What level would I need to be at?

nathan_peace
nathan_peace Posts: 4
edited July 2009 in Amateur race
I would be keen to join a club and enter some races, but i am not sure that i would be good/fit enough. What sort of speeds would the lowest level TT rides average? and what would be a typical distance?

thanks for any advice
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Comments

  • Gavin Gilbert
    Gavin Gilbert Posts: 4,019
    Don't worry about how fit or fast you are, any club worth their salt will encourage you to have a go at racing.

    If it's TT your interested in then the obvious target is a 10 mile event, or maybe even a 25.

    Whereabouts are you located?
  • nathan_peace
    nathan_peace Posts: 4
    I am in scunthorpe, which is in Lincolnshire.
  • Gavin Gilbert
    Gavin Gilbert Posts: 4,019
    Otherside of the country to me so I can't direct you towards anyone. Hopefully someone more local will be along soon...
  • Mettan
    Mettan Posts: 2,103
    nathan_peace wrote:
    I would be keen to join a club and enter some races, but i am not sure that i would be good/fit enough. What sort of speeds would the lowest level TT rides average? and what would be a typical distance?

    thanks for any advice

    For a club 10, a first aim (for an enthusiast) would be 30 mins (thats a 20 mph avg) - doesn't matter though - many new riders might be doing ~ 35 - 40 mins for the 10 (which is perfectly respectable for a new rider). Regards Road racing, the standards are very high - if you want to finish, you'd end up with a ~ 22-24 mph avg over 40-50 miles (dependent on race of course - some circuit races are shorter).

    Best just, join a club, get a bit of training in, then consider doing a club 10 TT - doesnt matter about the time, but you'll learn alot in your first TT. If a club's a bit full-on, you could always do Sportives and Charity rides this year and look towards something else next year - just options.
  • nathan_peace
    nathan_peace Posts: 4
    Thanks for the advice
  • SBezza
    SBezza Posts: 2,173
    On our club TT events, in a 10 TT times range from 21mins to 35 mins, so everyone is catered for. Don't think people will laugh and the like, this doesn't happen.

    Most club events would be 10 miles, and normally you don't need to be a member of the club to take part in them.

    As mentioned above a good target time is 30 mins so an average of 20mph, for a 10, but some people don't do this. They still enjoy it just the same.

    Just give it a try.
  • Airwave
    Airwave Posts: 483
    Most club TT are very inclusive,you will feel part of it straight away.You just turn up do your best.It.s not so much the time you do as the feeling you've done your best effort that really makes you smile. :lol:
    TT photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/steverob/
  • RChung
    RChung Posts: 163
    nathan_peace wrote:
    I would be keen to join a club and enter some races, but i am not sure that i would be good/fit enough. What sort of speeds would the lowest level TT rides average? and what would be a typical distance?
    As long as you can ride a bike you'll be good enough. However, this may help to put certain speeds into perspective:

    x2vrjr.jpg
  • sheffsimon
    sheffsimon Posts: 1,282
    RChung wrote:
    nathan_peace wrote:
    I would be keen to join a club and enter some races, but i am not sure that i would be good/fit enough. What sort of speeds would the lowest level TT rides average? and what would be a typical distance?
    As long as you can ride a bike you'll be good enough. However, this may help to put certain speeds into perspective:

    x2vrjr.jpg

    Maybe a bit too much info for a beginner?

    IMO nathan_peace, enter a local evening 10 mile TT, try not to start too quick, dont need to sprint away from the start, give yourself a couple of miles at a decent tempo, but within your limits, and then give it some stick for the remaining miles.

    Whatever time you end up with, you will be chuffed to bits that you have done it, and made a start.
  • a_n_t
    a_n_t Posts: 2,011
    whats CdA? :shock:
    Manchester wheelers

    PB's
    10m 20:21 2014
    25m 53:18 20:13
    50m 1:57:12 2013
    100m Yeah right.
  • rokkala
    rokkala Posts: 649
    +1
  • surista
    surista Posts: 141
    a_n_t wrote:
    whats CdA? :shock:

    Not sure if this was a whoosh or not, but just in case:

    An explanation of CdA: http://www.midweekclub.ca/powerFAQ.htm#Q14
    "It doesn't get any easier, you just get faster"
    http://blue-eyed-samurai.com/cycling/
  • LittleB0b
    LittleB0b Posts: 416
    RChung wrote:
    As long as you can ride a bike you'll be good enough. However, this may help to put certain speeds into perspective:

    i think that's more likely to baffle the hell out of me
    blog: bellevedere
  • a_n_t
    a_n_t Posts: 2,011
    surista wrote:
    a_n_t wrote:
    whats CdA? :shock:

    Not sure if this was a whoosh or not, but just in case:

    An explanation of CdA: http://www.midweekclub.ca/powerFAQ.htm#Q14



    too much information......................

    how will a graph make me go quicker over 10 miles?
    maybe I could print it out and fashion it into some kind of areo helmet?
    Manchester wheelers

    PB's
    10m 20:21 2014
    25m 53:18 20:13
    50m 1:57:12 2013
    100m Yeah right.
  • tarquin_foxglove
    tarquin_foxglove Posts: 554
    a_n_t wrote:
    how will a graph make me go quicker over 10 miles?
    maybe I could print it out and fashion it into some kind of areo helmet?

    You're a natural! That's exactly what it shows, to get a quicker time you either have to produce more power or get more aero. Lets us know how your paper aero helmet goes. :wink:
  • RChung
    RChung Posts: 163
    tarquin_foxglove wrote:
    You're a natural! That's exactly what it shows, to get a quicker time you either have to produce more power or get more aero. Lets us know how your paper aero helmet goes. :wink:
    Right. Most beginning racers know that they need to train more to develop their power. What many don't appreciate is that they also need to get more aero. The chart shows how they can complement each other. It also shows that improving from 30 minutes to 29 minutes is easier than from 22 minutes to 21 minutes.
  • GeorgeShaw
    GeorgeShaw Posts: 764
    RChung wrote:
    It also shows that improving from 30 minutes to 29 minutes is easier than from 22 minutes to 21 minutes.

    Well, simple maths will tell you that 30 to 29 is a 3.3% increase and 22 to 21 is a 4.5% increase ... :wink:
  • RChung
    RChung Posts: 163
    GeorgeShaw wrote:
    RChung wrote:
    It also shows that improving from 30 minutes to 29 minutes is easier than from 22 minutes to 21 minutes.
    Well, simple maths will tell you that 30 to 29 is a 3.3% increase and 22 to 21 is a 4.5% increase ... :wink:
    Improving from 30 minutes to 29 will be easier than improving from 22 minutes to 21:16.
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    1. Join Club

    2. Engage in group rides/chain gangs

    3. In conjunction with 2, do some TTs

    4. When you are strong enough to comfortably hold with the group, try some races.
  • Homer J
    Homer J Posts: 920
    Once you start racing you will not want to do Time Trials as they are nowhere near as exciting. But if you can't climb stick to TT :wink:
  • a_n_t
    a_n_t Posts: 2,011
    tarquin_foxglove wrote:
    [Lets us know how your paper aero helmet goes. :wink:

    well I didn't get chance to print it off but still went 4 secs quicker tonight. Who knows, with the right headgear it could've been 30!


    Joking apart, tri-bars are on the list :wink:
    Manchester wheelers

    PB's
    10m 20:21 2014
    25m 53:18 20:13
    50m 1:57:12 2013
    100m Yeah right.
  • sheffsimon
    sheffsimon Posts: 1,282
    NapoleonD wrote:
    1. Join Club

    2. Engage in group rides/chain gangs

    3. In conjunction with 2, do some TTs

    4. When you are strong enough to comfortably hold with the group, try some races.

    This is good advice OP, and often stated on here, and ignored by some (Bhima!)

    What about bananas? Is that point 5.
  • GeorgeShaw
    GeorgeShaw Posts: 764
    RChung wrote:
    GeorgeShaw wrote:
    RChung wrote:
    It also shows that improving from 30 minutes to 29 minutes is easier than from 22 minutes to 21 minutes.
    Well, simple maths will tell you that 30 to 29 is a 3.3% increase and 22 to 21 is a 4.5% increase ... :wink:
    Improving from 30 minutes to 29 will be easier than improving from 22 minutes to 21:16.

    LOL. Nice one.

    Sure, law of diminishing returns, etc. Doesn't air resistance increase by speed squared as well? Or is it cubed? Is that what the graph is meant to show?
  • RChung
    RChung Posts: 163
    GeorgeShaw wrote:
    Sure, law of diminishing returns, etc. Doesn't air resistance increase by speed squared as well? Or is it cubed? Is that what the graph is meant to show?
    Yes, air resistance increases with speed squared. That means the power needs to increase with speed cubed. I suppose the chart could show many things but what I intended for it to show was said above: most beginning racers know that they need to train hard to increase their power but they don't appear to appreciate that (if they really want to get fast) they also need to decrease their aero (and rolling) drag. There are limits to how much power we can generate and also to how "small" we can be on the bike so the early improvements are relatively low-hanging fruit. If anything, the chart understates how difficult it is to get those last 5 watts, or that last .01 m^2 of drag area.
  • nmcgann
    nmcgann Posts: 1,780
    NapoleonD wrote:
    1. Join Club

    2. Engage in group rides/chain gangs

    3. In conjunction with 2, do some TTs

    4. When you are strong enough to comfortably hold with the group, try some races.

    But don't be dismayed if 4 never happens, as it won't for some people. There is a much broader ability range in TTs than RR so there is always an opportunity to race and post a respectable time without the humiliation of never being able to keep up.

    Neil
    --
    "Because the cycling is pain. The cycling is soul crushing pain."
  • a_n_t
    a_n_t Posts: 2,011
    so a 26 min 10 TT you need 300 watts over the duration on a standard road bike?

    And if I get super aero I only need 200watts for the same time?
    Manchester wheelers

    PB's
    10m 20:21 2014
    25m 53:18 20:13
    50m 1:57:12 2013
    100m Yeah right.
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    a_n_t wrote:
    so a 26 min 10 TT you need 300 watts over the duration on a standard road bike?

    And if I get super aero I only need 200watts for the same time?

    I had to do 290w average on my TT bike to do 26.12 last Weds!
  • a_n_t
    a_n_t Posts: 2,011
    NapoleonD wrote:

    I had to do 290w average on my TT bike to do 26.12 last Weds!

    Interesting, I did 26.36 on the tough wheelers 10 course on a standard road bike so 300w is probably about right?
    Manchester wheelers

    PB's
    10m 20:21 2014
    25m 53:18 20:13
    50m 1:57:12 2013
    100m Yeah right.
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    Difficult to say due to the course. Which 10 course do you use?
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    Here is the power file, the dotted yellow line shows 290 watts. The black section is the TT. The Mac Wheelers course is quite rolling so I find it hard to get into a rhythm (look at the blue speed line!) Can't wait until my leg is better!

    Club10010709.jpg

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