Am I quick enough for Time Trials.
jollygiant
Posts: 117
I've got myself into position that I've been getting quicker over the last year or so and today I averaged 22.2MPH for 30miles on my Jamis Xenith Pro with normal bars with some Tri bars bolted on and 50mm carbon clinchers.
I'm 46 years old and 100kg
Would this be quick enough for a half decent attempt at time trailing before I start spending money on proper TT bike?
Or am I just kidding myself into a mid-life crisis and end up last by 25 minutes on a 10 mile course?!
I'm 46 years old and 100kg
Would this be quick enough for a half decent attempt at time trailing before I start spending money on proper TT bike?
Or am I just kidding myself into a mid-life crisis and end up last by 25 minutes on a 10 mile course?!
0
Posts
You're never going to be Martin or Cancellara. You're not going to come first (or even second).
Get the bike, ride it, enjoy it.
De Sisti wrote:
This is one of the silliest threads I've come across.
Recognition at last Matthew, well done!, a justified honour
Try it with your bike first - when you enjoy beating seven bells out of yourself, then get a TT bike so you can beat yourself harder
It's never too late to start either. Personally I'm targeting this record:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-38510439
They will be more than happy to take your 4 quid for your pains.
Turn up, pay up, pin number, go find start off, get there in time for your start time, pedal like stink.
It is about as simple as bike racing gets.
(Take your number back.)
If it is a switched on Club, then a pub/bar is usually not very far away....
I don't get this - just go and do it.
De Sisti wrote:
This is one of the silliest threads I've come across.
Recognition at last Matthew, well done!, a justified honour
It's worth rocking up and chatting with them - if it's a club TT rather than an open you'll probably get a ride and time.
You will go faster with a number on your back ...
You may get a few "serious" riders who are a bit primadonna - but don't bother about them - you're there primarily to test yourself and enjoy (the satisfaction afterwards - if you're enjoying it during you're probably not pushing hard enough)
Why? That sounds utterly pointless.
Depends how well the OP knows the area - 15 miles away could easily be a TT route where he doesn't know the roads - you can ride a TT without knowing the route - just follow the signs, they're usually simple enough anyway - but I think there's an advantage in knowing the route as not only do you not need to concentrate on/worry about navigation, you'll have an idea where there are any rises/falls and can work out what effort you should put in to keep a reasonable pace but not blow up.
That said, there's a local TT route I'd not be trying by myself as it goes up/down a very busy dual carriageway!
OP, if you want to TT then you are good enough. As others have said, you're not going to embarrass yourself and most cubs are very welcoming of new riders and glad to see people out on rides. I've ridden with a few clubs around the country and several in Glasgow and always found them to be very friendly. There's always a bit of competition and ego between the guys at the pointy end of things and as with all sports cycling can attract some pundies but they're easily avoided.
Definitely ride on your current bike before investing in a TT bike, just to make sure you're going to get the use out of a new bike. I'm also guessing that at 100kg you've a fair bit of weight that you would lose if you got into riding properly? This will affect your fit on a bike and could result in you having to buy twice if you invested now.
Sounds like you might be a bit intimidated - best advice for that is 'don't be'. TTs are probably the friendliest 'organised' cycling you'll do and you'll definitely be faster with the numbers on your back
Specialising in Git Daaahns and Cafs. Norvern Munkey/Transplanted Laaandoner.
"Entering Events
Whatever type of time trial you are entering, club or open, you must be a member of a club that is affiliated to Cycling Time Trials. Being a BCF or CTC member does not generally qualify you to ride time trials unless your BCF Division or CTC District Association is affiliated to CTT."
Therefore if you go along and are not a member of an affiliated club then presumably neither you or the club are covered by liability insurances etc. and any club allowing you to do this is taking a big risk. That said, the CTT have some ambiguity as they have 'come and try it' events that don't require you to be a member of an affiliated club. What I haven't been able to work out is whether there is anything that needs to be put in place to designate a TT as one of these events or if the organising club can just deem it as one.
The point still stands on who would organise events if everyone took the anti-club attitude. I'm all for allowing a one off or limited taster rides on club runs or TTs but why should others go to the trouble of organising things for people who claim not to like organised clubs?
As for road racing, from personal experience I can say I'm glad that organisers have to follow stringent rules. When things go very wrong it certainly helps that you can demonstrate you did everything that was required by these regulations and more.
The point about the anti-club attitude is a very good one, selfish people exist in all walks of life.
...against the flow here, yes i think its a good idea, you sound (understandably) slightly nervous about the whole competing thing, so a quick blast around the course will get your confidence levels up, so you ll be ready to smash it come race night 8)
oh the joys of being Neurotic and overly sensitive to stimulus
I would always ride the course beforehand mainly so that you can get an idea of where you're actually going - if they're new roads (or even familiar ones) then it's all to easy to miss a turn when you're in race mode. Also make a note of potentially dangerous corners,parked cars, or potholes which need to be avoided etc. And of course you will get some ideas about how to pace, where to push, where you can recover a bit.
But honestly most club TTs are just a social evening with a bit of spirited bike riding in the middle. In fact all TTs are like that really, only difference at opens is there's lots of tea, cake and sausage rolls afterwards.
Just remember don't go out too hard in the first few minutes, you will be buzzing off the adrenaline and nerves and what feels like 90% will actually be more like 190%. Not that it really matters because the first time you're only setting a mark for yourself to beat next time round anyway.
This ^
I would recommend doing a reckie of the course beforehand. If you want to ride it in advance, all the better. Unlike at an open event, you are not always guaranteed to get marshals at every junction on a club TT and as above, you don't want to miss a turn and go off-course.
I ended up checking out the course for my first club TT on Google street view. It looks a lot different in real life when your are breathing through your ar*e
I have always found the club TT scene very welcoming
After I've tried a couple of their routes and seen where my times are at I'll go and have chat with them at a race and see whats what.
I think what everybody is trying to tell you is that it doesn't matter where your times are at. A TT is a race against yourself.
No one cares how fast or slow people are so give it a go. If you do try the course at pace before you pin a number on your back don't worry too much about your time as that number is probably the most effective item of equipment you can invest in to get your speed up.
yup ... that ...
check out the course then, if you want a bit more info on signing on - email the club - then rock up at the TT.
Anything else and you're just stalling ...
I started TTing at age 50 and got quickly hooked. Our club has Scottish National Champions and guys in their 70s and everything in between. Nobody gives a censored how fast or slow others are. Everyone gets kudos for being there.
My own target before I did a real TT was to do over 20mph solo on an undulating 20 mile ride. Once started I aimed for sub 25. The next season sub 24. This season I'm aiming for sub 23 and a long 59 for our rather lumpy 25. I don't have a TT bike yet.
Everything's relative. You're a very fit 46 year old. I'm not going to win a club TT but I'm a fkn awesome 53 year old compared to most! Positive thinking, young man, go for it, you'll love it!