Richmond Park TT roll call

spasypaddy

So myself, bigmat, and IP are confirmed for the 30th im also doing the 14th July.

Anyone else?


route is the red line, out and back from the car park by spankers hill wood

sketchley

Tell me more about this TT, do they have an over 40 and over 115kg category... might stand a chance in that....

spasypaddy

nope, they have a road bike (no aero equipment) category and a TT category.

im in the aero category and will be finishing last

bigmat

Route starts at the Robin Hood's Gate car park (at bottom of Spankers Hill) then finishes at the top. I'm riding 14 July too. I think CJ and Green Brompton are also there on 30th?

spasypaddy

have they changed the route this year?

im worried that my BMC wont get round the roundabout on the left hand turn at the top of sawyers

bigmat

spasypaddy wrote:

have they changed the route this year?

im worried that my BMC wont get round the roundabout on the left hand turn at the top of sawyers

No, that was always the route. Sign on at the top of the hill, ride down to RHG for start.

Why are you worried about that corner? Haven't been to RP for almost a year, have they made any changes? Maybe put the cobbles back? My recollection is that it isn't a particularly sharp left - surely the RAB at Kingston Gate would be more of an issue if you have a small turning circle (still don't get why that would be the case though)?

tgotb

According to okgo, the right turn on the way back is more problematic...

I won't be there unfortunately; family commitments on both remaining dates..

pitchshifter

I've signed up for this (30th). Currently cramming some miles in. Not expecting anything special but I'd be pleased with sub 28 min on a road bike.

spasypaddy

BigMat wrote:

spasypaddy wrote:

have they changed the route this year?

im worried that my BMC wont get round the roundabout on the left hand turn at the top of sawyers

No, that was always the route. Sign on at the top of the hill, ride down to RHG for start.

Why are you worried about that corner? Haven't been to RP for almost a year, have they made any changes? Maybe put the cobbles back? My recollection is that it isn't a particularly sharp left - surely the RAB at Kingston Gate would be more of an issue if you have a small turning circle (still don't get why that would be the case though)?

my BMC has steering lock!

erm yeah they've added in cobbles to the corner on the racing line through the left hand turn. previously i'd have taken it on the extensions, thinking i might have to scrub off speed and take it on the bull horns...

Always going to have to scrub speed to do the roundabout at the end.

tgotb

spasypaddy wrote:

previously i'd have taken it on the extensions, thinking i might have to scrub off speed and take it on the bull horns...

Wow, I was never brave enough to take it full-tilt, even before they re-did the cobbles. Chapeau!

Edit: In fact, the only corner on that course that I've ever been brave enough to take at full speed is the Roehampton one, and even then only in the outbound direction. Think I need to work on being a bit more ballsy...

spasypaddy

TGOTB wrote:

spasypaddy wrote:

previously i'd have taken it on the extensions, thinking i might have to scrub off speed and take it on the bull horns...

Wow, I was never brave enough to take it full-tilt, even before they re-did the cobbles. Chapeau!

a left hand turn!? why not?

tgotb

spasypaddy wrote:

a left hand turn!? why not?

:oops:
In my defence, it's a fairly tight left-hand turn (for me), and there's another row of cobbles to stop you using the wrong side of the road on the approach...

I've always worked on the assumption that riding over the cobbles is likely to end in tears.

spasypaddy

TGOTB wrote:

spasypaddy wrote:

a left hand turn!? why not?

:oops:
In my defence, it's a fairly tight left-hand turn (for me), and there's another row of cobbles to stop you using the wrong side of the road on the approach...

I've always worked on the assumption that riding over the cobbles is likely to end in tears.

maybe im reading the corner wrong as ive never been there on the TT bike but i dont think when i raced there previously i slowed down on that corner.

edds

I will also be doing it on the 30th in the road category... might even take the pannier rack off for it

itboffin

odd that the forum prima MAMIL tri-antelope hasn't signed up, puts in question his whole commitment to IMC if you ask me.

cjcp

Yep, I'm in for the 30th. Can't say I'm looking forward to it. I was bullied into doing it. You know who you are

itboffin

cjcp wrote:

Yep, I'm in for the 30th. Can't say I'm looking forward to it. I was bullied into doing it. You know who you are

I'd come and watch the shame but i'll be in Wales, you know the place with the mountains

okgo

I managed to get in via the waiting list for this one too. After last times mess up hopefully get a clear ride, sadly no Steve Irwin this time but will be keen to see if I can do decent 23 on that course.

spasypaddy

when do we get the start list?

Green Brompton

cjcp wrote:

Yep, I'm in for the 30th. Can't say I'm looking forward to it. I was bullied into doing it. You know who you are

Don't know what you're talking about...

I'm doing it. Not looking forward to it now that I've been off the road bike for over a month. I thought I could train and do sub 30, but I know much faster (2nd cat) girls who did it last year in around 32 ... I'm expecting 33 or slower. Personally I hope that's just me being self deprecating and really I'll be super quick ... :roll:

bigmat

okgo wrote:

I managed to get in via the waiting list for this one too. After last times mess up hopefully get a clear ride, sadly no Steve Irwin this time but will be keen to see if I can do decent 23 on that course.

At least you might win! I'm assuming you're in the full TT section (please....)

spasypaddy

its a slow course in all honesty

tgotb

spasypaddy wrote:

its a slow course in all honesty

Unless you're after a 10/25 PB, some of the most enjoyable courses are "slow". DC courses have their place, and I ride more than a few, but races like this and the sadly discontinued Blenheim one, are a lot more fun (and challenging) to ride...

Green Brompton

TGOTB wrote:

spasypaddy wrote:

its a slow course in all honesty

Unless you're after a 10/25 PB, some of the most enjoyable courses are "slow". DC courses have their place, and I ride more than a few, but races like this and the sadly discontinued Blenheim one, are a lot more fun (and challenging) to ride...

TGOTB, which do you think is more challenging, Blenheim or the RP TT? I did that in just under 25.30 so around 3 min 20 per mile on the Brompton?

okgo

BigMat wrote:

okgo wrote:

I managed to get in via the waiting list for this one too. After last times mess up hopefully get a clear ride, sadly no Steve Irwin this time but will be keen to see if I can do decent 23 on that course.

At least you might win! I'm assuming you're in the full TT section (please....)

Meh, I like riding against Steve its interesting to benchmark, I have beaten him only once this year vs him beating me 3 times so always interesting to see if the things I am doing are bringing me closer or further away etc as we know the only difference is aero as I produce a lot more power, so its all about position.

Yes I will be on TT bike, I suspect Rob Moore of Phoenix will be right up there, strong as an ox.

spasypaddy

didnt realise rob had entered.

tgotb

Green Brompton wrote:

TGOTB, which do you think is more challenging, Blenheim or the RP TT? I did that in just under 25.30 so around 3 min 20 per mile on the Brompton?

Bit of an apples and pears comparison I'm afraid... Comparing the two courses on a TT bike, I found one lap of the RP course much easier to pace than 3 laps of the Blenheim course; the Blenheim course feels like more of an interval session whereas it's RP lends itself to a pre-planned pacing strategy; how much of this is just because the RP course is very familiar, I'm not sure.
The BWC was a completely different kettle of fish; that seemed to be all about drafting and traffic.

The BWC was obviously a lot slower than the Blenheim TT, but rather worryingly Hutch's average speed on the Brompton was actually slightly faster than my average on the TT bike :oops:

il_principe

TGOTB wrote:

RP lends itself to a pre-planned pacing strategy

Oooh, strategy. What is this strategy you speak of?

edds

Il Principe wrote:

TGOTB wrote:

RP lends itself to a pre-planned pacing strategy

Oooh, strategy. What is this strategy you speak of?

My strategy: Ride as hard and fast as I can for around 10.4 miles. Preferably making sure I am ahead of the virtual training partner on my Garmin.

Green Brompton

TGOTB wrote:

Green Brompton wrote:

TGOTB, which do you think is more challenging, Blenheim or the RP TT? I did that in just under 25.30 so around 3 min 20 per mile on the Brompton?

Bit of an apples and pears comparison I'm afraid... Comparing the two courses on a TT bike, I found one lap of the RP course much easier to pace than 3 laps of the Blenheim course; the Blenheim course feels like more of an interval session whereas it's RP lends itself to a pre-planned pacing strategy; how much of this is just because the RP course is very familiar, I'm not sure.
The BWC was a completely different kettle of fish; that seemed to be all about drafting and traffic.

The BWC was obviously a lot slower than the Blenheim TT, but rather worryingly Hutch's average speed on the Brompton was actually slightly faster than my average on the TT bike :oops:

My pacing seems to be pretty decent with just a few seconds difference per lap at the BWC. If it's down to decent pacing, I've got that. It's the power and the can I be a*s*d attitude I need to remember to take with me on the day!

Do speaketh of this pacing strategy?!!!

Green Brompton

edds wrote:

Il Principe wrote:

TGOTB wrote:

RP lends itself to a pre-planned pacing strategy

Oooh, strategy. What is this strategy you speak of?

My strategy: Ride as hard and fast as I can for around 10.4 miles. Preferably making sure I am ahead of the virtual training partner on my Garmin.

Just remember not to go out too hard... I've read that if you go out too hard, it may ruin it for you. You want to be riding at your strongest on the third quarter or something.

I'm no expert, but I can also tell you that lack of panniers may help as well.