Another tough time trial on a course that could be described as ‘sporting’ (V235). Out of interest in Fridays stage of the Tour de France, they covered the last 40Km (25 miles) in a time of 45 minutes. This 25 mile time trial would take me 10 minutes longer! But, at least there was none of this riding in wheels and falling off malarky.
The event HQ was in Aldborough, Boroughbridge, a quaint Yorkshire village with an impressive number of memorials to battles in the English Civil war (17th Century) The course is actually on the old A1 – the new A1 being a motorway a stones throw to the West. It means the road is quite wide, but relatively low traffic. The one drawback is that it seems quite exposed to the wind. On the way out to the first turn, it was great fun, with a strong wind pushing you along. But, at the turn, you face a considerable climb, plus strong headwind.
At one point I had a tractor comes past, uncomfortably close, (it’s easy to forget the trailer they pull is wider than driving cockpit). The drag from being behind that was amazing. But, fortunately, it turned right before I had to start working out whether it was worth trying to overtake on a downhill section. The course is one and a half laps, meaning there were two uphill sections into the wind. On the last section, I dropped into the 39 ring, a rare occurrence for a time trial. Still I enjoyed the race. I used gears a lot so I could maintain decent cadence. if you can keep a manageable cadence, it is easier to keep a good rhythm and avoid grinding your legs into the ground.
Despite a difficult day, I finished 1st. Making a double win for the weekend (not bad for someone who spent a night in a cardiac ward on Tuesday)
The event was run by Ilkley CC, just 5 miles from Menston, where I grew up. They were founded in 1896, and re-established in 2011. Somehow, they’ve become one of the biggest clubs in England. I heard over 700 members of all ages and cycling disciplines., with proper coaches as well. Now, if I’d had that when I was a lad…. Anyway I nice example of the British cycling boom.
Thanks to Jed, Ilkley CC and Zeta Plastic Components for a very generous prize list.
It’s been quite a weekend for British sport, and am not just talking about the Ilkley CC 25 mile time trial on the V235. A British team and British rider are dominating the Tour de France (just try imagine that in the pre Team Sky days). The English cricket team whitewashing the Australians. At least, Andy Murray kept up the British reputation for the plucky loser. It wouldn’t do well for us to start winning everything.
A night on a cardiac ward is scarey,i have been there,(one week rearly) had heart attack and was fitted with two stents. That was 17 months ago,fitter now due to life style change and back on the road bike. It`s fantastic i am reliving those happy days of long ago thanks to the bike the new found health and your great news letter THANKS.
The TT news is very good great news on the Ilkley win. KEN.
well done on the ickley tt a good return to form considering
the problems you had early this year
looking forward to olympic tt
1st at last. Well done Tejvan! Would appreciate your comments on Mondays TdF successes. Where do you think you would have come in that company?
I think on that kind of course ( a few hills) no traffic assistance, I may have averaged around 42-44Kmph. Finishing in around 56-59 minutes – 5 to 7 minutes behind Wiggins. When I raced against Wiggins in the past I was around 8 minutes behind him on a longer 50Km course. He’s got a bit faster since then. I’ve got slightly faster.
Of course, that assumes I didn’t have to ride 1,000 Km in the preceding week. I’ve never done a time trial after racing 1000Km in seven days! But, then maybe if I had a Team Sky skinsuit, that would save me a minute or something
Also, worth bearing in mind, that most of the riders lower down will not be giving it everything.
To conclude, I probably wouldn’t have come last!