On Wednesday 30/6, three VCC riders will contest the 2021 title at the 15-mile distance. The start sheet features Kyle, Jeff and Simon, with the Spindata site projecting them to finish in that order. More than that, Kyle is entitled to set his sights on the top end of the event overall as his reputation in TT circles continues to grow.
Additionally, Sunday 25/7 will reveal the club’s first ever 30-mile champion as VCC adopts the WCA event as its own title decider.
On Thursday 28/5 the South Wales contingent of VCC will take part in a small training ride in the local area.
It will be a low-key thing involving just a few of the local members/friends. A rare chance to be sociable while remaining socially responsible.
The idea is that we’ll meet up at the start of a local 5-mile segment, ride it individually within the limits of our fitness (which are significant), top that up with a few laps around a nearby 2-mile segment, then get ourselves home.
It will be a chance to gauge our form and fitness, see some familiar faces, check in with each other, then clear off.
We’ll maintain social distancing throughout and won’t be doing anything that could be seen as a breach of the regulations, local or national.
We’ll let you know how it goes and will post some photos and reactions on the site. The times won’t be quick but that’s not important, obviously.
More info here: https://strava.app.link/f3pEzixwP6
Downloadable, searchable, sortable, clickable.
Check out the following file to plan your 2020 UK time trialling season.
The results of our 10-mile event are available here.
Here’s a film from Oliver Bridgewood at Cycling Weekly, describing his efforts to ride 25 miles in at better than 30mph. One of the attempts came at an event I organised in 2017 and the whole story was featured in the magazine at the end of the season.
A great bloke if you ever get the chance to meet him, and some great advice for all of us. Grab a coffee, sit back and enjoy.
My first proper season of TT racing had two objectives;
Can I break the 24′ time @ Castle Combe?
Can I break the 23′ time for a 10mi TT?
Based on my result at a near windless Castle Combe circuit for race 1 of the Kinetic-1 evening Time Trial Series – 23’26” – the first question is a resounding YES and the second one will be course dependent, but the signs are encouraging!!!
Leaving the stats aside, which I’m very partial to, my lead in to the Weds night was good; punishing ride Monday lunchtime, then easy rides thereafter. Finishing work early (wfh PM), achey gel on knees and shoulder, kids and wife bundled home and off by 17:20hrs, traffic calm so a slow drive due to bike set up on the back I arrived in plenty of time and all relaxed and chilled instead of being late and flustered!
So changed into full race kit & bike set up with disc, 60mm (both fully pumped) I went for a spin.
It felt good, no real wind, a little bit on the bottom corner, surface ran very smooth (mostly) on racing line, and I felt hungry for it, but in control. Three warm up laps nice and easy…
Then off we go!
… instantly in the zone, straight onto racing line and up the hill felt fast and smooth. This was gonna be good! Not too warm so no water or tablet required, just cycling. regular checks on power and all good (210w to 270w) and once fully into the lap the Av was escalating quickly after the standing start. No traffic, all clear so got the gear changes nailed, settled breathing and the first lap flew by. Maintained heart rate, kept the pace high, power consistent and the hill was but a slope! I did get taken on lap 2.5 which meant I had someone to chase, which was perfect. The legs were aching, the breathing more ragged and the head bobbing but I would pull myself together and focused on the line and settled again. two laps to go and I knew that I was nailing it; Average was 40.8 and all I had to do was to hold on. That penultimate lap I didn’t push as hard knowing that I was safely on target if I didn’t blow up, my average went from 41.2 to 41.1 on the hill climb and I knew that I wanted 41.0 minimum!
That last lap therefore I threw myself at it, hitting 41.2 again sweeping round the backbends and then storming up the hill, in pain, legs burning, lungs bursting and throat dry and sore. Pushed on up the top bit and maintained the 41.1 as I flew through the finish, stopping the recordings knowing I had done something a little bit special!
BOOM – 23’26” and almost 45” quicker than my previous PB.
Lesson#1: remove both wheels from the bike when driving as the rear disc kills the set up and almost throws the bike off the rack!
Lesson#2: 110PSI front and 120PSI rear @ Castle Combe
Lesson#3: be patient; one race doesn’t break a season, but one rave can make it! Read More
After a close season of structured and focused training on riding, having given up on running (knees) and swimming (hassle), and investing on upgrades to the bike and kit, I was looking forward to the Saturday morning race on the 10mi TT U7B course. I practice on the A38 slightly nearer Bristol so know the road quality and likely winds so was prepared for a decent’ish time; anything under 25mins would be OK.
the wind was tough; very friendly out so I tried to pace it accordingly, and just damned tough on the return. The course undulations were not enough to shelter from the wind, but steep enough to dispirit oneself when the speed plummets below 30kmh!!!
I got overtaken which pushed me on for the last 2k, but given I mistimed the end point, hence my effort, I probably had more to give and so seeing the line 500m ahead i burned my legs in effort!
24’52”
Enough to improve on, enough as a marker for the season, and roll on next race in early April!
More details to follow but, for now, here are the results from our event today. Thanks to everyone who supported us!
2018-VCC10-ResultBookToo wet for a ride today so I’m going to spend a couple of hours getting the website fixed up!