Time Trial / Time Trialling / TT

Hounslow Autumn Club 25.

Wouter Sybrandy may be the only cyclist who thinks of the Tour of Britain as          “ good preparation for the club 25” , but when I spoke to him after last Sunday’s Autumn Club 25 (26th September) he attributed his stunning 53 minute 45 second ride to his experience in the Tour. This time is a course and event record.

In spite of his successes in prestigious road races, Wouter still has a soft spot for the humble club time trial. Since starting as a novice in 2006 he has competed in eight Hounslow club 25’s, and these rides have given him one fourth place, one second and six victories. In this time he has gone from ‘promising’ to another planet.

In second place with 57.45 was Nic Stagg. This ride would have shone brilliantly had it not been rather overshadowed by the winner’s time. Fifty seven minute rides have been done on this sporting course in the past but they are rare, especially on blustery days in late September. Nic does not have the luxury of being a full time bike rider and had only finished a shift at one a.m. that morning.

First handicap went to Simon Wroxley with a promising (actual) time of 1.6.59. We are sure Simon is capable of further improvement.

Jeff Marshall’s 1.3.52 gave him the veterans’ standard award – it’s noteworthy that this also gave him second place in the handicap section, which is unusual for a rider of his seniority.

The event attracted nineteen Hounslow members and 9 riders from other clubs. Wouter Sybrandy is a second claim Hounslow member – he rides as a professional for Sigma Sport.

Result:

1. Wouter Sybrandy 53.45
   
2. Nic Stagg 57.45
   
3. Paul Holdsworth 58.29
   
4. Rob Gilmour 1.00.40
   
5. Roger Sewell 1.03 09
   
6. Brent Skinner 1.03.40
   
7. Jeff Marshall 1.03.52
   
8. Mark Silver 1.04.57
   
9. Simon Wroxley 1.06.59
   
10. Dave George 1.07.13
    
    
    

This report was written for the local papers. It does not mention that there was only limited fixed gear interest. MDCC tester rode (as a PTT which is why he doesn't show in the result) and did 1.06.02. and although this may not sound great to you as you sit in the warm at your computer screens, I can tell you that it wasn't that easy a day, and that this course is 'challenging' for anyone on fixed.
The amount of effort needed to produce that six would comfortably have yielded a fifty nine on a good course with a reasonable day.