Time Trial / Time Trialling / TT

Not my part of the world other than spending lots of time in there in helicopters for work back in the 90s. The only warning is that at this time of the year the weather could be really variable. Could have an early cold front or still be like summer with heat and humidity in the stupid range. Could also have hail and rain and possible tornadoes. That's the southern end of the great plains so all kinds of stuff could be happening.

You'd get a great welcome and the course should be pretty flat in the grand scheme of things.

I just saw 'Texas' and thought of you. This year has been run but maybe next year?

Don't see why you couldn't. Register now and kill it later if you need to. Dallas is OK and can be good fun. Stick around and see if the Rangers or Cowboys are playing or just shop and then refuel on stupidly large amounts of steak.

Is this an invitation to go and help translate?

Tstr y u no club HC? Won it, but there was only 4 other riders and one dropped out after the first hill.

Tstr y u no club HC?

I did actually get bike, clothes and alarm clock ready to come out and watch, but in the end even that was more than I fancied taking on, I'm prioritising getting over a cold.

Hehe it's more just me thinking out loud. Going to races seems like a good way to travel and then indulge afterwards with a bit less guilt than usual. "What's that sir? Looks like you need 10000 calories, stat!"
If I did decide to go next year I'd probably hit you up for some 'must see' bits of Texas.
The US seems to have way more silly long endurance races so it might be my new hunting ground.

I rode past some dudes yesterday about to start a HC near Goring Hill I think it was. #csb

We have more space, are happy to close roads and carry guns. It'll be like a 24 hour Death Race 2000 tt.

I see you doing well in that type of event.

I'd be careful, hippy in TT mode would look a bit like this to unwary Texan hunters:

Sounds awesome!

applies camo facepaint

I wish I could get my head that low...

I Havn't actually. Barely rode any TTs this year to be honest, few club events and 10s on the U7b (slow and horrible) will try to get to an event there next year.

Repping the luffguss HC cap and@Borek giving me some "encouragement" on the Bath CC hc on sunday after he smashed it up the hill and looked decidedly unwell....

Cool.

Anyone who doesn't look unwell after a hill climb isn't trying.

Indeed. I foolishly hadn't ridden the hill beforehand and so for some reason thought it was about 300m longer than it actually was... so consequently looked pretty much fine after finishing....

I've got the club HC on Sunday. Unfortunately I've put back on all the weight I lost this year and I have to get a 9hr TT session in before or after so either way this weekend is not looking fun.

National HC now closed and with 265 entries + late callers apparently! That's the biggest entry I can remember for a while.

Probably not ideal for fixed because of the faster sections but I'm going to do it on fixed anyway, my bike is nearly <5.5kg so might as well.

#rep

@xavierdisley Got any pics?

(of the bike...)

The Cervelo is circa 7.5kg but with a Powertap in the back. For the L*ngster I need to find a hub to build into a Wolber Profil front wheel with Sapims which should weigh <550g and take another 200g off, and the stem is 100g too heavy as well. Perhaps a DA chain as it's all 3/32" kit, another 50g or so I would have thought, the rest is all pretty maxed out

Is there much to be gained with 3/32" over 1/8" for HC?

Isn't the weight saved quite modest compared with the extra torque going through the drive?

I suppose the fact you've made that choice answers my question, but I'd be interested to know what you took into consideration.

the extra torque going through the drive?

People on geared bikes are putting the same force through their chains, and bending them sideways at the same time. Chain tension is a function of crankshaft torque and chainring size, and Xav doesn't look to have gone for a microdrive set up

Just passing this on from the TT forum for any ancient testers who aren't members over there.

Paul Bennett R.I.P.

I rode against Paul Bennett back in the 1980s, in my first time around and his second. Back then I was a skinny teenager, and I still couldn't beat him. What I didn't realise then was that he was blazing a trail for people who grew into naturally gifted descenders, one which many of us have followed.

But with a geared bike you set-off with a lower ratio than you would fixed.

If 3/32" is adequate for a HC start, then why bother with 1/8"?

HC have got to be more demanding than, eg, regular road use.

On my regular track sprint and pursuit bikes I run KMC Z610Hx 3/32" chains, never had a problem with them and I'm a big lad. It's mainly because all my kit is 3/32" (a combo of old British Cycling team Blackspire chainrings and DA 3/32" sprockets) but I wouldn't be averse to using 1/8" kit in the future.

The KMC 610 is what I've got on the HC bike above, moving to DA will save a bit of weight over that (and loads over a 1/8" chain) and it's unlikely to break - I've ridden DA 9spd chains on fixed in the past without issues.

I've got a 25t rear 3/32" sprocket which was a bit of a find, the RST Sport/Aero-Coach top womens hillclimber and I ordered one each from Aus off eBay! We're both on ~41" give or take (she has 34x22 and I'm on 38x25), but she has the option to gear down for nationals if necessary.