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https://www.cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/race-details/25517
I assume talk of KOMs is tongue in cheek. I darent find out what my watt per kg or FTP is tbh, never mind actually have a target beyond a loose time. I’d be more than happy to set off strong-ish and aim for a faster second half. But truth be told, I’m not experienced enough on a bike to really know what any level of effort feels like. And my only training is a hilly 11 mile commute on a fixed a couple times a week, lol (building up a decent list of excuses is a decent part of my strategy of course).I know from fell running that race day always helps you to focus and try harder. Just don’t know exactly what that will feel like on the bike. And I’ve signed up for a 75 mile sportive the weekend before. Not mad miles by any stretch of the imagination, but probably enough to put some tiredness in the system (excuse number 2).
As for conditions chat, it seems to be the opposite of fell running. Even if it was blowing a hoolie with sideways hail and sleet, “it wasn’t that bad”. Still, I’ll happily come back and repeat any excuses I can pick up on the day ;)
The other issue is that if the bits for my TT cockpit down turn up in time, do I just use my extensions on my drops, or try and change to the road bike category? Still reckon I’d have more fun on the extensions regardless. Worse yet I could bork my bike at the sportive and have to do the TT on my fixed commuter. Ah so many excuses - I can’t fail!
Nef-
Pacing is the key thing with TTs, and knowing what you can hold consistently is crucial. That knowledge will come with time though, the more TT events (at the same distance) you do, the better attuned to your ability/numbers you'll become.
Power meters are obviously king, then Heart Rate monitors. They'll give you objective numbers (assuming you've done a test to calculate your FTP or worked out your HR zones from you Max HR). After that, you can use Rate of Perceived Exertion to score how hard you're working.
One really basic and easy method to gauge effort is to be constantly asking yourself 'Can I hold this pace for another X miles to the finish?'
- If your answer is 'no', then you're going too fast.
- If your answer is 'yes', then you're not going quick enough.
- If your answer is 'Oh god, I don't know, this hurts, stop asking questions', then you're probably going just about right.
- If your answer is 'no', then you're going too fast.
Phil44
what course have you entered and have you looked at the Strava kom for it to give you an idea of power/speed that might be achievable??
In my experience a number on your back usually adds at least a couple of miles per hour as does the careful course design of most Uk time trial courses in that they maximise traffic, straight lines and minimise elevation, in my first 25 I headed out aiming to break the hour and was flabbergasted when I came home in around 56 minutes.
My best piece of advice for tts is that the better the day, (favourable wind, road traffic and atmospheric conditions) the more you’ll hear from the experienced hands that it was a “tough day”, the categorisation of “float day” (ie perfect) is much like gaining sainthood and takes at least a couple of years to be decided… this doesn’t help with the actual riding though!