   Can't be that hot twice can it ?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 18 May, 2014, 09:16:52 pm
Leave a bottle somewhere on the course - what's the worst that can happen?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 18 May, 2014, 10:37:01 pm
Someone pisses on it and then you drink from it.  :sick:

(idea (C) simonp)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 19 May, 2014, 08:24:28 am
Bit of research says the Icknield passes the HQ 3 times and you can leave bottles outside.   Will take extras this time.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 19 May, 2014, 09:38:28 am
I did the North Norfolk Wheelers as well.  I found it very hard.  I'm not sure if it was the heat, the hilly course or my legs - I suspect it was mainly the latter - but I missed my target time by a fair way and ended up sitting up for much of the last lap as it seemed to be quicker that way! 

If I were you, Rob, rather than stopping, I'd find a way to carry more water on your bike.  I had 2.75 litres of drink (2 x 1 litre + 1 x 0.75 bottles) and had drunk another 0.75l bottle in the 20 mins before the start.  I was still dehydrated at the end with almost twice as much to drink as you.

The way I do it is to have two bottles in a carrier behind the saddle and a horizontal cage mounted on my top cap.  I could fit another cage on the down-tube - and probably will if I'm doing a 12 / 24 unsupported - so I'll be able to take 4 litres. 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 19 May, 2014, 05:39:32 pm
I did the North Norfolk Wheelers as well.  I found it very hard.  I'm not sure if it was the heat, the hilly course or my legs - I suspect it was mainly the latter - but I missed my target time by a fair way and ended up sitting up for much of the last lap as it seemed to be quicker that way! 

If I were you, Rob, rather than stopping, I'd find a way to carry more water on your bike.  I had 2.75 litres of drink (2 x 1 litre + 1 x 0.75 bottles) and had drunk another 0.75l bottle in the 20 mins before the start.  I was still dehydrated at the end with almost twice as much to drink as you.

The way I do it is to have two bottles in a carrier behind the saddle and a horizontal cage mounted on my top cap.  I could fit another cage on the down-tube - and probably will if I'm doing a 12 / 24 unsupported - so I'll be able to take 4 litres.

I think it was a tougher day than expected and there were quite a few DNFs.   I saw a couple of the fast guys riding back home on the 3rd lap.   At first I thought there had been an accident, but I think they had all fallen behind schedule and given up.    I wanted to finish for the miles more than anything, but should have picked up some more water somewhere.

I have 2 bottles on the frame, but have a tool kit behind the saddle which would stop me from mounting another bottle there.   I will hide bottles at the HQ on the Icknield, although it may cost a minute or so.   I don't have chance to fit another mounting before then and don't want to race on untested equipment.   I'll have support on the 12 and 24 this year so the problem goes away.


Rob
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: teethgrinder on 19 May, 2014, 05:52:56 pm
You could always use a Camelback type hydration pack, though it may give you the hump, you could drink from that first before chucking it.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 19 May, 2014, 09:59:42 pm
There are a few bottles that are designed to fit between your tribars, e.g. this one (http://www.wiggle.co.uk/elite-aeton-triathlon-drinking-system/). 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 01 June, 2014, 01:38:19 pm
4:34:59 on the F1 this morning. Probably got a bit more in me but felt knackered most of the way round.  Almost perfect conditions.   Left 2 bottles by the HQ and picked them up on the second pass.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 01 June, 2014, 07:58:03 pm
Wow, congratulations!  Have you been under 4 hours before?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 01 June, 2014, 08:45:03 pm
The trophy on my shelf says that our club record is 3:33:56.  I think I have slightly more chance of beating our 24 hour record  ;)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 01 June, 2014, 10:41:30 pm
Yes, Phil Graves.  Thankfully he's now riding for York Tri, so I don't have to worry even if he does try a 12 hour!  The 12 hour record is a long 281, set by John Watson in the same year as Cromack's 24, and might actually be the most accessible record.  Unfortunately for me, May's been a complete write-off with health problems and now I've got to get fit again, so I don't think I'll be challenging anything this year.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 04 June, 2014, 08:33:29 am

a bottle between the bars (which you can hardly see in this shot):

Amazing conditions, the sort you only get once in every 10 years for a 100-mile TT. 3:56:10 is a lifetime PB for me and a new club record.

Well done!  Was that on the F1?  Immediate reaction is 'bugger - why did I have to go on holiday!'

I guess that is the idea re the bottle - if the camera can't see it then the wind can't either!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: JJ on 06 June, 2014, 04:51:25 pm
24.43 for the evening 10 last night.  Fast course, but I don't care because that's the first time I've been under 25 min since 1979  :D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 07 June, 2014, 09:00:51 pm
25 PB today: 57:25. 
Exactly 1 minute better than my previous best.

Am pleased:
- hadn't been going very well this season
- Not done any TTs for three weeks (as been touring in France) so didn't know how the legs would feel
- It was a windy day

But:
- It was a fast course (E2) that I had to drive an hour and a half each way to get to, so won't be doing it very often for a 25.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 07 June, 2014, 10:50:36 pm
Record sign up for my 10 next Tuesday - might actually have to select a field at this rate.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 08 June, 2014, 11:21:35 am
KCA50 this morning. 2:10:12. 15 min improvement in PB. Very flat course no wind. Weekend off next week then the ESCA 24hr.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: menthel on 14 June, 2014, 10:11:22 am
Have my time for the RiP TT next week. First ever one, should be interesting!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 14 June, 2014, 02:40:12 pm
What's a RiP TT?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: menthel on 14 June, 2014, 03:39:00 pm
What's a RiP TT?

Sorry, Richmond Park TT.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 15 June, 2014, 01:41:42 pm
I did a pretty $hitty 50 last week.  Hills combined with a a May that was completely wiped out by ill health to give a miserable 2:07:43.  The only good thing about it was that my first TT was a hillclimb, then a club 10, then the Sussex 24.  I've been moving in from either end in a pincer movement ever sine then, so last week I finally ticked off the middle box and collected the set.

In more exciting news, the Newbury 12hr is running as we speak.  Frank and Oranj are there and there are photos of both of them here (http://www.timetriallingforum.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=91008).  Oranj, what made you choose your road bike over your TT bike?  Do you usually do that at this distance?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 16 June, 2014, 10:45:05 am
Spot on!  I measured it at 263.9 when I got to 12 hours. 

I was aiming for my club record which was just under 260.  I knew it was going to be tight and was behind schedule until 100 miles, but the average speed went up as they cut out the lumpiest and bumpiest bit for the finishing circuit and I was able to put in an extra push in the last hour and a half, so I passed 260 with 10 minutes to go.

Most things went well - feeding, pacing, etc - but I did eject a bottle on a pothole which meant I had to make a second stop (had only planned to do one).

Am feeling really beaten up today; more so than my previous 12 or 24.  I think the bumps were a big factor in that.  Really had to concentrate on the bumpy sections too, to avoid a bad pothole strike causing a puncture.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 16 June, 2014, 05:13:36 pm
Great rides by Oranj and Frank.   How did you find the course other than the rough sections ?

This may be my 12 next year.    If the other Southern 12hrs are on similar dates next year then PBP will preclude me from doing most of them.

Thanks



Rob
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 16 June, 2014, 06:09:41 pm
Other than the rough sections, it's a very good course!

The main thing is that you are on dual carriageway for the whole day with no slow country lane sections.

Some of the road is lovely and smooth (Bentley bypass), much of the rest is ok, but maybe 20% of it is rough.  When you switch to the finishing circuit, it cuts out about 2/3 of the rough bits. 

It has hills but none are very big so you are soon up them and on your way.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 16 June, 2014, 07:22:31 pm
Sounds hateful!
Give me the lanes of the Quina Brook circuit any day:-)

(I think I've posted many times about nearly falling asleep on the fast A11 ... Never again ...)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: iddu on 16 June, 2014, 11:40:01 pm
Oh, this'll be a larf...I appear to have been pressganged into a 10 on Thurs.

Wang Wang (Soot bike), dynohub, 67" - if I make under 30 I'll be pushing me heart back down me throat.

Now. The important question. Longflap on or off? ;D

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 17 June, 2014, 06:52:17 am
I wonder whether this'll be a one-off event though? It very much arose from a TT forum discussion and Newbury RC agreed to take it on. I guess with the distances that people rode maybe it'll catch on next year. An early 12 and a later 24 make good prep for PBP.

Those roads were *very* rough in places, and looking at the data I realise we covered quite a bit of climbing for a TT (I have quite a few older ones for comparison but these are the ones recorded on my newer Edge 500).
Newbury RC 12 = 2352m
Kent CA 12 = 575m
(Most of the older data I have are from a Polar cycle computer and indicate around 1300-1800m is typical for a 12-hour). Still fast roads though.

I do hope it continues, but I've said since it was first suggested that I thought it wasn't a good date.  I think most people who ride 12s have them as the focal point of their season, and look forward to putting their feet up afterwards.  Having it in June wipes out a chunk of the middle of the season and a lot of people don't want to do that.  Hence other 12s are mainly in August or early Sept. 

Also, putting it on the week before the National 24 when that is being held in the south this year wasn't a great idea.  That must have lost a few entries: it very nearly lost mine.   And others chasing BBAR times might feel the same way about it being the week before the fast 100 on the E2 (I don't know why John Wynn DNS'd but it might have been for that as he has entered it - along with Tops!).

Interesting point re climbing.  It is quite a hilly course but is still quick.  I know the 25 has loads more climbing than the Great Missenden / A413 one but is always much faster.  I had wondered if the climbing would wear people down by the end of the day - and I was starting to see my lap speeds drop on the climbs on the last couple of Chawton legs - but the switch to the finishing circuit helped a bit. 

The KCA is very flat, but I have a couple more data points.  I recorded 1719m of climbing for the ECCA (Cambridge) 12 last year and 1044 for 5hrs 46mins of the Welsh one (I DNF'd as the legs had run out of power 'cos of all the hills!).  The Welsh one felt like a hilly course but (I think) the finishing circuit is less hilly, so even that might have slightly less climbing overall than this one. 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 17 June, 2014, 08:30:36 am
Thanks.   I did the KCA last year and will again this year as it's my local event.   Despite being flat I didn't find it that fast (bit breezy), although it was my first time over the distance and I came out of it with more knowledge that I went in with.

The ECCA is also only an hour away, but both events are at the end of August, giving me a clash or insufficient recovery time.

If the Newbury doesn't run there's always the Team Swift which should be about 3 weeks before PBP, but it's quite a long trip and I would need to be unsupported.


Rob
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 17 June, 2014, 11:50:44 pm
Open 10 TT run. 56 riders started - competition in all categories down to Youth B. Won by a Junior. Ladies winner is in our (our? have I suddenly become Scottish?) Commonwealth Games team on a normal road bike.

A few minor paperwork bits to sort tomorrow and then it is job done.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 19 June, 2014, 10:34:04 am
Newbury 12 mileages updated this morning. Mine's down to 258.59 (which is what I thought it'd be after I'd worked out my lap distances and added my finish effort), and Frank's is 264.06.

Mine ties in exactly with my own measurement and lap count too.  I expect they are final now. 
Club record by 4 and a bit miles for me so am very pleased. 
It's stood since 1955, when the guy who set it was third in the national and not far off the competition record, riding on drops, etc - so far more of an achievement than my ride - even though he would have been about half my age and most likely had helpers...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 19 June, 2014, 12:36:53 pm
Mine's 281.8, done in 1969.  I'm starting to think it's the softest of the long distance club records  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 19 June, 2014, 03:14:50 pm
Ours is 256.5 miles, set in 1973.    The 24hr is 463 miles and was set in 1952.

No-ones chased the longer ones for a while but the club champ is making noises about riding a 12 this year.    The 24hr is really impressive for the time.    I'm unlikely to get near any of them.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 19 June, 2014, 03:45:06 pm
Yes it would have been a good ride.
Our 24 record is 455, set by the same guy as the (old) 12 record, in 1953
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Lady Cavendish on 20 June, 2014, 09:10:27 am
I've had a horrible 7 weeks of injury, but I did my first 10m back last night. I'm not fixed, I certainly couldn't go riding for 4 hours, but I'm ok for this.

I only seem to have lost about 20 seconds in the 7 weeks which is ok, tried to keep myself fit in other ways and I've lost a LOT of weight which also probably helped.

Onwards and upwards from here, still have a bit of time to get some decent rides in this season. Just.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 20 June, 2014, 07:08:00 pm
Cool.
But are you quicker than MartinY ?!?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: menthel on 22 June, 2014, 08:23:04 am
Just did my first ever TT- Richmond Park 10. Was great fun and I did it in 31.50, slow but not the slowest on the day. I think I would like to try more TTing but finding one that is doable may be tricky.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Lady Cavendish on 27 June, 2014, 10:21:24 am
They are at all sorts of times though Menthel, I'm sure you can find one that you can fit in :)

A very wet and yuk evening 10 last night. 22 sec improvement on last week and 9 secs slower than my course PB. Can't moan really after all the time off. Riding the same course Sun, Tues and Thurs this week, surely one of them will be a nice dry still day......
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 28 June, 2014, 06:42:27 pm
Thursday's "race" was not a storming success.

Wet but not too cold, and not scary-dangerous wet - a good thing on a course with 11 roundabouts. I was pretty tentative at each one. Except the one where a rather cautious lady driver approached at just the wrong time ... I slowed just enough, she saw me, she slowed a bit more ... eventually I got past at about 1mph, somewhat embarassed.

Then I was passed by the race favourite, only to see him on the verge a mile later. "Broken rear derailleur!" Being a multi-lap course, I passed him again, walking home, several miles to go. Shortly after, a police car passes me than slams on the brakes, blue lights flashing. Being a law-abiding cyclist I stop by the passenger door. Copper gets out - ignores me - and starts yacking on his radio. Bemused, I set off again. I guessed they weren't busy, and were stopping to help the hapless rider walking down the hard shoulder; but later facts suggest they were part of a man-hunt and didn't give a monkey's about a few wet cyclists with yellow numbers on their backs!

Still raining at the finish, so I headed home straight away to keep warm. HIGHLY satisfying hot shower. Just got fully warm, stepped out and almost immediately had uncontrollable shakes. I've been down with a fever ever since.   >:(

My time was a course PW3G*. The depleted start-list did help me towards my first ever top-8 finish :P

*Personal Worst on a bike with more than 3 Gears.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 29 June, 2014, 11:22:18 am
Got a 50 PB this morning.  2:02:10.  Nice course, down on the A3, and not bad weather. 

I'm pleased, but I was one of the slowest riders.  Most got under two hours and, based on my 12-hour distances, I should really be doing a bit better at 50s.  But I don't ride them often and don't seem to pace them right.  I dawdled a bit at the beginning, worrying about going off too quick and blowing up, and so was a good bit faster on the second half.  Given that the course features a long ski-slope start, that was rather a missed opportunity!  And I've never blown up in a time trial yet, so I need to sail a little closer to the wind, I think!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Lady Cavendish on 29 June, 2014, 11:41:55 am
Good effort Frank 50s are horrible inventions!!

I did a 10- the course was running quite slow, slight headwind out big headwind back how is that even possible?! And I got stung by a bee at the start right where you grip the bars- stupid bee. I was about 20 secs down on Thurs but most were 30-50 so that seems ok.

I was part of the first team with 2 guys from my club, we got lovely medals :) 1st lady too. We were v happy with our team prize, I love my club :)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 30 June, 2014, 08:16:10 am
Thanks for that link - I was looking for that comparison table a couple of days ago!

I was pleased enough with my ride given it was a PB by almost 4 minutes.  I had a couple of comedy events.  One was that someone had taken my number.  I was 38, off at 7:08, and they worked out that number 8, off at 6:38, had taken 38.  So they gave me 98 which I expect confused all the riders overtaking me! 

Then, my power meter wasn't calibrated properly.  One reason I backed off a lot at the start was that it was telling me I was doing 350 watts down the hill, which would have been crazy.  When I got on the flat, I worked out what it was - it was reading double, but it had me confused for a while.

A short 54 was an excellent ride.  That should get you onto the E2 - good luck!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Lady Cavendish on 03 July, 2014, 08:41:32 am
Very very happy this morning.

Did a 10 on our usual club course (tho not my own club event)  that I have been targeting all season. Somehow I managed a 14 second PB despite a pretty hard ride to the turn leaving a hell of a lot to do after the roundabout with a tailwind. 10 seconds quicker than my target for the season :) I missed 7 weeks and still did it with 2-3 weeks to spare. Boom! :)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 04 July, 2014, 03:47:55 pm
I just received a plaque for my ECCA handicap win last year :)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Glover Fan on 04 July, 2014, 04:48:53 pm
This year is the first time I've entered official 10s, since joining Sodbury Cycle Sport.

First time round I did a 27:14.

Just done my third this week and I PB'd by a minute with a 26:13. Would like to get under 25 mins before the end of the season, but think I am being ambitious.

TTing has really improved my overall cycling though. Managed to cycle 82 miles at 19.2mph in a group of 3 on Sunday.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 20 July, 2014, 07:40:17 pm
VTTA Kent 50 this morning.   Sluggish muggy conditions and couldn't really get my speed up, although my heart rate was OK.   Had the hump so left before they out my time up.   Will be 2:18 ish, 8 mins slower than my last time on the same course.   Probably still struggling after the 24, although it was a month ago.   Kent 12hr in 7 weeks time so need to get back to work.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 02 August, 2014, 11:50:10 am
Thursday was the last club 10 of the year, and I skived off work early made a special effort to make it, having never got there on time so far (damn that long commute).  I've been on good form since my fortnight's touring a month ago, and a thought was kicking around the back of my mind as I rode out: "Y'know, I might be able to win this."  The course had been shortened to 8.5 miles due to road works, and a fairly paltry 15 riders had turned out but they did include the local sponsored rider, riding his road bike.  5 ... 4 ... 3 ... 2 ... 1 ... you know what comes next.

I did a 19:48 and came third, three seconds behind Mr Sponsored Roadie and another 3 seconds behind the winner - oh, so close.  Given that I'm planning to get out of town before the next series, this was almost certainly my last club TT for that club, at least as a 1st claim rider, so another 7 seconds would have given me a fairytale ending.  What if, what if, what if ... what if I'd got to bed earlier in the preceding week?  What if I'd been more organised about getting there on time and had a better warm up?  What if I'd kept concentration rather than drifting off for a bit in the middle?  Like David Millar, there was to be no fairytale for me and I'll have to be content with being up there in third.  The good news is that my time would be a narrow PB if you extended it out to a full 10 miles, so given that this was a slow old course, I'm looking forward to seeing what I can do on the V718 next week.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 03 August, 2014, 06:09:24 pm
Quite a shock at this mornings 25 (my first in 2 years, so I was quite keen to post a time).

Apparently a 900mile week isn't ideal prep for racing, even with a week's recovery :-P

I turned round after an unstellar 11miles, unable to get pulse up to sensible levels on the drag at 8 miles. I justified this as being a mile further than most people race #strawclutching But really, any DNF feels pretty pathetic! Hey-ho ...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: iddu on 07 August, 2014, 11:41:51 pm

Date          Distance /Time          Course type          Weather conditions           Bike ridden

19/06/14      10m / 28.59             U48/Flat             Dry, sunny, no breeze        Fixed sooty (67")
17/07/14      10m / 26.59             U48/Flat             Dry, sunny, no breeze        (New) sooty bike
07/08/14      10m / 26.22             U48/Flat             Dry, sunny, light breeze     (New) sooty bike + tri-bars + 1100 Audax miles ;-)


mmm - gonna have to start working at it now; more bling makes it easier? ;D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: TimC on 08 August, 2014, 08:21:39 am
Just did my club's 'hilly' 13-miler (this is Suffolk!). and my first TT for many years. Absolute crap! Averaged 17.2 with heart rate at 160, peak 168 (my Max HR is around 172). 17.2 mph! I can average that over 100k on the same roads with an average HR of 135-140, so WTF? My lad, who I'm generally faster than, averaged evens. I feel ok, I haven't ridden a huge amount in the obvious week. The only unusual factor is that I rode my PX RT57 soot road bike, which I don't use very often as it's stiffer than I like. Gutted!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 08 August, 2014, 04:02:53 pm
Last night completed this year's recovery-from-long-ride calibration experiment. What a difference 4 days make.

Unlike Sunday, last night I actually had some legs and could let the genie out of the bottle*. Still 2nd slowest of course (ahead of a bloke with a heart problem), BUT I suspect it was my fastest 10 without aero bits. 26.46, and 1m20 faster than the same course (soaked) a month ago.

So, 1000-mile week + 8 days recovery = knackered,
But ... +12 days = right as rain.

Shame Iddu and I didn't arrange a head-to-head for the perfect experiment!

*(C) Bikey Mikey
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 09 August, 2014, 10:54:37 pm
21:20 today for me, on the V718.  That's a new PB on a windy day, so I should really be very pleased.  However, my clubmate beat me by 11 seconds so I'm still asking the what ifs; like most testers I'm never satisfied!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 10 August, 2014, 10:09:49 am
21:20 today for me, on the V718.  That's a new PB on a windy day, so I should really be very pleased.  However, my clubmate beat me by 11 seconds so I'm still asking the what ifs; like most testers I'm never satisfied!

Great ride.   Is that course really as fast as they say ? And, if so, what causes it ?


Rob
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 10 August, 2014, 12:58:38 pm
Yes, it's fast.  Our club flat 10 loop is a ropey old thing, and is a good 2 minutes slower: I did it two Thursdays ago and was almost exactly 2 minutes down on yesterday, on a less windy day.  Apart from being a straight, fairly flat main road, I think the main reason for the 718's speed is that it's sheltered.  The wind was a good 15-20mph yesterday, almost straight down the course, but I was still able to hit 30mph at some points on the return (headwind) leg. 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 01 September, 2014, 05:18:09 pm
KCA 12hr this weekend.   Probably half a stone up on the weight I had for the 24hr due to a couple of holidays and a dose of real life.   The course is really flat, though, so shouldn't make a lot of difference.   This and the Breckland 50 will round the year off and have to time to take stock and decide what next years targets should be.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: akin on 03 September, 2014, 02:01:30 pm
I will make my timetrial debut at the kca 12hr this weekend.

I tend to develop  an interest in trying a 12hr and 24hr by the time I have finished a year of audaxing. I never usually get beyond the contemplation and planning stage, but I have finally got round to entering.

I expect to get a modest return. I know I can ride for 12hours but the only riding I have really done is long steady miles. My plan to get used to a new position and add some faster riding have not worked out due to a house move. I have also put on a fair bit of weight. Ill try and set myself a marker to possibly improve on next year.

Hopefully it will be the catalyst to introducing a bit more variety into my cycling year. Alternatively it might put me off altogether.

I expect it to be like fun only different.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 06 September, 2014, 10:27:21 pm
Good luck at the KCA 12 tomorrow.  Hope the wind stays down.

I made the journey up to Etwall for the BDCA 100 today.  Got a PB - 4:10:19
Fast course.  Noisy, with all the traffic on the concrete surface.  But an enjoyable course to ride.  Best bit is when you get to the top of the mountain the second time you still have 30 miles to go, but 25 of them are downhill!

That's it for me this season; no plans for any more opens.  May do some club events for fun.

Been a good season with PBs at 25, 50, 100 and 12 hour.  I suspect the main reason is that I went to faster courses.  But that is allowed!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 08 September, 2014, 08:48:33 am
I ran out with 229 miles for a 15 miles PB improvement.   Hoped and scheduled for more.    I was comfortably running at evens at 7hrs, but my lower back issues returned.    Toyed with packing when I got to the finishing circuit, having a brief sob when I got there.   Pulled myself together seeing all the supporters and my family and pushed on without much power.

I have a 240 ride in me I'm sure, but that will need to wait another year.

I have the Breckland 50 in 2 weeks time to get a (hopefully fast) BBAR ride.   My fastest 50 this year wasn't a qualifier.

I've PB'd 10/25/50/100/12hr and done my first 24hr this year.   Pretty happy in all and lots to think about over the Winter.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: akin on 10 September, 2014, 06:59:06 pm
My entry into the world of TT was not great, effectively a DNF. I ended up with a distance as I got to the finishing circuit because I needed to go that way to get my things and the train home.

Plenty of lessons learnt. My pacing was where I wanted through the first 100 miles with my HR steady around 150bpm and legs feeling good.

My problems started there with dehydration and nutrition issues.
My body was not used to digesting food and fluid at that level of effort and position. I was left struggling to eat and having waves of nausea. Drinking also became increasingly difficult.

I tried resting a bit a few times then moving on but my head went as well after around 150 miles as it was not fun anymore and I felt horrid.

In hindsight I started with a lack of sleep, already partly dehydrated after a few days of physical work at home. Need to devise a better eating strategy.

Despite my disappointment at failing to finish I rode over 300k by the time I got home. I have 11 hours event experience to take into next year that I would not have had.

Now to consider actually doing some proper preparation and entering a few events next year.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 22 September, 2014, 08:54:52 am
Last race of the year yesterday, CC Breckland 50 on the A11 in Norfolk.   The Southern turn had been flooded on Saturday so there was a last-minute course alteration and we did 5 * 10mile 'laps'.   This made the course a little slower as there were more turns.   Managed 2:11:39, 1m30 off my PB, but that was set in June when I was way fitter and a fair bit lighter.

A summary of the year and PBs :-

10 - 24:54 (-1:13)
25 - 1:03:19 (-7:07)
50 - 2:10:12 (-15:27)
100 - 4:34:59 (-22:45)
12hr - 229.88 (+16.03)
24hr - 410.08 (first go)

A few weeks off now to assess the year.   The 50 was probably the ride that I thought went best, but I feel I underachieved a little on the 100 and 12hr.   There's some equipment and positional gains to be made, not least around my 12hr position.   My training went pretty well up to about May when it was interrupted by a dose of real life.   Definitely more to be had next year.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 28 March, 2015, 10:55:56 pm
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8712/16773535879_b81688cbca_z_d.jpg)

The first TT of the year for me - in fact, it was my first TT since my successful attempt on the V718 last August. 

As you can see, this time wasn't so successful. 

Small consolation: as I was running across the sliproad to rejoin the fray, I saw Simon Beldon, who did one of the few 19s of the day, round the turn.  I doubt he saw me, so not catching me will hopefully have screwed with his head - if he was thinking at all by the end.  I clearly wasn't at half way!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dibdib on 16 April, 2015, 09:24:13 pm
First club 10 of the year for me, my first full-distance TT in about 18 months (the five-point-something mile prologue last week doesn't really count) and my first evens (29:35). Happy me.  ;D ;D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 16 April, 2015, 09:36:04 pm
Good stuff  :thumbsup:

I'm currently experiencing the downside of not riding for a Yorkshire club anymore: I'm third reserve on a V718 event that has pref to Yorkshire riders.  I want to right the wrong in my last post!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 19 April, 2015, 07:45:45 pm
First TT of the year next weekend.   My club's open 10 on the Tonbridge bypass.   Went out and tested the TT rig with all new wheelset today.   Have increased my gear ratio a bit this year as well.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: menthel on 22 April, 2015, 12:07:20 pm
Have signed up for the Richmond Park TT again this year. I guess what I really need to do are more TTs but the rest in the area are weekday evenings!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Lady Cavendish on 22 April, 2015, 12:22:15 pm
I did a couple in early March, but I think this is about week 3 of the evening ones. Maybe week 4- I do Tuesdays and Thursdays normally. I've started like a rocket so far, I didn't expect this at all, as I've been focusing a lot more on long distance stuff, and running as well so my legs are in a permanent state of knackeredness.

Really excited to get onto the quicker courses in a couple of weeks as I'm sick of these lumpy ones with too many corners. Love love the TT season.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 23 April, 2015, 08:21:02 pm
I had my first one last night, which was our club 10.35 mile one at Hillingdon Circuit. 

It was a bit windy and chilly but it was a lot of fun.  We had 57 starters so it was a bit busy on the circuit at times, but it made it interesting working out how to manage your overtakes and avoid being cut up. 

I've been focusing on long distance too and not done any speed work at all so I didn't know how I would go.  But I was pleasantly surprised.  My power was up from last year and, despite not great conditions, I did a decent enough time - and I felt I had a good bit in reserve, so the winter miles are paying off for me as well. 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dibdib on 23 April, 2015, 11:13:44 pm
No club 10 for me tonight. Got to the HQ after work, to find that there had been an RTC on the course and the police had closed the road. Fingers crossed all involved are OK.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Lady Cavendish on 24 April, 2015, 09:11:02 am
That's not good at all :( hope everyone is ok.

Got a massive PB on a course on Tuesday, although it was fairly soft as I don't think I rode it last year.

Took 17 seconds off a strong PB last night, managing over 25mph on a 'not fast' course, very happy as I'm rubbish at any of these courses with corners and 'hills'. I can't wait to get on one of the flat out and back one roundabout ones, this is all going too well.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Dibdib on 24 April, 2015, 12:39:02 pm
Congrats on both the PBs, LC!

Sadly the local newspaper website reports that it was cyclist vs the back of a parked lorry, and given the timing and the mention of a "racing bicycle" it sounds like it might have been a TTer warming up on the course.  Not good.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 26 April, 2015, 04:52:50 pm
PB yesterday morning of 23:46 on the Catford 10 on the Tonbridge bypass.   Spun out at 37mph on the gift hill start, but then hard up to the turn, before a fast run back.   Pretty pleased after a hard Winter.   A 25 next weekend before returning to PBP qualifiers.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 26 April, 2015, 05:02:34 pm
21:29 for me on the V718 yesterday.  9 seconds outside PB,  but I'd acquired a disc since then so there'll be some free speed.  I could never get my heart rate above 10 beats below where I saw it in training last week: perhaps I wasn't tapered and rested enough, perhaps I didn't warm up enough or perhaps it was the wet, windy and not overly warm weather that did it (the event was abandoned 3/4 of the way through due to spray).  It was probably a combination of all three.  I'll have to find another event on there - except there aren't any I can enter for ages.  Ah well, it means I've got plenty of time to train in the meantime!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 04 May, 2015, 08:04:28 am
Punctured at 7 miles in the very wet Wigmore 25 yesterday.  Fixed it but was very cold and wet and had lost 10 minutes.   Disconsolate 9 mile ride back to the HQ.   Can't really fit any more races in before June as I have 400 and 600 qualifiers to get out the way.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 11 May, 2015, 10:46:08 pm
Stockton Wheelers 50, 2:00:14 inc. 50 seconds late start penalty.  I (and several others) went to the start for the 10 and the 25, only to discover that this one started somewhere else. 

#FML
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Bairn Again on 13 May, 2015, 03:48:34 pm
I managed a run out on my club 10 last Wednesday : 28.43 - one of my slowest but I was using my audax/TT hybrid rather than my full on "instrument of torture" TT bike that im finding too uncomfortable at the minute.

Aiming to get down to Vets standard of 26.45
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 31 May, 2015, 02:36:48 pm
1:00:17 in the Scunthorpe RC 25 on the C25/17 this morning.   Curses.  3 min improvement in PB, though.

Bit breezy and wet but seemed fast as the winner broke the course record.   Need to find 18 seconds on the E2 next weekend.   Frank is off 2 mins behind me so let's see when I get caught.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 01 June, 2015, 10:10:20 am
Nice result!  I'm on there next week, I now have a target  :demon:

Anyway, who are Python RT, when did you stop being OCRC head honcho and why don't PRT list you on their website yet?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 06 June, 2015, 07:29:55 pm
Chuffing hard on the E2 today.   2 mins slower than last weekend.   36 mins out and 26 mins back.   Only a couple under the hour when I left so probably a better ride than I thought.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 06 June, 2015, 07:33:58 pm
Nice result!  I'm on there next week, I now have a target  :demon:

I dropped my chain.  Gave up, crossed the road and went home :(
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 08 June, 2015, 09:58:29 am
Chuffing hard on the E2 today.   2 mins slower than last weekend.   36 mins out and 26 mins back.   Only a couple under the hour when I left so probably a better ride than I thought.

Too right!  I was 4 minutes slower than the same event last year. 
Problem is I probably can't quite blame all of it on the wind.  I can pin a bit of it on my 600km the previous weekend.  Some of it is due to me having done hardly any TTs this year and focused on longer distance, but I now have a nagging fear that I have simply got slower  :o
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 08 June, 2015, 11:14:47 am
Don't say that Frank.   I was using your ride to convince myself I could get under the hour on the right day.....

Saturday afternoon flagged a few issues for me, though.   I spent 4hrs in the car for an hour of threshold work (ignoring the warm up) which I could have done in the garage.   I don't really want to DNS events for no good reason, but I'm not sure I got back into TTing to drive up and down the country chasing fast times.   I've changed my schedule a bit for the rest of the year to stay closer to home apart from the 12hr and 100.

Anyway 12hr this Sunday.   Looking forward to this one.   Have increased my PB from 214m to 230m on my first 2 rides in the KCA so scheduling for an evens ride this time.   Looks like quite a few AUK and YACF faces on the start sheet.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 08 June, 2015, 06:08:37 pm
I spent 4hrs in the car for an hour of threshold work (ignoring the warm up) which I could have done in the garage.   I don't really want to DNS events for no good reason, but I'm not sure I got back into TTing to drive up and down the country chasing fast times.   I've changed my schedule a bit for the rest of the year to stay closer to home apart from the 12hr and 100.
Wise words.

"driving 4 hours to get a fast time" seems to be Testers Disease. I have zero interest in that path! Having said that, us middle-markers do have a dilemma; if you're nowhere near the podium,, PB-chasing is the only easily-measured objective. And thus fast courses ...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 08 June, 2015, 11:59:22 pm
I did  I ... was running without a front mech.  I'd had a mechanical issue and it was a toss-up between fixing the front gears and losing part of my warm-up or just removing the mech and risking losing the chain.  I gambled on the latter and lost.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 09 June, 2015, 03:24:19 pm
I spent 4hrs in the car for an hour of threshold work (ignoring the warm up) which I could have done in the garage.   I don't really want to DNS events for no good reason, but I'm not sure I got back into TTing to drive up and down the country chasing fast times.   I've changed my schedule a bit for the rest of the year to stay closer to home apart from the 12hr and 100.
Wise words.

"driving 4 hours to get a fast time" seems to be Testers Disease. I have zero interest in that path! Having said that, us middle-markers do have a dilemma; if you're nowhere near the podium,, PB-chasing is the only easily-measured objective. And thus fast courses ...

2015 so far :-

25 No.1 - punctured at 7miles, but averaging 26.5mph at that point
25 No.2 - 1:00:17
25 No.3 - 1:02:28 - very windy day

Have entered another (local) one the weekend after the 12hr as a last attempt to get under the hour and then I really need to just be satisfied at the improvements I've made this year and go and do PBP for fun.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 14 June, 2015, 08:46:47 pm
Apparently, Jill Wilkinson has just beaten Beryl's 12 hour record with 279 miles. 

Wow.  Just wow.


It was actually 269, so Beryl's record remains intact with 277 miles.  Still, chapeau to Jill, that's a massive distance and puts her second in the all-time list!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 14 June, 2015, 10:54:55 pm
It was a god day and the first time I'd ridden those roads.  My computer said 257.5m at 12hrs.   They were working the results out when I left to drive home.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 14 June, 2015, 11:24:17 pm
Wow, good distance Rob!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 15 June, 2015, 09:06:25 am
Wow, good distance Rob!

Thanks. First time I've ever 'raced' a 12hr, but everything seemed to come together.   Feel dreadful this morning but I have a half day so need to drag myself to work for lunchtime.

Club record is 256.5 so it's a little tight.   Waiting patiently for the results.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Assasin on 15 June, 2015, 12:07:55 pm
Somehow the 'slow trike' won the VTTA tandem Championship after the two fast boys on the two wheeled tandem abandoned after a few hours.
Some bits of the course not trike friendly in terms of camber or smoothness.
Glad when the lower section of the course was cut off to set us up for the finishing circuit.
Very happy with 207miles. Only 14 miles less than the last mixed TT 12 I did which was 20 years ago on a better course.

And we've got some gold bling to collect  ;D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 15 June, 2015, 10:24:44 pm
Well done once again, Rob. 
Consensus is that it seemed not to be as good a day as last year. 

I was using your ride to convince myself I could get under the hour on the right day.....

You should have no concerns at all on this score!  There are some tables knocking around which say what time someone who can do xxx miles in a 12-hour should be capable of for other distances.  I can never find them when I want to but, from memory, I think your distance corresponds to something like a 57 minute 25.  [anyone got the actual link?]

(Edit: found it: it's a pdf download called Standardised Handicapping from here http://www.cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/Documents (http://www.cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/Documents)). 
On a half decent day you could also take a good minute off that on the E2 vs the H8
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 16 June, 2015, 10:14:19 am
Thanks, all.   I am still in pieces today.   Very gentle week planned.

Interesting document that.   I either overachieved at the 12hr or I'm underachieving at the shorter distances.   I'd say it's probably the latter as I can't seem to push myself really hard for short periods.

I am planning one more 25 early July and then a 50 and a 100 at the end of July on consecutive weekends.


Rob
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: simonp on 16 June, 2015, 11:53:58 am
Well done rob.

I looked at that chart. My best time for a 10 is in a row which has a 227 mile 12 hour.

That seems unreasonably fast. Particularly since I'll be on fixed, which I wasn't for the 10.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 16 June, 2015, 03:03:04 pm
If it helps Simon, I did 222 miles in the Yorkshire (then the Elmet, now the Team Swift) 12 in 2011, a couple of months after riding with you for part of the Bryan Chapman.  I was only really in the 12 for the lollz, having done the Sussex 24 a month or so beforehand, and I think I might have spent a night riding to the lake district and back the week before as well - I was hardly tapered, and felt it in the TT.  I don't recall you being slow in the BCM (and you were on fixed unlike me) so I reckon 227 is within your grasp. 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 16 June, 2015, 05:44:32 pm
the Mattc 12h-> 24h Conversion Rule Of Thumb is multiply by 5/3

This gives you [simon] about 380 miles for a 24, which happens to be exactly my PB (I havent finished a 12h) - i'll let you draw your own conclusion from that :P

If you can find the VTTA standards table, that seems pretty good at these kinds of predictions/conversions.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: simonp on 16 June, 2015, 06:01:11 pm
What I found on my trial run on the bike on Sunday was I was too stretched out, so I'm going to try a different seat post out. I also felt under geared most of the time, so I'm considering going to a 78" gear.

I was a lot slower on this year's BCM than in 2011, but I've been training pretty well since.

Was going to ride tomorrow's club 10 to experiment a bit more, but it's cancelled due to the course having been made dangerous by top dressing.  :facepalm:


Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 16 June, 2015, 09:13:02 pm
Beware bringing yourself up too short as you scrunch your upper body into a shape it doesn't like.   Concentrate on the hip angle and push yourself forwards as far as possible to open it up.   My TT rig has a 78 degree seat angle and a stubby tri saddle that I can perch on the edge of and I'm still not all that low.

To get to a position I can hold for 12hrs has taken me 3 years, 2 Winters of core strength exercises and an awful lot of money with a bike fitting specialist.   
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: jsabine on 17 June, 2015, 01:15:20 am
Somehow the 'slow trike' won the VTTA tandem Championship ...
Very happy with 207miles. Only 14 miles less than the last mixed TT 12 I did which was 20 years ago on a better course.

That sounds rather good. And shiny bling is always welcome.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: PloddinPedro on 18 June, 2015, 08:28:52 pm
.............. Only 14 miles less than the last mixed TT 12 I did which was 20 years ago on a better course..... ;D   
And carrying somewhat less avoirdupois!! (And no, that's not a reference to your stoker :facepalm:   ) Seriously, a champion effort, the pair of you. ;D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: simonp on 21 June, 2015, 09:17:21 pm
192.5 miles. Short of the 200 I'd hoped for. There were some temporary traffic lights in Usk which caused issues so they sent us up to Hereford again after I'd done one loop of the Chainbridge circuit. This caused unsupported riders a lot of issues. Some phone calls to sort out where I'd be so Feline could find me. And the RTA right in front of me which cost me some time offering to be a witness. Fortunately the biker was unhurt as he managed to avoid everything except the corner of the front bumper of the car that pulled out on him.

Really bad patch between about 9 and 11 hours. Last hour or so I perked up again.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 22 June, 2015, 08:35:14 am
192.5 miles. Short of the 200 I'd hoped for. There were some temporary traffic lights in Usk which caused issues so they sent us up to Hereford again after I'd done one loop of the Chainbridge circuit. This caused unsupported riders a lot of issues. Some phone calls to sort out where I'd be so Feline could find me. And the RTA right in front of me which cost me some time offering to be a witness. Fortunately the biker was unhurt as he managed to avoid everything except the corner of the front bumper of the car that pulled out on him.

Really bad patch between about 9 and 11 hours. Last hour or so I perked up again.

Well done.   Anything around 200 for a first go is good going.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 22 June, 2015, 10:01:42 am
Well done Simon :)

So who remembers the motorbike following Bradley Wiggins (https://keyassets.timeincuk.net/inspirewp/live/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2015/05/CFI_8XKWAAAr2OP.jpg-large.jpeg) on his recent failed attempt at the 10 mile comp record?  It turns out that neither Wiggers himself nor CTT knew about the bike beforehand: it was an NEG rider who'd privately decided to turn up and 'help' by stopping traffic from overtaking. 

I bet Wiggins is well annoyed!  That will have denied him the 'traffic assistance' that most people get on A road courses.  Given that he eased off the gas towards the end when he knew he hadn't got the record, who knows what he could have done had he had a normal level of slipstream?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 22 June, 2015, 11:30:46 am
Yes, well done, Simon.  The leg to Hereford is quite hilly so going back out there would have reduced your distance - let alone the other stuff.

I did the ECCA 100 too.  Last week's Newbury 12 hour was very much still in my legs and my power decreased over the ride.  Average power ended up almost exactly the same as the first 100 of the 12 hour.   The time was slightly better than last week though, 4:23 vs 4:30. 

Probably wasn't a good idea to do both events though: while the a gradual loss of leg power was slightly demoralising but not the end of the world, finding a tolerable place on which to sit became an increasingly pressing concern as the morning wore on!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 22 June, 2015, 02:56:20 pm
I'm impressed at those entering a 100 the weekend after a 12hr.   I had entered a 25 but it was cancelled.   Managed 3hrs steady on the audax bike and the legs finally felt more normal, so back on the turbo this week.   I now have :-

4th July - Fenland Clarion 25
19th July - VTTA Kent 50
26th July - EDCA 100

Hoping for some decent days as these are my only real chances for BBAR qualifiers.

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 22 June, 2015, 08:11:21 pm
I'm impressed at those entering a 100 the weekend after a 12hr.

Don't be!  It was stupid; I won't be doing it again!

Having said that, I have to say I was impressed by Hoppo, who did a good ride in the 12 and then went under 4 hours in the 100.  It shows that the miles he does mean that he can take a 12 in his stride.  Also suggests that if he targeted a fast 100 and tapered for it, he could be pretty quick
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 04 July, 2015, 06:52:03 pm
Fenland Clarion 25 this afternoon.   1:03:08.   Getting steadily slower this year.   Conditions were really windy again and the course had quite a few roundabouts, although I think it would be quick on a calm day.

That's it for 25s this year so getting under the hour will have to wait until 2016.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 05 July, 2015, 04:10:37 pm
Rode the Cardiff 100 Mile CC 25 yesterday. It's a fast course that I have ridden before – except that this time I arrived to be informed the course had been changed because of roadworks. Inside the HQ a slightly testy fellow was explaining the new course in an opaque manner. I brought a road atlas from the car to help. He peered at it in a long-sighted fashion and announced it was fucking useless. So, having worked out what his description meant I showed those present where it went and, more importantly, where the start was.  Eventually someone drew a larger version to display.

Arrived at the start, checked the position and disappeared for a warm-up. Came back to find a gaggle of riders in a lay-by who said the start was wrong and was being moved to this spot. Sure enough, the time-keeper and pusher-off drove up in a hurry and set up.  They'd sent the two-ups off on a short course.

I did another warm-up turn and returned to find the start still in the same place. I'd asked for an early start so I was 3rd off in the main event.  Passed my 79yr old minute man fairly quickly and settled down to 'just painful' on the speed scale.

I was approaching 40mph on the gradual descents but slowing to less than 20 on some of the long drags. Every so often a gusting headwind would catch me.  However, the final stretch of dual-carriageway was increasingly fast and I sprinted flat out to the line, hoping I might have beaten the hour. 

I crawled the 3 miles back to the HQ and waited while our man tapped at his computer and wrote up random results from much further down the field. After what seemed like ages he finally wrote something against my name: 58.45.

I am pleased with that. Full results sheet is photographed here (scroll down a bit) (http://www.timetriallingforum.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=101902).
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 05 July, 2015, 05:29:47 pm
Well done Ian, good ride.

3:55:00 in the Stockton 100 for me.  That would  have been a club record except I was passed on the way by my clubmate who was off four minutes behind me.  His record lasted about half an hour before being updated by another clubmate.  Comp record also fell, to Richard Bideau with 3:18:54.  As you might have worked out by now, this was a fast day.

I was very glad of the kind conditions, as I'd had a tough week and was pretty tired at the start - I'd abandoned hope of a four hour ride and nearly hadn't bothered at all.  I'm glad I did now though!  There were only about 40 people riding the event in total, as it clashed with the national 100 in Wales.  The national's on here next year's ; let's see how many entries it gets once people see the results from this time!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 06 July, 2015, 03:23:08 pm
I couldn't help sniggering when I saw Hoppo's post on FB/Strava/Garmin about a "99.7mile" TT yesterday.

(Was that the Stockton one Pharti? )

Meanwhile, I knocked a few minutes off my 25 time (on the quick-iiish H25/17 ). 2nd of the year, probably only my 4th ever, but I felt I got the pacing pretty close to right this time, so I don't expect another 2 minutes to come off any time soon!

25s are hard. I feel shattered at the end of a 10, but within a minute I'm feeling sort-of-human again. After a 25 I need a lie-down. I needed several cuppas and bits of cake before attempting the flat 8miles home. The only upside seems to be how short a 10 now feels! I think its a mental thing, there is time for loads more pits and troughs. Onna '10' it starts to get hard around 7 miles - at which point you think how short 3 miles is, it'll all be over soon!

I can't imagine ever trying a 50 or 100.

(Just under 69min. No aero bits, with mudguards etc, but it's still not fast, is it?!)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 06 July, 2015, 04:40:46 pm
Now here's the thing that I think I'm getting wrong.   I've only done 1 10 this year and coughed a little afterwards.   On Saturday's 25 there were people laid on the grass or propped against fences, but I happily rode back to the HQ.   I clearly can't bury myself in the right way to be able to do a fast 25.

I actually like 100s and 12hrs as I can pace in that reasonably hard zone but hold it for hours.   I was able to average 21.5mph for 12hrs but I can't do 25mph for an hour....
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: clifftaylor on 06 July, 2015, 06:40:54 pm
10s are horrible - you need to get properly warmed up ie half an hour, and then go flat out for the whole thing. 25s I found easier; a good warm up, pretty hard for the first half, then gradually wind it up. The coach of the late Jason McIntyre (sp) said to him prior to him winning the national 25 "I don't want to see your teeth before half way" !!

( I came to TTs late, ie I started as a vet, and did 21.36 for a 10, and 55.45 for a 25). Get training :-)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 06 July, 2015, 06:53:55 pm
Rob,
I think riding 10s would help a lot! You're doing things back to front - typical AUK - most folks ride loads of 10s (usually mid-week locals) plus a few longer rides at the weekends!! (Mostly 25s. The numbers who ride a 12 is tiny).

you do "proper" interval training,  doncha? If you're doing (e.g.) any 20min intervals, you know you could ride a 10 at pretty close to that level. And ride 25miles a tad lower again. Could you keep up your interval level for a whole hour?!?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 06 July, 2015, 08:32:11 pm
I couldn't help sniggering when I saw Hoppo's post on FB/Strava/Garmin about a "99.7mile" TT yesterday.

(Was that the Stockton one Pharti? )

Yes that was the one.  What did he say?

Well done on your 25 too.  If you ride 10 mile, 25 mile and 24 hour events, you should really consider doing the medium distance rides to get the set.  Just take the mudguards off first: they'll make you go faster!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 06 July, 2015, 08:43:28 pm
Rob,
I think riding 10s would help a lot! You're doing things back to front - typical AUK - most folks ride loads of 10s (usually mid-week locals) plus a few longer rides at the weekends!! (Mostly 25s. The numbers who ride a 12 is tiny).

you do "proper" interval training,  doncha? If you're doing (e.g.) any 20min intervals, you know you could ride a 10 at pretty close to that level. And ride 25miles a tad lower again. Could you keep up your interval level for a whole hour?!?

Actually that's exactly what I do, pacing using an HRM and levels from a ramp test.

My max HR is 200 and my threshold HR is 172.   I do 2*20 intervals at 174-175 with 5 mins rest so race 10s at 175-180 and 25s at 170 for the first half and 175+ for the second.   On Saturday I was running a lot  higher from, I assume, the heat.   Didn't feel spent, though.
 
The local evening 10s start too early and I can't get back from town early enough.   I'll enter more opens next year when I'll be off the audax trail and more focussed on training.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 07 July, 2015, 09:24:20 am
We had flat calm conditions early on, as did the rest of the country it seems

It seems you're right: our club 10 record fell at the weekend too, to one of our juniors riding on Hull.  It was a fast weekend all round!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 07 July, 2015, 10:21:14 am
We had flat calm conditions early on, as did the rest of the country it seems

It seems you're right: our club 10 record fell at the weekend too, to one of our juniors riding on Hull.  It was a fast weekend all round!

Not on Saturday afternoon in the Fens it wasn't.......
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Mr Larrington on 07 July, 2015, 10:36:55 am
We had flat calm conditions early on, as did the rest of the country it seems

It seems you're right: our club 10 record fell at the weekend too, to one of our juniors riding on Hull.  It was a fast weekend all round!

Not on Saturday afternoon in the Fens it wasn't.......

That's coz Teethgrinder had used all the available oxygen.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 07 July, 2015, 12:16:54 pm
We had flat calm conditions early on, as did the rest of the country it seems

It seems you're right: our club 10 record fell at the weekend too, to one of our juniors riding on Hull.  It was a fast weekend all round!

Yup. My old tandem partner Mark Jones won that event with the second fastest 10 of the year. Eleven riders under 19 minutes - that's some going.

I think Eugene Cross broke the junior comp record with 19:05.  He once rode my audax, so that's my minor claim to fame sorted  :smug:

[Actually, Ryan Mullen did a 19:01 while still a junior]
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 07 July, 2015, 01:03:27 pm
Rob,
I think riding 10s would help a lot! You're doing things back to front - typical AUK - most folks ride loads of 10s (usually mid-week locals) plus a few longer rides at the weekends!! (Mostly 25s. The numbers who ride a 12 is tiny).

you do "proper" interval training,  doncha? If you're doing (e.g.) any 20min intervals, you know you could ride a 10 at pretty close to that level. And ride 25miles a tad lower again. Could you keep up your interval level for a whole hour?!?

Actually that's exactly what I do, pacing using an HRM and levels from a ramp test.

My max HR is 200 and my threshold HR is 172.   I do 2*20 intervals at 174-175 with 5 mins rest so race 10s at 175-180 and 25s at 170 for the first half and 175+ for the second.   On Saturday I was running a lot  higher from, I assume, the heat.   Didn't feel spent, though.
 
The local evening 10s start too early and I can't get back from town early enough.   I'll enter more opens next year when I'll be off the audax trail and more focussed on training.
well I'm no expert, but I still can't see anything wrong with your approach ;P

You don't say how a 10 leaves you  - even more fresh than your 25s??

( When I said 10s would help you, i didn't mean in training terms - your intervals on the turbo will do that for you fine. I just meant as a guide to pacing your other races. )

Maybe try a 25 at 175 from the gun and see how it goes? (easier to tell someone else to do this of course ... )
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Lady Cavendish on 07 July, 2015, 01:38:45 pm
Hello.

I agree, start harder from the off. I start a 25 TT 12-13 beats below my max, second half it does creep up a bit and hit max at the finish.

I do a 10 at less than 10 below max. Worth a go just starting harder. I'm properly truly f**ked though after every TT, 10 or 25. I don't have natural talent, but I have an ability to absolutely destroy myself.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 07 July, 2015, 02:15:53 pm
I kind of promised not to do any more TTs when I got back from PBP, but I find myself looking at the calendar for early Sep now and again......
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: simonp on 07 July, 2015, 08:32:01 pm
On the subject of pacing, just did a 20-minute test and I had enough to bury it for the final 30s. Ended up with 270W average for 20 minutes which gives an estimated FTP of 256W.

Not sure if I could have gone harder in the middle as I had that sprint, and didn’t even throw up.

It seems that the intervals have been working.

Probably won’t be riding the club 10 tomorrow.  ::-)

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: simonp on 15 July, 2015, 09:46:53 pm
Wasn't going to bother but rode the SRC club 10. U21/10 26'26. New bike mostly ok but need to adjust some positional stuffs I think. 78" was under geared for this. PB of 26'11 intact.

Probably doing a VO2max intervals session last night won't have helped.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 19 July, 2015, 12:22:25 pm
VTTA 50 on Romney Marsh this morning. Improved my PB by almost 6 minutes to 2:04:27.   Been on holiday all week, which seems to have made a bit of difference.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 25 July, 2015, 10:03:31 pm
The Tour de France just got demoted to being tomorrow's second most interesting race.

A clubmate has entered the Team Swift 12h.  This clubmate is currently 1 mph faster than me on average over 50 and 100 miles.  My 100 time won't get improved but I screwed up my 50, so could possibly claim a mile an hour back there (cue frantic scrabbling for fast courses on weekends I can spare).  I then need to ride 1 mph faster than him in a twelve hour.  I've entered the national on August 23rd on the Mersey course; if he does a good distance tomorrow then I'm stuffed, otherwise you might see me riding a very specific schedule on the 23rd.

I also may be giving up beer for the next month  :-[
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 26 July, 2015, 05:28:16 pm
Fast morning on the B100/4 and brought my PB down to 4:10:13.   Properly stuffed now as I can never sleep the night before a race.

Takes my BBAR average North of 23mph, so I'm done for the year.   PBP in a few weeks then an easy a Autumn.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 27 July, 2015, 09:54:27 am
The Tour de France just got demoted to being tomorrow's second most interesting race.

A clubmate has entered the Team Swift 12h.  This clubmate is currently 1 mph faster than me on average over 50 and 100 miles.  My 100 time won't get improved but I screwed up my 50, so could possibly claim a mile an hour back there (cue frantic scrabbling for fast courses on weekends I can spare).  I then need to ride 1 mph faster than him in a twelve hour.  I've entered the national on August 23rd on the Mersey course; if he does a good distance tomorrow then I'm stuffed, otherwise you might see me riding a very specific schedule on the 23rd.

I also may be giving up beer for the next month  :-[

Looks like he did a bit over 260m, but the weather was pretty rough.   If you get a good day on the Mersey you should beat that - think it's pretty fast on a good day.

The Breckland 50 in Sep is pretty fast but probably quite a trek for you.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 27 July, 2015, 06:09:53 pm
I don't think either of us are going to better our 100 times, where he has 6:08 advantage on me.  To beat him, I'd need to equal his time (a short 1:54) in the 50 and make up for the 100 in the 12.  I reckon I can pull back the 50 time on a good day, so that would require a 12 hour ride of [goes off and fiddles with a spreadsheet] 269.76 miles.  It also requires him to not do another fast 50.  This would require me to set a demanding schedule in the 12 and risk blowing, rather than ride a more conservative schedule to take the club record from him.  Another issue is that the 50s I can do (the Yorkshire and the Breckland) are two and three weeks after the 12, so I'll have to see how recovered my legs are by then.  The Breckland would probably be a safer bet (and extra week's recovery plus probably a faster course) but as you say it's a trek, plus I want to be doing other things with my life by then.  Hmmm, it's something to ponder. 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Legs on 05 August, 2015, 08:24:59 am
Doing my first club 10 tonight (Newcastle 2001 on the A522 Tean-Uttoxeter course) since 2010!  ;D  I haven't even ridden 10 miles in one go for three years, my cardiac fitness is pretty good from running, but cycling uses completely different muscle groups, doesn't it?  Really very little idea what I'm going to do - somewhere between 24 and 28 minutes, I guess...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Legs on 05 August, 2015, 09:42:16 pm
Doing my first club 10 tonight (Newcastle 2001 on the A522 Tean-Uttoxeter course) since 2010!  ;D  I haven't even ridden 10 miles in one go for three years, my cardiac fitness is pretty good from running, but cycling uses completely different muscle groups, doesn't it?  Really very little idea what I'm going to do - somewhere between 24 and 28 minutes, I guess...

26:30.  Ouch.  I'll take that.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 11 August, 2015, 11:40:22 pm
My first open 10 as a competitor rather than official for about 4 years. Fast heading out to the turn - clocking 54.5 km/h at peak and over 40km/h average, then turn into the wind and grovel back. I was hoping for a long 28 - actually finished with a 28:09 with which I was very pleased. Fastest on the night was a beastly 20:55.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 19 August, 2015, 09:28:17 am
So I'm doing a 12 hour on Sunday.

weather forecast (http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/forecast/gcqj6fxgr#?fcTime=1440288000)

This could be horrible.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 19 August, 2015, 12:56:57 pm
Fit an umbrella to your bars, you'll be fine. Sort of.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 19 August, 2015, 02:53:56 pm
Or ride faster, get it over with.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 19 August, 2015, 03:37:27 pm
There's a slight problem with that, Matt!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 23 August, 2015, 05:45:19 pm
i hope he appreciates our great advice!

(looks like a dry 2nd half, and pretty warm.)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 24 August, 2015, 12:02:15 am
The first and last quarters were okay, the second was strongly windy (which I didn't appreciate on singlespeed - more on that later) and the third was rainy.

I got 17th place with 259.48 miles.  The winner, Rob Townsend from Team Swift, did 292.  Again, more when I've had some sleep.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Peter on 24 August, 2015, 12:59:47 am
Well done!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 24 August, 2015, 12:41:59 pm
The first and last quarters were okay, the second was strongly windy (which I didn't appreciate on singlespeed - more on that later) and the third was rainy.

I got 17th place with 259.48 miles.  The winner, Rob Townsend from Team Swift, did 292.  Again, more when I've had some sleep.

Good ride, given the conditions.

It was the other end of the country but I went out to watch the KCA 12hr yesterday.   It threw it down until lunchtime, but riders were smiling again by the finishing circuit.   I almost felt like I should be riding.

*EDIT* Hoppo did 253 a few days after finishing PBP.   Just mad.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 25 August, 2015, 09:46:55 pm
The nights are getting longer, the sun is getting lower. That was the last midweek tt on that course before the sun becomes too low and dangerous. Club confined so just a handful of riders. I'd not sorted the numbers out after the road race so they just grabbed whichever came to hand.

Good night though, seasons bests all round (bar one), a handful of PB's and a good wrap up to the season. Winter starts next month and we start to put lights on the bikes.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 26 August, 2015, 09:25:46 am
You make me envious David, our series finished a month ago.

In other news, here's a bit of a writeup of my twelve (http://tynevags.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?p=9707#p9707) on the club forum.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Peter on 26 August, 2015, 09:34:55 am
That is very impressive!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: hillbilly on 26 August, 2015, 08:07:11 pm
Our evening 10s finished this evening.  I managed to win the points handicap, mainly because I went from being slightly overweight to not so overweight, which helped me shave 3 minutes and a bit off my time over our four month season.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 13 September, 2015, 10:32:16 pm
Nice one Oranj  :thumbsup:

I finished my TT season today with a 58:38 in the Yorkshire RC 50.  I had the disadvantage of being one of the first starters: there was no traffic early on and my second lap of the course was a good few minutes quicker than the first.  I'm pleased to rectify the somewhat odd situation of having a sub 4 hour 100 but not a sub 2 hour 50, though admittedly my hundred is still the faster of the two rides.  I've not really been training since the 12h three weeks ago so that isn't exactly surprising - now I can finish my season properly and go on a good beer and pie binge  :thumbsup:

Just as I left the HQ to go home, Adam Topham rolled in.  He'd needed 1:38:04 to take this year's BBAR from Richard Bideau but he'd missed it by "5 or 6 seconds".  What a shame for him - I've been impressed by the way he's gone down fighting with a series of impressive rides.  He and Richard (who had packed today's ride) were on good terms though - I'll be interested to see how their battle goes next year.  The course included a few miles of unmade road that were supposed to have been finished yesterday but weren't - had those miles been smooth tarmac, I'm pretty sure the BBAR would have had a different winner. 

On the subject of the BBAR, today concludes my campaign: I've got an average of 24.134 mph.  25 mph next year?  That will be tough, considering that this year included a 'gift' 100.  Hey, it's a good challenge though.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 13 September, 2015, 10:57:05 pm
One of our lads was at the Yorkshire RC 50 as well. He did a PB with 1:53:09.  Seems like a good set of conditions.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 14 September, 2015, 11:49:30 am
All strong rides, Greg.   Looks like yesterday was the end of the BBAR, although a few riders are doing the Breckland 50 this Sunday.

I managed to get my average to 23.188mph and am working on next years targets and training plan at the moment.   
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 02 October, 2015, 03:25:23 pm
54th in this years BBAR.   I managed 108th in '13 and 80th last year so this is progress.

http://www.cyclingtimetrials.co.uk/Contents/view/43
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 02 October, 2015, 04:07:15 pm
I'm 40th
Frank9755 is 68th. 
Hippy, if he's still round here, is 20th.

The club hillclimb is this weekend.  I've been in full beer and pie mode ever since the BBAR finished but I'll do it, just for the lolz.  Oh yes, and because we have the mother of all cafe stops afterwards  8)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Legs on 06 October, 2015, 11:03:06 am
We were lucky with ... masses of traffic on the middle A14 section.
Great riding, Howard.   :thumbsup:

It's a whole debate that's been done time and again, but I'm a little uneasy about this^^.  It's part of the reason I'm reluctant to get back into the TT scene.  I rode the 10, 50 and 100-mile variants of the E2 between 10 and 15 years ago, and it was scary enough at times then.  I live in Uttoxeter now and there's nothing on earth that would get me to race on the A50 on a Saturday afternoon!  Are the permitted traffic counts really adhered to on these DC courses?  If a higher-than-permitted traffic count is observed, is the event called off?  Or does it just affect 'future events?'  ???
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: bikenrrd on 07 October, 2015, 10:31:29 am
Legs: are there any closed circuit TTs near you?  I plan on doing the Bicester Millenium TTs next year, which take place on an airfield.
You probably won't get as fast a time as on a dual carriageway, due to the lack of draft from the traffic, but you will be able to measure your improvement week on week.  Which, for me, is what TTing is about, rather than trying to beat other people.  Other people have more time to train than I do! :)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 07 October, 2015, 10:51:24 am
As I have chased faster times in the last couple of years I have made trips to the F1 and the E2 and a couple of B courses on the A11.   I didn't find any of them that bad for traffic, but I do commute through central London every day.

The most near misses I've had were in the Newbury 12hr this year where there was some pretty bad driving late Sunday afternoon.

Interesting comments about the Etwall course as I thought I might have a go at the 100 next year (no way I'd have the qualifying time for the 50).   My local Kent courses are all on Romney Marsh which is flat, but exposed.   There's also a lot of tight cornering which means you have expend energy accelerating back out of the bends.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: simonp on 07 October, 2015, 11:23:47 am
Bristol Uni Cycling Club hill climb this weekend. I think I'll be riding my Audax bike with a 65" gear. Mudguards and all. I'll take the saddlebag off.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Legs on 07 October, 2015, 01:56:12 pm
If a higher-than-permitted traffic count is observed, is the event called off?  Or does it just affect 'future events?'  ???
I've never known an event to be called off when in progress because of excessive traffic levels, though.  :-\
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 07 October, 2015, 02:39:45 pm
Are the permitted traffic counts really adhered to on these DC courses?  If a higher-than-permitted traffic count is observed, is the event called off?  Or does it just affect 'future events?'  ???

Abandoning an event due to a traffic count during the event would be nearly impossible: you'd have to take the count while the event was actually going on, because as has been noted, traffic levels vary with time of day.  Once the counter had ascertained that the traffic levels really were too high and weren't just a blip for a minute or so, most riders would be on the road and abandoning would be almost pointless.  Events have been abandoned due to collisions during the event (e.g. a 100 a few years ago where both Oranj and I were riding) but I've never heard of one being abandoned due to a traffic count on the day.

However, yes, traffic counts are adhered to.  Courses have been lost, and others have been restricted to certain times of day: the London East courses on the E2 start at ridiculous times of day (e.g. 5am for the ECCA 100) and restrict the number of riders so that they can be off the main road section before the permitted time.  The North Mids district recently voted to drop their courses on the A1 due to the result of a single traffic count, but then decided to stay that decision and carry out more traffic counts at the next couple of events, before making a decision based on   better information. 

The traffic limits themselves are the same as when they were instigated, which was a very long time ago.  I think it was some time around the 1970s.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: joy of essex on 07 October, 2015, 10:56:27 pm
It has been said that the E2 may only be there for another  season. The reason , I understand, is the completion of the dual carriage way up to Norwich. So Norfolk  now sort of has a motorway.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 08 October, 2015, 10:30:47 am
It has been said that the E2 may only be there for another  season. The reason , I understand, is the completion of the dual carriage way up to Norwich. So Norfolk  now sort of has a motorway.

Hopefully doing the ECCA 50 and the Shaftesbury middlemarkers 25 (only one I can get into) next year.    The 100 is the weekend after my planned 12hr so doesn't fit that well.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: L CC on 08 October, 2015, 11:14:42 am
It has been said that the E2 may only be there for another  season. The reason , I understand, is the completion of the dual carriage way up to Norwich. So Norfolk  now sort of has a motorway.
The A11 dualling has reduced journey times by increasing the average speed over the journey not by reducing the stops and slow downs but by increasing the moving speed. The 5 ways roundabout at Barton Mills is a major accident blackspot (http://www.elystandard.co.uk/news/motorcyclist_20_is_named_by_raf_lakenheath_as_airman_1st_class_darren_phillips_1_4257820). Locals reckon part of the issue is that a relatively high proportion of the traffic is US servicemen unused to UK road conditions, crossing on the A1101 from BSE to the bases.
I wouldn't want to ride on it except maybe stupidly early in the morning.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Lady Cavendish on 08 October, 2015, 11:22:21 am
This is my favourite TT course. I would be gutted to lose it. I've never felt unsafe on it, I feel more unsafe on our local single lane A4 one.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 08 October, 2015, 12:06:52 pm
It has been said that the E2 may only be there for another  season. The reason , I understand, is the completion of the dual carriage way up to Norwich. So Norfolk  now sort of has a motorway.
The A11 dualling has reduced journey times by increasing the average speed over the journey not by reducing the stops and slow downs but by increasing the moving speed. The 5 ways roundabout at Barton Mills is a major accident blackspot (http://www.elystandard.co.uk/news/motorcyclist_20_is_named_by_raf_lakenheath_as_airman_1st_class_darren_phillips_1_4257820). Locals reckon part of the issue is that a relatively high proportion of the traffic is US servicemen unused to UK road conditions, crossing on the A1101 from BSE to the bases.
I wouldn't want to ride on it except maybe stupidly early in the morning.

As far as I know there aren't any TT courses that use Barton Mills.   The furthest North the E2 courses turn is at Red Lodge.   The B courses on the A11 go as far south as Snetterton.   There has been talk of using the new bit of A11 which would likely be pretty fast, but the turn would be a death trap unless you used it very early morning.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 08 October, 2015, 02:35:12 pm
It has been said that the E2 may only be there for another  season. The reason , I understand, is the completion of the dual carriage way up to Norwich. So Norfolk  now sort of has a motorway.

Hopefully doing the ECCA 50 and the Shaftesbury middlemarkers 25 (only one I can get into) next year.    The 100 is the weekend after my planned 12hr so doesn't fit that well.

Aah so you're planning to do the Newbury 12?  See you there.  We just need to get Oranj riding and we can incorporate a yacf 12 hour championship into the event   ;D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 08 October, 2015, 02:58:39 pm
It has been said that the E2 may only be there for another  season. The reason , I understand, is the completion of the dual carriage way up to Norwich. So Norfolk  now sort of has a motorway.

Hopefully doing the ECCA 50 and the Shaftesbury middlemarkers 25 (only one I can get into) next year.    The 100 is the weekend after my planned 12hr so doesn't fit that well.

Aah so you're planning to do the Newbury 12?  See you there.  We just need to get Oranj riding and we can incorporate a yacf 12 hour championship into the event   ;D

Oh heck.   Pressure.   Frank rode this year as well.   Fast course and very straightforward for riders and helpers.

I PB'd and broke the club record this year so I'm not sure where the improvement will come from.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: L CC on 08 October, 2015, 03:06:50 pm
It has been said that the E2 may only be there for another  season. The reason , I understand, is the completion of the dual carriage way up to Norwich. So Norfolk  now sort of has a motorway.

Hopefully doing the ECCA 50 and the Shaftesbury middlemarkers 25 (only one I can get into) next year.    The 100 is the weekend after my planned 12hr so doesn't fit that well.

Aah so you're planning to do the Newbury 12?  See you there.  We just need to get Oranj riding and we can incorporate a yacf 12 hour championship into the event   ;D
If we don't tell LadyC I'll be a shoo-in for the Ladies ;)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Lady Cavendish on 08 October, 2015, 03:08:22 pm
F**k that I ain't doing 12 hours. I like things to be over in 56 minutes ;)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 08 October, 2015, 03:14:17 pm
Was a great day last year.   There was an audaxers corner at the start.   Best spot for supporters is outside the Hen & Chicken at Upper Froyle - the landlord opens early specially.   

Wondering how many fast riders will be there as the nationals are 2 weeks later in Wales.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 09 October, 2015, 09:47:06 pm
Fast morning on the B100/4 and brought my PB down to 4:10:13.   Properly stuffed now as I can never sleep the night before a race.

Well done Rob - that's exactly the same as my PB! (last year on the Etwall course)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 09 October, 2015, 09:48:09 pm
So I'm doing a 12 hour on Sunday.

weather forecast (http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/forecast/gcqj6fxgr#?fcTime=1440288000)

This could be horrible.

Just fit some mudguards. Frank9755 reckons they're faster anyway https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=92491.msg1904198#msg1904198 (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=92491.msg1904198#msg1904198)  :facepalm:

Read on and you'll see I ended up recommending a skirt guard!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 09 October, 2015, 09:52:13 pm
I'm 40th
Frank9755 is 68th. 
Hippy, if he's still round here, is 20th.

The club hillclimb is this weekend.  I've been in full beer and pie mode ever since the BBAR finished but I'll do it, just for the lolz.  Oh yes, and because we have the mother of all cafe stops afterwards  8)

Well done, Greg - looks like you've had a great season.

My BBAR is a good few notches down from last year.  My excuse is that my rides were on three consecutive weekends in descending distance order - which I have to say I won't be doing again!

Our hill climb is next weekend.  We have a two-up 10 first, then a good cafe stop (Deep Mill Diner for W Londoners), then the hill climb followed by a pub lunch.  Finally, a tipsy 40-mile ride home as it gets dark!

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 30 October, 2015, 07:24:21 pm
The Teesside 100 course has just been re-measured as 99.834 miles. 

My ride is now void.
My BBAR is now void too, as that was my only 100 of the season.
More importantly, Richard Bideau's comp record 3:18:54 is now void.
He also loses the BBAR.

Fuckmuppets.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: simonp on 30 October, 2015, 08:57:24 pm
Wow. That sucks.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: marcusjb on 30 October, 2015, 09:00:43 pm
Bloody hell Pharti, that is awful. What a mess!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 30 October, 2015, 10:14:13 pm
Yes, that is a bit of a bugger. 

I rode a 25 earlier this year where the course had to change at the very last minute because of roadworks.  The timekeeper was getting short-tempered at having to direct riders to the new start.  They started the first few from one point, then decided that was wrong, so moved about 200m further back.  Once they'd started the event there was no-one at the HQ and no instructions, so several later arrivals turned round and went home.  Then the results took well over a month to arrive.

But it was only a 25.

(...ish)

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Peter on 30 October, 2015, 11:30:30 pm
Just as important is the fact that I've had to live most of my life with people spelling my natal area as Teeside (or County Durban, which at least goes with Natal area).

Bad luck, though, G.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 31 October, 2015, 10:01:22 pm
Been away from the TT forum for a while so only just picked up on this.   Terrible news, PPB.   Feel for you after the ride you pulled out.

Mate of mine from the Lindsey Roads PB'd that day as well.   

Shame for all involved as it sounds like it was a perfect day as well.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Legs on 06 November, 2015, 11:26:21 am
...On the day that Howard is referring to, Ralph Dadswell and Marina Bloom also obliterated the mixed tandem trike record (I think that they nearly beat 4 hours).

Shouldn't the National Committee consider granting the power to scale times for events which on subsequent remeasuring are, say, less than 0.3% shy of intended length?  Dividing RB's time by .99834 gives him 3:19:14.  Painless, and fair considering that the mistake was made by officials, not by the riders.  It is difficult to argue that the remaining 267m would have taken him significantly longer than 20s (and fatuous to argue about hypothetical punctures and mechanicals).

I'm not familiar with the measuring protocol, but if the course was initially given the okay, surely it got measured as >=100 miles at least once?  How many times does a course get measured?  What is the typical variance?  Over the course of 100 miles, I can foresee quite a difference between the various lines that riders could adopt around roundabouts and corners...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 06 November, 2015, 11:36:46 am
CTT's claim that they have no option but to void this year's result is rubbish.  Here's why:

1) The CTT regs say that a course mustn't be short, but don't say what to do in the case of a previously-approved and previously-ridden course being found short.  They say that there's no provision to scale the times, but then neither is there any provision to retroactively disapprove courses.   
2) There is a clause that basically says "In special cases the board can do what they like", so all their 'rules is rules' speak would be false, even if the rules were as they say they were.
3) There's no distinction made between events in the current season and in previous seasons, so if rules is rules, CTT now need to go back and void everyone's results since the course was first approved - where's the betting they'll do that?

Basically, you could drive a coach and horses through this stuff.  I hope somebody does.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: simonp on 10 December, 2015, 08:47:12 pm
Two doping violations. On the steroids case, the attempted defence was just ludicrous.

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/banned-cyclist-hastings-cites-borrowed-used-syringe-as-reason-for-failed-steroids-test-203455

The other case is a junior who was caught in possession of EPO:

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/junior-time-trial-champion-gabriel-evans-admits-epo-use-203450

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 11 December, 2015, 09:32:30 am
Two doping violations. On the steroids case, the attempted defence was just ludicrous.

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/banned-cyclist-hastings-cites-borrowed-used-syringe-as-reason-for-failed-steroids-test-203455

The other case is a junior who was caught in possession of EPO:

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/junior-time-trial-champion-gabriel-evans-admits-epo-use-203450

2nd one was in our junior squad at the time of the incident and then left.   Great......
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: trekker12 on 11 December, 2015, 02:13:59 pm
I don't know much about such things but surely you shouldn't 'borrow' some one else's syringe anyway - alright it's presumably not the needle that gets re-used but the health risks are rather high I would think.

Also, if he had put vitamin B12 into the syringe assuming it was empty, the remaining residual fluid that contained the steroid would be so small in terms of volume percentage surely it wouldn't put you over whatever the threshold is for having illegal drugs in your system anyway?

All complete nonsense so why can't he admit that he took the drug to make himself go faster rather than leave himself open to more questions and still get the ban but now no-one is going to believe anything he says, ever.

At least the kid who took EPO has been honest about it, it might give him another chance (debate whether he deserves another chance amongst yourselves) with a team willing to listen once his ban is over.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: simonp on 11 December, 2015, 03:34:38 pm
The alleged used syringe incident was around 100 days before the test. The two drugs have half lives of 1 and 4-5 days respectively. So the first would be at 1/2^100 concentration and the second at 1/2^20 concentration. That is 1 millionth. Even a normal dose should be undetectable.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Byronius Maximus on 13 December, 2015, 05:45:12 pm
You've got to give the guy points for imagination in coming up with that excuse. Even if it's true, which it clearly isn't, it's a good job he's been given a ban as he's clearly stupid enough to be a serious danger to his own health. What a complete and utter moron.

The junior seems more of a tragic case to me, though it's the usual regret having been caught, rather than any real contrition.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 21 January, 2016, 11:51:57 am
Another doping ban (http://www.timetriallingforum.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=104418)

I raced against Rob a couple of times last year: in the national 12 (which he won) and in an end of season 50.  He'll be DQ'd from the 50 but I think he gets to keep his 12 hour champion's medal, which he won two weeks before the adverse finding.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: L CC on 21 January, 2016, 12:03:42 pm
I was offered that substance by persons unnamable for the last PBP.

I didn't need it- but its effects are largely comparable to a long lasting caffeine. I'd say that's well 'worth doing' as far as a performance enhancement is concerned.

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Byronius Maximus on 27 January, 2016, 12:39:17 pm
Another doping ban (http://www.timetriallingforum.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=104418)

I raced against Rob a couple of times last year: in the national 12 (which he won) and in an end of season 50.  He'll be DQ'd from the 50 but I think he gets to keep his 12 hour champion's medal, which he won two weeks before the adverse finding.

Reading that thread on the TT forum with fascination....it's a like a soap opera; wild accusations, family feuds, the lot. Don't expect that kind of thing in this little world of time trialling we all love and cherish.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: hippy on 06 February, 2016, 01:23:05 am
I'm 40th
Frank9755 is 68th. 
Hippy, if he's still round here, is 20th.

O hai!

I thought this forum was all about audax. Just found the racing section. ;)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 12 April, 2016, 09:12:19 am
Time to start this off again.

Sydenham Wheelers 25 on Sunday morning.   Lumpy sporting cost and freezing at the start with the car showing -1 on the way down.   Managed 1:02:45 for 30th out of 61 finishers.   Not a bad start to the year after a few weeks unable to get going properly.

Addiscombe CC 25 this Sunday on a course near Horsham.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: hippy on 12 April, 2016, 11:09:43 am
I rode a 50:02 on Saturday at the LVCC 25 to come in 5th, taking >5min off my 25 mile PB and breaking the Willesden CC (pending official results, obviously).

Down to ride the cursed H25/2 this Sunday but I'm not that bothered about it now I have my club record. I'll turn it into a training ride and add another 10 hours on.

Next goal is a 30mph 25. I should've got it last Sat but (insert 14 excuses here).
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 12 April, 2016, 12:54:40 pm
Wow, well done! 

I'm currently fat, lardy and pressed-upon, with outside commitments and hurty knees.  Don't expect to see me posting here for a bit :(
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 12 April, 2016, 03:10:20 pm
Well done, Stu - fabulous ride!
I remember a few years ago, after a TT on the Amersham Road, I think you had just gone under the hour for the first time, and you came back into the HQ and said that you were pleased as it meant you didn't have to do a 25 again - so I expect you'll be back going for 45 minutes in a year or two!
I'm lying pretty low with a hurty knee as well but I'm going back to the H8 on Saturday for a 25.  Not expecting much but sometimes that is the best way.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: hippy on 12 April, 2016, 03:40:00 pm
Well done, Stu - fabulous ride!
I remember a few years ago, after a TT on the Amersham Road, I think you had just gone under the hour for the first time, and you came back into the HQ and said that you were pleased as it meant you didn't have to do a 25 again - so I expect you'll be back going for 45 minutes in a year or two!
I'm lying pretty low with a hurty knee as well but I'm going back to the H8 on Saturday for a 25.  Not expecting much but sometimes that is the best way.

Cheers. Ha! I'm never satisfied. :) There's always some other record or interim goal I can tack on.

45min might be stretching it a bit - I'm not getting any younger and I don't think I want to start training for short stuff now. :)

I'll have another go at Bentley but for the 50mi in May.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 12 April, 2016, 04:29:17 pm
I'll have another go at Bentley but for the 50mi in May.

I entered that one yesterday.   You decided against the F1B then ?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: hippy on 12 April, 2016, 04:41:20 pm
I'll have another go at Bentley but for the 50mi in May.
I entered that one yesterday.   You decided against the F1B then ?

Yeah, I thought about F1 because it's 'different' but then it's only a 50 so I can do without the hassle and I wanted to update my course best on the H50.
I'll be trying to get onto a faster 50 course (A50?) later in the year as I want another club record.
Title: Lea Valley CC Tuesday Tens
Post by: joy of essex on 16 April, 2016, 10:09:07 am
And  they are  back.....  A  great  way to start  time trialling. It's a closed  circuit

The Lea Valley Cycling Club  VELO PARK TUESDAY TENS    Evening 10 Mile Time Trials

To be held at   LEE VALLEY VELO PARK  Abercrombie Rd. E20 3AB

May 10th to July 19th 2016   Tuesday Evenings  -  7pm.  Sign on from 18.00, the  course  can be ridden  from 18.30. First  rider off at 7.01  and last  rider at 8.30

https://www.facebook.com/events/1094367987291545/

&http://leavalleycc.microco.sm/events/1700/#comment12926588

Please  forward and share.

 Don't hesitate to contact me if  you  want   to know more about the series..
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 17 April, 2016, 11:55:43 am
Addiscombe 25 this morning on a dual carriageway between Horsham and Crawley.  Roundaboutmungus, but I didn't get held up at any.  Thought I was on for a slow ride, but picked up time throughout finishing in 1:00:39.  22 seconds slower than PB and still not quite under the hour. 

My own clubs 10 next weekend and then onto proper distances from May onwards.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: hippy on 17 April, 2016, 08:34:06 pm
Shocker of a ride today - 5min slower than last week (most people were 3min slower apparently so I was relatively shitter) and yet I was 5min faster than when I last rode the same course for ~40W less power, which kind of highlights my aerodynamic progress and what a crap day physically I had!

It's pretty funny how I smashed myself last time and failed to go under the hour and this time around I was watching the computer thinking to myself "well this is bollocks, I'm soft-pedaling, oh now look I'm at least I'm riding at my 24hr power" but at the same "well, I'm coasting and average is still over 27mph so I'll beat my course PB" Ha! Stupid legs.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 23 April, 2016, 02:21:14 pm
My club's 10 this morning on the Q10/19 Tonbridge bypass.

24:15 versus my PB of 23:46 done in the same event last year.   Cold headwind on the way out had me crawling to the turn, then fast back.  Splits roughly 14 mins out and 10 mins back.

Next weekend off.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 08 May, 2016, 02:17:43 pm
3min+ PB in the Charlotteville 50 this morning with 2:00:51.

Warm and sunny with a rising Easterley towards the end.   Tried to lift with 10 miles to go to get under 2hrs, but didn't have it in me.   Things starting to go in the right direction for me.

How did I do 12hrs on those roads last year.  Pretty rutted at the Western end.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 08 May, 2016, 06:59:54 pm
Good ride, Rob.  Saw your time on the board at the end but didn't spot you down there.  Not to be today, but it looks like 2 hours is within your sights, if you want to chase it.

I think I'll declare my TT season closed after today.  I sat up after 12 miles as my knee, which has been a problem for 6 months, started to twinge.  It was fine when I sat up, it's just the extra stretch from leaning right forward pulls something a bit too tight.  I was going to pedal back to the HQ but then I thought it was a lovely day and I was out in the country, so why not go for a bike ride!  So I got my 50 miles in mostly on some very pretty lanes I'd never been on before - including a ford (which I was able to walk round).  Looked a bit daft with aero hat, disc and a number on my back - and would have looked a lot dafter if I'd punctured as I had no pump, phone or money - but I had a good ride and felt a lot better than if I'd just limped straight back.

I've got too many other rides planned to have much chance of getting my TT position / knee sorted out so I think I'll just focus on other stuff to reduce the risk of things flaring up in a bad way.
 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Pedal Castro on 08 May, 2016, 07:45:44 pm
Rode my first 50 since 1988 and a new PB by 20' so pleased with that :-) I think I was the only rider not on a TT bike.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 09 May, 2016, 09:41:07 am
Good ride, Rob.  Saw your time on the board at the end but didn't spot you down there.  Not to be today, but it looks like 2 hours is within your sights, if you want to chase it.

I think I'll declare my TT season closed after today.  I sat up after 12 miles as my knee, which has been a problem for 6 months, started to twinge.  It was fine when I sat up, it's just the extra stretch from leaning right forward pulls something a bit too tight.  I was going to pedal back to the HQ but then I thought it was a lovely day and I was out in the country, so why not go for a bike ride!  So I got my 50 miles in mostly on some very pretty lanes I'd never been on before - including a ford (which I was able to walk round).  Looked a bit daft with aero hat, disc and a number on my back - and would have looked a lot dafter if I'd punctured as I had no pump, phone or money - but I had a good ride and felt a lot better than if I'd just limped straight back.

I've got too many other rides planned to have much chance of getting my TT position / knee sorted out so I think I'll just focus on other stuff to reduce the risk of things flaring up in a bad way.

Sorry to hear it Frank.   I was off 4 mins in front of you and waved as I was queuing but I think you were in the zone.   I left for home about 11:30 and was giving cygnet a lift back. 

Hope you other rides go well.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: hippy on 09 May, 2016, 11:24:47 am
20:20, new 10 PB by 33s on Sat. Power PB by 20W. If the wind was down I could've got that bloody club record. Argh.

Then 1:51:39 at the Charlotteville 50, horrid ride, I was 20W down at the half way point and really struggling with glute pain and my numb left leg problem.

I saw with maybe 10mi to go there was a slim chance I could still PB so I lifted and got 10W back but it wasn't enough and I finished 30s down on PB, but a course best by 12 minutes.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Assasin on 09 May, 2016, 12:24:56 pm
C'mom Hippy,
That's only 10 seconds faster than two tourists did on a long barrow in the mists of pre-history to set a club record.

Maybe its time you switched to 3 wheels.........

Dare you to ride the Tandem 30 on the E2 on it.........
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: hippy on 09 May, 2016, 12:50:28 pm
C'mom Hippy,
That's only 10 seconds faster than two tourists did on a long barrow in the mists of pre-history to set a club record.

Maybe its time you switched to 3 wheels.........

Dare you to ride the Tandem 30 on the E2 on it.........

Back in the days before they checked bikes for motors was it? :P

Let me focus on breaking all the solo records first (while trying to train for TCR!) and I'll worry about your crazy contraption records later.

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 09 May, 2016, 12:58:16 pm
Scottish National 10 champs. I was the organiser. Nobody died. I'm knackered.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Assasin on 09 May, 2016, 01:57:13 pm
Quote
Let me focus on breaking all the solo records first (while trying to train for TCR!) and I'll worry about your crazy contraption records later.

Oh dear.
The top of a slippery slope....... :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 09 May, 2016, 03:23:40 pm
And the furore over jersey colours and the rather strange Scottish Rules rumbles on..
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 09 May, 2016, 06:35:32 pm
Oh bugger.  I have entered a 3-up.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Danu on 09 May, 2016, 07:43:14 pm
Can you not get an injunction
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 13 May, 2016, 04:33:57 pm
Oh dear, I've joined the dark side

I organised my first club TT yesterday.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 13 May, 2016, 10:00:21 pm
Congratulations. How did it go?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 14 May, 2016, 09:49:04 am
Everyone got round, nobody died.  One person did go off course on her first ever TT, (Course Map: (https://goo.gl/maps/NUwjZbaVa572) she turned left to the start instead of continuing to the finish), so we possibly need to beef up the direction arrows on the final straight.  A turnout of 17 which is alright but a few more would have been nice, given this course is usually the most popular.

So far we have a grand total of zero organisers, one marshal and a timekeeper signed up for next week's event.  I suspect it's not going to happen.  Oh well, that gives me another week to get fit before I have to ride.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: cygnet on 14 May, 2016, 09:53:08 pm
Oh dear, I've joined the dark side

I organised my first club TT yesterday.

I ran my first club TT this morning. Hard work and more stressful than riding the thing. Additional respect and gratitude gained for all who do this.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 14 May, 2016, 10:29:39 pm
Oh dear, I've joined the dark side

I organised my first club TT yesterday.

I ran my first club TT this morning. Hard work and more stressful than riding the thing. Additional respect and gratitude gained for all who do this.
I'm fortunate in that we have a club who pitch in and help out so the organiser organises rather than organises and does everything. My sign ninjas are excellent and the marshalling crew are top notch.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 15 May, 2016, 06:08:55 pm
Direction signs? on  a club tt?

Luxury!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 15 May, 2016, 06:48:26 pm
No. Warning cycle event signs.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 15 May, 2016, 06:49:01 pm
Did my bit Saturday afternoon marshalling at Red Lodge on the ECCA 50.

Bourne Wheelers 10 in Lincolnshire this morning.    Thought I was on fir a PB and hurt myself for the last mile to get 23:42, shaving 4 seconds off my previous best.

I still hate 10s.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 16 May, 2016, 10:17:26 pm
Well, I just entered my first 10mile TT on 4 June at Seaford on the c10/10 course.  Looks pretty flat and at 57 I just need to get under 27 minutes to get my standard award.

Can I warm up by riding around the other roads into sleaford as I only have a big turbo or is that frowned upon?

Anything else I should know? Is there a strange handshake or something?

Anybody else going to be there?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 16 May, 2016, 11:04:20 pm
Well, I just entered my first 10mile TT on 4 June at Seaford on the c10/10 course.  Looks pretty flat and at 57 I just need to get under 27 minutes to get my standard award.

Can I warm up by riding around the other roads into sleaford as I only have a big turbo or is that frowned upon?

Anything else I should know? Is there a strange handshake or something?

Anybody else going to be there?

The start-sheet should list any restrictions on warming up.  Generally, avoid passing the start or finish.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: hippy on 16 May, 2016, 11:30:31 pm
Do warm up, do remember your turbo if you intend to use it, do remember to swap your turbo skewer, don't use a turbo near houses, don't warmup on the course or near the start or finish, don't get lost during your warmup, do leave enough time to get to the start after your warm up but not so much that you get cold again (dark art), do smash it.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 17 May, 2016, 06:21:55 am
thanks.  modestly excited.  I am not a natural racer so this is all new to me.  I think it was the VTTA web site that got me interested and that i could beat myself so it isn't really a race!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 17 May, 2016, 06:41:36 am
Well, I just entered my first 10mile TT on 4 June at Seaford on the c10/10 course.  Looks pretty flat and at 57 I just need to get under 27 minutes to get my standard award.

Can I warm up by riding around the other roads into sleaford as I only have a big turbo or is that frowned upon?

Anything else I should know? Is there a strange handshake or something?

Anybody else going to be there?

That's the course I rode on Sunday in the Bourne Wheelers event. They used the pub in Silk Willoughby as the HQ. I rode to the start from Lincoln do was quite warm already. I did a couple of hard 1 mile efforts on the road between SW and Sleaford and then dumped my track top back at the pub. It was a 10 minute ride to the start point.

Course not entirely flat and single carriageway. There's one bend which I took on the tri bars on the way out but used the base bars on the way back. Save a bit for the last 1-2 miles where there's a slight drag and then the last half mile is downhill.

Edit.   There doesn't seem to be a restriction on warming up on turbos.   A few riders had driven to the A15 and there's a few parking spots on the left and right very close to the start.   Personally, I'd find that a faff but I'm not as serious as some of the big hitters.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 17 May, 2016, 09:04:28 am
No. Warning cycle event signs.
is that a Scottish requirement?

We have them for Opens (at every major* junction), but not Club events - except at the start, and they're no trouble for the "start team" to pick up straight away. (n.b. I'm no TT rules guru - in England or anywhere else! I just do whatever job I'm given.)


*or something
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 17 May, 2016, 11:51:16 am
We have to place signs for every event.  The effing big ones are mandatory for main roads.  I even attended a Highways training course with CTT bigwigs on how to place signs.  We were told, more-or-less, that placing signs on dual-carriageways, clearways, etc., was too dangerous and/or illegal.  Then CTT tell us we have to put them out.  Joseph Heller is smiling down on us.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 17 May, 2016, 06:02:27 pm
Thanks Rob.  I certainly won't be taking my turbo as i do not want to be taken as serious!

Chris
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 17 May, 2016, 10:28:50 pm
No. Warning cycle event signs.
is that a Scottish requirement?

We have them for Opens (at every major* junction), but not Club events - except at the start, and they're no trouble for the "start team" to pick up straight away. (n.b. I'm no TT rules guru - in England or anywhere else! I just do whatever job I'm given.)


*or something

Not as far as I am aware but it is part of the 'good practice' where you warn the other road users. What is the difference from a drivers point fo view if it is a club or an open event? We sign confined and open events to the same high standard. Access to the road is easy and safe for signing with a parallel cycle path.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 29 May, 2016, 05:15:09 pm
4:10:54 in the Hounslow 100 this morning. A mildly annoying 40 seconds behind my PB.  Struggled in the second half and was hanging on at the end.

Another skinsuit zip failure and thanks to Assasin and Jane for helping me safety pin my front together and still race.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 29 May, 2016, 05:34:24 pm
What do people do about drinking in the longer events? water bottle in a cage and reach down or something on the tri bars?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: hippy on 29 May, 2016, 06:44:36 pm
What do people do about drinking in the longer events? water bottle in a cage and reach down or something on the tri bars?

Depends on how long it is and if you have support.

I prefer between the arm (BTA) mounts and saddle mounts with the missus handing me up bottles. If unsupported I'd probably use a combination, maybe two saddle bottles and frame bottle too so I'd stop less. 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 29 May, 2016, 08:17:09 pm
I had 2 750ml bottles in cages.   I had 2 sets of mounts spec'd when I ordered the frame.

As hippy said a lot of people go between the arms and behind the saddle.   Make sure you test a set up like this as bottles have a habit of jumping out on bumpy surfaces.

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 29 May, 2016, 09:11:55 pm
Thanks, that was what i was thinking but DC rainmakers review of BTA systems suggested a significant increase in resistance.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 29 May, 2016, 09:19:56 pm
Some of the top end BBAR riders last year seemed to have moved to Camelbacks under the skinsuit but slung on the front.   I think I'd find it annoying but the aero benefits must mean something.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: hippy on 30 May, 2016, 10:40:09 am
Thanks, that was what i was thinking but DC rainmakers review of BTA systems suggested a significant increase in resistance.

Do you have a link? Cervelo tested a bottle bta and found it drag neutral or better in most cases. The bottle must be hidden by the hands so it depends on your arm position.

Bladder might work for 50 or 100 but I'd not want to carry it on 12 or above since you can't refill on the go.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: hippy on 30 May, 2016, 03:24:54 pm
Bladder might work for 50 or 100 but I'd not want to carry it on 12 or above since you can't refill on the go.
Just use a second (or even third) bladder, prefilled. They slide much easier into the camelbak if you wrap them in an old plastic bag from sliced bread.

In my mind the bladder is attached to a baselayer under the skinsuit which would make any swaps during the race too slow to be worthwhile. If you're using a Camelbak as intended, like a backpack, during a self-supported 24hr say, then fine but I wouldn't be swapping bladders during a 100.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: marylogic on 03 June, 2016, 07:41:04 pm
I've got my first attempt at a 10 TT on Sunday. I'm guessing I probably don't need a route sheet or spare batteries for my spare light, but I don't really know what to take, if anything. Do folks bother with tubes and pump? Water?

Cheers
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 04 June, 2016, 08:19:01 am
Are you riding to/from the race? That's a big factor.

Irrespective, I carry pump/tube/basic tools when racing, just as I would for any ride where I dont want to risk walking home. I would find it pretty shameful to be recovered by car at a sub-National Champs event if it could be avoided by carrying trivial everyday bits. But that's just me - other philosophies are available!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: marylogic on 04 June, 2016, 09:05:02 am
Thanks, this is reassuring. I had been planning to take the basics, but didn't want to get laughed off the course for my curious audax ways....
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 04 June, 2016, 10:15:43 am
Thanks, this is reassuring. I had been planning to take the basics, but didn't want to get laughed off the course for my curious audax ways....
Oh I never said that noone laughs at us :P But you're obeying the rules, so they can laugh all they like.

Seriously, lots of people carry the basics. There is probably a correlation with cost of bike, whether they wear a skinsuit, and if they warm-up on rollers. Your club may be very different, you'll have to take that risk!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: hippy on 04 June, 2016, 11:17:23 am
I carry nothing.

The walk back to the HQ is almost enough time for the rage to subside when something goes wrong.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 04 June, 2016, 11:21:15 am
I've got my first attempt at a 10 TT on Sunday. I'm guessing I probably don't need a route sheet or spare batteries for my spare light, but I don't really know what to take, if anything. Do folks bother with tubes and pump? Water?

Cheers

For a ten?  I wouldn't take any of it. 

Food and drink: you'd be mad to try eating or drinking during the race - if you can get it down, you're not trying hard enough!  You might want a bottle (preferably of soft drugs i.e. coke) to drink during warmup, but you can dump that at the start.
Pump and tools: Ride out with them, but leave them at the start.  You're not going very far, you probably won't puncture, it's not very far to walk back if you do have to do that, and the organiser will probably take pity on you and pick you up if you do (they'll have to drive round afterwards to take the signs down anyway).

The big advantage to dumping all this stuff, apart from going marginally faster and not getting laughed at, is that it will put you in the right frame of mind: you're not riding an audax and shouldn't ride it like one. 

Talking of warmups, make it at least half an hour, preferably more.  Start gentle and gradually ramp it up to moderately hard, interspersed with a few hard efforts.  You should aim to get to the line with your heart pumping but not being tired or out of breath.  Good luck!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 04 June, 2016, 11:49:15 am
Never had the confidence to race without a get-you-home toolkit.   The one time I punctured was in the pissing rain and I was freezing.   It was an 8 mile uphill ride back to the HQ.

I wouldn't bother with a bottle for a 10.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 04 June, 2016, 12:22:53 pm
I have a CO2 cannister, a few self-stick patches and a couple of tyre levers zip-tied beneath the saddle rails on my TT bike.  They stay there all the time so would be there for a 10, but they're there for the longer rides.  I'd replace them with a can of Pit Stop (http://www.velodromeshop.net/index.php?p=product&id=942&gclid=Cj0KEQjw-Mm6BRDTpaLgj6K04KsBEiQA5f20E9ZjJCck4HsOQ95helzcEVqiE-MMMclstAocb5SmV38aApSQ8P8HAQ) but it won't fit under the saddle. 

Anyway, a couple of TT whinges:

The course for the national 12 hour - a new course at that - was published two days, TWO DAYS before the closing date for entries.  The organiser can't work out why there have been a low number of entries for this event.  How sodding hard is it to work out why people won't enter  your event when you won't tell them where it is?  Especially an event this long, which will screw you over for a month if you do it properly, so people don't want to waste their one shot a year on an unknown course that might turn out to be crap?!  This shows up everything that is wrong with the secret squirrel attitude of time trialling  :facepalm:

Next up: my club.  The course for our club flat 10 has just had the end changed, because the old one was "dangerous".  The old finish was on a rural single carriageway  that we all have to ride on to get to the start of most of our other events, on which there's never been an incident, or even a serious near miss - at least not in the several years I've been in a position to hear about it.  What 'danger' are they talking about?  ???  Oh, apparently someone sometimes drives a car on the first stretch of road though, and that makes it 'unacceptably dangerous'  ::-)  Now, instead of finishing on a perfectly safe flat straight road, we'll all turn a sharp left hander with half a mile to go, on a corner that is often strewn with gravel.  Not only is it more dangerous, it'll also require another marshal, on a course that already soaks up marshals to the extend that we struggle to host events there.  My club need to grow up and learn to be road cyclists, and that means being able to share the road! 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Jasmine on 04 June, 2016, 02:09:19 pm
I carry nothing.

The walk back to the HQ is almost enough time for the rage to subside when something goes wrong.

Last time I had a puncture on a TT I was still screaming obscenities by the time my lift home arrived 15 minutes later.  It was a 25 miler and I punctured at mile 20.  I'd been 7th woman to start, and had overtaken 5 of the others and at the roundabout at 19 miles (it starts in the middle, goes out one way, back past the start to a roundabout at the far end in the other direction, and then back to about 0.7 miles short of the start) I'd counted that number 1 was only about a minute in front of me.  It didn't help that it was our club championship event.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 04 June, 2016, 06:08:17 pm
I've got my first attempt at a 10 TT on Sunday. I'm guessing I probably don't need a route sheet or spare batteries for my spare light, but I don't really know what to take, if anything. Do folks bother with tubes and pump? Water?

Cheers

No drinks for anything less than a 50 (and some people don't even bother for a 50). 
I don't take tubes and pumps either.  If I puncture then I'll deal with it, but in a 10 your race will be over.
Most people carry a rear light but you are hardly going to be out long enough to run the batteries down!
Good luck!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 04 June, 2016, 07:31:48 pm
After the shoddy conditions last year I returned to the Shaftesbury Middlemarkers 25 on the E2.   Tail/crosswind out had me averaging 28mph to the turn.   Then something odd happened and I really didn't slow down much on the way back, finishing in 54:50, lowering my PB by over 5 minutes.

Yes, this is the course where Alex Dowsett did 44:29 last week, but giving 10 mins to a pro is acceptable, I think.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Pedal Castro on 04 June, 2016, 07:49:40 pm
It was a lot faster today than last week apparently, a climate who PB'd last week improved again today by 4 minutes!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 04 June, 2016, 07:56:20 pm
It was a lot faster today than last week apparently, a climate who PB'd last week improved again today by 4 minutes!

When I left the biggest improvement was 13mins.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 04 June, 2016, 09:18:47 pm
First TT today.  10  miles on the C10/10 course.  Hosted by Witham Wheelers.  I got a 28:04 which with a bit of wind today I was really pleased with.  I got my warmup pretty much OK although I could have done with a couple of harder intervals to really loosen up the heart muscle.  I went off a bit fast anodised up a bit too much energy on the first hill but then dialled it back.I averaged 166 HR for the ride with a peak of 176 which is pretty good for me.  Lots of places where I can improve and not bad for 57 and first attempt.

I can see pointy hats and skin suits arriving soon. :)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 05 June, 2016, 10:51:32 am
This morning's 50 was pants.

Actually it was well organised and marshalled.   I was pants.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: marylogic on 05 June, 2016, 08:27:28 pm
Well no one laughed to my face.....

But I'm pretty sure my audax- legal sub 30kph average raised a smile or two 😱

I think I must have had a "physical" which is like a mechanical, but when your body doesn't work properly.

Think I left my legs in the Yorkshire Dales.

Never mind, I now have really crap PB that hopefully shouldn't take too much beating 🙂
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 05 June, 2016, 08:48:52 pm
Somehow, Didier and I got 'persuaded' to join Mike and enter the National Team Time-Trial on a lumpy course from Hatherleigh.  This with a combined age of 184.  We were the oldest team and I was the oldest member of that team.  Still,  I got going on the second lap and we didn't completely disgrace ourselves. 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 05 June, 2016, 09:23:48 pm
Given the fun and games over TT's in Scotland, does anyone know if Cycling UK/British Cycling/Triathlon UK personal membership gives third party covere for competitive events not organised by that particular organisation? We are looking to run some CTT events and before taking the plunge I want to ensure that current memberships will give appropriate insurance protection.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 05 June, 2016, 10:05:21 pm
Given the fun and games over TT's in Scotland, does anyone know if Cycling UK/British Cycling/Triathlon UK personal membership gives third party covere for competitive events not organised by that particular organisation? We are looking to run some CTT events and before taking the plunge I want to ensure that current memberships will give appropriate insurance protection.

I think British Cycling extends cover to 'approved' organisations, including CTT.  I don't think CTC covers competition. 

But to enter a CTT event you have to be a member of an affiliated club.  What's the problem in Scottishland?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 05 June, 2016, 10:28:57 pm
Until recently CTT and Scottish Cycling did not fish in each other's waters. CTT remained south of the border. A dissafected faction (not without reason) decided that SC were not giving TT's the attention they deserved and when they did it was too expensive so this year Scotland is now a CTT District.
As individuals are members of British Cycling, not Scottish Cycling (which is an organisation to which the clubs are affiliated - if you think this is confusing just wait) then I would expect BC membership to cover CTT events as it does south of the border.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 06 June, 2016, 06:59:51 am
I'm prettysure that CTC covers time trials but not bunch races.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Legs on 06 June, 2016, 01:44:59 pm
I went off a bit fast anodised up a bit too much energy on the first hill ...
That would have been very fashionable 20 years ago!  Purple?

Well done, Chris.  Hope your enthusiasm continues!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 06 June, 2016, 03:37:39 pm
Newbury 12 hour start sheet (http://www.timetriallingforum.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=111534)

This is one of the two 'fast' twelves on the calendar.  Several entrants look interesting:

Mark and Jane on the tandem trike. 

Jasmijn Muller: She's currently sixth in the all-time women's list, after a ride on a slower course on a windy and rainy day last year.  She's also looking to break the LEJOG record this year.

Scratch rider is Adam Topham, looking to defend his BBAR.  One minute in front of him, doing what must be a short distance for him after he gave up 12s when he discovered 24s, is the one and only Mr Teethgrinder Abraham.  Good luck TG!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 06 June, 2016, 04:15:45 pm
Newbury 12 hour start sheet (http://www.timetriallingforum.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=111534)

This is one of the two 'fast' twelves on the calendar.  Several entrants look interesting:

Mark and Jane on the tandem trike. 

Jasmijn Muller: She's currently sixth in the all-time women's list, after a ride on a slower course on a windy and rainy day last year.  She's also looking to break the LEJOG record this year.

Scratch rider is Adam Topham, looking to defend his BBAR.  One minute in front of him, doing what must be a short distance for him after he gave up 12s when he discovered 24s, is the one and only Mr Teethgrinder Abraham.  Good luck TG!

Enjoyed that one last year, but the road surface is a killer after 9-10hrs.   Fast rolling road that seems to generate some good distances.

Small number of entrants this year which must be a bit disappointing.

While we talking BBAR where the bloody hell is my certificate ?    Turned myself inside out a few times last year to qualify and no-one can be arsed to send a piece of paper out until nearly a year after I did my last ride.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: L CC on 06 June, 2016, 05:16:03 pm


Jasmijn Muller: She's currently sixth in the all-time women's list, after a ride on a slower course on a windy and rainy day last year.  She's also looking to break the LEJOG record this year.

I thought she was targeting the 24 this year and LEJOG next year?


Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: hippy on 06 June, 2016, 05:20:08 pm
Maybe everyone is saving up for the Breckland comp record course later in the year? In my case, I've raced two 12s on that course and don't really fancy going back for another.

I like it because it was the first 12hr that came before the 24hr so I could finally get my club record (2nd place to Tops and faster than Dr Hutch who literally wrote the book 'Faster' #boastpost) instead of being shelled and racing it 3 weeks after the 24hr.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: hippy on 06 June, 2016, 05:21:42 pm
Jasmijn Muller: She's currently sixth in the all-time women's list, after a ride on a slower course on a windy and rainy day last year.  She's also looking to break the LEJOG record this year.

I thought she was targeting the 24 this year and LEJOG next year?

2017.

If you want to help her out...

https://duracellbunnyonabike.com/2016/02/25/%EF%BB%BFsupport-crew-lejog-solo-record/
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 06 June, 2016, 05:24:55 pm
So I got it wrong?  That makes a change  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: matthew on 06 June, 2016, 06:24:56 pm
Is there a course map for the Newbury 12h if a localish guy wanted to come out and cheer some people on? I need an excuse to get out for some miles. but that only works if I can fit it round my church service.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: hippy on 06 June, 2016, 06:36:35 pm
Is there a course map for the Newbury 12h if a localish guy wanted to come out and cheer some people on? I need an excuse to get out for some miles. but that only works if I can fit it round my church service.

Find the Hen & Chicken pub. Most people are around there.

#alco
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 06 June, 2016, 06:44:46 pm
Maybe everyone is saving up for the Breckland comp record course later in the year? In my case, I've raced two 12s on that course and don't really fancy going back for another.

I like it because it was the first 12hr that came before the 24hr so I could finally get my club record (2nd place to Tops and faster than Dr Hutch who literally wrote the book 'Faster' #boastpost) instead of being shelled and racing it 3 weeks after the 24hr.

Good point.   I'm hoping to do the Breckland.   It's 6 weeks after the 24hr.  Hope my 258 mile PB gets me in.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Pedal Castro on 06 June, 2016, 07:39:48 pm
Maybe everyone is saving up for the Breckland comp record course later in the year? In my case, I've raced two 12s on that course and don't really fancy going back for another.

I like it because it was the first 12hr that came before the 24hr so I could finally get my club record (2nd place to Tops and faster than Dr Hutch who literally wrote the book 'Faster' #boastpost) instead of being shelled and racing it 3 weeks after the 24hr.

Good point.   I'm hoping to do the Breckland.   It's 6 weeks after the 24hr.  Hope my 258 mile PB gets me in.

Surely it won't be a full field will it? Not entering the Newbury I have all my eggs in one basket now...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 06 June, 2016, 09:45:28 pm
Maybe everyone is saving up for the Breckland comp record course later in the year? In my case, I've raced two 12s on that course and don't really fancy going back for another.

I like it because it was the first 12hr that came before the 24hr so I could finally get my club record (2nd place to Tops and faster than Dr Hutch who literally wrote the book 'Faster' #boastpost) instead of being shelled and racing it 3 weeks after the 24hr.

Good point.   I'm hoping to do the Breckland.   It's 6 weeks after the 24hr.  Hope my 258 mile PB gets me in.

Surely it won't be a full field will it? Not entering the Newbury I have all my eggs in one basket now...

I doubt it TBH.  The 12hrs don't really fill.

I got a bit paranoid as I only just got into my 'A' 100 with a 4:10 PB.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: hippy on 06 June, 2016, 10:45:09 pm
The E2/100C? That's full because it's smaller numbers and faster than usual course I think.

I hope the Tan Hill 600 doesn't kill me too much that my 100 suffers. I've bailed out of racing a 10 the day before to focus on the hundo.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 07 June, 2016, 06:39:44 am
The E2/100C? That's full because it's smaller numbers and faster than usual course I think.

Yeah.  My PB is 4:10 and the organiser assured me I'd get in easily.   Then they changed the course to a faster version and more people entered.   It cut off on a 4:15 in the end so I was only just in.

I have the Kent 100 this weekend and will take next week easy in preparation.   Given I took 5 mins off my 25 time on the E2 on Saturday I'm hoping to get another good day.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: hippy on 07 June, 2016, 07:56:09 am
Yeah, I went from a short 55 to a 50:02 when I rode the E2 earlier in the year.
I'd done near 30mph on their 30 course in super conditions last year so expected a decent improvement.
My 100 PB is another that's relatively slow so I'd like to improve that below 3:45 if possible.
I'll need to learn the course though. I'm a shocker when it comes to directions, especially under duress.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 07 June, 2016, 08:28:50 am
Yeah, I went from a short 55 to a 50:02 when I rode the E2 earlier in the year.
I'd done near 30mph on their 30 course in super conditions last year so expected a decent improvement.
My 100 PB is another that's relatively slow so I'd like to improve that below 3:45 if possible.
I'll need to learn the course though. I'm a shocker when it comes to directions, especially under duress.

I went and checked out the HQ, start and Northern turn when I was at the E2 on Saturday.   The Southern turn is Fourwentways which is pretty straightforward.    The Northern turn is the first turn off onto the B road and not the 2nd at Red Lodge (which you use on the 50).   I'm hoping there's plenty of marshalls as I tend to get paranoid near the turns.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 07 June, 2016, 09:24:27 am
They usually do have a Marshall on the slip road to wave you off for that turn
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: teethgrinder on 07 June, 2016, 12:37:20 pm
The E2/100C? That's full because it's smaller numbers and faster than usual course I think.

Yeah.  My PB is 4:10 and the organiser assured me I'd get in easily.   Then they changed the course to a faster version and more people entered.   It cut off on a 4:15 in the end so I was only just in.

I have the Kent 100 this weekend and will take next week easy in preparation.   Given I took 5 mins off my 25 time on the E2 on Saturday I'm hoping to get another good day.

Is that the ECCA 100 that they wouldn't let me ride? :'(
Not that I'm surprised. I don't think I could manage 4:10 for a 100. My best 25 is 1:03 (in 1993)
So I'll be sulking near Cirencester on another 100. Not all bad news though. I'm guaranteed a PB as long as I finish as it'll be my first 100. :smug:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 07 June, 2016, 01:33:59 pm
The E2/100C? That's full because it's smaller numbers and faster than usual course I think.

Yeah.  My PB is 4:10 and the organiser assured me I'd get in easily.   Then they changed the course to a faster version and more people entered.   It cut off on a 4:15 in the end so I was only just in.

I have the Kent 100 this weekend and will take next week easy in preparation.   Given I took 5 mins off my 25 time on the E2 on Saturday I'm hoping to get another good day.

Is that the ECCA 100 that they wouldn't let me ride? :'(
Not that I'm surprised. I don't think I could manage 4:10 for a 100. My best 25 is 1:03 (in 1993)
So I'll be sulking near Cirencester on another 100. Not all bad news though. I'm guaranteed a PB as long as I finish as it'll be my first 100. :smug:

Last year people got in without a time, but the course has been changed and made a bit faster (in theory).    It was a bit 50:50 that I'd get in as well.

It's this bit of TTing that is a bit of a right of passage.   You need to get fast on slower courses to be able to enter events on faster courses.

I PB'd on the EDCA 100 on the A11 in Norfolk last year.   It's a good course and the weekend before the 24hr if you get the chance to make the trip.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 08 June, 2016, 03:24:57 pm
You must have PB'd well: you're off on a 0 while hippy's off on a 6 and Steve Irwin's off on a 1.  What happened to the seeding there  ???
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: hippy on 08 June, 2016, 03:29:56 pm
Maybe they've been watching how much I've been drinking and seeded appropriately. :)

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 08 June, 2016, 03:32:34 pm
I see that Richard Bideau is off scratch.  Justice at last  :smug:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 08 June, 2016, 04:55:04 pm
There's going to be a massive advantage to going off late as the road will be really quiet at 5:10 when I start, but should be busier for the later starters.   Looking at the riders and associated PBs I expect to finish in the bottom 10%, but hopefully with a PB and a decent BBAR time*.

As for seeding I don't know.    On the last 100 I did I was off 118 out of 120.    It was a very lonely ride despite being 5 * 20 miles.   120 caught me early but 119 never did, although I notice he beat me by about 30 seconds so he must have been able to almost see me at the finish line.




* not that it matters as you never get your fucking certificate....
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: hippy on 08 June, 2016, 04:59:15 pm
I'm still debating about entering the National 100. I wish it closed later so I knew if I succeeded at the E2.

I'm sure I've got my BBAR certs when I've done the distances. Do you go to Champs Nights?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 08 June, 2016, 05:14:10 pm
I'm sure I've got my BBAR certs when I've done the distances. Do you go to Champs Nights?

2015 was the first year I ever qualified.   There's a thread on the TT forum and a load of people haven't got theirs yet either so it's a CTT thing.   I've never been to a champions night due to, well, not being a champion or very fast.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 08 June, 2016, 06:59:36 pm
Ignore my whining.   I got home tonight to my 2015 certificate.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: hippy on 08 June, 2016, 09:28:06 pm
Yeah, I dropped it round...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 13 June, 2016, 09:14:56 am
KCA 100 yesterday.   Wetter and windier than forecast.   Probably went off a little hard but ended up wet and cold for the last hour, finishing with a 4:16.

That's 2 100s that I have paced completely wrong next year.    I feel battered today so will have an easy week in prep for next Sunday's ECCA 100.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: hippy on 13 June, 2016, 01:02:02 pm
I think the Tan Hill 600 might've taken a bit too much out of me. I hope I've not ruined a chance at my club record with the ECCA. Maybe I should enter the National 100? Closes soon I think.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Pedal Castro on 13 June, 2016, 07:28:21 pm
I think the Tan Hill 600 might've taken a bit too much out of me. I hope I've not ruined a chance at my club record with the ECCA. Maybe I should enter the National 100? Closes soon I think.

It closes tomorrow but got an acceptance email today...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: hippy on 14 June, 2016, 11:10:39 am
Yeah, I had a look but if I ride the Millie Pennines the week before I'm basically in the same boat as I am now so I didn't bother entering. Thanks anyway guys.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 14 June, 2016, 11:17:47 am
I did the EDCA100 in Norfolk last year.   Pretty fast all DC course.   It's a week later than the National so an extra week of recovery ?

I may do it this year if the this weekend doesn't go well.   The only issue is it's a week before the 24.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: hippy on 14 June, 2016, 02:14:32 pm
I did the EDCA100 in Norfolk last year.   Pretty fast all DC course.   It's a week later than the National so an extra week of recovery ?
I may do it this year if the this weekend doesn't go well.   The only issue is it's a week before the 24.

Might be an option, I'd highlighted it but will add it to the diary.

Thanks
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 14 June, 2016, 03:55:10 pm
I did the EDCA100 in Norfolk last year.   Pretty fast all DC course.   It's a week later than the National so an extra week of recovery ?

I may do it this year if the this weekend doesn't go well.   The only issue is it's a week before the 24.

I would be happy to do a 100 the week before a 24.  But not the other way round!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 14 June, 2016, 04:20:05 pm
I did the EDCA100 in Norfolk last year.   Pretty fast all DC course.   It's a week later than the National so an extra week of recovery ?

I may do it this year if the this weekend doesn't go well.   The only issue is it's a week before the 24.

I would be happy to do a 100 the week before a 24.  But not the other way round!

Agreed.   My diary for August is empty.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 15 June, 2016, 11:12:13 am
I have a couple of chances to ride a 50 prior to the 24.   The one near me I know but I'm not a massive fan of the course.

There's a W London event on the H50/1a on the 10th July.   Can anyone comment on the course and how it might compare to, say, the H50/8 that the Charlotteville use ?

Thanks


Rob
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: hippy on 15 June, 2016, 12:01:57 pm
I have a couple of chances to ride a 50 prior to the 24.   The one near me I know but I'm not a massive fan of the course.
There's a W London event on the H50/1a on the 10th July.   Can anyone comment on the course and how it might compare to, say, the H50/8 that the Charlotteville use ?
Thanks
Rob

I had my 25 PB on that road. It's 'lumpy' (yes yes relative term) but from memory the surface is much better than H50/8 - lengthways ruts as opposed to sideways.
Not super fast but if it's easy to get to it could be ok. Better than not doing a 50, I guess.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 15 June, 2016, 04:42:18 pm
I have a couple of chances to ride a 50 prior to the 24.   The one near me I know but I'm not a massive fan of the course.
There's a W London event on the H50/1a on the 10th July.   Can anyone comment on the course and how it might compare to, say, the H50/8 that the Charlotteville use ?
Thanks
Rob

I had my 25 PB on that road. It's 'lumpy' (yes yes relative term) but from memory the surface is much better than H50/8 - lengthways ruts as opposed to sideways.
Not super fast but if it's easy to get to it could be ok. Better than not doing a 50, I guess.

It's a bit of a drive for me to be honest.   I have the option of a 50 in Sep, but I was planning to take a break by that point.

Kind of depends how Sunday's 100 goes to see if I chase an improvement in my 50 time.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 15 June, 2016, 10:24:40 pm
Second club open 10 of the year (the first was the Scottish National Champs). Same course, much smaller field, dreich day.
Mark Stewart (100% ME) turned up as it was his local 10 and he was in town for his brother's wedding. He broke the course record with 20:31, only to see it taken away from him less than 10 mins later with a 20:27 by Jon Entwistle. The ladies record was broken by Amanda Tweedie with 24:10. The course has only been in use for a couple of years and never on a good night. New Youth A girls record of 34:13 by Kirsty Stopper - she is the first YA girl to ride. Our club does equal prizes so she got a prize for first YA girl, even though she was slowest on the night.

Field: 10% youths, 10% U23, 10% senior 70% vets, 18% female. The fields are slowly improving.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 19 June, 2016, 02:44:11 pm
I got rather carried away with my expectations for this mornings ECCA 100, believing that I could get under 4hrs with the right conditions.   In the end they weren't the right conditions (rising Southerly wind) and I'm starting to think that I've overlooked it recently.   The 2am get up didn't help.

I went through 50 miles in 1:59 so had high hopes for the second half.   In the end I crumbled and crossed the line with 4:06:38.   It's still a three and a half minute improvement on my PB, but anything more will need to wait for next year.

Hippy seemed to be flying.   Bideau did a 3:22, for the second fastest ride ever.   Quite amazing.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: hippy on 20 June, 2016, 11:33:27 am
I knocked 10min off my PB and got another club record with a 3:42:54. The ride itself was a bit crap with my numb leg coming back so bad I had to keep sitting up during the race to get any feeling back into my foot. I rode the middle two hours so easy that the last lap was ridden like a 25 and the last 5mi at 10mi power - way too much left in the tank. Happy with the result but I really want to get to the bottom of this leg thing.

One interesting change is that my leg stayed numb for a good 12 hours after the race which has never happened before. For years I and docs have thought it was vascular but given the duration to get feeling back I'm wondering if it isn't some kind of nerve damage?

BDCA 50 this weekend where I'm hoping to go sub 1:50 and take another club record.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 20 June, 2016, 01:12:11 pm
Well done, both of you - a good PB, and a club record with one good leg!  I didn't enter this year so it was bound to have been less windy than usual.
Numbness sounds a bit worrying, though - do you get it on normal rides or just racing in TT position?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: hippy on 20 June, 2016, 02:11:14 pm
Well done, both of you - a good PB, and a club record with one good leg!  I didn't enter this year so it was bound to have been less windy than usual.
Numbness sounds a bit worrying, though - do you get it on normal rides or just racing in TT position?

Just TTs and up until yesterday it was only 25s and 50s where the pace was higher. Thought it was vascular but given the duration to come good this time I think it might be nerve based.
Spent £££ trying to work out the problem. Basically I think I'm just crushing something when I'm in the TT position.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 20 June, 2016, 02:34:38 pm
...
might be nerve based.
Spent £££ trying to work out the problem. Basically I think I'm just crushing something when I'm in the TT position.

As a total layman, just based on what you've posted that would be 100% my first guess.

(Almost everyone has known SOMETHING go numb if they ride far enough, and it's nearly always cleared by changing position => nerve damage. IMO !)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: hippy on 20 June, 2016, 02:39:52 pm
Yeah, but the weird thing was I could ride 100mi, 12hr and 24hr TTs with no issue. The numb leg only appeared during 25s and 50s which seems to counter the 'ride far enough with something squashed and it'll go numb' thinking.

Yesterday's 100 was different. I've been doing these magic stretches so perhaps they've sorted one issue and caused another or perhaps the 600 the week before did some damage and it was compounded by the 100mi TT? Hard to tell. It's annoying, riding faster because more aero and then throwing a chunk of the advantage away because the human body is too feeble for my needs..
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 20 June, 2016, 02:45:04 pm
The Yorkshire RC 25 for me, which was the first open TT I managed to finish this season.  56:59, which was actually a PB, though only because a) I've sorely neglected this distance, and b) because I went off course when on for a 56 last year.  Conditions were quite good with a gentle crosswind and lots of people did fast times, so I was left wondering what I could have done on a day like this if I'd been in proper shape.

The good news: my position now feels comfortable (and must be fairly aero if I can ride this fast at my current nonexistent power level) and now I'm finally getting some riding done, I'm feeling better so I should hopefully have at least a pale excuse for fitness for the 50 in a couple of weeks time.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 20 June, 2016, 04:27:12 pm
Yeah, but the weird thing was I could ride 100mi, 12hr and 24hr TTs with no issue. The numb leg only appeared during 25s and 50s which seems to counter the 'ride far enough with something squashed and it'll go numb' thinking.

Yesterday's 100 was different. I've been doing these magic stretches so perhaps they've sorted one issue and caused another or perhaps the 600 the week before did some damage and it was compounded by the 100mi TT? Hard to tell. It's annoying, riding faster because more aero and then throwing a chunk of the advantage away because the human body is too feeble for my needs..

Sounds like its related to effort / power, rather than distance / time. 
Your power has presumably gone up a good bit (unless its all aeroz) - are you riding 100s now at the level that you were riding 50s a couple of years ago - with the side effects to prove it?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: hippy on 20 June, 2016, 04:50:13 pm
Sounds like its related to effort / power, rather than distance / time. 
Your power has presumably gone up a good bit (unless its all aeroz) - are you riding 100s now at the level that you were riding 50s a couple of years ago - with the side effects to prove it?

Nope, that's the thing, I'm faster because faster course + more aero.
My power was about 5W down on my previous 100mi PB but that's kind of to be expected when I spent so much time sitting up not pedaling!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 20 June, 2016, 04:54:31 pm
BTW thinking about next year and looking at hippy's comments.   My position was set up after a bike fit a couple of years ago and subsequently tweaked.   I have played with the things that I think will make me more aero, based on looking at other riders, but not a lot else.

I have looked at aerocoach and could feasibly shell out on a session with them, but what has everyone else done ?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 20 June, 2016, 05:06:30 pm
BTW thinking about next year and looking at hippy's comments.   My position was set up after a bike fit a couple of years ago and subsequently tweaked.   I have played with the things that I think will make me more aero, based on looking at other riders, but not a lot else.

I have looked at aerocoach and could feasibly shell out on a session with them, but what has everyone else done ?

Bike fittings, spent hours reading through bilge on the TT forum for the odd pearl of wisdom, read Topham's book, tested stuff, bought loads of stuff that mostly made little or no difference, tweaked position a bit more...

For you I would have thought that, given you are going a good bit faster than two years ago, it would be worth looking at your position again.  Not done Aerocoach so can't comment but others seem to recommend it.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 20 June, 2016, 05:09:31 pm
Nope, that's the thing, I'm faster because faster course + more aero.
My power was about 5W down on my previous 100mi PB but that's kind of to be expected when I spent so much time sitting up not pedaling!

That theory is wrong then!  When you get it sorted and pedal for the full hundred you'll get a bloody fast time - but I suppose you know that. 
5W down is a good recovery from a hilly 600 the weekend before; I thought you migh struggle to get record given that.  I did the ECCA last year a week after the Newbury 12 hour and found out I'd not recovered anything like enough. 

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: hippy on 20 June, 2016, 05:10:47 pm
I just sacrifice a chicken at midnight on every full moon. That and read everything that anyone has ever written about going faster ever.
Aerocoach is useful but so is doing your own testing. Golden Cheetah's Aerolab module takes a lot of the grunt work out of it or even simpler you can try roll down tests.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: hippy on 20 June, 2016, 05:15:13 pm
That theory is wrong then!  When you get it sorted and pedal for the full hundred you'll get a bloody fast time - but I suppose you know that. 
5W down is a good recovery from a hilly 600 the weekend before; I thought you migh struggle to get record given that.  I did the ECCA last year a week after the Newbury 12 hour and found out I'd not recovered anything like enough.

My legs were pretty good after the 600. It was my sleep pattern mess and subsequent boozing that pushed me into an immune system abort and subsequent snotfest.
I think I'll try and get the 10 and the 50 records then maybe quit the TTing and see if my body does any repair. Might have to jack up my position on the TCR bike to avoid similar issues.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Assasin on 21 June, 2016, 10:00:31 am
When you have got all the club TT records there are two longbarrows that you would fit on.
Depending on who is driving.
Dare you to give it a go......
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Assasin on 21 June, 2016, 10:01:45 am
Short ones first -there is a good course for the 10 up near Hull.
30 on the E2 ?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: hippy on 21 June, 2016, 11:13:08 am
When you have got all the club TT records there are two longbarrows that you would fit on.
Depending on who is driving.
Dare you to give it a go......

You want me to hang on while someone else steers? That's never gonna work. Then again, I'd probably just crash the thing if I was driving.

And the only way I'm spending 4hrs each way driving to Hull to race is for a solo 10 time and it'd better be an 18 :P

But never say never I guess. :)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 21 June, 2016, 12:59:26 pm
No need to go to Hull for your record surely - you can just ride out to the Amersham road and give it a blast!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: hippy on 21 June, 2016, 01:14:11 pm
No need to go to Hull for your record surely - you can just ride out to the Amersham road and give it a blast!

What's the Longbarrow record?

I knocked another 30s off my 10 PB on the E2/10 but it was a bit windy for my liking. I could probably go quicker on there but I don't do enough turbo training at higher powers to help my 10 times.
It's hard to bust out 600k audaxes and still hang onto any top end speed. I spend the rest of the week trying to recover while catching up on work.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 21 June, 2016, 01:18:37 pm
I'm thinking of going to Hull Aug Bank Holiday weekend.   There's a slower that 22 event which I can get into.   My 25 and 10 PBs are misaligned after the other weekend.

My family live about an hour away so I can make a weekend of it.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: hippy on 21 June, 2016, 01:23:24 pm
Assuming I survive TCR, I wonder how long it would take before I could hit 10s quickly?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Assasin on 21 June, 2016, 02:23:57 pm
Faster than me.
Best blokes longbarrow 10 I ever did was 20:30.
Current with aero stuff is 19:50.

Other numbers are:- 50:13, 1:01:14, 1:43:46, 3:50:55, 277.78, 466.72.

I'd need to do some turboing first to make it worth your while.

WCC records are a bit easier to get though, seeing as you are on a roll......

Could try for one of those first and see how it goes.

after all you already have a trikie beard   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 21 June, 2016, 02:29:21 pm
I can already hear the pawls pinging out of the freewheel.  ;)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: hippy on 21 June, 2016, 02:43:45 pm
after all you already have a trikie beard   :thumbsup:

Oh noes! I shaved before the ECCA 100 :S
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: hippy on 21 June, 2016, 02:44:40 pm
I can already hear the pawls pinging out of the freewheel.  ;)

Yeah, you're gonna need some extra gusset welds on that thing if both of us are on it.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 21 June, 2016, 03:53:28 pm

Best blokes longbarrow 10 I ever did was 20:30.

I'm sure it's no mean feat to get one of those things round a roundabout at 30mph.  I reckon you could sell a few tickets if the two of you give it shot!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 21 June, 2016, 03:57:31 pm
Was it Dave Smith who once had a front wheel collapse on a sharp bend at the bottom of a ski-slope start?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: hippy on 21 June, 2016, 05:20:57 pm
Best blokes longbarrow 10 I ever did was 20:30.
I'm sure it's no mean feat to get one of those things round a roundabout at 30mph.  I reckon you could sell a few tickets if the two of you give it shot!

I'm usually trying to shake some feelings back into my left leg at RABs so I'm doing about 13mph not 30. :)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Assasin on 21 June, 2016, 10:25:25 pm
Only made it around the turn RAB at 25mph
Did hit 42 on the way there on the start ramp.
Double freewheel should prevent pawl loss.
48 spoke front wheel might just survive.
There is nothing lightweight or aero about a longbarrow.
Well certainly not the ones i have access too.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: hippy on 22 June, 2016, 12:36:38 am
Someone needs to get into the shed with the carbon fibre and a load of highly noxious chemicals...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Assasin on 22 June, 2016, 09:33:26 am
Noxious chemicals - way to go !
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 24 June, 2016, 09:20:05 am
I'm off on a 10 spot! (http://www.timetriallingforum.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=112194)

Admittedly, given my PB (1:58), the organiser has probably split the field, which makes me one of the fastest riders in the bottom half.  Oh well.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 24 June, 2016, 09:39:03 am
I'm off on a 10 spot! (http://www.timetriallingforum.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=112194)

Admittedly, given my PB (1:58), the organiser has probably split the field, which makes me one of the fastest riders in the bottom half.  Oh well.

I enjoyed having a 0 on my back last week.   I expect this is the first and last time.

Have you changed clubs or are you still 2nd claim @ Clifton ?

Have a good ride.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 24 June, 2016, 10:00:05 am
I moved jobs last year and am back in York now, so I've rejoined Clifton 1st claim.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 27 June, 2016, 01:50:52 pm
Provisional Nat 12 results (http://www.juniortourofwales.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/National-12-2016-Provisional-Result.pdf)

Congratulations Teethgrinder on 22nd place with 241.2 miles!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 27 June, 2016, 02:37:50 pm
Provisional Nat 12 results (http://www.juniortourofwales.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/National-12-2016-Provisional-Result.pdf)

Congratulations Teethgrinder on 22nd place with 241.2 miles!

Looked like a tough day so over evens is a good day out.   Saw Jonah on the start list but can't see him on there - DNS/DNF ?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Assasin on 27 June, 2016, 03:52:12 pm
Jonah is DNS
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: teethgrinder on 28 June, 2016, 08:21:23 pm

Provisional Nat 12 results (http://www.juniortourofwales.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/National-12-2016-Provisional-Result.pdf)

Congratulations Teethgrinder on 22nd place with 241.2 miles!






Looked like a tough day so over evens is a good day out.   Saw Jonah on the start list but can't see him on there - DNS/DNF ?


Cheers :thumbsup:
(I actually came 23rd, provisionally ;))

I was hoping to just beat my PB of 244, which I did in 1995, before I started using tri bars, but that'll do. It's a 7 mile improvement on what I think I did on the Newbury 12 hour 2 weeks ago. Which event was slowest is debatable. Newbury was pretty windy and the road surface was grim and it rained a bit. I thought the National was better but my head was never really in it. I think that was more down to the stress of just getting to the start with replacement bus services, race HQ being 9 miles from the start and having to plan everything around that. I reckon with better planning I'd have just about got my PB by a tiny bit. But my purpose for riding is for training and I think that I've improved since the Newbury 12. Hoppo and his fiance were about 9 miles down, where I was 7 miles up. I felt a great deal less knackered at the finish too, which is just as well because I had another 20 miles to do to get back to the hotel. I didn't find the weather especially bad on either event, but I guess that last year probably has had an effect on me. It has lowered my MHR by about 10BPM, possibly a bit more. According to Hoppo, temperature on the Newbury got down to 15C and it got down to 11C on the National.
I also won the drug test lottery and was tested for doping. I told them there's no need to test me, I'm definitely a dope. ;D
Hoppo and his fiance both reckon that this was tougher and they were both down on their Newbury 12hr distances. I think he could be right, but bear in mind that Hoppo has ridden a 24 hour in between. I rode my first (hardriders) 100 in between. I blew up in the last 20 miles and got very light headed at the end, which I actually quite enjoyed, so I finished at the back of the field. But, I learned a bit from that and I think it helped me on the National 12 hour.
Reassuring to be not far behind Lynn Biddulph. We're usually more or less similar on the Mersey 24. Lynn is usually faster than me for the first 12 hours and then it's a matter of how well our nights go as to which one of us does the most miles. I think it's very reassuring that I'm very close to her after only about 6-7 weeks of training. I'm not sure I'll be at my best for the 24 hour, but it's a good sign that I won't do a terrible ride and it's all part of training for another go at the Year Record. What I'm doing now is the base training, which is to be finished off with a Month Record attempt. Then if all goes well, the high intensity training to get ready for another go at The Year.
Lactate threshold test tomorrow to see how much (or if) I have improved since I started training with Emily Cox.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: hippy on 29 June, 2016, 08:52:32 am
Not being funny, but what's the point of drug testing someone in 20th place?!
If they can't test everyone, it should be the top 10 in a hat and test from that pot.

You gonna ride the Breckland Steve, meant to be fast (and now you can take loads of drugs because they probably won't test you again) ;-)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 29 June, 2016, 10:01:41 am
Not being funny, but what's the point of drug testing someone in 20th place?!
If they can't test everyone, it should be the top 10 in a hat and test from that pot.

Because it's still cheating if you're only 20th, and the guy/gal in 21st would be unhappy to lose to a cheat.

[I am no expert, that's just one aspect.]

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: hippy on 29 June, 2016, 10:17:54 am
Not being funny, but what's the point of drug testing someone in 20th place?!
If they can't test everyone, it should be the top 10 in a hat and test from that pot.
Because it's still cheating if you're only 20th, and the guy/gal in 21st would be unhappy to lose to a cheat.
[I am no expert, that's just one aspect.]

Yes, but guys coming in 20th are less likely to be cheating, or at least cheating effectively, given the fact they're finishing 20th.
Also a cheating 20th only cheats those below them out of a place whereas someone who cheats and wins, cheats everyone out of a place.
Basically, I'm paying for tests to be done, so I want the guys who are more likely to be cheating to be tested first.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 29 June, 2016, 10:31:46 am
As I understand it, CTT testing is weighted towards the sharp end of the field, with some tests done on random riders from the whole field.  This seems to be about right: while winning riders should be tested more, there has to be a possibility, however slight, that you could be tested whatever your position, otherwise slower riders could dope without any risk. 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: teethgrinder on 29 June, 2016, 01:03:43 pm

Yes, but guys coming in 20th are less likely to be cheating, or at least cheating effectively, given the fact they're finishing 20th.
Also a cheating 20th only cheats those below them out of a place whereas someone who cheats and wins, cheats everyone out of a place.
Basically, I'm paying for tests to be done, so I want the guys who are more likely to be cheating to be tested first.

People cheat at all levels and the rules are the same for everyone. The winner rode just over 50 miles more than I did. I doubt I'd have done another 50 miles if I used drugs in the most effective way. Maybe another 25? I did joke with the testers that I didn't think I'd done suspiciously well and if they find anything, it didn't work.

I'm not planning on riding the Breckland but you never know.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Assasin on 29 June, 2016, 01:27:49 pm
Looking at the Breckland if it fits in as a way of using up the residue of this years fitness.
Supposed to have more trike friendly surfaces and a bit more variety than the Newbury 12.
We found our speed varied between 8 - 30 mph depending upon which part of the course we were on.

Something a bit more even would be better.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 29 June, 2016, 01:44:59 pm
The A11 has a lot of variety:
- pan-flat noisy concrete &
- pan-flat very noisy concrete.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: hippy on 29 June, 2016, 02:33:34 pm
The A11 has a lot of variety:
- pan-flat noisy concrete &
- pan-flat very noisy concrete.

You had me at "pan-flat".
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 29 June, 2016, 03:10:33 pm
The A11 has a lot of variety:
- pan-flat noisy concrete &
- pan-flat very noisy concrete.

You had me at "pan-flat".

Did my old 100 PB on that bit of road last year.   Rutted in a not like Bentley way but still annoying.

Apparently there's a new finishing circuit this year but there's no detail yet.   I should be in as I have 6 weeks to recover after the 24hr.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 29 June, 2016, 05:06:43 pm
Jonah is DNS

So Jonah was never inside Wales?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: hippy on 29 June, 2016, 05:30:48 pm
> So Jonah was never inside Wales?

Did Not Submerge
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: hippy on 29 June, 2016, 07:51:45 pm
Assuming I make it to and through the TCR I'm not sure I will want to look at my TT bike afterwards but it's in the back of my mind to try it out one day.

I'm done with the A31. It can >>>
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 30 June, 2016, 10:19:03 am
I should add that the A11 climbs mostly very gradually (unlike the A31) so you can sit there at a steady pace slowly reeling in the view to the next roundabout....

Although I was slightly sworn off long distance TTs I am very tempted to give it a go, maybe I'll ride the EDCA 100 as a trial.

I like the A11 (for TTs anyway).   I studied in Norwich and the in-laws are just up the road.

I'll miss the 100 this year but, unless the 24 writes me off, I'll do the 12hr and the Breckland 50 at the end of Sep.   My 2:00:51 PB is annoying me so I need another go at a 50 this year.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 30 June, 2016, 10:46:27 am
My 2:00:51 PB is annoying me so I need another go at a 50 this year.

At one point my PB was 2:00:14 inc. 50 secs late start penalty.  Now that was annoying!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Legs on 30 June, 2016, 04:04:47 pm
My 10m PB (dating back to 2002) is 21:01, and my best on a tandem was 20:02.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 07 July, 2016, 04:28:32 pm
New course records at the TT on Tuesday night. First time with a wind at less than 8mph!
Senior record is now 20:11 - a helpful truck and it could well be below 20.
Youth B record is now 25:30 taking 29 secs off the previous time. I'll have to check - it might even be quicker than the youth A.
Junior is 22: something. Not had any juniors ride on a good night.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 10 July, 2016, 09:04:11 pm
My TT season so far:

Opens
10: Haven't done one yet.  I'm riding the V next week, let's hope it goes well.
25: 56:59 (somewhere in the upper end of the bottom half of the field)
50: 2:03:54 (24/54 with another 51 DNS/DNF!  As you might guess, the weather wasn't great.)
100: 4:14:33 (70th in the national champs field)

Club events: 3rd, 4th and 9th.  The 4th was this Thursday, I dropped my chain on the steepest hill and was then 20 seconds behind 3rd.  Doh!

Oh dear, I'm so much less fit this year than last year.  I'm basically just doing an event at each distance to keep my qualifying times up to date.  I've now got to decide what to do at the end of the season: do I do the BDCA 100 or the Breckland 12?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 12 July, 2016, 12:44:37 pm
My TT season so far:

Opens
10: Haven't done one yet.  I'm riding the V next week, let's hope it goes well.
25: 56:59 (somewhere in the upper end of the bottom half of the field)
50: 2:03:54 (24/54 with another 51 DNS/DNF!  As you might guess, the weather wasn't great.)
100: 4:14:33 (70th in the national champs field)

Club events: 3rd, 4th and 9th.  The 4th was this Thursday, I dropped my chain on the steepest hill and was then 20 seconds behind 3rd.  Doh!

Oh dear, I'm so much less fit this year than last year.  I'm basically just doing an event at each distance to keep my qualifying times up to date.  I've now got to decide what to do at the end of the season: do I do the BDCA 100 or the Breckland 12?

I started to feel a bit disappointed with my results this year even though I have been faster than last year.   I had developed some misguided expectations that weren't, in the end, realistic.

It looks like you've had some real life to deal with and your times are still way above the average clubman so I wouldn't be too upset.   If I were you I'd do the 12hr to get a BBAR ranking for the year.

I plan to be at the Breckland, but it depends how the 24hr goes.   There's 6 weeks to recover, but I'm not sure it will be enough.


Rob
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: hippy on 12 July, 2016, 12:49:26 pm
I came 7th in the National 12hr on the E course with 270-odd, 3 weeks after doing a fair bit of damage to myself in the 24hr.

I've since done a 293mi 12hr 'before' the 24hr at Newbury, with less windy conditions. Depending on how much you tear yourself apart during the 24hr, 6 weeks is probably quite a good gap to have.

Start back on the bike doing VERY VERY easy stuff the day after and after a week or two try a longer ride. Maybe hit the turbo at week three for some sharpening.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 12 July, 2016, 01:15:56 pm
I came 7th in the National 12hr on the E course with 270-odd, 3 weeks after doing a fair bit of damage to myself in the 24hr.

I've since done a 293mi 12hr 'before' the 24hr at Newbury, with less windy conditions. Depending on how much you tear yourself apart during the 24hr, 6 weeks is probably quite a good gap to have.

Start back on the bike doing VERY VERY easy stuff the day after and after a week or two try a longer ride. Maybe hit the turbo at week three for some sharpening.

I think I had something like 8 weeks between the 24hr and 12hr in 2014, and I was still a wreck.   I have resolved some of the physical issues from back then and hope to be able to recover quicker.   I need to drive home the day after the Mersey and deal with family issues, but I'll then ride to/from work gently Mon-Fri.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 13 July, 2016, 12:29:16 am
It looks like you've had some real life to deal with and your times are still way above the average clubman so I wouldn't be too upset.   If I were you I'd do the 12hr to get a BBAR ranking for the year.

Thanks.  That's also my thinking, but on the other hand I know I can do the 100 whereas I'm worried that I haven't done enough distance and I might pack in the 12.  Also, the 12 has more potential to screw up rides in the autumn by wrecking my speed just as I've got it back.  I'd rather not do that unless I can do the event justice.  Choices choices ...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 14 July, 2016, 06:48:43 pm
Yes, a 100 is a nice, full-on, no strings ride.  A 12 takes enormously more out of you.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 17 July, 2016, 07:56:58 pm
21:28 today, 8 seconds behind PB.  I'm annoyed with that result: I spent too long looking at my speedo thinking that I was off the pace, before getting near the end and realising there were only a few seconds in it, and that I probably could have PB'd had I concentrated on getting it all out rather than getting demoralised.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 21 July, 2016, 10:32:55 am
So I've now got a helper for the Breckland 12.  Gulp. 

That means I'll have a BAR set, so I'll 'need' to do another 50 too.  Damn.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 21 July, 2016, 11:39:42 am
No BBAR for me this year: all I've done is a club 10 and a DNF after 12 miles in a 50!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: hippy on 21 July, 2016, 12:00:57 pm
I still have a 12 to do but not sure I'll bother if I finish the TCR.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 21 July, 2016, 12:06:02 pm
In 2012 I did the 12 and 100 but had to DNS the last 50 of the year due to a family emergency.
Last year I did all of them but then got Stockton'd
This year I'd really like to get my certificate at last?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 21 July, 2016, 03:48:32 pm
I still have a 12 to do but not sure I'll bother if I finish the TCR.

As I've not been racing, I've not been on the TT forum in ages: are you in the mix for the BBAR with your other rides this year?  Or has someone gone extremely fast?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: hippy on 21 July, 2016, 03:57:19 pm
No chance. There's loads of people that like take this seriously and stuff and a few with better genetics and some that don't drink their substantial bodyweight in beer each week.
I think top 20 or top 30 is about where I'll be normally but I've never actually bothered to attack BBAR, I've always aimed at 24s.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 21 July, 2016, 04:29:50 pm
I have improved my 100 and 50 times from last year by approx. 3 mins on each.   I've really struggled mentally with the 24hr and I've kind of stopped enjoying the racing in the meantime - if this weekend doesn't work out I'm going to do something different next year.   I'll revisit my plans for a 12hr at the end of next week.

I could have trundled round the KCA as it's local but it has just been cancelled due to a lack of marshalls.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: hippy on 21 July, 2016, 04:34:05 pm
I've got slower at the long stuff and faster at the short stuff. I think my heart might not be in it which is why I went for TCR and breaking club records this year for something different.   
If I don't sort out my hip problem I might stop doing it altogether and go back to competitive drinking.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 21 July, 2016, 05:58:02 pm
I think long distance TTs (12s and 24s) are things that you have to dip in and out of.  Some people do them every year but a lot don't, and the really fast people, like Wilko (and others who've done >500 miles!), certainly don't.

I'm not sure that my body could put up with another 12 at race pace and my mind wasn't able to finish a 24 when I last tried it two years ago.  In some ways I'd like to have another go at the 24 as I've never done a decent distance and think I could get my club record, but I'm not sure I want it enough.  I'll see how I feel next year.

Good luck, Rob, and anyone else riding this weekend.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 26 July, 2016, 11:17:58 pm
Rob, I believe you now get to join me and Oranj in the "massive PB/record denied by a short course" club.  Welcome.  We meet in the deep dark tester bar every friday, mumbling bitterly into our ... err ... bitters as we grow our beards.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 27 July, 2016, 01:05:56 pm
So you're not quite past it yet then.  ;) 

(I'm envious.)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 27 July, 2016, 01:09:08 pm
Nice rides! 

You need to buy back the trike and give that record another go ;)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 29 July, 2016, 09:57:57 am
I'm over it.   No, honestly, I am.   To be fair I scheduled for 450 and my Garmin sowed 461-462 so I was surprised to be credited with the higher distance.   It was a great ride in good conditions and nothing went wrong so I can be nothing but pleased.    I'm in 2 minds about going back next year, but I have time on my side.

As Oranj says (and congratulations on those rides by the way) modern tech and training mean you can put out great rides for longer and, being 43, I have a good few more years in me.

Getting back to this year I'll ride a couple of 10s at the end of August - there's a slower than 22:00 on the V718 I may be able to get into.    I'll follow this up with the Breckland 12hr - if I get a good day I could maybe add a few miles to my existing club record.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 29 July, 2016, 10:40:14 am
That's the 10 on the 28th, isn't it?  I was considering doing both of the same events as you but the 10 clashes with a 50 on Teesside, and since I'm doing the 12, I don't want my ridiculous 50 time going down in the BBAR.   Priorities!

I did my final qualifying ride for the club series yesterday.  I majorly dawded for the first 5 miles, when I was caught by my minute man and then managed to follow him (at a safe and legal distance!) for the rest of the race.  I was a minute behind 2nd (him) and 2 seconds in front of 4th, so it's a good thing he kicked me out of my reverie.  Our club TT season is now at an end save for the October hillclimb.  I've got the bare minimum of qualifiers and have placed 3rd or 4th in all except one, where I placed 9th, so I guess I'd better do the climb to drag up my league standing.  I'd also like to do the Cragg Vale open climb (5 miles averaging 3%, you race it like a short 10); that'll then be my season done.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 01 August, 2016, 11:08:38 am
Decided not to travel to Hull on the Bank Holiday as we're now going away for a few days.   I've entered a 10 on the E2 the previous weekend in an attempt to improve my PB to something respectable after a diet of long distance work.

I've also entered the Breckland 12hr.   I'll be back on the turbo this week and feel a bit perkier a week after the 24hr.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 18 August, 2016, 02:49:01 pm
I detoured off my journey home Sunday afternoon to watch the ECCA 12hr.   Ended up taking to wheels of fire for an hour while he supported other riders.

Bideau did 305 which, it looks like, will sew up the BBAR for him.   

Who is doing the Breckland 12hr ?   I think me, cygnet and oranjh.   Hippy and PPB said they might.   Anyone else ?



Rob
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: hippy on 18 August, 2016, 04:08:11 pm
I'm almost certainly not doing the Breckland now. Scherrit is having his Proper Old™ birthday the day before so I decided to get drunk and celebrate that instead of trying to kill myself for a 300mi ride.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Assasin on 19 August, 2016, 09:12:39 am
Hippy,
Time for some longbarrow fun?
E2/10 & E2/30 coming up.
No WCC record for the 30 listed - although it should be 1:07.
Real Ale pub on the way back.......

What size gears do you prefer?
I have a 60 T ring somewhere......
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: hippy on 19 August, 2016, 09:20:35 am
Hippy,
Time for some longbarrow fun?
E2/10 & E2/30 coming up.
No WCC record for the 30 listed - although it should be 1:07.
Real Ale pub on the way back.......

What size gears do you prefer?
I have a 60 T ring somewhere......

Ha! I still need the club 10 record. I'm not sure 4000k across Europe at 100W was the best prep for getting it though... still, some idiot has entered two 10s next weekend to find out...

I'll also be racing in a team at Revolve24 so need to get some miles in on my other road bike.

Any excuse not to get on that contraption of yours hahahaha
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Pedal Castro on 19 August, 2016, 10:01:32 am

Who is doing the Breckland 12hr ?   I think me, cygnet and oranjh.   Hippy and PPB said they might.   Anyone else ?
Rob

I have entered and will ride if my knee is OK. I packed in the 24 after 150 miles with knee pain as the 12 was more important and I didn't want to risk buggering up my knee for the rest of the year. I rode the Swaffham 200 last W/E as a test which seemed OK. I was hoping to do another long ride test this W/E but the weather doesn't look too inviting.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 19 August, 2016, 10:23:03 am

Who is doing the Breckland 12hr ?   I think me, cygnet and oranjh.   Hippy and PPB said they might.   Anyone else ?
Rob

I have entered and will ride if my knee is OK. I packed in the 24 after 150 miles with knee pain as the 12 was more important and I didn't want to risk buggering up my knee for the rest of the year. I rode the Swaffham 200 last W/E as a test which seemed OK. I was hoping to do another long ride test this W/E but the weather doesn't look too inviting.

I think I worked out who you were on the 24 too late as you had disappeared.   Sorry I didn't say hello.

I'm entered for the ECCA 10 on the E2 tomorrow afternoon which it looks like will be cancelled as the wind is forecast to gust to 40+ mph.   I aim to fit a 100 mile ride on the TT bike in tomorrow morning.   I'm on holiday in the week running up to the 12hr so hope to be rested.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 19 August, 2016, 10:39:05 am
For some reason I have entered the EWCC 25, end of this month.  Dual-carriageway A38, not-quite-dragstrip because of the nagging rise to nearly halfway.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: cygnet on 19 August, 2016, 01:42:47 pm

Who is doing the Breckland 12hr ?   I think me, cygnet and oranjh.   Hippy and PPB said they might.   Anyone else ?


Yes I've entered. Any previous riders got any tips for supporters? It looks like there's a common over-bridge at the turn of both circuits, but I can't see how this works on the opening 70miles. Or is it a case of sticking an extra bottle cage on?

Our club BAR current standings have just been updated - my 25m is out of kilter with others (That'll be the one I did in bibs/long sleeve base layer/armwarmers after forgetting to pack properly) so it could do with updating. Is a week after the 12hr too soon? After the 24 I didn't want to ride for aaages.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 19 August, 2016, 02:02:39 pm

Who is doing the Breckland 12hr ?   I think me, cygnet and oranjh.   Hippy and PPB said they might.   Anyone else ?


Yes I've entered. Any previous riders got any tips for supporters? It looks like there's a common over-bridge at the turn of both circuits, but I can't see how this works on the opening 70miles. Or is it a case of sticking an extra bottle cage on?

Our club BAR current standings have just been updated - my 25m is out of kilter with others (That'll be the one I did in bibs/long sleeve base layer/armwarmers after forgetting to pack properly) so it could do with updating. Is a week after the 12hr too soon? After the 24 I didn't want to ride for aaages.

Careful with using the old route.   The organiser said on the TT forum he was making some changes although it's still mostly on A11.   I think one of the turns is due to change and the finishing circuit/HQ will be different.   I sent a mail asking for details and have been blanked so far.   My family are supporting me this time so the experience will be a little different.   I'm going to leave 2 bottle cages on so I can give them a break now and then.   I can carry 6hrs of food in my top tube bag.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 24 August, 2016, 08:55:24 am

Who is doing the Breckland 12hr ?   I think me, cygnet and oranjh.   Hippy and PPB said they might.   Anyone else ?


Yes I've entered. Any previous riders got any tips for supporters? It looks like there's a common over-bridge at the turn of both circuits, but I can't see how this works on the opening 70miles. Or is it a case of sticking an extra bottle cage on?

Our club BAR current standings have just been updated - my 25m is out of kilter with others (That'll be the one I did in bibs/long sleeve base layer/armwarmers after forgetting to pack properly) so it could do with updating. Is a week after the 12hr too soon? After the 24 I didn't want to ride for aaages.

The course is now up on the facebook page.   My thoughts are :-

- Put 2 bottles and 4hrs of food on the bike at the start.   
- Supporters go to Eccles Rd underpass first.   Pick up a bottle each time round and then stop at 4hrs for 2 bottles and more food.
- Once moved to second circuit helpers move to Attleborough RAB.   There's a few advantages here - there's a pub/restaurant (Breckland Lodge).   You pass in both directions in case you miss a hand up.   Helpers will see when you get turned towards the finishing circuit as you leave from there.   Pick up more food circa 8hrs.
- Helpers then move back to Hingham as it's near the HQ.
- Ride back to the HQ after running out of time.   Sod's law says you'll be at the Watton end but it's only just over 5 miles back.

If anyone sees a harassed looking woman (may give her my Catford jersey) trying to keep a 9yr old boy occupied then please say hello.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: cygnet on 24 August, 2016, 10:55:28 pm
Cheers rob.
It looks like a bunfight to park near the Eccles Rd underpass. Will try and 'ride' the circuits and the finish lap on  street view this weekend and keep an eye out for lay-bys.
There's a couple of potential options on the thetford circuit too I think.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 25 August, 2016, 08:37:51 am
Cheers rob.
It looks like a bunfight to park near the Eccles Rd underpass. Will try and 'ride' the circuits and the finish lap on  street view this weekend and keep an eye out for lay-bys.
There's a couple of potential options on the thetford circuit too I think.

it'll be fine there.   There's tonnes of room - organiser recommends you use the grass verge on the left as you bear Left off the road coming from Thetford, but you could also station people under the bridge or on the other side as you head up to rejoin the A11.    I suppose if you stand where the organiser tells you you'll see when your rider carries straight on onto the second loop - if you hang around under the bridge you might miss this.   I need to make sure my helpers are fed and watered as there's no facilities there.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 29 August, 2016, 01:04:55 pm
Do you remember 2012, the year of abandoned 100s?  Where Andy Wilkinson got 12 comp record and 2nd fastest 50 ever but couldn't get the BBAR despite chasing up and down the country in pursuit of a 100 mile event that actually ran?  I'm starting to feel a bit like that with 50s.

Up here in the north, out of three events I've entered in the Yorkshire and Teesside districts, two have been cancelled due to bad weather.  One of hte three did run, but had some pretty bad conditions too: half of entrants were DNS or DNF.  I was one of the finishers for that, but my time was unsurprisingly pretty slow.  Assuming I complete next week's 12, that rainy, windy, slow 50 will have to count for my BBAR ... unless I do the rearranged version of the first cancelled event.  That's a week after the 12. 

Jeez, will my saddle sores have even healed by then?  Can I really be bothered?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: hippy on 29 August, 2016, 03:06:49 pm
I'm going to a birthday party instead of racing the 12hr. I've never competed for BBAR so don't really care but it would've been nice to add a 12 to my fastest ever 50 and 100s.

I did break my club 10 record on Sat though which was nice. I now have the full set of Willesden CC TT records :) Today's race on the Tring course sucked but I still managed my second fastest 10 with a 20:17. At least next time I'll know the course. I think I'm done with TTs for the year now.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 29 August, 2016, 04:27:23 pm
The 10 I entered on the E2 last weekend was cancelled due to bad weather.   The 10 on the V that I could have done yesterday seems to have produced some massive times.   Such is life as I'm on holiday for 5 days.

Sort of looking forward to the 12 next weekend, particularly as it will be my last race of the year.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: hippy on 29 August, 2016, 05:12:48 pm
Tempted to enter the V718 race that's in a couple more weeks.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 29 August, 2016, 08:13:52 pm
Tempted to enter the V718 race that's in a couple more weeks.

I recommend a night out in Hull while you're up there.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: hippy on 30 August, 2016, 07:38:22 am
Those soft northerners couldn't handle me.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 30 August, 2016, 08:45:38 am
Tempted to enter the V718 race that's in a couple more weeks.

I recommend a night out in Hull while you're up there.
urrr nurrr  !
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 30 August, 2016, 10:10:59 am
I think I'm done with TTs for the year now.

Tempted to enter the V718 race that's in a couple more weeks.

Anyone else spot a possible contradiction...?

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: hippy on 30 August, 2016, 10:23:25 am
What can I say, I'm a conflicted guy.
I wasn't even sure I was going to race this weekend but I'd entered them before TCR and felt obliged to.
Then I beat my previous PB at both races without that much effort so trying to grab an 18 before winter happens seems like a nice idea.
The 8hrs of driving to do it though, does not sound like a nice idea.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 30 August, 2016, 09:27:10 pm
Final evening10 TT of the season up here. Local lad Mark Stewart turned up after a training ride to help out. Not everyday your numbers get pinned on by a British Champion track rider. And he did the pushing off too. It was a confined event so club only and he couldn't ride. Took a look at the course afterwards (1 min after the last rider) and clocked an unofficial 20.58 on a road bike with two bottles. Looks in good form for the Tour of Britain (Team Great Britain) on Sunday. Looking forward to the 6-day season - he should be doing at least Ghent and London.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 30 August, 2016, 10:41:53 pm


Jeez, will my saddle sores have even healed by then?  Can I really be bothered?

You mean you can't be arsed?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 30 August, 2016, 11:21:45 pm
OFFS how did I not spot that one?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 04 September, 2016, 11:01:10 pm
12hr didn't really go to plan.   Initial target was in the 260s and thus looked feasible for the first 3hrs.   The wind was pretty strong heading SW which scrubbed a lot of speed off on the long drags.   I had geared too long on 91" so could capitalise on the downwind stretches but was crawling in places.  My lower back and hip started to act up and at 7hrs I was laid on the grass on a RAB begging to go home.   I was given a talking to by Mrs Rob and set off slowly.  I still had hopes of a 250 ride as I joined the finishing circuit, but then another spoke went ping in my front wheel and it pringled.   I called the support team who were 5 miles away and lost about 15 miles while the spare turned up.   My mental arithmetic said if I could do 240 I would still get a BBAR certificate.   The GPS had 243 on when I ran out of time.

This was my 4th 12 and my second highest distance.   To put it in perspective, though, I did more miles in the first 12hrs of the 24.

I'm not racing again this year, but will review what I've done so far and work out how to approach next year.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 05 September, 2016, 11:17:32 am
Well, that was what it was.  I went 2 and a bit miles slower than last year - they were both tough days, but this was on a faster course and my gears behaved themselves.  Similar riders (basically the leading women, Jill and Jasmijn) beat me by 12-15 miles this year, whereas I just pipped them last year, so I guess it wa sa faster event overall and I've gone backwards.  Ah well, I knew that, it's the story of my year. 

That qualifies me (touch wood!) for the BBAR, with 23.05 mph.  That's more than a mile an hour down on my last year's speed, but I've got one event left, the rescheduled Stockton 50 in a couple of weeks.  I guess that means I'm on for a couple more weeks of abstainance, intervals and early nights!

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: cygnet on 05 September, 2016, 01:39:05 pm
You looked fine when you went past me on the Thetford circuit early on.

I DNF'd. There's a first time for everything.
I had some mechanical issues almost straight from the go. Couldn't work out why I was going so slowly for so much effort. I got to the slip road 15minutes down on minimum schedule and climbed off but a lot of fiddling with the back wheel 'seemed' to sort it out so I gave the A Road circuits a go.
Sped up to the turn with the benefit of the tailwind but still getting squeaks from the bike. I was dry heaving all the time and couldn't keep food down. Back into the headwind and average speed dropped but levelled off at just below my required pace. I thought if I could maintain into the headwind and claw a bit back with the tailwind every time, sort out my feeding and hope my knee held out there was a chance of sneaking over 230miles for a certificate. Lots of ifs.
Then I punctured. By the time I was back on the road my average had dropped to 16mph and I was cold. The gremlins in my head won this one.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Pedal Castro on 05 September, 2016, 07:51:22 pm
I was targeting 241 miles for a new club record but although my average speed was good enough at the end of each tailwind section it was just a little below schedule at the end of the headwind section. At 10 hours I was 3 miles down which I was never going to make up after leaving the A11 so I lost motivation and slowed considerably on the way the the finishing circuit, once there I decided that 230 looks better than  220 something so I began working towards that end, which I managed subject to official results.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 05 September, 2016, 10:37:56 pm
Bad luck Cygnet.  Try again next year? 

PC, the provisional results are up on the facebook group and they've got you down as 211.  They must have missed you off a lap, so get in touch with the organiser. 

One result I hope doesn't change is that of the guy who overtook me in the first ten miles.  I caught him 20 miles later and we had a classic case of testosterone-fuelled re-overtaking followed by sitting up and slowing down.  It happened often enough that it turned from annoying into funny: I decided I'd see if I could burn him up enough that he'd kill his legs.  Eventually it got annoying again and I told him to make it f'ing stick next time or we'd both get DQ'd for two-upping.  I've beaten him - just - unless he's one of the ones with a lap missing.  I hope not.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 06 September, 2016, 08:40:02 am
My provisional distance (242.58) gives me a BBAR average of 23.122, just 0.066 slower than last year.   I could enter another 50, but I'm done for the year.    Not sure what happened on Sunday as a lot of the field went very well, but I didn't seem to have what I needed.   My legs are pretty trashed, so it wasn't for want of trying.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 06 September, 2016, 09:03:59 am
Harder to ride upwind and downwind legs with big speed difference on fixed?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 06 September, 2016, 11:13:48 am
Harder to ride upwind and downwind legs with big speed difference on fixed?

I think so.   I can spin that gear at 30+ mph, but I was losing so much time into the wind that I couldn't pick it back up on the returns.   There were a few things not working on the day TBH.   Not a disastrous ride and I'm glad I finished, but I had set my expectations higher.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: cygnet on 06 September, 2016, 12:48:01 pm
Bad luck Cygnet.  Try again next year? 

Yep. I want that certificate. Also now I have a skinsuit and TT bike to take on the sub 12hr distances.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 11 September, 2016, 08:08:04 am
Marcin Biablocki of One Pro Cycling has just done a 16:34 on the V718.

No, I didn't type that wrong.  Sixteen minutes and thirty four seconds.  Forty six seconds faster than the previous Dowsett/Gullen record.  James Gullen also broke his own record with a 17:09.

That is massive.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 11 September, 2016, 07:17:07 pm
I bet he's kicking himself for missing that 43 though  :demon:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 18 September, 2016, 03:42:09 pm
Last event of the season today: a fast day on the T502 which massaged my ennui-filled legs that haven't done any training for a good while, into a new PB of 1:55:14.  I didn't have my gimp socks and didn't tape the valve hole in my disc either, so just think what I could have done had I paid attention to those marginal gains!  There were lots of 1:4x:xx times today; it seems that the organiser Doug had booked the good weather for his final event before he retires.

After first trying in 2012, I've now finally qualified for the BBAR - so long as no events get retroactively annulled this time.  Today's result puts me on a speed of 23.652, which is a good chunk of a mile slower than last year, but at least today's ride allowed me to leapfrog Rob  :demon:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 18 September, 2016, 07:26:09 pm
Last event of the season today: a fast day on the T502 which massaged my ennui-filled legs that haven't done any training for a good while, into a new PB of 1:55:14.  I didn't have my gimp socks and didn't tape the valve hole in my disc either, so just think what I could have done had I paid attention to those marginal gains!  There were lots of 1:4x:xx times today; it seems that the organiser Doug had booked the good weather for his final event before he retires.

After first trying in 2012, I've now finally qualified for the BBAR - so long as no events get retroactively annulled this time.  Today's result puts me on a speed of 23.652, which is a good chunk of a mile slower than last year, but at least today's ride allowed me to leapfrog Rob  :demon:

Good ride to finish your year.   Part of me wishes I had held on to do another 50, but then I look at the pile of delicacies that I brought back from France yesterday and decide that I'm happy where I am.

Remind me how much younger you are than me ?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 18 September, 2016, 07:30:20 pm
After first trying in 2012, I've now finally qualified for the BBAR - so long as no events get retroactively annulled this time.  Today's result puts me on a speed of 23.652, which is a good chunk of a mile slower than last year, but at least today's ride allowed me to leapfrog Rob  :demon:
/stupidquestion

Do you mean last year's speed if you hadnt lost one of the rides ?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 18 September, 2016, 08:10:58 pm
Err, twelve years I think Rob? 

And yes Matt, I do mean that.  So's yer face  :P
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 18 September, 2016, 08:15:10 pm
Err, twelve years I think Rob? 

And you only put half a mph into me ?   I expect better.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 19 September, 2016, 12:03:34 am
I promise to do so at some point in the next twelve years.  If I don't, you can claim a beer off me at the end of the 2028 season.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 25 October, 2016, 07:53:11 pm
Can't dig back to where we last discussed Rob Townsend, but it transpires he was on EPO in 2015.

I mean FFS this in domestic time trialling ?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Legs on 26 October, 2016, 10:55:28 am
That was a highly unedifying affair.  What with the acrimony over the 3cm rule, the debacle over the organisation and timing at the recent Circuit Championship, and the histrionics over the field placement for this weekend's National Hillclimb Champs, and now this, it really does seem like all the fun has been sucked out of testing.  ::-)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 26 October, 2016, 11:46:19 am
Both with the original modafinil offence and then with this too, he managed to piss off everyone else involved in the tribunals by taking them for stupid with his ridiculous "the dog ate it" excuses, which often implicated a lot of other people in wrongdoing too.  Any mildly intelligent person should have realised that nobody was going to fall for that sort of rubbish.  Not Robin Townsend, it seems.

Anyway, here's the comment from my supporter at the 2015 12 hour, when I mentioned it to her: "Oh, the one who looked really spaced?  Figures."
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Oranj on 26 October, 2016, 12:11:23 pm
Legs, you made me log into the TT Forum to see what all the fuss was about; I know the 3cm rule has been grumbling along for years and I doubt it'll be settled any time soon but I didn't know about the circuit champs muck up. That national HC startsheet is quite weird too, laid out like a road TT, but at least all the women get to race each other! Someone should've provided the organiser with some assistance.

I've quite enjoyed trundling out to midweek club TTs this year for a spot of timekeeping. Quite hard work concentrating when the event's on, but you get to have a nice chat without all that unnecessary effort riding up and down a local B road :) Might do a bit more next year.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 26 October, 2016, 12:32:22 pm
Legs, you made me log into the TT Forum to see what all the fuss was about;

I saw the news on Twitter, but also went to the TT forum.   Need to stop hanging out there as it's not massively friendly.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 27 October, 2016, 12:42:07 pm
I've found that not going to the TT forum has been a significant compensation for not being able to do (hardly) any TTs this year!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 29 October, 2016, 08:00:06 pm
Can't dig back to where we last discussed Rob Townsend, but it transpires he was on EPO in 2015.

I mean FFS this in domestic time trialling ?
This is quite old news, but also from a race in 2015:

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/19-year-old-british-cyclist-handed-ban-taking-epo-255882

The junior 10-mile champion  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 29 October, 2016, 10:36:18 pm
Can't dig back to where we last discussed Rob Townsend, but it transpires he was on EPO in 2015.

I mean FFS this in domestic time trialling ?
This is quite old news, but also from a race in 2015:

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/19-year-old-british-cyclist-handed-ban-taking-epo-255882

The junior 10-mile champion  :facepalm:

He was in the elite/junior section of my club.  I knew he left under a cloud mid last Summer, but read the full details in the press.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 05 January, 2017, 07:40:41 pm
2017 dates are on the CTT website.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 02 February, 2017, 10:47:18 am
First event of 2017 entered.  I suppose I'd better do some intervals  :sick:

Oh, and it's a BC event (https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/157156/Fulford-Cycles-Road-Time-Trial-for-the-Dean-Shepperd-Trophy-2017)  :o
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Paul D on 02 February, 2017, 02:11:44 pm
Decided at the back end of last year I fancied doing a bit of TTing in 2017.

Yesterday I put my money where my mouth is and entered the Newbury 12hr and Mersey 24hr, ya know, just to keep a little bit of focus and motivation going. :thumbsup:

Also half a mind to do the Etwall 100 mile (and will do my clubs open 50 mile) so I have a BAR and long-distance BAR.

Do these long distance TTs fill up? Worth ticking the 'reserve' box on the CTT entry (online entry, yay! Bit different to my first few years of TTing)?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 02 February, 2017, 02:24:25 pm
Decided at the back end of last year I fancied doing a bit of TTing in 2017.

Yesterday I put my money where my mouth is and entered the Newbury 12hr and Mersey 24hr, ya know, just to keep a little bit of focus and motivation going. :thumbsup:

Also half a mind to do the Etwall 100 mile (and will do my clubs open 50 mile) so I have a BAR and long-distance BAR.

Do these long distance TTs fill up? Worth ticking the 'reserve' box on the CTT entry (online entry, yay! Bit different to my first few years of TTing)?

See you at the 12hr and 24hr.    It's highly unlikely they'll fill, but the Etwall 100 might as it has the reputation to be a bit quick.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 02 February, 2017, 02:39:41 pm
The Etwall (BDCA) 100 miler is the reliably fastest 100 event in the country, and as such it always fills.  The other two reputed fast courses were the Cambridge and Teesside courses, but the Teesside isn't running this year so all the northerners will be trekking south to get their rides in - which means the BDCA is even more likely to fill.  I think it usually closes on about four and a half hours.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Paul D on 02 February, 2017, 03:15:44 pm
The Etwall (BDCA) 100 miler is the reliably fastest 100 event in the country, and as such it always fills.  The other two reputed fast courses were the Cambridge and Teesside courses, but the Teesside isn't running this year so all the northerners will be trekking south to get their rides in - which means the BDCA is even more likely to fill.  I think it usually closes on about four and a half hours.

Closing time is irrelevant to me ATM as I have no previous times for longer than 25, and nothing at all in the last three years (2009 was my last TT). So, not worth going on the Etwall reserve list then? Welsh 100miler is on the same weekend, but much more of a pain logistically (Etwall is five miles from the folks and inlaws so easy to wrap up with a long weekend family visit).

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 02 February, 2017, 03:17:37 pm
The Etwall (BDCA) 100 miler is the reliably fastest 100 event in the country, and as such it always fills.  The other two reputed fast courses were the Cambridge and Teesside courses, but the Teesside isn't running this year so all the northerners will be trekking south to get their rides in - which means the BDCA is even more likely to fill.  I think it usually closes on about four and a half hours.

Closing time is irrelevant to me ATM as I have no previous times for longer than 25, and nothing at all in the last three years (2009 was my last TT). So, not worth going on the Etwall reserve list then? Welsh 100miler is on the same weekend, but much more of a pain logistically (Etwall is five miles from the folks and inlaws so easy to wrap up with a long weekend family visit).

Hounslow in July ?   2 weeks before the 24hr and can't be that far for you (course runs between Alton and Farnham - same roads as the Newbury 12hr).
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 02 February, 2017, 03:29:42 pm
The Etwall reserve list will probably be stuffed with riders who have done 4:32 or thereabouts, so probably not worth it tbh. 

If it fits in your schedule, it might be a good idea to do the Anfield 100 on the May bank holiday, as that's on some of the same roads as the Mersey and will allow you to scout out the area.  It's not a fast course but will get you a time if you want to enter a faster event later.  If that doesn't work for you, where do you live these days?

Oh and by the way, look what just appeared on Cycling Weekly
Dr Hutch - Long time trials are more like an awkward eating competition (http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/comment/dr-hutch-long-time-trials-awkward-eating-competition-309587)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Paul D on 02 February, 2017, 03:36:16 pm
Hounslow in July ?   2 weeks before the 24hr and can't be that far for you (course runs between Alton and Farnham - same roads as the Newbury 12hr).

Might work. Will have a look at that.

...where do you live these days?

Darzet for the last 12 years, so Brittany is significantly closer than Anfield.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 02 February, 2017, 03:41:25 pm
How about this one? (https://www.cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/race-details/15323)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 03 February, 2017, 11:24:05 am
Good piece but Doctor Hutch from yesterday.   I did snigger several times.

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/comment/dr-hutch-long-time-trials-awkward-eating-competition-309587
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 03 February, 2017, 11:44:05 am
^^I linked to that three posts up  :smug:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 03 February, 2017, 11:50:03 am
^^I linked to that three posts up  :smug:

Oops.   Oh well everyone can read it twice then.   I follow him on twitter - can be pretty entertaining.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Pedal Castro on 03 February, 2017, 05:51:00 pm
The Etwall reserve list will probably be stuffed with riders who have done 4:32 or thereabouts, so probably not worth it tbh. 

Hmm, I have a 4:32 but hope to improve on that in the June ECCA 100 if I get in.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 06 February, 2017, 09:28:37 am
The organiser of the ECCA 100 has said over on TTF that last year it closed on 4:09, though reserves got rides up to about 4:30.  The problem is that they have to get riders off the Cambridge ring road by some time in the morning when the traffic builds up, so they restrict it to 80 riders - as well as starting stupidly early.

If you can make it up to Yorkshire, the YCF 100 is a fast event that never fills.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 06 February, 2017, 09:59:27 am
The organiser of the ECCA 100 has said over on TTF that last year it closed on 4:09, though reserves got rides up to about 4:30.  The problem is that they have to get riders off the Cambridge ring road by some time in the morning when the traffic builds up, so they restrict it to 80 riders - as well as starting stupidly early.

If you can make it up to Yorkshire, the YCF 100 is a fast event that never fills.

I think his memory is a bit off as I got in with a 4:10 last year - and I wasn't a reserve.   That said IIRC it closed on about 4:15.

Fast course, chuffing early start.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 06 February, 2017, 10:30:08 am
Fast course.

Unless I get up at 3am and go there, in which case it blows a gale!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 11 March, 2017, 07:27:52 pm
Me first this year.   Scunthorpe RC 10 on the C10/27.   Rode to/from to make it a decent day out.

Fast out, annoying side/cross wind in the way back.   Couldn't quite get under 23mins and finished with 23:12 taking 30secs off my PB from last year.   

Decent start to the year especially since I was in A&E getting straightened out just over a week ago.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 18 March, 2017, 06:59:14 pm
ECCA 10 on the E2.   Fast course on it's day but today was pretty hard with a fair bit of wind and it then tipped it down on me.   I reached the turn averaging 24mph and, to be honest, backed off a little.   It got quite a bit faster on the way back and, in the end, I was only 4 seconds slower than last week.

Both 10s this year have been inside my old PB so I have to be happy with that.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Paul D on 27 March, 2017, 09:58:39 am
So, money where my mouth is, I raced my first TT in 8 years yesterday.

I'd hoped to do a bit of under the radar prep on at least one of the two Saturday morning CC Weymouth Club 10s so far, but failed to make it to either.

Consequently it was in at the deep end, my club's Open 24 mile hilly...which just happened to be the first round of a National 'Classic TT' Series this year. :facepalm: Having no LTS times whatsoever I was first off in the Seniors, which meant 3 minutes behind Dame Sarah Storey and 1 minute behind Hayley Simmonds. Oh the laffs the timekeepers at the start had "when I catch them".

However, in the end I did better than I expected, aiming for a 1:05 but paced it well and did a 1:03:35 / 22.6mph av, not bad for a 6'2" rouleur on a hilly course on his road bike, less than skintight jersey and normal road helmet. Hayley did a 55 and the mens winner smashed the course record doing a 49 (that's 29.6mph round a hilly course :o)

Crucially, I did well enough that it's not put me off more time trialling. ::-)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 27 March, 2017, 10:53:55 am
 :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 03 April, 2017, 06:33:53 pm
And so the witch hunt starts (https://twitter.com/AlanMurchison/status/848933326731792393)

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C8gEWsVXgAEscpI.jpg)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 03 April, 2017, 10:03:36 pm
3cm rule ?

Sorry don't know my way round the regs very well.

*EDIT* ignore me - just caught up via the TT forum.   Pretty sure I'm compliant but should probably take some photos.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 04 April, 2017, 10:34:41 am
... just caught up via the TT forum.  ...

You read the WHOLE 130 page thread?   :o
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 04 April, 2017, 10:40:33 am
It is quite amusing.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 05 April, 2017, 08:50:11 am
... just caught up via the TT forum.  ...

You read the WHOLE 130 page thread?   :o

Just the last couple of pages.   Ridiculous waste of time.

I probably need to double check my position but I think I'm compliant.   Would hate to be DQ'd on a long one.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Legs on 05 April, 2017, 01:11:53 pm
I've no idea if my position was ever compliant, but I'm glad that I gave up time trialling before it stopped being fun.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 08 April, 2017, 09:48:40 pm
Lea Valley 25 on the E2 today.   My 25 PB was a bit of an outlier as it was set on a very fast day last year.

However, today turned out to be very fast as well and I knocked another 1:04 off to record 53:46.  Headwind on the way out didn't take much of an edge off and the return leg was faster.   Time to move up to the longer distances now.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 09 April, 2017, 07:58:24 am
I've no idea if my position was ever compliant, but I'm glad that I gave up time trialling before it stopped being fun.

After about 6 miles?

 ;D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Legs on 10 April, 2017, 02:12:14 pm
 :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 14 April, 2017, 06:09:43 pm
The 3 cm rule's been binned and my BBAR certificate's arrived.  I love the CTT!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: joy of essex on 26 April, 2017, 10:01:37 pm
If any of you are interested ..

The Lea Valley Cycling Club presents

THE VELO PARK TUESDAY TENS SERIES 2017

A season of evening 10 Mile Time Trials  to be  held at

The Lea Valley Velo Park, Abercrombie Rd,  E20 3AB.

Tuesday evenings from May 9th to July 18th

Entry on the evening , sign on from 6.15 pm . First rider off at 7pm

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 27 April, 2017, 10:40:31 pm
First TT for many a year - club 10. Vicious cross headwind (cross? It was furious!) made the out leg very hard and the return leg slightly better. Average HR 177, peak 185 and at the start it was 111. 31.41, which is the slowest I have been for many a year, but never ridden one this overweight.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Bairn Again on 28 April, 2017, 02:43:24 pm
28.06 on my club 10 on Wednesday.  First 10 miles with a number on my back since my accident on the same course last May, therefore I was going a bit cautiously and wanted to ensure Id something in the tank for the last mile or  - in the end I knew Id held too much back on the tailwind assisted outward leg. 

Got to the start very late too due to traffic so I reckon that given a proper warm up and a few more rides that I can get under my age standard (26.54) and perhaps even under 26 mins. 

Above all else, I ended the race in one piece and am keen to get back into it.   

   
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Bairn Again on 04 May, 2017, 01:50:28 pm
28.32 on the Musselburgh RCC course from Longniddry last night (Edinburgh and MRCC are sharing the midweek series these days).

Bit more of a technical course than ERCs Tranent version, but enjoyed it more than I thought I would even with a strong NW wind. 

An uphill finish that repeated the first 1/2 mile of so of the course had my legs like jelly, but it was my first outing on this course and Id ridden a 400k that had finished on Monday afternoon so not to disappointed, even if I was among the back markers. 

Confident I get under my age standard in the coming weeks.   
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 05 May, 2017, 10:45:21 am
Good stuff  :thumbsup:

I've done two club TTs in the past two days and each time I've been 40 seconds off the win.  I NEED SOME DRUGS!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 07 May, 2017, 01:28:41 am
... and in the two open 25s I've done in the past fortnight, I've come 7 seconds and 5 seconds outside my PB.  I definitely need some drugs.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 07 May, 2017, 04:06:30 pm
Back to the A31 this morning for the Charlotteville 50.   Bit chilly but quite still.   PB'd by 3:31 with 1:57:20.

I did get the feeling I backed off a little when I knew I was on course for a good improvement.   HR in general was 10-15bpm down on last year when it was a lot warmer.   I get another go at a 50 next weekend in the E2 which is a faster bit of road but an association event so not a BBAR qualifier.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: hellymedic on 07 May, 2017, 06:57:28 pm
Brilliant result rob!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 13 May, 2017, 09:33:38 pm
Bit of an improvement today with a 1:52:27 on the E2.   Bit breezy in places but not as bad as I thought it would be.   Pity it's not a BBAR event so last weeks ride will have to do for that competition.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 15 May, 2017, 10:09:40 am
Did my first ever 10 (DIY rather than organised) on Sunday - CC118.  Aside from having to do the first quarter again thanks to my satnav taking me off course (probably my fault not putting enough waypoints in the route)  ::-), it was OK. I just used my regular bike (Cube Attain Disc), with no aero gubbins, but I'm still a bit disappointed with 29:50. I really struggled with the wind, and it felt that I needed to be in between gears (there was a 2 tooth jump in the cassette, and the smaller cog was just a tiny bit too hard).
It gives me a marker to beat anyway - I've now got a turbo trainer, so after a month or 2 blasting on that I'll have another go.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 15 May, 2017, 04:01:51 pm
Did my first ever 10 (DIY rather than organised) on Sunday - CC118.  Aside from having to do the first quarter again thanks to my satnav taking me off course (probably my fault not putting enough waypoints in the route)  ::-), it was OK. I just used my regular bike (Cube Attain Disc), with no aero gubbins, but I'm still a bit disappointed with 29:50. I really struggled with the wind, and it felt that I needed to be in between gears (there was a 2 tooth jump in the cassette, and the smaller cog was just a tiny bit too hard).
It gives me a marker to beat anyway - I've now got a turbo trainer, so after a month or 2 blasting on that I'll have another go.

Try to find a local club 10 if you can.   You'd be amazed how much difference it makes to race in front of other people and with a number on your back.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 15 May, 2017, 04:15:01 pm
Duncan  you can race on that course with DPCC on
15/06/17 Thursday
http://www.didcotphoenix.co.uk/?page_id=42

And here's a video we've done to avoid future navigation issues ;)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWCGWpy4yD4
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 15 May, 2017, 09:02:17 pm
I figured I'd give this a go because the Condors are sorting out the teams for the 9 up TTT at Silverstone and I wanted to see how I compared to the other vets. The answer is pretty badly! :) I might try an actual club TT at some point. :)
Cheers
Duncan
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 15 May, 2017, 11:49:56 pm
Getting under 30 minutes for your first go by yourself is pretty good!

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 21 May, 2017, 08:51:54 pm
Thanks :)
I did the vets team TT training yesterday. Hung on for one lap, and then blew up and shot off the back! Even the ride out to the course was much faster than the normal group rides I've been doing. Time to get some serious Turbo time in!
Cheers
Duncan
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 22 May, 2017, 02:52:35 pm
Ugh, my club are now baying for rear lights in their evening TTs.

FFS, we've already moved onto shitty little back roads we're so scared of cars, despite no-one having ever had a collision.  We've also made some changes to the courses that have frankly made them more dangerous, based on some people's allergy to sharing the road with anything  with four wheels, and their inability to judge danger on evidence, rather than whatever gives them the heebie jeebies.  There's far too much Sir Humphreyism around this place, combined with too much paranoia, too much paternalism and too many people who just ride for leisure and don't have to be out on the roads day in and day out on their bikes, who don't appreciate that wrapping themselves in cotton wool and making themselves seen by their unnecessary laser death rays could have consequences for the rest of us down the line.


Oh, and I'm also coming down with a cold, a week before my first target event of the year :(
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 22 May, 2017, 04:19:23 pm
We have a 'no rear light, no ride' rule locally. It is not a big deal. And having driven the course at the time of competing, it does make a bit of a difference to visibility.
Under SCU rules you also have a 'no predominantly dark colours' rule as well.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 22 May, 2017, 04:47:43 pm
Under SCU rules you also have a 'no predominantly dark colours' rule as well.

Wow.   That would remove most of the TT riders in the South East.   Too many stealth riders with all black skinsuits/helmets on black bikes.    One of the reasons I went with a bright (top half) skinsuit.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 22 May, 2017, 04:59:30 pm
Given that you have a big fluoro number pinned to your backside, it would make more sense to legislate for the colour of your helmet.

Anyway, here (https://ridewithgps.com/routes/14122913) is one of our TT courses.  Here (https://goo.gl/maps/Uje5Wo5jfr92) is another.  Dr Martin might recognise that second one as the BUCS road race course.  One thing they have in common: dragstrips they certainly ain't. 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 22 May, 2017, 05:07:18 pm
Given that you have a big fluoro number pinned to your backside.

In my speedpocket, please.   
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 22 May, 2017, 05:15:19 pm
Is that a big fluoro race number in your speedpocket or are you just pleased ...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 23 May, 2017, 09:24:19 pm
Commissaire tonight (TT under BC rules). Don't think I have gained many friends. At the turn you leave the DC via a slip road that has a hatched centre. There is then a right turn at the top to cross the bridge before turning left to rejoin (and come under the flyover). You do not cross into the opposite lane of the slip road. Of a field of 41, 9 received no time because they were entirely on the wrong side of the hashed median. If I had taken a very strict interpretation it would have been another half dozen. I have some phone video. That included one from my club who claimed that they should be told at the start if the rules were going to be enforced.

Ah well, it is only bike racing and nobody was hurt.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Paul D on 26 May, 2017, 11:59:47 am
Turning my mind to the 24 in 2 months (ish).

I'm finding that the aerobar position I am 'comfortable' in for an hour or so when turning myself inside out is not sustainable for more than about 4 hours when trying less hard ie a bit more weight on the arms and my shoulders gradually complain. I suspect I could manage a 12 hour just, but no chance for 24 hours.

All this is not surprising in the least, and I'm changing position incrementally to see how much change (wider seems to be as much of an improvement as higher) is necessary to still be comfortable(ish) after a 10-12 hour ride, but I am wondering whether those of you who ride the 24 as well as 10 / 25 / 50s change position or just get stronger / tough it out in the most aero position?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 26 May, 2017, 12:32:31 pm
I have one position for all distances.   I probably could go lower for shorter events but it would be a faff.   I deliberately narrowed the position but did it a cm at a time over a period of months.

To manage on longer rides I try to stretch regularly - tip from wheelsoffire.    I have also done a lot of long rides in position in the last couple of years and have spent the last couple of Winters doing core work and pilates.   I do all turbo work in the TT position as well.

12hrs is OK now but the last 5-6hrs of the 24hr last year were tough on my lower back.   At that point everything hurts anyway.

I did a 400k on Saturday using the TT bike and that actually went quite well with little in the way of aches and pains.

See you at the 12hr.


Rob
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 26 May, 2017, 01:06:51 pm
I raise for a 12, but then my position is quite low (http://www.kimroy-photography.co.uk/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=609201), and used to be more stretched out than in that shot.  I've also got a weak core and various problems knocking around, which are currently the subject of some work - hopefully I'll be better by July! 

ISTR Oranj saying he'd raise, but hippy saying he had one position for everything. 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 27 May, 2017, 04:59:23 pm
I was part of a team TT go on the same course as before. On my own - 29:50, and in the team - 27:08. I was able to ride in the team much more effectively than last week. I need to be able to generate more power though - time to get going properly on the turbo.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 30 May, 2017, 02:38:35 pm
This weekend was the Anfield 100, the first target of my year.  My goal: get under 4:14:33, to improve my qualifying time for the ECCA 100 in 3 weeks.  Then I got a cold and my Achilles tendons started playing up.  Feeling demotivated, I didn't force myself to bed in the nights before and did my usual night owl tricks instead.  The result of all this?

The bad: I failed.  I got 4:21:47, which put me at 31st [EDIT: 29th on the revised results] when I wanted to be top 20, and leaves me very tentative for the ECCA*.  I'd realistically hoped for 4:10 but never consistently got power or heart rate to where I wanted them.  I did manage to do fairly well to about 85 miles, then blew and loads of people came past me. 
The good: When I did the Anfield last year I quit at 50 miles, completely blown.  2016 was awful for me so this is the biggest sign so far that I'm doing better than I was.  I beat Jilko by four minutes (though she described her own ride as 'shite') and was about where Jasmijn would have been had she not gone off-route; I was just ahead of them both in the 2015 national 12, so hopefully I'm getting back to where I was. 

The uglyother: Adam Duggleby won with 3:31.  I now know how much slower I am over 100 miles than a paralympic gold medallist: 50 minutes!  The women's event was won by Becky Lewis in 4:12 - her other results are fairly similar to mine, [EDIT Not including her second place at the national hillclimb!]  suggesting I had the mediocre ride I suspected.  Oh well.


*What is it with the ECCA?!  In 2013 I got in with 4:46 whereas last year it closed on 4:09.  I guess this is after the organiser rejigged the course to remove the laney sections and make it a lot faster?  Anyway, if i don't get in, other life dates mean that I'll struggle to do a reasonably fast event for this year's BBAR: I might have to chance my luck on the BDCA at the end of August, with backups of travelling to either the Keswick or South Wales courses if I don't get in.  I don't really want to do either of those, so fingers crossed.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Legs on 30 May, 2017, 04:38:52 pm
ITYM
Adam Duggleby won with 3:31.  I now know how much slower I am over 100 miles than a paralympic gold medallist: 50 minutes! 
A two-minute beating of Ryan Perry's fairly phenomenal course and event record from last year.  I suspect that the 100m comp record is going to take a battering this year...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 30 May, 2017, 04:40:51 pm
Indeed.  I think we're going to see the first 'official' 30mph 100 and, sad to say, I don't think it will be Richard Bideau.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 30 May, 2017, 05:03:58 pm
I think that's still a great ride, Greg.    As I understand it it's a tough course and it looks like the weather wasn't great either.   The fast guys just don't slow down so comparisons with mid-table rides is probably best.

Duggleby seems to be on fire this year and I've interested to see what he's over the longer distances.

I'm not sure why John is bandying about that the ECCA 100 closed on 4:09 last year as I got in with 4:10 and I wasn't a reserve.   With the new course it's probably on a par with Etwall for speed (note - I haven't ridden Etwall).   Apart from the first and last few 100 yards it's all fast DC, but also has a bloody early start - I had to get up at 2am last year.   I expect it to attract a full field this year.

I've entered the National and the EDCA, hoping my 4:06 gets me in.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 30 May, 2017, 08:32:06 pm
That's comforting, thanks. 

The day was alright actually: a bit of light rain early doors but nothing that body heat couldn't cope with; the wind never got up to much and we'd finished by the time it started bucketing it down in the early afternoon.

Oh, and on a forumite spotting note I apparently saw Byronius and shouted encouragement to him without ever knowing who he was - he just appeared as a big orange no. 38 looming up in front of me.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Legs on 31 May, 2017, 10:00:41 am
Indeed.  I think we're going to see the first 'official' 30mph 100 and, sad to say, I don't think it will be Richard Bideau.
Sorry Greg, I also meant to say that 4:21 is not a ride to beat yourself up about.  I entered but didn't ride the Anfield in 2006, but I've done the 24 Hour and I know just how draggy those roads are - Duggleby's time is every bit as impressive as his recent 10m trike CR - and 4:21 is still pretty respectable.  It will have been good training, even if you didn't get the result you hope for.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 31 May, 2017, 12:15:42 pm
Well, the good news is that my ECCA entry has been accepted.  That means I (probably) don't have to trog round a 100 late in the season, 3 weeks afer I've killed myself in a 12 hour  :thumbsup:

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 31 May, 2017, 02:24:24 pm
Well, the good news is that my ECCA entry has been accepted.  That means I (probably) don't have to trog round a 100 late in the season, 3 weeks afer I've killed myself in a 12 hour  :thumbsup:

Enjoy.   My 25, 50 & 100 PBs were all done on the E2.   It's consistently fast but, according to the locals, usually a bit faster with a light North-Westerly as there's quite a lot of shelter as you head North.   

I couldn't fit it in this year as I have my 12hr the weekend before and we have gig tickets for the Saturday night.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Pedal Castro on 31 May, 2017, 08:56:58 pm
Well my entry was also accepted but because I am slower than the cut off I guess I am a reserve.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 01 June, 2017, 04:06:47 pm
The start sheet is out.  I'm third reserve, you're ninth.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Pedal Castro on 01 June, 2017, 09:44:40 pm
The start sheet is out.  I'm third reserve, you're ninth.
I reckon  that'll get me a ride, let's hope for enough early notice DNSs so we aren't left on tenterhooks until the last minute!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 04 June, 2017, 01:28:43 pm
Just back from the Scottish National 25. Won in what may well be a new Scottish record by John Archibald in 47:55. New old course on the A90 from Forfar to Brechin.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 12 June, 2017, 10:28:59 am
Subject to verification, I think I did just over 276m in yesterday's Newbury 12hr.   Started out fast but the rising wind took it's toll.   I felt a bit dodgy mid way through and backed off a little.   I think it was warmer than expected.

Looks like the Arctic took the team record by a smidge after Mike had a few technical issues.   Some of the top contenders (Bideau, Harrison, Jillco) dropped out to fight another day.

2 races left.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 12 June, 2017, 12:30:35 pm
Well done, that's a fantastic result.  All your hard work is paying off.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 14 June, 2017, 03:38:09 pm
Just been accepted into the National 100 in a few weeks time.   This will be interesting.    Same road just used on the 12hr (5 * 20m lap) so back over the ruts repeatedly again.   
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: cygnet on 14 June, 2017, 07:29:16 pm
The bar must be low, they've let me race too!

(I chanced an entry after the KCA 12hr was cancelled)

See you after the finish!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 14 June, 2017, 08:51:59 pm
Lower than the ECCA anyway!  That event currently has five dropouts so you've got another four to go.

P.S. Rob, you're probably on to win the long distance BAR at this rate. 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 14 June, 2017, 10:30:05 pm
Lower than the ECCA anyway!  That event currently has five dropouts so you've got another four to go.

P.S. Rob, you're probably on to win the long distance BAR at this rate.

Think wheelsoffire will win.  The only reason I got 2nd last year was because none of the top 24hr finishers did a 12.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Legs on 18 June, 2017, 07:28:52 pm
How did you get on today, folks?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 18 June, 2017, 08:18:56 pm
I DNF'd after the first lap.

I borrowed some gels from Pedal Castro and went looking for his car at the HQ to give them back but I couldn't see it.  Either I was being post-TT stupid (quite possible), he'd just set a new comp record (PC is your real name Adam Duggleby?) or else he quit too.

Adam Duggleby and Alice Lethbridge set new men's and women's comp records with 3:16 and 3:42 respectively.  GS Metro set a team comp record and several* men went under the old record - and the organiser reckons that it wasn't  actually that good a day!


[ETA five men - including Richard Bideau who did the exact same time as his disallowed comp record from two years ago.  I joked with him before the start about doing that - I didn't know he'd take me so seriously!]
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Pedal Castro on 18 June, 2017, 09:58:37 pm
I punctured just before the far turn at about 12 miles, latex tube just went bang for no reason! I put in my get home spare then promptly hit a pothole and punctured again. I did get some great photos though.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Legs on 19 June, 2017, 12:10:23 pm
Tough luck, fellas! :(
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 19 June, 2017, 01:50:32 pm
I punctured just before the far turn at about 12 miles, latex tube just went bang for no reason! I put in my get home spare then promptly hit a pothole and punctured again. I did get some great photos though.
Perhaps you should have been watching the road instead?

IGMC ...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: 24hourmaths on 19 June, 2017, 04:18:54 pm
Lower than the ECCA anyway!  That event currently has five dropouts so you've got another four to go.

P.S. Rob, you're probably on to win the long distance BAR at this rate.

Think wheelsoffire will win.  The only reason I got 2nd last year was because none of the top 24hr finishers did a 12.

You got 2nd because you did some great rides - and Victor is a very strong beast. I don't know but i would guess his was one of the best overall averages in that competition. I'm not sure if Andy ever did a 12 and 24 in the same season... I reckon you'll be closer to Victor this year, best of luck to both of you.

After the Newbury/ECCA double header I now have a few weeks off before the Shaftesbury/Mersey double.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 19 June, 2017, 04:21:00 pm
Lower than the ECCA anyway!  That event currently has five dropouts so you've got another four to go.

P.S. Rob, you're probably on to win the long distance BAR at this rate.

Think wheelsoffire will win.  The only reason I got 2nd last year was because none of the top 24hr finishers did a 12.

You got 2nd because you did some great rides - and Victor is a very strong beast. I don't know but i would guess his was one of the best overall averages in that competition. I'm not sure if Andy ever did a 12 and 24 in the same season... I reckon you'll be closer to Victor this year, best of luck to both of you.

After the Newbury/ECCA double header I now have a few weeks off before the Shaftesbury/Mersey double.

Thanks, but my 12hr was poor last year, just managing over evens.   

Great rides last 2 weekends, Mike.   See you in Shropshire in a few weeks.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: citoyen on 21 June, 2017, 08:52:47 pm
Finally managed to be organised enough to go and try out the club 10 this evening. Pretty pleased with how it went - 25:48 seems like a respectable time for a first effort, on a road bike with clip-on tri bars. (It is a fairly fast course though - pretty flat, and on a track, so no junctions or traffic to deal with.)

I was #16, and #17 caught and passed me at the start of the final lap, which spurred me on to put in a good last bit of effort - and I almost caught her back just before the finish line.

Overall, it was hard work but I don't think I pushed myself to my absolute limit, so there's definitely room for improvement.

https://www.strava.com/activities/1047665368
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 22 June, 2017, 04:40:28 pm
Finally managed to be organised enough to go and try out the club 10 this evening. Pretty pleased with how it went - 25:48 seems like a respectable time for a first effort, on a road bike with clip-on tri bars. (It is a fairly fast course though - pretty flat, and on a track, so no junctions or traffic to deal with.)

I was #16, and #17 caught and passed me at the start of the final lap, which spurred me on to put in a good last bit of effort - and I almost caught her back just before the finish line.

Overall, it was hard work but I don't think I pushed myself to my absolute limit, so there's definitely room for improvement.

https://www.strava.com/activities/1047665368

Looks pretty 'technical'.   I'd imagine on an out and back dual carriageway course you'd be way under 25 mins, probably sub 24.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: citoyen on 22 June, 2017, 05:59:21 pm
Looks pretty 'technical'.

Do you think so? My feeling was that the track is nice and wide, and the bends fairly sweeping, so they don't really slow you down at all.

I guess it might be a different story if you're averaging upwards of 25mph though.

Quote
I'd imagine on an out and back dual carriageway course you'd be way under 25 mins, probably sub 24.

I might have a go at the Thanet Way course when they next hold it there in a few weeks but the idea of riding along that stretch of road and negotiating the St Nicholas and Monkton roundabouts does not appeal hugely, I have to confess. Mind you, the thought that I could possibly go sub-24 is kind of interesting...

Chris Fennell did 19.49 last night. Must have been taking it easy.

ETA: just checked and it seems the Thanet Way course has been changed since I last looked, so no right turns at major roundabouts. Maybe I will give it a go then.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 23 June, 2017, 09:13:51 am
I think it's easier to go fast if all you have to think about is following a straight line and hammering yourself into the ground.

I've not ridden any of them but there's a decent 10 course on Sheppey which is used a bit.   PMR used to run some evening 10s on a course down on the Marsh as well.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 25 June, 2017, 10:09:11 am
That's a good ride Citoyen, congrats!  I'll echo everything Rob says, you should easily be able to knock a minute off that on a decent course, or two on a fast one.

As for me I've just posted my second DNF in two week, with the aggravating factor that this time I have broken forks to replace.  Arsebiscuits.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: citoyen on 27 June, 2017, 08:15:05 am
Cheers! Going to give it another go this week - same course for the next two Wednesdays, then it's a 4-up (might see if I can blag a place on a team for that), then it's onto the Thanet Way course (Q10/31) for a couple of weeks, so something to aim at.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 27 June, 2017, 08:30:27 am
Wow, you really are getting into it. 

I DNF'd last week - or rather I got about 50 cm off the start of the national 50 mile champs, as my steerer tube decided to break when I pulled up to start.  This, my other DNF last week, the two or three target events that got cancelled before that, plus a couple of near misses in the early season mean that I've got basically no good results this year and I'm getting rather narked off!  Time to give it all up and be a tourist methinks.

In other news, I think we should run a yacf sweepstake: When will 35 catch 29 (http://www.timetriallingforum.co.uk/index.php?/topic/121540-rttc-national-championship-100-start-sheet/)?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 27 June, 2017, 08:33:05 am
Start sheet for the National 100 is out.   Off fairly early near the front which isn't much of a surprise given the quality at the back end of the field, but there'll be less in the way of traffic assistance until later on.   Oddly, I'm more concerned about this one than the 24.

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 27 June, 2017, 08:34:27 am
In other news, I think we should run a yacf sweepstake: When will 35 catch 29 (http://www.timetriallingforum.co.uk/index.php?/topic/121540-rttc-national-championship-100-start-sheet/)?

Got there before me.   Stop it.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: cygnet on 27 June, 2017, 10:25:54 pm
I'll bid 8:35am (or am I barred from this?)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 28 June, 2017, 08:45:02 am
I'll bid 8:35am (or am I barred from this?)

I think that's optimistic.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: citoyen on 05 July, 2017, 11:29:02 pm
Skipped the club 10 last week as I was feeling a bit under the weather, but had another go tonight. Mixed feelings about my performance...

I set off pretty fast, and got to about the halfway point in just over 12 minutes, so was well on track to smash my previous time. After that, I started to flag a bit. Perhaps unsurprisingly. By the final lap, I was getting noticeably slower, and ultimately came in at 25:18. 

So, that's a PB by 30 seconds, which of course I'm happy with, but I can't help feeling rather frustrated that I didn't sneak in under the 25 minute barrier.

Must learn to pace myself better and not go out so hard at the start.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 10 July, 2017, 10:01:52 am
4:00:27 in the National 100 yesterday a PB by 6 minutes.   Despite the early week forecasts of cooler temps and light winds the day ended up a bit different.

Started with 1.5ltrs of water on the bike and 6 gels.   I hid another 600ml bottle on the course to pick up if required.   For the first couple of hours I was on a schedule that would get me a 3:55/56 passing 50 miles sub 1:58.   I didn't collapse with a bang but I was just watching my average speed drop steadily.   I could tell I was getting hot and picked up the extra bottle but I had to average 24mph for the 9miles back from the last turn and I really though I had it only to just go outside in the last quarter mile.

I was pretty dizzy for the last couple of miles and ended up on all fours on the grass verge just after the finish trying to keep hold of my breakfast.   

It wasn't just me, pretty much everyone said it was hot and there were a lot of DNFs.   I'm entered for another 100 this weekend which is a fallback event.   I think I'll need to watch the weather a bit before deciding if I have another go.    Of all the distances I find the 100 the hardest.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: citoyen on 10 July, 2017, 10:11:40 am
It wasn't just me, pretty much everyone said it was hot and there were a lot of DNFs.

It was stupidly hot yesterday. Impressive to get a PB in those conditions.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 10 July, 2017, 11:24:43 am
Started with 1.5ltrs of water on the bike and 6 gels.   I hid another 600ml bottle on the course to pick up if required.   

Great ride!
1.5 or even 2.1 litres is not much liquid for a 100 on a hot day.  If I'd been riding yesterday I would have carried either 3 or possbily 4 litres.  It costs less time to carry it than to stop and pick it up!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 10 July, 2017, 12:35:06 pm
Started with 1.5ltrs of water on the bike and 6 gels.   I hid another 600ml bottle on the course to pick up if required.   

Great ride!
1.5 or even 2.1 litres is not much liquid for a 100 on a hot day.  If I'd been riding yesterday I would have carried either 3 or possbily 4 litres.  It costs less time to carry it than to stop and pick it up!

Thanks

I need to rig up extra bottle carrying capabilities in the future.   The race bike has 2 sets of bottle bosses and can fit 2 * 750ml bottles.   I need to look at between the arms I think.   I may re-design the cock-pit for next year anyway.

Still feel pretty ropey today, to be honest.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 10 July, 2017, 01:31:11 pm
Bound to take a few days to recover.  When I've done a 100 I've usually needed a nap in the afternoon and felt a bit tired for a couple of days.

I have one between arms, one on the down tube and two behind my saddle.  All of mine can be up to 1 litre (so I've done the Newbury 12-hour with only one stop).  I think its an advantage if they can all be the same size as it's easier to swap around and less to think about!

I don't mind the heat too much so would love to have ridden yesterday, but 5-week old baby and not having touched my TT bike for a year were always going to make it unlikely!  One of my clubmates who is much faster than me was riding and he got his pacing wrong and blew up, so it would have been my one chance to beat him in a race.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: cygnet on 11 July, 2017, 08:09:19 pm
You were right!  :facepalm:

Thankfully you're off ahead of me on the MR, it will take you longer to catch me.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 12 July, 2017, 08:43:31 am
You were right!  :facepalm:

Thankfully you're off ahead of me on the MR, it will take you longer to catch me.

By optimistic I thought you were overstating my abilities.   I was very surprised to see you within an hour and I was definitely pacing the first couple of hours cautiously.

I feel slightly better today, but will skip this weekend's 100.   I need to be sensible with the 24 the following weekend.   

Overall I can be nothing but happy with the way this year has gone and, whatever happens, I'm done after the 24hr until next year.

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: citoyen on 20 July, 2017, 06:26:17 pm
Did the Thanet Way 10 course last night (Q10/31) for the first time. Went out stupidly fast - averaged about 30mph for the first two miles, largely thanks to it being downhill with a tailwind, but paid for it at the end and completely blew up in the last two miles. Had been on track to go well under 25 minutes but ended up nearer 27 minutes. Very disappointing. (11:52 for the first 5 miles, 26:49 for the 10)

https://www.strava.com/activities/1091728781

It's definitely a fast course, and large parts of it have recently been resurfaced with fresh tarmac, so I can see that I really ought to be faster than on the Fowlmead circuit. As well as going out too fast, I suspect I might also have burnt up too much energy test-riding part of the course as a warm-up, and on the ride over to the start.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: citoyen on 20 July, 2017, 06:37:59 pm
Also... last week was a 4-up TT at Fowlmead. I was part of a makeshift team with riders of somewhat varying abillities - and one of our four dropped out less than halfway through the first lap, just couldn't hack the pace.

Of the remaining three, two of us were quite evenly matched but the other guy was a monster. Every time he came to the front, he upped the pace noticeably, which made it hard for me to stay on his wheel and I was really struggling to hold on by the last two laps (of seven). His strength ended up being counter-productive. Anyway, it was fun and I quite fancy trying something like that again - as long as it's with people who are more my level of ability.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 20 July, 2017, 09:01:21 pm
Riding as one of a team is a skill.

I rode the national team TT 3-up with our club coach and another.  The coach was an absolute master at matching our pace on the front.  We won the senior citizen's trophy.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: sg37409 on 21 July, 2017, 03:46:51 pm
Our club has a 2-up and a TTT, and sadly I couldn't make either of them. I really fancy it.
Is it easier to be the stronger rider and not go flat out, or a weaker rider and basically go flat out ?

On a very sad note
Cyclist, 91, died doing time trial on Aylesbury road (http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-40680451)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 21 July, 2017, 04:25:32 pm
There's a 9 man TTT at Silverstone in June (regular road bikes, no aero bars or helmets). I tried out with the club for our vets team, but I just wasn't fast enough. It was really good in a masochistic way - you try to keep out of the wind as best you can until your turn on the front - 20 -30 seconds on there maintaining the pace and then you can cruise back down the outside trying to recover, until you get to the back and have to sprint like crazy to get the last wheel.  :-X Mess it up and you don't get back on and then you're toast. Top tip - pick a place behind one of the bigger riders in the team - if you end up behind a little TT type who gets really low then you won't get much draft and you'll suffer the whole way around!

If there's a strength imbalance, then it's probably most efficient for the stronger rider to try to ride at the same speed as the weaker rider manages, but for much longer durations. That might not be much fun if the strength disparity is such that the stronger rider is on the front for the whole time.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 21 July, 2017, 05:09:05 pm
I've been at both ends of a team TT - weakest and strongest. 'Strong pulls long' with the speed set by the weakest (not necessarily the speed they'd ride at the front). They may end up suffering on the back the whole way if there is a big difference in fitness. Definitely pick the team's riding order with size and strength in mind.

It can be very helpful knowing what is the minimum number of riders for an official finish. That way you can burn out your weakest rider/s partway round but you are gambling on no flat tyres or blown riders in the final stages.

With a 9-up TTT (why more than 4-up?), I'd run a rotating double line, about 15 seconds in front if the riders are fairly evenly matched. Otherwise it takes too long to get to the back of the line and the speed differentials are too great.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 22 July, 2017, 07:22:33 pm
A lot of those 9-up teams at Silverstone are a shambles. Averaging slower than most of the riders do on their own!

Of course it's not easy finding 9 riders with TTT/chaingang experience, (of vaguely similar speeds), and then getting enough practice time together. Which is basically why I avoid the things.


(Nothing to do with it being a lot of money. Or not being fast enough for team selection ... )
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 22 July, 2017, 11:31:46 pm
Mersey Roads update: Messrs Crossley, Bullyment and Buck have all packed.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: αdαmsκι on 22 July, 2017, 11:52:50 pm
Mersey Roads update: Messrs Crossley, Bullyment and Buck have all packed.

 :( How come? Weather?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 23 July, 2017, 01:02:34 am
Rain early on, really quite heavy at times.  It was meant to stop in time for riders to dry out for the night but it's restarted as a nocturnal drizzle, my rider turned up ap Prees 20 minutes late and really quite chilled on his last stop, half an hour ago.



Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 23 July, 2017, 07:53:55 am
Mersey Roads update: Messrs Crossley, Bullyment and Buck have all packed.

 :( How come? Weather?

Fuckity.   There will be other times.   Form of my life and nothing to show for it.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 23 July, 2017, 09:43:19 am
Cold drizzle on and off throughout the night, more on than off.  It got a bit heavier in the morning but has now stopped and brightened up.  The riders will be sent to the finishing circuit within the hour though, and Rob tells me the rain is still pouring in Wrexham.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 23 July, 2017, 09:46:42 am
How many still on the road? 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 23 July, 2017, 10:11:57 am
About 40.

Paul's doing well. (https://twitter.com/MerseyRoads24/status/889038274123182081)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 23 July, 2017, 11:14:40 am
About 40.

Paul's doing well. (https://twitter.com/MerseyRoads24/status/889038274123182081)

Several of them.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 23 July, 2017, 02:26:19 pm
Any news?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 23 July, 2017, 04:12:52 pm
Mike first with 530.   Victor second with 482, then Jasmijn third with 450 ish.

Lot of people well down on last year, but the finishing circuit was warm and sunny. 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Paul D on 23 July, 2017, 05:10:22 pm
Utterly broken at the finish having been fine & on schedule in the torrential rain for the first 12hrs, then dawdled and wasted time sitting at Prees in the wee hours cause I couldn't stay awake. When dawn came and I  went back on the Quina Brook circuit I got the bit between my teeth and hammered a couple of laps...which broke me. Another shower and I was a shivering wreck. Helpers to the rescue, they brought sarcasm, dry clothes and an absolute refusal to let me in the car, so off I went just wanting to make it to the finish circuit and get a distance.  Felt human on the transition so upped target to 600k / 373 miles but bloody hell did I have to dig deep to get up the climbs on the finishing circuit. Got given 374 which should go up to 376 or maybe 377 but hugely short of the 400 mile target or the 414 club record. Maybe next year... :hand:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 24 July, 2017, 10:05:47 am
Helpers to the rescue, they brought sarcasm, dry clothes and an absolute refusal to let me in the car

 ;D I hear T0by can be a big bully when he wants to be?  ;D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 24 July, 2017, 08:39:04 pm
Utterly broken at the finish having been fine & on schedule in the torrential rain for the first 12hrs, then dawdled and wasted time sitting at Prees in the wee hours cause I couldn't stay awake. When dawn came and I  went back on the Quina Brook circuit I got the bit between my teeth and hammered a couple of laps...which broke me. Another shower and I was a shivering wreck. Helpers to the rescue, they brought sarcasm, dry clothes and an absolute refusal to let me in the car, so off I went just wanting to make it to the finish circuit and get a distance.  Felt human on the transition so upped target to 600k / 373 miles but bloody hell did I have to dig deep to get up the climbs on the finishing circuit. Got given 374 which should go up to 376 or maybe 377 but hugely short of the 400 mile target or the 414 club record. Maybe next year... :hand:

Well done, Paul.  Great debut in awful conditions.   Anyone that finished that is a hero.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 30 July, 2017, 11:11:02 pm
It seems the Breckland 12 has passed with both men's and women's comp records intact - the women's by about 5 miles, the men's by less than a mile.  I must admit, that wasn't the result I was expecting.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 13 August, 2017, 05:06:25 pm
Fifty years since it was set, the women's 12 hour record is within an hour of being beaten!

(http://www.cloudedforest.com/sharedfiles/ecca12hr13082017_05.png)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 13 August, 2017, 05:43:59 pm
Stood in a couple of lay-bys for 2hrs watching the riders fly past.   Alice looked pretty together ?

Where were you ?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 13 August, 2017, 05:49:48 pm
Where were you ?

In the office, doing work that's come up that I'm currently trying to ignore while checking WoF's twitter feed for the closing scores!

[EDIT: Aaaaaaand it's done.  She's done 278.53 miles and has 20 minutes remaining.  Congratulations Alice!]
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Legs on 13 August, 2017, 08:26:15 pm
Awesomeness abounds. :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 13 August, 2017, 08:45:22 pm
Was that the National 12? Just heard that one of our local riders was hit by a car during the event and has several broken bones.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 13 August, 2017, 09:10:35 pm
Was that the National 12? Just heard that one of our local riders was hit by a car during the event and has several broken bones.

Yes. On the E2. I watched for a while and chatted to a couple of the timekeepers.   Didn't hear of any incidents but I did leave a couple of hours before the finish.

As an aside I'm already p'd off with some of the technology nay-sayers on social media, upset that Beryl's record has been taken.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Wowbagger on 14 August, 2017, 11:18:22 am
Without knowing what the race was, the ride I was on yesterday crossed its path.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 14 August, 2017, 11:27:29 am
Without knowing what the race was, the ride I was on yesterday crossed its path.

Having never met you before I thought it was you.   Were you on a folder/airnimal type bike ?   
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: citoyen on 14 August, 2017, 12:02:09 pm
As an aside I'm already p'd off with some of the technology nay-sayers on social media, upset that Beryl's record has been taken.

People can be so mean-spirited. Congrats to Alice, that's a great achievement.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 14 August, 2017, 02:45:39 pm
As an aside I'm already p'd off with some of the technology nay-sayers on social media, upset that Beryl's record has been taken.

People can be so mean-spirited. Congrats to Alice, that's a great achievement.

My comment elsewhere was that it was sad & wonderful at the same time.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: citoyen on 14 August, 2017, 07:40:05 pm
My comment elsewhere was that it was sad & wonderful at the same time.

That's fair.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 14 August, 2017, 11:05:45 pm
There were plenty of other people on all platforms whose first response was something along the lines of "Yebbut Beryl would've smashed it today, she did it without disc wheels or skinsuits or yadda yadda yadda ... ".  Guys, get a life.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 15 August, 2017, 09:46:57 am
There were plenty of other people on all platforms whose first response was something along the lines of "Yebbut Beryl would've smashed it today, she did it without disc wheels or skinsuits or yadda yadda yadda ... ".  Guys, get a life.

I've seen some similar attitudes at a local level when I started to beat or get close to long-standing club records.   All a bit sad.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Wowbagger on 16 August, 2017, 01:51:48 pm
I haven't seen any mention of this amazing new record in any of the sports pages. Has anyone?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 16 August, 2017, 02:14:33 pm
Nope.

Hopefully someone will put out a press release when the official result is published.  It's not out yet, and holding my breath is starting to get a bit of a strain.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 16 August, 2017, 02:35:33 pm
Pretty clear who won the women's although the record is subject to validation as the marshalls are missing a lap.   Alice has had to provide her GPS files to confirm.

We still don't know if Bideau or Harrison won the men's.   It was down to about a quarter if a mile difference towards the end.

In other news this event may not take place next year as the organiser is standing down.   That'll leave the sport with 5 * 12hr events.    There is a mod out to remove the 12hr from the BBAR which I think would be a massive shame.   When I first started to read about the sport the BBAR was of huge interest, but it took me another 25yrs to actually ride one.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 16 August, 2017, 02:54:37 pm
Kent have stopped running their 12 hour too, so that leaves us with the Breckland, Yorkshire, West Cheshire and Newbury events. 

Moving the men's BBAR to be based on 25, 50 and 100 mile events like the women's championship could actually be quite good: it would be a proper competition contested by lots of the best testers in the country, and would have more of a claim to the 'all rounder' title.  It would alkso leave more space to run a separate long distance BAR, i.e. a formal CTT version of the 24 hour fellowship's competition.  I think Nick Clarke may be proposing that this year?

Part of the problem with the 12 hour and the BBAR is that most people only ride one a year, which excludes all the slower courses for anyone who has BBAR ambitions - and then the slower events become backwaters where you can never race against the best riders.  If you kept the 12 but ranked the BBAR based on points and positions, that could widen the field for both competitions and may well be healthy for both of them.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 16 August, 2017, 03:32:35 pm
The Kent still exists but has been cancelled for the last 2 years due to a lack of marshalls.   Pretty sure they'll try to run it again next year.   I've not seen any of the current 12hrs fill - the Breckland had just over 30 entrants this year.   I suppose with less of them there will be more chance of them filling.    The majority of the sport, though, couldn't care less about the longer distances.

If it weren't for the 12hr I'd be way further down the tables than I am.    I've been rather pleased to work my way towards finishing in what could be the top 50 this year in a competition that I read about in the comic as a child.    Changing the rules, for me at least, would be unfortunate.   

TBH I'd still race the 12hr as it's my only chance, really, to get a top 10 finish in any event over the year.   I have no hope at the shorter distances.   I think is just taking the 24hr fellowship long distance BAR and asking that the CTT formally recognise it.

At least in TTs you can still chase PBs and local area records.   There's something for everyone.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: citoyen on 16 August, 2017, 03:39:48 pm
I was going to marshal the Kent 12 this year but I wasn't available that weekend. Shame. Don't know how far short of the required number of marshals they were.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Legs on 16 August, 2017, 04:42:07 pm
Pretty clear who won the women's although the record is subject to validation as the marshalls are missing a lap.   Alice has had to provide her GPS files to confirm.

We still don't know if Bideau or Harrison won the men's.   It was down to about a quarter if a mile difference towards the end.

In other news this event may not take place next year as the organiser is standing down.   That'll leave the sport with 5 * 12hr events.    There is a mod out to remove the 12hr from the BBAR which I think would be a massive shame.   When I first started to read about the sport the BBAR was of huge interest, but it took me another 25yrs to actually ride one.

I fully appreciate that organising a 12 hour must be very difficult, but I thought it was utterly disgraceful to publish incorrect preliminary results (since retracted) when it was commonly known that Pete Harrison's distance was incorrect (short) by ~1 lap.  ::-)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 17 August, 2017, 09:34:52 am
Like you say in another place Legs, it's easy to work out from Strava that Rider A has gone X times round the morning circuit, Y times round the afternoon circuit and Z times round the finishing circuit - and if you've pre-measured the course, you can then say exactly how far that is.  You then only really need to check the final finishing circuit timekeepers' logs to generate a provisional result that should be accurate, and can then check the rest of the logs if you like to generate a final result.  Like you also say, the process can be sped up with a bit of automation; the Mersey Roads team were doing this and managed to produce several intermediate distance sheets (https://twitter.com/MerseyRoads24/status/889038274123182081) throughout the day, before getting the results up quickly afterwards.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 17 August, 2017, 10:05:47 am
The final Newbury 12hr (held 2nd weekend June) result was only posted to the CTT website last week.   There were on-going queries with rider distances up until then.

To be fair the first run had me a couple of miles short as it was thought that I had finished one timekeeper earlier than I did.   This was corrected pretty quickly.

At the moment I lie in 21st place in the BBAR.   I would be higher if my fastest 50 counted, but such is life.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Legs on 17 August, 2017, 11:04:07 am
Like you say in another place Legs, it's easy to work out from Strava that Rider A has gone X times round the morning circuit, Y times round the afternoon circuit and Z times round the finishing circuit - and if you've pre-measured the course, you can then say exactly how far that is.  You then only really need to check the final finishing circuit timekeepers' logs to generate a provisional result that should be accurate, and can then check the rest of the logs if you like to generate a final result.  Like you also say, the process can be sped up with a bit of automation; the Mersey Roads team were doing this and managed to produce several intermediate distance sheets (https://twitter.com/MerseyRoads24/status/889038274123182081) throughout the day, before getting the results up quickly afterwards.

In fact, the inputting of X * morning circuit + Y * afternoon circuit can begin as soon as the riders are diverted onto the finishing circuit, so (in theory) that information can be ready to have the final 4 pieces of information added on each rider's finish; Z * finishing circuit, time at penultimate TK, time at finish TK, location of finish.  Input just these into a suitably set up spreadsheet and you can instantly generate finishing distances.  Verify against riders' own GPS claims and job's a good'un. 


Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 17 August, 2017, 01:11:55 pm
I haven't seen any mention of this amazing new record in any of the sports pages. Has anyone?

It's in the Comic.  They've got a quote from BB's daughter Denise, who said that her mum's response would include "It's about blooming time!"

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DHa6lhgXoAAD0ye.jpg:large)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 17 August, 2017, 04:53:20 pm
Last club evening 10 of the season tonight (followed by pizza/beer/etc :) )

It's on a new course, which starts/finished conveniently near the restaurant. So a good evening on the cards ...

except I've just noticed there is a TL-controlled junction on the course. Of course we're all pretty sensible, and there's no prizes at stake, but I do have slight concerns ...   It's not even mentioned on the risk-assessment map (unlike the tiny mini-roundabout half-a-mile later) :o
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Legs on 17 August, 2017, 05:09:10 pm
good luck!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Pedal Castro on 18 August, 2017, 07:59:31 am
Last club evening 10 of the season tonight (followed by pizza/beer/etc :) )

It's on a new course, which starts/finished conveniently near the restaurant. So a good evening on the cards ...

except I've just noticed there is a TL-controlled junction on the course. Of course we're all pretty sensible, and there's no prizes at stake, but I do have slight concerns ...   It's not even mentioned on the risk-assessment map (unlike the tiny mini-roundabout half-a-mile later) :o

What is your concern? That the TL renders some element of luck in the race, or that you may have a difficult decision to make if it's red when you get there?

I have ridden a few TTs this year with TLs, usually for pedestrian crossings which have always been green but I was stopped by a red light in the CC Breckland 12h this year.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 18 August, 2017, 08:10:35 am
As it turned out:
- I'd misremembered the junction, no lights. &
- I went to the start, not knowing that sign-on was at the finish
- event was rained off due to likely spray on the short (but busy) A-road section

 ;D

...
or that you may have a difficult decision to make if it's red when you get there?
Wouldn't be a difficult decision - laws are laws, doubly so if you have a conspicuous race-number (and club affiliation) on your back.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 18 August, 2017, 08:40:16 pm
Just put new bars and tribars on the TT iron, replaced the brake cables and added nicely clashing purple bar tape.  Now to see if those things make it faster over 25 miles.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 01 September, 2017, 04:11:43 pm
I'm currently 13th reserve for a normal open on the V718.  I've also entered a 'slowest 120' event and have just got bumped into the reserves for that.  Too fast for the slow race, to slow for the fast race!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 02 September, 2017, 11:32:42 pm
Next tale of woe: I decided to close my season with an association 25 at the start of October, but then looked at the clubs list and couldn't find mine on there.  If we've left - again - it's probably because the committee have decided - again - that TT is ridiculously dangerous because of [lack of evidence or informed reasoning] and club members should be herded away from it.  Either that or we've been kicked out due to not fulfilling our marshalling requirements due to the same committee not passing on the requests. 

[EDIT: Yup, turns out we're out of the association again.  Methinks it's time to change allegiance.]
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 29 September, 2017, 02:44:39 pm
So after being in a massive sulk at the end of July I should probably summarise that overall my season was really good with PBs at all distances apart from the 24hr.

Best rides this year in my view were the 50 (1:52:22) and the 12hr (276 miles), both huge improvements.   I was disappointed with my 100 just missing getting under 4hrs but a 6min PB nonetheless.   I'm currently joint 48th in the BBAR so top 50 is a possibility unless there's any results not been posted yet.

In summary some of the training is brutal and the overall workload gets you down.   I couldn't do it without a supportive family.   The moment when you cross the line and see how much you have improved and how fast you can propel a bike still makes it worthwhile.

We'll see about next year.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 29 September, 2017, 06:02:42 pm
After doing almost no racing this year, I have gone and entered my first "proper" hill climb; Walbury Hill on Sunday morning (run by Newbury RC, one of our neighbour clubs). There will be a pub finish, an alcoholic prize for best "kg-per-minute" figure, and other general razzmatazz.

I did a test ride last night (under the cloak of darkness) on a similar profile road. Got very out of puff, and my wrist-watch confirmed that I shall not be troubling the podium on Sunday.

It's about 1.8km. How hard can that be??
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 18 November, 2017, 02:43:31 pm
Roy Cromack, my erstwhile clubmate who was first to push the 24 hour record over 500 miles, has died.  RIP Roy.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Peter on 18 November, 2017, 03:05:43 pm
A big name from the past, Greg.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 29 November, 2017, 09:44:18 pm
Sorry to hear that. 
Just the other day, I was reading the account of the race where he broke 500 in the 24-hour Fellowship mag.  It was one of the more interesting articles I've read in there.  It was a very good read as - for those of my age or younger - there was a handful of other strong riders battling it out, led by Beryl Burton, who was potentially on track for 520 when she had to pack with knee trouble.   
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 31 December, 2017, 12:02:25 pm
2018 dares are on the CTT website.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 31 December, 2017, 12:17:20 pm
The good news: there's a 50 I can do before I leave the country at the start of May.

The bad news: it's the day after the only 25 I can realistically do, and they're separated by the distance between Doncaster and Surrey. 

The question: do I commit to one mad weekend of time trialling, a few days before I fly?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 31 December, 2017, 12:23:15 pm
The good news: there's a 50 I can do before I leave the country at the start of May.

The bad news: it's the day after the only 25 I can realistically do, and they're separated by the distance between Doncaster and Surrey. 

The question: do I commit to one mad weekend of time trialling, a few days before I fly?

I like the Charlotteville 50.   Pretty fast course, but it's a weekend earlier than usual.   I'll be there.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 31 December, 2017, 12:50:09 pm
2018 dares are on the CTT website.
Is that a typo, or did you mean dares? :)
I'm just going to do local events, so hopefully I don't need to book so far in advance. No TT bike this year as I spent my years bike budget on a power meter!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 31 December, 2017, 05:04:29 pm
2018 dares are on the CTT website.
Is that a typo, or did you mean dares? :)
I'm just going to do local events, so hopefully I don't need to book so far in advance. No TT bike this year as I spent my years bike budget on a power meter!

Miles away as usual....

I’ve already spent a load of money on upgrades.  Let’s see what the year brings.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 06 January, 2018, 01:31:30 pm
I'm at a wedding where the ceremony and reception are at opposite ends of the Bentley TT course, so I'm getting a good recce.  Currently at the Chawton turn.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 06 January, 2018, 05:52:48 pm
I'm at a wedding where the ceremony and reception are at opposite ends of the Bentley TT course, so I'm getting a good recce.  Currently at the Chawton turn.

The whole 20 miles have been resurfaced with smooth tarmac ?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: cygnet on 06 January, 2018, 11:01:40 pm
Oh please let that be true!

I'm just going to do local events, so hopefully I don't need to book so far in advance.

No need to enter any event early, it's all sorted out at close of entries c. 10 days in advance.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 07 January, 2018, 12:18:53 am
I'm at a wedding where the ceremony and reception are at opposite ends of the Bentley TT course, so I'm getting a good recce.  Currently at the Chawton turn.

The whole 20 miles have been resurfaced with smooth tarmac ?

Nope
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 20 March, 2018, 09:21:13 am
First TT of the year Saturday afternoon.   Eastern Counties 10 on the E2.

I bloody hate 10s.........
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 20 March, 2018, 09:26:04 am
The forecast looks good: 10 degrees with a light wind from the East.  I'll look forward to spotting your time in the 19s  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 20 March, 2018, 10:03:30 am
The forecast looks good: 10 degrees with a light wind from the East.  I'll look forward to spotting your time in the 19s  :thumbsup:

Forecasts seem to vary a bit depending on which one you look at.   PB is a short 23.   There's room for a bit of improvement there.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: joy of essex on 20 March, 2018, 12:24:16 pm
Race  HQs...

Hello, I ve started a thread on Race HQ facilities.  Can I ask you  to have a look at it and , if you have the time, give me your views on what you want from a TT race HQ.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Greenbank on 21 March, 2018, 11:14:50 am
"
Yorkshire DC voted to suspend all events on the V718 / V728 and V718/1 pending talks with HE, Humberside Police, ERYCC and HCC relating to future use of the course.
The reason given was that they did not want to put at risk any possible future use developments if we were seen to be flying against the stated feelings of these groups.
"

Shitstorm over on TTF (Film at 11).
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 21 March, 2018, 12:35:02 pm
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr  ::-)

I was going to do a last ride on there in the Vive le Velo event at the end of April.  Oh well.

Anyway, after a winter in which I kind of disappeared down a black hole, things are easing up and I've started to ride my bike again.   I've not really gone beyond 'base' though, so I've plotted a season and entered some events to motivate myself to start piling on the hurts.  I finish work in early May and leave the country two weeks later, so here are the opens in my rather truncated season.  I've already entered the 50 and booked the train and the Airbnb, so there's no wussing out.

Sat 28/4 14:00 10 miles Ferryhill Wheelers T105
Sat 05/5 14:00 25 miles Drighlington BC  V232
Sun 13/5 06:00 50 miles Norland TT Combine F1b/50
Sat 19/5 14:00 10 miles Selby Wheelers  V511

Better get training! 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 21 March, 2018, 02:23:25 pm
Only 86 entries for the 10 on the E2 this weekend.   I think events on here will start to fill from now on.   Dowsett had comp record on this course until the mighty fast last few rides in the V718.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Deano on 21 March, 2018, 02:47:44 pm

Sun 22/04 Teesdale Mountain TT
Sat 28/4 14:00 10 miles Ferryhill Wheelers T105
Sat 05/5 14:00 25 miles Drighlington BC  V232
Sun 13/5 06:00 50 miles Norland TT Combine F1b/50
Sat 19/5 14:00 10 miles Selby Wheelers  V511

Better get training!

FTFY!

There's a road bike category this year, but sadly I'm busy that day: http://www.teesdalecrc.co.uk/teesdale-mountain-tt/4590929750
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Bairn Again on 21 March, 2018, 02:54:50 pm
Id entered the Corrieris 10TT due to be held 4th March (super flat course) but it was weathered off and is now in June. 

Aside from my club midweek 10s Ive entered the Falkirk BC 10 on 14th April.  I was born and grew up in Falkirk and its my birthday so seemed a good idea.  I don't know the course but Im bound to be familiar with it.   

Been out a few lunchtimes on an 8 mile circuit and believe Im better prepared than the last 2 years
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 21 March, 2018, 04:19:15 pm

Sun 22/04 Teesdale Mountain TT
Sat 28/4 14:00 10 miles Ferryhill Wheelers T105
Sat 05/5 14:00 25 miles Drighlington BC  V232
Sun 13/5 06:00 50 miles Norland TT Combine F1b/50
Sat 19/5 14:00 10 miles Selby Wheelers  V511

Better get training!

FTFY!

There's a road bike category this year, but sadly I'm busy that day: http://www.teesdalecrc.co.uk/teesdale-mountain-tt/4590929750

Busy?  Any excuse!  I'll do it if you will  :demon:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 21 March, 2018, 04:33:21 pm
I just realised my first ever proper TT is 2 weeks on Saturday. April has snuck up on me (I blame the weather). My TT bars showed up yesterday, so that's promising!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 22 March, 2018, 09:19:55 am
I'm meant to be making a TT comeback this season, supposedly targeting a few hundreds, plus some shorter ones to get me in the swing of things.  (Greg, I had the F1b/50 on my possible list so would be good to catch up there)

But the TT bike is dusty - not used for almost two years and only twice since 2015.  And, to get back on it, I need to take a hacksaw to the seatpost as changed position.  And see how easily my back will accomodate going aero again. 

Reason to race is that I am training to get fit for the TCR.  But I'll only race if I can get PBs, I don't enjoy it enough otherwise, and PBs will need me to be as aero as I was in 2014 when I set my PBs.

I'm kind of talking myself out of it as I write. 

But, first step is to pump up the tyres on the TT bike, sit on it and adjust it so I get a fit.

I've bought new racing wheels, but that was easy - the credit card took care of that.  Actually getting me on the bike will take more effort.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 22 March, 2018, 12:32:24 pm
ut I'll only race if I can get PBs, I don't enjoy it enough otherwise,

This.   Basically.

Not really in love with the sport but the feeling of elation when you stop the clock can be addictive.

I'll be at the 50/100/12 on the A31 so maybe see you there ?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 22 March, 2018, 12:50:29 pm
Yes - I won't do a 12 this year but I have the 50 and 100 pencilled in.  If I do any TTs I'll do those ones!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 24 March, 2018, 05:44:19 pm
The forecast looks good: 10 degrees with a light wind from the East.  I'll look forward to spotting your time in the 19s  :thumbsup:

Forecasts seem to vary a bit depending on which one you look at.   PB is a short 23.   There's room for a bit of improvement there.

21:17.   Very still but pretty cold.  Needed a base layer and full finger gloves.   

Good to see Pedal Castro marshalling and Drossall supporting his clubmates at the start and finish.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 24 March, 2018, 09:47:52 pm
Well done!  Good PB, but not so on the shelf that you won't fancy shaving it a bit on a fast day...!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: drossall on 25 March, 2018, 09:44:23 am
Good to see Pedal Castro marshalling and Drossall supporting his clubmates at the start and finish.
Among those clubmates was my son-in-law, busily making me feel totally inadequate. My best ever is a 23:42 done in the early 80s. He did a PB yesterday with 20:57 >:(

Couple of photos of Rob's start. I should have got one at the finish too, but was watching out for said s-i-l:

(https://www.dropbox.com/s/dkv8qydr4ysssuv/20180324-Rob-start-1.jpg?raw=1)

(https://www.dropbox.com/s/eusahq1x62eh1og/20180324-Rob-start-2.jpg?raw=1)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 25 March, 2018, 07:02:45 pm
Thanks for those.   Bike has a lot more clean lines this year.

Possibly a little less cake to ensure the skinsuit still fits.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 25 March, 2018, 07:18:38 pm
Big congratulations Rob, I hate to think what you'll do on a good day in August. 

In other news, I know TTing is parochial when I recognise a start timekeeper from a completely different part of the country  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: drossall on 25 March, 2018, 07:41:10 pm
Thanks for those.   Bike has a lot more clean lines this year.
PM me if you'd like the "originals".
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Feanor on 28 March, 2018, 11:16:18 pm
For reasons I can't entirely explain, I appear to have entered my first ever TT.

It's the Spring Bunny 25-mile TT on the Garlogie - Torphins course.

Not having a TT bike, I will be using a soot Audax bike, with aero bars and possibly some more aero wheels if I can borrow them in time.

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 02 April, 2018, 03:42:20 pm
Saturday I'm riding my first ever (proper) club 10. 
CC118 is what the segment is called - I think that's the name of the course?
This is the segment from the club website: https://www.strava.com/segments/1951541
My best time of 27 something was when riding in TTT formation - on my own I only achieved this 29:50. Strava estimates 169 Watts, so I should be able to beat that given my current FTP is 256. I've also got some aero bars - gonna get a bike fit onto them tomorrow.  I have no idea how quick I can go though - I'll was thinking that I would just try 260W on the way to the turn and see how deep I can go on the way back, but aero position might mean I've got to reduce that...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 02 April, 2018, 04:24:23 pm
That course looks uphill to the turn.  It will depend on wind direction but, personally, I would give it the beans on the way out and try to hang on on the way back.

I have the Lee Valley 25 back on the E2 next Saturday afternoon.   Hoping it will be as fast as last year as I can only fit one 25 in this year.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 02 April, 2018, 05:00:02 pm
I just drilled a hole in the carbon frame of my TT bike.  I need to lie down now, that was stressful!

Saturday I'm riding my first ever (proper) club 10. 
CC118 is what the segment is called - I think that's the name of the course?
This is the segment from the club website: https://www.strava.com/segments/1951541
My best time of 27 something was when riding in TTT formation - on my own I only achieved this 29:50. Strava estimates 169 Watts, so I should be able to beat that given my current FTP is 256. I've also got some aero bars - gonna get a bike fit onto them tomorrow.  I have no idea how quick I can go though - I'll was thinking that I would just try 260W on the way to the turn and see how deep I can go on the way back, but aero position might mean I've got to reduce that...


Good luck for Saturday!  Like Rob says, go deep uphill and leave just enough to hang on for the downhill return.  Oh, and ignore Strava 'power', it's a complete work of fiction   :D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 02 April, 2018, 05:12:35 pm
I just drilled a hole in the carbon frame of my TT bike.  I need to lie down now, that was stressful!

How retro!

Drillium (http://bikeretrogrouch.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/drillium-style.html)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 02 April, 2018, 06:33:26 pm
Saturday I'm riding my first ever (proper) club 10. 
CC118 is what the segment is called - I think that's the name of the course?
This is the segment from the club website: https://www.strava.com/segments/1951541
My best time of 27 something was when riding in TTT formation - on my own I only achieved this 29:50. Strava estimates 169 Watts, so I should be able to beat that given my current FTP is 256. I've also got some aero bars - gonna get a bike fit onto them tomorrow.  I have no idea how quick I can go though - I'll was thinking that I would just try 260W on the way to the turn and see how deep I can go on the way back, but aero position might mean I've got to reduce that...


Good luck for Saturday!  Like Rob says, go deep uphill and leave just enough to hang on for the downhill return.  Oh, and ignore Strava 'power', it's a complete work of fiction   :D
It's not very steep - the total rise is only 36m over 5 miles! But the plan is to go hard outwards in the anticipation of it being slightly easier to maintain speed on the way back...

I meant to ask - The start is only 10 miles from where I live and I don't think there's much parking - if my start time is reasonable and the weather isn't bad, is there any issue with riding to the event? Obviously the proper way to do things is to drive there and warm up on the turbo etc, but seeing as it's an early season experiment...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 02 April, 2018, 07:15:51 pm
I’d ride there and back.   It’s an ideal distance.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 03 April, 2018, 12:28:01 pm
I meant to ask - The start is only 10 miles from where I live and I don't think there's much parking - if my start time is reasonable and the weather isn't bad, is there any issue with riding to the event? Obviously the proper way to do things is to drive there and warm up on the turbo etc, but seeing as it's an early season experiment...
the PROPER way is to ride over on your training wheels, with your race wheels on the front of your bike.

;)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 03 April, 2018, 12:38:00 pm
I meant to ask - The start is only 10 miles from where I live and I don't think there's much parking - if my start time is reasonable and the weather isn't bad, is there any issue with riding to the event? Obviously the proper way to do things is to drive there and warm up on the turbo etc, but seeing as it's an early season experiment...
the PROPER way is to ride over on your training wheels, with your race wheels on the front of your bike.

;)

... with your drillium frame, and preferably your time trial balaclava

(https://cyclinguphill.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/mw-one-piece.jpg)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 03 April, 2018, 12:46:42 pm
Oh, I say - classy!

(Is that front caliper flipped round to behind the fork? I wasn't aware of that trick back-in-the-day )
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: tatanab on 03 April, 2018, 12:52:38 pm
Getting to an evening club TT

The modern way -
Drive a couple of miles to the start causing problems with parking for the organiser.
Warm up on rollers or take a short ride on the road.
Ride 10 mile TT.
Intake of a recovery drink.
Drive a couple of miles home.

The old way (1970s at any rate)
Cycle 10 miles to the start.
Leave saddlebag, lights etc under the hedge.
Ride 25 mile TT
Join club mates in a 10 mile ride homewards, stopping at a pub on the way for a drink (rehydrate in terms of our scientific age)

We carried race wheels only if we were riding a course a distance from home (a weekend open event where we would ride down the day before), local evening events we just rode our race wheels - if we had any.

Different days, different ways.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 03 April, 2018, 01:27:34 pm
I don't have race wheels - I have a road "endurance" bike with disc brakes and clip-on aero bars. :) I'll ride over.
Drillium looks like what we used to do with RC cars back in the day - removing a tiny piece of alloy makes things so much faster. :)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 03 April, 2018, 01:39:18 pm
One of my clubmates still had the handlebar clips for carrying his race wheels to/from races when I took it up in the 80s.

Wouldn't work very well with a disc, mind.

I think this may have been to protect the silk tubs they used to use on race wheels rather than the wheels themselves.   I've ridden 30 miles to the start of a 10 before.   Someone asked me if I wanted a lift back as it was a long way.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: tatanab on 03 April, 2018, 02:00:12 pm
I think this may have been to protect the silk tubs they used to use on race wheels rather than the wheels themselves.
I'd suggest that if he rode silks he was either a very fast man probably sponsored, or a very rich man.  Certainly your normal club rider would not be on silks, and certainly not for a scrappy old evening event.  In my day, the general tub of choice was a Barum PBW at 8 oz (230 gms  in metric) which is a pretty much the same weight as a mid/high end modern clincher of similar width.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 03 April, 2018, 02:28:46 pm
My first road bike (bought mid 90s secondhand) came with tubs and Continental Competition/Sprinter tubulars. They were 250g or so in 23mm. I failed dismally to repair them when they punctured, so I bought a stack of Vittoria Rallye on offer, but when I'd worked my way through them I switched to clinchers!

Reading the TT Forum it and looking at eBay for cheap aero wheels, it seems that people still use tubulars - maybe that's why they drive to (local) events?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 07 April, 2018, 11:57:07 am
28:37 official time.  https://www.strava.com/activities/1494040630/segments/37257007569
It was windy - headwind on the way out (uphill) and then tailwind on the way back. I didn't create a screen on my (lezyne) GPS with power and speed, so I just stuck to the power screen (1 second and 10 second). On the way out I was looking down and seeing 300W, and having to turn it down (concentrate on aero, avoid hamstring pain, look down, 300W, turn it down, repeat).  On the way back I was flying along, and then looking down and seeing 200W and having to concentrate on getting more out of me.
I've not been riding outside in ages, and it's so different putting out constant power on the road compared to the trainer - I need to practise that. I also need to sort out my position on the clip-ons - the fit session I had booked was postponed due to technical issues. Definite room for improvement.
For reference, Xavier Disley did a 22:48 in full on TT kit (and came second!). Lots of people in the 27s on regular road bikes.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 07 April, 2018, 09:02:01 pm
Headed up to the E2 again today for the Lea Valley 25 where I PB’d last year.   Much debate about weather beforehand.   It was mild at about 16 degrees and an expected crosswind which is usually OK on this course.

I did a gentle couple of hours before as I was making a day of it.   The first couple of miles were OK and I was averaging 27mph but we then turned right into the wind causing me to push 20-22mph.   At the turn I was averaging 24.6mph and I had the right hump.   I turned and it felt faster and I toyed with just cruising back with the tailwind and getting under the hour but I didn’t want to waste the day and needed to man up.

In the end I averaged over 30mph all the way back and finished in 54:41 my second fastest 25 ever and 55 seconds down on PB.   Most people were a bit down on normal and the winner was 1:40 slower so I’m OK with effort.   I know I’ve done something at the moment.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Feanor on 08 April, 2018, 01:15:52 pm
Rode my first ever TT today, the Spring Bunny 25.
1:00:11, lost a minute to a high speed crash!

https://www.strava.com/activities/1496312917

I was catching up the rider in front, doing a shade over 40kph, he was about 100m ahead.

A group of 3 cars overtook me, and were forced to pull into the gap by an oncoming vehicle.
They then had to brake hard as they were behind the cyclist.
I was up off the aero extensions as fast as I could and grabbed a handful of brakes, and managed to shave a bit of speed off.
But they out-braked me by a huge margin, and I came close to smashing into the back of the last car.
A swerve into the gap between the car and the verge, but it was too narrow and I hit the verge at about 35kph and went ass-over-elbow into the soft verge.

I remember as I saw the front wheel hit the verge thinking "Oh fuck no, not my new wheels!"

Dusted myself down and carried on, but the whole thing cost me about a minute.
The bike was OK.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 08 April, 2018, 04:33:23 pm
That sounds like a nightmare - glad you and the bike were OK.  Sounds like you deserved a sub 1 hour time - that's pretty good for a first 25 - congrats.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 08 April, 2018, 06:12:06 pm
11 seconds off the hour after a crash like that in your first TT?  I'm amazed, well done!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 10 April, 2018, 09:06:09 pm
Wow, it took something to put Rob's super effort on a windy E2 in the shade, but that did it! Great first ride and the best TT story I can remember.
Glad none was hurt, things can get nasty quickly if they go wrong at speed
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Bairn Again on 11 April, 2018, 10:37:02 am
Rode my first ever TT today, the Spring Bunny 25.
1:00:11, lost a minute to a high speed crash!

https://www.strava.com/activities/1496312917

I was catching up the rider in front, doing a shade over 40kph, he was about 100m ahead.

A group of 3 cars overtook me, and were forced to pull into the gap by an oncoming vehicle.
They then had to brake hard as they were behind the cyclist.
I was up off the aero extensions as fast as I could and grabbed a handful of brakes, and managed to shave a bit of speed off.
But they out-braked me by a huge margin, and I came close to smashing into the back of the last car.
A swerve into the gap between the car and the verge, but it was too narrow and I hit the verge at about 35kph and went ass-over-elbow into the soft verge.

I remember as I saw the front wheel hit the verge thinking "Oh fuck no, not my new wheels!"

Dusted myself down and carried on, but the whole thing cost me about a minute.
The bike was OK.
Jeezo Ron, hope you are ok.  That sounds similar to my only TT based "off" in 2016 when a car joined a roundabout from my R without realising my speed (I was approaching it downhill and heading SO) - then stopped completely shortly after without having accelerated enough to get a decent distance in front of me, due to a bit falling off their car. 

Ive got my first 10 of the year on Saturday.  The Falkirk BC Ten.  Seemed to be fate to do a TT on my birthday in the town where I was born (ok the actual start is in Larbert).  The start list seems largely alphabetical so im off 2nd last at 10-29.  At least that means that I can only be caught by one rider  :D 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Bairn Again on 16 April, 2018, 04:24:11 pm
So I did the Falkirk 10TT on saturday. 

Twas cool with very light winds. 

After about 4km I had trouble seeing properly, which meant I couldnt hold the aero position all the time.  Rider #90 passed me about 8km.  Id been hoping to go close to 26 mins (37.2km ave) and my average speed was just below 39 kpm at the 10km point. 

At that point I managed to flick my (magnetic) visor almost completely off while trying to push my helmet up to aid visibility which slowed me a bit and thereafter I was having difficulty seeing through the sweat drips.  My average slowed up to the extent that I knew with about 2km to go that Id be over 26 mins and with a long drag up to cross the 3rd and final motorway flyover I finished in 26.40. 

Disappointed not to go close to 26 mins but it was my 3rd fastest 10 ever and was within my age standard on a course which the locals assured me was "not fast".

I spent yesterday helmet fettling and doing the  2 mile Turnhouse Road cul de sac on the old main road to get my visibility sorted.  Ive concluded that my front end is too low for me to see safely over any meaningful distance so am planning to bring it up a bit so that I can stay in the same position throughout.     

Went to the gym today ad managed to average 260W over 25 mins with my heart rate averaging 164 bpm so I'm heartened that its not my legs that are the biggest issue!               
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 27 April, 2018, 09:40:15 am
I did a TT last night and managed to fail to set my computer to record. :(
Normally I use the lap functionality, but it wouldn't lap when I had been stationary at the start for a few minuted. So I stopped the ride, thought I had started a new one, and then rode.  When I got to the finish, I pressed "lap" and it said "recording"! D'oh! So I have a record of the ride to and from the event, but not the actual TT itself.

It was hard. This is the route: https://veloviewer.com/segment/14859848 There was a bit of wind - mostly headwind from the start. I went too hard into that, with the aim of recovering a bit on the downhill bit, but that didn't really work, and I really struggled on the middle third of the route.  Wasn't helped by the guy behind me flying past! The road surface was pretty crap, so that didn't help. The 3 up guys did it in 25 minutes, but I don't know my time - I doubt I beat 29 minutes, but hopefully it was under 30.

My new TT saddle (ISM PN1.1) and stem (-17 degrees) arrived in the last couple of days, so I can sort out my position much better - lower at the front and much more forward on the saddle. The next TT is on 24 May, but I'm going to have to mix riding this position and my regular one because there's some team TT stuff happening and you aren't allowed aero bars for that.

Edit - times in. I did 29:38. The 3 up ladies did 25 minutes, a couple of the 3 up blokes did ~21 minutes. 1 up guys varied from ~25 minutes to 32. I knew I wasn't last because I came close to catching someone - turns out I was last but 2!  :-[
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 29 April, 2018, 02:40:13 pm
Charlotteville 50 on the A31 this morning.   Cold again, racing in a base layer and full gloves.   I was up and down on my previous course best over the course of the 2hrs with the wind a bit hard to tie down.

Ended up with a 1:57:14 which was 6 seconds better than last year.   Might screw my BBAR improvement hopes a bit as I don’t think I can make another qualifying 50.

Form seems to be there after a few up and down weeks.   Just need to find some good days.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 30 April, 2018, 10:57:47 am
Great ride on a cold day, Rob. 
Had been hoping to say hello but DNS'd as my daughter decided I only deserved one hour of sleep on Saturday night and, although the ride would have woken me up, I didn't fancy driving down. I expect there was an element of the weather playing a part; if it had been a warm float morning I might have managed to make it!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 30 April, 2018, 02:26:04 pm
Great ride on a cold day, Rob. 
Had been hoping to say hello but DNS'd as my daughter decided I only deserved one hour of sleep on Saturday night and, although the ride would have woken me up, I didn't fancy driving down. I expect there was an element of the weather playing a part; if it had been a warm float morning I might have managed to make it!

Sorry I missed you.   Might see you at the Hounslow 100 in a few weeks ?

I almost climbed off after the first lap when I could see my car.   I needed to get a counting 50 in, though, so kept plugging at it.   Also I'd driven just over an hour to get there.    A few people did pack up and go home, though, and I can't blame them really.   You can do all the training you like and invest in decent kit but if you don't get the right day then you're still stuck.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Feanor on 01 May, 2018, 10:11:26 pm
First event of the local club (Deeside Thistle CC) evening league tonight.
10 mile TT over a gently rolling course.
My first ever 10 TT.

Conditions were a bit rough; cold, wet, and very blustery.
Had on a heavyweight merino long-sleeve thermal under the skinsuit, which was a bit 'lumpy', and heavyweight gloves and overshoes.
Gusty side / head winds on the way out made it hard work, and the bike was a handfull to control.
I'd have been better without the deep section rims, I think.
The return leg was gusty side / tail winds, and a bit faster but equally twitchy.

Official times not posted yet, but I'm hoping for sub-24.
Mr. Garmin reckons 23:04.
https://www.strava.com/activities/1543857122

Official results out now. I got 23:16, for 3rd overall.

On my ride home, I stopped at the chip shop :-)
I did notice some other passing riders having a snigger at the TT-setup bike parked up at the chippie...

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 01 May, 2018, 10:39:57 pm

Sorry I missed you.   Might see you at the Hounslow 100 in a few weeks ?.

I hope so; still under negotiation, but fingers crossed I'll make it.  I can trade in the previous weekend when I was going to go to the North Norfolk wheelers, which is now cancelled, so I have a good chance...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 02 May, 2018, 08:56:06 am
Looking at the remaining 50s in the calendar there's a fast one on P885 in June but I think it will be a stretch as my run of weekends will then look like 100TT, 400k audax, 100TT, 12hr TT, 50TT.    Also it's my Mum's birthday that weekend so I expect I'll be up North.

The other option is the Breckland 50 in Sep.   My original plan was to pack up racing by the end of July as we have a 2 week family holiday in August.   I'm not sure that returning from 2 weeks of doing pretty much nothing would be conducive to riding a decent 50.

I think I'll need to see how the 100 and 12hr go and what my BBAR average would look like before committing to another 50 qualifier.    It's highly doubtful that I'll race at this level in 2019/20 as there's too much other stuff going on so I'm trying to squeeze as much out of my knackered body as possible this year.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 02 May, 2018, 09:23:22 am
First event of the local club (Deeside Thistle CC) evening league tonight.
10 mile TT over a gently rolling course.
My first ever 10 TT.

Conditions were a bit rough; cold, wet, and very blustery.

Official times not posted yet, but I'm hoping for sub-24.
Mr. Garmin reckons 23:04.
https://www.strava.com/activities/1543857122

That's proper quick for a first 10. Chapeaux! :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 02 May, 2018, 03:01:49 pm
Looking at the remaining 50s in the calendar there's a fast one on P885 in June
...
I'm not sure that returning from 2 weeks of doing pretty much nothing would be conducive to riding a decent 50.


I've got that one pencilled in.  Done it a couple of times before and I like the course.  Late start is a big advantage as the traffic builds up. 

I always wonder about the two weeks off thing.  My personal experience is it's not a bad thing, but I've never trained as intensively as you so maybe you would go off the boil. 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: joy of essex on 07 May, 2018, 08:56:57 am
Lea Valley CC  Tuesday Tens- May 8th  -

Lea Valley CC's Ten Mile  TT  series returns to the Lea Valley Velopark this tuesday.

Ride as many or as few of the weeks as you want – A rider’s six best times from the first 10 events qualify for the overall competition.

Sign on from 18:00 and first rider off at 19:01

Check site for more details.
http://leavalleycc.co.uk/tuesday-tens/
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Feanor on 08 May, 2018, 09:48:48 pm
So my foray into this shenanigans continues with tonight's evening league event.
A lumpy 12 mile circular TT on familiar roads.

According to Mr Garmin, I got 27:27 on the course, but the official times will be different.
I got 27:05, which was second overall, and good enough to get me to the top of the league table.
Where that gets me in the vets 'versus standard' is yet to be declared.

https://www.strava.com/activities/1558591473

Oh, and I was wearing my new pointy hell-mutt which makes everything sound a bit odd and echoey, and the sound of my own wheels drives me crazy sounds like a vehicle approaching from behind.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 12 May, 2018, 07:29:42 pm
ECCA 50 on the E2 today.   Was well up on last year at half way and just didn’t slow down.

Really pleased with 1:46:59 for a pretty big PB and club record.  Must have been a fast day as comp record was broken.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 12 May, 2018, 07:37:59 pm
ECCA 50 on the E2 today.   Was well up on last year at half way and just didn’t slow down.

Really pleased with 1:46:59 for a pretty big PB and club record.  Must have been a fast day as comp record was broken.
Hoorah - so 300km audaxes *are* good preparation for races!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 12 May, 2018, 08:31:23 pm
ECCA 50 on the E2 today.   Was well up on last year at half way and just didn’t slow down.

Really pleased with 1:46:59 for a pretty big PB and club record.  Must have been a fast day as comp record was broken.
Hoorah - so 300km audaxes *are* good preparation for races!

If that’s the case the rest of the year should work out quite well.

My next few weekends go 200k/100TT/400k/100TT/12hrTT.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Revellinho on 12 May, 2018, 11:11:14 pm
ECCA 50 on the E2 today.   Was well up on last year at half way and just didn’t slow down.

Really pleased with 1:46:59 for a pretty big PB and club record.  Must have been a fast day as comp record was broken.
Hoorah - so 300km audaxes *are* good preparation for races!

If that’s the case the rest of the year should work out quite well.

Your calendar sounds very similar to mine - just the results that are different.  I was pleased with my 2hr 22min for a fairly flat 50.  I'm keeping audax to a minimum this year (just an SR and some 'must do' events) and aiming for a good result in the 24, plus a BAR result even if it is not top notch.

My next few weekends go 200k/100TT/400k/100TT/12hrTT.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 13 May, 2018, 08:16:53 pm
ECCA 50 on the E2 today.   Was well up on last year at half way and just didn’t slow down.

Really pleased with 1:46:59 for a pretty big PB and club record.  Must have been a fast day as comp record was broken.
Chapeaux! That's a great result, well done. :)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 14 May, 2018, 11:05:54 am
My next few weekends go 200k/100TT/400k/100TT/12hrTT.

Wow, that's quite a schedule - you must be in great shape to take that on. 
The one I would worry about is the second 100, but I'm sure you know what you are doing! 

Congrats on the stupendous 50 PB.

I managed a rather more sedate 2:08:52 in good conditions on the F1B 50 yesterday. 
I'd hoped that I would have been faster.  It was my comeback TT, first open event in almost 3 years, so I expect I could improve on it a bit, but it didn't give me any grounds to expect I could threaten my PBs this season, so may review my approach.  I need to review my position as I am slipping forward on the saddle way too much.  Not the right time in the season to change position so maybe I need to wait for next year to challenge the PBs.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 14 May, 2018, 04:33:33 pm
My next few weekends go 200k/100TT/400k/100TT/12hrTT.

Wow, that's quite a schedule - you must be in great shape to take that on. 
The one I would worry about is the second 100, but I'm sure you know what you are doing! 

Congrats on the stupendous 50 PB.

I managed a rather more sedate 2:08:52 in good conditions on the F1B 50 yesterday. 
I'd hoped that I would have been faster.  It was my comeback TT, first open event in almost 3 years, so I expect I could improve on it a bit, but it didn't give me any grounds to expect I could threaten my PBs this season, so may review my approach.  I need to review my position as I am slipping forward on the saddle way too much.  Not the right time in the season to change position so maybe I need to wait for next year to challenge the PBs.

I was quite confident right up to the point you mentioned that.   The 200k will be done pretty gently.   Last year I got round the 400k in 17hrs (quite flat) and was back in in bed by midnight giving Sunday to recover.   Overall, I think it should be OK.    I feel like I'm starting to ping along quite nicely now so need to make sure I don't push on to hard.   it's highly unlikely I'll do anything after the end of July.

Good to see you getting going again.   Hopefully see you at the Hounslow 100.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 16 May, 2018, 09:51:04 am
Team TT 10 last night.  Mixed group, so easing up to allow everyone to stay together was the order of the day. We did a 30 minute ride, which was reasonable for the whole group. I used the analysis tool in TR to create a lap for it, but the distance is wrong (and therefore the speed), so I'm not sure how accurate the other numbers are.
https://www.trainerroad.com/career/duncanm23/rides/34504820-wotg-ambassadors-ttt
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Feanor on 16 May, 2018, 11:10:27 am
Last night, another 10TT over the same course as my first.
Windy as heck on the way out.
Felt slow, and so it turned out, but in fairness, it was like that for everyone.

23:26, which is 10 seconds slower than my first effort over this course.

4th overall which is a bit meh.
I felt about as aero as a brick, and the demons on my shoulder are whispering in my ear about getting an actual TT bike ( I'm riding a standard road bike with clip-on aero bars right now ).
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 16 May, 2018, 01:49:21 pm
My fast 100 on the E2 planned for the 10th June has just been cancelled due to roadworks.    :(
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: sib on 16 May, 2018, 02:11:53 pm
Rob,
EDCA100 on 15 July should be a reasonable substitute ?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 16 May, 2018, 03:22:54 pm
Rob,
EDCA100 on 15 July should be a reasonable substitute ?

It's a possibility.   Weekend before the Mersey 24hr, though.

I'll see how well the Hounslow goes in a couple of weeks, but my dreams of improving my BBAR average are looking like they will be thwarted.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 16 May, 2018, 03:33:09 pm
If you can get a pass to make the trip up to Keswick, the national the week before on the north Lancs course is decent - not quite as fast as the ECCA but you'll keep your losses to within managable levels, almost certainly within the gains you've made from your blistering 50.  Have a look at what Steve Irwin has done on both courses.  It's a very scenic (non-audax use of the word) course that goes up and down by Bassenthwaite lake, so possibly persuade the family to make a weekend of it?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 16 May, 2018, 03:37:22 pm
If you can get a pass to make the trip up to Keswick, the national the week before on the north Lancs course is decent - not quite as fast as the ECCA but you'll keep your losses to within managable levels, almost certainly within the gains you've made from your blistering 50.  Have a look at what Steve Irwin has done on both courses.  It's a very scenic (non-audax use of the word) course that goes up and down by Bassenthwaite lake, so possibly persuade the family to make a weekend of it?

Unfortunately my fast 50 is not a BBAR counter so I'm left with my rather average 1:57 from the Charlotteville.   

What I did think about was the Otley 50 on the same weekend.   What are your thoughts on the V258 ?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 16 May, 2018, 03:45:53 pm
Fast.  I did my PB 25 on the single lap version of that course, which was introduced a couple of years ago and quickly became everyone's favourite.  You turn at Knayton which means you don't do the majority of the big drag that you'd do on e.g. the T502, and the Yorkshire end of that road is a bit faster and better surfaced than the Teesside end. 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 16 May, 2018, 03:58:22 pm
Fast.  I did my PB 25 on the single lap version of that course, which was introduced a couple of years ago and quickly became everyone's favourite.  You turn at Knayton which means you don't do the majority of the big drag that you'd do on e.g. the T502, and the Yorkshire end of that road is a bit faster and better surfaced than the Teesside end.

Cheers.   Will ride the Hounslow and then decide on the rest of the year.   Form of my life at the age of 45 and logistics are causing me issues.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Feanor on 20 May, 2018, 06:17:43 pm
Local 25 today, in very windy conditions.

The Laurencekirk course is up and down the local almost-motorway, the A90, and is a fast course normally.
But it's very open and exposed.
Most of us lesser mortals were struggling with the wind, and I could not hold aero position properly for the first 5k or so.
I was holding onto the RH hood to keep control of the bike.
However, I did relax into it a bit, and so long as you stay well out into the lane, you can learn to accept a bit of unplanned course deviation.

Return leg fast, but still not cracked the hour: 1:00:14.
https://www.strava.com/activities/1583930541

Next time!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Feanor on 22 May, 2018, 10:46:46 pm
Out local Evening League did a 15 tonight, which is a distance I've not done before.
It's on our normal 10 out-and-back course, but extended a bit.
The only problem is that the extension is up a blooming great hill!

Conditions were fine, if a tad cold. Wind was mostly modest, and from the side.

According to Mr Garmin, I managed 35:31, which is OK for that course.
https://www.strava.com/activities/1589465462/segments/39765203698

Official results will be out in a day or so.

I have managed to loose the visor from my new S-works TT helmet.
I took the helmet off at the finish, as it misted up when I stopped and the air-flow through it stopped.
I hooked it over the aero-bars on the short ride back to the hall, and when I went to go home, the visor was gone.
I rode back up the road to look for it, but nothing.
Bah.

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 24 May, 2018, 08:38:30 pm
Sorry I missed you.   Might see you at the Hounslow 100 in a few weeks ?

After a few ups and downs, I'm pretty sure I will be riding on Sunday so will look out for you - most likely a red flash coming past me at some point!

I see from the start sheet see you have a TT novice off immediately in front of you!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 24 May, 2018, 10:00:04 pm
Sorry I missed you.   Might see you at the Hounslow 100 in a few weeks ?

After a few ups and downs, I'm pretty sure I will be riding on Sunday so will look out for you - most likely a red flash coming past me at some point!

I see from the start sheet see you have a TT novice off immediately in front of you!

I think he’s ridden quite a good 24.....
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 25 May, 2018, 10:02:10 am
TT last night.  Windy and I was late so had to do a TT to get there on time! The finish kinda snuck up on me, so I should have killed myself more in the last mile or 2 (into the headwind). I think I was kinda in the same mode as when I was getting to the start! Some seriously fast people there - I was #10 and got overtaken by #s 13, 15, 16, and 17!
The whole ride is here:
https://www.trainerroad.com/career/duncanm23/rides/34917534-condor-tt-3

The base numbers are NP 254, AvgP 243, AvgHR 160. I need to produce some more power, but I think I need to get my aero better too...
Official time 28:45, so 8 seconds short of my 10 PB (which was with an average power of 252). There were 2 guys in the 21s yesterday, but I don't know if that's because the course was faster or just there were some seriously quick people there.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: zigzag on 26 May, 2018, 04:28:53 pm
wondering if 50mi warmup is too long or ok for the 100mi tt. how long/late before my time slot do i need to sign in at the hq?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 26 May, 2018, 04:41:40 pm
Depends how far the start is from the HQ.  I have been caught out in the past.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 26 May, 2018, 05:05:04 pm
wondering if 50mi warmup is too long or ok for the 100mi tt. how long/late before my time slot do i need to sign in at the hq?

Start about a 15-20 min ride from the HQ.   There’s a side lane you can ride up and down near there.   I won’t be doing more than 30mins warm up.

You need time to sign in, pick up your number, pin it on and ride off.   I’ll be there a bit over an hour before my start time.   You’re off 1 min in front of me so I don’t expect to see you until we, hopefully, have a coffee afterwards.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: zigzag on 26 May, 2018, 11:08:45 pm
wondering if 50mi warmup is too long or ok for the 100mi tt. how long/late before my time slot do i need to sign in at the hq?

actually, i decided to dns due to the rain and thunderstorms forecast tomorrow. i'm not very keen on cycling on a dual carriageway if the visibility is poor, hey ho.

(now, what do i do with all the mixed energy drink!..)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 27 May, 2018, 12:12:12 pm
Weather turned out to be reasonable.   Still, mild & dry.

I passed an overturned car at about 2 Miles and guessed the event would be called off.   By the time I got back there at 9 Miles they had stopped the race.   Driver was pissed and had lost control.

No riders injured.   Need to juggle my calendar......again.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 28 May, 2018, 01:17:04 am
Heard about that, apparently quite dramatic / high speed incident. 
I'd already decided to DNS due to baby not well so saved the wasted journey, and wasted energy drink, as I'd measured it out but not put water in!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Feanor on 29 May, 2018, 11:17:15 pm
Finally managed to sneak in under the hour on the infernal AB25/4 25TT course.
Slight tailwind on the way out was a niggly headwind on the way back, as you'd expect.
The course is lumpier than the elevation profile suggests!

https://www.strava.com/activities/1604464163

I'm going to rest now, because I have the West Highlands 1000k in a couple of days.
I've signed up as a marshal next Tuesday, because I don't think I'll be fit to TT that soon after the 1000k.

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 10 June, 2018, 01:56:52 pm
Marshalling duty at the Kent 100 this morning.   Stayed around to watch at the Brenzett roundabout for an hour in the sun.   Pleasant way to spend the morning after a long ride yesterday.

National 12hr champs next weekend.   Back to weather watching.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: zigzag on 10 June, 2018, 07:21:03 pm
thank you for your service rob, it was too late to shout "hi" before i realised it was you :)

my first 100mi tt went quite alright, averaged 40kph at 220w and finished in 4:00:28, which i'm pretty happy about. still felt tired after the tinat600k audax last weekend, that wiped me out more than i'd expected. should have done around 3:55 if i was fully rested/recovered (on today's course and conditions). it was a good learning opportunity about nutrition, hydration and pacing.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 10 June, 2018, 07:52:19 pm
thank you for your service rob, it was too late to shout "hi" before i realised it was you :)

my first 100mi tt went quite alright, averaged 40kph at 220w and finished in 4:00:28, which i'm pretty happy about. still felt tired after the tinat600k audax last weekend, that wiped me out more than i'd expected. should have done around 3:55 if i was fully rested/recovered (on today's course and conditions). it was a good learning opportunity about nutrition, hydration and pacing.

Well done!  Shame not to get under 4h but, given your preparation and the course, a great ride.  You will go well under on a fast course when tapered.  Any plans to do Brekland, Yorkshire or the BDCA this year?  That time will get you a place in the fast ones now. 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: zigzag on 11 June, 2018, 12:35:11 pm
Well done!  Shame not to get under 4h but, given your preparation and the course, a great ride.  You will go well under on a fast course when tapered.  Any plans to do Brekland, Yorkshire or the BDCA this year?  That time will get you a place in the fast ones now.

thank you Frank, i haven't yet looked at other events. while riding these events is fun, what i would really want to do is raise my power first and then start competing (will take some time though!..)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 11 June, 2018, 02:07:40 pm
Well done!  Shame not to get under 4h but, given your preparation and the course, a great ride.  You will go well under on a fast course when tapered.  Any plans to do Brekland, Yorkshire or the BDCA this year?  That time will get you a place in the fast ones now.

thank you Frank, i haven't yet looked at other events. while riding these events is fun, what i would really want to do is raise my power first and then start competing (will take some time though!..)
Do you know what your power is now Zigzag? I'm really curious whether my TTs (28 minute 10s so far) are slow because of a lack of power or a lack of aero (obviously both improving would be nice).
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 11 June, 2018, 03:55:02 pm
Duncan, it depends how fast the course is that you are riding on, and the day.  For a fast course your times would be slow for your power.  If it is a hilly course with rough roads on a windy day, they are reasonably quick.

Normally people new to TTing can expect to make ongoing aero gains for quite a while as you fine tune things and get used to riding in a different position. And throw increasing amounts of money at the problem!

FWIW my PB for 25 miles was 57:32 and I had an average power of 230W.  My 100 PB is 4:08:10 and I did that with just under 200W - but those were both on fast courses.  On a slow 25 course 230W might get me around 1:05:00
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: zigzag on 11 June, 2018, 03:58:07 pm
i haven't tested my ftp in aerobars, could be around 260w at a guess. there are no easy wins in tt racing: latest aero equipment costs a fair bit and training takes time and willpower.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 11 June, 2018, 04:26:59 pm
i haven't tested my ftp in aerobars, could be around 260w at a guess. there are no easy wins in tt racing: latest aero equipment costs a fair bit and training takes time and willpower.
I'm discovering that to be the case! My road setup FTP is 261, but what it is in aero setup is unknown! I'll test it when I change my bike back again (I'm done with team TTs for the year from Saturday). I was hoping that I could get some free speed by changing my position, but I'd need to know what I'm doing to do that! ;)
I'm super impressed by your first 100 time  :thumbsup: even if you missed 4 hours by not much.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 15 June, 2018, 11:13:56 am
So, plans come and go and I'm where I need to be fitness-wise but not having raced as much as I would like.

I'll ride the National 12hr on Sunday and then decide on the rest of the year.   If it goes well and I improve on last year then I expect I'll need to do (after the ACME 1000k) :-

8th July - Otley 50
15th July - EDCA 100
21st/22nd July - Mersey 24hr

It makes things a bit cramped with a fair bit of driving to do, but I don't want to waste the next few weeks.



Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 15 June, 2018, 11:20:45 am
That sounds like a packed schedule. Will you do much in between those, or just commute?
Good luck Sunday.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 15 June, 2018, 11:27:48 am
That sounds like a packed schedule. Will you do much in between those, or just commute?
Good luck Sunday.

Thanks.   My turbo work has eased off a bit the last few weeks as the weekends have got harder.   I only get my plans sent week-in-advance but I'd expect a few short-sharp sessions on top of commuting.   

If I do everything I'd like to I'll have 8,000 road miles on by the end of July.   August will be very easy as we're off on a family holiday.

I strongly suspect that I'll take a step back from all this next year.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 15 June, 2018, 04:26:34 pm
Good luck this Sunday, and well done for having another shot at the 24.  Hoping for better weather this year.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 15 June, 2018, 04:40:42 pm
Good luck this Sunday, and well done for having another shot at the 24.  Hoping for better weather this year.

Thanks a lot.   Not actually entered anything after the 12hr yet.   That may happen next week depending on how Sunday goes.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 16 June, 2018, 10:58:38 pm
First event of the local club (Deeside Thistle CC) evening league tonight.
10 mile TT over a gently rolling course.
My first ever 10 TT.

Conditions were a bit rough; cold, wet, and very blustery.

Official times not posted yet, but I'm hoping for sub-24.
Mr. Garmin reckons 23:04.
https://www.strava.com/activities/1543857122

That's proper quick for a first 10. Chapeaux! :thumbsup:

You should come down and ride the Ethiebeaton course just outside Dundee. Closest thing to a fast course in Scotland without roundabout dodging in Westferry. Course record is a long 19.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Feanor on 17 June, 2018, 06:17:02 pm
You should come down and ride the Ethiebeaton course just outside Dundee. Closest thing to a fast course in Scotland without roundabout dodging in Westferry. Course record is a long 19.

I'll keep an eye open on the cal.

I was racing against some Dundee chaps on today's Neish/Low 25 on the A90 between Fordoun and Stracathro.
Angus Wilson took 4th place with 53:58, ahead of me in 9th place on 56:09, then behind me Alan Davidson 11th on 56:50 and Stuart Macallum 13th on 58:21.
The course record of 50:46 was equalled but not broken by Aberdeen Wheelers' Jamie Davidson.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: David Martin on 17 June, 2018, 08:15:35 pm
We have another 10 as part of the FCA series. We also ran the Scottish National 25 (SC version) on the Forfar course, a bit further down the A90 (Forfar to Brechin and back - John Archibald broke the national record on this course last year).

The timekeepers shelter for the Ethiebeaton course is very convenient in the wind and rain - we set the finish line and then measured back for the start [1].

[1] Yes, really! And fortunately both line up nicely with features in the road.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 18 June, 2018, 11:49:38 am
So, bit of a crappy day out yesterday.   Set off in the wet and wore an extra layer and full gloves for the first couple of hours, necessitating an extra stop for removal.   I was never really on it and behind last year consistently up to 4hrs.   I did have a steady decline from 5hrs last year so hoped to pick it up later on, but it wasn't to be.   My legs hurt more than they should do from 5hrs and even backing off a bit wasn't happening.   Right at the point where I should be pushing on there was nothing happening so I climbed off at just over 6.5hrs with 156 miles done.   It was unlikely I'd PB or get a distance that would give me a good shout at improving my BBAR average from last year.

Some amazing rides out there with mens and womens comp record going.   I'm starting to think that I don't have it in me and I have a range of issues to address before I attempt anything long again.   I'm out of the Mersey 24hr and aim to enjoy a bit of audaxing over the Summer.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 18 June, 2018, 12:24:01 pm
It's a shame you couldn't push it, but ultimately, if you're not going to achieve what you want, there's no point in putting yourself through many hours of suffering.

Are you skipping the 50 and the 100 as well? What counts as "long" for you? ;)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 18 June, 2018, 01:54:28 pm
What counts as "long" for you? ;)

Anything where the pain of holding race position becomes untenable.   I don't recall any issues on last year's 12.

I've entered the EDCA 100 and the Shaftesbury 50 - that weekend was freed up by not going to Shropshire.   
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Pedal Castro on 18 June, 2018, 02:10:46 pm
I have entered the EDCA 100, hopefully I'll get in with my 4:32,  then the Breckland 12 and. finally if all goes well I'll be looking for a fast 50 to secure a BBAR cert.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 18 June, 2018, 02:34:56 pm
What counts as "long" for you? ;)

Anything where the pain of holding race position becomes untenable.   I don't recall any issues on last year's 12.

I've entered the EDCA 100 and the Shaftesbury 50 - that weekend was freed up by not going to Shropshire.
Glad I asked that - a 100 mile TT isn't long for you! :) Hopefully the aborted 12 will serve as good training for the 100.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 18 June, 2018, 05:48:49 pm
Massive rides by Alice and Adam.  LEJOG and both the men's and women's 12 records all in one day, wow!

I have entered the EDCA 100, hopefully I'll get in with my 4:32,  then the Breckland 12 and. finally if all goes well I'll be looking for a fast 50 to secure a BBAR cert.

If you can make it up to Yorkshire for the Otley 50 Rob isn't doing anymore, that will be fast.  At the end of the season there is usually a Yorkshire event on a short version of the same course, but which is still usually a bit faster than the Breckland the week after.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Pedal Castro on 18 June, 2018, 07:00:52 pm
Massive rides by Alice and Adam.  LEJOG and both the men's and women's 12 records all in one day, wow!

I have entered the EDCA 100, hopefully I'll get in with my 4:32,  then the Breckland 12 and. finally if all goes well I'll be looking for a fast 50 to secure a BBAR cert.

If you can make it up to Yorkshire for the Otley 50 Rob isn't doing anymore, that will be fast.  At the end of the season there is usually a Yorkshire event on a short version of the same course, but which is still usually a bit faster than the Breckland the week after.

My only free weekend until August...entered!  ;)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 18 June, 2018, 07:03:04 pm
A short version of the same course?  I meant a slightly slower version!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 19 June, 2018, 09:09:36 am
A short version of the same course?  I meant a slightly slower version!

I thought you were on about your 100 again for a second :-)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 19 June, 2018, 09:13:58 am
What counts as "long" for you? ;)

Anything where the pain of holding race position becomes untenable.   I don't recall any issues on last year's 12.

Are you having trouble holding your position for a 12-hour? 
I had that three years ago.  I think I'd need a major review of position before I would attempt another one. 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 19 June, 2018, 03:02:23 pm
What counts as "long" for you? ;)

Anything where the pain of holding race position becomes untenable.   I don't recall any issues on last year's 12.

Are you having trouble holding your position for a 12-hour? 
I had that three years ago.  I think I'd need a major review of position before I would attempt another one.

Last year I finished this event without any outside the norm comfort issues.   Despite the fact that I have new bars/stem/extensions my position has not really changed.   My hands are a little higher and my elbows are narrower but pretty much the same height as last year.   I have ridden quite a few road miles in this position this year but maybe less than last year.   I did 5.5hrs last weekend but ended up with a sore neck.   I think this was because I wore my normal road helmet and sunglasses so maybe had to crane my neck more than usual.   Mistake number 1.

I would normally go to the osteopath for a maintenance visit on the Tuesday night but these aren't on offer so I booked in on Saturday morning.   This was probably a little too close to the event as you're usually a bit bruised for a couple of days afterwards.   Mistake number 2.

On top of this my knee niggle started to turn up again mid-week and there was no way I'd be able to get it looked at before Sunday.   In the end the knee didn't really hurt but the top of my Achilles became pretty painful albeit relieved by flexing the ankle on the spinnier parts of the course.   Not really a mistake but didn't help.

I was trying to keep to a schedule a little higher than my pace last year with a view to getting a PB.   I lost time here and there but regained it over time, but probably went a little too hard along the way.   I started to slide well off an hour before I quit but my speed was dropping too quickly for me to do anything more than match last year.   The niggles from various parts of my body didn't help but my head gave up before I properly stopped.

It's fairly clear I won't manage anything decent in the Mersey 24hr in this state and I'm unwilling to spend more time away from my family to not achieve any improvement.    I hope to make some amends in the 100.   My 100 time last year was a disappointment and I'm quite close to the club record so this may save my year.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 19 June, 2018, 08:23:42 pm
Good that you have explanations for the pains so you should be able to fix.
You seemed to be in great form so is there a danger in taking too negative an impression from one ride that wasn't quite what you hoped? It was probably a worse day than last year so might not have been easy to better what you did then.
Either way, agree it was a good decision to climb off and have an evening with the family and fresh-ish legs to do something else with.
Fwiw my experience with the Newbury 12-hour is that I rode it once and got my club record then the next year, a slightly slower day, my power was up and I'd made a couple of aero improvements, but speed was down and I did a few miles less.  I should have climbed off when I knew I wasn't going to improve my previous distance (which would have been after the first lap!)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: zigzag on 21 June, 2018, 11:16:06 pm
went to do a 10mile tt this evening but it appeared to be cancelled. rode the course anyway and timed myself with 22:49 at 42.5kph/257w. i wasn't entirely sure where exactly the start and finish were, so used the gps odometer to clock 16.1km. the course had five sharp corners which made me slow right down and also had to stop at a roundabout once for the cars - that's my only excuse.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 22 June, 2018, 02:16:58 am
If have thought your power would have been higher for a 10.  I guess it would be if you trained for short rides.
That's pretty quick for 257W
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: zigzag on 22 June, 2018, 08:58:07 am
If have thought your power would have been higher for a 10.  I guess it would be if you trained for short rides.
That's pretty quick for 257W

i haven't trained in aero position much, so my power is 20-30w lower than on a road bike, plus there were three downhill sections where i'd wanted a taller gear (than the current 53x11). my heart rate was ~5bpm lower than i can sustain for such duration, so perhaps i wasn't pushing myself as hard as i could have? :)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 22 June, 2018, 08:58:41 am
At around 6pm on Tuesday i suddenly remembered our evening 10 was on (they've changed from Wednesdays).  So I rang Mike, the organiser, to ask if he needed help.  He asked me to marshal the turn, which is a couple of miles from home.

I grabbed the PBP hi-vis and rode out to arrive 5mins past the start time.  Mike phoned to say we had 21 starters. 

It's a tricky turn: big lay-by with an island, so they're turning across traffic coming from behind.  However, it is a quiet road, having been by-passed.

I waved them through, noticing various levels of skills at cornering, phoned Mike to say they'd all passed, and went home.

Low-key domestic competition.  I've no idea who won.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 22 June, 2018, 09:09:21 am
I did a club TT last night. Really windy - block headwind up the hill for the first 4 miles and then side tail for the rest. I'm chuffed - I did a PB of 27.25 off 256W average (266NP). That's over a minute faster than my previous PB. It's easiest to see on my TR account as the strava segment is a bit wonky.
https://www.trainerroad.com/career/duncanm23/rides/36151179-condor-tt-4-abingdon-27-25-pb-

While I am improving my FTP (currently set at 261W), I need to work on my aero if I want to go really fast. Not sure how aero I can get on my current bike (Cube Agree GTC with -17* stem, clip-ons and TT saddle).
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 22 June, 2018, 09:10:03 am
If have thought your power would have been higher for a 10.  I guess it would be if you trained for short rides.
That's pretty quick for 257W

i haven't trained in aero position much, so my power is 20-30w lower than on a road bike, plus there were three downhill sections where i'd wanted a taller gear (than the current 53x11). my heart rate was ~5bpm lower than i can sustain for such duration, so perhaps i wasn't pushing myself as hard as i could have? :)

I pretty much never hit the HRs I can get on the turbo when racing, unless it's a warm day.   I regularly come away from the shorter distances thinking I haven't tried hard enough.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: citoyen on 24 June, 2018, 12:04:12 pm
I was out marshalling the club's open 25 this morning. Very benevolent conditions - mild and hardly any wind - meant some fast times. Winner was Chris Fennell, who didn't beat his own course record of 49.50, but his 50.21 still seems pretty good to me.

I've not yet done a 25 myself but watching them this morning made me wish I was out there on my bike. I would even think about entering the KCA 25 in September, on the same course (Q25/10), except I've already entered the Fenland Friends 600 which is on the same weekend. Dammit.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 24 June, 2018, 03:32:31 pm
I was out marshalling the club's open 25 this morning. Very benevolent conditions - mild and hardly any wind - meant some fast times. Winner was Chris Fennell, who didn't beat his own course record of 49.50, but his 50.21 still seems pretty good to me.

I've not yet done a 25 myself but watching them this morning made me wish I was out there on my bike. I would even think about entering the KCA 25 in September, on the same course (Q25/10), except I've already entered the Fenland Friends 600 which is on the same weekend. Dammit.

Our 25 is in August Bank Holiday Sunday (Q25/12).   I’m on marshalling duty.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: citoyen on 24 June, 2018, 04:07:09 pm
Our 25 is in August Bank Holiday Sunday (Q25/12).   I’m on marshalling duty.

Hmmm. Tempting...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: citoyen on 28 June, 2018, 12:07:42 am
I won the club 10 this evening! Which is to say I was first over the finish line. That is how it works, right?

(I was #3 so was setting off among the kids and geriatrics. Proper fast boys were in the 20s.)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 28 June, 2018, 12:32:23 pm
Anyone got tips for TTing on fixed?
I've been reading Obree's book, and I've finally finished reassembling my fixie (bits and pieces built around a 531 Raleigh frame), so I fancy a go.
I can fit my clip-ons to the fixie bullbars, and I've got a 52 took chainring from when my crankset was a double (and miraculously 52-16 is around the 22mph I can do for a 10), so (assuming the 52 doesn't foul the chainstay) I think I just need a longer chain and I'm good to go. If it works and it's fun I'll get some better rolling tyres (currently on 10yo bontragers) and try the next club 10.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: D.A.L.E. on 28 June, 2018, 12:33:37 pm
A Barnes 1-2 in the womens National TT Champs. I should really have a ride up and watch it live.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: citoyen on 28 June, 2018, 12:42:06 pm
Anyone got tips for TTing on fixed?
I've been reading Obree's book, and I've finally finished reassembling my fixie (bits and pieces built around a 531 Raleigh frame), so I fancy a go.
I can fit my clip-ons to the fixie bullbars, and I've got a 52 took chainring from when my crankset was a double (and miraculously 52-16 is around the 22mph I can do for a 10), so (assuming the 52 doesn't foul the chainstay) I think I just need a longer chain and I'm good to go. If it works and it's fun I'll get some better rolling tyres (currently on 10yo bontragers) and try the next club 10.

I haven't got any tips but I've been thinking about doing exactly the same with my old Raleigh Royal 531 frame, which is currently hanging up on the garage wall.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 28 June, 2018, 01:22:59 pm
Anyone got tips for TTing on fixed?
Keep pedalling as you cross the finish line!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 28 June, 2018, 01:33:57 pm
Anyone got tips for TTing on fixed?
I've been reading Obree's book, and I've finally finished reassembling my fixie (bits and pieces built around a 531 Raleigh frame), so I fancy a go.
I can fit my clip-ons to the fixie bullbars, and I've got a 52 took chainring from when my crankset was a double (and miraculously 52-16 is around the 22mph I can do for a 10), so (assuming the 52 doesn't foul the chainstay) I think I just need a longer chain and I'm good to go. If it works and it's fun I'll get some better rolling tyres (currently on 10yo bontragers) and try the next club 10.

I haven't got any tips but I've been thinking about doing exactly the same with my old Raleigh Royal 531 frame, which is currently hanging up on the garage wall.
Do it. :)
I think you're a bit faster than me, so you'll need a bigger gear though. I resprayed my bike, so it's all shiny... :)
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1774/42055109335_3cd06ff972_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/275gqPZ)2018-06-22_09-05-04 (https://flic.kr/p/275gqPZ) by duncancmartin (https://www.flickr.com/photos/90461577@N00/), on Flickr
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: D.A.L.E. on 28 June, 2018, 01:35:56 pm
You're losing watts with that front QR.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: citoyen on 28 June, 2018, 01:49:19 pm
I think you're a bit faster than me

I averaged a fraction under 22mph on last night's 10, so maybe not on current form.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Legs on 29 June, 2018, 02:53:14 pm
I think you're a bit faster than me, so you'll need a bigger gear though. I resprayed my bike, so it's all shiny... :)
Nice bike, but whack the stem down, won't ya?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 29 June, 2018, 03:04:51 pm
I think you're a bit faster than me, so you'll need a bigger gear though. I resprayed my bike, so it's all shiny... :)
Nice bike, but whack the stem down, won't ya?
Yeah, that is how it was when I  finished building it last week. This weekend it will be getting the stem slammed, along with a big chainring, clip-ons and my TT saddle. I'll change the front QR orientation as well. ;) Then we'll see how well it goes.
Edit - it's amazing how big the chainring looks!
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1764/28227002367_98e8f134e6_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/K1jLoB)2018-06-29_10-19-06 (https://flic.kr/p/K1jLoB) by duncancmartin (https://www.flickr.com/photos/90461577@N00/), on Flickr
There's a grrr, grrr, grrr on the pedal stroke - I thought it was the way that the old chainring was peened over in places, but a new chainring and a new chain means the only thing it can be is flex causing a distortion or the sprocket (don't think it's that, seems to happen on each pedal stroke, and I've changed the ratio).
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Revellinho on 30 June, 2018, 11:09:50 am
Good effort!  See how you go and take it easy at the roundabouts, but I would find that quite a big gear.  Having said that, I tend to enter longer events (so tire after a while) and have fairly feeble legs.  Riding 23mph on a 10 does not feel too spinny if you go down to 81".
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: citoyen on 30 June, 2018, 12:45:01 pm
There's a grrr, grrr, grrr on the pedal stroke - I thought it was the way that the old chainring was peened over in places, but a new chainring and a new chain means the only thing it can be is flex causing a distortion or the sprocket

Sure it's not a dodgy chainline? This proved to be the cause of a noisy drivetrain on one of my bikes. And it wasn't very far out either.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Revellinho on 30 June, 2018, 01:45:31 pm
There's a grrr, grrr, grrr on the pedal stroke - I thought it was the way that the old chainring was peened over in places, but a new chainring and a new chain means the only thing it can be is flex causing a distortion or the sprocket

Sure it's not a dodgy chainline? This proved to be the cause of a noisy drivetrain on one of my bikes. And it wasn't very far out either.
you might get a bit of adjustment there by turning the sprocket round the other way?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 30 June, 2018, 05:19:07 pm
The chainline was OK before I stripped and repainted it. I can't see the paint on the BB shell being the cause. I think the sprocket is already at the widest it can be, but I'll see whether there's some space to adjust it...
The more irritating problem I have is that the clip ons are for 31 or 26mm bars. My shiny new bullbars are ~22mm diameter, so shimming them with coke cans isn't enough, and rubber ones (like lights use) result in wobbly aero bars! 
Edit: clip ons fixed (pun intended). I had half an old MTB bar lying around, so I chopped it down the middle and then sideways, resulting in 4 semi circular shims - together with a coke can that shims it enough that it's sorted. :)
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1762/28245437847_2f3207df75_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/K2XfBH)2018-06-30_08-57-02 (https://flic.kr/p/K2XfBH) by duncancmartin (https://www.flickr.com/photos/90461577@N00/), on Flickr
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 01 July, 2018, 08:29:59 pm
I did my first TTs on my return on a Langster with bullhorns and aero bars.   I started with an 80” gear and gradually increased.

It wasn’t very aero but light and good fun.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 02 July, 2018, 08:57:52 am
The shims weren't sufficient and the bars moved on bumps, so I could only ride them on smooth bits! Despite the wind and heat I was still faster (on this course) than all previous solo rides on a geared bike! :) Need to fix the shimming issue and then try some actual TTs.
Sadly that will be a little while as I then sprained my foot playing football with my daughter and can't ride for a bit! :(
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Pedal Castro on 07 July, 2018, 01:11:44 pm
Massive rides by Alice and Adam.  LEJOG and both the men's and women's 12 records all in one day, wow!

I have entered the EDCA 100, hopefully I'll get in with my 4:32,  then the Breckland 12 and. finally if all goes well I'll be looking for a fast 50 to secure a BBAR cert.

If you can make it up to Yorkshire for the Otley 50 Rob isn't doing anymore, that will be fast.  At the end of the season there is usually a Yorkshire event on a short version of the same course, but which is still usually a bit faster than the Breckland the week after.

My only free weekend until August...entered!  ;)

Race was cancelled but Mrs PC drove me up today so I can ride back to Oundle tomorrow.

Then a week to taper before the EDCA 100 next week.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 07 July, 2018, 07:41:14 pm

Then a week to taper before the EDCA 100 next week.


Shocking year for events being cancelled.   Looks like the YCF 100 is also off.

See you in Norfolk next weekend.   My last shot at a 100 this year.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 15 July, 2018, 08:37:13 pm
After a couple of disappointments and revisiting goals for the year I arrived at the EDCA 100 this morning a little pensive.  The forecast was good with little wind but rising temps towards the end.   I had persuaded my family to hand up 3 bottles during the ride.

What happened in the end was probably my best ever execution of a TT.  HR in the right zones but keeping a lid on the effort.   Fuelling and hydration absolutely spot on and a negative split, hammering the last 10 Miles.

Not seen my official time but the Garmin had a long 3:46 as I crossed the line.  Big PB and a new club record.   Shattered but very satisfied.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 15 July, 2018, 09:42:27 pm
Congratulations, you've certainly worked hard enough for it. What is next on the list?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 15 July, 2018, 09:44:24 pm
Congratulations, you've certainly worked hard enough for it. What is next on the list?

He's going to try to get under 24hrs for the ... er ... hang-on ...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 16 July, 2018, 12:53:58 am
Congratulations, that's a stunning ride.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 16 July, 2018, 04:50:47 am
Congratulations, you've certainly worked hard enough for it. What is next on the list?

I have the Shaftesbury 50 on Sunday with a view to getting a fast BBAR qualifier.

If that works out I may enter the Breckland 12hr first weekend of August.  After that I’m done with time trialling for a while.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 16 July, 2018, 06:06:03 pm
Well done, super ride!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 17 July, 2018, 09:05:15 am
That's seriously impressive - congrats! :)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 22 July, 2018, 12:11:20 pm
Congratulations, you've certainly worked hard enough for it. What is next on the list?

I have the Shaftesbury 50 on Sunday with a view to getting a fast BBAR qualifier.

If that works out I may enter the Breckland 12hr first weekend of August.  After that I’m done with time trialling for a while.

Well I managed 1:50:42 this morning which was a bit below par on what felt like a hard day.   Comp record was smashed by 4 minutes, though.

I’m unlikely to race again this year.   I have a range of things to sort out in body and mind before putting myself through it all again.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 22 July, 2018, 02:36:49 pm
1:40 is still impressively quick. Are all these times on the setup in your avatar (titanium bike, deepish front, disk rear, fixed?)?
I marshalled on Thursday at a junction where 3 roads join. It was awkward as there wasn't 1 place I could stand where I could see all 3, so I had to hobble around a bit more than I would have wanted. I felt spectacularly impotent standing there shouting CAR! and pointing as they approach with the intention of turning onto the road the car is coming along. No accidents. One rider missed the next turn and ended up going so far off course I'm not sure whether he got the number back to the organiser!
My foot is definitely getting better, so hopefully I can get a few weeks training in and do the last club 10 in mid August (on my fixie). Won't get as much improvement as I wanted unless I get it absolutely perfect (I think I need a new sprocket so might go 1 tooth smaller).
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 22 July, 2018, 04:36:57 pm
Frame/wheels/skinsuit/helmet unchanged.   Cockpit has been messed around with this year and I *think* it’s more effective.  Also new chainset and I upped the ratio for faster courses.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 24 July, 2018, 03:04:36 pm
After a couple of disappointments and revisiting goals for the year I arrived at the EDCA 100 this morning a little pensive.  The forecast was good with little wind but rising temps towards the end.   I had persuaded my family to hand up 3 bottles during the ride.

What happened in the end was probably my best ever execution of a TT.  HR in the right zones but keeping a lid on the effort.   Fuelling and hydration absolutely spot on and a negative split, hammering the last 10 Miles.

Not seen my official time but the Garmin had a long 3:46 as I crossed the line.  Big PB and a new club record.   Shattered but very satisfied.

3:46:35.   So with my Shafts 50 time I 'only' need 260 miles in a 12hr to get a 25mph average.   Still can't bring myself to enter one, though.   I've been a lot more relaxed since I decided to not race again this year.   Time to go on holiday and think about next year.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 06 August, 2018, 07:13:48 am
Sat and watched the Breckland 12hr for a couple of hours yesterday.   It was hot but there were some pretty good rides.   Slight pang of guilt for not riding.

I expect that, despite this being the National next year, I’m unlikely to ride as it’s the weekend before PBP.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Feanor on 07 August, 2018, 10:19:33 pm
Tonight was the last of the Evening League TTs, and was designated as Old Skool.
Riders are encouraged to use retro bikes, and retro clothing.

I had the oldest bike, by about 20 years...

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1819/43864704872_5e585d136d_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/29Qb5x3)
Old Skool (https://flic.kr/p/29Qb5x3) by Ron Lowe (https://www.flickr.com/photos/62966413@N04/), on Flickr

Boy did that hurt. Makes you realise just how strong some of the riders were Back In The Day. Beryl Burton set a 12h record that stood for 50 years until last year on such a beast!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 14 August, 2018, 10:25:54 am
Does anyone here use a disk cover on their back wheel?  I was planning on using one of the cheapo ones from eBay, but the rear wheel I wanted to put it on has an Open Sport rim, which is really shallow section, so there's nothing to overlap and the vendor didn't think there would be enough area to tape to. I've been looking at various homemade versions, but most of those assume deep (ish) section wheels too.  Not sure if this is the right place for this question (maybe Skip bike and Bodge it would be better, but I'm not sure the readership there and here are a good cross section!), but...
I've got a cheapo PlanetX 50mm front now, so the Open Sport looks really odd on the back!
Cheers
Duncan
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: zigzag on 14 August, 2018, 03:07:32 pm
i've been using a home-brew covers, but on a 55mm deep rim, works fine. i don't think it's possible to attach such a cover to a shallow rim reliably.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 14 August, 2018, 04:13:01 pm
I was wondering if I could basically butt the disc up to the inside of the rim (with a pad near the rim with some correx to make it a bit chunkier), zip tie the sides together to hold it on and then silicone the gap to the rim to make it all smooth. It's a fixie, so it would probably be easier (and cheaper in the long run) to buy a cheap wheel with a V rim and then buy the cheap ebay cover to fit that.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Pedal Castro on 14 August, 2018, 07:49:14 pm
Sat and watched the Breckland 12hr for a couple of hours yesterday.   It was hot but there were some pretty good rides.   Slight pang of guilt for not riding.

I expect that, despite this being the National next year, I’m unlikely to ride as it’s the weekend before PBP.

Dang! I told my daughter when PBP was so she wouldn't put her wedding on that weekend so she went for the one before so I could ride to Sweden for training (and the wedding) then have a week off before PBP...looks like I'll ride the 24 again next year then.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Kim on 14 August, 2018, 09:04:12 pm
I was wondering if I could basically butt the disc up to the inside of the rim (with a pad near the rim with some correx to make it a bit chunkier), zip tie the sides together to hold it on and then silicone the gap to the rim to make it all smooth.

For the WHPVA championships I disc-ified my rear wheel by molishing an appropriate disc out of 1mm ABS (she says, handwaving the knack to getting the dishing just right), sized to butt up to the inside edge of the bog standard rim, secured it to the side of the rim with PVC insulating tape, and added a few cable ties to the spokes to prevent anything catastrophically nasty happening if the tape didn't hold.

It survived a weekend of racing with no ill effects (including comedy off-roading across the camping field and a several of loadings and unloadings into the back of a car), even with the tape adhesive being sun-baked by the scorchio.

Obviously this approach requires that you aren't going to use the rim as a braking surface...  But I reckon that attaching the two discs together inside the rim would be secure, if somewhat less aerodynamic.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 14 August, 2018, 09:19:34 pm
Sat and watched the Breckland 12hr for a couple of hours yesterday.   It was hot but there were some pretty good rides.   Slight pang of guilt for not riding.

I expect that, despite this being the National next year, I’m unlikely to ride as it’s the weekend before PBP.

Dang! I told my daughter when PBP was so she wouldn't put her wedding on that weekend so she went for the one before so I could ride to Sweden for training (and the wedding) then have a week off before PBP...looks like I'll ride the 24 again next year then.

Next year just looks to be a faff.   I’ve realised that I don’t recover well enough from long efforts to be able to do that many.   This probably means that another go at the 24 will need to wait until 2020.   I might like to try the Team Swift 12 next year.  It’s not as fast as the Newbury or the Breckland but might be something a bit different provided 1) it’s still on and 2) it’s the last weekend in July again.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 14 August, 2018, 09:54:28 pm
I can offer you hand-ups and accommodation ten miles from the start in return for support on the 24?  :thumbsup:

I'm thinking of doing the 24, the Breckland 12 and PBP but then I hope that if my current touring efforts give me nothing else, they give me the base fitness to do several long efforts without undue effect.  The PBP will also be an Adrian Hands job rather than a 60 hour effort.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 15 August, 2018, 11:18:17 am
I was wondering if I could basically butt the disc up to the inside of the rim (with a pad near the rim with some correx to make it a bit chunkier), zip tie the sides together to hold it on and then silicone the gap to the rim to make it all smooth.

For the WHPVA championships I disc-ified my rear wheel by molishing an appropriate disc out of 1mm ABS (she says, handwaving the knack to getting the dishing just right), sized to butt up to the inside edge of the bog standard rim, secured it to the side of the rim with PVC insulating tape, and added a few cable ties to the spokes to prevent anything catastrophically nasty happening if the tape didn't hold.

It survived a weekend of racing with no ill effects (including comedy off-roading across the camping field and a several of loadings and unloadings into the back of a car), even with the tape adhesive being sun-baked by the scorchio.

Obviously this approach requires that you aren't going to use the rim as a braking surface...  But I reckon that attaching the two discs together inside the rim would be secure, if somewhat less aerodynamic.
That sounds impressive. While it's a fixie, and therefore I could cover the brake track, I would very much prefer to keep 2 brakes.
I have solved the problem in the simplest way possible, by buying a new rear wheel semi-accidentally (I bid thinking the price would go up lots and it didn't, so I won) on eBay. When it arrives, I'll measure up and order a disc cover. :)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 26 August, 2018, 03:50:56 pm
My wheel(s) turned up in time, so I ended up riding the bike like this (sans saddle bag and pump). The brake track on the new rear wheel is pretty worn, but I rarely use the back brake (it's there for insurance), so I'm not bothered. The gearing was 52x16.

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1852/42453477030_c1429537e6_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/27FtaEw)2018-08-25_06-21-53 (https://flic.kr/p/27FtaEw) by duncancmartin (https://www.flickr.com/photos/90461577@N00/), on Flickr

I did 27:58, which is my best time on this course - 30s better than earlier this year on the road bike with TT bars which was my previous best time. I thought my pacing was a bit dodgy, and there are a couple of bits where I just kept my cadence steady and let the power drop, but looking at the interval on Trainer Road gives me a normalized power of 240 and an average of 234, so that's not too bad.

https://www.trainerroad.com/career/duncanm23/rides/38805018-condors-stadhampton-tt-fixed-

I could probably benefit from a more secure position (I felt like I moved around a fair bit), and more practise at spinning and producing power (I find it different to just spinning down a hill where you are letting the hill do the work). I guess that (and more power) are what I should be working on for next year. I'll try to sort out some pictures of me on it, so you can point and laugh help improve my position!

Cheers

Duncan
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 26 August, 2018, 04:23:37 pm
How much faster are you without the pump-n-pack?

2.5 miles is a long walk ... and there's not a lot of pavement or flat verges on that road. Lot of potholes too, so flats are probably more likely. Sorry!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Feanor on 26 August, 2018, 04:36:37 pm
Scottish National 100 hill-climb TT today.
That hurt.

The lumps didn't seem to bother Kyle Gordon, who put in a stonking 3:36:10, taking the Scottish Record.
I put in a rather more pedestrian 4:19:55 on my first attempt at this distance.

I'm in the frame for the club BAR, and actually finishing was essential, but my time was much less important, as there are so few people in contention.  So I took my Audax-level kit ie small seat pack with the usual stuffs, and a mini-pump. Neither were required.

https://www.strava.com/activities/1798622478
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 26 August, 2018, 06:23:02 pm
How much faster are you without the pump-n-pack?

2.5 miles is a long walk ... and there's not a lot of pavement or flat verges on that road. Lot of potholes too, so flats are probably more likely. Sorry!
It was a club 10 - if I had a flat someone would have noticed and they could have sent someone back to help me out. Loads of non-riders floating about. I left all my gubbins at the start...
As for how much faster, maybe the 2 seconds I was under the 28 minute mark? :)
If I were riding it on my own, I would definitely have carried it (and the bottles, and my rain jacket and...) ;)

Fantastic ride Feanor. 100 scottish miles in 4:19 is impressive.  :thumbsup:

Cheers
Duncan
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 11 September, 2018, 11:22:03 pm
Very interesting Aerocoach session although a bit knackering after a 600 at the weekend.   Pretty big gains in a couple of hours of testing.

Now I just need to bully myself back into fitness in time for next Summer.   Bit more cake to eat in the meantime.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 12 September, 2018, 10:31:25 am
Tell us more! :demon:
I appreciate that everyone is different, so what is fast for you won't be fast for anyone else, but what did you test, and how did you do it?  I'm really curious about these testing sessions (though lack of funds means I'm going to have to go with Golden Cheetah and the Chung method if I ever get around to it).
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 12 September, 2018, 11:42:15 am
Tell us more! :demon:
I appreciate that everyone is different, so what is fast for you won't be fast for anyone else, but what did you test, and how did you do it?  I'm really curious about these testing sessions (though lack of funds means I'm going to have to go with Golden Cheetah and the Chung method if I ever get around to it).

You do a baseline run on the track and then come off.  We then did several runs with a couple of different lids with head up and head dropped.  There was then a series of laps moving hands and elbows in different directions and a change of hip angle.   The fastest combination was then put together and we did a couple more runs with minor tweaks.  I was blowing out my ears on the last few laps trying to ride 25mph plus.

The session cost was quite high, but the only recommded upgrade is the helmet where the aerohead tested fastest in all positions.   That’s only if I’m not persuaded to buy their new track disc....

The total changes whilst all small made about a 10% difference to drag coefficient.  Oddly it was also more comfortable.  My position is unlikely to be seen on the road until next Summer.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 12 September, 2018, 01:04:39 pm
10% CdA reduction is remarkable for "free" changes.  Given the drag is proportional to CdA *v squared, (ignoring the other bits, which I'm going to handwave away as constants!), a 10% reduction in drag leads to > 5% increase in speed for the same effort.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 12 September, 2018, 09:59:07 pm
That's force due to air drag.  The quantity you're more concerned about when cycling is power, and that's proportional to v^3 because though you're 'only' using four times the energy when covering a course twice as fast, you're doing it in half the time so have to run at eight times the power.  A 10% CdA improvement should see you go a bit over 2% faster. 

Given the director of Aerocoach wastes no opportunity to diss Rob's old helmet the Bambino I'm not surprised he goes faster with an Aerohead  ;)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 13 September, 2018, 08:34:16 am
A 10% CdA improvement should see you go a bit over 2% faster. 

So that's about 9 miles in a 24 or 5.5 in a 12...
Definitely worth having. 
Actually, for Rob, it would be nearer 10 miles in a 24.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 13 September, 2018, 01:23:52 pm
Actually, for Rob, it would be nearer 10 miles in a 24.

Pity I probably won't get to ride one next year
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 22 September, 2018, 03:06:16 pm
I did my first hillclimb today. :) On my fixed, using 48x20. I did 7 minutes 32 seconds for 2.4km, and I got best fixie by 6 seconds (the fast guys used gears and the winner did 5:02). I'm pleased with my power though - 333 normalized power for 7:30 is a massive PB.

https://www.trainerroad.com/career/duncanm23/rides/40084629-condor-hill-climb-
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 22 September, 2018, 04:11:39 pm
best fixie? That's a nice award  :thumbsup:

[It's a shame Condor events are helmet compulsory :( ]
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 22 September, 2018, 04:16:15 pm
best fixie? That's a nice award  :thumbsup:

[It's a shame Condor events are helmet compulsory :( ]

I assume it isn't CTT then.  Otherwise that's an illegal requirement.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 22 September, 2018, 04:18:08 pm
I *believe* the course is on private land (West of Oxford) - so it seems very possible it is non-CTT. I didn't check.

Oops - found it now. I was wrong - it was up Aston Hill. But I can't see it on the CTT event page.

Duncan, can you confirm?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 23 September, 2018, 01:27:02 pm
It was a club event, not a CTT one (I don't think any of the Condor stuff is CTT - entry is always via facebook). Helmets were compulsory, even though there was fancy dress!
OUCC run one on close roads out at Wytham Woods, but I expect that's a bit more serious than yesterdays (and that is CTT)!

Descending Aston Hill was almost as painful as going up - I spent a couple of minutes around 150rpm!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 23 September, 2018, 03:16:10 pm
I've seen the photos now - some great fancy dress  :thumbsup:

(click to show/hide)

Anyway, the crazy outfits cancel out the stoopid health-n-safety requirements in terms of cool!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Feanor on 30 September, 2018, 08:11:20 pm
Sneaky end-of-season 10TT today, the TEN District 10 at Inverurie. A cold, blustery day and relentlessly undulating terrain made it a hard course. But unless my ears did deceive me, my 24:10 got me the District Champion (Vet), so happy with that.

https://www.strava.com/activities/1875002182
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: IanDG on 03 October, 2018, 09:31:49 am
Found my  result records back to 1979 whilst sorting out for the move :)

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1940/43258301590_4765f7a420.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/28UA6Y3)43121734_10156662228827486_967186481409949696_n (https://flic.kr/p/28UA6Y3) by ian (https://www.flickr.com/photos/acf_windy/), on Flickr

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 03 October, 2018, 09:39:45 am
1980 looks mighty impressive!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 24 November, 2018, 04:39:23 am
For anyone who hasn't seen the news elsewhere, Frank Minto has just died.  I'm pretty sure we'll all have been timekept by him at some point, and he's a sad loss to the sport.  RIP Frank.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 05 March, 2019, 01:32:35 pm
This years kit is starting to arrive.   Let's hope the training is worth it.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 05 March, 2019, 04:24:20 pm
Do you mean clothing or parts?

I've not ordered any new clothing, but I've got some new sprockets and a chainring. I also made myself a disc wheel: https://fixedtting.home.blog/2019/02/11/adding-a-disc-wheel-cover/ and got an aero fit: https://fixedtting.home.blog/2019/02/28/position-adjustment-videos/

Sadly, my back is playing up, so I'm probably not riding anything in March.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 05 March, 2019, 04:29:32 pm
Do you mean clothing or parts?

I've not ordered any new clothing, but I've got some new sprockets and a chainring. I also made myself a disc wheel: https://fixedtting.home.blog/2019/02/11/adding-a-disc-wheel-cover/ and got an aero fit: https://fixedtting.home.blog/2019/02/28/position-adjustment-videos/

Sadly, my back is playing up, so I'm probably not riding anything in March.

I changed my position in September after being aerocoached, but there was no new equipment.   My Giro Aerohead has just turned up* - was on sale at Wiggle.   I've just ordered a nopinz tripsuit in club colours which should be here in about 6 weeks.

* I have medium Bambino if you fancy trying it.   They're a bit unfashionable now but I always liked it.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 05 March, 2019, 04:34:09 pm
*Thanks.  :thumbsup:  For now I'll stick to my pink Ekoi monstrosity. :) I think it fits OK and I don't want to introduce too many variables...

How much was the nopinz suit, if you don't mind me asking? Was there a minimum order?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 05 March, 2019, 04:50:30 pm
*Thanks.  :thumbsup:  For now I'll stick to my pink Ekoi monstrosity. :) I think it fits OK and I don't want to introduce too many variables...

How much was the nopinz suit, if you don't mind me asking? Was there a minimum order?

It's all on the site, but it was £280 (the club are contributing).   There's no minimum with their custom orders - one-offs are fine if you can provide the template.   I have had one of their speedsuits for 2 years and testing suggests the tripsuit will be a little quicker with my position.   I just need to get fit enough.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 05 March, 2019, 05:16:56 pm
I'm not fast enough to justify that. Or indeed spending the cash on properly organised testing.  Maybe next year.
I want to try doing some Chung method testing (stuff like high vs low hands) this year, but it will have to wait for now.

What events are you targeting this year?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 05 March, 2019, 09:00:49 pm
I'm not fast enough to justify that. Or indeed spending the cash on properly organised testing.  Maybe next year.
I want to try doing some Chung method testing (stuff like high vs low hands) this year, but it will have to wait for now.

What events are you targeting this year?

It’s the start of my 7th year back and I have made changes each year.  I dread to think how much this project has cost.

Having to cancel my first ultra race was a set back, but has opened a window to ride some TTs June, July and early August after PBP qualification.  I’ve not entered anything yet but there are a few events of varying distances on the family wall chart.  I might also do some late season stuff this year.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 22 March, 2019, 09:58:49 am
Signed off on the skinsuit design.   Hoping to have it by the end of April.

Just need some new tyres and maybe an extra tooth on the front chainring,
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 22 March, 2019, 10:23:25 am
Just need some new tyres and maybe an extra tooth on the front chainring,
What size chainring do you run?  I got a 54 earlier this year, but I'm wondering about a 55 for sale on TTF... Do you have a range of cogs/rings like the track or fixed crit people do, or do you just run one combo for most of your events?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 22 March, 2019, 10:28:44 am
Just need some new tyres and maybe an extra tooth on the front chainring,
What size chainring do you run?  I got a 54 earlier this year, but I'm wondering about a 55 for sale on TTF... Do you have a range of cogs/rings like the track or fixed crit people do, or do you just run one combo for most of your events?

Getting the cog off is a bugger so I tend to leave the one on for the whole season.   I have a range of rings, though.

Last year I ran 50*14 on the fast courses.   It got a bit spinny past 35mph but you don't do that very often.   I did a 1:47 50 and a 3:47 100 on that gear.   My new position should change my CDA enough to warrant a bigger gear.   I have a 52 somewhere but I think I'll just put a 51 on.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 22 March, 2019, 12:09:16 pm
I have 2 wheels, so I'm running one for turbo and one for outside. Both are double sided so that gives me options without having to remove cogs (though I guess that's non optimal aero). I will have to switch chains around as well though, because the turbo wheel needed a huge cog. :(
I was planning on starting out with 54x16, moving to 54x15 (near enough your 50x14) later in the year if form allows. The only TT I did on this bike last year was 52x16 because those were the only rings/cogs I had, but I should be much more aero this year.
I don't think I'll be doing 35mph - that's seriously impressive! :) If I can do a 10 as fast as you do a 100 I'll be chuffed! :)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 10 April, 2019, 03:16:55 pm
Signed off on the skinsuit design.   Hoping to have it by the end of April.

Mail from Nopinz today :-

"Your items are being printed today.   Your order is now in Print and Cutting."

Excited.   Not quite enough to actually want to ride a TT but nearly there.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 16 April, 2019, 02:34:36 pm
I was going to ride my first TT of the year today. I did a test on a local TT course on the weekend (windy, only aero concession being a pointy hat). Sadly, my hip continues to hurt, so discretion is applying and I'm going to the physio instead. :(
How is the season going for the rest of you?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Pedal Castro on 16 April, 2019, 02:54:41 pm
Just 2 hilly club TTs so far, done on a road bike with 15 mile ride each way to the event so all part of the training schedule. Cold evenings so didn't even bother taking off the winter jacket but 24" course PB first time and another 48" sliced off last week, so so far so good. Four of the next five weekends will be my PBP qualifiers then it'll be TTs.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 16 April, 2019, 03:05:56 pm
Course PBs on the only 2 events you've done so far?  Congrats. :) Sounds like training has been going well. :)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 23 April, 2019, 12:04:52 pm
Ordered this year's spangly upgrades: a 56 tooth Fibrelyte single ring and a new groupset.  Now let's hope my legs will spin at faster than touring speed when I get home.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 23 April, 2019, 01:31:36 pm
Ordered this year's spangly upgrades: a 56 tooth Fibrelyte single ring and a new groupset.  Now let's hope my legs will spin at faster than touring speed when I get home.

Reminds me I need a new chainring and chain.   Fresh race tyres arrived a couple of weeks ago but just need fitting.

Are you getting straight back into it when you get back into the country ?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 23 April, 2019, 05:56:34 pm
I'll be doing the Kent 100 a fortnight after I get back but I'm not expecting any great shakes, it's just to get a qualifying time for the national, which will be my next event.  Then it's the Mersey, a 12 (probably the national/Breckland), a 50 somewhere or other provided the other distances add up to a decent BBAR, and I might go PB hunting with a late 100 if I can still be arsed by then.

That's the plan, now for first contact with the enemy.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 23 April, 2019, 08:11:37 pm
I marshalled on the Kent 100 last year.   A club mate of mine is the organiser.

It’s not particularly fast but very flat.

We may bump into each other a couple of times later in the year.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 08 May, 2019, 01:45:50 pm
I did my first TT of the year last night at Weston on the Green. :)
I was hoping to go sub 28, as I've only done that a couple of times before, and I'd no idea how fast the course is. I pulled my right foot out of the pedal as I set off, so had to slow to clip back in (harder on fixed). Got 28:01. :( Moral victory, or just another excuse?
https://www.strava.com/activities/2349899013/segments/59346613154
I need to take my turbo along next time (or learn to ride the rollers) as I found warming up on the road tricky and it was cold with a 40 minute wait before the start.

Marshalling the club 10 tomorrow (wanted to ride but they don't have enough marshals). :( Gonna get rained on too.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 09 May, 2019, 01:27:44 pm
Encouraging start to the year anyway.   I always ride on the road to warm up as I find taking the turbo and swapping the wheel out on the fixed ring to be an unnecessary hassle.   I don't do anything structured but ride for 30-40 mins with some hard-ish efforts to lift the HR a bit.   Gives me a bit of time to hide my track top and go for a wee before the off.

I have my first TT this weekend and it will be a full kit-test.   I was supposed to have my new chainring by now but it hasn't turned up yet, so will have to race on a slightly lower gear than planned.   My expectations are limited.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 09 May, 2019, 03:56:08 pm
Extra marshals have volunteered, so I'm gonna get to ride. :) My start time is 19:30 and it's pretty local, so I'll just ride out to this one (taking plenty of warm clothes for the way back). Hopefully it won't chuck it down on us.

Edit - even worse, roadworks cancelled it.

What chainring are you getting?  Good luck on the weekend, even with the old one! :)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 09 May, 2019, 04:05:49 pm
What chainring are you getting?  Good luck on the weekend, even with the old one! :)

I ran 50*14 last year but bought a 51.   I have a 52 in the garage but I think that will be a bit big and the 50 is already fitted.   Wind looks largely side on with maybe a bit of tail on the way back and it's flat.   Shouldn't be hugely spinny.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Revolution9 on 10 May, 2019, 10:59:26 am
Last night saw the first (of 4) round of the Border Trophy, held on Berwick Wheelers 10 mile 'Pistols' course.
This is an annual competition held between 6 local clubs - Gala CC, Hawick CC, Kelso Wheelers, Berwick Wheelers, Auchencrow Thistle and Musselburgh Roads CC.

On a cold, but pretty windless night, I set a seasons best of 26:21, two seconds slower than last year.

I'm still fine-tuning my position on a new frame, so hopefully my time will improve on a flatter course. 

Next round at Gala in 3 weeks on an even lumpier course, so i'm not expecting a PB there

(https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/59965128_1302304729925545_2865914346704207872_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&_nc_ht=scontent-lht6-1.xx&oh=0b2e7712a1fc4ebe9b8307ef638c1264&oe=5D5D4F10)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 11 May, 2019, 07:04:56 pm
What chainring are you getting?  Good luck on the weekend, even with the old one! :)

I ran 50*14 last year but bought a 51.   I have a 52 in the garage but I think that will be a bit big and the 50 is already fitted.   Wind looks largely side on with maybe a bit of tail on the way back and it's flat.   Shouldn't be hugely spinny.

Race delayed and then postponed due to a stuck level crossing.  Warmed up twice and then rode back to the in-laws the long way round.  Kit felt good but not a real test.  Should have done the ECCA 50 which was on as I drove up to Norfolk.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 13 May, 2019, 04:26:59 pm
I've entered the Kent 100 and the national 100.  I think the last open event I completed (at any distance) was the Anfield 100 in 2017!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 13 May, 2019, 04:38:13 pm
100 miles will feel like a short ride for you now, won't it?

I've got a 9-up 10 tomorrow. It's going to be interesting - the team is a mens vets one, and it's got 4 guys who are road racing (or TT'ing) competitively this season, a couple who are on sabatical from racing and 3 who are along for the ride (this is where I sit). Given we need 5 to finish, one wonders who's going to be the 5th man! It's on the WotG circuit, so no cars, and road bikes only - hopefully this will minimise the chances of crashes (though one of the other teams crashed last year).
There's no Silverstone event this year (they are resurfacing the circuit when it was supposed to be on), so this is going to be the only 9-up of the year and we haven't done any practise!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 13 May, 2019, 05:01:41 pm
Race delayed and then postponed due to a stuck level crossing.  Warmed up twice and then rode back to the in-laws the long way round.  Kit felt good but not a real test.  Should have done the ECCA 50 which was on as I drove up to Norfolk.

Turns out ECCA 50 was also cancelled just after the start.   Cones on the course after an earlier accident.   Crap weekend all round by the look of it.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 13 May, 2019, 05:02:26 pm
I've entered the Kent 100 and the national 100.  I think the last open event I completed (at any distance) was the Anfield 100 in 2017!

I *may* be around for the Kent 100 (not riding).   Drop me a line a bit closer to the time.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 15 May, 2019, 12:29:27 pm
9 up was hard, and I struggled with how surgy it was. The team was mens vets - and ended up being 6 fast people, 3 slower. I was the fastest of the slower bunch, and I started in the middle - the other 2 started at the back and were scuppered when the guy in front of them had chain issues at the start. He got on, they didn't complete the first lap (2.5 miles).
I did 2 short pulls on the first lap, and spent the rest of my race hanging onto the back of the line and waving people in front of me. I'd have probably found it easier keeping my place in the line, but if I'd dropped the wheel while doing that then the whole group would have had to wait. I lasted until about 3/4 of the way through the third lap and then just fell off the back without enough power to get back on (as did the guy who had the chain issues). The remaining 5 did 24.11, which is a reasonable time on that course, especially as we didn't do any team training at all .
Obviously it's a bit disappointing to get dropped, though it wasn't entirely unexpected. On the plus side, I did really good power numbers (16.5 minutes with a normalised of 282W off an FTP of 246W). That's a power PR for 12 -17 minutes. I spent almost half of the whole 17 minutes over threshold, including a massive 37% in the anaerobic zone!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 15 May, 2019, 07:45:43 pm
TTT shouldn't be surgy (surgey??). Sadly at our level (no offence intended) that's just how they tend to turn out, as noone knows how to ride properly !

(it probably is better to stay in line if you're struggling, but just do a few seconds on the front. If you're smooth, this actually disrupts things LESS than all that waving-folk-in-front-of-you business.)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 15 May, 2019, 08:14:26 pm
You are right, but I suspect it's just what happens when you take 9 guys from a club with differing abilities and put them in a TTT without any practise whatsoever. I'd never even ridden with at least 3 of them! Plus being on the back of 7 means that there's bound to be a bit of on/off power - I probably made things worse (for myself) rather than better by staying there, but I didn't want to get to 3rd wheel and blow up!
We agreed before the ride that if you're dropping back and there's a gap then you should fill it, and if you were struggling to just make the gap obvious. It worked after a fashion.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 22 May, 2019, 09:26:32 am
Weather last night was perfect. New PB of 27:11, off 243W normalised. Previous PB was 27:28 on a geared bike with some traffic assistance (and a lumpier route), so reasonably pleased. Next stop - under 27 minutes.
The winner was Charlie Quarterman who did 19:37 and smashed the Strava KOM. Titled his ride "Not a good night for the power" as he only did 378W!!!
https://www.strava.com/activities/2386100910
I guess he was second in the nationals last year!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Feanor on 22 May, 2019, 08:20:36 pm
My first place in last night's Evening League has been somewhat overshadowed by a serious incident on the course.

A rider some minutes behind me was in a serious collision with the rear of a van.

The details remain unclear, but it seems the van was a support vehicle for a vintage tractor.
I don't know if that was relevant.
But the van passed the rider, and pulled in and braked sharply, out-braking the rider.
The conditions were very wet, and the rider would have been on carbon wheels, with degraded braking performance.

Latest reports are that he suffered a broken neck at "C2/3" whatever that means.
He has been in surgery tonight.

He had feeling and mobility in all limbs whist lying on the road, apparently.
I guess that's a good sign.

All a bit shit, really.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 22 May, 2019, 08:36:57 pm
That's really scary. Best wishes to the rider - hope he's OK.
C2/3 means the 2nd and 3rd cervical vertebrae - C1 is the one that your head rests on and then 2 and 3 are the next ones down.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 27 May, 2019, 01:06:54 pm
I've entered the Kent 100 and the national 100.  I think the last open event I completed (at any distance) was the Anfield 100 in 2017!

I *may* be around for the Kent 100 (not riding).   Drop me a line a bit closer to the time.

I rode a few laps of the Camber circuit yesterday as a bit of TT bike training.  Went quite well.

I will be marshalling on the day but won’t know my location until the week before.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 27 May, 2019, 01:27:37 pm
In that case I'll listen for the insults to find out where you are.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 03 June, 2019, 09:44:52 pm
Won’t bother with a seperate thread but who’s going to the 24 this year ?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Feanor on 03 June, 2019, 09:48:25 pm
Won’t bother with a seperate thread but who’s going to the 24 this year ?

Not me.
Too close to PBP.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 04 June, 2019, 11:17:12 pm
Muggins here
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 06 June, 2019, 08:58:52 pm
In that case I'll listen for the insults to find out where you are.

I’ll be at the Cloverleaf on the early loop on the edge of Ashford.  I may head to the Brenzett roundabout for a while to cheer people on.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 06 June, 2019, 11:16:07 pm
I did another 10 tonight. 28:10 ish including getting held up slightly at the turn (and having no warmup as I was last off doing the start stopwatch duties). I need to work on getting more aero - 28 minutes off 251W normalised is disappointing. It's not a super fast course (record is 21:15), but still...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 10 June, 2019, 12:12:11 pm
4:30:21 in the KCA for me.  I set off at a conservative pace as I had no idea what I could sustain, having done zero speed training since I got back 10 days ago.  This ride was purely to get a qualifying time for the nationals in a month - I wouldn't be racing in this sort of condition otherwise - so I was also using it as a test bed for several new bits and pieces and had got the bike out of a friend's loft a few days before and on the road the previous day, running a double ring in a single setup, no chain guard, and a pair of brake calipers I'd bought on the way down when my hydraulics turned out to not be working.  Oh, and I hadn't paired the PM and the Wahoo was still in kilometres.

Result: 4:30:21 including over four minutes stopped, mostly retrieving my dropped chain (eight times) or fetching water, as I'd decided my BTA bottle holder was sufficiently dodgy that I just ran with the saddle bottle.  This was always going to be a lastminute attempt so I don't begrudge that; I did what I had to and now I'm pretty sure I'll get into the nats. 

Lessons:
Get a gorilla cage for the front, and cut a mount between the tribars so it can be attached at both ends.
Find a Rotor spider tool somewhere so I can install my single chainring (I suspect I have one in the loft but don't want to disturb the tenants again so will have to buy another one).
Ride more in the TT saddle, and never forget to use chamois cream on a long time trial! 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 10 June, 2019, 12:21:41 pm
All riders at my roundabout went the right way.   Only one cock of a motorist who wanted the event stopped.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 16 June, 2019, 01:10:33 pm
Cambridge CC 50 on the E2 this morning.   New position, new skinsuit, new helmet.   The day was a bit breezy and it lifted towards the end.  I didn’t expect a PB day but was running close to the required average speed up to about 38 miles where I turned into a block headwind and it all went to shit.  At the final turn at 45 miles I had 10 minutes to cover the remaining 5 miles to get under 1:50.  I managed to keep the speed over 30mph for most of it and finished with.........1:50:05.

Anyway it’s my second fastest 50 ever and only my first race out since last July.   Lots to think about.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 16 June, 2019, 01:27:32 pm
Congrats on the fast time!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Feanor on 16 June, 2019, 08:28:29 pm
Alistair Speed Meml 50 TT today, out of Freuchie in Fife.

2:02:17, which is my PB over 50 ( it's only my second 50! )
I'll have another bash at getting under 2 hours later in the year.

Course is not the fastest.
Relentlessly undulating, and rather better ventilated than is optimal.

You have to approach the same roundabout 3 times, and I had to stop a couple of times.
5 left hand turns , 1 right hand 😱 and a dead turn. Certainly varied.
One rider managed to count 25 Marshalls!

Great fun, and a PB so what's not to like.

https://www.strava.com/activities/2454842653
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 17 June, 2019, 01:39:08 pm
Those are two very impressive 50s.  Congrats to both of you!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: bairn again on 20 June, 2019, 07:56:54 am
I rode my first club TT in <inaudible mumble> last night.  My expectations were limited, anything sub 30 mins would have been ok, I just needed to actually post a time.

In the end i was pleased to get round safely and in 27.40.  Warm up consisted of pumping tyres up and riding 1/4 mile to the start.  I couldnt hang about at the finish but im sure id have been last, nobody else seems to go over 25 mins these days. 

Im on holiday next week up at my mother in laws in Ft William and will take the TT bike with me and ride the Jason McIntyre course a few times. 

Target 1.  Age standard (27.07).  Target 2.  26 mins. 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: bairn again on 20 June, 2019, 07:57:52 am
Alistair Speed Meml 50 TT today, out of Freuchie in Fife.

2:02:17, which is my PB over 50 ( it's only my second 50! )
I'll have another bash at getting under 2 hours later in the year.

Course is not the fastest.
Relentlessly undulating, and rather better ventilated than is optimal.

You have to approach the same roundabout 3 times, and I had to stop a couple of times.
5 left hand turns , 1 right hand 😱 and a dead turn. Certainly varied.
One rider managed to count 25 Marshalls!

Great fun, and a PB so what's not to like.

https://www.strava.com/activities/2454842653
  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: sg37409 on 20 June, 2019, 10:15:01 am
It was my 5th attempt in my clubs' Crow Road TT this week.  An uphill (not too steep) ~3 km: Last 4 attempts (7:30, 7:37, 7:47, 8:24) pretty much track my gradual slowing down, so I was hoping to check this. I was happy with 8:16 this time, although slipping down the leaderboard. I'm probably around 1.5kg heavier than previously too. 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: lord hereford on 20 June, 2019, 04:36:11 pm
Just entered the Mersey Roads 24 hour TT. I will be riding without any support.

Any advice from those who've experience of riding or supporting others on where best to place my car so I can get to my food and spares with the minimum of faff?

I know there is a HQ and a particular roundabout that gets used, but will one place cover me for all the various circuits over the 24 hours?

Thanks!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 21 June, 2019, 12:32:53 am
Press Island will cover you for everything except the finishing circuit. 

The course starts in Wrexham and immediately goes down to Press, from which it uses three circuits that all go past the island.  It then goes back up to Wrexham on the second morning and loops the (8?) mile finishing circuit around where you started. 

Your best plan is probably to park your car at Prees and ride up to Wrexham with a bag of stuff you can leave with the organiser to put out the next day.  Label it clearly as "Finish Ckt Bag" or something though, so it doesn't get taken down to Prees.

Look on the "Mersey Roads 24 Hour" Facebook group, there's a course map there and you can ask questions that will hopefully get an official answer.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 21 June, 2019, 09:00:23 am
The course details are available here.   

https://www.cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/race-details/19122

Whilst Prees Heath is the best base you will spend a few hours (circa 60 miles) away from there on the Saturday afternoon as you do Espley-Shawbirch twice.   It has been mentioned that they have lost the old HQ on the Wrexham Industrial Estate.   The route (start) would suggest that they have returned to the Farndon Sports & Social Club.

With regard to Prees Heath there's a big car park there.   The caffs are open all day but no longer overnight.   There's also a chippy/pizza place.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 21 June, 2019, 09:42:06 am
Ooh I missed that extra Espley-Shawbirch leg.  Let that be a lesson in asking questions of random unaffiliated strangers on the internet  :demon:. To ask what official support is available for unsupported riders, contact the organiser using the contact details you saw when you entered the event.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 21 June, 2019, 07:26:01 pm
The course details are available here.   

https://www.cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/race-details/19122

Whilst Prees Heath is the best base you will spend a few hours (circa 60 miles) away from there on the Saturday afternoon as you do Espley-Shawbirch twice.
That's a pain :( The start is about the hottest part of your ride, so 60miles is a nuisance.

In  a perfect world MerseyRC would put someone (at Espley?) during the afternoon. There was water-bottle support at the only 12 I've done. Of course this is stretching resources even thinner.

Or folks have left bottles around the circuit - that works. (Paging oranj! )

Or someone could volunteer to be neutral support for Billy Nomates-es - this has happened when I rode and was rather lovely. < thinks ... >
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Exit Stage Left on 22 June, 2019, 03:17:47 pm
I've just been talking to Jon Williams, volunteering to marshal from 10pm at Espley. There will be water at Espley during the day, but not the full catering, which will be available at night. If it's hot I'd suggest carrying salt or electrolytes.

The headquarters is at Farndon. The previous headquarters at Wrexham is now closed. They've decided to keep the finish circuit from last year. It comes within 500 metres of the Farndon headquarters, but doesn't pass it. 70 entries so far apparently.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Revellinho on 23 June, 2019, 06:05:06 am
I’ll be riding. 81”.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Revellinho on 23 June, 2019, 02:48:26 pm
Just entered the Mersey Roads 24 hour TT. I will be riding without any support.

Any advice from those who've experience of riding or supporting others on where best to place my car so I can get to my food and spares with the minimum of faff?

I know there is a HQ and a particular roundabout that gets used, but will one place cover me for all the various circuits over the 24 hours?

Thanks!
I would park at HQ and hand over your box of supplies/night layers to be taken by the marshals to Prees Heath.  On your first pass of the Prees Heath roundabout, you are on the wrong side for the boxes/tent if it is like previous years.  In fact, on the first pass I'm not even sure that your stuff will be there by then.  Maybe put 2 bottles on the bike and a bite to eat in the back pocket?  After that it is just a matter of pulling off and helping yourself, although when coming FROM the A41 TO the A49, you do have to cross the carriageway.  The first time I used this facilty, it was quite warm and I got through my 8-ish made-up bottles pretty quickly, but the marshal looking after things there made them all up again whilst I was riding using the electrolytes/squash from my box.  Would recommend plenty of 'normal' food in your box and consider some chain oil and a rag.  Happy to try and answer any questions you may have.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 23 June, 2019, 03:27:12 pm
ECCA 100 on the E2 this morning. Whilst the event started early I was off towards the back at 6:04.  Wind was a different way round to last weekend and much kinder.  Fuelled properly but maybe not quite enough water.  Improved my PB by just over a minute with 3:45:29. 

Men’s team record was broken, but the solo record is safe as Marcin went off course and was DQ’d.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Pedal Castro on 23 June, 2019, 07:41:05 pm
ECCA 100 on the E2 this morning. Whilst the event started early I was off towards the back at 6:04.  Wind was a different way round to last weekend and much kinder.  Fuelled properly but maybe not quite enough water.  Improved my PB by just over a minute with 3:45:29. 

Men’s team record was broken, but the solo record is safe as Marcin went off course and was DQ’d.

I did rubbish (absolute last in the h'cap comp), just couldn't get the power down or the HR up. I felt a bit drowsy on the way home so maybe lack of sleep...? Just entered the EDCA 100 as I need to be at least 6' faster.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 24 June, 2019, 01:50:55 pm
Just entered the Mersey Roads 24 hour TT. I will be riding without any support.

Any advice from those who've experience of riding or supporting others on where best to place my car so I can get to my food and spares with the minimum of faff?

I know there is a HQ and a particular roundabout that gets used, but will one place cover me for all the various circuits over the 24 hours?

Thanks!

I rode it unsupported.  I actually DNF'd so didn't end up using most of it, but what I did was:
- left my car at the start, so I didn't have an extra 25 miles in my legs before starting
- used the unsupported riders tent at Prees for most of my needs - a box of spare bottles, food and warm clothes
- put other bottles and food in a couple of black plastic bags in the verge, one near to shawbirch and another on the finishing circuit.  I reckon that is a better plan than having to go to your car as it should be quicker and you are less likely to get in your car and decide not to get out!

I collected my unused bags up the next morning.  The ones on the finishing circuit were on a good place - going up a hill where I would appreciate a rest. The Shawbirch ones were too well hidden and it took me a while to find them.  I'd have struggled to spot them in the dark, so don't hide them too well!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: basset on 24 June, 2019, 04:37:52 pm
Won’t bother with a seperate thread but who’s going to the 24 this year ?

I’m doing it again and have acquired a silly hat and some silly overshoe sock thingis 😉
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: cygnet on 24 June, 2019, 06:47:08 pm
Won’t bother with a seperate thread but who’s going to the 24 this year ?

I’m doing it again and have acquired a silly hat and some silly overshoe sock thingis 😉

I also should know better than to enter it again. What have I done.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: djrikki on 24 June, 2019, 09:58:11 pm
With the Summer Solstice coming and going this weekend I thought I'd have a bash at my very own 24hr TT in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.

This was my first attempt at such a celebration so it wasn't full gas or anything like that, no support, no broom wagon, just a desire to get around as efficiently as I could.

Got some footage from the ride, unlike my usual vlogs I added most of the audio on post-race so I could focus on pushing those pedals.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CU7G7dM2ZQ
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: 24hourmaths on 26 June, 2019, 10:14:43 am
Just entered the Mersey Roads 24 hour TT. I will be riding without any support.

Any advice from those who've experience of riding or supporting others on where best to place my car so I can get to my food and spares with the minimum of faff?

I know there is a HQ and a particular roundabout that gets used, but will one place cover me for all the various circuits over the 24 hours?

Thanks!

I'll be riding this event and will have a support crew with a couple of vehicles. Drop me a message but if we meet up at the HQ beforehand they will happily take a bottle and hand up down to Epsley for that first southern stretch and then will also transport a bag back to the finishing circuit for you. I think that they'll be doing similar for a certain Teethgrinder fof this parish. Cheers, Mike  :)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 26 June, 2019, 07:51:12 pm
Proper gent ^   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 29 June, 2019, 11:19:18 pm
YACF day at the races, aka the Breckland 50

Rob did 1:53:37 for 9th place
I did 1:56:10 for 12th place
Pedal Castro DNF'd along with almost half the field.

https://twitter.com/gregmelia/status/1145037807813111809?s=09
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 30 June, 2019, 12:08:55 am
That was hard. I’m still dehydrated.

My HR averaged 177 for 1h54.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 30 June, 2019, 12:26:41 pm
Well done both of you.  Especially Greg to get back to that level so quickly.  We're used to Rob doing fantastic times!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: bairn again on 03 July, 2019, 08:48:13 pm
I rode my first club TT in <inaudible mumble> last night.  My expectations were limited, anything sub 30 mins would have been ok, I just needed to actually post a time.

In the end i was pleased to get round safely and in 27.40.  Warm up consisted of pumping tyres up and riding 1/4 mile to the start.  I couldnt hang about at the finish but im sure id have been last, nobody else seems to go over 25 mins these days. 

Im on holiday next week up at my mother in laws in Ft William and will take the TT bike with me and ride the Jason McIntyre course a few times. 

Target 1.  Age standard (27.07).  Target 2.  26 mins.

Target 1 achieved tonight 26.51.  Achieved mainly through lowering the front end a bit, warming up properly - half an hour - and being a bit lighter.

 Over 42kph ave at the turn, into something of a headwind! 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 08 July, 2019, 06:35:20 pm
4:20:32 for 39th in the national 100.  I know it's a slow old dog of a course but I'm really quite disappointed in that.  I was on for about 4:10 - still slower than where I'd like to be - until two thirds distance when the doors fell off.  That means my LTS PB is still a 4:14 from when I was laughably unfit back in 2016.  Hopefully it'll be good enough to get into another event so I can do a less abysmal performance.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 09 July, 2019, 09:28:47 am
That's still remarkably fast since you've been off touring and haven't been killing yourself to get into TT shape for the last year.  :thumbsup:

I'm gutted I missed last Tuesday's club TT - the fast course meant that pretty much everyone PBed, but my back was bad so I bottled it and just helped out instead. On talking to some of the riders beforehand, it turns out that the course I set me PB on a few weeks ago is one of the slowest in the county, so there's a lot of time on offer if I get on a fast one.  ::-)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: bludger on 10 July, 2019, 03:24:06 pm
I'm trying to figure out how to find a convenient set of TTs within riding distance of central London, but the calendar on the cycling time trials is being very uncooperative. Filtering for events under 'London South'/'North' is dredging up events that are in Cambridge or the South Coast, and it's generally a bit of a mare. Not looking for team events.

Is there a better way to find possible rides? I was told about Lea Valley's tuesday ten races by word of mouth ( http://leavalleycc.co.uk/tuesday-tens/ ) which looks ideal, but they stop on July 23rd.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 10 July, 2019, 03:38:29 pm
CTT only shows "open" TTs anyway, right? Is it worth seeing if there are any local clubs that run weekly TTs? You can enter the ones around here without being a member just paying a couple of quid extra.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 10 July, 2019, 03:51:38 pm
Which way out of London suits you best ?   You might be a bit late for this year as the evening events dry up mid-Summer.

There's a series of 10s in Richmond Park.   If you ride my way (Kent) there's a shared series of evening 10s run by Sevenoaks Tri/Sydenham/Bigfoot all based near to Sevenoaks.   None of these are fast courses but a lot of people cut their teeth riding evening 10s and it's a great place to try things out.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: grams on 10 July, 2019, 04:07:02 pm
A quick skim through my club's TT forum thread finds these links:

https://mywindsock.com/ttmap
http://www.finsburyparkcc.org/odam-10s/2019-2/
http://www.westerley.cc/racing/time-trials/hillingdon-10s/
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 11 July, 2019, 04:12:08 pm
My club, Westerley, organises the Hillingdon ones every other Wednesday over the summer.  But there are only two more left before the end of the series as the nights cut in in August.
We've got a 10 on the Amersham Road from Gt Missenden next Sunday.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: bludger on 11 July, 2019, 11:56:21 pm
Which way out of London suits you best ?   You might be a bit late for this year as the evening events dry up mid-Summer.

There's a series of 10s in Richmond Park.   If you ride my way (Kent) there's a shared series of evening 10s run by Sevenoaks Tri/Sydenham/Bigfoot all based near to Sevenoaks.   None of these are fast courses but a lot of people cut their teeth riding evening 10s and it's a great place to try things out.

We can do anywhere within an hour or so's riding distance from c. Parliament, a bit further if it's a weekend.

Cheers for the pointers everyone.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 12 July, 2019, 12:22:58 pm
FYI here (https://cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/find-districts) are maps of the CTT regions.  Like you've found, London South extends to the coast.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: cygnet on 12 July, 2019, 06:16:37 pm
Which way out of London suits you best ?   You might be a bit late for this year as the evening events dry up mid-Summer.

There's a series of 10s in Richmond Park.   If you ride my way (Kent) there's a shared series of evening 10s run by Sevenoaks Tri/Sydenham/Bigfoot all based near to Sevenoaks.   None of these are fast courses but a lot of people cut their teeth riding evening 10s and it's a great place to try things out.

We can do anywhere within an hour or so's riding distance from c. Parliament, a bit further if it's a weekend.

Cheers for the pointers everyone.

Dulwich Paragon have 3 more club 10's on the G10/38, Saturday morning start at 10:45. Next one tomorrow.
PM me if you want more information  :)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Feanor on 15 July, 2019, 09:52:36 pm
So tomorrow night is the Evening League Hill Climb event.
It doesn't count for the vet's competition, but I'll ride it anyway.

So I won't be riding the TT bike.
I've stripped the road bike down a bit, and the Brooks saddle is gone!
I've been lent some serious wheels from a cow-orker…

https://www.sigmasports.com/item/Lightweight/Meilenstein-Obermayer-Tubular-Schwarz-Edition-Wheelset/7WJJ?co=GBR&cu=GBP&glCountry=GB&id=368779&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIpI_tht234wIVhYXVCh2iNQbwEAQYASABEgItb_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&fbclid=IwAR0dA19hp5dZk02nMIBgkFlsGQAKejvrMuxUSnTojBv0MAxYz_AUvlx0X48

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48293245837_0792d56378_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2gzvvtB)
20190715_202557 (https://flic.kr/p/2gzvvtB) by Ron Lowe (https://www.flickr.com/photos/62966413@N04/), on Flickr
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Feanor on 21 July, 2019, 05:33:42 pm
Today was the Scottish National Championships 50 TT at Invergordon.

With a 1:58:28, I have finally cracked 2 hours on my 3rd attempt at this distance!

That got me 15th Overall, and 1st in the Hadicapped competition. I haz a crinkly new £20 for my troubles!

https://www.strava.com/activities/2551199454


Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 24 July, 2019, 08:26:24 am
Oh crap I’ve got a 25 coming up.  Not sure I can remember how to do those.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 24 July, 2019, 09:18:52 am
Ha, good luck!  There's nothing shorter than 50 miles for me this year: I've got one of those the weekend after next before seeing you again at the national 12 the weekend after that.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 25 July, 2019, 08:58:07 pm
I'm trying to decide if I want to do a club 10 on a decently quick course or the summer cyclocross. I suspect the cyclocross would be more fun, but if I want to go under 27 minutes this year, it's this one or a proper CTT Open in a couple of weeks (not done one of them before). I started messing about with aerolab a couple of weeks ago and that really dispirited me about TTing - it seems I'm about as aero as a barn door.
In theory that should be easy to improve, but... I'll probably stick the super low stem on and give it a go, there's not much else I can do in the short term.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 25 July, 2019, 09:45:26 pm
Do the CX and the open.  Opens aren't scary, they're just a bit more organised than club events.  They're often on faster courses too - which one are you looking at?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 26 July, 2019, 09:31:12 am
The open is on H10/17R. Looks nice and flat for my fixed.  :)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 26 July, 2019, 10:43:14 am
It's a good course.  I've only done it as the middle third of the BUCS 25 but rest assured, that's the fast third  :thumbsup:

Enjoy the CX!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: IanDG on 31 July, 2019, 08:39:18 pm
Did my first '10' since 1981 tonight:

26-15 on 74" fixed (42x15)

Merckx position too ;)

Well Chuffed, I was hoping for a 28 :D

https://www.strava.com/activities/2579433404
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 31 July, 2019, 09:41:20 pm
If this was on the guvnor then you'll be back to first cat in no time!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 01 August, 2019, 08:53:45 am
That's well fast for a Mercx on fixed, congrats!  :thumbsup:

No racing (TT or CX) for me today - my back seized up yesterday.  ::-) Will take my daughter to the CX instead.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 03 August, 2019, 07:30:48 pm
Rearranged VC Norwich 25 this afternoon. Fast to the turn and on for a decent ride.  Seemed harder on the way back and lost a little time.

PB’d by one second precisely with a 53:45.  Another distance ticked off for the year.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 04 August, 2019, 08:42:28 pm
Taking the Sergei Bubka approach and PBing by 1 second each time? :)
Congrats - IIRC that's your second PB this year?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 04 August, 2019, 08:50:56 pm
Taking the Sergei Bubka approach and PBing by 1 second each time? :)
Congrats - IIRC that's your second PB this year?

Ta.

3rd.  25, 100 and 24hr.   Only 3 races left.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 04 August, 2019, 08:52:10 pm
Taking the Sergei Bubka approach and PBing by 1 second each time? :)
Congrats - IIRC that's your second PB this year?

Ta.

3rd.  25, 100 and 24hr.   Only 3 races left.
That's great going. If you are going to do something other than TTing next year, that's a pretty good way to bow out.   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Feanor on 07 August, 2019, 06:02:50 pm
Hmm, Scottish National Championship 100TT last Sunday.

I took 5 mins off my PB, for 4:15; but I'm a long way short of going sub 4 hours.
I had the pace dialed back from what I did on the same course 2 weeks ago on the 50, and so I was over 2 hours by 50 miles.
And the second lap was never going to be faster.

Those hills that wouldn't even register on a recreational ride are significantly harder in a TT situation. And doubly so on the second lap!

Think I need to accept that a sub-4 100 for me is going to take exceptional circumstances: A fast course with very favorable conditions. And a younger me!

https://www.strava.com/activities/2590851452
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: IanDG on 07 August, 2019, 11:12:50 pm
Another 10 - slightly more undulating and a bit windier than the last event so dropped the gear from 74" to 72.8" and did 27-20. Pleased to maintain an average of approx 105 rpm

https://www.strava.com/activities/2599623461
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 16 August, 2019, 10:52:18 am
First Open tomorrow. Slightly sore as I did weights on Tuesday and 'cross last night. Wondering what gearing I should use - it's dead flat so either 54x16 or 54x15. 16 would be my normal sprocket, but my disk cover was rubbing on the side with the 16 tooth on it last time I rode the TT bike (which was about a month ago - also a worry).
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 17 August, 2019, 07:53:08 pm
I switched to the 16. Should have left it on the 15 - it was really windy, and I struggled to produce power >110rpm in the tailwind on the way out. I don't think it would have really hurt my time in the head on the way back.
I got a pretty good PB though - down from 27:11 to 25:42, and that includes having to stop at the turn. My normalised power wasn't much up on the previous PB, so it's probably down to the course, but it's still pleasing.  ;D Rekindled my hope I can actually do some fast TTing at some point!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 24 August, 2019, 08:46:38 am
I switched to the 16. Should have left it on the 15 - it was really windy, and I struggled to produce power >110rpm in the tailwind on the way out. I don't think it would have really hurt my time in the head on the way back.
I got a pretty good PB though - down from 27:11 to 25:42, and that includes having to stop at the turn. My normalised power wasn't much up on the previous PB, so it's probably down to the course, but it's still pleasing.  ;D Rekindled my hope I can actually do some fast TTing at some point!

Well done.  I thought you would improve when you got to a decent course.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 24 August, 2019, 08:50:40 am
Well I get back from PBP to discover that the ECCA 12hr has been cancelled through lack of numbers.   I had juggled things a bit to make this the last big goal of the year and it now all feels a bit flat.

I can ride the Kent and will benefit from an additional week of PBP recovery but that course is slower and I have done a lot of hours riding laps of Romney Marsh.   Entry deadline is Tuesday so I can discuss with my supporters once I collect them from the airport this afternoon.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 29 August, 2019, 03:06:58 pm
Well I get back from PBP to discover that the ECCA 12hr has been cancelled through lack of numbers.   I had juggled things a bit to make this the last big goal of the year and it now all feels a bit flat.

I can ride the Kent and will benefit from an additional week of PBP recovery but that course is slower and I have done a lot of hours riding laps of Romney Marsh.   Entry deadline is Tuesday so I can discuss with my supporters once I collect them from the airport this afternoon.

Kent 12hr it is then.   It seems like there aren't many entries but at least the event is on.   I had a drive round the finishing circuit while I was in the area on Sunday and about a third of it is on quite a technical lane.   I don't have huge aspirations in terms of distance.

It's good that I will be ending my time in long distance testing at the event where it all started.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 04 September, 2019, 09:51:51 am
Whatever happens Rob, you're now on the TT legends list (http://www.timetriallingforum.co.uk/index.php?/topic/37180-24-hours-480400-miles-menwomen/&tab=comments#comment-1838447)  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 04 September, 2019, 09:57:11 am
Kent 12hr still on but it looks like there will be course alterations that will be confirmed on the morning.   I can see which bit of road is closed and can work out what they might do to avoid, but it's not great.

I can currently see 3 sets of temporary lights going in on the course over the weekend, of which 2 sets are on the finishing circuit.   Brilliant....
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 09 September, 2019, 10:39:56 am
I just looked back through the thread and saw my comments from my first KCA 12hr in 2013.   How times have moved on.   It's quite fitting that my first long TT will also be my last.

In the end the organisers only had to deal with one road closure so they kept us on the leg to Ashford and back for 5 laps before moving to the Camber circuit.   I was averaging 24mph up to about 70 miles when I had a minor mechanical and had to borrow some tools from another support crew.  I managed to get some time back to my first scheduled stop at 100 miles and off the first section of the event.   It stayed quite cool despite the sun being out and the wind was from the North but not hugely troubling.   I did 5 laps of the Camber circuit before being moved to the finishing circuit.   This was a new one this year with a quite technical little lane for 3 miles.  I was able to push quite hard towards the end and rounded out with 267 miles.

The winner did 285 and second place 278, which leaves me in 3rd.   I think this wins me the Kent Vets champs and the ECCA champs so a good way to round the year out.

I am very beaten up today.   I suspect that this is 1) cumulative load and also 2) you just go so much harder in a 12 compared to a 24.

I have 2 shorter ones - a 10 and a 30 - the next 2 weekends and then time for a break.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: cygnet on 09 September, 2019, 11:25:09 am
Congratulations rob.
...and then time for a break.
Well deserved.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Pedal Castro on 09 September, 2019, 11:48:29 am
Well done Rob, I decided not to enter as Mrs PC was still immobile with a back problem. My last TT of the year was Saturday's F11/10, it wasn't a fast day but happy(ish) with a course PB of 22:57.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: IanDG on 12 September, 2019, 08:52:41 am
Last club event of the season last night the 'Pie Eaters 5 mile Handicap'. Not quite 5 mile (my GPS recorded 7.5km), I finished 2nd in the event (the fast guys stayed at home) and won the handicap trophy - a great end to my first season after a 35 year 'lay-off'

Ridden 6 events this year all on fixed, on my old 70s Raleigh and in the 'Merckx Position'

Park Farm Hilly 17 - 52-44 (67")
Collin 10 - 26-14 (74")
Hoddam 10 - 27-23 (73")
Lockerbie10 - 26-09 (74")
Gilchristland HC Champs - 13-42 (62") 1st V50
Pie Eaters H/cap '5' - 12-25 (76") 2nd O/A !st H/cap

Lighter wheels, clip on tri-bars and some specific training needed for next year - and maybe even a modern track frame ;)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48719014971_0b0e3ef2e4_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2he8FNK)70589680_1419757301509158_9208373143473750016_n (https://flic.kr/p/2he8FNK) by ian (https://www.flickr.com/photos/acf_windy/), on Flickr


Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: ElyDave on 12 September, 2019, 10:14:06 am
Having not ridden any TTs since I stopped doing them with the local club, a masochistic streak evolved this year and I joined an online Cruzbike forum TT group. We each have a 12 mile course that we ride each week for 15 weeks, putting in a weekly time.  Ranking is on the basis of performance vs PB rather than vs each other as all the courses are different. So far I've had 6 new PBs on the same course with three weeks to go, and will have another this week as I got a qualifying ride in early when it wasn't windy.

My only beef is it's on absolute time improvement rather than %, so the slower riders can stand to score better for the same relative performance change.

   Date            Time          Speed    HR max   Speed Max
1   18/6/19   41:18.0   28.1   165   41.3
2   30/6/19   40:11.0   28.9   168   43.9
3   05/07/19   39:44.0   29.2   165   41.7
4   14/7/19   39:01.0   29.7   166   37.6
5   21/07/19   39:25.0   29.4   166   45
6   missed            
7   missed            
8   08/08/19   35:40.4   32.5      47.1
9   15/08/19   36:40.0   31.6   168   43.1
10   24/08/19   36:27.0   31.8   174   42.4
11   28/08/19   36:25.0   31.8   168   44.1
12   08/09/19   35:15.0   32.9   175   40.4
13   10/09/19   35:02.0   33.1   171   43.6


I'm currently sitting 8th in the league, can't believe how much I've enjoyed this
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: IanDG on 12 September, 2019, 11:38:20 am


I'm currently sitting 8th in the league, can't believe how much I've enjoyed this

Ditto - I 'retired' from time trialling in 1984 and when moving to Dumfries I was convinced that I wasn't going to get involved again. But, seeing an event on the Dumfries CC fb page that was open to all I decided to have a go just to see what I could still do. Really enjoyed it so rode more and looking forward to next season. Aim to do some specific training next year and to make some improvements to the bike and think I'll continue on fixed - but I'm not interested in moving beyond the club event series (at the moment)  ::-)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 14 September, 2019, 06:04:35 pm
ECCA 10 on the E2 today.  Not really my distance but happy to squeeze an 8 second PB with 21:09.

One more race left.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 21 September, 2019, 11:11:09 pm
Final TT of the year today.  Leo 30 on the E2 and not a distance I have raced before.

Bit unwell but made the trip anyway to record 1:08:42.   Hard day all round, but I think I can be happy with the way the year has gone.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 22 September, 2019, 07:43:47 am
Loads of PBs (at long and short distances), club and fixed gear records in the 24. I think you should be enormously pleased with how your year has gone, and if you are going to transition to ultra endurance racing, it sounds like you are going out on a high.
Congratulations on your year - especially since you were struggling with motivation at points it's been awesome.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 19 October, 2019, 05:51:40 pm
Tomorrow sees an attempt on one of the McNasty tandem RRA records (http://www.timetriallingforum.co.uk/index.php?/topic/135089-more-rra-shenanigans/)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Deano on 20 October, 2019, 01:34:30 pm
Tomorrow sees an attempt on one of the McNasty tandem RRA records (http://www.timetriallingforum.co.uk/index.php?/topic/135089-more-rra-shenanigans/)

Bugger, just spotted this - they'd have passed a hundred yards from me about twenty minutes ago.

Decent tailwind for them, but a bit damp.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 20 October, 2019, 05:26:33 pm
They did it.  7:50:36
https://twitter.com/gregmelia/status/1185927083828109312?s=19
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: hippy on 25 October, 2019, 05:40:56 pm
12hr TTs in 2020

Anyone have details on the (new) Yorkshire one and I'm looking for the date of the Breckland 12.

Ta muchly.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 25 October, 2019, 08:05:19 pm
Breckland provisionally 2nd Aug.   (I asked the organiser)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 25 October, 2019, 08:19:06 pm
Nothing confirmed on the Yorkshire yet but I've PM'd you what I know.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: hippy on 25 October, 2019, 08:29:34 pm
 :thumbsup: both
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 25 October, 2019, 08:36:39 pm
Said I wasn’t going to race next year.   I seem to be missing it.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: hippy on 25 October, 2019, 11:38:01 pm
I haven't ridden the TT bike in anger since early 2018. No harm in hanging it up for a while. I only bring it back out when I think of a goal that motivates me enough to ride it again.
Last one was doing a 49, before that it was holding all the club records and in this case I wanna have a crack at a 300+ 12hr.
I flew to a lot of ultra races this year and I wanna reduce my bike-related 'footprint' on the planet so TTs are decent local options. Plus I raced ultras too much this year. Probabaly took years off my life with all that sleep dep. A 12 is over 'relatively' quickly ;)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: 24hourmaths on 26 October, 2019, 08:10:01 am
Said I wasn’t going to race next year.   I seem to be missing it.

Don't let Nick know, he'll never leave you alone  ;)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 27 October, 2019, 07:33:04 pm
Wheels of Fire is far too polite to mention this but he’s riding the world 24hr champs in California at the end of the week.  I’ll dig the link out when I’m not on my phone.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: hippy on 27 October, 2019, 11:27:47 pm
Wheels of Fire is far too polite to mention this but he’s riding the world 24hr champs in California at the end of the week.  I’ll dig the link out when I’m not on my phone.

http://24hrworlds.com/
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 08 December, 2019, 03:17:49 pm
Next years dates are out on the CTT website.

I shall not be partaking....probably.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 08 December, 2019, 10:24:28 pm
I see the best event of the year is on July 18th.  I'll be there ... just not riding.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: hippy on 09 December, 2019, 01:18:36 pm
Thanks for the heads up.

Looks like if I can leave the Transiberica alone this year, the Breckland 12 will be best for me or perhaps the National 12hr.
Will probably enter both and perhaps some 50s and 100s for testing purposes. Motivation to ride in the UK is pretty damn low though. Might be a highly turbo-oriented campaign in 2020.

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 14 March, 2020, 10:40:38 pm
After a mediocre 2016 where I had a bit too much life going on, a completely awful 2017 where the life really got out of hand, a 2018 where I went off round the world and a 2019 where once I got back from the same, I was focussed on the Mersey and little else, I've opened my 2020 account and entered the Westerley 10 on the H10/22.  Let's see whether we're still allowed to ride bicycles by then, eh?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 15 March, 2020, 08:00:01 am
I looked at the race bike hanging on the wall the other day and thought I might want to use it again.  It soon passed.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Paul D on 15 March, 2020, 09:10:45 am
I'm trying to hang on to some motivation to race the Mersey 24 again in July. The impending apocalypse is not helping.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: guidon on 17 March, 2020, 12:04:23 pm
Hopefully will have tailed off by then....(says he locked down in Brittany)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: giropaul on 17 March, 2020, 05:09:11 pm
All CTT events suspended until 31May announced on the CTT Facebook page.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 17 March, 2020, 08:34:21 pm
All CTT events suspended until 31May announced on the CTT Facebook page.
... although I think they're going to review in April I think? So it's not a nailed-on date.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Paul D on 19 March, 2020, 09:36:28 am
I have one entry for my 50 in June, who entered on 8th January. I'm not expecting a big rush.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 25 March, 2020, 11:06:17 am
I looked at the race bike hanging on the wall the other day and thought I might want to use it again.  It soon passed.

I think the way to salvage something this year would be to target a 12hr.   There’s the Breckland and the National in August.   I might even be able to string together a BBAR attempt.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: hippy on 25 March, 2020, 11:26:36 am
You say that, which is conveniently what I was doing before all this kicked off, but who knows when we'll be resuming racing?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 25 March, 2020, 07:21:19 pm
You say that, which is conveniently what I was doing before all this kicked off, but who knows when we'll be resuming racing?

I have discovered that I’m not someone who can train for the sake of training.   Targeting a race in August would make me work for 4 months, but with a risk the event doesn’t happen.   I only backed off about 10 days ago so I probably haven’t lost much.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 25 March, 2020, 07:57:31 pm
You say that, which is conveniently what I was doing before all this kicked off, but who knows when we'll be resuming racing?

I have discovered that I’m not someone who can train for the sake of training.   Targeting a race in August would make me work for 4 months, but with a risk the event doesn’t happen.   I only backed off about 10 days ago so I probably haven’t lost much.
Yes, I take the same view.
(in my case I'm still clinging to the possibilty of Sep Audaxes - vv unlikely I know, but it's something to keep me motivated.)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 25 March, 2020, 07:58:30 pm
[sidles in to join the club]
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: hippy on 25 March, 2020, 09:39:32 pm
I have discovered that I’m not someone who can train for the sake of training.   Targeting a race in August would make me work for 4 months, but with a risk the event doesn’t happen.   I only backed off about 10 days ago so I probably haven’t lost much.

I'm training for the sake of racing (ok, and a bit of sanity) with a large dose of denial in place. Essentially pretending events will happen, do what training I can and if they do, lucky me. If they don't I've probably burnt off some of the many, many litres of beer I'm also drinking in lockdown.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 24 April, 2020, 02:21:56 pm
Is this going to be terminal for Time trialling?

It looks like vulnerable people are going to be shielded for an extended period.  Average age at TTs is pretty high, and plenty will have underlying conditions.  And that's just the riders - never mind the marshalls, timekeepers, pusher-offers, tea servers, etc.

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 24 April, 2020, 03:33:27 pm
Is this going to be terminal for Time trialling?

It looks like vulnerable people are going to be shielded for an extended period.  Average age at TTs is pretty high, and plenty will have underlying conditions.  And that's just the riders - never mind the marshalls, timekeepers, pusher-offers, tea servers, etc.

I'm still hoping to maybe get some racing in.   This posted today :-

https://cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/articles/view/547
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: S2L on 25 April, 2020, 08:02:48 am
Is this going to be terminal for Time trialling?

It looks like vulnerable people are going to be shielded for an extended period.  Average age at TTs is pretty high, and plenty will have underlying conditions.  And that's just the riders - never mind the marshalls, timekeepers, pusher-offers, tea servers, etc.

Marshalls and timekeepers can maintain social distancing... pusher-offers are not strictly necessary for an event to happen, I'm sure we can all do with losing 5 seconds whilst clipping in... equally, tea and cake are nice, but strictly not necessary and it can be on a DIY basis.
Of all forms of racing, TT is the one that could go ahead even during a protracted phase of social distancing, after the lockdown is lifted.

Maybe spectators at hill climbs will have to be banned, maybe the national HC will have to take fewer than the expected 480 competitors
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 25 April, 2020, 10:18:04 am
Could TT use something like the frames I have seen at track events?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: S2L on 25 April, 2020, 11:40:56 am
Could TT use something like the frames I have seen at track events?

Possibly, but is it really necessary? On the track, the longest race is 4 minutes.... The shortest TT is about 20 minutes for the fast guys, what difference does it really make if you have to clip in or not? In longer distance even less.

Maybe in hill climbs, if they last only 2-3 minutes, you can win or lose based on how quickly you clip in, but ultimately nobody becomes a millionaire out of winning these races, so I suppose we can all accept it as a risk worth taking to avoid more serious risks?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 25 April, 2020, 11:49:42 am
Can't you just put a big post in the ground and the rider can hold themselves up? You don't need someone to hold you up on a road/TT bike (probably a bit different for a track spring event where you have a huge gear and need both hands on the bars from the gun).

Registration and number collect/return would be more of a problem for social distancing. Maybe you can do sign- in with a dedicated room and bring-your-own pen basis, and return with a postbox style arrangement?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 25 April, 2020, 12:01:24 pm
I predict panic-buying of pedals like the M520 ... :P

Yes of course TT is the discipline easiest to run despite restrictions. Of course we don't know how the "softening" will happen in the UK, so it's difficult to plan tactics/tricks/tech to get round things, but I'm pretty certain that some form of racing could* happen.
No pushers-off will be just one such work-around - a TT is just a timed solo ride in essence.

Premier League footy is looking at restarting!!! But then at least one CX league (Central) has cancelled their 20/21 season :( (although they haven't banned clubs from running "pop-up" events)


*unless future restrictions contain some truly bizarre criteria with no scientific basis ...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: S2L on 25 April, 2020, 12:05:22 pm
Can't you just put a big post in the ground and the rider can hold themselves up? You don't need someone to hold you up on a road/TT bike (probably a bit different for a track spring event where you have a huge gear and need both hands on the bars from the gun).

Registration and number collect/return would be more of a problem for social distancing. Maybe you can do sign- in with a dedicated room and bring-your-own pen basis, and return with a postbox style arrangement?

It is a possibility...
As for numbers... how about single use stickers to be sent by post... combined with a bit of trust that no. 7 is indeed the one rider he should be and not someone else riding as no.7?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: zigzag on 25 April, 2020, 01:12:41 pm
i know someone organised a "lockdown tt"; submit/pay for the entry, get a detailed xc/gravel route with video instructions, many specific segments created on strava. ride solo and upload to strava. six(?) weeks window - try as many times as you want. at the end there will be prizes and awards.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: giropaul on 25 April, 2020, 01:25:52 pm
Can't you just put a big post in the ground and the rider can hold themselves up? You don't need someone to hold you up on a road/TT bike (probably a bit different for a track spring event where you have a huge gear and need both hands on the bars from the gun).

Registration and number collect/return would be more of a problem for social distancing. Maybe you can do sign- in with a dedicated room and bring-your-own pen basis, and return with a postbox style arrangement?

In Belgium and no doubt elsewhere the rider just hangs onto a barrier. Dave Orford, who promoted the ICF (Sometimes called the free federations) World Championship in North Derbyshire for several years used an “ international start” - one foot on the ground.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 25 April, 2020, 01:31:16 pm
Is this going to be terminal for Time trialling?

It looks like vulnerable people are going to be shielded for an extended period.  Average age at TTs is pretty high, and plenty will have underlying conditions.  And that's just the riders - never mind the marshalls, timekeepers, pusher-offers, tea servers, etc.

Marshalls and timekeepers can maintain social distancing... pusher-offers are not strictly necessary for an event to happen, I'm sure we can all do with losing 5 seconds whilst clipping in... equally, tea and cake are nice, but strictly not necessary and it can be on a DIY basis.
Of all forms of racing, TT is the one that could go ahead even during a protracted phase of social distancing, after the lockdown is lifted.

Maybe spectators at hill climbs will have to be banned, maybe the national HC will have to take fewer than the expected 480 competitors

Social distancing is not shielding.

Details not clear yet but if we are shielding older people +those with health conditions they probably wouldn't be going out to roundabouts and roadsides
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 25 April, 2020, 01:34:12 pm
Is this going to be terminal for Time trialling?

It looks like vulnerable people are going to be shielded for an extended period.  Average age at TTs is pretty high, and plenty will have underlying conditions.  And that's just the riders - never mind the marshalls, timekeepers, pusher-offers, tea servers, etc.

I'm still hoping to maybe get some racing in.   This posted today :-

https://cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/articles/view/547

Interesting. In truth they are as much in the dark as the rest of us. Hard to run any kind of organisation in this environment.
The argument about the levy and their reserves has been well and truly settled, I expect a lot of organisations now which they had been as prudent as CTT.
It was also interesting to see they had five full time employees, didn't know that.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: S2L on 25 April, 2020, 01:35:05 pm
Is this going to be terminal for Time trialling?

It looks like vulnerable people are going to be shielded for an extended period.  Average age at TTs is pretty high, and plenty will have underlying conditions.  And that's just the riders - never mind the marshalls, timekeepers, pusher-offers, tea servers, etc.

Marshalls and timekeepers can maintain social distancing... pusher-offers are not strictly necessary for an event to happen, I'm sure we can all do with losing 5 seconds whilst clipping in... equally, tea and cake are nice, but strictly not necessary and it can be on a DIY basis.
Of all forms of racing, TT is the one that could go ahead even during a protracted phase of social distancing, after the lockdown is lifted.

Maybe spectators at hill climbs will have to be banned, maybe the national HC will have to take fewer than the expected 480 competitors

Social distancing is not shielding.

Details not clear yet but if we are shielding older people +those with health conditions they probably wouldn't be going out to roundabouts and roadsides

True... maybe if traffic continues to be below average, due to many weekend attractions being close, then there is less need for marshals?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 25 April, 2020, 03:05:05 pm
Marshalls are not to do with traffic. They are human signposts.
they are stipulated in the course descriptions which have been risk assessed. The requirements could be relaxed but it would need to be done on a course by course basis.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: S2L on 25 April, 2020, 03:20:17 pm
Good point...

Re. over 70... my understanding is that the rules are the same, they were different before the lockdown, but now they are the same. There are a number of vulnerable people who have been contacted on a case by case, but they are not necessarily over-represented among the CTT volunteers, I would have thought?

Anyway, hard to say what it will be allowed and when, but I would think of all the amateur sport activities, TT should be among the first to resume
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 25 April, 2020, 04:07:55 pm
Members under 60 have been known to run/marshall races!
Let's be positive, and not invent barriers :-)
Title: The TT Thread
Post by: Davef on 25 April, 2020, 05:01:34 pm
The guidelines of who should be shielding have been gradually diluting. To start with it was anyone over 70 or with quite a range of health conditions some quite common such as pregnancy.

The latest version does not mention age and the list of medical conditions has narrowed dramatically- basically if you are immunosuppressed because of an organ transplant, or cancer treatment or are pregnant whilst suffering a major heart condition.

I would have thought time trialling will probably be one of the first type of events reinstated.

Edit: and severe lung conditions

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: ElyDave on 16 May, 2020, 07:34:26 pm
Summert TT series starts again.  Pick a course, 12 miles, ride it each week and send your data in.  Points based on week to week performance change, no points for absolute time as we are all riding different courses. Today was much windier than last week, but on fresh legs (two hard rides in two days last week) I was only 2 seconds slower.

Looking forward to the next few weeks to see if the winter on the turbo has had any value
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 16 May, 2020, 08:03:02 pm
*12* miles ?!?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 16 May, 2020, 09:49:48 pm
There’s a CTT board meeting this weekend apparently.   Look out for some news next week.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: ElyDave on 17 May, 2020, 06:03:00 am
Americans  ::-)

I'd have gone with ten miles or twenty k myself. 19.2 km is both oddly precise and rather vague
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 17 May, 2020, 07:50:09 am
Americans  ::-)

I'd have gone with ten miles or twenty k myself. 19.2 km is both oddly precise and rather vague
That is weird! I'd probably quite enjoy 12 miles, but I can't see it catching on in the UK ..

(although those funny running races in multiples of 13.1 miles are quite popular).
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: ElyDave on 17 May, 2020, 08:11:33 am
It is a bit odd vs a ten, where you can just go eyeballs out and hope for the best.  It's not quite a twenty five where you can back off a bit if you overcook it and recover.  I've found myself pushing a bit too hard, then backing off more than I should, and mentally drifting in the last quarter.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: IanDG on 17 May, 2020, 02:29:07 pm
I predict panic-buying of pedals like the M520 ... :P

Yes of course TT is the discipline easiest to run despite restrictions. Of course we don't know how the "softening" will happen in the UK, so it's difficult to plan tactics/tricks/tech to get round things, but I'm pretty certain that some form of racing could* happen.
No pushers-off will be just one such work-around - a TT is just a timed solo ride in essence.

Premier League footy is looking at restarting!!! But then at least one CX league (Central) has cancelled their 20/21 season :( (although they haven't banned clubs from running "pop-up" events)


*unless future restrictions contain some truly bizarre criteria with no scientific basis ...

Scottish Cyclo Cross season cancelled too.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: giropaul on 17 May, 2020, 04:30:41 pm
As I reported elsewhere on here, a small independent ( fully legal though) road race league I’m a member of took the decision a couple of weeks ago to cancel all 2020 events.
The main reason for this was around our presence in villages and use of village halls. We rely on the villager’s good will, as does time trialling often. To be running races whilst people are still living with restrictions, worrying about their own and other’s wellbeing, and even maybe mourning lost family and friends wouldn’t go down well we believe.
As even several professionals have said- it’s only bike riding, not life and death.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: S2L on 20 May, 2020, 10:22:16 am
There’s a CTT board meeting this weekend apparently.   Look out for some news next week.

No news... is it good news? I suppose it's better than a rushed decision to cancel everything until next year.

I've seen a lot of "racing" happening on indoor trainers, but I am not overly keen to invest big money on one, at least not until the late autumn.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 20 May, 2020, 11:47:01 am
There’s a CTT board meeting this weekend apparently.   Look out for some news next week.

No news... is it good news? I suppose it's better than a rushed decision to cancel everything until next year.

I've seen a lot of "racing" happening on indoor trainers, but I am not overly keen to invest big money on one, at least not until the late autumn.

I suspect it's wait and see.   They have been putting in place rolling cancellations so end of May and then end of June, rather than the AUK approach of events suspended until we unsuspend them.

I'm continuing to train but I'm nit sure how much longer I can keep battering myself without a goal.   Moving to e-racing would require a fairly major investment.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: S2L on 20 May, 2020, 12:22:19 pm
   Moving to e-racing would require a fairly major investment.

Same here... I have my eye on a decent trainer, Kickr Core or something expensive but not top of the range, but I don't want to invest now... firstly because it's too hot and beautiful out there to lock myself in a room and sweat buckets in front of a screen, but also because there is a lot of uncertainty about jobs right now and I'd rather keep the money for the rainy days.
If things ease up a bit in autumn, then I might take the plunge...

TOH who seems less concerned about the all matter, is looking into freaking designer puppies, costing a hell of a lot more than a home trainer...  ::-)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: L CC on 20 May, 2020, 01:15:55 pm
The ship's sailed regarding e-solutions, if you haven't got a smart trainer now, you're unlikely to, until so long in the future you can race outside again.

Some clubs got in there quick (https://www.newburyvelo.cc/events/event.php?s=2020-05-20-zwift-club-10-midweek-tt)

Racing on Zwift isn't the same as IRL. It's a game- and the winners are those who play the game best, not those who'd be fastest on the road.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 20 May, 2020, 02:13:54 pm
The ship's sailed regarding e-solutions, if you haven't got a smart trainer now, you're unlikely to, until so long in the future you can race outside again.

Some clubs got in there quick (https://www.newburyvelo.cc/events/event.php?s=2020-05-20-zwift-club-10-midweek-tt)

Racing on Zwift isn't the same as IRL. It's a game- and the winners are those who play the game best, not those who'd be fastest on the road.

It would be a faff to get set up now and, as you say, not that easy.   My fall back is that I wait to the Spring to catch up and I wasn't supposed to be riding TTs this year anyway.

I noticed Newbury were running on-line TTs.   Rachel, the organiser had always been involved with Zwift racing even before her stroke stopped her riding outdoors.   The VTTA have also been organising 10s but I think they are using RGT.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 21 May, 2020, 06:38:11 am
My club (Westerley) is doing online TTs using RGT and club rides on Zwift. 

I've not got into it as the times don't really work for me (early evening races with toddler) and I'd rather get outside on Sunday mornings but it seems to be generating a lot of interest and is great for keeping the club going.   

I don't think you need too much extra kit to do it.  I think you can still do Zwift without a smart trainer if you have a power meter, and I expect those are still available. 

I would need to buy a computer with a better graphics card to do Zwift (my 7-8 year old 4th laptop is fine for Trainerroad but I don't expect it could handle Zwift), but I could probably get that for £250 on eBay.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: TimC on 21 May, 2020, 10:23:50 am
Apple TV is a much cheaper way of getting on Zwift.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 21 May, 2020, 10:57:13 am
I've just got a dumb trainer and no power meter.   I have just blagged a desktop from work as I was borrowing my son's laptop to work from.   
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Paul D on 21 May, 2020, 02:06:37 pm
My laptop isn't man enough to run Zwift so I use my Pixel 2 phone and the app, plus a £15 TV off Gumtree and a £30 Chromecast.

I have also resurrected an old mobile with no sim card but logged into my home wifi to use the Zwift companion app (which isn't really worth it except for group rides), Netflix or Spotify whilst keeping the Zwift app up on the main phone.

Not investigated RGT yet...

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 22 May, 2020, 07:02:13 am
My laptop isn't man enough to run Zwift so I use my Pixel 2 phone and the app, plus a £15 TV off Gumtree and a £30 Chromecast.

I have also resurrected an old mobile with no sim card but logged into my home wifi to use the Zwift companion app (which isn't really worth it except for group rides), Netflix or Spotify whilst keeping the Zwift app up on the main phone.

Not investigated RGT yet...

Interesting - didn't realise that you could run proper Zwift from a phone.  Maybe I wouldn't even need to get a new computer!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: giropaul on 09 June, 2020, 02:20:35 pm
I”m surprised that no one has mentioned CTTs latest Covid document.
B ( club events) possible from, I think, 6 July, opens from a week or so later. This is for England only  of course
Full details of how organisers must ensure social distancing etc will follow it states.

Obviously subject to the Country  not regressing in terms of R number etc.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 09 June, 2020, 03:09:21 pm
I”m surprised that no one has mentioned CTTs latest Covid document.
B ( club events) possible from, I think, 6 July, opens from a week or so later. This is for England only  of course
Full details of how organisers must ensure social distancing etc will follow it states.

Obviously subject to the Country  not regressing in terms of R number etc.

Read it.   Wasn't sure I could make any real decisions based on the contents.   Will wait a bit and see what happens in July.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 09 June, 2020, 04:03:11 pm
My club has started working out what TTs it can run and whether the courses scheduled for those dates are suitable. I might marshall, depending on timings.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 14 June, 2020, 05:55:42 pm
All remaining Kent events have been cancelled. 

The Breckland 12 organiser will run if he can, and the National 12hr might still happen.   It’s starting to look a bit thin out there.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 15 June, 2020, 07:23:05 am
My club has started working out what TTs it can run and whether the courses scheduled for those dates are suitable. I might marshall, depending on timings.
I was amazed to see how keen your lot were to ride on the A420, over all other options  :o

(having said that, it will never be quieter :) )

My lot have just - understandably - binned the whole calendar. I'd like to see some autumn weekend events if law/CTT allow - hopefully there will be time to make short-notice arrangements.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 15 June, 2020, 10:40:12 am
I've not been paying attention to the proposed courses because I'm injured, but the safest I've ever felt on a TT was on the A420. Some of the driving around the "quiet roads" TTs can be really dangerous. H10/17 is one of the faster courses around as well - the alternatives (specifically Oakley) have horrible surfaces.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 15 June, 2020, 02:10:25 pm
I've not been paying attention to the proposed courses because I'm injured, but the safest I've ever felt on a TT was on the A420. Some of the driving around the "quiet roads" TTs can be really dangerous. H10/17 is one of the faster courses around as well - the alternatives (specifically Oakley) have horrible surfaces.

Safety of DC courses vs minor roads is one of the regular conversations on the TT forum, but I always quite liked the H17 too.  Not an easy course but quite a few tour buses and a fast finish.  Don't recall ever having a close pass on there.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 15 June, 2020, 07:31:12 pm
I've felt OK racing on the A420 (and it is my PB course!), but that's evening and early morning events: I marshalled on a Sat afternoon and it really looked too busy. Down to the riders of course, it can look very different when you're just stood by a roundabout.

There are definitely quieter courses in South Oxon; the new (somewhat technical) course round West Hanney is lovely!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 15 June, 2020, 08:21:50 pm
I quite liked the H25/17 the two times I did it for the BUCS.  Then again, I'm a well known traffic whore.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 16 June, 2020, 09:35:20 am
The Condor one on the H10/17 is a Thursday evening event. They tweak it a bit so it uses the H25/17 start, not sure why. The only weekend TTs I'm aware of them running are the start and end of season ones on Saturday morning on Stadhampton (slow course, horrible surface, though not as brutal as Oakley).
Last August I did a Didcot Phoenix open on the A420 (the actual H10/17R course as it appears on the CTT website) on a Saturday afternoon - that was absolutely fine. Maybe you marshalled me? If so, thanks.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 08 August, 2020, 01:01:15 pm
My target events got cancelled, then my backups, then the backups for the backups.  I gave up training, pulled out of the Breckland 12 and marshalled for it instead. 

Meanwhile, Joe Skipper came back and did 325 miles to breakcomp record, while staying on the course this time! 

See his youtube video here (https://youtu.be/nIDFnaQeWxU)

Meanwhile I've found some backups to the backups to the backups, and will be trying to get fit for a 10 and a 25 in September.  Joe put out 282 Watts for 12 hours - let's see if I can keep up in the shorter events!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 08 August, 2020, 01:47:14 pm
I did a cross race on Thursday night - almost the same as a pre-Covid race, but run as a 6-lap TT (you had to count your own laps - purely chip timing).

Quite an odd experience, but just as much fun as the usual races. A large proportion of riders seemed to have trouble counting to 6 :D

Maybe 50 riders (across 3 categories - all adults).
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 08 August, 2020, 01:59:48 pm
I did a cross race on Thursday night - almost the same as a pre-Covid race, but run as a 6-lap TT (you had to count your own laps - purely chip timing).

Quite an odd experience, but just as much fun as the usual races. A large proportion of riders seemed to have trouble counting to 6 :D
Was that the Take3 event? How much passing was there - I saw that some people finished a lap down?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 08 August, 2020, 02:40:21 pm
Mr Skipper not noticed the new reg about mobile phones, then ?

I’m having a long think about next year.   New area, new colours but the same, slightly older, legs.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Davef on 10 August, 2020, 09:31:13 pm
Just did my first TT of the season. Very sweaty.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 10 August, 2020, 09:51:49 pm
I did a cross race on Thursday night - almost the same as a pre-Covid race, but run as a 6-lap TT (you had to count your own laps - purely chip timing).

Quite an odd experience, but just as much fun as the usual races. A large proportion of riders seemed to have trouble counting to 6 :D
Was that the Take3 event? How much passing was there - I saw that some people finished a lap down?
Yup.
Lots of passing, but not in grouplets like normal. Jolly civilised.

Anyone stopping short did so by their own volition 😆
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 15 August, 2020, 06:30:13 pm
First "proper" TT tomorrow morning. Arrangements seem well thought out ...

But we MUST bring our own pen and safety-pins! :P
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 02 September, 2020, 11:26:26 am
Finally, something to take home from this disaster of a season: one of my backup^3 events came up trumps. The Drighlington BC 25 had fine sunny weather and light winds - near-perfect conditions, at least if you were off sufficiently far down the field.  Muggins here was one of the very first riders off, and I'd barely rubbed the sleep out of my eyes in time to start out into the cold, traffic-free air on the V236/1.  I also think I have quite drunk enough fluids to digest my porridge that morning, as it was quite a large bowl of porridge yet I still started bonking halfway round and had to take an emergency gel, which you really shouldn't have to do in a 25. 

I stopped the clock in 56:05, which is a new PB by 54 seconds.   :D :thumbsup: O:-). My 25 was always historically my weakest PB, and it's a bit annoying to have improved by nearly a minute yet not moved off a 56, particularly as in addition to the errors listed above, my now-mandatory rear light wasn't my most aero model (which couldn't be found when I was running for the train) and I also ran out of time to lengthen my front brake hose, so that was sticking way out in the wind.  Just think, either of those could have been those six seconds!  Still, a PB is PB, and given I was primarily doing this event to preserve my LTS which ran out this year, a new PB is very good news  :D

Now, onto Saturday's 10.  Let's see if I can repeat the performance!

(https://i.ibb.co/hHMjgRT/86352948-3-Y7-A2095.jpg)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Geriatricdolan on 09 September, 2020, 06:54:05 am
After a lacklustre August of flat TT, finally the hill climb season has landed.
First event last Saturday... too short a hill for me, so I finished in another very average 13th... interesting that last year with the same time I would have finished 8th. The new "foot on the ground" start makes short hills a bit of a lottery, I probably lost 5 seconds or so. But great to be able to race at all and great to see so many juniors and juveniles taking on TT, and being already so bloody fast...  >:(

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 13 September, 2020, 06:49:35 pm
22:31 in the ten I mentioned.  A pretty poor performance but it's done its job: improving my LTS (previously on slow club courses) so I can enter events going forward.  That's my season over, now I'm off touring.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Geriatricdolan on 14 September, 2020, 07:22:07 am
First "proper" TT tomorrow morning. Arrangements seem well thought out ...

But we MUST bring our own pen and safety-pins! :P

I keep bringing my own pen and safety pins as advised, just for the organisers to write down my name with their pen and handing me a pre-pinned number, which allegedly has been sanitised, but in reality seems to have still a bit of mud from a previous race on...  ::-)

No doubt the day I stop doing so, there will be no pen and no pins at the event...

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Geriatricdolan on 14 September, 2020, 01:16:35 pm
22:31 in the ten I mentioned.  A pretty poor performance but it's done its job: improving my LTS (previously on allow club courses) so I can enter events going forward.  That's my season over, now I'm off touring.

What power for that if you don't mind me asking...?
I'm normally at the bottom end of the standings in a flat TT, kind of long 25... but it's also true I don't have anything aero, nothing, not even high profile wheels. My rationale is that with 260 Watt (or 4 W/kg) I wouldn't be very high up in the standings even if I spent ten grand in equipment and learned to use it properly, so I prefer to save the money. I did a couple of 10 at Mallory Park in August and with a 23 you're in the bottom half, 30th or thereabout. For me, being 30th or 50th makes no difference.

But then, peeking through people's outputs published on Strava, I see some very fast juniors, doing 21 with similar power to mine and I wonder if it's got to do with W/kg, which in their case might be more like 5, or it's got to do with them being so skinny that even their CdA is more favourable than that of senior riders...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 27 September, 2020, 12:55:23 pm
22:31 in the ten I mentioned.  A pretty poor performance but it's done its job: improving my LTS (previously on allow club courses) so I can enter events going forward.  That's my season over, now I'm off touring.

What power for that if you don't mind me asking...?
I'm normally at the bottom end of the standings in a flat TT, kind of long 25... but it's also true I don't have anything aero, nothing, not even high profile wheels. My rationale is that with 260 Watt (or 4 W/kg) I wouldn't be very high up in the standings even if I spent ten grand in equipment and learned to use it properly, so I prefer to save the money. I did a couple of 10 at Mallory Park in August and with a 23 you're in the bottom half, 30th or thereabout. For me, being 30th or 50th makes no difference.

But then, peeking through people's outputs published on Strava, I see some very fast juniors, doing 21 with similar power to mine and I wonder if it's got to do with W/kg, which in their case might be more like 5, or it's got to do with them being so skinny that even their CdA is more favourable than that of senior riders...

My PM died during the 10, but the 25 I did five days before was a 235 W average power (not NP) for 56:05.  I performed better in the 25 than the 10, as it mattered more to me whereas the 10 was basically rolling round to update my qualifying time and hadn't trained since the previous event.  That's all with position that tests to give [censored] CdA, but also squishes my hip angle a bit so I produce a bit less power than in a more relaxed position, and which I've had to train into to produce as much as I do.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Geriatricdolan on 27 September, 2020, 03:05:50 pm
22:31 in the ten I mentioned.  A pretty poor performance but it's done its job: improving my LTS (previously on allow club courses) so I can enter events going forward.  That's my season over, now I'm off touring.

What power for that if you don't mind me asking...?
I'm normally at the bottom end of the standings in a flat TT, kind of long 25... but it's also true I don't have anything aero, nothing, not even high profile wheels. My rationale is that with 260 Watt (or 4 W/kg) I wouldn't be very high up in the standings even if I spent ten grand in equipment and learned to use it properly, so I prefer to save the money. I did a couple of 10 at Mallory Park in August and with a 23 you're in the bottom half, 30th or thereabout. For me, being 30th or 50th makes no difference.

But then, peeking through people's outputs published on Strava, I see some very fast juniors, doing 21 with similar power to mine and I wonder if it's got to do with W/kg, which in their case might be more like 5, or it's got to do with them being so skinny that even their CdA is more favourable than that of senior riders...

My PM died during the 10, but the 25 I did five days before was a 235 W average power (not NP) for 56:05.  I performed better in the 25 than the 10, as it mattered more to me whereas the 10 was basically rolling round to update my qualifying time and hadn't trained since the previous event.  That's all with position that tests to give [censored] CdA, but also squishes my hip angle a bit so I produce a bit less power than in a more relaxed position, and which I've had to train into to produce as much as I do.

Interesting... There certainly is a lot to gain by going for the full aero kit... I thought it would be along the lines of 2 minutes max for a 10, but looks like it's a bit more...
All academic, I have no money, or storage space for a TT bike...  :P

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 27 September, 2020, 05:31:24 pm
Sell your power meter to fund some aero kit!


(If you don't have a PM, where did that 260 W figure come from?  A Wattbike?  I hope you aren't being naughty and trusting Strava's estimated power figures?  They're a complete work of fiction.)

Things you can do for little or no money:
1) You have tribars, right?  Move them closer together.  Your hands should be touching, and your elbows not all that much further apart.  At least as narrow as mine - I carry a bottle between my arms as I mostly do longer events, but I'd investigate different water storage options and arms closer together if I didn't have too much invested in my current setup, and too few TTs planned in the coming season, to make a change worthwhile. 
2) If you have a different saddle position for road and TT, get a second saddle and a seatpost to go with it and mark both of their insertion points with tape, so you can swap them quickly.  If you can stretch to one, a specific TT one like the ISM Adamo is more comfortable than a standard road saddle. 
3) Did I say a different position?  Don't trust the 'up and forward round the BB' position advice: it works for some people but it's outdated and often wrong.  A lot of people, myself included, find it's more aero to drop your saddle *down* a bit and then move it backwards until you've got enough height.  You'll lose a bit of power but it will come back with training in position, and the aero gains are worth it.  If you're usually a toes down pedaller, learn to be a heels down pedaller. 
4) Practice dropping your head and looking out of the tops of your eyes.  It'll be uncomfortable at first but again, gets more natural with training in position.  The standard advice is to concentrate on pushing your chin both down and forward. 
5) Once you've got that position, train in it!  Some core and neck exercises off the bike will also help. 
6) Get a helmet.  The Giro Selector and Bell Javelin are a couple of generations old now but are known to test reasonably well on a wide range of people, and can be picked up dirt cheap secondhand. 
7) Get a skinsuit.  The Velotec (https://www.velotec.cc/) ones are comparatively inexpensive (£120) compared to other good ones, but have been spotted on some very good and very attentive riders so must test well.
8.) Do you wear mitts to TT?  Don't.
9) Do your shoes have buckles poking out?  Get some oversocks.  The shiny Madison ones are about £15 but are meant to be a good budget option - though beware, I've got some and you need to size down.
10) Shave your legs   ;D 
11) Where are your gear and brake cables?  Go to any lengths you can to hide them from the wind. 
10) How wide are your tyres?  Get whatever width will make the tyre shape flow smoothly into your rims.  Get some low rolling resistance (https://www.bicyclerollingresistance.com/) ones - the Continental GP4000/5000 is a popular choice for a set with a bit of puncture resistance. 
11) Remove any bottles from your frame before you TT.  If you must have a bottle, the ST one causes less drag than the DT one, but if you're doing a 10/25 you can remove both. 
12) Your drivetrain should of course be absolutely clean, lubed and shiny. 

Hopefully that's enough to be getting on with  :D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 28 September, 2020, 11:11:28 am
^ Lots of very good advice.  You would need to spend months reading the TT forum to come up with that amount of useful info.  And, believe me, you don't want to do that! 

Re saddle and seatpost, I once had a second saddle / seatpost for getting a TT position on a road bike.  I used a VK adaptor to get the TT saddle a long way forward into the position I wanted it.  But I wouldn't use that position now - I also now try to get lower and further back than I used to.  But that is only possible as I have improved my flexibility: high / forward position is forgiving of poor lower back / hip / hamstring flexibility.

ISM / Adamo is a good saddle choice as it is just about the only saddle that is comfortable (for some, not all, people) both for riding on aerobars and hoods/tops.  But you do need to read what it says about changing position - it needs to go a long way further down and back than other saddles - otherwise it will be really uncomfortable (I know as I didn't first time I had one and it was)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 28 September, 2020, 03:08:09 pm
^ Lots of very good advice.  You would need to spend months reading the TT forum to come up with that amount of useful info.  And, believe me, you don't want to do that! 

Re saddle and seatpost, I once had a second saddle / seatpost for getting a TT position on a road bike.  I used a VK adaptor to get the TT saddle a long way forward into the position I wanted it.  But I wouldn't use that position now - I also now try to get lower and further back than I used to.  But that is only possible as I have improved my flexibility: high / forward position is forgiving of poor lower back / hip / hamstring flexibility.
ISM / Adamo is a good saddle choice as it is just about the only saddle that is comfortable (for some, not all, people) both for riding on aerobars and hoods/tops.  But you do need to read what it says about changing position - it needs to go a long way further down and back than other saddles - otherwise it will be really uncomfortable (I know as I didn't first time I had one and it was)
I definitely agree about reading the TT forum! :)
High and forward works better for me than low and back - I simply can't fold myself up enough to get my shoulders low in the latter setup. To that end, I got a seatpost with a forward offset like this: https://www.wiggle.co.uk/profile-design-fast-forward-aluminium-seat-post
It means I can set up a regular road bike (in my case an old 531 frame) with similar geo to the TT bikes. I also have an Adamo saddle - it was the only way I could get low and avoid numbness (or tipping forward due to nose down angle).

Geriatricdolan
In general, the key is to focus on position and making yourself as low drag as possible. You don't need a superbike , if your position is good then you can go very fast on a regular bike. There seem to be some interesting fitting options where someone will take a 3d picture of you and pop that into some CFD software to see where the easy aero gains are, but I suspect you have a lot of space left for improvement before you need that sort of approach (or the even more expensive wind tunnel time).
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Geriatricdolan on 28 September, 2020, 04:44:24 pm
I do have a power meter.

Thanks for all the advice...
To be fair, I prefer to use the summer TTs as a way to get some form for the autumn hill climbs... I seem to do better in those and they are less "expensive". Yes, I could spend a fortune for the elusive 5 kg bike, but realistically it won't make a lot of difference, whereas seemingly in flat TT is all about having the right gear... and even if I had the right gear, I still wouldn't get anywhere near the top ten in an open, those guys all have an FTP over 300 and I would never qualify for the National 10... so it seems poor ROI...  :P

When it comes to tyres, I am a bit of a hoarder... currently using Corsa 2.0 for every day and Pirelli P Zero TT for dry days and good surface races... the latter are insane... Supersonic tubes, of course
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: giropaul on 28 September, 2020, 08:24:21 pm
Just in case - some of the strategies apply excellently to CTT time trials, but some would get you disqualified in a UCI event ( including BC). I mention this because even some international riders have run foul of this.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 29 September, 2020, 11:07:11 am
Are you getting near the top 10 in serious hillclimbs? Chapeau.

In recent memory a national 10 was won on a sub £1000 bike. I think they borrowed a few bits from their/mates spares stash, but to be competitive, you need a good engine and a good position - you can throw money at all the rest but without those 2 you aren't going to be effective. The most expensive thing on Karla's list was the velotec speedsuit, which is about £120. After that, the lids can be had secondhand for about 40, and the rest is very cheap or free (saddles are personal, you can spend loads and never find the right one or be lucky and find that most work).

That 10 winning bike details:
https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/latest-news/how-a-bike-costing-1000-won-the-national-10-mile-time-trial-championship-189583
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Geriatricdolan on 29 September, 2020, 01:45:41 pm
Are you getting near the top 10 in serious hillclimbs? Chapeau.

I didn't say that... I said that I do better, ie I am not in the bottom 20%, like I am in flat TT events.

Club (B type) HC events are of variable standards... I have even won one, when only 3 people showed up...  :thumbsup: I did 7th last Saturday in a field of 30... which is probably my most meaningful result. I regularly make top half or better.

Open events are different beasts, the competition is fierce... first of all I am a veteran, so I tend not to look at what espoir and senior do... their heart rate can go up to 190-200, mine can't... overall my best result is 26th... but if we look only at the vets, then I've done 5th... typically I am top third in the Vets in an Open.

That might be enough for a ticket to Streatley this October... it depends on Covid. If the plan is to have a large event with well over 200 competitors, then I should get a place, if the event will be restricted in numbers, then I won't get a place.

Bottom line is that it's a short intense season, where many stand a chance to finish it at the National... in flat TT you need to be at the pinnacle of the game to get to the National... plus hill climb makes much nicer photos...  ;D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 29 September, 2020, 02:32:39 pm
I've got into nationals without a qualifying time at that distance at every distance from 50 miles upwards.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Geriatricdolan on 29 September, 2020, 03:09:52 pm
I've got into nationals without a qualifying time at that distance at every distance from 50 miles upwards.

Well done...!

I suspect the shorter 10 and 25 miles distances are a lot more "competitive", 'cause they're way more popular. A few club mates who regularly do long 21s and 22s didn't get a spot last August, you needed a low 20 at the very least to make the National 10...

The long distances are a bit of an acquired taste... the idea of churning a big gear in an aero position for over 2 hours sounds like torture. But I can see some enjoying this kind of pain, just like some enjoy racing in TCR and similar races. We are all different.
I kind of like the 4 minutes of pure hell of a hill climb... it hurts, but it's over quickly and it doesn't leave me aching for days afterwards.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 29 September, 2020, 03:54:12 pm
It depends.  In 2012 I got into the national 25 on a fast course (the T252) with a 1:01:21 back when I was starting out, and judging by the field seeding there were about ten riders slower than me.  Speeds have increased a bit in the intervening years and it also helped me that the course was so far north - entries were much stiffer when the event was on the similarly fast H25/2 near London a couple of years later.  You have to pick your moments. 

Also, note that you don't need *all* of the very latest kit.  At least two national champs have been won this year on a Cervelo P3C, which is a ~15 year old design.  It had some excellent wheels and finishing kit of course, but you can get a full P2/P3 build for about £1k on eBay and then tinker and build it up as you go along.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Geriatricdolan on 29 September, 2020, 04:22:55 pm
Yeah, but I'm just not competitive in flat TT...
I have a low BMI and I do comparatively much better uphill. Also, vets in general are quite fast on the flat, but not very fast uphill, so I have an extra advantage there, as I seem to be the opposite.

I am just playing to my strengths... 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 30 September, 2020, 09:23:14 am
Yeah, but I'm just not competitive in flat TT...

Why do you need to be competitive ?   In the average TT only a handful of people are racing for the win.   Everyone else is just seeing how much they can improve.

I don't ever trouble the pointy end of events but have achieved some satisfaction from improving steadily.   (I did get a podium place in a small field 12hr last year).
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Geriatricdolan on 30 September, 2020, 10:17:01 am
Yeah, but I'm just not competitive in flat TT...

Why do you need to be competitive ?   In the average TT only a handful of people are racing for the win.   Everyone else is just seeing how much they can improve.


Well, I guess it's my competitive side coming out... it is a race after all, and I would rather beat more people with a slower time than post a fast time and get beaten by many.
It's probably the difference between TT, where it's all about the time and hill climb, where it's all about placings.

The way I see time trials in general is about who is the fastest on the day, otherwise why paying an entry fee? If you want to ride for a particular time, then you can ride at your own convenience, most events are on open roads... pick a good day when the gods of wind and air pressure are favourable, post a good time...

But I can see the argument for improvement, better your own best time, aggregation of marginal gains and all of that... just doesn't motivate me as much as seeing my minute man and trying to catch him.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 30 September, 2020, 10:28:04 am
Oh there's trying to catch your minute man alright.  Rob was off 3 minutes in front of me in last year's 24 hour, I then spent the entire day trying to catch him but never saw him again after he left the start queue.  That still smarts  >:(

Admittedly it doesn't smart as much as my never having managed to get under 4 hours for 100 miles since the one that got voided.  2021, you have a target assigned.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Geriatricdolan on 30 September, 2020, 11:06:34 am
Admittedly it doesn't smart as much as my never having managed to get under 4 hours for 100 miles since the one that got voided.  2021, you have a target assigned.

I don't seem to have an attachment to figures... when my time in a hill climb was corrected from 4:59.7 to 5:00.7, it didn't make any difference to me... because I was still 38th! Obviously I would have preferred to be a second faster, but not because of the sub 5 minute thing, more because I would have been 37th (other times were corrected too)!

Although I do like to see a 100% in the purple power bar on Strava for the segment... it means I am improving  :thumbsup:

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 30 September, 2020, 11:11:18 am
My first TT on returning to the sport was a 100 where my aim was to get under 5hrs.   I managed 4:57.   And from there it progressed.   I worked out that some of the club records were achievable and got them over a few years.   I also then managed to pick up the local VTTA records for 12 & 24hr.   I chased a 25mph BBAR average for a few years and got it last year. 

At the moment I have a spare room with a load of trophies that I am very proud of.   It has been achievement far and above what I thought I was capable of.   There's loads to achieve in the sport of TT, even if you're pretty average.

I'd still like to get 280+ in a 12 and 500+ in a 24, but I think these are pretty unlikely.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 30 September, 2020, 11:13:24 am
Admittedly it doesn't smart as much as my never having managed to get under 4 hours for 100 miles since the one that got voided.  2021, you have a target assigned.

I don't seem to have an attachment to figures... when my time in a hill climb was corrected from 4:59.7 to 5:00.7, it didn't make any difference to me... because I was still 38th! Obviously I would have preferred to be a second faster, but not because of the sub 5 minute thing, more because I would have been 37th (other times were corrected too)!

Although I do like to see a 100% in the purple power bar on Strava for the segment... it means I am improving  :thumbsup:

I once did 4:00:29 for a 100.   It messed with my head for a long time.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Geriatricdolan on 30 September, 2020, 11:55:17 am
Just convert it into SI units... once it is in seconds, 14429, then it won't matter anymore.

I don't understand the obsession for round figures... "cycling 100 miles".. what difference does it make if it was 99?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 30 September, 2020, 12:21:55 pm
"cycling 100 miles".. what difference does it make if it was 99?

That part has triggered me so badly.  You've just ruined my day  :facepalm: :sick: :'(

 ;D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: zigzag on 30 September, 2020, 01:32:31 pm
I once did 4:00:29 for a 100.   It messed with my head for a long time.

aye, my one and only (so far) 100 was 4:00:28 :D

those 28s were annoying for that afternoon, but i thought i gave it my best shot, so it is what it is.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 30 September, 2020, 01:52:39 pm
I once did 4:00:29 for a 100.   It messed with my head for a long time.

aye, my one and only (so far) 100 was 4:00:28 :D

those 28s were annoying for that afternoon, but i thought i gave it my best shot, so it is what it is.

That was a great ride on that course.   I'd love to go back and try to get under 4hrs there.   My PB rides have been on much faster bits of road.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Geriatricdolan on 30 September, 2020, 02:02:12 pm
Anyways...

I have just paid 29 guineas and submitted my "application" for the National hill climb championship... so fingers crossed :)

It would be nice to go under 3 minutes at Streatley...  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 30 September, 2020, 03:55:46 pm
"cycling 100 miles".. what difference does it make if it was 99?

That part has triggered me so badly.  You've just ruined my day  :facepalm: :sick: :'(

 ;D

Ouch!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 30 September, 2020, 03:59:24 pm
I once did 4:00:29 for a 100.   It messed with my head for a long time.

aye, my one and only (so far) 100 was 4:00:28 :D

those 28s were annoying for that afternoon, but i thought i gave it my best shot, so it is what it is.

That was a great ride on that course.   I'd love to go back and try to get under 4hrs there.   My PB rides have been on much faster bits of road.

Which course?


I'd love to go under 4h for 100 miles, but various injuries and conditions have kept me away from TTing for the last few years, so may not be realistic any more.  Each year I do think about it when setting goals for the coming season.  It's like the 4 minute mile in running, only technology has evolved enough to make it accessible to average club riders nowadays.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 30 September, 2020, 04:04:20 pm
I once did 4:00:29 for a 100.   It messed with my head for a long time.

aye, my one and only (so far) 100 was 4:00:28 :D

those 28s were annoying for that afternoon, but i thought i gave it my best shot, so it is what it is.

That was a great ride on that course.   I'd love to go back and try to get under 4hrs there.   My PB rides have been on much faster bits of road.

Which course?


I'd love to go under 4h for 100 miles, but various injuries and conditions have kept me away from TTing for the last few years, so may not be realistic any more.  Each year I do think about it when setting goals for the coming season.  It's like the 4 minute mile in running, only technology has evolved enough to make it accessible to average club riders nowadays.

That was the KCA on Romney Marsh.   I think my best on there was a 4:15 but I got fitter and more aero later on.

If you want the best chance then the E2 is probably the fastest with the B100/4 not far behind.   I did 3:45 and 3:46 on those courses, respectively.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: zigzag on 30 September, 2020, 04:49:44 pm
That was the KCA on Romney Marsh.   I think my best on there was a 4:15 but I got fitter and more aero later on.

If you want the best chance then the E2 is probably the fastest with the B100/4 not far behind.   I did 3:45 and 3:46 on those courses, respectively.

it was, and every time i visited that place since, it never felt inviting and brought back memories of omnidirectional winds and bumpy tarmac. (also, riding back to london wasn't my brightest idea..)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 30 September, 2020, 04:52:36 pm
That was the KCA on Romney Marsh.   I think my best on there was a 4:15 but I got fitter and more aero later on.

If you want the best chance then the E2 is probably the fastest with the B100/4 not far behind.   I did 3:45 and 3:46 on those courses, respectively.

it was, and every time i visited that place since, it never felt inviting and brought back memories of omnidirectional winds and bumpy tarmac. (also, riding back to london wasn't my brightest idea..)

You really should try the 12hr on that course.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: zigzag on 30 September, 2020, 05:31:59 pm
if i was a fool enough to enter it, i'd be tempted to go there the night before and fill the gaps with a builders foam. i'm sure a many riders would be grateful!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 30 September, 2020, 07:33:57 pm
if i was a fool enough to enter it, i'd be tempted to go there the night before and fill the gaps with a builders foam. i'm sure a many riders would be grateful!

I spent a lot of hours training down there as it was the nearest flat circuit to do sustained long efforts on the race bike.  The back part of the circuit after Camber is horrible although probably not as bad as the Alton end of the A31 12hr course.

The Kent 12 last year went to Ashford and back 5 times due to roadworks.  I think I then did 6 circuits of the Camber Circuit before going into the lanes to finish. 

For it’s faults I do like riding and racing around there.  It’s a bit further to go now and I’m much closer to some very good courses.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 01 October, 2020, 11:38:33 am
That is a good time on that course!  As are Rob's, on any course, for that matter.

I did the E2 twice but both times were windy days so didn't get a decent time.  The first time I got beaten by @Karla.  I think they've made it faster now, and it is hard to get on, so would need to be a long-term project, getting an LTS somewhere else even the Hounslow fills up now, and with the F1 having gone, that is actually a bit tricky.

My pb is on the A50 / Etwall course.  I got a short 4:10 on a good day, but lost some time as I did an extra lap of the first roundabout, and carried one bottle more than I needed to (excuses!).   

I have seriously considered driving down to the A31 in the middle of the night with a bucket of cement and a trowel...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 01 October, 2020, 11:43:52 am
That was the KCA on Romney Marsh.   I think my best on there was a 4:15 but I got fitter and more aero later on.

If you want the best chance then the E2 is probably the fastest with the B100/4 not far behind.   I did 3:45 and 3:46 on those courses, respectively.

it was, and every time i visited that place since, it never felt inviting and brought back memories of omnidirectional winds and bumpy tarmac. (also, riding back to london wasn't my brightest idea..)

Great effort to ride home after a 100!  When I've driven home from them I have often had to pull over to have a nap, so I expect it was a tough one! 

Not quite as bad as @hippy, who I saw setting off to do a night-ride home after riding a 12-hour, leaving his partner to drive home on her own!  Only from Alton, but I was struggling to walk at the time and lifting my bike into my car was very painful.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Legs on 01 October, 2020, 04:06:03 pm
I'd love to go under 4h for 100 miles, but various injuries and conditions have kept me away from TTing for the last few years, so may not be realistic any more.  Each year I do think about it when setting goals for the coming season.  It's like the 4 minute mile in running, only technology has evolved enough to make it accessible to average club riders nowadays.
It's funny how much times have improved in the past 20 years, through a combination of technology and better-informed training methods.  When I broke 4 hours in the Westerley 100 in 2002, I think I was 6th or 7th.  Nowadays, an event on the A34 would be massively oversubscribed and I probably wouldn't be able to get in with a 3:58:25!  FWIW I was riding a steel frame that was even 17 years old at the time.

I never rode a '10' that was won in an '18' - even on the famed P613, the fastest event I rode was won by ex-pro Dave Akam in a now-pedestrian 19:19.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 01 October, 2020, 05:45:41 pm
Absolutely.  Breaking 4 hours 20 years ago was a far harder thing to do than it would be nowadays!

The A34 courses are long gone, alas, due to traffic counts.  As is the Westerley hundred.  The club decided to drop it after being the National about 15 years ago (before my time), when there was the Hutchinson / Carr drafting scandal.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 01 October, 2020, 07:14:59 pm
Yeah, but I'm just not competitive in flat TT...
I have a low BMI and I do comparatively much better uphill. Also, vets in general are quite fast on the flat, but not very fast uphill, so I have an extra advantage there, as I seem to be the opposite.

I am just playing to my strengths...
Given that we're all pi55ing about in a small pond (apart from maybe 1-2 who post on this forum), I'm more interested in inclusive sport than events where people only enter to be beating people. I guess some like massaging their egos - but it's a bit weird to be proud of coming 2nd or 4th just because nobody genuinely quick turned up.

But Hill Climbs to seem to attract this mentality; our club ran a few rural un-fast flat 10s recently and 20-odd entered each one, most of us with no hope, and finishing hours behind the quickest. Then we put on a hill-climb ... 3 members raced.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Pedal Castro on 01 October, 2020, 07:36:58 pm
Coming 10th (or was it 9th?) in a hill climb was the only time I got into the results pages of the Comic, apart from h'cap/best imp prizes.  ;D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 01 October, 2020, 07:46:24 pm
Yebbut I've been the inside cover star in a prestigious magazine with international subscribers! Arrivée
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 01 October, 2020, 09:07:01 pm
That is a good time on that course!  As are Rob's, on any course, for that matter.


That’s very nice of you.

While we’re discussing why we race the respect of your peers has to be up there.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 01 October, 2020, 09:07:39 pm
Yebbut I've been the inside cover star in a prestigious magazine with international subscribers! Arrivée

I’ve been on the back cover.   It was a while ago.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 01 October, 2020, 10:02:43 pm
You're probably on more bedroom walls than me. <sigh>
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: cygnet on 01 October, 2020, 11:08:35 pm
Yeah, but I'm just not competitive in flat TT...
I have a low BMI and I do comparatively much better uphill. Also, vets in general are quite fast on the flat, but not very fast uphill, so I have an extra advantage there, as I seem to be the opposite.

I am just playing to my strengths...
Given that we're all pi55ing about in a small pond (apart from maybe 1-2 who post on this forum), I'm more interested in inclusive sport than events where people only enter to be beating people. I guess some like massaging their egos - but it's a bit weird to be proud of coming 2nd or 4th just because nobody genuinely quick turned up.

But Hill Climbs to seem to attract this mentality; our club ran a few rural un-fast flat 10s recently and 20-odd entered each one, most of us with no hope, and finishing hours behind the quickest. Then we put on a hill-climb ... 3 members raced.

My club only managed to put on 2 club TTs this year out if an expected series of 8. Total entries were probably similar (I suspect due to "roadies" not getting their usual fix of racing)

The club hill climb has very much declined in recent years, but not as badly as the downhill/freewheel which is a bit weird since you don't even have pedal on that one.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 02 October, 2020, 08:42:26 am
The tradition SE double header of the Bec and Catford Hill Climbs has been cancelled.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Geriatricdolan on 02 October, 2020, 09:19:23 am
The tradition SE double header of the Bec and Catford Hill Climbs has been cancelled.

Yes, I wanted to do the Bec... (Catford was always going to be more difficult... long trip to be there in the morning) shame, but I can see how controlling folks who want to watch these popular hill climbs could become a problem...

Does that mean Catford can no longer claim to be the oldest uninterrupted bicycle race in the world?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Geriatricdolan on 02 October, 2020, 09:22:48 am


The club hill climb has very much declined in recent years, but not as badly as the downhill/freewheel which is a bit weird since you don't even have pedal on that one.

Winners and losers... those who advertised well, got a bumper crop of riders. I've been to 2 club HC with 30 riders in September.
The one organised by Beacon RCC even had some superstars of the sport in it... it was almost like an Open event.

Overall, the numbers are growing rather than shrinking, but clubs need to learn to advertise their events beyond their membership.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 02 October, 2020, 09:25:18 am
The tradition SE double header of the Bec and Catford Hill Climbs has been cancelled.

Yes, I wanted to do the Bec... (Catford was always going to be more difficult... long trip to be there in the morning) shame, but I can see how controlling folks who want to watch these popular hill climbs could become a problem...

Does that mean Catford can no longer claim to be the oldest uninterrupted bicycle race in the world?

Been running since 1886, postponed for war years and the 1987 storm.   
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: cygnet on 02 October, 2020, 08:57:31 pm


The club hill climb has very much declined in recent years, but not as badly as the downhill/freewheel which is a bit weird since you don't even have pedal on that one.

Winners and losers... those who advertised well, got a bumper crop of riders. I've been to 2 club HC with 30 riders in September.
The one organised by Beacon RCC even had some superstars of the sport in it... it was almost like an Open event.

Overall, the numbers are growing rather than shrinking, but clubs need to learn to advertise their events beyond their membership.

Nothing compared to the Catford or the Bec, but SE London and in these times....
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfd7VtHxk_UMgst9WTBX1BA-NV1DUNpeNCSwbQ1DG3TtuLelQ/viewform (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfd7VtHxk_UMgst9WTBX1BA-NV1DUNpeNCSwbQ1DG3TtuLelQ/viewform)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Geriatricdolan on 04 October, 2020, 08:17:01 am
picking your large brains here...

DNS/DNS(A) in the results page, what's the difference? Is the latter when you have the courtesy to inform the organiser?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 04 October, 2020, 08:30:09 am
picking your large brains here...

DNS/DNS(A) in the results page, what's the difference? Is the latter when you have the courtesy to inform the organiser?

Basically, yeah.  The A means apologised.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Geriatricdolan on 04 October, 2020, 08:50:11 am

Basically, yeah.  The A means apologised.

Thanks... I was gutted to miss a race yesterday, given there are so few running this year, but on the other hand, with an amber warning in place, it did seem unnecessarily dangerous to drive on 3 motorways to get to destination... Luckily I got an (A)... if not a result  ;D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: giropaul on 04 October, 2020, 08:52:05 am


The club hill climb has very much declined in recent years, but not as badly as the downhill/freewheel which is a bit weird since you don't even have pedal on that one.

Winners and losers... those who advertised well, got a bumper crop of riders. I've been to 2 club HC with 30 riders in September.
The one organised by Beacon RCC even had some superstars of the sport in it... it was almost like an Open event.

Overall, the numbers are growing rather than shrinking, but clubs need to learn to advertise their events beyond their membership.

At the moment a lot of clubs are having to restrict numbers to be able to organise in accordance with CTT Covid requirements.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 21 October, 2020, 07:36:59 pm
Jonathan Schubert set a new RRA (i.e. straight out) 100 record today: 3:08:14 provisional.  It was an Ian Cammish record he took, so that's quite some scalp!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: akin on 29 October, 2020, 12:16:13 pm
Jonathon Schubert edition of the RRA Interviews is well worth a listen, as are all of them.

https://soundcloud.com/user-971271891-227782844

Ian Cammish records being taken leads on nicely to the most recent RRA interview with Harry Walker. He speaks about his early obsessions with aero equipment, much of which he built himself or co designed. He who holds the 25miles record which he took riding on a custom aerodynamic steel and carbon fixed gear bike he designed to adopt the Obree position.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 29 October, 2020, 12:54:00 pm
Jonathon Schubert edition of the RRA Interviews is well worth a listen, as are all of them.

https://soundcloud.com/user-971271891-227782844

Ian Cammish records being taken leads on nicely to the most recent RRA interview with Harry Walker. He speaks about his early obsessions with aero equipment, much of which he built himself or co designed. He who holds the 25miles record which he took riding on a custom aerodynamic steel and carbon fixed gear bike he designed to adopt the Obree position.

Funnily enough I just listened to the Harry Walker interview as well.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: akin on 30 October, 2020, 07:18:45 pm
Could anyone point me in the direction of some material to read about TT bike sizing and frame fit?

Interested in understanding sizing and positions in proportion to body shape, leg length and torso length. I’m not looking for an easy answer as it’s a complex area. I just want some Information to digest, feel more informed and seek to come to my own conclusion about what may work for me.

Feel free the respond with; ‘get a professional bike fit’,  ‘I have this size frame and it fits me fine’ or ‘rule of thumb is two sizes down’ but I may not be grateful as I’ve absorbed a fair bit of that already through my vague internet searches.

Thanks in advance  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 30 October, 2020, 08:26:45 pm
Can of worms there, Akin. 

FWIW my frame size is the same between my TT bike and normal road bike.  When I ended up going custom I had to get the stack at the front end as low as possible to accommodate the bars.   Decent modern TT frames avoid that due to the integrated nature of the front end.  With off the peg frames different manufacturers come up long and short depending.  What I’d concentrate on is an adjustable front end so you can move your elbow pads forwards/backwards/up/down.  Also move the extensions in a range of ways.

As Karla has said a lot of people ended up with a tri specific position with the seat tube more vertical and a forward saddle position.  TT fashion has moved to a further back position and a tighter hip angle.  My position is the former and it has worked well for me.

Also bear in mind which distances you are racing as it will change how sympathetic you make your position.  I went for comfort over speed but have actually ended up quite aero.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: akin on 30 October, 2020, 09:44:17 pm
A can of worms that doesn’t seem to have a clear way in.

My understanding around what you say, and what Karla has mentioned, around the hip angle and saddle positioning is more around fit. I assume that it is still working around a similar starting point of a fairly steep seat tube angle. Or is there a move to slackening seat tube angle as well?

Just looking at some frame dimensions I was surprised how few frame sizes there are, compared to road frames, sometimes just S/M/L/XL. Having some saddle height and drop to the bars is clearly necessary but Seat tube length is not a great basis For picking a size.

I’m more concerned around the impact of top tube length, stack and drop to the front end. It seems there must be a lot of adjustment needed between riders with stem length and also pad positions as you stay.

I’d imagine based on my initial thinking that a top tube length similar to torso length would be a good starting point.

Due to having proportionally short legs to torso my current bikes don’t have much seat post showing, and limited drop to bars. I don’t have an obviously easy way of trying some things out as a result.

I’ve had a long term fascination with the 24hr. I have never quite got there and want to have a target to try and train towards. I have plenty of long Audax experience and know I can stay on a bike a long time but never really done any proper ‘training’ nor trained my body into an aero position. I doubt I would be looking for a really extreme position and know I have some limitations in flexibility which need work on.

Position and equipment not quite as important as losing weight and working on speed, but would also like to train in a position which would increase my chances of giving it a good go.
 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Davef on 31 October, 2020, 08:07:52 am
With a road bike you may have a few mm of adjustment of stem spacers and if you cut the steerer it is a one off adjustment. Adjusting the height of the pads and extension bars is not permanent and is 60mm on my TT bike. For a long distance tri I will raise them. I would say if you are undecided between two sizes opt for the smaller. You may get options of different stem lengths at ordering time too.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 31 October, 2020, 01:00:44 pm
Karla can probably answer better, but my understanding is that the modern TT position with a crunched hip angle basically works off road geometry, not the steep seat tri bikes. This then has knock on effects on top tube length and head tube length, even before you talk about integrating the front end.
I think a lot depends on how flexible and comfortable you are putting out power in the different positions. Experimenting with proper kit could get quite expensive - it might be worth sticking some aerobars onto your regular bike with a negative angle stem, and see how comfortable you are in that position. If it crunches your hips too much for decent power/comfort then you can try adding a lay-forward seatpost and see if that fixes the issue.  Once you know how your body deals with these different setups then you can progress from there with fitting, bike choice, and work in-position.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 31 October, 2020, 05:19:14 pm
My understanding around what you say, and what Karla has mentioned, around the hip angle and saddle positioning is more around fit. I assume that it is still working around a similar starting point of a fairly steep seat tube angle. Or is there a move to slackening seat tube angle as well?

DuncanM is basically right that a lot of modern TT positions are basically working with old road geometry, though saddles may be lowered - you might kill top end power but this is a TT not a road race, so you don't care about top end!   A lot of the riders who use this sort of position have started off with a slightly more forward TT position before training themselves into it, so you want some flexibility either way - because a crunched hip angle can be fine once you've trained into it, but it does need a bit  of training to be maximally effective.  The training yourself into position is all part of training for the event though.

FYI My saddle positions are as follows.  I've adapted my road bike fit to be more like my TT bike fit, i.e. slightly sub optimal when I'm using the road bike, but I'm doing it to train for TTs.
Road bike: 735 mm BB - saddle, 80 mm behind BB (actually currently 75 but only because I can't get it further back with the current seatpost).  I might drop it a tad.
TT bike: 725 mm BB - saddle, 95 mm behind BB.  It's an Adamo (i.e. noseless) saddle, but I do sit back on it rather than on the nose. 

As above, it's probably best to experiment with fit on your road bike before investing in a TT machine.  If and when you do go for a TT bike, basing the fit of your road bike and going for the smaller of two sizes if you're torn between them is sound. It's not the end of the world if you end up with a short stem, as frames are sized bigger than they used to be, because a modern TT frame can have a positive drag effect, so the bigger it is the better.  If you have to fit a silly short stem, you'll probably look like a lot of the pros - except that if it gets too short, your front end can get twitchy.   So yeah, get some clip-ons (though probably not a flip-forward seatpost, you shouldn't need more than a straight-up one) and see how you go.  When you do buy a TT bike, get a cheaper one than you would and go for some aero testing if they're running again: I think a paired Aerocoach session (other providers are available) at an outdoor velodrome was £250 last time I looked, so it's the cost difference between spangly and not-so-spangly equipment on your bike, and should hopefully be much more effective.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: akin on 31 October, 2020, 09:16:42 pm
Good to know the pendulum of fashion has swung back to a point where I can learn as much from looking at the riding positions of Eileen Sheridan and Beryl Burton as Fillipo Ganna.

I’ll have a play around with some tri bars and Adamo saddle and see how I get on. Not going to be dropping any significant money any time soon based on my limited experience and knowledge of what works for me.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 01 November, 2020, 12:15:10 am
That's a good plan.  Good luck  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 01 November, 2020, 08:00:28 am
Good advice above. 

The bit I would really emphasise is - unless money is no object - get a cheap, second hand TT bike first and be prepared to spend a lot of time with spanners working out what fits, and how your body adapts to riding in an aero position.

The chances of anyone buying the bike at the outset that will be best for them 6-12 months after they have started TTing are not very high, so best to delay buying your real bike until you have learned what you want.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: giropaul on 01 November, 2020, 10:11:26 am
The one thing to decide is what you are intending to ride. Triathlon, check the rules, they were trying to adopt UCI  rules at one time, but this doesn’t seem to have happened at the typical competitors level. Ironman are a complete outlier from rules and regulations.
CTT have got some rules on position and kit - again, check.
Not all CTT bike set ups will be UCI compliant. If you’re likely to ride a UCI event ( which could include some Scottish time trials in theory, but also events like the Duo Normand, or the UCI amateur events like the time trials in the UCI World Series).
In practice, the higher up the finishing order and level of competition, the more likely checks are.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 02 November, 2020, 10:19:33 am
Jonathan Schubert set a new RRA (i.e. straight out) 100 record today: 3:08:14 provisional.  It was an Ian Cammish record he took, so that's quite some scalp!

Shoobs is going again today.   Starting in 10mins.   He's targetting sub 3hrs.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: zigzag on 02 November, 2020, 10:49:34 am
Jonathan Schubert set a new RRA (i.e. straight out) 100 record today: 3:08:14 provisional.  It was an Ian Cammish record he took, so that's quite some scalp!

Shoobs is going again today.   Starting in 10mins.   He's targetting sub 3hrs.

is the key part of his strategy to wait for a gale force tailwind? today is a good day then!

(i was soft pedalling at 40kph traveling north east last friday, with no wind noise in my ears)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 02 November, 2020, 10:52:20 am
Jonathan Schubert set a new RRA (i.e. straight out) 100 record today: 3:08:14 provisional.  It was an Ian Cammish record he took, so that's quite some scalp!

Shoobs is going again today.   Starting in 10mins.   He's targetting sub 3hrs.

is the key part of his strategy to wait for a gale force tailwind? today is a good day then!

(i was soft pedalling at 40kph traveling north east last friday, with no wind noise in my ears)

He said he'd been hanging around since late Summer waiting for a decent wind.   The day he went wasn't that windy but he thought he might not get another chance.   This pretty standard for straight out attempts - I read a piece on Ian Cammish's 50 record the other day and it was gale force the day he went.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 02 November, 2020, 01:38:39 pm
provisional 02:57:58.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Legs on 02 November, 2020, 01:49:42 pm
Very impressive.  Just a smidge slower than Bradley Wiggins' hour record (but for three times as long).
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Sergeant Pluck on 02 November, 2020, 07:14:55 pm
provisional 02:57:58.

Phenomenal.

And presumably quite risky too, on public roads?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 02 November, 2020, 07:18:03 pm
Following car with flashing light.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 02 November, 2020, 07:24:55 pm
I’ve raced on most of the roads used, albeit at weekends.  They’re busy but I wouldn’t call them dangerous.

Anyway as LWaB says there’s safety regs with RRA attempts.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 03 November, 2020, 10:28:20 am
A follow car plus a follow van, in fact.  Both the vehicles in his lane are his.

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/El0nah1WkAAwGOw?format=jpg&name=large)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Sergeant Pluck on 03 November, 2020, 03:17:43 pm
I wonder how the team worked on roundabouts - on one Youtube clip I saw, it looked as if they have made sure his entry onto the roundabout was clear.

I’ve raced on most of the roads used, albeit at weekends.  They’re busy but I wouldn’t call them dangerous.

Anyway as LWaB says there’s safety regs with RRA attempts.

Fair enough. Another factor is that he must have been travelling pretty much at car speeds for some of the journey.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 03 November, 2020, 04:44:22 pm
As Rob says, the roads he used are basically the London East and Breckland courses back to back.  Both are used regularly, so it's not like either is an unknown quantity.

The fatality rate per mile for all competitive cycling is about twice the rate for all cycling nationally: if you strap on a number, you're at twice as much risk as the national average that includes you, the toddler going to the park and the person going to the shops.

A while ago I totted up all the deaths in open TTs (which are predominantly on these sorts of roads) for as far back as I could find.  I then estimated miles ridden in Opens based on the number of events in the CTT calendar, they're distances and field sizes, and I divided one by the other.  The fatality rate worked out just the same as the all competition rate, i.e. twice the all cycling rate.  In other words, nothing to write home about.  A fast road isn't necessarily an unsafe road.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: ElyDave on 03 November, 2020, 09:41:01 pm
Just read about this, are there any regulations around bikes, weather conditions, tailwinds etc for these kind of things?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 03 November, 2020, 10:04:27 pm
Someone will know better than me but I presume it would be CTT bike regs and take whatever tailwind you can get. 

Edit: just looked at the rules and they don't seem to say anything about bike spec / geometry:
http://www.rra.org.uk/index.html?ifrm_1=rules.html (http://www.rra.org.uk/index.html?ifrm_1=rules.html)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 03 November, 2020, 10:29:14 pm
Just read about this, are there any regulations around bikes, weather conditions, tailwinds etc for these kind of things?

Not sure about bikes but all the recent ones have used current TT rigs.  The one attempt I know that was done on a recumbent was unofficial even though it was faster (Wilko’s E2E).

Course design is pretty key but there is nothing stopping a rider from waiting for a storm or doing the first 10 miles downhill.  As organisations goes the RRA rule book is pretty light.  I did a bit of research when the resurgence started after Wheelsoffire broke the E2E.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: cygnet on 03 November, 2020, 10:54:18 pm
I wonder how the team worked on roundabouts - on one Youtube clip I saw, it looked as if they have made sure his entry onto the roundabout was clear.

I'm pretty sure they would not have been allowed to do that by the RRA observers.

Having TTd on some similar roads I'd say as a car driver you would be surprised at how much visibility and time is available to you approaching a RAB at 35mph (in my dreams) compared to 60mph in a car.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: giropaul on 04 November, 2020, 08:11:56 am
I wonder how the team worked on roundabouts - on one Youtube clip I saw, it looked as if they have made sure his entry onto the roundabout was clear.

I'm pretty sure they would not have been allowed to do that by the RRA observers.

Having TTd on some similar roads I'd say as a car driver you would be surprised at how much visibility and time is available to you approaching a RAB at 35mph (in my dreams) compared to 60mph in a car.
Having helped at a number of RRA attempts ( in fact successful events). There certainly were ( it’s some years ago) very strict rules about helpers passing the riders . In these more technical days, there’s more possibility of radio contact to static direction marshalls of course - I’d need to check the current rules.
Trivia- most of the Midlands attempts I was driving the support for had a Midlands RRA official observer used his Rolls Royce for the purpose!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 04 November, 2020, 08:22:18 am
There was a comment in either the interview or on social media that he would ask the support car to hang back a bit on a second attempt.   I think that way you would get a bit more assistance from the passing traffic.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 04 November, 2020, 06:08:40 pm
I wonder how the team worked on roundabouts - on one Youtube clip I saw, it looked as if they have made sure his entry onto the roundabout was clear.

I'm pretty sure they would not have been allowed to do that by the RRA observers.

Having TTd on some similar roads I'd say as a car driver you would be surprised at how much visibility and time is available to you approaching a RAB at 35mph (in my dreams) compared to 60mph in a car.

Good point. Non TT riders may not appreciate how rare it is to have to wait at a roundabout.
You can virtually always fine-tune your speed and also your left /right position in the lane in advance to make sure you can get out without braking. 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 13 November, 2020, 09:37:00 pm
Woke up this morning after a dream where I was rushing to get ready at the start of a 12hr.   Maybe I’m missing it after all.

Just signing the forms to join my new club and putting together a wish list of shiny bits.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Geriatricdolan on 23 December, 2020, 09:29:08 am
In response to Rob on the other thread.

I've got some numbers from TTs... my best power (from Stages) is 265W for a 10 km "sporting" course... that was a 16:30.
Best 10 miles is 250 Watt and that was 25:49. I've never raced in a 25

Normal bike, no aero wheels, no skinsuit, no aero helmet, nothing.

I'm not overly keen to start spending money on equipment, I don't think it's the right time to spend money with all the uncertainty around. I always race with top quality tyres and that's the only monetary concession I make.

It'd be interesting to see what kind of results are needed for the National road bike Champs in Nateby. I aim to do a couple of the Sigma classic series, if they go ahead, the Little Mountain one and the one in Cheshire
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 23 December, 2020, 10:09:43 am
Skinsuits aren't terribly expensive and can be had second hand.   You need to concentrate on the fit, though.  I could swear by old standard skinsuit is faster than the tripsuit I used in 2019 - it gathered too much around the shoulders.

Velotoze are 20 quid or tape over your laces.

Move your bars down or further forward.   Get someone to take photos of you side on and then compare to other riders.   You sometimes lose a bit of power going lower but the aero gain is more in mph.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Geriatricdolan on 23 December, 2020, 10:15:53 am
Skinsuits aren't terribly expensive and can be had second hand.   You need to concentrate on the fit, though.  I could swear by old standard skinsuit is faster than the tripsuit I used in 2019 - it gathered too much around the shoulders.

Velotoze are 20 quid or tape over your laces.

Move your bars down or further forward.   Get someone to take photos of you side on and then compare to other riders.   You sometimes lose a bit of power going lower but the aero gain is more in mph.

Thanks...

I am also hopeful that on a sporting course I will do better... my 10 km sporting TT yielded me a second place... it was a small club event, but I have ended up in the bottom 20% on other flatter club events.
I guess the Little Mountain TT will be a test of whether I can qualify for Nateby or not... to be honest, all that matters is to have a target to work for, if it doesn't happen, Amen... it's not that I have any ambition to actually do well at the National... it's a case of making up the numbers.
I care more about the HC season, but that's a long way away and I need a more immediate target to work towards
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rob on 24 December, 2020, 10:03:34 am
I have been specifically targeting the faster/flatter TTs as I've been mostly interested in outright speed for the sheer joy of looking at your GPS showing 30mph + for long sections of road.

I've not really looked at anything SPOCO but I note that I'll be able to ride club events for the first time in years next season and my new club have a range of local testing courses for a mid-week burn up.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Geriatricdolan on 05 January, 2021, 08:42:19 am
Open calendar is out...

There's some stuff in spring I'd like to do, but I wonder how much of it will actually happen...  :P
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: morbihan on 16 January, 2021, 07:41:34 pm
Jumping into the tail end of this thread if thats ok.
Id like to give a 24 hour TT a bash. Like one of the other OP's I'm not up for buying an all out TT bike and will be repurposing my endurance bike which is comfortable enough for me to plough away on for a long stretch.
Its a disc set up and Ive got some aero bars with shifters on it,
Beyond dropping the spacers on the aero bars in increments as I learn to manage/hold the position, and wearing aero clothing is there anything else that I should be zeroing in on at this early stage?
I don't have a power meter either.
Thx.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 16 January, 2021, 09:28:43 pm
Some listening material about long distance TTing

12 Hour And Going Long With Alice Lethbridge, Michael Broadwith, Steve Avery, Hosted By Michelle Lee (https://soundcloud.com/michelle-lee-135832370/12-hour-and-going-long-with-alice-lethbridge-michael-broadwith-steve-avery-hosted-by-michelle-lee)

Road Records Association on Soundcloud (https://soundcloud.com/user-971271891-227782844)

The Cycling Time Trial Podcast (https://cyclingtimetrialpodcast.libsyn.com/)

[EDIT]

Also, Andy Wilkinson - Doing It My Way (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9g_g73Iqeg&t=134s), recorded after his 2011 record.  Andy will probably be out on the Mersey circuit when you do it, so make sure to bask in the presence of greatness!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Pedal Castro on 16 January, 2021, 11:30:14 pm
Quote from: Karla
Andy Wilkinson - Doing It My Way[/url], recorded after his 2011 record.  Andy will probably be out on the Mersey circuit when you do it, so make sure to bask in the presence of greatness!

I loved it when Wilco cheered me on by name in 2015, he must have name checked every competitor.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: cygnet on 17 January, 2021, 07:19:36 pm
There's some useful info on the various 24hr threads here too, worth a trawl.

Give some thought to logistics (feeding/drinking, support) It's not urgent, but should be considered.

Got any mates with disc-brake racing wheels?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 17 January, 2021, 07:39:57 pm
Yeah there are too many threads to link to here, just search the forum for "Mersey Roads 24". 

Doing that has thrown up This Cycling Weekly article (https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/how-to-get-through-the-24-hour-time-trial-championships-26190) from 2013, which is worth a read. 

Note that the organisers are moving away from using the Prees-Espley stretch too much, so the main leg is likely to be more Shawbirch-Espley heavy.  This means you'll likely need any supporters to move between Espley for the main circuit and Prees for the Quina Brook circuit, rather than just staying at Prees all the time. 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: cygnet on 17 January, 2021, 09:34:50 pm
Note that the organisers are moving away from using the Prees-Espley stretch too much, so the main leg is likely to be more Shawbirch-Espley heavy.  This means you'll likely need any supporters to move between Espley for the main circuit and Prees for the Quina Brook circuit, rather than just staying at Prees all the time.

That's a bit of a bugger for the less agile support crews. Should be faster though.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 18 January, 2021, 08:50:23 am
Note that the organisers are moving away from using the Prees-Espley stretch too much, so the main leg is likely to be more Shawbirch-Espley heavy.  This means you'll likely need any supporters to move between Espley for the main circuit and Prees for the Quina Brook circuit, rather than just staying at Prees all the time.

That's a bit of a bugger for the less agile support crews. Should be faster though.

Prees-Espley is faster than Shawbirch-Espley, no?  Or have they resurfaced the southern bit now?  I've not ridden it since 2015.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 18 January, 2021, 08:52:37 am
Jumping into the tail end of this thread if thats ok.
Id like to give a 24 hour TT a bash. Like one of the other OP's I'm not up for buying an all out TT bike and will be repurposing my endurance bike which is comfortable enough for me to plough away on for a long stretch.
Its a disc set up and Ive got some aero bars with shifters on it,
Beyond dropping the spacers on the aero bars in increments as I learn to manage/hold the position, and wearing aero clothing is there anything else that I should be zeroing in on at this early stage?
I don't have a power meter either.
Thx.

Good luck, Jonah!  If you do the Mersey, it's a wonderful event, you won't regret it.  Afterwards!
There are more in the US, if that is what you are planning.  If so, seek out Hippy's blogs on the California one.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: morbihan on 18 January, 2021, 01:15:03 pm
Thanks for all the links. Great stuff.
Cheers Frank. I'd love to sign up for the Mersey Roads. My crowd all hail from Birkenhead and I have fond memories of periodically riding to my Grans from the Potteries as a youth. I'll likely not have the right bike over that side of the water any time soon though. A local solo effort here (at least a dry run) or a trip to the States is going to be the simplest option.
Ive put the word out to the triathletes in my club to scrounge up some borrowed equipment later in the year.
I'll be sure to read on on Hippy's blog, lying particular attention to his nutritional advice!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: cygnet on 18 January, 2021, 11:07:24 pm
Prees-Espley is faster than Shawbirch-Espley, no?  Or have they resurfaced the southern bit now?  I've not ridden it since 2015.

In my head Shawbirch-Espley is flatter.

Can't comment on the relative state of the roads though. We only did the Shawbirch leg twice last time, and my memory's not that good. Maybe I'm compounding it with the addition of the Battlefield circuit too.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: akin on 19 January, 2021, 03:21:02 pm
The 24 is my long term interest, i'm not a racer but have been thinking about it over the winter, gathering some information and reading some stuff. Hoping the Mersey will run this year.

I recommend reading through the old threads on here which I have done recently and it links to a few different things of interest. Takes a bit of patience to move through and find what is relevant. Ive consumed all the podcasts Karla linked to and enjoyed them. There are also a number of accounts on blogs which give an range of interesting insights and help you pull out things to consider. Not least the ideal and less than ideal types of preparation, needing to properly pace efforts and how you will manage fuelling.

A few other things I remember reading and finding useful;


24 Hour Fellowship Manual  - Whilst some parts are dated it addresses the different key considerations of racing long.

https://www.24hourfellowship.org.uk/documents/24HrFellowshipManual.pdf (https://www.24hourfellowship.org.uk/documents/24HrFellowshipManual.pdf)


Damon Peacocks video's of the Mersey give the feeling of an alluring event.

https://www.youtube.com/user/damonpeacock/search?query=mersey (https://www.youtube.com/user/damonpeacock/search?query=mersey)


How to Train for 24hours by Andy Jackson is an interesting read in terms of some training and preparation considerations from a champion.

https://peakssportsconsultancy.com/2019/11/06/how-to-race-for-24hrs-or-longer/ (https://peakssportsconsultancy.com/2019/11/06/how-to-race-for-24hrs-or-longer/)


This podcast of 24 hour TT Champion Meaghan Hackinen is worth a listen in terms of how she moved through Randonneuring, Ultra Racing and then to this event.

https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/24-hour-tt-world-champion-meaghan-hackinen-successful-athletes-podcast-005/38249 (https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/24-hour-tt-world-champion-meaghan-hackinen-successful-athletes-podcast-005/38249)


Jasmijn Muller's account of world 24 hour offers another perspective of that event.

https://duracellbunnyonabike.com/2017/11/10/world-24-hour-tt-champion/ (https://duracellbunnyonabike.com/2017/11/10/world-24-hour-tt-champion/)



Interested to hear if you come across anything else.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 19 January, 2021, 03:29:23 pm
The best single thing IMHO is a series of video interviews done with Andy Wilkinson about 10 years ago.  I've not seen them for a while, but they are up on YouTube somewhere.

There's also a very good podcast on it by Mike Broadwith.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: akin on 19 January, 2021, 03:42:20 pm
The best single thing IMHO is a series of video interviews done with Andy Wilkinson about 10 years ago.  I've not seen them for a while, but they are up on YouTube somewhere.

There's also a very good podcast on it by Mike Broadwith.


Yep, I agree they give a really detailed breakdown of what made his attempts a success. Karla has linked the videos above they are called 'Doing it My Way'.

I think the podcast with Mike Broadwith is on the Cycling Time Trials Podcast. He has done a number of them in different places and they are all a good listen, including those focussing on his end to end attempts.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: akin on 19 January, 2021, 03:44:45 pm
A slight diversion, but relevant to Morbihan's post.

I also asked a question a while back about TT positions, reach and general theory to guide an initial fit.

There is lots of differing opinion online and I found it incredibly difficult to get a basic idea of where to start with clip on bars to begin the process of trying things out.

I thought I would post a couple of links which were helpful in starting to work out what might be good for me. Rather than prescribing to a particular school they look at the range of fit parameters and how they interact. I used them to guide my position and I have taken pictures and measured angles, tweaked things and developed a better understanding for the principles discussed.

Bike Fitting for the rank amateur;


1) Time Trial and Triathlon Bike Fitting

https://bikedynamics.co.uk/FitGuideTT.htm (https://bikedynamics.co.uk/FitGuideTT.htm)


2) How to Fit a Triathlon or TT Bike Part 3: Upper Body Positioning

https://blog.bikefit.com/triathlon-tt-fitting-upper-body/ (https://blog.bikefit.com/triathlon-tt-fitting-upper-body/)


3) Time Trial v Triathlon bike fit

https://peakssportsconsultancy.com/2018/12/09/time-trial-v-triathlon-bike-fit/ (https://peakssportsconsultancy.com/2018/12/09/time-trial-v-triathlon-bike-fit/)



Back to work....
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 19 January, 2021, 04:41:44 pm
Fitting is a whole other can of worms, and has been discussed a number of times on this thread. I don't know if this applies to the longer distances, but it seems that the really fast crowd seem to be going down and back, and living with the reduced power output in exchange for a reduced drag number. Whether that will work for you is impossible to say, the whole process seems driven by trial and error (in terms of what power you can do in a given position) as much as science (drag numbers).
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: giropaul on 19 January, 2021, 05:09:14 pm
Whatever position you end up deciding on, I’d suggest using it for several months before a long race. Using the position for some long riders indoors may be ideal.
I’d also suggest some core exercises from a coach that understands long distance TTing
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: akin on 19 January, 2021, 08:20:43 pm
Note that the organisers are moving away from using the Prees-Espley stretch too much, so the main leg is likely to be more Shawbirch-Espley heavy.  This means you'll likely need any supporters to move between Espley for the main circuit and Prees for the Quina Brook circuit, rather than just staying at Prees all the time.

Do you have any idea if this intended change to have more of the event on the Shawbirch-Espley section is likely to include the night circuit as well or will it be just during the daytime?

Will it lengthen the night circuit to Prees-Shawbirch-Press or send you down to do laps of Shawbirch-Espley section overnight?

I had to find a visual reference to try and make sense of this having never ridden the event. Luckily you kindly provided one in 2019  :thumbsup:

(https://i.postimg.cc/VNRTjVY8/MRMap2019.png)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: 24hourmaths on 22 January, 2021, 11:41:44 am
I have ridden a few of these 24 hour TT events in recent years - 7 in 5 years, in fact... although that pales into insignificance soemwhat vs George Berwick, Lynne Biddulph, Steve Abraham et al.

I would highly recommend, in fact I do regularly recommend, riding the Mersey 24 to anyone. I don't think that I have met anyone who has ever regretted it and the atmosphere before, during and after the event is first rate. Lots of people seem to swear that they'll never do it again before immediately planning how they can go just a little bit further next time.

- For me, nutrition is the key to the whole event. See Michael Hutchinson's article in Cycling Weekly about long distance TTs being an uncomfortable eating competition. There was more than a little truth in that. Find drinks, food and gels that don't irritate your tummy. Start eating and drinking an hour before the race and don't stop until an hour after.

- Smile and enjoy it, say hi to all the other riders and feed off their energy. I have had lots of great conversations and cheers from people out on the road and many people you'll see over and over during the race. I have certainly made a good few friends for life through this event.

- Minimise your stops. There really is no need to stop, apart from perhaps to put lights on or take them off... but even that is debatable. I wish I had concentrated on this more when I rode my first one in 2015 when I stopped for about 20 minutes, I guess because I just thought that that was what people did. In 2019, I managed to stop for about 2 mins 15 and about 45 sec of that was because I had a stuck zip on my top.

If you do have any questions that I might be able to answer, about the Mersey, or the US 24, or long distance TTs in general then just ask and I will try my best  :)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 22 January, 2021, 01:04:34 pm
^^He's quite fast. 


Do you have any idea if this intended change to have more of the event on the Shawbirch-Espley section is likely to include the night circuit as well or will it be just during the daytime?

Will it lengthen the night circuit to Prees-Shawbirch-Press or send you down to do laps of Shawbirch-Espley section overnight?

I don't know, sorry.  On the 12 hour this year they were just going to lap Shawbirch-Espley before going onto the Quinoa Brook circuit, though in the end they had to use Battlefield instead as a truck crashed on the Shawbirch leg.  Then again they might keep the night circuit as-is, given it's at night? 

The best bet is probably to email the organiser at his address on the CTT page, or search out Mersey Roads 24 on Twitter and ask him there.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: morbihan on 25 January, 2021, 08:11:27 pm
I have ridden a few of these 24 hour TT events in recent years - 7 in 5 years, in fact... although that pales into insignificance soemwhat vs George Berwick, Lynne Biddulph, Steve Abraham et al.

I would highly recommend, in fact I do regularly recommend, riding the Mersey 24 to anyone. I don't think that I have met anyone who has ever regretted it and the atmosphere before, during and after the event is first rate. Lots of people seem to swear that they'll never do it again before immediately planning how they can go just a little bit further next time.

- For me, nutrition is the key to the whole event. See Michael Hutchinson's article in Cycling Weekly about long distance TTs being an uncomfortable eating competition. There was more than a little truth in that. Find drinks, food and gels that don't irritate your tummy. Start eating and drinking an hour before the race and don't stop until an hour after.

- Smile and enjoy it, say hi to all the other riders and feed off their energy. I have had lots of great conversations and cheers from people out on the road and many people you'll see over and over during the race. I have certainly made a good few friends for life through this event.

- Minimise your stops. There really is no need to stop, apart from perhaps to put lights on or take them off... but even that is debatable. I wish I had concentrated on this more when I rode my first one in 2015 when I stopped for about 20 minutes, I guess because I just thought that that was what people did. In 2019, I managed to stop for about 2 mins 15 and about 45 sec of that was because I had a stuck zip on my top.

If you do have any questions that I might be able to answer, about the Mersey, or the US 24, or long distance TTs in general then just ask and I will try my best  :)

Thanks for the feedback.
Having done a little reading on the Mersey 24 and with your rec  I'll aim to give it a go.
One article that really appealed was a guy who gave it a bash on a pretty humble audax set up. He enjoyed it.
I was leary about turning up at an event where everyone was using space age TT  bikes and using tons of technical equipment. I'd like to stick pretty much with what I have here and can train on. Essentially a nice comfortable ti bike with some medium deep profile wheels. (AR 4:5)
I've ridden a couple of 24' ish loops around the Island here (Bermuda) on a bike packing set up, but more to focus on long distance racing than specifically a fast 24. I'll do the training here but TBH there is nowhere on the Island that has the room for a PB effort. Too many stops and starts.
I have a goal in mind to reach before my 60th so a couple of years or so to get it wrong in the meantime.
This years out but I'll shoot for 2022.

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: trumpet on 25 January, 2021, 08:45:37 pm
Jumping into the tail end of this thread if thats ok.
Id like to give a 24 hour TT a bash. Like one of the other OP's I'm not up for buying an all out TT bike and will be repurposing my endurance bike which is comfortable enough for me to plough away on for a long stretch.
Its a disc set up and Ive got some aero bars with shifters on it,
Beyond dropping the spacers on the aero bars in increments as I learn to manage/hold the position, and wearing aero clothing is there anything else that I should be zeroing in on at this early stage?
I don't have a power meter either.
Thx.

Andy Wilkinson has used a converted mtb in the past.(http://)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 25 January, 2021, 10:38:09 pm
Weeeellll ... kinda, but it quickly became his custom Ti/steel Dolan bike, which was very well thought through and not at all like a modern mountain bike, so that's a bit off the mark these days. 

FYI for his LEJOG record he used the latest carbon fibre road bike, fitted with the then-new tribars. There are sadly no photos in this (http://www.timetriallingforum.co.uk/index.php?/topic/25499-lands-end-to-john-ogroats-record-by-andy-wilkinson/) article about it, but the article itself is ahugely interesting and useful insight to his planning, and is definitely worth a read.  For his 1996 BBAR triple record (http://www.timetriallingforum.co.uk/index.php?/topic/25718-national-12/) and his 1997 24 record (http://www.timetriallingforum.co.uk/index.php?/topic/25235-national-24-hour/) he was on a Giant MCR TT bike and for his 2011 24 record he was on the custom Dolan (https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/andy-wilkinsons-dolan-time-trial-bike-29431).
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Feanor on 25 January, 2021, 10:45:44 pm
I've not been keeping up, but I got this in from the TT supremo of my local club today:

"Some of you may have seen that the CTT have unanimously voted against gender equality in prize money. As a committee member I have asked CTT Scotland for a response. Based on their reply I will raise this issue at our committee meeting to consider our continued affiliation with CTT.  As an organiser I always pay equal prize money and offer equal trophies, as I do on Zwift race leagues. This is really not that hard. As a club we recently worked hard to create gender parity in the trophies we offer."

Is this really the case?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 25 January, 2021, 11:20:39 pm
I think a lot of the organisers are staying out of the debate by removing prize money from their events.  It was a bit of a joke anyway: burn $$ of fuel driving across the country to race the fastest roads on $$$ worth of bike, and then get a twenty squid in a brown envelope at the end if you win.  None of us do it for the money and most would rather have 50p knocked off the entry fee. At the other end of the scale, none of the local club events offered prize money in the first place.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Geriatricdolan on 26 January, 2021, 08:19:06 am
Agree, prize money doesn't serve any purpose anymore. Those who are likely to cash it, these days have sponsors who pay for their equipment and travel anyway and the value is peanuts. It's becoming increasingly rare to see club riders at the top, they are all part of sponsored teams.

As an aside, in hill climbs there is a push towards 50% gender spread at the National championship, which is something positive to aim for, I just hope it comes gradually and with some sense... an entry still needs to be something athletes work towards throughout the season, rather than something handed in to make up the desired numbers.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: tatanab on 26 January, 2021, 11:17:20 am
I think a lot of the organisers are staying out of the debate by removing prize money from their events.
Does this mean they will go back to the old ways of trophies and medals, or even before that with items such as canteens of cutlery?

My core time trial days span late 60s to early 80s (since 1981 I rode only a few a year), and the very few medals I have mean something to me.  My faster clubmates have boxes full of medals and little trophies, most of which mean little or nothing to them because they have so many.  I imagine they were happier when money prizes became more common.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Geriatricdolan on 26 January, 2021, 01:48:06 pm
I think a lot of the organisers are staying out of the debate by removing prize money from their events.
Does this mean they will go back to the old ways of trophies and medals, or even before that with items such as canteens of cutlery?

My core time trial days span late 60s to early 80s (since 1981 I rode only a few a year), and the very few medals I have mean something to me.  My faster clubmates have boxes full of medals and little trophies, most of which mean little or nothing to them because they have so many.  I imagine they were happier when money prizes became more common.

Or no prizes at all... the money could be invested in producing race numbers that don't fall to pieces before the end of the race if they are pinned
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: AntLockyer on 27 January, 2021, 09:32:23 am
I'm hoping to do some TTs this year once my bike is finished
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50874217201_b6cf3a95f2_k.jpg)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 27 January, 2021, 10:00:13 am
Cool bike.  What gearing(s) are you planning on using?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 27 January, 2021, 10:08:45 am
A bit of free speed for everyone: I've been pointed at the  Aerocoach tyre pressure calculator (https://www.aero-coach.co.uk/aeox-wheels-tyre-data).  They recommend low pressures: for me with 23 mm tyres and a 75 kg all-up rider weight they recommend 81 psi.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 27 January, 2021, 11:35:12 am
Amazing - not that long ago that I was trying to get 150psi in my tyres and hoping the rims didn't explode!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Geriatricdolan on 27 January, 2021, 11:56:30 am
Amazing - not that long ago that I was trying to get 150psi in my tyres and hoping the rims didn't explode!

I made a supersonic inner tube explode at a lot less than that...  ;D... it happened as I was warming up, 10 minutes before my start time in a 10 TT... I limped to the car, managed to replace the inner tube and put some air in it... and was on the line 30 seconds before I was due
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: AntLockyer on 27 January, 2021, 12:02:59 pm
Cool bike.  What gearing(s) are you planning on using?

I think 103" is probably what I need based on 78rpm = 23.92mph, the key will be training to be able to push it in headwinds or slopes.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 27 January, 2021, 01:59:01 pm
Amazing - not that long ago that I was trying to get 150psi in my tyres and hoping the rims didn't explode!

I made a supersonic inner tube explode at a lot less than that...  ;D... it happened as I was warming up, 10 minutes before my start time in a 10 TT... I limped to the car, managed to replace the inner tube and put some air in it... and was on the line 30 seconds before I was due

I had one go bang in my car as I was driving to an event (tube not rim).  After I'd recovered from the shock, I had just enough time to go home, get another wheel, and make my start.  Wish I hadn't bothered as it was blowing a gale and it was my slowest ever 50.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 27 January, 2021, 02:49:08 pm
Cool bike.  What gearing(s) are you planning on using?

I think 103" is probably what I need based on 78rpm = 23.92mph, the key will be training to be able to push it in headwinds or slopes.
That's a big gear, but at least you won't spin out! I was running 94" max 2 years ago when I was TTing on fixed. I only managed to spin out once with a massive tailwind on a dual carriageway course.  It was really painful pushing back into the headwind! https://www.strava.com/activities/2627238193
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: AntLockyer on 27 January, 2021, 05:03:08 pm
Cool bike.  What gearing(s) are you planning on using?

I think 103" is probably what I need based on 78rpm = 23.92mph, the key will be training to be able to push it in headwinds or slopes.
That's a big gear, but at least you won't spin out! I was running 94" max 2 years ago when I was TTing on fixed. I only managed to spin out once with a massive tailwind on a dual carriageway course.  It was really painful pushing back into the headwind! https://www.strava.com/activities/2627238193

I had planned to start on mid 90s once I get used to pootling around on the 69" gear I have on there at the moment. I'm certainly no spinner so will see  how I get on.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: bairn again on 24 February, 2021, 03:29:30 pm
Note that the organisers are moving away from using the Prees-Espley stretch too much, so the main leg is likely to be more Shawbirch-Espley heavy.  This means you'll likely need any supporters to move between Espley for the main circuit and Prees for the Quina Brook circuit, rather than just staying at Prees all the time.

That's a bit of a bugger for the less agile support crews. Should be faster though.

Presumably that's even more of a bugger for any unsupported riders who may have previously left a car at Prees before the event with extra stuff (as I have done in the past) knowing that they would pass their vehicle either every 40 or 13 miles for the vast majority of the event.         
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 24 February, 2021, 04:10:50 pm
In good TT news, CTT have just sent round a message saying that events are back on from March 29th, and can everyone remember to put in their police notifications asap. 

We've put in for a 10 on April 3rd. Time to go the TT bike fettled ...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Geriatricdolan on 13 March, 2021, 06:05:25 am
I've also signed up for a club event on April the 3rd. Unusual 20 miles distance... not that unusual when it comes to think, seeing that the majority of my outdoor training rides are about one hour and 20 miles...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: postie on 19 March, 2021, 07:59:52 am
My clubs evening tt's are back on this year, and hopefully by june we can offer our normal tea and cake ,post race. :thumbsup: runing them to begin with will very different to normal,  but having read all the notes on organizering ,looks like things should work ok.

In case anyone is interested our first event is free!!!
Tuesday 6th april
P841 ( Chichester,  west suusex)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 01 April, 2021, 12:37:16 am
The Hounslow 100 has been postponed to August 1st.  Drat, that was going to be my early season qualifier for the fast events. 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 06 April, 2021, 10:41:21 am
We (Westerley) are getting the Wednesday evening Hillingdon circuit 10s underway again.  First one would have been tomorrow but we have shifted the series back by a fortnight.  Tomorrow will be a closed 'test' event with just club members to make sure everything works under COVID rules.   
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: John Stonebridge on 06 April, 2021, 02:53:37 pm
My clubs midweek 10 series would normally run from May to August but there are rumour of an earlier start given that none took place last year

On that basis I plan to get out to the course over the next few weeks and see if I can remember what to do!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Geriatricdolan on 06 April, 2021, 04:29:58 pm
Did a 20 last Saturday... it was cold.
Richard Bussell won, I was some 14 minutes behind... and 8 minutes behind the fastest road bike... my first time outside the bottom third...
It was fun  ::-)

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 06 April, 2021, 11:06:50 pm
Did a 10 on Saturday, in 23:42.  Given I'd done 22:47 on the same course during the week, I was a bit annoyed  :-\
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Geriatricdolan on 07 April, 2021, 06:29:45 am
Did a 10 on Saturday, in 23:42.  Given I'd done 22:47 on the same course during the week, I was a bit annoyed  :-\

Yeah, but Saturday was cold and quite breezy, while earlier in the week was warm. I also was expecting to be a minute or so quicker over the 20 miles... and I also expected the winner to do better than a 42'
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Legs on 08 April, 2021, 02:46:04 pm
TBH, I always found the lack of comparability from course to course and day to day a bit frustrating when I was racing TTs regularly - was a short 23 on the H10/3 better than a mid 21 on the P613?  I was kicking myself that I did my PB (21:01) on what others regarded to be a 'float' day...  My next best (21:03) was a much stronger ride...

Anyway, with all that said, I'm finding Zwift TTs a bit of a revelation: no traffic, same bike and kit, same weather, no wind to speak of... and I do Tempus Fugit (17.6km) and Bologna (8.1k) so that there's not even the temptation to consider what the equivalent 10-mile time would be!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Geriatricdolan on 08 April, 2021, 02:53:50 pm
TBH, I always found the lack of comparability from course to course and day to day a bit frustrating when I was racing TTs regularly - was a short 23 on the H10/3 better than a mid 21 on the P613?  I was kicking myself that I did my PB (21:01) on what others regarded to be a 'float' day...  My next best (21:03) was a much stronger ride...


Time is not comparable but power output is. Most people who are serious about TT (and even many who aren't) have a power meter.

Ultimately (and I might be a minority in thinking this way) it's a race, so it's about beating as many competitors as possible, irrespective of the time... in my case not very many...
I take more pleasure being mid way through the leader board with an average time than being last with a PB
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Legs on 08 April, 2021, 03:35:39 pm
Time is not comparable but power output is. Most people who are serious about TT (and even many who aren't) have a power meter.
I never had a power meter when I was racing on the road, and I don't have a road-going one now.  No idea whatsoever what kind of power I put out 20 years ago.  My FTP is 286W, but that's indoors and probably not replicable in a TT position.

Ultimately (and I might be a minority in thinking this way) it's a race, so it's about beating as many competitors as possible, irrespective of the time... in my case not very many...
I take more pleasure being mid way through the leader board with an average time than being last with a PB
But that's purely a function of how strong the field is.  If I've pulled out all the stops and come last in a great field, that's a better ride than finishing mid-table in a Wobbly Wheelers 10 with a mediocre ride, surely?
Zwift TT fields are, probably to a greater degree than IRL TT events, self-selecting; a TT field at Bologna will be skewed to climbers, for example.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Geriatricdolan on 08 April, 2021, 03:44:36 pm

I never had a power meter when I was racing on the road, and I don't have a road-going one now.  No idea whatsoever what kind of power I put out 20 years ago.  My FTP is 286W, but that's indoors and probably not replicable in a TT position.


Indoor trainers...  ::-)
My wife Kickr thinks I am awesome... 280 or something, which works out at 4.3 W/kg... reality is a bit more pedestrian... 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Legs on 08 April, 2021, 04:41:15 pm
Yeah, Kickrs have a reputation for that...
Mine’s a Tacx Neo 2T, which, if anything, is among the stingiest of direct-drive trainers.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Geriatricdolan on 15 April, 2021, 09:02:50 am
Did a sporting 6.7 m TT last night... a long 16'... time is not great, I've done better last summer, but I started as fourth and finished first, so that was nice... also, 273 Watt was nice too, especially coming from the Stages which measures my "weaker leg"  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Geriatricdolan on 18 April, 2021, 05:15:14 pm
First Open 10 of the season for me, as organised by Solihull CC on the K1/11 course. Immediately you see that it's an 11 mile course, which has some advantages, the main being that everyone who is up to a fast time, won't bother. That leaves the rest of us with a chance to avoid being last on the day and stuffed even by your 6 minute man!
So I sign up and collect my number (22). I always seem to get cool numbers, I never had the 13 that you have to pin upside down, or something shabby like 17, or pointless like 19 or 47. I quickly figured out my minute man (the one in front) was too young and too fit for me to catch (you can tell when his waist is the same size as your thigh and his thighs are bigger than yours!). Three, two one and I was off! As usual, I started too enthusiastically, and after a couple of minutes I was still averaging 300 Watt, fuck the negative split, give it all now and then you'll deal with the consequences later, that's always been my path in life. I passed a guy, I've passed him many times in many races, he is remarkable in his consistency and I can only wish to be like him at his venerable age. Then I get passed by a guy on a TT rig, quite chubby... I have a mild bulimia, the one where you have to weigh yourself every morning, so I can't stand being passed by chubby riders... I then noticed he didn't wear a number, although I am sure I saw him at the start... he probably forgot to pin it, which makes me chuckle... all that effort for nothing! I then pass another two elderly gentlemen up the draggy B-road back to Knowle... that's my road, I know every inch of it, as I commuted every day on that stretch from 2015 to 2019... today I better my best time! I finish quite strong at the Knowle canal, somewhat slower than I expected at 31:00, only to realise the course is not 11 miles, but 11.7! Cheated twice by the organiser... not a 10 as advertised, and not even an 11...  ;D oh well, it turns out I am 15th... which is my best result in an Open by quite some margin... and the fact that there were only 24 starters doesn't detract an ounce from it... because I am shit at these races and being outside the bottom third is a win!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Feanor on 03 May, 2021, 09:34:02 pm
Oh, Bollocks.

I seem to have entered the club Evening League event for tomorrow.
I wimped out of the inaugural event last week, and did my mandatory volunteering marshal session.
No excuses now!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Pedal Castro on 04 May, 2021, 06:15:48 am
I rode the F2B/25 for the first time last month hoping to beat the hour but only managed a 1:00:54. Its rare I ride a TT with a PM but for this one I had my powertap hub wheel on and my average power was 199W so that's a good estimation of my FTP. ;)

Then last weekend I did a 1:13:23 for a 30 on the same course with an average of 200W so moving in the right direction!  ;D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 20 May, 2021, 07:37:16 pm
Is everyone enjoying good racing weather?
My club has cancelled our 2nd TT in consecutive weeks! (due to wind warning this time, but the weather is generally pretty filthy  - I would be setting them right now).

Fingers crossed for next week, as it's actually a course I enjoy riding ...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: rogerzilla on 17 December, 2021, 02:15:20 pm
The h*lm*t stuff is now in Lift The Lid.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Notfromrugby on 19 January, 2022, 04:21:49 pm
So, the Open calendar is out.

Any race that takes your fancy?
I'm quite partial to a few of the early season "hardriders" events, but later on (May/June/July) I would also like to put a dent on my 10 mile PB and see if I can do a 25 in under an hour (strictly road bike here!).
Is there any course in the H, K or F districts worth considering a for a fast run? I've heard good thing on the F11/10
Any fast 25 course?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: postie on 16 November, 2022, 04:29:41 pm
I noticed a report today CTT is potless, in financial meltdown and in trouble,  guess its being brewing for awhile, locally timetrials are not well supported any more.

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 16 November, 2022, 06:13:17 pm
I noticed a report today CTT is potless, in financial meltdown and in trouble,  guess its being brewing for awhile, locally timetrials are not well supported any more.

Cue a takeover by British Cycling.  That'll raise a few hackles.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: felstedrider on 17 November, 2022, 09:42:26 am
I noticed a report today CTT is potless, in financial meltdown and in trouble,  guess its being brewing for awhile, locally timetrials are not well supported any more.

Cue a takeover by British Cycling.  That'll raise a few hackles.

That CW article is pretty damning.   I'm not particularly sure where the sport will end up after all this.

I had thoughts of having another go in 2024 but I'm not sure there will be anything left by then.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Flite on 17 November, 2022, 02:46:16 pm
CTT has ridden itself into an rich person's cul-de-sac.
Sadly TT has become too specialised and far too expensive to get started into for anyone who wants to be competitive.  I had hopes that the renewed interest in a roadbike category would make it more accessible but it needs equal status (including prizes and publicity) with the TT bikes.
Lack of suitable courses is a problem. The more or less flat main roads are now busy dual carriageways - OK for the brave, but not appealing to most and especially not to parents. Cyco-cross is easier for clubs to organise for youngsters, who are then more likely to aspire to RR than TT. TT circuits on minor roads tend to be hillier and don't qualify for the "out and back" PBs that give bragging rights and CTT records.
Cycling Weekly has not helped - it's coverage of club level TT is woeful - when I was a youngster the results of races were reported every week, and eagerly awaited. Now the few TT articles are mostly reports of riders in professional or sponsored teams. Reports and results were in local papers, but with the demise of the print industry most results are now just slapped on facebook and soon forgotten. TT has no face to the public and to potential riders.
I don't have any answers...



Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Pedal Castro on 17 November, 2022, 04:21:55 pm
BC do all the TTs they need/want to already so I can't see any "take over" on the cards.

Road bikes are the way forward as there are so many new cyclists that have very expensive road bikes and want to go fast but don't want to "join" a club, preferring to ride with a group. So next year I am running a summer series of road bike only evening TTs aimed specifically at those riders. Plus we are adding RB categories to all our Open events with a simple box tick at sign on as the CTT website doesn't have that option yet.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Flite on 17 November, 2022, 07:57:46 pm
Quote
road bike only evening TTs

Great - that is exactly what is needed to get new folks into the sport.
Yet it doesn't exclude current TT riders who will almost certainly have a road bike as well.
What part of the country will that be?

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Pedal Castro on 17 November, 2022, 08:57:59 pm
Quote
road bike only evening TTs

Great - that is exactly what is needed to get new folks into the sport.
Yet it doesn't exclude current TT riders who will almost certainly have a road bike as well.
What part of the country will that be?

North Northants
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Flite on 17 November, 2022, 10:23:15 pm
Quote
North Northants
Now there's a coincidence.
I was born and raised in Northants, and still have tenuous links to Kettering CC.
I now live too far away to enter your evening 10s, but I wish you much success.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: drossall on 17 November, 2022, 11:07:58 pm
Our club events don't exactly have a road-bike category, but we usually record which riders were on road and which on TT bikes, and we probably get over 50% on the former, so no-one would be out of place. We have a minor-roads course north of Shefford in Bedfordshire that is a bit sporting; no part is truly flat, and our alternative, "fast" course uses the local B road ;D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Notfromrugby on 18 November, 2022, 08:47:42 am
Good to hear and your thoughts are in line with those of the CTT working group I am involved with.

Road bike category should make ALL events soon!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Flite on 18 November, 2022, 10:57:02 am
Good Work. 
Let's hope they listen to you....
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Notfromrugby on 18 November, 2022, 12:07:31 pm
Good Work. 
Let's hope they listen to you....

I think the road bikes is an open door. It's a question of implementing things properly. There was a National Road Bike Championship in 2022, but it was in mid March and it was on a horrible dual carriageway east of Nottingham (A46). As a result, entries weren't that many and the Junior race was an embarrassment... I think they had 4 or 5 between boys and girls... clearly parents looked at the road and thought "no thanks!". I don't know when and where it will be in 2023, but if it was in May or June on a nice rolling course, somewhere not a million miles from inhabited parts of the country (ie. not Devon), then I can see it being very popular... I for one plan to enter it.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Pedal Castro on 18 November, 2022, 01:06:03 pm
Quote
North Northants
Now there's a coincidence.
I was born and raised in Northants, and still have tenuous links to Kettering CC.
I now live too far away to enter your evening 10s, but I wish you much success.

Hmm, if I'm frank I may know who you are, wouldn't that be a joyous coincidence.  ;D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Flite on 18 November, 2022, 01:23:26 pm
You have a good turn of phrase!
I still haven't worked out who you are....

Later edit: I have now!
Greetings from the snowy north pole
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 18 November, 2022, 06:44:24 pm
Can I make a plug here for the rule to allow recumbents in their own category?

If you're in a CTT-affiliated club, tell them you want your district to vote for this!

That's it. That's the plug. Thankyou.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Socks on 18 November, 2022, 08:17:38 pm
Can I make a plug here for the rule to allow recumbents in their own category?

If you're in a CTT-affiliated club, tell them you want your district to vote for this!

That's it. That's the plug. Thankyou.

Plus one for recumbents!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 18 November, 2022, 10:00:29 pm
Liverpool district have put a motion into the AGM to allow a recumbent category in TTs. As Matt said, plug it to your club if you can.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 18 November, 2022, 10:20:18 pm
There are some recumbent folk who would appreciate that motion going through.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 19 November, 2022, 12:49:43 am
I take it you've already messaged them all!
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 19 November, 2022, 07:35:13 am
I have been working on it.

Audax UK is affiliated to CTT and I assume they are supporting this motion, given how any machine can be ridden in brevets.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: tatanab on 19 November, 2022, 07:59:18 am
It is not widely known, but CTT allows recumbents in certain circumstances e.g. paralympic riders - in the rules under Competitor's Machine.  The rider has to get dispensation from the CTT.  Locally, we have a woman hand cyclist who has done this.

The fact that this already exists (and has done for some years) may help the argument to allow lay-z-boy machines in time trials.  I assume that fairings etc would still be forbidden - unless a special case is made for recumbents.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Notfromrugby on 19 November, 2022, 08:13:30 am
You can create new categories, but in the absence of participation, there isn't much point on race day. Tandems are a separate category, often there is a separate race for them, yet I have rarely seen more than one or two couples in a race and that includes when a separate race has been set up by the organiser.
I suppose the use of Spindata could bring about a recumbent or tandem or handbike ranking and that would be a step forward, maybe?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: drossall on 19 November, 2022, 12:45:26 pm
I may have remarked earlier in the thread that I rode another club's evening series for a few years, maybe two decades ago. The course was far from flat, with one really steep hill. One year, a guy on a recumbent handcycle rode. His times were pretty respectable too. No idea whether CTT approval was gained or the view was just taken that it wasn't an open, and all were welcome.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 19 November, 2022, 01:55:20 pm
The fastest handcyclists hold close to 22mph in the flattest BHPC crits. No draft worth mentioning off them either.

Paracyclist trikies and handcyclists are allowed in some/ most time trials. Recumbents, not so much.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Frank9755 on 21 November, 2022, 09:15:00 pm
We've had a road bike category in our club TTs at Hillingdon in London for about 10 years. Nowadays it gets the majority of the entries.
We also have had the odd recumbent, although not enough to ever set up a separate category.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Notfromrugby on 23 November, 2022, 01:28:09 pm
We've had a road bike category in our club TTs at Hillingdon in London for about 10 years. Nowadays it gets the majority of the entries.
We also have had the odd recumbent, although not enough to ever set up a separate category.

I am not surprised, I can't see many TT bikes being sold in the next few years. Between the looming recession and the staggering cost of new bikes, I think the N+1 will be a thing of the past very soon (if it's not already) and if I can only have one decent bike, it won't be a time trial one.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 28 November, 2022, 06:43:00 am
It is not widely known, but CTT allows recumbents in certain circumstances e.g. paralympic riders - in the rules under Competitor's Machine.  The rider has to get dispensation from the CTT.  Locally, we have a woman hand cyclist who has done this.

The fact that this already exists (and has done for some years) may help the argument to allow lay-z-boy machines in time trials.  I assume that fairings etc would still be forbidden - unless a special case is made for recumbents.
You assume correctly!

I for one didn't know about the "apply for Special Dispensation" until a month or so back when recumbents were first discussed on The Forum.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 28 November, 2022, 06:46:16 am
Based on yesterday's District meeting, this is 50:50 to go through:. The objections being almost entirely that they wouldn't be "safe" on many of our courses.
(Because  visibility, mainly. Some paranoia about downhill speeds too. )
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Notfromrugby on 28 November, 2022, 08:39:24 am
Based on yesterday's District meeting, this is 50:50 to go through:. The objections being almost entirely that they wouldn't be "safe" on many of our courses.
(Because  visibility, mainly. Some paranoia about downhill speeds too. )

I don't understand why they are considered safe enough to ride on public roads, but not safe enough to race on public roads on the grounds of visibility...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: giropaul on 28 November, 2022, 10:14:35 am
We've had a road bike category in our club TTs at Hillingdon in London for about 10 years. Nowadays it gets the majority of the entries.
We also have had the odd recumbent, although not enough to ever set up a separate category.

I am not surprised, I can't see many TT bikes being sold in the next few years. Between the looming recession and the staggering cost of new bikes, I think the N+1 will be a thing of the past very soon (if it's not already) and if I can only have one decent bike, it won't be a time trial one.

The money for manufacturers is in triathlon. Selling the same, or similar bikes for U.K. time trialling is a minor, if associated, market.
CTT don’t follow UCI rules on bikes of course, so triathlon bikes are attractive to U.K. time trial riders.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 28 November, 2022, 10:19:55 am
Based on yesterday's District meeting, this is 50:50 to go through:. The objections being almost entirely that they wouldn't be "safe" on many of our courses.
(Because  visibility, mainly. Some paranoia about downhill speeds too. )

I don't understand why they are considered safe enough to ride on public roads, but not safe enough to race on public roads on the grounds of visibility...

You're entirely correct ...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Notfromrugby on 28 November, 2022, 11:10:43 am
We've had a road bike category in our club TTs at Hillingdon in London for about 10 years. Nowadays it gets the majority of the entries.
We also have had the odd recumbent, although not enough to ever set up a separate category.

I am not surprised, I can't see many TT bikes being sold in the next few years. Between the looming recession and the staggering cost of new bikes, I think the N+1 will be a thing of the past very soon (if it's not already) and if I can only have one decent bike, it won't be a time trial one.

The money for manufacturers is in triathlon. Selling the same, or similar bikes for U.K. time trialling is a minor, if associated, market.
CTT don’t follow UCI rules on bikes of course, so triathlon bikes are attractive to U.K. time trial riders.

They are not the same bikes... but very similar fate... I don't see many triathlon bikes being sold in the next few years either. Most of my friends who do triathlon have invested 20 quid in a pair of aero bars and they get most of the benefits at a small fraction of the cost.
Besides, lots of triathlon events are draft-legal races, where only road bikes are allowed
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: felstedrider on 28 November, 2022, 11:34:02 am
There's 2 things that will probably mean I'm done with the sport.

1. Potential disappearance of the Mersey Roads.
2. Changing the format of the BBAR to remove the 12hr.

These are competitions I dreamt about as a Junior.   Probably the only bit of a sport I ever managed to get good at.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Notfromrugby on 28 November, 2022, 12:08:02 pm
There's 2 things that will probably mean I'm done with the sport.

1. Potential disappearance of the Mersey Roads.
2. Changing the format of the BBAR to remove the 12hr.

These are competitions I dreamt about as a Junior.   Probably the only bit of a sport I ever managed to get good at.

With respect to no. 2. It's funny, because the rationale for changing the BBAR and bringing it in line with the women competition is down to interest... basically very few are prepared to ride a 12h and unless you have a realistic chance of winning the BBAR, you're not going to a 12h, just to say you've done the BBAR... obviously you are the exception.
Numbers show that long distances are less and less popular... at club level, you won't find many that have a 50 mile race in their calendar and some clubs don't even have 25 anymore.
The future is in shorter races, I can see more 5 in the future, they are more attractive to younger riders... kind of get it all out, rather than pace the effort.
Even from an organiser point of view, the effort involved in a very short TT is a fraction of that of a very long TT.
Incidentally, even at 50yo, my favourite distance is around 5 miles
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: felstedrider on 28 November, 2022, 12:46:11 pm
There's 2 things that will probably mean I'm done with the sport.

1. Potential disappearance of the Mersey Roads.
2. Changing the format of the BBAR to remove the 12hr.

These are competitions I dreamt about as a Junior.   Probably the only bit of a sport I ever managed to get good at.

With respect to no. 2. It's funny, because the rationale for changing the BBAR and bringing it in line with the women competition is down to interest... basically very few are prepared to ride a 12h and unless you have a realistic chance of winning the BBAR, you're not going to a 12h, just to say you've done the BBAR... obviously you are the exception.
Numbers show that long distances are less and less popular... at club level, you won't find many that have a 50 mile race in their calendar and some clubs don't even have 25 anymore.
The future is in shorter races, I can see more 5 in the future, they are more attractive to younger riders... kind of get it all out, rather than pace the effort.
Even from an organiser point of view, the effort involved in a very short TT is a fraction of that of a very long TT.
Incidentally, even at 50yo, my favourite distance is around 5 miles

Just getting a BBAR certificate used to be a huge thing and I am very proud of the handful I have.   As you say, I'm pretty much the exception these days.   My abilities over shorter distances are nothing to write home about but I was briefly one of the better longer distance testers in the UK.   The sport will evolve or just disappear, but I won't change that.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Notfromrugby on 28 November, 2022, 12:54:17 pm
There's 2 things that will probably mean I'm done with the sport.

1. Potential disappearance of the Mersey Roads.
2. Changing the format of the BBAR to remove the 12hr.

These are competitions I dreamt about as a Junior.   Probably the only bit of a sport I ever managed to get good at.

With respect to no. 2. It's funny, because the rationale for changing the BBAR and bringing it in line with the women competition is down to interest... basically very few are prepared to ride a 12h and unless you have a realistic chance of winning the BBAR, you're not going to a 12h, just to say you've done the BBAR... obviously you are the exception.
Numbers show that long distances are less and less popular... at club level, you won't find many that have a 50 mile race in their calendar and some clubs don't even have 25 anymore.
The future is in shorter races, I can see more 5 in the future, they are more attractive to younger riders... kind of get it all out, rather than pace the effort.
Even from an organiser point of view, the effort involved in a very short TT is a fraction of that of a very long TT.
Incidentally, even at 50yo, my favourite distance is around 5 miles

Just getting a BBAR certificate used to be a huge thing and I am very proud of the handful I have.   As you say, I'm pretty much the exception these days.   My abilities over shorter distances are nothing to write home about but I was briefly one of the better longer distance testers in the UK.   The sport will evolve or just disappear, but I won't change that.

The certificate itself is a huge error. It should not be based on average speed, which inevitably rewards the TT bikes and the fast courses, things that CTT should encourage people to move away from. I think a certificate should be issued regardless of average speed.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Kim on 28 November, 2022, 01:00:03 pm
Based on yesterday's District meeting, this is 50:50 to go through:. The objections being almost entirely that they wouldn't be "safe" on many of our courses.
(Because  visibility, mainly. Some paranoia about downhill speeds too. )

If recumbents are a problem, have they considered the dangers of allowing the use of DF bicycles, given how poorly drivers tend to notice them, and their unstable geometry under heavy braking?   :demon:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: felstedrider on 28 November, 2022, 01:05:13 pm
There's 2 things that will probably mean I'm done with the sport.

1. Potential disappearance of the Mersey Roads.
2. Changing the format of the BBAR to remove the 12hr.

These are competitions I dreamt about as a Junior.   Probably the only bit of a sport I ever managed to get good at.

With respect to no. 2. It's funny, because the rationale for changing the BBAR and bringing it in line with the women competition is down to interest... basically very few are prepared to ride a 12h and unless you have a realistic chance of winning the BBAR, you're not going to a 12h, just to say you've done the BBAR... obviously you are the exception.
Numbers show that long distances are less and less popular... at club level, you won't find many that have a 50 mile race in their calendar and some clubs don't even have 25 anymore.
The future is in shorter races, I can see more 5 in the future, they are more attractive to younger riders... kind of get it all out, rather than pace the effort.
Even from an organiser point of view, the effort involved in a very short TT is a fraction of that of a very long TT.
Incidentally, even at 50yo, my favourite distance is around 5 miles

Just getting a BBAR certificate used to be a huge thing and I am very proud of the handful I have.   As you say, I'm pretty much the exception these days.   My abilities over shorter distances are nothing to write home about but I was briefly one of the better longer distance testers in the UK.   The sport will evolve or just disappear, but I won't change that.

The certificate itself is a huge error. It should not be based on average speed, which inevitably rewards the TT bikes and the fast courses, things that CTT should encourage people to move away from. I think a certificate should be issued regardless of average speed.

Have you got one ? 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Notfromrugby on 28 November, 2022, 02:00:38 pm
There's 2 things that will probably mean I'm done with the sport.

1. Potential disappearance of the Mersey Roads.
2. Changing the format of the BBAR to remove the 12hr.

These are competitions I dreamt about as a Junior.   Probably the only bit of a sport I ever managed to get good at.

With respect to no. 2. It's funny, because the rationale for changing the BBAR and bringing it in line with the women competition is down to interest... basically very few are prepared to ride a 12h and unless you have a realistic chance of winning the BBAR, you're not going to a 12h, just to say you've done the BBAR... obviously you are the exception.
Numbers show that long distances are less and less popular... at club level, you won't find many that have a 50 mile race in their calendar and some clubs don't even have 25 anymore.
The future is in shorter races, I can see more 5 in the future, they are more attractive to younger riders... kind of get it all out, rather than pace the effort.
Even from an organiser point of view, the effort involved in a very short TT is a fraction of that of a very long TT.
Incidentally, even at 50yo, my favourite distance is around 5 miles

Just getting a BBAR certificate used to be a huge thing and I am very proud of the handful I have.   As you say, I'm pretty much the exception these days.   My abilities over shorter distances are nothing to write home about but I was briefly one of the better longer distance testers in the UK.   The sport will evolve or just disappear, but I won't change that.

The certificate itself is a huge error. It should not be based on average speed, which inevitably rewards the TT bikes and the fast courses, things that CTT should encourage people to move away from. I think a certificate should be issued regardless of average speed.

Have you got one ?

Nope... I have a road bike, 23mph for 12 hours is way beyond me. Maybe I can do a 50 at 23mph... at a push on a very fast course I might be able to do a 100...

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: felstedrider on 28 November, 2022, 02:36:35 pm
There's 2 things that will probably mean I'm done with the sport.

1. Potential disappearance of the Mersey Roads.
2. Changing the format of the BBAR to remove the 12hr.

These are competitions I dreamt about as a Junior.   Probably the only bit of a sport I ever managed to get good at.

With respect to no. 2. It's funny, because the rationale for changing the BBAR and bringing it in line with the women competition is down to interest... basically very few are prepared to ride a 12h and unless you have a realistic chance of winning the BBAR, you're not going to a 12h, just to say you've done the BBAR... obviously you are the exception.
Numbers show that long distances are less and less popular... at club level, you won't find many that have a 50 mile race in their calendar and some clubs don't even have 25 anymore.
The future is in shorter races, I can see more 5 in the future, they are more attractive to younger riders... kind of get it all out, rather than pace the effort.
Even from an organiser point of view, the effort involved in a very short TT is a fraction of that of a very long TT.
Incidentally, even at 50yo, my favourite distance is around 5 miles

Just getting a BBAR certificate used to be a huge thing and I am very proud of the handful I have.   As you say, I'm pretty much the exception these days.   My abilities over shorter distances are nothing to write home about but I was briefly one of the better longer distance testers in the UK.   The sport will evolve or just disappear, but I won't change that.

The certificate itself is a huge error. It should not be based on average speed, which inevitably rewards the TT bikes and the fast courses, things that CTT should encourage people to move away from. I think a certificate should be issued regardless of average speed.

Have you got one ?

Nope... I have a road bike, 23mph for 12 hours is way beyond me. Maybe I can do a 50 at 23mph... at a push on a very fast course I might be able to do a 100...

The target for a certificate is 22mph.   If you can go a bit faster at 50 or 100 then a 20-21mph 12hr will get you there.   Looks like a decent challenge TBH.   I did my best 12hr with some aero equipment but before I had done any proper aero work.   It was on a course they don't use any more and there's probably only the Breckland that's that fast any more.   That one is out of service until 2024 earliest.

I do think a weighted average would be better as you can score very highly with quite a poor 12hr, but I can see why they did it that way.   It doesn't play to my strengths this way.  Again, this is probably all quite academic now.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Notfromrugby on 28 November, 2022, 03:05:22 pm
22 is more manageable.
I think what is killing TT is Zwift and Co. You can replicate the effort without all the aggro. Also, people are getting used to Watt/kg, but Watt/cda seems something of a dark art, mixed with a big cash injection. W/kg is simple… train hard and get off the cake… improving your cda is very much trial and error and it involves a lot of strength training that not many want to do
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: drossall on 28 November, 2022, 05:58:35 pm
… train hard and get off the cake…
I sometimes wonder whether what's killing it is the training.

Of course it would be daft to argue that no-one should train. But the ethos of time trialling in the past seemed to be that you could turn up and try it. And some people at least appeared to ride with the club, go touring, and then race for fun. If you liked it, then you started training. Maybe.

The image now, I think, is that not only do you need to have a £10k bike unlike anything you can find in Halfords (or any other shop you've ever seen), but also you need to have spent £100s on a bike-fitting session, three years training, and got the services of a coach, before you should even think about turning up. At least, that's how Cycling Weekly depicts it. You might of course apply a similar argument to road and track, which aren't in quite the same state, but that's still how it feels to me.

But then, I always thought of training as a mild form of cheating, i.e. something I would never stoop to, and that probably explains some of my results ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Kim on 28 November, 2022, 06:15:32 pm
But then, I always thought of training as a mild form of cheating, i.e. something I would never stoop to, and that probably explains some of my results ;D ;D ;D

The BHPC is that way --> 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Notfromrugby on 28 November, 2022, 06:54:30 pm
… train hard and get off the cake…
I sometimes wonder whether what's killing it is the training.

Of course it would be daft to argue that no-one should train. But the ethos of time trialling in the past seemed to be that you could turn up and try it. And some people at least appeared to ride with the club, go touring, and then race for fun. If you liked it, then you started training. Maybe.

The image now, I think, is that not only do you need to have a £10k bike unlike anything you can find in Halfords (or any other shop you've ever seen), but also you need to have spent £100s on a bike-fitting session, three years training, and got the services of a coach, before you should even think about turning up. At least, that's how Cycling Weekly depicts it. You might of course apply a similar argument to road and track, which aren't in quite the same state, but that's still how it feels to me.

But then, I always thought of training as a mild form of cheating, i.e. something I would never stoop to, and that probably explains some of my results ;D ;D ;D

Maybe, but people do like training.
TT has lost almost a third of rides in the last few years, Hill Climb, which is a branch of the sport, only 5%. Two fundamental differences: the latter doesn’t require fancy equipment and you won’t look out of place with a road bike and it’s W/kg, a language most cyclists are familiar with already. TT has probably become caught up in too much pseudo science.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: drossall on 28 November, 2022, 08:53:40 pm
Maybe, but people do like training.
Of course. It's just that I think it should be try it first, then train to get better, not the other way around. Cycling seems to be particularly prone to reversing things. But that may just be me trying to get out of doing it properly ;D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Notfromrugby on 29 November, 2022, 07:29:07 am
Maybe, but people do like training.
Of course. It's just that I think it should be try it first, then train to get better, not the other way around. Cycling seems to be particularly prone to reversing things. But that may just be me trying to get out of doing it properly ;D

No, I think you are right
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: peterc on 29 November, 2022, 02:46:24 pm
training as a mild form of cheating

The BHPC is that way -->

While I spent little time with the BHPC (and never inhaled) I was under the impression that training was allowed but considered much less effective than all the other better ways of going faster, like engineering.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 29 November, 2022, 03:25:23 pm
Based on yesterday's District meeting, this is 50:50 to go through:. The objections being almost entirely that they wouldn't be "safe" on many of our courses.
(Because  visibility, mainly. Some paranoia about downhill speeds too. )

I don't understand why they are considered safe enough to ride on public roads, but not safe enough to race on public roads on the grounds of visibility...
It's funny that YOU say that ...

Because the people objecting on "safety" grounds were the same people who wanted safety hats for riding on the public highway in CTT events.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Notfromrugby on 29 November, 2022, 03:38:17 pm
Based on yesterday's District meeting, this is 50:50 to go through:. The objections being almost entirely that they wouldn't be "safe" on many of our courses.
(Because  visibility, mainly. Some paranoia about downhill speeds too. )

I don't understand why they are considered safe enough to ride on public roads, but not safe enough to race on public roads on the grounds of visibility...
It's funny that YOU say that ...

Because the people objecting on "safety" grounds were the same people who wanted safety hats for riding on the public highway in CTT events.

It’s not that I wanted them, but it did make sense to go with the flow. All other competitive events require them, so why not TT? More to the point, I don’t see why this had to be a deal breaker… anyway, pointless to reopen a can of worms.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Mr Larrington on 29 November, 2022, 06:05:06 pm
training as a mild form of cheating

The BHPC is that way -->

While I spent little time with the BHPC (and never inhaled) I was under the impression that training was allowed but considered much less effective than all the other better ways of going faster, like engineering.

Training: riding to the pub
Advanced training: riding to a different pub a bit further away
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: peterc on 29 November, 2022, 09:40:11 pm
a different pub a bit further away

Oooh, do they have good beer there?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Ian H on 29 November, 2022, 10:02:22 pm
training as a mild form of cheating

The BHPC is that way -->

While I spent little time with the BHPC (and never inhaled) I was under the impression that training was allowed but considered much less effective than all the other better ways of going faster, like engineering.

Training: riding to the pub
Advanced training: riding to a different pub a bit further away

We do that each Wednesday, but in an upright fashion (even homeward).
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 01 December, 2022, 07:17:49 am
Based on yesterday's District meeting, this is 50:50 to go through:. The objections being almost entirely that they wouldn't be "safe" on many of our courses.
(Because  visibility, mainly. Some paranoia about downhill speeds too. )

I don't understand why they are considered safe enough to ride on public roads, but not safe enough to race on public roads on the grounds of visibility...
It's funny that YOU say that ...

Because the people objecting on "safety" grounds were the same people who wanted safety hats for riding on the public highway in CTT events.

It’s not that I wanted them, but it did make sense to go with the flow. All other competitive events require them, so why not TT? More to the point, I don’t see why this had to be a deal breaker… anyway, pointless to reopen a can of worms.
I guarantee you'd take a different view on something that impacted on YOU! :⁠-⁠D
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 01 December, 2022, 10:45:57 am
training as a mild form of cheating

The BHPC is that way -->

While I spent little time with the BHPC (and never inhaled) I was under the impression that training was allowed but considered much less effective than all the other better ways of going faster, like engineering.

Training: riding to the pub
Advanced training: riding to a different pub a bit further away

We do that each Wednesday, but in an upright fashion (even homeward).
The finest sort of training.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 01 December, 2022, 12:17:45 pm
I used to ride a few TTs, initial as training for PBP, and then for the sake of it (and scratch the 24-hour itch - which is now satisfactority scratched and not itching again).  I'm thinking about a couple of TTs again next year as PBP prep, but I've found I've lost the appetite for riding on busy roads. 

It's possible that's just a sign of age, but I wonder if another factor is that cars have got a lot bigger in the last 10 years and with more automation, drivers have got less attentive on the fast TT courses (cruise control, lane departure warning, etc keeps them safe but not us). 

Hill climbs feel safer - lower speeds - and  more people by the side of the road which alerts most motorists to the presence of cyclists.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Notfromrugby on 01 December, 2022, 12:22:18 pm
Hill climbs feel safer - lower speeds - and  more people by the side of the road which alerts most motorists to the presence of cyclists.

Hill climbs are better in any possible way, but it's a very short season...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: drossall on 01 December, 2022, 05:33:33 pm
I guarantee you'd take a different view on something that impacted on YOU! :⁠-⁠D
Like costing you the chance to participate for half a season. Or at all, if you're even less lucky than me. But all this is expounded up-thread, and NFR was part of that discussion then.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: MattH on 02 December, 2022, 07:23:12 am
I used to ride TTs, though it says a lot that my PB on a 10 was on my steel Audax bike, complete with mudguards, dynohub and saddlebag. I've done a couple of 24s, and quite a few on a tandem. But I dropped out of my local club when they made magic foam compulsory for Sunday cafe rides, and haven't done a TT since CTT brought in the rule.

Actually, that's not quite true - I did ride a few international TTs earlier this year around Wolverhampton wearing a lid and riding a >£10K bike. But I was on an escort moto not competing myself  :)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Notfromrugby on 02 December, 2022, 09:36:01 am
The main issue with TTs is that most of the times they are still very old fashioned and it’s difficult to involve the new generations. Distances which are often too long, courses which are way too busy with fast traffic, course codes that are not explained, a historic tendency to operate in secret and yes, people who moan because they want wind in their hair, like it was back in the days.
There are more rides by the over 70s than there are by the under 20s… that is frightening!
There is at least one local club who operates differently, although they do so under TLI rather than CTT. Their average age is considerably younger, they don’t use dual carriages and their numbers are very healthy. They even manage to attract decent numbers at their Open, which has a proper double figure hill in the middle.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: De Sisti on 02 December, 2022, 09:48:27 am
The main issue with TTs is that most of the times they are still very old fashioned and it’s difficult to involve the new generations. Distances which are often too long, courses which are way too busy with fast traffic, course codes that are not explained,,,,
Quote
There is at least one local club who operates differently, although they do so under TLI rather than CTT. Their average age is considerably younger, they don’t use dual carriages and their numbers are very healthy. They even manage to attract decent numbers at their Open, which has a proper double figure hill in the middle.
Please name this club.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Notfromrugby on 02 December, 2022, 10:19:53 am
The main issue with TTs is that most of the times they are still very old fashioned and it’s difficult to involve the new generations. Distances which are often too long, courses which are way too busy with fast traffic, course codes that are not explained,,,,
Quote
There is at least one local club who operates differently, although they do so under TLI rather than CTT. Their average age is considerably younger, they don’t use dual carriages and their numbers are very healthy. They even manage to attract decent numbers at their Open, which has a proper double figure hill in the middle.
Please name this club.

Banbury Star
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: De Sisti on 02 December, 2022, 11:08:43 am
Banbury Star
Nice one. Thank you. :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Kim on 02 December, 2022, 12:25:07 pm
The main issue with TTs is that most of the times they are still very old fashioned and it’s difficult to involve the new generations. Distances which are often too long, courses which are way too busy with fast traffic, course codes that are not explained, a historic tendency to operate in secret and yes, people who moan because they want wind in their hair, like it was back in the days.
There are more rides by the over 70s than there are by the under 20s… that is frightening!

I don't claim to be fast, or even young, and my TT experience is inna BHPC trying-not-to-wipe-out-going-clockwise-round-the-hairpin-at-Darley-Moor style.  But while I'm happy to mix with traffic at audax pace, the prospect of trying to ride flat out while maintaining awareness of  a) traffic  and  2) dubious road surfaces  really does not appeal.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Notfromrugby on 02 December, 2022, 12:45:10 pm
The main issue with TTs is that most of the times they are still very old fashioned and it’s difficult to involve the new generations. Distances which are often too long, courses which are way too busy with fast traffic, course codes that are not explained, a historic tendency to operate in secret and yes, people who moan because they want wind in their hair, like it was back in the days.
There are more rides by the over 70s than there are by the under 20s… that is frightening!

I don't claim to be fast, or even young, and my TT experience is inna BHPC trying-not-to-wipe-out-going-clockwise-round-the-hairpin-at-Darley-Moor style.  But while I'm happy to mix with traffic at audax pace, the prospect of trying to ride flat out while maintaining awareness of  a) traffic  and  2) dubious road surfaces  really does not appeal.

It’s not just you… last spring they held the National road bike championship on the A46 dual carriage east of Nottingham. There were a handful of juniors who signed up… a handful between boys and girls… that’s how many parents were prepared to send their kids to race a National championship on that stretch of road… and yet, when I tell my club mates that it’s time to move away from the DualCarriages in our series to attract new riders, they come up with nonsense like horse riders on the lanes or the dangers of a T junction… basically old fashioned crap
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Kim on 02 December, 2022, 12:51:31 pm
To be fair, I wouldn't want to meet a horse or T-junction at speeds in excess of R17 either.  But there's surely some middle ground.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: felstedrider on 02 December, 2022, 01:10:16 pm
The main issue with TTs is that most of the times they are still very old fashioned and it’s difficult to involve the new generations. Distances which are often too long, courses which are way too busy with fast traffic, course codes that are not explained, a historic tendency to operate in secret and yes, people who moan because they want wind in their hair, like it was back in the days.
There are more rides by the over 70s than there are by the under 20s… that is frightening!

I don't claim to be fast, or even young, and my TT experience is inna BHPC trying-not-to-wipe-out-going-clockwise-round-the-hairpin-at-Darley-Moor style.  But while I'm happy to mix with traffic at audax pace, the prospect of trying to ride flat out while maintaining awareness of  a) traffic  and  2) dubious road surfaces  really does not appeal.

It's interesting.   I have never felt unsafe racing on a DC.   I have used the E2, B courses on the A11 and H courses on the A31.   I never raced Etwall which is the other 'fast' piece of road popular with testers.   When you are flying along at 30mph you don't seem to notice.

I have, however, marshalled a few times and the behaviour and speed of traffic has scared me.   It must be down to perception.

My helpers on the Mersey 24 said the roads felt very busy but I never noticed it when racing.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Kim on 02 December, 2022, 01:36:36 pm
The main issue with TTs is that most of the times they are still very old fashioned and it’s difficult to involve the new generations. Distances which are often too long, courses which are way too busy with fast traffic, course codes that are not explained, a historic tendency to operate in secret and yes, people who moan because they want wind in their hair, like it was back in the days.
There are more rides by the over 70s than there are by the under 20s… that is frightening!

I don't claim to be fast, or even young, and my TT experience is inna BHPC trying-not-to-wipe-out-going-clockwise-round-the-hairpin-at-Darley-Moor style.  But while I'm happy to mix with traffic at audax pace, the prospect of trying to ride flat out while maintaining awareness of  a) traffic  and  2) dubious road surfaces  really does not appeal.

It's interesting.   I have never felt unsafe racing on a DC.   I have used the E2, B courses on the A11 and H courses on the A31.   I never raced Etwall which is the other 'fast' piece of road popular with testers.   When you are flying along at 30mph you don't seem to notice.

I have, however, marshalled a few times and the behaviour and speed of traffic has scared me.   It must be down to perception.

My helpers on the Mersey 24 said the roads felt very busy but I never noticed it when racing.

Probably a relative speed thing, traffic's less scary with a lower speed differential.

The problem I find that is the faster I go, the more mundane things like crosswinds and crap road surfaces add to TEH FEAR.  My general perception of the threat of fast motor traffic is that it's what I'm going to end up under if I fall off my bike, rather than them driving into me.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: felstedrider on 02 December, 2022, 02:00:36 pm
The main issue with TTs is that most of the times they are still very old fashioned and it’s difficult to involve the new generations. Distances which are often too long, courses which are way too busy with fast traffic, course codes that are not explained, a historic tendency to operate in secret and yes, people who moan because they want wind in their hair, like it was back in the days.
There are more rides by the over 70s than there are by the under 20s… that is frightening!

I don't claim to be fast, or even young, and my TT experience is inna BHPC trying-not-to-wipe-out-going-clockwise-round-the-hairpin-at-Darley-Moor style.  But while I'm happy to mix with traffic at audax pace, the prospect of trying to ride flat out while maintaining awareness of  a) traffic  and  2) dubious road surfaces  really does not appeal.

It's interesting.   I have never felt unsafe racing on a DC.   I have used the E2, B courses on the A11 and H courses on the A31.   I never raced Etwall which is the other 'fast' piece of road popular with testers.   When you are flying along at 30mph you don't seem to notice.

I have, however, marshalled a few times and the behaviour and speed of traffic has scared me.   It must be down to perception.

My helpers on the Mersey 24 said the roads felt very busy but I never noticed it when racing.

Probably a relative speed thing, traffic's less scary with a lower speed differential.

The problem I find that is the faster I go, the more mundane things like crosswinds and crap road surfaces add to TEH FEAR.  My general perception of the threat of fast motor traffic is that it's what I'm going to end up under if I fall off my bike, rather than them driving into me.

Not being a particularly beefy rider sidewinds have been an issue.   I ran a fairly shallow front wheel for that very reason.   There are a couple of stretches of the fast courses (A11 around Wymondham I'm looking at you) that properly throw you around and caused me to have bruises on my elbows.   They are worse when you are going more slowly.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Notfromrugby on 02 December, 2022, 02:06:42 pm
The point is not whether you feel safe or whether you are indeed safe, the point is can you get a youngster to race a TT on the A46? If the answer is no, then you have a problem…
It is easier to move to a more beginner friendly course, than it is to convince them that the A46 is safe.
One of the problem of the old skool side of CTT is that they believe the latter is the easier thing to do
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Kim on 02 December, 2022, 02:08:49 pm
GPWM
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: felstedrider on 02 December, 2022, 02:20:05 pm
The point is not whether you feel safe or whether you are indeed safe, the point is can you get a youngster to race a TT on the A46? If the answer is no, then you have a problem…
It is easier to move to a more beginner friendly course, than it is to convince them that the A46 is safe.
One of the problem of the old skool side of CTT is that they believe the latter is the easier thing to do

Purely playing devils advocate here but I'm PB chasing after investing in training and kit, what do I care if a youngster wants to race on the same bit of road ?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Notfromrugby on 02 December, 2022, 02:42:57 pm
The point is not whether you feel safe or whether you are indeed safe, the point is can you get a youngster to race a TT on the A46? If the answer is no, then you have a problem…
It is easier to move to a more beginner friendly course, than it is to convince them that the A46 is safe.
One of the problem of the old skool side of CTT is that they believe the latter is the easier thing to do

Purely playing devils advocate here but I'm PB chasing after investing in training and kit, what do I care if a youngster wants to race on the same bit of road ?

You don’t, but others care about the future of the sport. You don’t have to, as most likely in 10 years you will do something else, although it would be great if your club did care. As things stand, there aren’t 10 years left, meaning CTT will cease to exist before then.
So what after, if CTT goes bust? My guess is there will still be some form of testing, but likely to be a lot less and a lot more expensive and probably on selected courses, maybe closed to road traffic, things like Mallory park, or disused airfields
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: L CC on 02 December, 2022, 04:18:36 pm
That's already happening.

https://teesside.ctt.org.uk/news/348-croft-10-mile-time-trial-series-dates-2022
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Notfromrugby on 02 December, 2022, 04:35:17 pm
That's already happening.

https://teesside.ctt.org.uk/news/348-croft-10-mile-time-trial-series-dates-2022

Yes, we have some round here too… to be fair, I like them more than the road stuff, but typically they involve a longer car journey and a heftier entry fee… although not as bad as other cycling events like sportive
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: giropaul on 02 December, 2022, 10:58:29 pm
The point is not whether you feel safe or whether you are indeed safe, the point is can you get a youngster to race a TT on the A46? If the answer is no, then you have a problem…
It is easier to move to a more beginner friendly course, than it is to convince them that the A46 is safe.
One of the problem of the old skool side of CTT is that they believe the latter is the easier thing to do

Purely playing devils advocate here but I'm PB chasing after investing in training and kit, what do I care if a youngster wants to race on the same bit of road ?

PB chasing is the big issue. “ It’s a fast course”. Nowhere else in the world does anyone understand this. I’ve ridden TTs in France and Belgium , and it’s all about your finishing position, not your time.
They think British TT on dual carriageways are mad.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Kim on 03 December, 2022, 12:24:12 am
That's already happening.

https://teesside.ctt.org.uk/news/348-croft-10-mile-time-trial-series-dates-2022

That sort of thing makes more sense to me, at least for PB-chasing.  Safer, and fewer factors you can't control.  Like a boring version of a BHPC event.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: cygnet on 03 December, 2022, 12:58:31 am
My helpers on the Mersey 24 said the roads felt very busy but I never noticed it when racing.
I've ridden, helped and marshalled on the 24hr cicuits and nothing about my experiences with traffic interactions in any of those three would put me off from riding it again.

[The training  etc is a big block to racing it for the next (8th) time though.

100s simililar but you have to start at Audax o'clock.

Not enough experience on a 12hr to comment, sadly. But my only attempt at the BBAR standard was based on a 20mph 12hr. Failed due to mechanicals.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: cygnet on 03 December, 2022, 01:02:46 am
That's already happening.

https://teesside.ctt.org.uk/news/348-croft-10-mile-time-trial-series-dates-2022

That sort of thing makes more sense to me, at least for PB-chasing.  Safer, and fewer factors you can't control.  Like a boring version of a BHPC event.
[/quote
Out of idle interest, I tried to find out what the 24hr record at my local velodrome is. Best I can find is from around the 1920s and it's a long way out of the reach of hobby cycling...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 03 December, 2022, 08:24:50 am
Be careful. Quite a few of the early records were paced, with the record riders drafting relays of cyclists or a motorcycle. Trying to match a paced record is a big ask.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: DuncanM on 03 December, 2022, 09:32:36 am
That's already happening.

https://teesside.ctt.org.uk/news/348-croft-10-mile-time-trial-series-dates-2022

Yes, we have some round here too… to be fair, I like them more than the road stuff, but typically they involve a longer car journey and a heftier entry fee… although not as bad as other cycling events like sportive
If Banbury Star is local to you then Bicester Millennium might be too - they used to have a regular Wednesday night 10, with the odd 25 and 4 up, on the Weston on the Green aerodrome. I think they were a fiver. Dunno if it restarted after Covid (I've not been able to TT since then), but there used to be a real mix from kids to proper fast people (Charlie Quarterman holds the course record).
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Notfromrugby on 03 December, 2022, 12:54:22 pm
That's already happening.

https://teesside.ctt.org.uk/news/348-croft-10-mile-time-trial-series-dates-2022

Yes, we have some round here too… to be fair, I like them more than the road stuff, but typically they involve a longer car journey and a heftier entry fee… although not as bad as other cycling events like sportive
If Banbury Star is local to you then Bicester Millennium might be too - they used to have a regular Wednesday night 10, with the odd 25 and 4 up, on the Weston on the Green aerodrome. I think they were a fiver. Dunno if it restarted after Covid (I've not been able to TT since then), but there used to be a real mix from kids to proper fast people (Charlie Quarterman holds the course record).

Bicester is a stretch… Banbury is already a bit far, that’s why I am not a member… I’ve done a few of their races in 2020, before they switched to TLI
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: felstedrider on 03 December, 2022, 04:49:58 pm
That's already happening.

https://teesside.ctt.org.uk/news/348-croft-10-mile-time-trial-series-dates-2022

That sort of thing makes more sense to me, at least for PB-chasing.  Safer, and fewer factors you can't control.  Like a boring version of a BHPC event.
Out of idle interest, I tried to find out what the 24hr record at my local velodrome is. Best I can find is from around the 1920s and it's a long way out of the reach of hobby cycling...

UMCA outdoor velodrome records look a bit more in line.  For my soon to be age category anyway.  Hoppo did the existing one at Scunthorpe.

24hourmaths did a test run at Welwyn for 4 (maybe 6 ?) hours and wasn’t enamoured enough to attempt the full 24. 
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: drossall on 03 December, 2022, 06:29:09 pm
PB chasing is the big issue... Nowhere else in the world does anyone understand this.
Actually that would make cycling the unusual sport. Running, for example, appears to understand the idea of personal bests perfectly well, and world records, in any sport, are just the best personal best ever. They are in no way incompatible with trying to beat the current field.

For those of us who will never trouble the top half of the results sheet in any serious event, personal bests are a really good thing to go for. And everyone chasing a PB does it by trying to get a go on the fastest course/track/ski slope/whatever.

But I still haven't ridden a DC course in decades :P
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Notfromrugby on 04 December, 2022, 10:48:32 am
PB chasing is the big issue... Nowhere else in the world does anyone understand this.
Actually that would make cycling the unusual sport. Running, for example, appears to understand the idea of personal bests perfectly well, and world records, in any sport, are just the best personal best ever. They are in no way incompatible with trying to beat the current field.

For those of us who will never trouble the top half of the results sheet in any serious event, personal bests are a really good thing to go for. And everyone chasing a PB does it by trying to get a go on the fastest course/track/ski slope/whatever.

But I still haven't ridden a DC course in decades :P

It has become an obsession for the absolute number… the under 50 for a 25… there is still a list of all the sub 50 rides, which now comprises many hundreds!
Obviously this leads to an unsustainable culture of fast courses, fast days and expensive marginal gains.
We need to discriminate between this obsession for the number, and Joe average trying to beat their PB over their local course, often by means of training harder and improving their position on the bike…
But ultimately, I think even at the bottom of the field, it should be about the pecking order… I don’t care to beat my PB if everybody else does…but I do care if I can post a better time than my direct competitors… it’s a race.

Running has an historic relationship with numbers… there are records of all sorts, the only record that matters in cycling is the Hour…
The 10 and 25 records in this country are a bit of a joke… gained on fast days on fast courses, often not reproducible conditions.
When I get passed by three lorries in a row on our local DC course, even I briefly exceed 30 mph… I just need a bigger number of lorries to keep going
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: drossall on 04 December, 2022, 01:05:25 pm
Yes, it's not far from there to this, is it?
(https://www.merlincycles.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/murphy.jpg)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Notfromrugby on 04 December, 2022, 01:11:25 pm
Yes, it's not far from there to this, is it?
(https://www.merlincycles.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/murphy.jpg)

Maybe not, but the current 10 mile record stands at somewhere close to 60 km/h... I can't help thinking that in the absence of heavy traffic, that number would be considerably lower.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: felstedrider on 04 December, 2022, 03:59:23 pm
Yes, it's not far from there to this, is it?
(https://www.merlincycles.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/murphy.jpg)

Maybe not, but the current 10 mile record stands at somewhere close to 60 km/h... I can't help thinking that in the absence of heavy traffic, that number would be considerably lower.

Also, though, set by a pro who went on to break every record between 10 and 100 (except the 30).  Right day, right conditions but exceptional talent.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Notfromrugby on 04 December, 2022, 05:18:50 pm
Yes, it's not far from there to this, is it?
(https://www.merlincycles.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/murphy.jpg)

Maybe not, but the current 10 mile record stands at somewhere close to 60 km/h... I can't help thinking that in the absence of heavy traffic, that number would be considerably lower.

Also, though, set by a pro who went on to break every record between 10 and 100 (except the 30).  Right day, right conditions but exceptional talent.

Yes, although I think his best shot at the UCI TT worlds was a 9th... that in a year without Wiggins, Martin, Cancellara... I think Kyrienka won and Adriano Malori was second, so not the dream podium we have seen in other years...
But yes, at CTT level definitively an outstanding competitor...
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: felstedrider on 04 December, 2022, 05:38:55 pm
Marcin passed me in a 100 once.  I did a 3:45 and it was like I was standing still.  Unfortunately he was DQ’d for going off course.  He broke the record on a different course a month later.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Notfromrugby on 05 December, 2022, 12:29:52 pm
Marcin passed me in a 100 once.  I did a 3:45 and it was like I was standing still.  Unfortunately he was DQ’d for going off course.  He broke the record on a different course a month later.

The point is that when he did the 10 record, he broke it by 45 seconds... which is an immense amount, it means 4.5 seconds per mile, it's the difference between a top class time triallist and a decent domestique at the Tour. That can only happen if you find some "help" along the way... being that the perfect string of trucks, the perfect weather conditions with high temperature and high humidity but low pressure... all of which put the time on the shelves until someone else of a similar calibre finds an even better day.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: felstedrider on 05 December, 2022, 01:00:57 pm
Marcin passed me in a 100 once.  I did a 3:45 and it was like I was standing still.  Unfortunately he was DQ’d for going off course.  He broke the record on a different course a month later.

The point is that when he did the 10 record, he broke it by 45 seconds... which is an immense amount, it means 4.5 seconds per mile, it's the difference between a top class time triallist and a decent domestique at the Tour. That can only happen if you find some "help" along the way... being that the perfect string of trucks, the perfect weather conditions with high temperature and high humidity but low pressure... all of which put the time on the shelves until someone else of a similar calibre finds an even better day.

But this is the history of the sport.  Engers took 1.5 mins off the 25 record and it stood for 12 years.  After a couple of changes, Boardman took another 2 mins off and that record stood for 16 years.   You see a generational shift.   I think the difference for me was how good Marcin was over such a range of distances/times.   Training for a 10 and training for a 100 are different things.   How fast would he have been if he specialised ?
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: felstedrider on 05 December, 2022, 01:06:57 pm
There's a thread on the TT forum about how the AGM went yesterday.   You need to know the proposal numbers to work your way through.

http://www.timetriallingforum.co.uk/index.php?/topic/143808-ctt-agm-national-council/
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Notfromrugby on 05 December, 2022, 01:26:45 pm
Marcin passed me in a 100 once.  I did a 3:45 and it was like I was standing still.  Unfortunately he was DQ’d for going off course.  He broke the record on a different course a month later.

The point is that when he did the 10 record, he broke it by 45 seconds... which is an immense amount, it means 4.5 seconds per mile, it's the difference between a top class time triallist and a decent domestique at the Tour. That can only happen if you find some "help" along the way... being that the perfect string of trucks, the perfect weather conditions with high temperature and high humidity but low pressure... all of which put the time on the shelves until someone else of a similar calibre finds an even better day.

But this is the history of the sport.  Engers took 1.5 mins off the 25 record and it stood for 12 years.  After a couple of changes, Boardman took another 2 mins off and that record stood for 16 years.   You see a generational shift.   I think the difference for me was how good Marcin was over such a range of distances/times.   Training for a 10 and training for a 100 are different things.   How fast would he have been if he specialised ?

I don't know... normally the best at 10 is also the best at 25 and likely to be the best at 50 and 100 if they have the inclination... it's only with the 12h that things change.
I would argue that the obsession for fixed distances and records is what we have to overcome for the sport to survive. Courses are disappearing... in the K district we have just lost our last fast course, as a result of a fatal accident... it's a matter of time before we lose the other DC course (which is not as fast) and then we are left with courses which are not viable for anyone seeking a PB. So then what? If people don't change their mindset, they'll have to travel further and further to find the last few viable courses... it's unsustainable
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: felstedrider on 05 December, 2022, 02:18:09 pm

I don't know... normally the best at 10 is also the best at 25 and likely to be the best at 50 and 100 if they have the inclination... it's only with the 12h that things change.


Efforts for a 10 and a 100 are quite different (10 is an over-threshold effort, 100 is tempo) and require different training, fuelling etc.   As Andrew Coggan preaches...specificity, specificity, specificity.......
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Karla on 05 December, 2022, 02:44:27 pm
Only Liverpool voted for the recumbent proposal.

What a shame.  As with helmets, lights, 3cm and the rest, CTT continue to uphold the principle that 'safety' issues are best dealt with by uninformed speculation. 

[EDIT: I see they voted down the lights in hillclimbs proposal too.]
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Notfromrugby on 05 December, 2022, 05:50:00 pm
Only Liverpool voted for the recumbent proposal.

What a shame.  As with helmets, lights, 3cm and the rest, CTT continue to uphold the principle that 'safety' issues are best dealt with by uninformed speculation. 

[EDIT: I see they voted down the lights in hillclimbs proposal too.]

I have done the all hill climb season. Haven’t come across anyone moaning about lights. The number of closed road events is very small, maybe one Open race in ten? And even those do not guarantee that the odd resident will not be on the road and don’t allow crossing of the white line if there is one. So, it was all a bit pointless.

Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Kim on 05 December, 2022, 10:01:17 pm
Only Liverpool voted for the recumbent proposal.

What a shame.  As with helmets, lights, 3cm and the rest, CTT continue to uphold the principle that 'safety' issues are best dealt with by uninformed speculation.

Bah.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 06 December, 2022, 06:45:22 am
Only Liverpool voted for the recumbent proposal.

What a shame.  As with helmets, lights, 3cm and the rest, CTT continue to uphold the principle that 'safety' issues are best dealt with by uninformed speculation. 

[EDIT: I see they voted down the lights in hillclimbs proposal too.]

I have done the all hill climb season. Haven’t come across anyone moaning about lights. The number of closed road events is very small, maybe one Open race in ten? And even those do not guarantee that the odd resident will not be on the road and don’t allow crossing of the white line if there is one. So, it was all a bit pointless.
The " closed road" events are mostly airfields (or motor-racin circuits)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Notfromrugby on 06 December, 2022, 08:05:54 am
Only Liverpool voted for the recumbent proposal.

What a shame.  As with helmets, lights, 3cm and the rest, CTT continue to uphold the principle that 'safety' issues are best dealt with by uninformed speculation. 

[EDIT: I see they voted down the lights in hillclimbs proposal too.]

I have done the all hill climb season. Haven’t come across anyone moaning about lights. The number of closed road events is very small, maybe one Open race in ten? And even those do not guarantee that the odd resident will not be on the road and don’t allow crossing of the white line if there is one. So, it was all a bit pointless.
The " closed road" events are mostly airfields (or motor-racin circuits)

??
We were talking about hill climbs… the lights proposal was to remove the need for lights on closed Road events
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Notfromrugby on 07 December, 2022, 09:59:43 am
As a side issue, in the face of a diminishing pool of organisers/timekeepers/marshals/volunteers of all sorts, could the future of club events be Time trialling by GPS?
I am aware some groups are doing it in the US with satisfactory results, using Strava or else. The barrier, as always, is legality and liability. In a way, it would be like going back to the very roots of testing in this country.

There might be a variability of 1-2 seconds over the segment, depending on the unit used to record the track, but that is a lot better than being timed one minute faster because they forgot to leave one minute gap for the DNS (happened at a rather big Open recently, mistake reported to the organiser, but results never amended, total shambles!)
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: mattc on 07 December, 2022, 05:58:02 pm
Only Liverpool voted for the recumbent proposal.

What a shame.  As with helmets, lights, 3cm and the rest, CTT continue to uphold the principle that 'safety' issues are best dealt with by uninformed speculation. 

[EDIT: I see they voted down the lights in hillclimbs proposal too.]

I have done the all hill climb season. Haven’t come across anyone moaning about lights. The number of closed road events is very small, maybe one Open race in ten? And even those do not guarantee that the odd resident will not be on the road and don’t allow crossing of the white line if there is one. So, it was all a bit pointless.
The " closed road" events are mostly airfields (or motor-racin circuits)

??
We were talking about hill climbs… the lights proposal was to remove the need for lights on closed Road events
Ah, apologies. There were 2 motions, don't know which were passed (but surely it's insane to require lights on a Closed Road HC!?!):

12. By Yorkshire DC
Regulation 14 sections (i) and (j) Competitor’s Machine (1) (Page 341 of 2022
Hnadbook)
In each section delete the final period and add to each section the words “, the
exception being that if a time trial (Type A or B) is held on closed roads, this is optional
for the rider and not compulsory.”
13. By Yorkshire DC
Regulation 14 sections (i) and (j) Competitor’s Machine (2) (Page 341 of 2022
Handbook)
In each section delete the final period and add to each section the words “, the
exception being that if a hill-climb (Type A or B) is held on closed roads, this is optional
for the rider and not compulsory.”
Note: this Proposal will be withdrawn if Proposal 12 is successful

EDIT: news posted by Welsh BC Blazer:
Item 12.  Lights lost.  Lights will be compulsory for all events.

Item 13.  Withdrawn.
Title: Re: The TT Thread
Post by: Notfromrugby on 01 January, 2023, 07:11:50 pm
New season Open calendar is out… plenty of good racing, quite fancy having a go at the Road bike Nats, as well as the Hill Climb champs, both in October