Fifty Plus (50+) - Race Report - Time Trial

On Saturday, my wife and I, 56/57 respectively, rode our tandem in the second practice time trial this season. The time trial series is a fund raising event for the Lance Armstrong Foundation http://www.scaledup.com/beattheclock/. The Time Trials are positioned before sanctioned time trial races in the district.

We had a perfect day for the race with clear skies and temperatures in the 50 to 60s. There were 94 entries consisting of individual men, women, teams and tandems with most participants using TT equipment. The event raised $4,200 net of expenses for the Foundation.

Our time for the 9.7 mile course was 26:48 which was a 2 minute improvement over our last month’s TT on the same course with similar conditions:) . Out of the total field, we were 46th out of 94 entries. The course is an out and back with 400 feet of elevation gained.

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u250/rallen94402/canadatimetrial.gif

We were extremely pleased with our time and improvement over last month. The race was a lot of fun and the people who run the event do a great job in organization and making it safe for riders.

We rode as team Genentech. Below is a pic of us, may be near the turnaround, on the course. Next week, we are racing as a tandem team in the Berkeley Bicycle Club Team Time Trial. This is a sanctioned TT race over a 16.7 mile course with 3 climbs and 3 fast descents. There are 150 teams signed up including 7 tandem teams. We rode the course on Sunday for a preview. This course finishes uphill 1.1 miles at an 8% grade.:eek:

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u250/rallen94402/BctMarTT1.jpg

Way to go! Nice improvement over your previous time. Good luck next week.

I love coming to the forum and getting to read these stories. Nice job on your improvment!

Good lookin' couple on that tandem!

That's a terrific improvement-especially this early in the season. I bet you two were flying with the 400 ft descent going out.

Be sure and pace yourself on the 16.7 miler with the climb at the finish!! As you know it is a lot longer than the 10 miler!! You sure don't want to burn out the stoker.

I like your Rudy TT helmet. I'm going to try and pick up one of the new Giros if they ever get to market.

Nice improvement on your time. During the week I ride a set 15 mile course and know what it takes to improve your effort by 2 minutes, congrats!!

Wow, no offense but she has stronger calves than you do.
Wish my lovely wife would do that with me.

That's a terrific improvement-especially this early in the season. I bet you two were flying with the 400 ft descent going out.

Be sure and pace yourself on the 16.7 miler with the climb at the finish!! As you know it is a lot longer than the 10 miler!! You sure don't want to burn out the stoker.

I like your Rudy TT helmet. I'm going to try and pick up one of the new Giros if they ever get to market.

Thanks for the kudos. Good point on managing energy for the 16.7 miler. The stoker is very tough…former marathoner turned avid cyclist; impossible to burn her out;) . And yes, we really flew on the downhill section on the way out on Saturday’s TT…it was a total rush:D .

I wanted the Giro as well but did not want to wait until July. I decided on the Rudy and got it from http://www.e-rudy.com/. They are on sale now and you may want to check it out. Also, I really like the Rudy Project. It fits well, the ear covers work great and it is light weight and less money:D . It has a clear visor which I tested and it works fine, but I elected to use my sunglasses. I was concerned about sweat and fogging of the clear visor under race conditions.:)

Wow, no offense but she has stronger calves than you do.


This is from the stoker - I had to laugh at loud at your response. Yes, it is true and the captain knows it. They have served me well.

Wow, no offense but she has stronger calves than you do.
Wish my lovely wife would do that with me.

No offense taken. Her calves are bigger than mine...and bigger and/or stronger than many other men as well. At a former gym where we worked out that had a Nautilus calve machine, she would lift the entire stack of weights AND make it look effortless. Even if you could take the full stack and match her, she made it look soooo easy.;)

She rides the Cycleops fluid trainer every morning and rides on the road in the evenings. She is very tough and a tremendous cyclist. I am very fortunate to have her as a cycling partner and wife.:)

Nice improvement. Nice looking rig. Nice looking team. Wish my better half would get into cycling!

Great stuff! Keep us posted on the next time trial.

Thanks to all for the compliments and encouragement. :)

they would use an hour glass to time me.