VCC training ride #4 (time trial)

After a twelve day break the South Wales posse gathered for another spin on their local five-mile segment in Porth, lower Rhondda. Our number included Dan who had joined us during his break from work and was using a heavier, MUCH older bike than on his previous efforts. Despite this he set off first and came back first, his finishing time of 14:26 representing only a modest step back from the PB that he’d set with far superior equipment three weeks earlier. It was still 36s quicker than he debut effort on the course, which is a quite a measure of his improvement — and he wasn’t exactly a slouch to begin with.

Next was yours truly, not feeling fully prepared after a harrowing experience on the bike 24 hours earlier. If the other lads had suggested a postponement I would have gleefully accepted but sadly none was forthcoming. So I set off second, as usual, and focused on getting as aero as possible. The supporting breeze on the outward leg helped but a hold-up on the first roundabout did the opposite. Coming home, against the breeze but with a slight down-slope, I couldn’t hit the top gears — not on the bike, not in the legs — but I tried to stay low and do what I could. The result was a very surprising 13:15, a massive 39s gain on the “season” opener. It was a reminder that at higher speeds aerodynamics are a much bigger factor than raw power.

Next was Jeff, who had lowered his tri-bars to a slightly less aggressive position and reported afterwards that he felt much more comfortable but was unsure whether the new position was quicker. Others in the group commented that over a 15-minute ride comfort was not a priority. But he needn’t have worried — the lifelong cyclist posting a stunning 12:46 on the night, the quickest of the year and the first of us to dip below 13 minutes. Jeff is improving with every ride and is hopeful that this fine form will carry him into some late-season TTs and/or some Welsh district CX events. We hope so too, Jeff, this form is too good to waste.

Rory completed the field and very nearly became the second rider to break 13. As it was, he had to settle for 13:03 but there was no shame in that — again improving on his recently-set PB of 13:25. He too had been held up at the first turn which undoubtedly cost him his “12” on the night, but it’s great to see his consistent progress with every passing week. He also set a PB for power on the night, which most cyclists recognise as the true measure of improvement because ultimately the time on the stopwatch is affected by factors beyond our control. Chapeau!