The Time Trial Thread

[HelenT]

AyBee said:

In for the Congleton 50 this weekend?

Road bikes are generally pretty difficult/impossible to turn into TT bikes unfortunately, there's a reason the frames are different. Take a look at the other competitors and you'll work out where the easy wins are: helmet, skinsuit, no arm warmers, saddle bag, overshoes, lower bars and saddle further forward should rotate you a bit better around the bottom bracket, EZ disc cover for the rear wheel. All depends how seriously you want to take it.

No idea which number (something 7?) has the bright orange Poc, but always amusing to see someone spend £350 on a helmet based on Bigham et al using it and then see it's not remotely suitable for their position!

Probably not the best photo of the rider in the POC it was just a case of getting one photo of everyone up.

[AyBee]

HelenT said:

Probably not the best photo of the rider in the POC it was just a case of getting one photo of everyone up.

Someone you know (is he called Bob?)? The only reason I commented is because I actually can't see a way of him getting the back down without the front coming up with his position regardless of photo. If you look at those who make that helmet work (Bigham, Archibald, Dowsett, Zeb Kyffin), they all have very arched backs which that chap doesn't. I'd be very very surprised if he's done aero testing which has shown that lid to be fastest on him.

[Matt_N]

Agree on the POC, it requires a very specific position and the only two people I have seen locally with them are rapid (+30mph avg 10), this is one of the guys:

Edited by Matt_N on Friday 30th July 09:15

[TheGriffter]

Bit of a thread of resurrection - hope everyone is well?

So, my plan for structured, focussed and near military levels of discipline to be applied over the winter didn't happen ; however, I did join Zwift and managed to make it to the top of Alpe Du Zwift a few times in my cold garage

Fast forward to last weekend and having wiped the damp mould from the bar tape, and rehomed the spider who built their web on the base bar I found my first planned event arrive a little too quickly for my liking - a 25m TT in Cheshire on J2/9.

Ended up with a 1:08:21 on a cold and windy day which was only 3 seconds off my PB, with a NP of 266W - was very happy with that although the additional mince pies are definitely the limiting factor at this point.

Got another 25m this weekend on same course then a couple of 50's in Cheshire and a couple of 100s on the D100 courses booked. Still on the same bike setup as last year although I've ditched the arm warmers so far.

Ride well everyone!

[AyBee]

Good luck! Having finished last season with a 19:13 on the fast Levens course (not the fastest of days sadly, I was aiming for an 18) prior to baby #1 arriving, I've hung up the TT bike for a season having not spent much time on the bike over winter. May do a few of the Congleton club 10s on my road bike when the weather's good though.

[andySC]

TheGriffter said:

Fast forward to last weekend and having wiped the damp mould from the bar tape, and rehomed the spider who built their web on the base bar I found my first planned event arrive a little too quickly for my liking - a 25m TT in Cheshire on J2/9.

Ah the joy of the J2/9. It’s a honest course thats for sure, no gifts on it at all ! Twemlow Lane & Seven Sisters always feel much more difficult than they should & there a parts of the A50 that would give a MTB a hard time ! I’m forever contemplating another season of TT’s, a broken leg in 2019 & Covid in 2020 buggered those plans but I’ll do some club 10’s this year & then maybe a few 25’s on the Cheshire course.

[Master Bean]

Did another TT tonight. I was fantastic.

[Chrispee]

I'll join in the thread resurrection as a long time lurker, i've signed up to some local open races to get some motivation back - wedding and puppy have taken up the first 4 months of this year, 10-15% down on where I want to be power wise but hoping to get some of that back now the weathers a bit better.

My main goal will be a decent (top 10-15) placing at the Eastern Championships in June so at least that gives me a couple of months to get some rides in, having barely touched my TT bike since last summer

[Master Bean]

TT tonight. Superb.

[TheGriffter]

Hope you are all well?

I'm still plugging away and really enjoying it

25m on J4/8 - 1:08:50 with NP of 270W
50m on J4/9 - 2:11:10 with NP of 236W (actually was 47 miles due to course changes / roadworks)

Upcoming:
03/06 - 100m on D100/2
18/06 - 50m on J4/9
03/07 - 100m on D100/6A
31/07 - 50m on J4/9


I have been spending an unhealthy level of time browsing pre-loved TT bikes for sale and have searched down the back of the sofa and found some pennies for a purchase

The only real must-haves I wanted were:
1. Can run 25mm (or even 28mm) tyres
2. Proper TT frame with good performance / reviews
3. Ability to service / manage myself (no scary superbikes!)

This has led to the following under serious consideration:

2016 Planet X Exocet 2 (L) Ultegra 11 speed; 60mm clinchers
2017 Dolan Scala (L) - Ultegra 11 speed; 60m Zipp clinchers
2016 Dolan Scala (L) - Ultegra 11 speed Di2; Mavic Cosmic; ISM saddle
2016 Dolan Scala (M) - Ultegra 10 speed
2015 Cervelo P3 (58) - Ultegra 11 speed Di2

I wasn't too fussed about having Di2 on a TT bike and certainly wasn't willing to pay a premium for it, but I change my mind from day to day!

These all seem to have good reviews, with the P3 probably coming in at a level above the other 2. Any thoughts on the above would be most welcome - I am 6'1" (95kg) for reference.

Cheers

[Jacobyte]

You might want to try the Cervelo in size 56. I'm the same height as you and 56 is spot on, although body shapes differ so it's worth testing both.

[AyBee]

What Jacobyte said. Size is very important for getting a decent position and a "fast" bike but the wrong size will be worse than a "slow" bike in the right size.

Did my club 10 on my road bike last night - 23:35 off 280W. About 50W down on my best powers from last season over the same distance (and +5kg at least) but was fun to get out and race and at least I know where I am right now.

[HelenT]

TheGriffter said:

Hope you are all well?

I'm still plugging away and really enjoying it

25m on J4/8 - 1:08:50 with NP of 270W
50m on J4/9 - 2:11:10 with NP of 236W (actually was 47 miles due to course changes / roadworks)

Upcoming:
03/06 - 100m on D100/2
18/06 - 50m on J4/9
03/07 - 100m on D100/6A
31/07 - 50m on J4/9


I have been spending an unhealthy level of time browsing pre-loved TT bikes for sale and have searched down the back of the sofa and found some pennies for a purchase

The only real must-haves I wanted were:
1. Can run 25mm (or even 28mm) tyres
2. Proper TT frame with good performance / reviews
3. Ability to service / manage myself (no scary superbikes!)

This has led to the following under serious consideration:

2016 Planet X Exocet 2 (L) Ultegra 11 speed; 60mm clinchers
2017 Dolan Scala (L) - Ultegra 11 speed; 60m Zipp clinchers
2016 Dolan Scala (L) - Ultegra 11 speed Di2; Mavic Cosmic; ISM saddle
2016 Dolan Scala (M) - Ultegra 10 speed
2015 Cervelo P3 (58) - Ultegra 11 speed Di2

I wasn't too fussed about having Di2 on a TT bike and certainly wasn't willing to pay a premium for it, but I change my mind from day to day!

These all seem to have good reviews, with the P3 probably coming in at a level above the other 2. Any thoughts on the above would be most welcome - I am 6'1" (95kg) for reference.

Cheers

See you at both 100s, I guess having ridden Cheshire courses the road surfaces of Shropshire will be pretty much like what you are used to. The Anfield is a great event nice to have it back after a three year gap.

[TheGriffter]

Hi Helen,
Yes will see you there. Looking forward to the Anfield on Friday in a strange, masochistic type of way.
Been trying and viewing a load of bikes as per peoples comments - an older P2, P3, the Exocet 2 and Dolan Scala. Fit and adjustment felt good on the Scala, so fingers crossed be picking it up this week, but definitely not using it on the 100 on Friday.

Cheers

[HelenT]

TheGriffter said:

Hi Helen,
Yes will see you there. Looking forward to the Anfield on Friday in a strange, masochistic type of way.
Been trying and viewing a load of bikes as per peoples comments - an older P2, P3, the Exocet 2 and Dolan Scala. Fit and adjustment felt good on the Scala, so fingers crossed be picking it up this week, but definitely not using it on the 100 on Friday.

Cheers

Might possibly be a course change for Friday, just keeping our fingers crossed that some traffic lights get taken down in time. The reserve is even more sporting. Take care on the A41 between Prees and Tern Hill some of the road is pretty awful.
Just hoping it gets warmer and a bit less windy!!
See you Friday

[TheGriffter]

Managed to get round the Jubilee Anfield 100 TT on Friday. Was a great event and very enjoyable.

PB for 100 was 5:17:29 and had set out with a secret hope to get under 5hrs. Didn't quite work out that way;
25m @ 1:14:20
50m @ 2:30:54
75m @ 3:50:44
100m @ 5:20:31

I feel the course D100/2 was a little harder than the previous 100 I did, but still a disappointing drop off in last 30 miles - more training needed.

However I am now currently in the process of switching gradually across to my new TT steed



cheers, Griff

[HelenT]

TheGriffter said:

Managed to get round the Jubilee Anfield 100 TT on Friday. Was a great event and very enjoyable.

PB for 100 was 5:17:29 and had set out with a secret hope to get under 5hrs. Didn't quite work out that way;
25m @ 1:14:20
50m @ 2:30:54
75m @ 3:50:44
100m @ 5:20:31

I feel the course D100/2 was a little harder than the previous 100 I did, but still a disappointing drop off in last 30 miles - more training needed.

However I am now currently in the process of switching gradually across to my new TT steed



cheers, Griff

It's a classic event not an easy circuit especially given the road surface but lots of support makes it easier , hopefully our new course for the SCCA 100 might be a bit quicker, and hopefully a bit warmer. I wanted to get under 5 hours as well but did 5.09.20, 4 weeks to improve on that. My partner was out with the camera
https://www.flickr.com/photos/142762212@N02/albums...

[ALawson]

An interesting read.

https://www.cyclist.co.uk/news/10681/alex-dowsett-...

[Master Bean]

Stood on a corner in a hi viz but it does mean I get to ogle some bikes. Apologies for the non drive side photo but this really is a monstrosity. Kind of like it though. Sram Force 2x12 with a 48/35 looks tiny compared to the usual dinner plate chainrings.