Time Trialling

esudfu

Hi all.

I'm not really into racing, but might fancy a bit of competition at some point in future.

What kind of speed do you need to do in a 10mile or 25mile to not look like an idiot?

I only got my first road bike about 6 weeks ago, and at the moment really it's for general fitness while I'm training for other things, but after this autumn I'm tempted by doing some TT's, but I'm curious as to approximately what kind of speed is needed?

sheffsimon

esudfu wrote:

Hi all.

I'm not really into racing, but might fancy a bit of competition at some point in future.

What kind of speed do you need to do in a 10mile or 25mile to not look like an idiot?

I only got my first road bike about 6 weeks ago, and at the moment really it's for general fitness while I'm training for other things, but after this autumn I'm tempted by doing some TT's, but I'm curious as to approximately what kind of speed is needed?

I wouldnt worry about it, nobody will think you are an idiot, these events are how a lot of us started our racing ( I think I was 13, and wore football shorts, but thats a long time ago). Find a local club 10, enter on line and give it a go.

If you post your location, I imagine somebody on here will direct you to your local clubs evening time trial.

Times for a 10 depend on the course (obviously) but generally anything between 20 and 40 minutes would cover the range of abilities.

rothers_bikeo

We have a whole range of mixed abilities and ages doing our Wednesday night 8.75 mile time trials, everyone has a grand old time and nobody is left feeling like an idiot.

Have a look here for sample times:

http://www.seamonscc.co.uk/Results/AllBySpeed.aspx

Warning - it can get addictive

esudfu

Thanks for the info guys.

My 15 mile 'all out' run last night, on a flat course but with a hefty wind was about 19mph, so with a few months practice I might not be too far off.

kettrinboy

I suppose the first benchmark for a "10" for most is 30 mins or a 20 mph ride.

richrock

On my road bike I did a 29m 44s for my first TT. I've been commuting 15 miles a day for three weeks at that point. I was pretty chuffed, as I guessed I would have done 35-40 minutes.

I'd say go for it, and see what time you get. You'll then have something to aim for the next time. It was hard, but great fun.

buder

You wont look like an Idiot regardless of your time so when ever you feel ready try an open event if your not a club member and give it a go.

I would look at a 10 to start with on a flattish course not a sporting course perhaps for your first one.

Good luck

sheffsimon

buder wrote:

You wont look like an Idiot regardless of your time so when ever you feel ready try an open event if your not a club member and give it a go.

I would look at a 10 to start with on a flattish course not a sporting course perhaps for your first one.

Good luck

Didnt think you could ride an open event if you werent in a club affiliated to CTT?

Or do you mean a club event that will allow other riders?

Chip \'oyler

kettrinboy wrote:

I suppose the first benchmark for a "10" for most is 30 mins or a 20 mph ride.

+1. That is the first goal. Once you've beaten 'even's then you need to break the 25mph average - 24 mins in a 10 or the magical 'hour' in a 25.

esudfu

I spoke to an old acquaintance who does some TT'ing and I might go along to the club-night next Thursday to have a look and a ride...only a 10mile course. I'll aim for 20mph...I did 19.1mph over 15 miles on Monday night so I don't think it's outside the realms of possibility!

He assures me people won't take the mickey out of my weedy triple, cheapo gear and general lack of pace :P

Secteur

I am not very fit (and my time reflects that) but I do my local 9m circuit (900ft ascent*) in 32 minutes.

I am waiting for a non-windy day to try and get that to 30mins!


*but remember 900ft ascent means there's 900ft descent too, where I can get to 30mph easily. I expect a "pro" would do my course in 20 mins. Traffic is a problem too.

Brushiemma10w

Please let us know how you get on at the club night esudfu.

markos1963

It's the easiest way into bike racing and one of the most fun(except the last 0.5 mile!)
Nobody has ever made any comment on kit or lack of it and I've seen such a variety of bikes and riders at TT's that it lifts my spirits every time.
MTB's, tandams, trikes and recumbunts I've seen them all. They all have the same thing in common, the willingness to give it a go and push themselves to se what THEY can do against the clock.
Just turn up, pay your £2 and race that clock.

amaferanga

I did my first TT last weekend (normally road race) - ever seen so many pot-bellied, middle-aged, hairy-legged cyclists at a race before

markos1963

amaferanga wrote:

I did my first TT last weekend (normally road race) - ever seen so many pot-bellied, middle-aged, hairy-legged cyclists at a race before

I don't normally get that far north!

esudfu

amaferanga wrote:

I did my first TT last weekend (normally road race) - ever seen so many pot-bellied, middle-aged, hairy-legged cyclists at a race before

Well I'm not middle aged yet (or I hope not - only 27!!) but the rest sounds about right...I should fit right in

I might be able to try to get to the meet tomorrow, but I think I'll be struggling to be honest, so I will probably just leave it til next week as planned.

pratley

I really want want to enter my local TT club, but whenever i go along to watch everyone that rides has mega bucks full carbon TT bikes and do times between 22-24 minute which puts me off as i have a Specialized Allez Elite (which i love though) with clip on aero bars and my best time so far was 35.45!

To be fair it was really windy and i think i can do better just dont want to be laughed at and put off from entering any other events

Also, do i have to wear an aero helmet, they look a little daft lol :?

markos1963

pratley wrote:

I really want want to enter my local TT club, but whenever i go along to watch everyone that rides has mega bucks full carbon TT bikes and do times between 22-24 minute which puts me off as i have a Specialized Allez Elite (which i love though) with clip on aero bars and my best time so far was 35.45!

To be fair it was really windy and i think i can do better just dont want to be laughed at and put off from entering any other events

Also, do i have to wear an aero helmet, they look a little daft lol :?

Have you ever seen these fast guys laughing at anyone? We all have to start somewhere and I have plenty of fast guys come past me on a TT, I've never heard them laugh and even if they did why care.
Ride what you like to a TT, it's you against the clock, you only have to race against yourself, 35'45" is your target, nothing else.

pratley

markos1963 wrote:

pratley wrote:

I really want want to enter my local TT club, but whenever i go along to watch everyone that rides has mega bucks full carbon TT bikes and do times between 22-24 minute which puts me off as i have a Specialized Allez Elite (which i love though) with clip on aero bars and my best time so far was 35.45!

To be fair it was really windy and i think i can do better just dont want to be laughed at and put off from entering any other events

Also, do i have to wear an aero helmet, they look a little daft lol :?

Have you ever seen these fast guys laughing at anyone? We all have to start somewhere and I have plenty of fast guys come past me on a TT, I've never heard them laugh and even if they did why care.
Ride what you like to a TT, it's you against the clock, you only have to race against yourself, 35'45" is your target, nothing else.

Yeah i just need to bite the bullet and have a go. And sorry for hijacking the thread

mattshrops

to anyone worrying about whether to do a tt or not. STOP FAFFING ABOUT. 99.9% of people are friendly, happy to talk and give you tips if you pick their brains. ive found the whole joining a club, going training, club runs and now tt's to be a really positive experience. ive also made some new friends and the extra push you get from a bit of friendly competition has massively improved my fitness levels. just do it. 8)

MountainMonster

I have wanted to get out and do some TT's with some of the local clubs. I'm still quite a large lad, and was cycling to one of my MTB trails when I got passed by a guy wearing the clubs jersey. Mind you I was wearing a full face helmet, was on a 160mm FS, and when I shouted asking him to pull over he did so very kindly.

We stopped and had a short chat, and even though my rough grizzly appearance, he invited me to the next club run and was a very very nice guy.

They don't let any bellies or other types of differences force them to have prejudices, most just love bikes, and if you have one and want to ride, they are more than happy to come along.

Same as with group rides with some of the older guys I ride with. I'm the slowest at climbing by far, and we all do alot of climbing, but they always invite me knowing I have a good time, and they have a good time knowing that. It's amazing how most cyclsts can be!

esudfu

I'm really looking forward to this now...

The club meets every Thursday but work commitments mean I can't go tonight. Bring on next week

rogerthecat

Completed my first TT last weekend, on a normal road bike no fancy kit, 26.59 for a 10 mile ride, ave 22 mph, that’s much better than any other 10 miles I have covered, everyone was really friendly, all focusing in on what THEY had to do, some proper TT bikes there with skin suits and teardrop helmets, great day out, much better than I expected. Talking to the other riders about the route before and chatting post ride, all were very wilco, at the end of the day taking it from a very selfish point of view, it's great to say " I came first", when there was only two riders but to say "I came first out of 100 riders" that has more impact so of course you will be welcomed. Saying that every one of us started in the bottom 10% I guess.

If I had any tips, don't take a full water bottle for a 10 mile ride, have a gel just before and another at the 5 mile point and spin out on your inner ring for the first 5 miles keeping above your target speed then use your big ring for the last 5 miles upping your speed.

I am not sure if this is good advice but it worked for me.

Chip \'oyler

rogerthecat wrote:

Completed my first TT last weekend, on a normal road bike no fancy kit, 26.59 for a 10 mile ride, ave 22 mph, that’s much better than any other 10 miles I have covered, everyone was really friendly, all focusing in on what THEY had to do, some proper TT bikes there with skin suits and teardrop helmets, great day out, much better than I expected. Talking to the other riders about the route before and chatting post ride, all were very wilco, at the end of the day taking it from a very selfish point of view, it's great to say " I came first", when there was only two riders but to say "I came first out of 100 riders" that has more impact so of course you will be welcomed. Saying that every one of us started in the bottom 10% I guess.

If I had any tips, don't take a full water bottle for a 10 mile ride, have a gel just before and another at the 5 mile point and spin out on your inner ring for the first 5 miles keeping above your target speed then use your big ring for the last 5 miles upping your speed.

I am not sure if this is good advice but it worked for me.

You don't need a gel half way round on a ten. I drink a 750ml bottle of High 5 with a gel 1 and a half hours before my start time. This sets me up nicely.

Ideally your warm up should get you up to race speed. This is my warm up routine: I do a spin for 10 mins to get the muscles warmed up then I gradually go up the gears (in the big ring) minute by minute at the cadence I race at. Then when I'm at 'race pace' I stay in this gear for 3 mins. Then I do a couple of sub maximal sprints in my highest gear - then I spin to the start ideally with a couple of minutes to spare.

You are right though. It is wise to start just below your 'race pace' then gradually increase for the next couple of miles.

Slack

Go for it! When I did my first TT, the guys with full on TT kit came past and a couple of them even offered words of encouragement!

No one will laugh, why would they? It takes a few years to get really strong at TT'ing and the experienced guys know this, so there is a degree of mutual respect there, as they know the path you are embarking on!

If anything, it's a very inspiring experience.

For a 10, you won't need to consume any gels during the event. I'd be lucky if I even get chance to slurp out of my bottle! Its only 30 mins of effort, so providing you have a balanced day to day diet, you will not need to consume any fancy stuff pre, during or post event.

buder

SheffSimon wrote:

buder wrote:

You wont look like an Idiot regardless of your time so when ever you feel ready try an open event if your not a club member and give it a go.

I would look at a 10 to start with on a flattish course not a sporting course perhaps for your first one.

Good luck

Didnt think you could ride an open event if you werent in a club affiliated to CTT?

Or do you mean a club event that will allow other riders?

Yes apologies I meant an club event which will be promoted as a (come try it event)

simon_e

Chip \'oyler wrote:

You don't need a gel half way round on a ten. I drink a 750ml bottle of High 5 with a gel 1 and a half hours before my start time. This sets me up nicely.

Blood glucose spike followed insulin response (I think it's known as rebound hypoglycaemia). I'd say you're not doing yourself any favours there. Eat properly during the day, 'real' food 1½-2 hours before, some water beforehand, and a glass of chocolate milk shake afterwards. Your body can store enough easily accessed glycogen for at least an hour of hard exercise.

If you can swallow a gel during a 10 you're not trying hard enough IMHO. Carbs have been shown to be beneficial during longer exercise periods of >2 hours, while combined Glucose+Fructose formula is better than a single carb type (linky, linky).

From Torq's Performance Resource:

Don’t consume TORQ energy or TORQ gel in the hour or so before exercise or any other high GI food. You need low to moderate GI foods that don’t stimulate high levels of insulin release and keep your blood glucose levels stable. High GI foods will raise your blood glucose levels rapidly, stimulating a panic over-production of insulin, resulting in lower than normal blood sugar and a very weary disposition. You’ll be yawning and feeling sleepy just before you exercise.

Chip \'oyler

Simon E wrote:

Chip \'oyler wrote:

You don't need a gel half way round on a ten. I drink a 750ml bottle of High 5 with a gel 1 and a half hours before my start time. This sets me up nicely.

Blood glucose spike followed insulin response (I think it's known as rebound hypoglycaemia). I'd say you're not doing yourself any favours there. Eat properly during the day, 'real' food 1½-2 hours before, some water beforehand, and a glass of chocolate milk shake afterwards. Your body can store enough easily accessed glycogen for at least an hour of hard exercise.

If you can swallow a gel during a 10 you're not trying hard enough IMHO. Carbs have been shown to be beneficial during longer exercise periods of >2 hours, while combined Glucose+Fructose formula is better than a single carb type (linky, linky).

From Torq's Performance Resource:

Don’t consume TORQ energy or TORQ gel in the hour or so before exercise or any other high GI food. You need low to moderate GI foods that don’t stimulate high levels of insulin release and keep your blood glucose levels stable. High GI foods will raise your blood glucose levels rapidly, stimulating a panic over-production of insulin, resulting in lower than normal blood sugar and a very weary disposition. You’ll be yawning and feeling sleepy just before you exercise.

TORQ mention not consuming anything an hour before. I consume 1 1/2 hours before. And this technique has been picked up from High 5's own 'Racing Faster' tips booklet. I'm sure you'll agree that High 5 know what they're talking about. I also eat 'proper' food during the day as well :roll:

I've suffered no ill effects with this regime - in fact I posted a new 10 mile pb by 40 secs last week, so it aint doing me any harm.

simon_e

Chip \'oyler wrote:

TORQ mention not consuming anything an hour before. I consume 1 1/2 hours before. And this technique has been picked up from High 5's own 'Racing Faster' tips booklet. I'm sure you'll agree that High 5 know what they're talking about. I also eat 'proper' food during the day as well :roll:.

I never said you didn't eat real food so no need to patronise me. If you eat real food you shouldn't need an energy drink for a short time trial.

I'd take advice from Matt Hart of Torq and other informed people before High5. Not so long ago High5 were talking up the absence of artificial sweeteners in their products. That's now changed and the page has disappeared from their website (but there's an archive copy here).

turbo_hamster

pratley wrote:

I really want want to enter my local TT club, but whenever i go along to watch everyone that rides has mega bucks full carbon TT bikes and do times between 22-24 minute which puts me off as i have a Specialized Allez Elite (which i love though) with clip on aero bars and my best time so far was 35.45!

I've been time-trialling for 5 years on the female equivalent - a Specialized Dolce Elite, also with clip-ons. I've done 10s, 25s and a 50 on this bike and whilst I'm by no means fast, I haven't felt silly on this bike. I feel like other competitors take me as seriously as anyone else.

Having said that, I still have ambitions to go faster still on a fancy carbon aero bike!

There isn't much point wearing an aero helmet on a bike that doesn't let you adopt a full aero position, so I wear an ordinary road helmet.

Bite the bullet and ride the TT. Arrive early to sign on and tell the guy with the clipboard that it is your first TT and can you please be one of the first to start. This means if you are a bit slow, the marshals don't have to hang around for ages waiting for you to finish.

Jeff Jones

Agree with the others on this thread that no-one is going to take the mickey if you're 'slow' (a purely relative term anyway).

People are less inclined to be gentle when you turn up and say 'what's the course record? I'm going to break it' and miss it by several minutes, then come out with a bunch of excuses as to why you didn't go as fast as you said you would.