Tandem Cycling - Dunlap Time Trial

Someone riled the Wind Gods, for they caused the wind to blow at 20 mph sustained, with gusts to 29 mph. We left sweat on the course to appease them but they were insatiable. Hence, we suffered.

The course is about 18 miles with ~41' of climbing. It's surrounded by sunflower, tomato, alfalfa, wheat straw, and cattle and goat ranches. A couple almond orchards offer brief respite, but otherwise, you're totally exposed.

We haven't trained; Chris hasn't raced in a year, and my last race was 3/7, a team TT. We've been weekend warriors on the tandem. We paid for our dalliances today.

At one point, we were riding west and the wind was blowing SSW, and I thought my helmet was going to blow off. Chris did an amazing job of keeping us upright and tight in the turns. Even in the downwind legs we couldn't get a break: It was more like "make your own headwind and pedal harder." :notamused:

At the 1 km mark I kicked it up a notch; at 500 m I heard "I can see it!" and that was my cue to go into overdrive. I tasted bile but no matter; the goal is to hammer in hard. And we did. I launched us hard and finished harder.

A mile cool down to our friend's place, where BBQ and beer awaited, and we staggered off the bike. I'm not much of a beer drinker but that Sierra Nevada Summerfest went down waaaaay smooth. We finished 5th of 7 tandem teams, time 50:50, slower than last year, but more wind as well. We're very happy with our finish.

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w76/cgallagh/DunlapTT060709.jpg

Neat, the event has a tandem category (https://www.sportsbaseonline.com/files_flyers/2536.pdf).

Do you know of any listing of time trials or races with tandems?

Nice job on the 1k kick. I hate windy TT's.

Good job.

Neat, the event has a tandem category (https://www.sportsbaseonline.com/files_flyers/2536.pdf).

Do you know of any listing of time trials or races with tandems?

there's the Co-Motion Classic Tandem Stage Race.

http://www.co-motion.com/CCTandemRace.html

Great effort and result.:thumb: I wish we could have been there - both sick. I tried to ride yesterday but no power. My chest is too congested.

Neat, the event has a tandem category (https://www.sportsbaseonline.com/files_flyers/2536.pdf).

Do you know of any listing of time trials or races with tandems?

I am not aware of a list of races. Since you are in NorCal, our races are listed under http://www.ncnca.org. Click on road. There is a listing of the races in our area. Check the time trials to see if there is a tandem category. The other approach is to use http://www.usacycling.org/ and search for races. Since I am a member, my USA cycling shows all the local and regional races for me.

The TTs of which I am aware are the Beat the Clock series on Canada Road: non sanctioned practice races put on by our racing club. There is an ITT, Merckx, team and tandem divisions and no license is required with proceeds going to charity. These are scheduled to precede sanctioned TTs.

As far as sanctioned TTs, there is the Berkeley Team Time Trial, Dunlap and the District 40K Championships and the USA Nationals in Louisville. All have tandem categories. The Districts and Nationals have age and gender categories for tandems. However, at Districts and Nationals, there are not many entries per category due to the granular breakdown of gender and age. At Dunlap and Berkeley, all the tandem teams compete together by age and gender.

IMHO, the best way to start racing your tandem is the Beat the Clock TT series. http://www.scaledup.com/beattheclock/venues.html We usually get one or two tandems that enter. It that is not convenient for you, there may be local practice TTs that allow tandems.

Good luck.

Neat, the event has a tandem category (https://www.sportsbaseonline.com/files_flyers/2536.pdf).

Do you know of any listing of time trials or races with tandems?

Every other Wednesday on Putah Creek Road in Winters there's a practice TT, 10 miles, out and back. The volunteers track your numbers and post them so you can see your progress. Mostly TT bikes but we've taken the tandem out a couple of times. Check here (http://www.daviswheelworks.com/) for details and map.

Hermes, we missed you and Velodiva. Hope you two are feeling better soon.

Every other Wednesday on Putah Creek Road in Winters there's a practice TT, 10 miles, out and back. The volunteers track your numbers and post them so you can see your progress. Mostly TT bikes but we've taken the tandem out a couple of times. Check here (http://www.daviswheelworks.com/) for details and map.

Hermes, we missed you and Velodiva. Hope you two are feeling better soon.

Thanks for your thought. I have congestion in my chest that just does not want to give up. I tried to ride yesterday and it was terrible.