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You aleady have a TT bike - the one you rode on Saturday.
I think it's a big mistake to try to have the best possible bike before you start racing - it leaves you with no excuses and nothing to look forward to. However brilliant your racing career is going to be, you will not start off by beating the established stars - it takes time to learn how to race.
It's interesting that you have been a rower. I've come across quite a few ex rowers who have done well in bike racing. I reported on last year's Victor Berlemont Road Race (the longest and best National B race in the south of England) and two out of the top three (including the winner) were former rowers.
Time trialling is the easy route to start racing, although anyone with talent and ambition should really think about moving on to road racing fairly soon.
If you (or anyone else) would like to ride my club's Good Friday 25 on the West of Windsor course (not that much further than Staines) please send me a p.m. and I'll give you all the information you need.
clubman-
I agree with regards to the bike, but luckily there's no risk of me getting the 'best possible' bike anytime soon - I can't afford that. I just need something that's independent from my commuting bike, doesn't carry mudguards, and will not keep me from getting to work in case I crash it. Not sure I'll get into actual road racing, for example I'm not sure the strategy element of it is what I'm looking for. As I said, I'll see how it goes! For now, I'm just enjoying my bike rides. :)
SwissChap
Thank you, especially for the quick help with a spanner when my chain dropped! (I did carry the tools I needed, but getting stuff out of those roll-up saddle bags and putting them back takes absolute ages - especially with cold fingers. So this made the process a lot faster)
Regarding the gear ratio, it is definitely on the high side for this ride as I noticed up the steepest part of the hills! I actually did think at some point I'd have to get off but then some better climbers passed me which gave me some extra determination...
I'll see about racing, it's not something I've been thinking too much about so far, though I am not against the idea. I am currently trying to build up a TT bike, and I'll see whether that might lead into it.
Eager to see the pictures in any case!