I’ve been looking forward to the national 100 mile TT for quite a while. I’ve only done three 100 mile TTs in my career.
- 2005 – 3.55 (4th in National 100)
- 2010 – 3.52 (11th in National)
- 2010 – 4.02 (West DC)
Apart from the first 100, I’ve always been disappointed to fall away and do a slower time than I would like. With a 100, it’s tricky to get everything right – fuelling, hydration, speed and endurance.
If I was designing the national 100 course, I might select a loop up Kirkstone pass.
I regret not being able to do the Hounslow & District CC 100 in June earlier this year. But, 50s have been going well, and I’ve been racking the miles up since the end of last year.
The national this year was up in the Lake District. Running between Keswick and Cockermouth on the single carriageway A66. It’s a very scenic time trial – taking in Basenthwaite Lake, with some great views of the fells. Despite the mountains around the side of the course, it’s relatively flat. Though there were plenty of long drags. Although I was glad to do the national 100, I have to admit a passing regret to go to the Lake District and not to be able to do some of my favourite Lake District climbs. Whinlatter pass is just on the doorstep of Braithwaite. Maybe, I’ll get back later in the summer.
I was due to start at 7.35am, so it was an early start. Fortunately a friend put me up in Grange over Sands (thanks Rob) leaving a nice 30 mile drive through the Lake District. There were no cars on the road at this time of the morning, though I had quite a few close calls with animals and birds running in front of car (deer, rabbits, birds).
Although the south of England was having a heat wave, it was fairly cool at the start – just 13 degrees. I toyed with wearing an undervest (due to bad memories of last 100, when I got cold drank too much water and had to keep stopping). But, fortunately, I didn’t. It was warming up by the time I’d finished.
I set off fairly steady, and for the first lap averaged 26.8 mph. I was passing quite a few riders and getting into a good rhythm. The second lap, I managed at the same average speed. At 75 miles, there was just one hard section left – the long drag to the last turn in a slight headwind. I knew once I got up there, the hardest section was over. I started to tire a little. And after 95 miles, really felt energy seeping away. But, fortunately, last 10 miles was quite fast so you could maintain respectable speed even with power dripping away. I thought that was relatively good pacing. You can hang on for 5 miles, but 25 -30 is another matter. It also meant I’d given it a good effort.
The hardest mile was the last. Because I was tiring, I started to look at my garmin and count down the miles. When 100 miles came up I couldn’t see the chequered flag anywhere – it took another painful mile before the finish flag finally loomed into view. It’s hard psychologically when you think you’ve finished. For most of the early race, I never looked at the computer. I just rode on feel. It was only in last 10 miles I started to check. But, it didn’t make me go any faster! Also, the last 20 miles were quite painful in the shoulders and sitting on the saddle. That’s the difficulty with a 100, it seems to hurt everywhere.
I took 1.8 litres of energy drink and one energy gel. The 1 litre bottle was a little clumsy to fit in and out of bike. But, the 1.8 litres seemed to just do the trick. If it had been hotter, my parents had a spare bottle at the 80 mile mark, but I didn’t bother.
I regretted not taking a few more gels. Because it wasn’t so hot, I didn’t take on so much energy drink, and was probably running out of food by the end. Though I had tried to carbo load the day before.
I did the first 50 miles in 1.54 and at the end I finished in a time of 3.46.21 – A new pb by six minutes. This was good enough for fifth place. I was quite pleased with time and position. The winner was Mark Holton (drag2zero who won in a time of 3.37) – a very good time for that course. John Tanner and Keith Murray of Strategic Lions were 2nd and 3rd. Paula Moseley (Climb on Bikes RT) was the women’s winner in 4.05.
It was a really good experience to ride a 100. You go through a lot more than in just a 10 or 25. You definitely feel it’s a big event with a bigger sense of satisfaction to a shorter race. Although it wasn’t the biggest entry for a national 100, there were quite a few spectators and many marshalls From Lancashire R.C. doing a great job.
talking about 70 year olds tejvan . to put things in a sort of different perspective in the 60s ( EARLY) i was doing 2hrs 6 minutes 30 odd seconds and ihr .02 30 odd seconds and i am still kicking myself for never entering a 100 tt but i am doing cancer benefit rides now at 70 and i am
posting 1500 klms in just over a month so that makes up a little for the regret at not doing one !! fantastic ride by the way ( CONCENTRATION MA BOY ) think you will still be riding when you are 70 !!?? jonty
hope so
Respect to you & well done on your new pb….I’m going to keep quiet about my pb over 10! Superb century!
Very impressive, must require great mental strength on top of the physical endurance.
Surprised about your limited food/drink intake during such a long TT – is this fairly routine in the field? I seem to be feasting on the bike by comparison
I would guess most riders took a little more gels / drink. If it was a training ride of 100 miles, I would definitely take a lot more food. I think I was fairly empty at the end.
Whilst I take nothing away from the Tour riders, and yesterdays climb up Ventoux by Froome was sensational, they do have, in theory, 8 men assisting them plus team cars and all sorts of experts giving advise and nutrition, weather warnings etc.
I believe one of the commentators said the guys riding behind the lead man can use 25% less energy for the same speed.
Tejvan is on his own, I don’t think I could do that from a mental aspect let alone fitness.
Yes. It averaged 26.5mph. Which was a similar average speed to yesterday’s stage. Though they did have a flat 100 miles, plus the small matter of an ascent of Mont Ventoux!
Well done Tejvan, I make that approx. 26-27 mph ave speed, that’s Tour de France standard.
Great time – well done. Must take great discipline to stay in TT mode for 4 hours.
Watched the TdF today and Froome probably did similar average mph to you over 150 miles incl 13 miles up Ventoux in sub 1 hr!
Thanks Julian. It’s definitely hard work on back staying in TT mode for 4 hours. Even though I love hills, I’m glad I didn’t have to climb Mont Ventoux (or even Whinlatter pass) at the end of the 100 miles! I just about managed the 2 miles back to HQ. Walking up the steps to a cafe afterwards made me feel like a 70 year old.