palookabutt

I don't consider myself a "real" racer since I don't do road races or crits (I avoid any activity likely to introduce my body to immovable objects like sidewalks or pavement) but I started time-trialing last year (age 47) after many years of riding with no purpose but catching bugs in my teeth.

I thought I was pathetically slow (PR of 27:30 for 10.2 out/back = ~22mph), since the local heroes do the same course in 20-21 minutes (~30mph). Even the mid-pack guys do 25 minutes (~24.5mph). But then I saw comments here about studs doing 25-27mph and someone else admitted to going almost as slowly as I do, so I figured maybe I'm legit to post on a racing board.

My epiphany last year - and I know this comes as a shock - but TTs HURT! At the end of my first one my first thought was, "God-DAMN that hurt". (Q.E.D.) Second thought was, "Will I ever breathe normally again?" Third thought was, "God-DAMN that was fun!"

And it was. Even with a stud passing me every couple of miles, I felt like the guys on TV. (Fabian who?) And that's without any gadgets.

So this winter, I've spent quality time on my trainer getting used to sustained efforts at my LT (gotta love Spinervals), ending with a 1-2 minutes going as hard as I can. I'm learning to suffer without whining (so much).

So this year my goal, in addition to breaking my PR, is to beat 27:00, then start stalking 26:30. At this point I still refuse to buy aero equipment (aero bars, aero wheels, aero helmet, aero frame, aero socks, or aero teeth). I want to build up the engine first.

So hello to all the stud muffins and to the Walter Mittys.

Snuffleupagus

You refuse to TT without aerobars?

It's a totally different position, and to build "the engine" you really should train it for the required demands of the discipline. So buy a forward set seatpost (or flip yours around), raise the seat and toss on some aerobars and get to it.

For point of reference, I'm a middling racer (CAT3), and do around 27mph for 8mi efforts - in a TT position with a cheap TT helmet and skinsuit. This seems to be pretty much "par" for others, just as my power meter tells me it should be.

DanielS

Good on you for getting out there and giving racing a go. I would second the recommendation for aero-bars - just the clip on ones on your road bike will make a big difference, and you'll feel even more like the guys on TV. Good luck.

And I agree with you, pain is fun

patentcad

Welcome.

Pcad is always eager to greet anyone potentially slower than he is on a TT bike.

cmh

Howdy. While not nearly as fun, TTing is bike racing. So, welcome to the forum.

I second the comments about clip on aero bars. They will rocket you past your PR and make you feel more like a pro. And they don't cost all that much.

jrennie

Also, dont worry about what other people are doing for speed or times cause one course dosen't transfer to another. 25mph could be really slow or super fast. 29mph may be outside the top 10.

DrWJODonnell

While I commend you for your TT efforts, and welcome you, I will take a different approach. Is the "engine" argument your only reason for avoiding the aerobars? For under $200 you could pick up aerobars and a helmet and stomp your PB and look for faster and faster PB. I would hate to encourage anyone into upgrade-itis, but the fact is, part of the fun of a TT is the tinkering and seeing how fast you can really get.

Just my opinion.

patentcad

Don't be ridiculous, this is BF, the very Epicenter of Bike Schwag in the Known Universe. You get upgrade-itis when you register here.

And part of the fun of TT-ing is jerking around with the TT bike crap so you got that right.

Listen to Dr. W., he's the fastest bike weenie I know. Friggin Sandbagger (he belongs in the Giro).

Snuffleupagus

Excellent point, even the same course, week to week depending upon weather can be very different.

patentcad

If you're slow you're slow, if you're fast you're fast, the relative times adjust according to conditions.

Take all this Road Nazi kum bay ya bull**** with a grain of salt. On race day they're all out to crush you. I am one of the prime crushees, so I know.

VosBike

aerobars, as much as I hate their ugliness, make you go so fast.

patentcad

Nothing actually makes Pcad go fast except his ST1300 motorcycle, which has yet to be sanctioned by the USCF. I would CRUSH that Dr. W. on that Honda. I could do that Sandy Hook TT @ 100mph.

bikeM3987

FWIW, you would crush me in a TT. I lack the power and position for that business.

palookabutt

I can't say what I'll think in another year or two, but right now I think of the TT as a race against myself: can I beat my own PR on the same course? I started without aero gear last year, so at least this year I'll stick with what I've got, just to see if I'm getting better at it.

JohnKScott

Welcome and you are my hero.

I don't race at all (yet). I just hang out here to look cool. Well, and to learn a little so I can be where you are in the future. You sound faster than me

But I'm trying to fix that

DrWJODonnell

Not trying to be too tough on you, but what if you aren't? Will you then consider aero gear? And then if you are? How about then? And while you are racing the same races on the same courses, are the conditions the same? Wind, heat, humidity? What about life's curveballs? Have you changed your position? Been sick in the offseason? So your time is slower but you were faster than the people who beat you loast year? What then? If this is only a competition with yourself, why enter a race? Surely you can go and do the courses yourself monthly if you wanted to test yourself. Chances are however, some part of you enjoys the competition, not only comparing you to you, but seeing how you stacked up.

No matter what you do, a year will have gone by. Each race is a new one. You can try to eliminate the variables, but the fact is, they will still be there. As such, I like to do whatever I can to get faster (providing it's legal).

I commend you and your ideals, and while you would get a closer approximation than I would, I am just not sure you can "prove" you are better by not getting aero equipment.

Racer Ex 

I'm sure this will come as a shock, but I second Doc's suggestion to at least get some aerobars and a few other bits as your budget allows. It's cheap speed, but it also gives you some time adapting to a real TT position. FWIW I'm older than you, started a bit younger, and have been constantly surprised at my improvement as time passes. As you get faster you start to believe that you might actually crack the top 20, 10, or...even win one.

Plus it might be one of the coolest sensations in cycling to be on the bars and feel yourself just slicing and dicing the wind.

In any case, welcome to the needle exchange.

palookabutt

Good questions.

I can account for some variability since I do the same course a few times a year, so I can take an average. If I don't post a PR and my average is not lower than last year, I will be disappointed, to be sure.

I enter a TT for the same reason I'd enter a 5K or 10K run -- to challenge myself against an "official" clock, and to be around other people doing the same thing. I can't run anymore, and the TT is the closest thing cycling has to a 10K.

bvfrompc

Come on down to Lyons on Wednesday nights, I need the company : )

recordracer.com

Last year there were top US pros, a world junior TT champ etc etc. that would do this race when in town.

very low key, some climbing and a great safe course.

Ps, I did it on a couple of times last year on my road bike, but I did opt for the clip ons, as someone else mentioned, there is nothing like the feeling of slicing through the air at speed.