Northern California - Berkeley TTT - March 7

Hey guys the Berkeley Team Time Trial is on March 7th.

I think the last day to register it today: http://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=7650

Only 2-man teams or tandems this year. Some of you guys should pair up and try it. :D

Last year Levi Leipheimer did it (for fun) and ended up beating even the fastest 4-man team.... by himself! :eek:
Fortunately, he did not count in the standings.

Also last year, Andy and Ben Jacques-Maynes raced as a 2-man team in Pro/1/2.


Anyway they have a tandem category, so Ruth and I have decided to race in it. Rich and Mary Ellen are listed as tandem competitors too :thumb:

Anyway, this looks like a big event, and it would be cool if some of you guys enetered.

Here is the info page (with links to map and profile): http://www.berkeleybike.org/events/bbcttt_2009.html

My captain will be working so we'll not be competing in the tandem division. :(

I will, however, be racing with one of my teammates in the 85+ category. :lol:

I'm picking up some clip-on Aerobars today that work on both standard and oversize bars.

Sometime within the next few days, I will dial in the fit on the trainer and do a ride or two on the road to test them out.

I'll be there riding with a teammate.

Last year my teammate got a flat with 2 miles to go. With no support around we decided to switch bikes since I was feeling better and I rode in on the flat tire. Luckily we used the same kind of pedals.

That sucks! Hopefully better luck this year.

See you there.

Sounds fun but I don't think I can get a hall pass to race both days and I'm already signed up for Menlo Park Grand Prix.

My captain will be working so we'll not be competing in the tandem division. :(

I will, however, be racing with one of my teammates in the 85+ category. :lol:

You are "aging down" in the race categories! Wish we could defy nature like that. Yes, Hermes and I will be racing in the tandem category - third year in a row. Looking forward to the race and seeing you, Ruth & Marco, Pizza Man, et al.

You are "aging down" in the race categories! Wish we could defy nature like that. Yes, Hermes and I will be racing in the tandem category - third year in a row. Looking forward to the race and seeing you, Ruth & Marco, Pizza Man, et al.

LOL on "aging down." And non-surgically at that. This is where being the old lady on the team pays off.

Now as long as I can be fast...

We hope to make it next year in the tandem category.

See you next week!

I couldn't talk any teammates into it so I'll be there with a guy from davis bike club.

Just setup the aerobars on the tandem last night.

They look like they should be shooting laser beams out of them or something. Pretty dorky looking on their own, but looks cool once we are on the bike in aero position.

Going to go for the shakedown ride, sometime this week (when the rain slows down).

Looks like the weather should be good on Saturday for the race. During the week, for training.... not so much...

Looks like the weather should be good on Saturday for the race. During the week, for training.... not so much...

That's why I had Coach Troy barking at me doing TT intervals...wowsers...it's almost less painful outside...

I havent ridden on aero bars for about 10 years so I reckon its too late for me to get used to them in time. I will have to ride old school instead. Isnt it a pretty hilly course anyways?

Looks like there is plenty of flatter and non-technical DH sections to benefit from the aerobars.

I rode up and down my street a few times last night and it seemed comfortable/stable.

Looks like there is plenty of flatter and non-technical DH sections to benefit from the aerobars.

I rode up and down my street a few times last night and it seemed comfortable/stable.

The aerobars will help a lot on San Pablo Dam Road as it's fairly flat/rolling, with a nice downhill before the right turn on Castro Ranch Road. They'll also be very helpful on Alhambra Valley Rd., which is relatively flat with a few rollers. The wind can be an issue on both San Pablo and Alhambra.

After you turn onto Bear Creek, the rest is pretty much climb/descend/climb. Good luck!

Marco & Ruth -

Looks like Hermes and I will be your 30-second rabbit!

I see that, and we're LAST... What the heck are we the yellow jersey or something... sheesh.

Anyway our start time is 10:09:30, so this should be done around 11am!! So we can start the post-race ride earlier.

I fitted the aero bars this morning and they felt pretty good. Heres hoping for sunshine and warm weather on Saturday.

How will times on this compare to the regular Three Bears loop? Looks like a little bit of the beginning is cut off, right?

EDIT: Looks like it's 16.6 miles versus 18.7 for the Bears. The 2.1 reduction is mostly downhill stuff, but also includes the final small (but painful) climb to SPDR. I would guess that you the TTT course should be about 4-6 minutes faster than the Bears, give or take.

I've never ridden any of these roads ever... Anything I should know (other from what I can see on the map/profile)?

It is a pretty tandem-friendly ride. You will fly on the descents, which are generally pretty open and straight.

I've never ridden any of these roads ever... Anything I should know (other from what I can see on the map/profile)?

I think you and Ruth will do the most damage on San Pablo Dam Rd. and Alhambra Valley Rd. Both are relatively flat/rolling, and you guys will be able to haul arse. You can take the all of the turns at a good, fast speed: Rt. on Castro Ranch and Rt. on Alhambra, and Rt. onto Bear Creek. Be ready to lean into those and power through to keep your momentum. They all come with some downhill momentum, especially the turn onto Alhambra.

Also, take as much mo as you can into the last big climb as there is a long downhill and a pretty mellow ramp-up before it gets steepish.

I think you and Ruth will do the most damage on San Pablo Dam Rd. and Alhambra Valley Rd. Both are relatively flat/rolling, and you guys will be able to haul arse. You can take the all of the turns at a good, fast speed: Rt. on Castro Ranch and Rt. on Alhambra, and Rt. onto Bear Creek. Be ready to lean into those and power through to keep your momentum. They all come with some downhill momentum, especially the turn onto Alhambra.

Also, take as much mo as you can into the last big climb as there is a long downhill and a pretty mellow ramp-up before it gets steepish.

Good to know. Thanks :D

Probably won't be an issue for you guys, but if you're following the 3 bears clockwise (SPDR first) then most of Alhambra and then Bear Creek is a slight upward false flat until you get to Mama bear(borne out on the profile I think).

Aerobar DORK status:
(Shots taken while pedaling)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3537/3331567346_594174c55a.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3368/3331567388_31e9ce3d59.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3546/3330732629_e59d77511d.jpg?v=0

I'll post the vid when I get home from work.

TT bars on a tandem? I'm a chicken, but I couldn't stoke if my captain were in the TT bars.

ps -- if you really want to get aero, pull out the razor, dude!

Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dhi08FsbujE

I try getting a bit lower towards the end.

TT bars on a tandem? I'm a chicken, but I couldn't stoke if my captain were in the TT bars.

ps -- if you really want to get aero, pull out the razor, dude!

My captain goes into the bars regularly; I've learned to deal with it. And he's on good terms with his razor.

I'd be a poor stoker if I didn't trust my captain.

Razor.... Meh.

Didn't you guys know that the hair creates a turbulent boundary layer over the surface, which is actually more aero... like the dimples on those fancy Zipp Wheels ;)

http://www.aerospaceweb.org/question/aerodynamics/sports/sphere-flow-comparison.jpg

Question:

I know that check-in opens at 6:30 am... what is the latest you can check-in by? I was planning on getting there around 8:30-8:45am and we start at 10:09:30 am.

Is that going to be OK? Or should we be there before the first rider starts?

Video...:D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qlE0zicIHs

Question:

I know that check-in opens at 6:30 am... what is the latest you can check-in by? I was planning on getting there around 8:30-8:45am and we start at 10:09:30 am.

Is that going to be OK? Or should we be there before the first rider starts?

I am not sure when check in closes but you do not have to be there before the first rider starts.

Video...:D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qlE0zicIHs

Cool.

BTW.. What neighborhood of San Mateo do you guys live in?

We live close by the "Shops on 25th Ave"/Beresford neighborhood. We are looking at a house in the Sunnybrae neighborhood, but also pretty close to the Hayward Park neighborhood.

Sorry, I was schooled in urban planning (I'm a transportation planner), so neighborhoods and such interest me. ;)

Cool.

BTW.. What neighborhood of San Mateo do you guys live in?

We live close by the "Shops on 25th Ave"/Beresford neighborhood. We are looking at a house in the Sunnybrae neighborhood, but also pretty close to the Hayward Park neighborhood.

Sorry, I was schooled in urban planning (I'm a transportation planner), so neighborhoods and such interest me. ;)

I live in San Mateo Park, West Bellevue.

I live in San Mateo Park, West Bellevue.

Nice hood... So close to everything, but nicely tucked away at the same time.

Right next to Crystal Springs to start your rides (as we are too).

You guys probably pass by St. Barts all the time (Alameda/Crystal Springs). That's where Ruth and I are getting married.