The Time Trial Thread

[Paul Drawmer]

When I was 40+ I did evening 10s with the Crawley Wheelers on a course around the north of Horsham. I started off at 30min and two years later did a 22:58. (Raleigh USA 531C, 18mm tyres, shimano 2 X 7(?) with friction down tube shifters)

Now, 30 years later, I'm 74 and thinking about trying to beat 30min at an airfield 10 course that a Bicester club run on Tuesday evenings. My problem is that I found 10mile TTs quite addictive, and I'm bloody old.

[louiebaby]

Paul Drawmer said:

When I was 40+ I did evening 10s with the Crawley Wheelers on a course around the north of Horsham. I started off at 30min and two years later did a 22:58. (Raleigh USA 531C, 18mm tyres, shimano 2 X 7(?) with friction down tube shifters)

Now, 30 years later, I'm 74 and thinking about trying to beat 30min at an airfield 10 course that a Bicester club run on Tuesday evenings. My problem is that I found 10mile TTs quite addictive, and I'm bloody old.

That's cool! Well done you.

If you haven't had a look already, try:

https://www.vtta.org.uk/

They do some kind of age related time handicapping so you can compete against everyone!

[okgo]

There's also usually vet categories in CTT events. I regularly got 'outearned' so to speak even when I won events by some git who had snuck the best vet on standard time etc etc. TTing really is a sport run by the cyclist of yesteryear in many senses, and most events I used to go to would have a huge number of more senior riders. I suppose the whole sport came about from when road racing was banned or similar and secret course codes were used (though not so secret these days), so the scene is mostly still represented at the organisational level by that era.

[mie1972]

Done a few this year, think I’m up to my 6th one since March.
Mainly 10, 12 and 25-26 milers up here in the north east. There’s been quite a following this year, pent up demand from the TT boys who missed out las5 year as all were cancelled.

I’m not particularly fast (23 minutes for a 10), and been using my road bike with TT bars rather than a dedicated TT bike. I like the challenge of seeing how you can pace yourself over the distance.

Everyone is incredibly friendly and supportive. I would very much recommend if you want to test yourself. And post COVID there is will be cake afterwards👍

My club are running a hilly 27miler around Rothbury in a few weeks. I’ll happily volunteer for that one.

CTT has all the events and can view based on local district.
https://www.cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/

[louiebaby]

With a two week gap, I've done the same course with very similar conditions. But I've made a few changes:

- Aero-trip socks ---> Below ankle trainer socks
- Old LG TT helmet & sunglasses ---> Giro Aerohead helmet with visor
- Cervelo S3 Roadbike (no TT extensions) ---> Pinnacle Arkose CX bike with Alfine hub gears, 32c Gatorskins, mudguards and pannier rack (also no TT extensions)

The difference seems to be about 2:40, give or take.

(I've torn a sidewall on the nice bike, and the replacement has been delayed, so I just did it anyway.)

[TheGriffter]

Hi All,

Hope you are riding well!

Been crazy at work so not got out as much as intended, but I managed to do a new PB of 25:51 2 weeks ago (on JC/36) - was slightly disappointed when the person a minute behind me overtook me after about 2 miles, until I saw his British Cycling skinsuit and kit!!
Last night back on to J2/1 and improved my general PB again to 25:29.

Am planning on an evening 25 next week and then have entered a local 50m on 11th.

[AyBee]

TheGriffter said:

Hi All,

Hope you are riding well!

Been crazy at work so not got out as much as intended, but I managed to do a new PB of 25:51 2 weeks ago (on JC/36) - was slightly disappointed when the person a minute behind me overtook me after about 2 miles, until I saw his British Cycling skinsuit and kit!!
Last night back on to J2/1 and improved my general PB again to 25:29.

Am planning on an evening 25 next week and then have entered a local 50m on 11th.

16th June seemed to attract a few GB riders? I raced it on the 15th. Does seem to be pot-luck who you race against around here. Doing a 25 tomorrow on J2/9 tomorrow which has Ryan Mullen (Trek-Segafredo) down on the start list! I'm also down for that 50 on the 11th.

[TheGriffter]

AyBee said:

16th June seemed to attract a few GB riders? I raced it on the 15th. Does seem to be pot-luck who you race against around here. Doing a 25 tomorrow on J2/9 tomorrow which has Ryan Mullen (Trek-Segafredo) down on the start list! I'm also down for that 50 on the 11th.

Did another 10 at the start of the week on J2/1 and was a few seconds slower at 25:55 than my PB (25:29) but it was a bit more windy and took me about 10 seconds to clip in at the start!

Looking forward to the 50 on Sunday, but no idea how to approach it regarding pacing - steady I think so that I get home before the football!!

Good luck AyBee - I am rider #49

[TheGriffter]

Managed to get round my first proper 50m TT yesterday in one piece on J4/9!

Very happy as I had secretly hoped to do sub 2:30, but was prepared for perhaps 2:45ish, and despite very poor pacing (going out too fast), not really knowing the course regarding elevation etc. I managed to unofficially get 2:22:15 with a power of 237W

There is a long list of things for me to address to be getting a bit swifter - starting with my slightly "un-aero" body!

Enjoyed it though and looking forward to the official results!

[AyBee]

Nice one! I thought I'd done my pacing well but cramp set in at 30miles and I faded fast not being able to push the pedals, finished in just over 1:50 in the end off 250ish watts (first 30miles at 275W and last 20miles at 215W ).

[Matt_N]

Good work on the 50s guys, I’m dabbling in 10s at present.

Recently did a 23:43 off 264w, I’m definitely more aero this year as I’m going faster off less watts but my power is not quite the same as this time last year, got my PB off 302w at 23:21 last year so I think if I can squeeze a bit more power out in the next month or so I am aiming for a high 22.

[TheGriffter]

AyBee said:

Nice one! I thought I'd done my pacing well but cramp set in at 30miles and I faded fast not being able to push the pedals, finished in just over 1:50 in the end off 250ish watts (first 30miles at 275W and last 20miles at 215W ).

Cracking time that especially given your cramping. I saw that neary half the entered field were DNS which I was surprised about although the football in the evening may have contributed to that. My official time was 3s faster that I had it.

For my sins I have entered a 100m on 25th July on D100/6A - want to get a benchmark time in at each of the distances and then put some plans together to get a bit more consistent and faster. Someone earlier in the thread said it is addictive - I'm hooked!

[louiebaby]

I've found a fairly flat (for Devon) loop that's 25 miles, and set up a Strava segment. (25.02 miles, so pretty close really.)

It's a bit technical for a PB, but I'll be using it to get used to the idea of a 25 miler, ready to take on a proper event. Target is to go sub-hour, on an aero-roadbike with no extensions.

[AyBee]

TheGriffter said:

AyBee said:

Nice one! I thought I'd done my pacing well but cramp set in at 30miles and I faded fast not being able to push the pedals, finished in just over 1:50 in the end off 250ish watts (first 30miles at 275W and last 20miles at 215W ).

Cracking time that especially given your cramping. I saw that neary half the entered field were DNS which I was surprised about although the football in the evening may have contributed to that. My official time was 3s faster that I had it.

For my sins I have entered a 100m on 25th July on D100/6A - want to get a benchmark time in at each of the distances and then put some plans together to get a bit more consistent and faster. Someone earlier in the thread said it is addictive - I'm hooked!

Good luck with the 100. No chance you'd find me doing that. I seriously debated doing a 50 ever again after Sunday I think I'll probably enter the Congleton 50 though on the same course as last Sunday given that's who I ride for.

[TheGriffter]

Well - 100 mile TT done and baseline time set. The good news is that there is quite a large room for improvement with me coming in at 05:17:29

Given I did the first 50 miles only 90seconds slower that my 50m PB (2:22) that should have set alarm bells ringing, but I had sneakily hoped to keep a 20+mph average getting me in at 4:XX:YY

There was a period from 70 - 90 miles that I really struggled to get into my aero position as I felt like I was going to be sick - consequently ended up riding on the base bars for a fair while using more watts, but slower speed

But.........I really enjoyed it and despite coming 37th (out of 37 starters) I'm going to see how much improvement I can make

[HelenT]

TheGriffter said:

Well - 100 mile TT done and baseline time set. The good news is that there is quite a large room for improvement with me coming in at 05:17:29

Given I did the first 50 miles only 90seconds slower that my 50m PB (2:22) that should have set alarm bells ringing, but I had sneakily hoped to keep a 20+mph average getting me in at 4:XX:YY

There was a period from 70 - 90 miles that I really struggled to get into my aero position as I felt like I was going to be sick - consequently ended up riding on the base bars for a fair while using more watts, but slower speed

But.........I really enjoyed it and despite coming 37th (out of 37 starters) I'm going to see how much improvement I can make

I was number 12, well done on getting round your first 100, we a lucky in Shropshire to normally have two hundreds (COVID and roadworks permitting), the Anfield 100 is a classic not as flat as the SCCA but a more interesting course. My partner was taking photos on Sunday you should find one of you here https://www.flickr.com/photos/142762212@N02/albums...

[louiebaby]

What's noticeable from the pictures above is the wide range of gear, ages and skinny-ness from the competitors. TT-ing is very inclusive, and it really is a test against yourself. Every time I've been to one I've been greeted warmly and people have helped me pin my my number on, etc.

Seeing the Men's TT this morning you'd think it would be the opposite in a way. The focussed internal suffering and pain of trying to get the best out of yourself physically seems to bring out the best in people when it comes to personality. It's certainly how I've seen it at my local events anyway.

I'd encourage anyone who likes cycling to have a go.

(Also well done to the 100 mile folk.)

[okgo]

Open Time Trials are absolutely a race of two parts, those racing themselves, and those racing to win (there's probably less than ten of the latter in any given field). In a normal TT field of perhaps 100 riders, a rider capable of winning an Open will already know within a couple of places where they're going to finish barring disaster, and very often know the win is in the bag, just a case of how much by. Strange in that sense. The pro TT's are very very different in that regard.

I'm hoping I can get back onto the TT bike (aka fit into my old skinsuit) later this year but in the last 3 years or so the game has moved on considerably in the aero side of things.

[TheGriffter]

HelenT said:

I was number 12, well done on getting round your first 100, we a lucky in Shropshire to normally have two hundreds (COVID and roadworks permitting), the Anfield 100 is a classic not as flat as the SCCA but a more interesting course. My partner was taking photos on Sunday you should find one of you here https://www.flickr.com/photos/142762212@N02/albums...

Hi Helen, Thanks for the link - they are fantastic photos. Got to say the event, people and everyone was really enjoyable.

From looking at the photos (I am photo 3 - planet X bike, red jersey, yellow arm warmers, massive tool bag on bike etc.), I am quite surprised.

My bike is a road bike that I changed to a TT base bar and extensions a while ago, but to my untrained eye it appears quite small and that I am sitting back further than I expected, i.e. not really rotated forward. I'm 6ft and the bike is a Planet X Nanolight - would welcome any comments, either constructive, funny or otherwise

Cheers

[AyBee]

TheGriffter said:

Hi Helen, Thanks for the link - they are fantastic photos. Got to say the event, people and everyone was really enjoyable.

From looking at the photos (I am photo 3 - planet X bike, red jersey, yellow arm warmers, massive tool bag on bike etc.), I am quite surprised.

My bike is a road bike that I changed to a TT base bar and extensions a while ago, but to my untrained eye it appears quite small and that I am sitting back further than I expected, i.e. not really rotated forward. I'm 6ft and the bike is a Planet X Nanolight - would welcome any comments, either constructive, funny or otherwise

Cheers

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!