Blenheim TT

love2ride

Has anyone done the Blenheim palace TT. Is it a good event?Is the course road surface smooth. Is it a fast course? Up?Down?
Thanks

BeaconRuth

Yes, I rode it last year. It was a briliant event that I'd strongly recommend to anyone who is tempted to have a go. The road surface is excellent except for a few cattle grids which are covered over for the event. It's not a 'fast' course in that you won't achieve the average speed you would batting up and down the A1 with double lanes of traffic beside you - but does that matter? The best man and woman will win on the day. The course goes up and down a bit and there are places where being technically better-skilled will help........... the event has everything a good TT should have including tons of novices, juniors, women, right up to some of the best senior males in the country.

Don't hesitate - get your entry in!

Ruth

love2ride

I'm already entered. Are there any proper hills that you will have to come off the aerobars for.

BeaconRuth

love2ride wrote:

I'm already entered. Are there any proper hills that you will have to come off the aerobars for.

Yes, I'm pretty sure I was out of the saddle on the biggest climb. I'm not sure I went as far as using the small ring though.

Ruth

HillClimber101

i've entered

almoast getting nervs.

can i hold on to my form for october

notanotherusername

I did this last year and loved it so much I will be back this year to break my personal best*. I managed the 20km route in just under 40 minutes - I am aiming to get close to 38 minutes this time.

There are some sharp descents and then some sudden steep but short(ish) climbs.

Oh - and you do need to watch out for various livestock and wildlife

*well, it is the only time trial I have ever done

carldavies

i'm going down for a watch, they are not taking any more entires at the mo which is disappointing, guess i will just have to be quick off the mark next year

BeaconRuth

The start sheet has been published so you've well and truly missed the boat. If the weather's good it should be a really good day out. I'm looking forward to it.

Ruth

Dunedin397

Hello Everyone,

I've a couple of questions.

When on course, there could be around 60 riders around, how "busy" does it seem when you're riding?

Also what facilities are there? Is there somewhere to get changed?

Cheers,

Dunedin

BeaconRuth

Dunedin397 wrote:

When on course, there could be around 60 riders around, how "busy" does it seem when you're riding?

It wasn't too bad last year. There may have been a couple of occasions when I could perhaps see 5 or 6 riders ahead, but the road is wide enough to overtake without any problem and of course there are no cars. I certainly didn't feel that any congestion came anywhere close to affecting my ride.

Also what facilities are there? Is there somewhere to get changed?

There wasn't really anywhere to change last year. The event 'village' was made up of tents, refreshment vans and trade stalls with a long row of portaloos. I think probably most people who were racing did the usual trick of changing discreetly in or near their cars.

Ruth

Dunedin397

Hi Ruth,

Thanks very much for that, very useful. Good luck with your race.

Cheers,

Dunedin

SBezza

Well done to all riders that took part, and well done to Ruth for coming second in the womens event.

BeaconRuth

Thanks SBezza. A super day out - masses to see and do and thousands of cyclists out and about enjoying themselves. It's just as well the sun shone!

How did everyone else get on? Did you enjoy it?

Ruth

Bronzie

SBezza wrote:

Well done to all riders that took part, and well done to Ruth for coming second in the womens event.

Nice story about the event over in the old "Race" section
http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... 5#15656525

Dunedin397

SBezza wrote:

Well done to all riders that took part, and well done to Ruth for coming second in the womens event.

Yes well done Ruth, 31:09 is an amazing time.

Dunedin

Dunedin397

Hello Everyone,

Would anyone happen to have the 3 lap distance from their bike computer? I'd like to know if it's pretty much 20k or if it's more or less. I didn't look at mine as I was too busy coughing when I finished!

Cheers,

Dunedin

BeaconRuth

Dunedin397 - thanks, but it's not nearly as amazing as Julia Shaw's performance - I suffered the humiliation of being caught by her for 1 minute.

My Garmin came up with 19.81km. How did you get on? Did you enjoy it?

Ruth

Dunedin397

BeaconRuth wrote:

Thanks SBezza. A super day out - masses to see and do and thousands of cyclists out and about enjoying themselves. It's just as well the sun shone!

How did everyone else get on? Did you enjoy it?

Ruth

I went with my wife and our 7 year old son along with a member of our triathlon club, Evolution Tri (from Windsor) and we had a great day. After competing in the TT we enjoyed watching the rest of the TT, Brompton race, the trials guys and also the cyclo-cross. Our son really enjoyed the Go Ride and family ride around the grounds.

We all got our preparation wrong for the TT, it was a little colder before 9am and we didn't warm up at all. The first time I turned a pedal was when I started. I couldn't understand why some of the course was so hard, but the climb to the highest part of the course just didn't look like it was going up! After that it was ok but even when I topped 35mph I still felt like I was going through treacle.

I squeezed in just under 37 minutes, which was only 1 minute under my target time of 36 minutes, so given my poor preparation it wasn't too bad at all.

I'm keen to know the distance as accurately as possible to see if I averaged over 20mph, I'd be happy with that.

My wife got under 44 minutes so she's really happy as she's really a triathlete and hasn't done much cycle training lately.

I learned a lot and I'm so keen on improving for next year. A sub-35 time and getting in the top 100 would be fantastic. I may also have a go at the cyclo-cross on my mtb.

Dunedin

bexslack

Dunedin397 wrote:

I squeezed in just under 37 minutes, which was only 1 minute under my target time of 36 minutes, so given my poor preparation it wasn't too bad at all.

I'm keen to know the distance as accurately as possible to see if I averaged over 20mph, I'd be happy with that.

My wife got under 44 minutes so she's really happy as she's really a triathlete and hasn't done much cycle training lately.

I learned a lot and I'm so keen on improving for next year. A sub-35 time and getting in the top 100 would be fantastic. I may also have a go at the cyclo-cross on my mtb.

Dunedin

By my calculations (course distance per my Garmin was 12.29 miles), you needed to have done a 36:52 to have averaged 20mph....

If I can give you some inspiration here please look at this thread:-

http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... c&start=23

love2ride

I got 31st over all and 5th under 18. Not bad for a 14 yr old

BeaconRuth

love2ride wrote:

I got 31st over all and 5th under 18. Not bad for a 14 yr old

:shock: Wow, Love2ride! That's very impressive indeed. You've probably got quite a bit of growing still to do so you can't really compare yourself with the juniors who are 16 or 17.

You got 1st under 14 year old at the GHS 10 too I think? Your ride at Blenheim was a step better than that IMO - congratulations! Keep working at it as you've obviously got a lot of potential.

Ruth

Airwave

love2ride wrote:

I got 31st over all and 5th under 18. Not bad for a 14 yr old

Nice one