The Time Trial Thread

[okgo]

I might be being stupid - what record did he beat given two lads went quicker than him?

It seems to be the GHS champs, which I don't think is the national champs, which was won by a lad local to me.

Edited by okgo on Wednesday 23 September 19:54

[okgo]

It seems to be for under 17's only after some googling.

I was thinking about http://www.velouk.net/2015/09/05/rttc-10-mile-cham... - which shows the same bloke who won the event he was 3rd in, so he'd probably be right at the sharp end of the proper jnr champs in the future.

[okgo]

Worth noting that the old bikes in some cases were very similar geo to any TT bike now (without TT bars) so not totally like doing it on a road bike (not saying yours was, but low pro's and such).

I've been tempted to have another go on a straight road bike with no add ons, I reckon I could do a 19 on a quick course.

[okgo]

Time trials are generally held on measured circuits on open roads, not sure where in the UK you are but almost certainly nearby there will be a weekly (in the summer) club ten mile time trial being held.

Any time under 30 mins for a beginner is good going, obviously the next milestone I would guess is 25 mins, then it gets more difficult, breaking 20 mins will mean you've averaged over 30 mph. This is my old club ten course and is fairly typical of the type of roads many TT's are held on, but there are many that are on far less busy roads https://www.strava.com/segments/629691

[okgo]

Oddly the UK has quite an active scene and I don't think its massively popular in France, but I may be wrong.

But yeh, if you find a fairly simple 10 mile course with one rbt turn in it then you will be well on the way to replicating a typical course. Though I understand the french are a little more delicate about roads cyclists can and can not use...

[okgo]

Warm up pretty crucial, I warm up around 30 mins for an event, and try to slowly build into the effort, go too hard too early and you'll pay for it!

[okgo]

Anyone local to Surrey/Hants - Farnborough and Camberley tend to host a TT on the 3rd weekend of December on the H10/8 Bentley course, anyone wanting to test their mettle over winter and is a member of a club, I recommend it, great fun, decent sized field and crucially - good cake after.

[okgo]

Its purely normal rules, so unless the event fills up, and then placing is decided on fastest PB's then everyone should get a ride - you do obviously need to be a member of a CTT affiliated club though, which most clubs are.

[okgo]

I'm probably not brave enough to do a NYD ride haha!

I want the 19 this Dec though!

[okgo]

Lots of people do it in fancy dress!

[okgo]

louiebaby said:

Bit of a thread resurrection, as it's not really the season, but my local club did a their New Year 10 yesterday. It was my first proper time trial, although I did the "little bit short of 10 miles" Sky / Jaguar event last year.

It was touted as a fun event, so I did it in some Chinese eBay cycling gear in the design of Iron Man, but other than that, I took it reasonably seriously. (Some warm up, unshaved legs, had a proper go at it.)

I'm please with my time of 24:54, which put me at 4th overall, however I am more than aware that most people were on their winter bikes. I will be joining the local club and doing some more this year. I liked it.

n+1 - Who makes the biggest half decent TT frames?

Probably most of the main brand will, the planet x one looks alright for the money, bear in mind most people go down a bit on size for a TT bike vs their road bike.

[okgo]

The power difference between 50 mins and 70 isn't going to be huge, so don't overthink it too much. The difference for many between 20 mins and 50 or so is less than 10%.

Anyway, yes, for efforts of around that time, it should feel fairly easy for the first 3rd and then build from there...

[okgo]

Sounds like you just need to train a fair bit more and lose a lot of weight and it will come?

250w for someone your size is nothing so I should imagine if you train more that figure will go up quick and the weight will come down quick. While weight isn't a factor so much on the flat, changing your body size isn't going to hurt the aerodynamics I doubt,

[okgo]

Good luck.

Its the first of the National events for me this Sunday with the National 25 in Norfolk! Pretty tough field, think even managing a placing similar to last year would be a good day out!

[okgo]

You would go a lot quicker on a normal 25 course I am sure.

I was ste at the National Champs - worst watts for years and ended up 20th vs last years 6th, poor. Not sure where the power has gone on the TT bike, wondering if I have mucked up my position, still have it on the roadbike, strange.

National 10 this weekend, it doesn't suit me, but should be fun.

[okgo]

ALawson said:

Good luck for this weekend, you going back to your old position?

Well I am in the position I should be I think, but the power has been a bit pants.

I have a feeling I might be suffering with heat build up. I'm fine initially and then the power gets hard to hold, my best numbers have been in cool conditions, wondering if its just that I'm overheating. Thinking I might dremmel the visor a bit more to aid ventilation, or possibly shell out on a new helmet, but that opens a can of aero worms in itself. The ten is short enough that heat should be fine.

[okgo]

Its a busy road, but its not the worst one out there!

I lowered my PB to 18.34 on Saturday on one of our quick courses down south. Reckon on a good day on the V I'd be flirting with doing a 17, but cba to drive up there.

[okgo]

The game has moved on for sure.

Aero gains, access to coaching, wider pool of talent in cycling full stop etc. That said, the course up in Hull is very very quick.

[okgo]

I would say 90 secs is a good estimate for jumping onto a TT bike. It could be much larger once you've got a decent position sorted.

My first club ten was a short 22 on my roadbike (not a great course tbf) and I went and did a short 19 not that long after I think when I got a TT bike (on a quick course)

[okgo]

Gruffy said:

That's encouraging to read. Today's 22:55 was in traffic with several roundabouts and junctions rather than a proper course. I doubt I'll make quite the same progress you have from the early days! Sounds like I wouldn't be totally wasting my time with a TT bike though. I'm not expecting to ever be taking wins but it'd be nice to put in respectable times.

For sure, get it bought