Time Trial / Time Trialling / TT

I did a solo unsupported 24-hour ride this weekend as it was the last opportunity with a full moon before it gets too cold at night. PB'd with 514km which I am super happy with as I was aiming for 500km. Did London-Newcastle. Had some very low points, was riding through thick fog for all of the night and most of the morning so got a bit damp and cold. Hardly took any breaks, just kept rolling. Legs a bit sore on the commute this morning (less than 24 hours after finishing lol)!

strava.com/activities/402017671

yes because it was the advice they got that got them there...

did my first hc at the weekend up leith hill.

Did the course in 4:47, placed somewhere low middle I think, need to look but mainly it was just to get a time down.

In true rookie form I went out way too hard and watched as my power fell as I buried myself in agony. Smashed power records from 1min through to 4:47 though so wasnt all bad.

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Advice on aerodynamics, yes. Neither of them would have won what they did if they hadn't benefited from years of someone else's experience.
N.b. There's nothing wrong with that. People were moaning about Bussell getting free aero coach sessions whilst forgetting just how many hours Bottrill has had in the tunnel for free.

Thanks for the advice, all. I agree @Sainsburys_Ed, I can't really make up my mind whether to wear one or not as the only TT I did before was on my old winter bike, clip on bars and the biggest aerodynamic nod was taping my jersey pockets shut and when a mate from the club and I both were between 21-22 minutes (not bragging, honest), it felt good given how many skinsuits and TT rigs were warming up in the carpark.

@clubman I've not been put off by the equipment aspect of it at all really, as it seems obvious that you get as fast as your legs will allow you before starting to get the gear that will make the little differences. My clubmate had an aero helmet and shoe covers, so I was guessing that for £50 + £15 I could get some 'free' speed for not loads of money - it'll be the same winter bike with normal alloy wheels at the weekend. I guess @hippy makes sense that there's no point in getting gear until position is locked down - my thinking was that I will probably get a helmet and the rest at some point, so if there's a cheap one going then why wait..

I think we are agreeing with each other here, and I'm not disputing this but if they had turned up on their grannies road bike from 1954 they would have still been up towards the pointy end of the field, the fact is that Steve and Xav spotted talent and didn't tell them to do a few more races on their road bikes as they should get some experience under their belt, they encouraged them and spent some significant time to make sure they were on a par aerodynamically with those with those who have "served their apprenticeship" perhaps there is a lesson to be learnt (unless the aim is to limit the field to just those who have spent years perfecting their time trialling craft...)

Ah yeah, I get you.

Buying fancy kit is nice, I fully endorse doing so whatever your level is. There's always someone going slower on more expensive kit and vice versa.

Just make sure buying decisions are well informed and sensible, don't spunk a grand on a disc when you could buy a top end skinsuit, helmet and aerocoach session for the same cost but save you way more.

Nice one. Got any more planned?

Thought I'd ask on here:
Tadros' hill killer (supersix 1 x 10, carbon + alu everything, 4.2 Kg). Does any one have a couple of pictures of it?

I hate Leith as an HC. I've done it twice and never felt happy with it.
It shouldn't be too complicated, but I've never "got" it.
(still a noob)

No, but I'd like to. He has some lovely bikes, and a nice guy to boot.

I nearly asked to pick it up on Sunday. Thought better of it. It would have meant a lifetime of disappointment.

My bike feels like nothing to pick up, couldn't imagine it being 1.5kg lighter with gears

It was just under 5kg last time I saw it, I suspect he's changed the wheels, might have time to nip over the road and take a pic at the weekend.

It has made me think about it all again.

*Do I really want to build something similar?*

Obviously, the answer here is no. It's an extravagant expense.

Pete's wallet is also 1.5kg lighter, if that weight is expressed in £50 notes..... It is worth bearing in mind that he weighs sod all himself, when I first met him it was 11 stone plus, this is not an accident!

Do it.

@hippy help me source the bits at low cost.

Find Tadros's shopping list.

I feel a bit guilty having a reasonably light bike given I'm 73kg. But given how most people who've beaten me at HCs have been <65kg I'll take everything I can get!

What's your current build?

cannondale frame
zip ties instead of bolts
CARBONZ everything.

Aliexpress yeah?

Standard CAAD 10.

Nothing special.
The week before I put my Nelson up for sale 2 years ago, I thought "this would be an ace HC bike". Then I thought "nah".

99g eBay carbon saddle best g/£, followed by old tub rims with Sapim lasers and light eBay hubs. 38mm carbon rims if you're tarty.