Discussion
I am doing my first ever TT on Saturday - The New Forest CC Open 10 on the P303 course. I will be using a standard Road Bike and hope I am not the only one that is not on a TT bike complete with storm-trooper helmet.
I have managed to average 23mph (37kmh) over the course will certainly give it everything I have got. Trying to decide how much riding I should do this week in order to feel best on Saturday.
Any tips will be greatly appreciated.
I have managed to average 23mph (37kmh) over the course will certainly give it everything I have got. Trying to decide how much riding I should do this week in order to feel best on Saturday.
Any tips will be greatly appreciated.
That depends on how much riding you do already really.
For a ten mile TT then it does help to be 'fresh', generally the shorter the effort the more benefit you'll see from being 'fresh'. I would avoid having a day off the day before the TT as your legs might feel a bit odd if you do.
Good luck, keep your head low, save something for the way back after the turn! Don't go out too hard.
For a ten mile TT then it does help to be 'fresh', generally the shorter the effort the more benefit you'll see from being 'fresh'. I would avoid having a day off the day before the TT as your legs might feel a bit odd if you do.
Good luck, keep your head low, save something for the way back after the turn! Don't go out too hard.
I can't offer any 'how to' advice, as I wasn't very good at it, but for what it's worth I did three TTs (ten milers, all on the same course) about three years ago. There were plenty of 'normal' road bikes being used, along with the TT regulars with all the aero kit.
I never did get my average speed up over 20 mph, (or time below 30 minutes) for the ten. Some of the 'proper' TTers where doing 23 and 24 minute tens, and I was always knocking on the door of 'slowest man' but they are great fun, and a real honest test of your ability on the bike. It certainly focuses the mind, and is a 'no excuses' honest appraisal of where you stand and whether or not you are getting any quicker over time. I was improving, ride on ride, but not by enough to make me want to take it up seriously.
I never did get my average speed up over 20 mph, (or time below 30 minutes) for the ten. Some of the 'proper' TTers where doing 23 and 24 minute tens, and I was always knocking on the door of 'slowest man' but they are great fun, and a real honest test of your ability on the bike. It certainly focuses the mind, and is a 'no excuses' honest appraisal of where you stand and whether or not you are getting any quicker over time. I was improving, ride on ride, but not by enough to make me want to take it up seriously.
okgo said:
To be fair, in open tens a LOT of people will have all the gear.
Question? I did my three TTs on a 50/34 x 11-25 'normal' (ie: non-aero) compact. Did I hamper myself by riding the compact, or would fitness and aero position make a bigger difference than a 53 toothed big ring?I ask, because I'm going to be getting a new road bike late this year or early next, and I'm considering giving TTing another go. I don't want the full TT bike/skinsuit/conehead experience, but I'd like a bike/gearing that'll get me round most of what Berkshire/Surrey/Hampshire has to offer in the way of road riding (including hills), but will also lend itself to service in a few TTs per season.
The only thing that will dictate if you can go quicker is whether you can turn the pedals!
I would imagine I could get away with using a 50-11 as a bottom gear and still almost do the same sorts of times as I have done. If you're not spinning out the 50-11 often then gears are not the limiter of your performance
I've got 55-11 and on the flat courses its usually ok, the only times its too small are when its downhill, or there is a tailwind of some proportion.
I would imagine I could get away with using a 50-11 as a bottom gear and still almost do the same sorts of times as I have done. If you're not spinning out the 50-11 often then gears are not the limiter of your performance
I've got 55-11 and on the flat courses its usually ok, the only times its too small are when its downhill, or there is a tailwind of some proportion.
I managed 26:48 on Saturday and came about mid field. The course is "U" shaped and the wind direction meant that it was crosswind-headwind-crosswind so I know that with more favorable conditions I would of gone faster.
Most people had full TT bikes (some very nice looking steads) and only a few were on road bikes. I think I was the only person without tri-bars so overall I am quite pleased.
Next weekend I might take part in an inter-club Hill Climb TT.
Most people had full TT bikes (some very nice looking steads) and only a few were on road bikes. I think I was the only person without tri-bars so overall I am quite pleased.
Next weekend I might take part in an inter-club Hill Climb TT.
jesusbuiltmycar said:
I managed 26:48 on Saturday and came about mid field. The course is "U" shaped and the wind direction meant that it was crosswind-headwind-crosswind so I know that with more favorable conditions I would of gone faster.
Most people had full TT bikes (some very nice looking steads) and only a few were on road bikes. I think I was the only person without tri-bars so overall I am quite pleased.
Next weekend I might take part in an inter-club Hill Climb TT.
Good first TT, I'd be very happy with that timeMost people had full TT bikes (some very nice looking steads) and only a few were on road bikes. I think I was the only person without tri-bars so overall I am quite pleased.
Next weekend I might take part in an inter-club Hill Climb TT.
ts and keep sabotaging them?I had my first effort over a local TT course last week (HCC234), not part of an organised event I just rode the route.
Not particularly difficult, 2 x 5 mile laps but the majority of the road surface was a bit poo, quite rutted and some of it recently tar'n'chipped. There are a couple of short but sloggy bridges and two junctions where you have to slow as the course joins a larger road, and a headwind for a couple of miles - according to the Strava segment for the course I managed 27:19 at an ave of 22.1 mph - a full 6 minutes slower than the top time! Quite disappointing given how much time I spend in the saddle.
Definitely room for improvement, I think not taking part in an organised event means I didn't ride as hard as I could have (looking at my HR trace I can see that), plus there were times when my mind wandered a little!
Talking to a guy I ride with who has ridden the TT did make me feel a little better, apparently most of the guys who ride it in anger turn up on TT bikes and aero outfits.
http://www.strava.com/segments/5293691
Not particularly difficult, 2 x 5 mile laps but the majority of the road surface was a bit poo, quite rutted and some of it recently tar'n'chipped. There are a couple of short but sloggy bridges and two junctions where you have to slow as the course joins a larger road, and a headwind for a couple of miles - according to the Strava segment for the course I managed 27:19 at an ave of 22.1 mph - a full 6 minutes slower than the top time! Quite disappointing given how much time I spend in the saddle.
Definitely room for improvement, I think not taking part in an organised event means I didn't ride as hard as I could have (looking at my HR trace I can see that), plus there were times when my mind wandered a little!
Talking to a guy I ride with who has ridden the TT did make me feel a little better, apparently most of the guys who ride it in anger turn up on TT bikes and aero outfits.
http://www.strava.com/segments/5293691
A couple of local clubs run pay'n'play TT's in my area most weeks, I think I will give it a go just to see how I get on. Bearing in mind I will be on a heavy old Colnago I don't expect to set any course records but it will be interesting to see how I get on riding at the same time as experienced TT riders.
As for lots of money, need income first!!
As for lots of money, need income first!!
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