Time Trial / Time Trialling / TT

Nice one. When I first rode the event during my debut TT season I read advice from the previous editions of the race and turned up with 'only' 47x14. The following year and, in better shape, I used 47x15. First lap it felt spot on, but a mechanical early on lap 2 ended my race early.

My first TT using tri bars, borrowed pointy hat and borrowed disc wheel. I used 48 x 15 and did 25.55 on a windy evening (E2).

I couldn't slam my bars any lower due to my stomach getting in the way but did managed to stay on the tri bars all the way round.

Got knocked off by a caravan during the following week's evening TT (typical - fast night - wind was still as a still thing) and broke my hip/pelvis etc. Just getting back on the bike now.

Pic courtesy of Davey Jones (baby Jesus)

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I think I read about your accident on TTF. Glad to hear you're getting better.

Maybe raise your saddle marginally, and either move your extensions forward a touch (even gripping them on the very end will be a start) or get a slightly longer stem. That way you might clear a bit more room in your trunk area to be able to lower the base bar.

#notanexpert

This event was nearly cancelled due to lack of support, and even though we had rather a small field reading Big H's post encourages me to think we weren't wasting our time.

I think the first thing to say here is that, for a novice, this was going in at the deep end. Most of us started with a 10 on standard sort of course. My own very first TT was a hill climb, which at least had the merit of being very short. Saturday's event was inevitably going to be tough - it was meant to be since it was originally run in the year the Ron Brown 100 was cancelled and was intended as a small replacement. Attempting to race on fixed over any course described as 'sporting' is obviously not going to be easy.

So there's really no reason to make excuses, whether 'lame ' or not. One thing that does come across from Big H's post is that, typically for a beginner, he gives more thought to equipment than he should. I know his attitude is perfectly normal and probably natural considering that the cycling press generally has to publish articles to please their advertisers, but the fact is that in the early stages of a racing career, especially in time trialling, kit isn't very important. In fact the more basic the machine, the better, since the way to maintain enthusiasm ( according to Martyn Roach, a rider's greatest asset) is gradual improvement, and this is where improving equipment does have its place. However at first what's needed is basic fitness (just ride a lot!) and enough experience to enable good pace judgement.

Back the post above, it's worth mentioning that these pictures were taken in the last couple of miles and I notice that Big H is maintaining quite a good position in spite of being tired.

I don't know who the vet with the noisy disc was, but probably Nic Stagg who again showed excellent form by reducing his own course record (for fixed) to 1.4.59. The absolute record is still held by that very talented time triallist Nic Hutchins (CS Grupetto), but he was riding a modern TT machine with any number of gears and even then he only managed a slightly shorter '4'.

So far as I could tell the next morning in the Redmon, none of the 'fire ' had been drained from Mr. Stagg's legs, but more of this in another post.

Kind words Chris, cheers

Good to hear that Nic's back on a bike after he was knocked off on the F11 earlier this year.

Cheers for your kind words mate.

Thanks for all the responses people :-) Will def be attending some once the season starts again, with some better shoes at least eh @hippy ;-) The only thing is the early starts and finding ways to get out to some them but that would just need a lot of research alongside not going out the night before. Pretty excited for the new season to be honest.

Some very wise words from clubman, upping fitness and judgement of pace I will be over the winter for sure. Might have to set myself a couple of 10 targets. Really its only a couple months until the new season so expect to see me about on some of the less sporting circuits in the near future haha

The only thing is the early starts

There are plenty of Saturday afternoon events

Might have to set myself a couple of 10 targets.

Any Boxing Day or New Years Day 10's around that you can target?

Thanks Sam

I'll be experimenting (although after my accident I'll be a bit wary of TT'ing on roads again).

Best way to clear room is for me to lose weight!

01/01/2016 10M Q10/10 10:00 NS IE Southborough & District Wheelers (Entries close 5/12/2015) - 10M £8.00

01/01/2016 10M R10/9 13:00 IE Tan Cardiff 100 Miles RCC - 10M £10.00

01/01/2016 10M R10/9 13:00 IE Cardiff 100 Miles RCC( 2-up TTT) - 10M Fee per rider. Each Rider must enter. £10.00

Probably going to enter the Southborough 10 and ride the fixed gear bike, course is fairly flat with one small hill so perfect for fixed.

The Farnborough & Camberley have a Xmas 10 on H10/8 on 19th December, starting at 10a.m. Out and back course, flat, apart from a little drag by the Hen & Chickens P.H. You need to enter using a CTT form as it's an "open" event (as opposed to a club event, which you rode on Saturday, these can be entered o.t.l.) you need to enter 2 weeks in advance (you can enter on-line) event organiser is D. Ashton, 6 Minley Close, Cove, Farnborough, Hampshire, GU14 9RT, £10 entry fee. Regards

I just emailed him re this incidentally, as I'd like an end of season test to see where my fitness is at prior to the mince pie fest the following week. I take it you need something from here: http://www.cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/Documents ?

You do, I always enter by post, I'm stuck in the 1980's! I'll enter it, I do every year, just hope it's not freezing as their predicting. See you there.

I'll be at the H10/8, aiming for as short a 21 as I can manage. Last year I did a 22 on training wheels and it was certainly a bit chilly!

See you there, I'll be riding 93" fixed, hope it's not too cold!

Gah - Magura RT6 brakes wont fit my Exocet2 - anyone want a pair?

How do they not fit? Can they be adapted?

I still need to get rid of my Shiv TriRig brakes - probably should clean them up and list on TTF.

The top of the rear brake hits the seattube - tbh I am not 100% surprised as their isn't a huge amount of room there..

Exocet2

Ah, yeah, just had a look. Mine is under the BB so don't have that issue.

Could you run a longer bolt to move them further back?

it would need to be comedy long.... I reckon it would need to be spaced out by about 30-40mm to clear properly....

Ah, forget it then. That bike isn't really built for centre pull brakes is it?

No - think I will just stick with a regular brake on the rear at least.