"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - collegiate TT's

I'm going to be doing my first racing this spring, and be doing it in the collegiate men's "C" division. I'm planning on racing UCSF cat 5 as well and have been training as such.

I'm curious what preparation I should be doing for TTs. I can't really justify a dedicated TT rig, but should be doing something to be faster than I would be on a pure road bike. Suggestions? should I just slap on some aerobars and ride with them for a bit. Dedicated TT training? I really don't even know where to start.
Pcad, UT_dude, Dr.WJ -- you guys seem to know what's up. I'm sure someone can help me here. After the inital bit I may even post pics of my position for your critiquing.
thanks in advance

Aerobars and long intervals at LT will probably be the most significant things you can do. The intervals will help all of your riding, though, not just the TTing.

I race TTs on a road bike with a Profile FastForward seatpost and clip-on aero bars. I keep an old saddle on the FF post, and both posts marked with Scotch tape, so swapping is easy. My position is pretty good, but I have a head tube that's just a little too tall for time trials, so I can't quite get low enough.

Don't forget that many TT's in collegiate racing are TTT's. So get some buddies and go roll turns in your aero bars.

I race TTs on a road bike with a Profile FastForward seatpost and clip-on aero bars. I keep an old saddle on the FF post, and both posts marked with Scotch tape, so swapping is easy. My position is pretty good, but I have a head tube that's just a little too tall for time trials, so I can't quite get low enough.

ive been looking forever for something like this to get a good TT position my road bike. thanks!

is there any reason to buy an expensive set of clip-ons, or are the cheap forte's all I'll need? Right now I have about 5+ inches of saddle->bar drop, and I think my headtube may be a bit short for the average road race, so I'm hoping I'll be able to shoehorn myself into a decent TT position.

I ride with one guy who I trust when doing 2-man TT pacelining, but I'm not sure if I trust him (or anyone else willing to race C's) on aerobars. Maybe I'll encourage everyone to go out together and figure out who can handle their bike and try some rudimentary pulling/drafting. Any ideas on what sort of intervals would be most beneficial? I'm guessing the neighborhood of 20 minutes, but that sounds AWEFUL.

Don't buy an expensive set of clip-ons, buy a cheap set! Check craigslist/ebay, and get a pair for like $30. It will make you a looot faster than without.

That sounds like a TTT... pull through every 30s or less, faster on descents, slower on climbs, no rest 'till you're tacked on the back. Lots of practice :)

is there any reason to buy an expensive set of clip-ons, or are the cheap forte's all I'll need? Right now I have about 5+ inches of saddle->bar drop, and I think my headtube may be a bit short for the average road race, so I'm hoping I'll be able to shoehorn myself into a decent TT position.

I ride with one guy who I trust when doing 2-man TT pacelining, but I'm not sure if I trust him (or anyone else willing to race C's) on aerobars. Maybe I'll encourage everyone to go out together and figure out who can handle their bike and try some rudimentary pulling/drafting. Any ideas on what sort of intervals would be most beneficial? I'm guessing the neighborhood of 20 minutes, but that sounds AWEFUL.

Just like riding a normal bike.

2x20min, 3x20, 2x30, 3x15, 20-10-5...

Or my personal favorite during the winter, to be done on rollers during the winter, 15s on, 15s off. 10-20min of that, or basically, as long as you can go. Gets the legs fast and smooth. Which will make you fast, and smooth. Two things essential for a good TT/TTT, the track, and the road in general.

Depending on your school, cat C TTTs may be a none issue and get use to TTs being won buy some damn sand bagger.

Lots of people just ride their road bikes in a collegiate TT, especially the ITTs. Just put your hands on the tops and try to get low. Or get a cheap clip on set of aerobars if they'll fit (my bars are too thick, for example, and sometimes you've got a brake cable issue to deal with). Don't be intimidated by the couple of guys in Cs who are out there in a full TT rig, including disc wheel. Sure, you can probably save some time with aero equipment, but you can get by just fine. If you've got a TTT and you're worried about aerobars with your teammates, then just be sure you're positioned well according to size and strength. Practice your rotations.

There's not much on the line in collegiate TT's. Do it on your road bike with a cheap set of clip-ons if you can find em. But don't worry about it. I do fine in A's TT's in the RMCCC on my road bike with no aero equipment (hell, i got 6th in a TT last year on old heavy 32 spoke wheels)

Be very careful installing clip ons if you have carbon bars.

In my mind the TTT is all about knowing your teammates and their abilities. In previous years we had up to 4 man teams with the 3rd wheel across the line counting. This puts you in a position where you have to choose to intentionally have one guy pop, or you can intend to stick together with some wiggle room if someone blows up.

Related, this year the ECCC is going to have the 2nd man across the line count (besides for the top cats)- this will change the strategy a lot- I'm not sure what to really think of it. With a 4 to a team it seems like you'll lose some of the teamwork that goes into the event. On the other hand smaller schools can now field a team. Anyone's thoughts?

i'm going to wreck and it's going to hurt. a lot. I'll try to get some action shots and pretend it's a triathlon guy for you to laugh at.

In my mind the TTT is all about knowing your teammates and their abilities. In previous years we had up to 4 man teams with the 3rd wheel across the line counting. This puts you in a position where you have to choose to intentionally have one guy pop, or you can intend to stick together with some wiggle room if someone blows up.

Related, this year the ECCC is going to have the 2nd man across the line count (besides for the top cats)- this will change the strategy a lot- I'm not sure what to really think of it. With a 4 to a team it seems like you'll lose some of the teamwork that goes into the event. On the other hand smaller schools can now field a team. Anyone's thoughts?

I did a four-man TTT last year with three guys (the fourth wanted to go for a run and skipped the race....). Two of us pulled the whole time, but had to slow down for the third even though he was drafting us. We would've been faster otherwise. Collegiate cycling isn't serious at all at any race lower than nationals...it's just for fun...I wouldn't complain if they let the first wheel count. That's only for collegiate, though.