My first TT...
Discussion
Did my first Time Trial last Thursday 
Came in at 31' 09"
Route was 10 miles, out from Wendens Ambo/Audley End along the B1383 to the roundabout where it joins the B184 and back. Wind assisted on the way out but strong headwind on the return leg. Chuffed to bits to have finally stopped talking about it and taken the plunge, but disappointed to have taken more than 30 minutes, even for a first effort. Not blaming the equipment at all, but surely doing a TT on a standard road bike running a compact crankset must have had some effect on the overall time? Fastest finisher was a little over 22 minutes, but that was a proper TT tandem (WTF??) and the fastest single seater came in at a little over 24 minutes. In my defence I left home later than expected and cycled to the start line, fearing I would miss the start, at over 19mph average speed for the 6 miles, so perhaps not ideal preparation. Any tips for extra speed on a ten mile TT that don't involve spending money, for the time being at least? I had so wanted to set a better benchmark for my first event, ideally breaking the 20mph average speed for the course and trying to build from there. Nevertheless, I've got the first one out of the way and quite enjoyed the experience. Looking forward to more in the future....
Came in at 31' 09"
Route was 10 miles, out from Wendens Ambo/Audley End along the B1383 to the roundabout where it joins the B184 and back. Wind assisted on the way out but strong headwind on the return leg. Chuffed to bits to have finally stopped talking about it and taken the plunge, but disappointed to have taken more than 30 minutes, even for a first effort. Not blaming the equipment at all, but surely doing a TT on a standard road bike running a compact crankset must have had some effect on the overall time? Fastest finisher was a little over 22 minutes, but that was a proper TT tandem (WTF??) and the fastest single seater came in at a little over 24 minutes. In my defence I left home later than expected and cycled to the start line, fearing I would miss the start, at over 19mph average speed for the 6 miles, so perhaps not ideal preparation. Any tips for extra speed on a ten mile TT that don't involve spending money, for the time being at least? I had so wanted to set a better benchmark for my first event, ideally breaking the 20mph average speed for the course and trying to build from there. Nevertheless, I've got the first one out of the way and quite enjoyed the experience. Looking forward to more in the future....
training, training, training..... you just need miles in your legs. there will be loads of interval training schedules on the web.
a 31 "10" isnt that bad for a first timer, i was doing 29m at first and have got that down to the high 26s now, still on the same road bike albeit with tri bars on the front. there are many things you can try from position to gearing. times vary wildly dependant upon the course however, some are tighter than others, the wide open ones that are straight out and back routes on main roads are great for boosting confidence.
a 31 "10" isnt that bad for a first timer, i was doing 29m at first and have got that down to the high 26s now, still on the same road bike albeit with tri bars on the front. there are many things you can try from position to gearing. times vary wildly dependant upon the course however, some are tighter than others, the wide open ones that are straight out and back routes on main roads are great for boosting confidence.
It's quite a specific discipline and you need to train for it. I haven't done one for a few years but got into the 27s on the strength of general bike fitness - on a proper TT bike with a pointy hat.
First you need the ability to ride at threshold for 10 miles, then you need to work on pushing that threshold higher. Loads of training help online.
First you need the ability to ride at threshold for 10 miles, then you need to work on pushing that threshold higher. Loads of training help online.
boolay said:
Was it a club TT or open event? I'm in Royston so just down the road.
Not a closed club event as far as I know, I found out about it first from Stuart at Flitch bikes in Gt Dunmow, then heard more about it in Newdales bike shop in Saffron Walden. SW bike shop staff seem to be involved with Saffron Walden Tri Club, who I believe run it. Next one is 21st July and then every second Thursday as far as I can tell, and I was simply advised to turn up and ride. Signing on from about 1900hrs with the event commencing 1930hrs. Cost of entry was advised by the LBS staff as £4 for non club members, but it was £3 on the day I rode. Hope this helps. Don`t worry about the times - just compare your own times over a few sessions - it`s better to get faster as you learn the ropes. I had my fastest ever `10` time in my first ever open event on the A1 - standard road bike without even any tri bars. The conditions were just fantastic. Spent the next 8 yrs trying to go faster & despite serious training, losing 1 1/2stone, lo-pro frame etc - never did .......
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