TT - Is it too late to start ?

Bighill27

I'm 51 and have cycled for over 10 years but have never tried a TT. Am going to make a fool of myself giving it a try ?. Been to a few as a spectator and it look a bit intimidating.

Tom Dean

Definitely not!

JayKosta

If it's a 'friendly local club TT' then they would probably to pleased to have some new participation. Talk with the contact person to explain your situation and ask for advice.

There is a large difference between riders who are dedicated race competitors, and riders who are strong recreational riders. The racers are usually stronger, AND they are willing to really hurt & suffer in the hope of winning or setting a 'personal best'.

If you do ride the TT, make sure you are familiar with the course, and that you stay safe - it is likey that the roads will be open for regular vehicle traffic.

Jay Kosta
Endwell NY USA

danowat

Nope, never too late.

TT's are great, plus you don't have to mix it with egotistical roadies

maryka

JayKosta wrote:

If it's a 'friendly local club TT' then they would probably to pleased to have some new participation. Talk with the contact person to explain your situation and ask for advice.

There is a large difference between riders who are dedicated race competitors, and riders who are strong recreational riders. The racers are usually stronger, AND they are willing to spend a lot of money in the hope of winning or setting a 'personal best'.

Jay Kosta
Endwell NY USA

FTFY

OP, join a club near you and get involved in club events on your road bike. The dirty secret in TTing is that quite literally NOBODY will care about your time but you. People feel intimidated by the expensive bike gear and fast riders, but honestly unless you're on the sharp end and looking for wins/prizes, a TT is about you and the clock. Do one, then do another to beat your time. Repeat. Suffer and enjoy! 51 is not too late at all.

Mindermast

I am 50 and still trying to find my limits - commuting to work on my racing bike last year and only started some training this year. It is still mostly commuting - 6 miles one way, and a tour of 50 miles every other weekend. At the moment, I can do a bit more than 18 mph for one hour and still ride on.

A French guy holds the hour record for people of 100 years and older, with 24,5-ish Km (around 15 miles) (even being the only contestant, that's quite impressive).

So, don't you dare looking for excuses.

markos1963

I'll be 50 this season and consider myself a beginner. Age doesn't enter my mind when I plan and train for races just my lack of experience. I reckon I will be able to hit my goals as long as I keep going, not expecting to slow at all. The only thing I'll be grateful for is the extra handicap allowance I'll get when I do hit 50.
Go for it and do it for yourself which is what TTing is all about, your own battle against the clock.

Mettan

Look at Rob Pears - can beat most people in Britain (over any distance) - and he's 50 odd iirc.

Agent57

As others have said,it's never too late if you can still ride a bike. At my local 10, there are riders in their 70s.

Don't wory about anyone else. Unless you're really up there, it's all about self improvement and racing against your own best time, I reckon. And no matter how fast you actually are, getting a new PB is always satisfying. I knocked 40 seconds off mine this evening, on my first 10 for two years.

lawrences

You won't be the oldest or the slowest so go for it.

I normally get beaten by at least one 50 year old in the club TT's and I'm 20 which I think proves it's never too late.

VaVaVeteran

Like anything where you step out of the shadows and into the unknown, anxiety will play a part. Some people are so intimidated at the prospect of leaving their comfort zone that they never do so. Age really is just a number when it comes to mental battles, and in TT's the main enemy is yourself. Do NOT study other people's gear in the car-park, focus only on yourself, the course, and the experience ahead of you. 50 years old is only too old if you want it to be.
http://bit.ly/LastisFirst might encourage you!

andy_wrx

Find your local clubs and have a look on their websites, see if they do a club 10 midweek, see the results.

If it's a bigger all-inclusive club, there should be a range of abilities, from the local quick guys doing it in low-20's to juniors, women, older veterans, social riders, etc doing it in 30minutes+

You should be able to enter on the night as an unattached non-club member, fuss and bureaucracy should be minimal, no-one will care what your bike or you look like so long as you're roadworthy, no-one will care if you're on a roadbike or have the latest TT bike and pointy aero hat, etc.

You'll run in the order you sign-on so there's bound to be quick people behind you who will pass you, but they'll probably grunt something encouraging as they do

Give it a go

markos1963

andy_wrx wrote:

Find your local clubs and have a look on their websites, see if they do a club 10 midweek, see the results.

If it's a bigger all-inclusive club, there should be a range of abilities, from the local quick guys doing it in low-20's to juniors, women, older veterans, social riders, etc doing it in 30minutes+

You should be able to enter on the night as an unattached non-club member, fuss and bureaucracy should be minimal, no-one will care what your bike or you look like so long as you're roadworthy, no-one will care if you're on a roadbike or have the latest TT bike and pointy aero hat, etc.

You'll run in the order you sign-on so there's bound to be quick people behind you who will pass you, but they'll probably grunt something encouraging as they do

Give it a go

I thought that this is only possible if the event is advertised as a 'come and try it'? Some clubs run their whole club tt series through the season as 'come and try it' others don't. If it isn't then I think there might be insurance implications if the rider isn't in an affiliated club.

Toks

Bighill27 wrote:

I'm 51 and have cycled for over 10 years but have never tried a TT. Am going to make a fool of myself giving it a try ?. Been to a few as a spectator and it look a bit intimidating.

It depends whether you think its too late or not to challenge "yourself". At 51 years young I sincerely hope this answer is NO. There are folk in their eighties that are still Time Trialling and Road Racing. Just Do It!!

Gregger

Aged 47 myself. Dedcided to have a go myself, not the worlds best cyclist - done x3 this season. You're only racing yourself so there's no pressure atall. Get on and have a go, it great. 33 mins last night including a stop with agonising cramp.

turbo_hamster

I rode my first TT at the age of 46. I think I averaged about 18mph on a reasonably easy 10 mile country-roads course.

At the age of 51, I my average speed was actually faster over a 100 mile TT (admittedly on a faster bike).

You have to start somewhere and whatever you manage for your first TT, you will have the pleasure and satisfaction of improving on it.

**WARNING** In theory, all you do it turn up, do the best you can, train a bit, then have another go. In reality, you will wonder if skinnier tyres, clip-on aerobars and a skinsuit might help you go faster. You are on the slippery slope. Next thing, it's aero frame, Kask Bambino helmet and tubular tyres. Your first TT will cost you £3 and some petrol money. By the time you hang up your wheels, you will probably be £5000 poorer.

Fogliettaz

In June this year the day before my 57th birthday I entered my first 10 mile TT in over 40 years just hoping to beat 30 minutes, to my suprise I got my best ever time of 28.28 I have now entered another 3 TT's and all times have been within 20 seconds of each other. I am hoping that when the local club move the TT's to Saturday mornings instead of Tuesday evenings I can break the 28 minute barrier!