A time trial (often abbreviated to TT) is a very simple way to get into cycling in a competitive way. It usually
means setting of from a start line and riding "alone and unaided" to a convenient place where you can turn around
and head back to the finish. A time keeper will record how long it took you to cover the distance and the winner
of the time trial is the person who covered the distance in the shortest period. Each rider will usually set off
at one minute intervals.
The distance over which the time trial takes place is usually 10, 25, 30, 50 or 100 miles but there is no real reason why it can't be over any distance. Usually time trials are 'out and back' courses, i.e. you ride to the turning point and then come back to the finish - this equalises the effects of wind and road gradients so that in theory a ten mile time trial course in Cumbria should be equivalent to a ten mile time trial course in Kent. Often it is not possible to start and finish at exactly the same point and there are rules as to how far the start and finish can be apart from each other. For example a 10 mile time trial start and finish should be within 1 mile of each other, 2 miles for 25 and 50 mile time trials and 5 miles for a 100 mile time trial.
Some courses are not 'out and back' but can be a circuit - for instance 1 circuit of Bassenthwaite Lake is 16 miles
and because you return to the same point this also equalises the effects of wind and road gradients. Other types of time trials might be from one town to another - often seen as part of the big continental tours but rarely used in this country. A far more common time trial is the hill climb where competitors will race from the bottom of a hill to the top.
Before riding a time trial it is important to remember a few simple rules.
- You must be over the age of 12 and if you are under 18 have parental consent.
- Time trials usually take place on open public roads i.e. cars and lorries will be going past and you have no special rights by virtue of being in a time trial. All the rules of the road still apply. This especially means giving way at turns. Also it will mean stopping at red lights if there are any on the course!
- Always ride 'head up'. It is very easy when flogging yourself on a bike to let your head drop and your eyes
become focused on a point just in front of your wheel. If a car stops of pulls out in front of you it can be
very serious if not fatal. Always look straight ahead down the road.
- Always make sure you are in control of your bike when giving it a bit of stick - like sprinting for the line.
- Listen to the marshals. They are not allowed to direct traffic but they can direct you and let you know if there is a hazard or if the road is clear.
- Wear the same clothing as you would when riding on the road normally - high visibility bright colours. Helmets
are not compulsory for time trials but it is recommended that they are worn. Many riders choose to wear head farings and although these are not approved cycle helmets still offer some protection.
Its very simple and these are the steps:
Pick a short time trial (usually a 10) organised by the club one Tuesday evening and turn up to the sign on point with your bike at least 10 minutes before the race is due to start. A full list of events is listed in the 'Events Page' and details of all the courses are given in the Newsletter.
Pay your sign on fee to the person in charge of the sign on sheet and sign on in the next available space next to a number - e.g. number 12.
Pick up your number and pin it on your back low down so that it can be read by the time keepers even when your riding on your handle bar drops or tri-bars. If the race is due to start at 7:00 PM then number 1 will go at 7:01 and you (number 12) will go at 7:12.
Go and warm up but keep an eye on the time, remember the sign on and start may be a mile or so away from each other and you must be at the start ready to set off for 7:12.
Once at the start get in the queue behind number 11 and wait for them to set off. Once they are away roll up to the start line and get ready. You will be given a countdown by the time keeper and a push off by a helper.
Peddle as hard as you can to the turn about 5 miles down the road and often a roundabout. A marshal will
be here but he cannot direct traffic or hold up cars for you.
Turn around and head back to the finish line - the time keeper will probably have crossed over the road and now
be at the side of the road waiting to record your time as you cross the line. The finish will usually be marked by
a checker board.
As you cross the line shout out your number to the time keeper - this helps them work out who has crossed the line without needing to look up to see your number.
When you have finished warm down and go back to the sign on area to wait for your times. Don't go to the time keeper as other riders may still be racing.
The time keeper will calculate how long it took you and the other riders to complete the course and write these times down often on the sign on sheet.
The sheet is then returned to the sign on area where everyone is waiting for their times - make a note of yours, if this is your first time trial then congratulations, it's a personal best (PB).
Then go to the pub for your hard earned reward.
