Bikeracer123

I am going to compete in my first ever time trial and am asking for tips and what should I expect? So far I have only done road races. Also if I have a road bike (no tt bike) will I ride in Merckx category or juniors?

rpenmanparker 

One of two things: either pain or disappointment.

ypsetihw

don't go out too fast, you want to ride at like 80 percent the whole time. if you go out hard you'll die in the second half. ask me how I know . . .

99Klein 

Possibly both.

rpenmanparker 

Greenfieldja

1. If you can standup and sprint at the end then you did not push hard enough throughout the time trial.

2. If you don't feel like puking at the end then you did not push hard enough throughout the time trial.

3. Many first timers start in too hard a gear. Start in a smaller gear so that you can start spinning right off the line or out of the start house and shift up to higher gear as you get up to speed. I have seen folks lose major time and have also seen folks fall over at the start because they can't get the bike moving due to the gear they are starting in.

4. Don't make turns from your aero-bars if you are using them as you have an increased risk of crashing.

5. Don't expect too much from your first time trial...your first few will be learning experiences unless you are very strong and talented.

6. Pace yourself.

7. Breathe.

8. Embrace the suck.

-j

Dan333SP

If you're a junior (based on age, obviously), you'll race the juniors. Not all TTs have a Merckx category. If the event flyer doesn't mention it, there probably isn't one. A lot of people race Cat 4 or 5 TTs with normal road bikes, some with clip-on bars and some without.

Since you're in Florida, it's almost guaranteed that you're doing a flat TT, which will at least help you pace yourself.

Here's the BF bible on TTs-

https://www.bikeforums.net/33-road-bi...lick-here.html

Bikeracer123

It does have a Merckx class but I don't know if I would be better off in juniors. Also I do not have a tt bike, nor aero bars

Dan333SP

How old are you? Not sure how it works with juniors, but do you have the option of racing in your junior category OR in a merckx 4/5 field?

I'd think how well off you'll be in one or the other would depend on who's entered, so I don't think we can give you much advice there.

Bikeracer123

15 and no clue if I have a choice, I will be contacting them asking that

PepeM

You probably do have a choice. I would go for the junior category but honestly, it doesn't matter. The time you get is the time you get no matter which category you signed up for (unless they do different distances.) Don't worry about not having a TT bike, I bet most juniors don't, although I'm sure some do. Just go out there, do your best, and have some fun. Think of your first TT as setting the bar for your future efforts, no need to worry about what everyone else might be doing.

Dan333SP

This is such nonsense.

OP- if you don't podium, you should quit. That's the golden rule of cycling- if you can't master it immediately, you'll never get any better.

Doug28450

Does your bike have junior gearing? If not, you may have to figure out a way to lock out a cog or two to get the correct roll out.

Here is the USAC junior gearing information.

https://www.usacycling.org/junior-gea...bike-legal.htm

PepeM

He says he's done road races, so hopefully he'll have the gearing figured out.

As for the winning thing, I would say looking the part is as important as winning. For a TT, you better not show up in anything less than skinsuit and pointy helmet.

Bikeracer123

haha, I got that. This is my first time so chances are I will not podium. I still have not podiumed on a road race yet but it is still a ton of fun.

Bikeracer123

This is a joke right? I do not have the money for that.

Heathpack 

What to expect/do:

Show up a little more than an hour ahead of your start time. Register/check in, pick up your number & pin it on wherever they tell you to. Usually it's on your back or over your left hip.

You don't say how long your TT is, but I'm going to assume 20k or thereabouts. Warm up for about 35-40 min. A trainer is best if you have one, because it's easy to lose track of time out on the road. If you don't have a trainer, warm up on the road. Usually you can't ride on the race course, though- ask if no one tells you.

Arrive at the start line 3 min ahead of your start.

They may do a held start or a standing start. For a held start, apply your brakes when you roll up to the start line, let the holder grab your bike & clip in. Watch what other people do and ask for help as to how to do this at the start if you're not sure. They'll explain it.

Usually there are 30 sec between starts and you'll get a countdown from 10 sec. If you have a Garmin or other bike computer, remember to start it.

Don't worry about going hard for the first 5-10 pedal strokes, go ahead and get up to speed. But after that, find yourself a gear such that it's hard but you're not dying. Be aware that because of adrenaline at the race start, everything will feel easy at first. It is key to not go out too hard, or you will be toast later on.

The poster who wrote you want to do a TT at 80% is wrong. You want to do a TT at 100% effort the entire time. 80% will be way too slow. However, every time you spike your power, you will be taking away from your ability to maintain that 100% effort. Power spikes are the kiss of death in a TT. You do not want to ride on/off. Completely different from road races or crits.

Avoid ever going above or below 100% effort by more than 10%. If you come to a little rise in terrain, soft pedal up it. Little dips in terrain, keep the power on. Never coast. Stay in your drops.

If there is a turn (many TT course are out & back with a 180 degree turn), ride aggressively into it, shift into a harder gear, brake, make the turn and then come out of the saddle and pedal until you're up to speed. If you can pre-ride the course or otherwise take a look at any turns, do so.

Every 5 minutes during the TT assess how you feel. If you think you can do more, ramp it up slightly and see how you feel 5 minutes later. Keep doing that until you find the point where it feels really hard but you're not dying.

Ideally you are going to ride negative splits, which means you ride the second half of your TT at slightly higher power than the first half. In the last 1 minute of your race, pour it on. Empty the tank totally.

It's very important to be patient in a TT. Don't chase people and don't freak out if people pass you, let it happen (it's expected, you're on a road bike, the TT bikes will be 1-2 mph faster just by virtue of the equipment). Ride your race, the speed will be what it is. Don't think about too much beyond staying on the pedals continuously, keeping your power steady.

Aerodynamics are important. Take off your bottle cages. Wear a snug jersey- nothing should be flapping.

Cool down for 20 min post-race. If you usually drink a recovery drink, do it during your cool down.

Any more questions, feel free to ask. Happy to help you out however I can.

Heathpack 

Yes that was a joke. Plenty of people will be there on road bikes with no aero equipment.

Bandera

Excellent advice from an experienced contemporary TT specialist with good results, thorough preparation and a well thought out approach to the discipline.

The BF sub-forum 41 Road Cycling ,where actual racing experience in any cycling discipline is unlikely at best, may not be the BF sub-forum likely to solicit useful race advice on any discipline except "Imaginary Racing".

Try the 33 Bicycle Racing where it's actually going on and keep in touch w/ @Heathpack for the Real Deal on TT.

Good luck and get a good benchmark time.

-Bandera

Doug28450

They are called @Dan333SP

smarkinson

Just one thing I would add to this excellent advice.

WAIT FOR GO.

Don't take off when the count gets to 2 or even 1. This isn't like a road race where you can get away with stealing a second or two at the start.

ne_dan

Pedal, then pedal harder then you did before. Also have fun, that's the must important part.

kbarch

This is interesting. The whole 100% effort 100% of the time thing gets me, though, especially when people talk about going over 100%. My eyes glaze over when people start talking performance metrics. However, there's a TT coming up locally that several of my teammates are entering, and although I never imagined I'd do one, I just might. Who knows? It could be fun. I really enjoy racing, but have to forego mass starts on account of a shoulder repair that's still fragile (can't run the risk of crashing). It's short - only 14.5 miles - and nearby, so I figure what do I have to lose, but $30? For the warm-up, though, I need to practice riding the rollers without a doorway. Or maybe I can find a fork stand before next weekend....

texaspandj

Expect pain. It's a reality of tt. Everyone's advice is great. I can only add focus, concentrate on the task at hand. Inevitably your mind will wander, that happens, just remember to bring it back to where you are and get your speed/effort back up.

PepeM

By 100% she means threshold, or the max power you can sustain for the given duration.