Time Trial / Time Trialling / TT

Speak for yourself!

I've fucking beaten him - 25% faster!!! True story. (not really his type of event though)

I was his middle man in a 7k TT once. Shot past me at around 5k like a missile. A bit scary.

I really like his columns. One recently about him wrecking his house made me laugh a lot. It reminded me of this:

YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.

It's in German but you get the idea.

No prizes for guessing who won then! Herding the deer off the roads at 5.45 this morning was an interesting experience...

What's the benchmark for 10.4 miles round RP then? A short 20?

22.38 - tho finish was up at Pen Ponds car park, so there was altitude gain - would have suited you... First fixed 28.37. First road bike 24.59 (Tom from Prologue - ex Polish professional). First female 26.43 (Charlotte Blackman - elite racer).

Perfect weather for it - I wonder if he'd go quicker next time, knowing the course. Is he riding No.2?

Not sure he would - chatting afterwards, he said that the 90 degree turns made it tough - 5 of them not including the dead turn. Cameron Austin, who is a Cat 1 racer who won the prelude race at the Smithfield Nocturne, was off 1 min or so in front of him - he said that after he had come past, he was able to take back 20 yards going round the corners. Having said all that, I don't think he has done much for a while.

Re the second event, I don't know - long way for him to come for an early start, although I reckon he was probably staying with friends in London. I'm guessing he wont be.

A few pictures from the RP tt:

The winner of the road bike category:

Cameron Austin going round Roehamption Gate roundabout (nb see comment ^^):

The Hutch going round the same roundabout:

Wilo - Can you enter on the line for the next one or is it pre entry?

No entries on the line (Royal Parks do not allow payments to be made within the boundaries of the park). I believe that as of this morning it is full, but if you want to ride fixed I may be able to pull a string - you need to let me know fast tho...

I do! Please but geared on a road bike???

Nice write up in Cycling Weekly today about the Richmond TT's.

Hopefully these will become a regualar fixture next year?

How did yesterday's TT go?

Quite possibly entering a 10 next Saturday on a fairly flat course, and interested in giving it a go fixed.

I've already set up the bike for the track day next month with an 88" gear (47x14, I think a 15 sprocket would have gear too spinny for HH, and I can't afford to cock around buying new chain rings). Using a bit of math, pushing that gear at 90rpm gives me a time of 25 dead for the 10 miles. I've only got bullhorns, and only running a front brake, but that satisfies the rules, doesn't it?

The last time I did a TT was 3 years ago and I recorded 26m30 on an undulating course, but I do feel that I am a bit fitter now.

So the question is, am I biting off nore than I can chew, and should I just ride this TT using the road bike (with standard drops)?

Cheers
Sam

Try it and see? You're used to riding fixed so that won't surprise you, a 90" gear (which is what 47x14 gives you) is not too big so I doubt you'll be over geared. Spin it like a bastard and see how you get on. :-)

am I biting off nore than I can chew, and should I just ride this TT using the road bike (with standard drops)?

Your more likely to be faster on the road bike with gears and a more aero position available.
But then is the finishing time the real important factor here?
Personally I'd like to try a few fixed TT's, partly because I love riding fixed, but mostly because there's less to think about.
Get aero, and get spinning.

I am trying to read the CTT website and getting well confused. Can someone answer some simple questions that I should've used the fucking search for please?

1. when does the season start?
   
2. I just read something about needing to be a member of a cc to do time trials, is this right?
   
3. are they all mixed unless otherwise stated?
   
   

merci

1. The season never really ends. Usually the first events of the year are in January and February and are on slower, tougher courses. Events are run through to October/November with some 'fun' events at Christmas.

2. Some events are open to non-cycling club members but usually being a member of an CTT affiliated club is required.

3. Most events have a separate prize list for women but they are run as mixed events.

Hmmm, I'm not really a big fan of suck it and see, so might take the bike to the flatlands of Kent behind Paddock Wood early Saturday to give it a trial run.

Still would like to know the rules of fixed TTs and amount of brakes required. What about bullhorns? Ok to use?

Yes, I know. UTFS.

Same rules as an ordinary fixed. One front brake and bull bars is fine.

Bullhorns are ok - you need to be able to access your brake lever from the widest part of your bars, so a Dirty Harry in the middle is no good.

Rules here:

www.cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/AboutCTT/OrganiserInfo/Regulations/tabid/79/Default.aspx

Extract:

1. Competitor’s Machine
   Every competitor must ensure that his machine is so constructed, equipped and maintained as to be capable of being ridden on the road safely at all times and in all conditions. The riding position shall be set so that the competitor has good forward vision when in a competitive position. In particular but without prejudice to the general principles of this regulation:
   
   
   

• Brake levers must be secured to the handlebars in such a position as to enable the competitor to readily apply both brakes whilst holding the handlebars at their widest point. The width of handlebars shall be no less than 35 cms.
  
• On tricycles and tandem tricycles, two brakes may operate on the front wheel but otherwise the braking systems must operate independently on both front and rear wheels.
  
• Bicycles with a fixed wheel shall have a left hand threaded locking device securing the fixed sprocket. Similarly, tricycles with a fixed wheel shall have a suitable locking device or alternatively shall include an integral system as part of the design. Machines with fixed wheel require only a brake operating on the front wheel(s).
  

• Machines fitted with triathlon handlebars and derivations thereof which have forearm supports, or Spinacci type handlebars without forearm supports, may be used provided that when the rider adopts a competitive position on these bars:-

• The wrists are no lower than the elbows.

• The point of the elbow joint is no more than 3cm in front of a line extended through the centre of the machine’s head tube.

• The height from the ground to the forearm resting position is no less than 80% of the height of the saddle from the ground.

• Tyres shall be in good condition and tubular tyres shall be securely attached to the rims.

• Disc wheels or spoked wheels fitted with covers may be used only on the rear of a machine.

• Deep section rims, tri-spoke and wheels of a similar design may be used. The front wheel must have at least 45% of the surface area open.

• The use of recumbent machines, protective shields, windbreaks or other means of reducing air resistance is prohibited.

N.B. The “tuck” position is banned because the National Committee believes that its widespread use will not be in the interests of the safety of riders and the welfare of the sport.

How did yesterday's TT go?

Very well thank you, apart from a very early start. Blessed by perfect weather, and lots of new faces into the sport which is good.

Thanks for that, willo.