Time Trial / Time Trialling / TT

Thing is it would be quite convenient for me to take the week beginning 6th of June off work and smash out a big week of miles (missus is out of the country). However, the Newbury 12 I was planning on riding is on the Sunday of that week (12th). Obviously I don't really want a big week of training right before the 12, hence wondering about other 12s.

Kent seems very fixed friendly. Slower, but I'm not too worried about that's it's my first.

Yes.

It was my first too. It wasn't a gentle lover...

How was it?

Ah

Grim. Like every other 12hr I've done.

I was thinking of doing it again though, I reckon I could improve my course best a lot and I'm not doing Newbury again this year.

Could you entourage be persuaded to throw bottles at another person?

Oh they'll be throwing them at you alright.

Actually, maybe I should race the Welsh one this year..

what date is your 12?

Well that's the question - either Newbury on the 12th of June or Kent on the 21st of August.

Ah, not around for either. Or I'd have helped. Soz.

And Scherrits face next to hippys, gold!

Ah no worries - thanks anyway

I'm also not getting on with this, so offered up here. Cobb V Flow Plus Saddle. £60 posted or less collected.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/42119852@N03/shares/p9Y2a7

Yes, I rode it in 2011 and 2012. I did not cover myself with glory, but I did win a club championship (although only because no one else rode a twelve in that year).

The first year I rode there were marshalling problems (as Hippy can confirm) but these were caused by unforeseen roadworks and I think the organisers did well not to cancel the event altogether. Generally I'd say the organisation was excellent - the promoter then was Esther Carpenter who is very experienced and highly competent, but was threatening to retire. I don't know what the position will be this year.

The course is mostly flat, but it is exposed to wind off the sea. For this reason it's probably unlikely to be a comp. record course, but if you're going to spend a whole day on your bike I'd say it's a lot more pleasant to be on the Kent marshes than riding endlessly up and down the A31.

I'd recommend the event to anyone, but I think it's especially suitable for a first attempt at the distance.

The Hounslow expects all members to help at our events, but we do feel that our riders who are competing seriously should not be called on to do much marshalling.

Earlier today I had a conversation with some people who are from another side of my life and have nothing to do with cycling, although they are of my geriatric age group. They complained of exactly the same problems with other community groups (eg residents) in which they are involved.

This conversation supports a growing suspicion of mine that my demographic may be the last which is prepared to give its time freely to group activities. I very much hope I'm wrong about this.

If we had to pay professional organisers (and marshals) how much would it cost to enter a 25? I guess a starting figure would be at least £100.

This conversation supports a growing suspicion of mine that my demographic may be the last which is prepared to give its time freely to group activities. I very much hope I'm wrong about this.

You probably are wrong. You look at young people and don't see them being willing to help. 50 years ago, the old timers looked at the youth and saw them unwilling to help. In 50 years time, the people who seem unwilling to help now will be the ones organising everything and complaining that the youth aren't pulling their weight.

If we had to pay professional organisers (and marshals) how much would it cost to enter a 25? I guess a starting figure would be at least £100.

Getting a dozen people out for two hours early on a Sunday morning should be possible with a budget of £1200, that's £10 per rider for a full field on top of the usual entry fee.

@hippy, ditch your P2M woes and buy this. I'll take your redundant Zipp as a referral payment.

there were marshalling problems (as Hippy can confirm)

Haha yeah, well it's just like me to add a few miles to a race for no reason but as Tester has pointed out on numerous occasions it's still up to the rider to know the course, marshals or no. That race would've been my first podium in an Open I think, had I not spent 30min off course.

I would like to go back and give it another go, it's definitely more interesting than the A31. It was always scheduled with one of the other 12hrs which I thought was daft given there's only 4-5 in the year! If I can fit it around other events I will try and hit it but it might have to wait until next year.

I'm too deep into this Hollowgram (Hollowfuckingpromises more like) debacle to quit now.

Other than wider rim, I don't see what that HED offers over my current wheel with covers.

Exicted to ride some time trials.

Entered a 50! On the 14th may. Should be a good un. On my favourite course, the e2!

Enjoy the return to the A roads.

I'll hopefully be deep in Bryan Chapman...

erm...

the Bryan Chapman Memorial 600k

Ha! Very different training methords ;)

It's the club hill climb tomorrow.

I am filled with dread.

It's october already? Man I lost a few months somewhere.