tg16

Have any of you done a time trial? It seems similar to a duathlon without the run segment. I'm considering doing one in June and was wondering if any of you had and what to expect.

For those who want to advise me to google it, I have. I'm looking for relatively recent info and experiences from those in my same age group.

Biker395 

What's the course like? The endurance races I've done are essentially extended time trials, IMHO.

leob1

What are your issues? It seems simple, get on bike, ride hard.

tg16

Have you done one?

Bandera

Yep.

The BF Sub-forum "Masters Racing (All Disciplines)" has current TT specialists who freely share information on the discipline for racers of a certain age, the best place IMHO to post queries for 50+ riders looking to actively compete.

-Bandera

OldTryGuy

2014 Ironman Florida at 64yo I rode the 112 miles without stopping and no drafting. Seemed like a TT to me.

wphamilton

I'd love to try one sometime. The issue is the speed of the competition. Some of those guys are ex-pro's, or at least former strong racers that just never stopped riding. Others are just guys that have been riding forever, really strong. The competition looks brutal.

Bandera

There most certainly are extremely experienced and very fast racers in the Master's age classes, however since the TT is all about individual effort with no drafting it's a great way to experience racing without the added complexity/danger of mass start events and to set a base line to improve on.

Most USAC affiliated cycling clubs hold regular TT events that include a "Merckx" class for standard road bikes sans aero-doo-dads, the easiest and least expensive way to pin on a number and have at it.

Once again: The BF Sub-forum "Masters Racing (All Disciplines)" is all over how-to no nonsense TT advice .

PS: Great TT riders like the inestimable Beryl Burton were Masters age beating all comers of any age/sex.

-Bandera

jppe

OP-I am an organizer for TT's and have ridden in lots of them. What's the length and type of TT for the one you're considering?

Is it a regular road route or a hill climb?

Bike position and equipment make a big difference in time on longer TT's on a road course (non hill climb). By long I'm suggesting 10 miles and longer.

For example, I've done a TT on a 10 mile venue on a road bike where I used aero bars and a fast forward seat post to put me in a little better position for a TT. That was my baseline. I then used the same wheels but used a TT Bike. That one change reduced my time from 25 mins to 24 mins. I then went with much better and more aero wheels and that reduced my time another 1 minute. It was The exact same venue and similar weather conditions.

Don't feel like you have to have all the TT equipment to do a TT, though. I was simply pointing out equipment can make a difference. We have folks doing TTs in boots and with baskets on their handlebars.

The length of the TT will dictate how you train and also how you might set up your bike. I set up my bike in a more comfortable but little less aero position for a 40k versus a 10 miler. A 10 miler is a little more like a sprint than a 40k. On a 10 mile TT my HR can average 85% of max. However for a 40k it might average 80%.

Regardless give one a go. TT's are really about racing against yourself and seeing how well you do and possibly improving over time. I enjoy them because there is less worry about safety's than pack racing. While it depends on the venue generally riders start one at a time. We have holders where we simply hold riders up at the start line to allow a little faster start versus a standing start. Other venues might just do standing starts.

Let me know if there are any specific questions you might have. If you're in the Carolinas join us for one of our events at Charlotte Motor Speedway. We do 1 a month April-September. You can find more info at www.carolinatt.org/v4.

revchuck

OP - Do it!

The only one I'm aware of in Louisiana in June is part of the Tour de Louisiane stage race. Since it's a stage race rather than an omnium, you have to sign up for the whole race (road race and crit as well as the TT). The TT will be held near Mandeville. Of course, you could be planning on doing it during a vacation somewhere else.

A really good way to get your feet wet doing TTs is to try the Louisiana Senior Olympics. This year the cycling competition is in the Lake Charles area in August. The link is here.

I second Bandera's recommendation to go to the Master's Racing sub-forum and check it out. The link for that is here.

BlazingPedals

The only time trials I've done weren't 'normal' format. Mine were hour events, and the format was: mass start, laps around a sports car track, and when the hour was up you finished the lap you were on. Winner determined by a.) most laps and b.) best time among competitors who had the same # of laps. As with regular time trials, no drafting was allowed.

tg16

It's going to be about 11 miles in Woolmarket, MS, with maybe 300-350 elevation gain. There are a couple of steep hills and some longer but less steep climbs.

As for bike, I was thinking of riding my tri bike. I'm going to check the link you gave me. My wife goes to spend time with her daughter in late summer and I'm free to run amok.

For all you posting the valuable information, thanks! I've decided to do it. I'll also check the other forum. I'll also check the Louisiana Senior Olympics.

rando_couche

An 11-mile TT is short enough that you'll be going pretty much flat out the whole way. It will hurt. A lot. If it doesn't, you're not going fast enough.

It’d be a good idea to do a few “DIY” TTs just to see what you’re in for, and to get used to the experience. No more than one a week and a variety of distances and routes.

Have fun, go fast!
SP
OC, OR

asgelle

I don't see how both are possible.

StanSeven

Do some practice rides my self. Learn pacing over the distance. Do it a few times over as close to the course conditions so you know how to finish at your best without fizzling out early or leave too much left over.

The actual tt is just like that - you against the clock. Riders start maybe a minute apart (often less frequently depending on actual road and traffic situations as well as number of riders). Don't worry about anyone else except your own time. Use your experience from the prior training efforts so you are comfortable and know what to expect.

Jackmen

I am an older guy who has gotten into cycling a lot after 50. I am currently 57. Last year I did some Senior Olympic Time trials and did Ok. I am really just getting 5 years of solid road riding under my belt (>3000 miles per year).
I live in Missouri and the first one I did was a St Louis Regional event (End of May 2015). They had 4 short TT races. 5 Mile, 5 K, 1 Mile, 1/4 Mile. Like I said really short. I used my road bike (nice road bike Giant Defy Advanced 0 with DI-2) with some clip on Aero Bars and did Ok. I was 3rd in 3 races and 2nd in one race in my age group. The level of competition was a little lower in the regional, but I did pretty good for a first set of races. I think I avg about 22 MPH in the 5 mile.
I was signed up for the Missouri State Senior Olympics which had a 5K, and 10K TT's , but I had a death in my family so I didn't have an opportunity to do that one. Then I also signed up for the Missouri State Time trial Competition which is a 40K TT (24+ Miles) Mid Aug 2015). This was a serious step up in quality of competition, and You have to have a USA Cycling Licence, which I got. I was in the 50-59 age group and there were 7 of us in that group. Same Road bike with clip ons. I averaged about 21.2 for the 40K. I placed 6 out of 7, like I said much better competition. I actually thought I did pretty good for the amount of riding I had done, and the equipment I had.

After this first Year of Racing I Made a decision I was going to step it up this year. Got on Zwift with the trainer this winter, and have already put on 2000 miles this year, and am in much better shape, also lost 15 lbs. I also Bought a Nice TT bike which is very aero, deep Carbon wheels, with full Sram Red. I am in a great position on the bike, have a nice TT helmet, and a skin suit. I have been practicing with the TT bike and my riding buddy's have struggled to hang with me. I am preparing to ride the same set of races this year (starting with the regional Senior Olympics short TT races this coming weekend). I am aiming for much better results and feel I have prepared adequately to do better. Its been fun getting faster and in better shape, even though at 57 its not real easy.

We will see how the preparation and training will allow me to do.

OldsCOOL

This is what I train for. I havent entered one yet due to most being too far to keep it a one day event.

cccorlew

If you're looking for first timer reports, here are mine. They may be helpful. I think they are amusing.

A "short" one up Mt. Diablo
Curtis Corlew in Bicycle Land: Mt Diablo Hill Climb Time Trial 2010

And the harder full tilt mountain version
Curtis Corlew in Bicycle Land: Diablo Challenge 2013

tg16

Thanks and I enjoyed the reports.

Jackmen

Well here is my race report from Time Trial Number one this season that I did on Saturday. I competed in a 5 mile lowered my time by 1 minute 30 seconds or went from 21 to 24 MPH; 5K lowered time by 1 minute or from 21.5 to 24.3 MPH); 1 mile lowered time some I don't remember time, and 1/4 mile may have gotten a little slower, should have used my road bike. Overall I received 3 silver medals, and one bronze, in this St Louis Regional Olympics. I felt very good about the overall results, as I ran my heart rates up to 166-171 consistently on these and felt pretty wasted afterwards, even after the short efforts.

In two weeks I will do the state Senior games which is a 5K & 10K Time trial and a 20K and 40K road race, and I signed up for all. Two on saturday, and two on sunday.