This Sunday, 11th September was Buxton CC, open Hill climb. Up Long Hill 4.5 miles. Last year I set a new course record of 12.26.
This year was quite different with a time of 13.49. Over a minute slower. However, rather than a tailwind, there was a headwind / sidewind. Needless to say it felt much harder work. This year, I did have some clip on tribars, which in theory should make me more aerodynamic.
There isn’t much you can do, apart from keep a reasonable tight tucked position and keep the gears sufficiently low to maintain a reasonable cadence.
Towards, the top there is a 180 degree bend. One short section was briefly a strong tailwind which saw a strong acceleration, but as you turned around the 180 degrees, the last minute was into a strong headwind.
It was a good practise run for the national hill climb in last weekend in October. Hopefully, there will be room for progress between now and then (remembering race wheels would be a good start). At least I had some training wheels to use.
Thanks to Buxton CC, always nice homemade cakes. And the HQ at Whaley Bridge bowling club – perfect.
Top 7
1. Tejvan Pettinger Sri Chinmoy Cycling Team 13.49.3 19.28 m.p.h
2. George Atkins Velo Ecosse Montpelliers 4.00.5 19.02 m.p.h
3. Gunnar Gronlund Twenty3c Orbea 14.01.5 19.00 m.p.h
4. James Tucker South Penine R.C 14.05.0 18.92 m.p.h
5. James Coleman Witham Wheelers 14.15.9 18.67 m.p.h
6. Dan Evans Rhos On Sea 14.22.5 18.54 m.p.h
7. Luke Clarke Team Milton Keynes 14.55.4 17.86 m.p.h
Hi Tejvan. Good ride there. How did you find it with tri bars? I went up in training a few weeks ago and although i had already got 3 hours in my legs i too was greeted with a stonking head wind. I felt i would’nt be able to get the power down on clip on’s, and i’m someone who can generally TT pretty low.
I guess there is a trade off over power versus incline, speed, wind and comfort. May see you at the Otley hill climb again.
Rob
tribars seemed OK. I came off them for last minute trying to get a bit more power out.