Wednesday night time trials are our most popular weekly rides.  Come join us and see if you can set a new personal best.

HOW DO TTs WORK?

First, there are two types of Time Trials or TTs.  The first type is the Individual Time Trial (ITT), these are held by our club; the second is the Team Time Trial (TTT), we have not introduced these as of today.   We just call 'em TT for simplicity.  We have four different TT routes that rotate on alternative Wednesdays.  Riders will start typically 30 seconds apart.  Unlike official TT races where the starting sequence is  based on the finishing times in preceeding races, our TT starting positions have more to do with what people are comfortable with than anything else.  Some riders like to get out first, others in the middle, others do not like to be passed so they start last.  Even some riders show up late and then ride the course and meet up with the gang at the end.

BEST INTRODUCTION TO THE SPORT

TTs are simply the best introduction to the sport.  "Why?" You ask.  It is perfect for riders who may not be comfortable riding with other people.  It is also a great way to test your own progress over time.

OVERTAKING RULES

It is assumed that riders will not draft (ride in the slipstream) of a rider if she / he is passed on the course.  As the event is strictly used to base this result on your past result, it is important to respect.  In official TT races, competitors are not permitted to draft.  There is not much communication on the road if you are overtaken or overtaking another -- usually both of you are so tired that one rider may say something but the other rider doesn't hear. 

TIMING SYSTEM

We recommend each individual rider have a timing system (cycle computer, watch, etc.) that will allow them to track their individual effort.  The rider then submits their time to the Ride Captain who collects all the times.  The focus is not on who has the fastest time but who has improved their time. 

PERFORMANCE and TACTICS

As the goal is for riders to improve, here are somes suggestions.  To do well in an TT, a cyclist must

• maintain a steady power output for long periods
• maintain a controlled heart rate for long periods
• have a smooth, regular pedalling technique
• position her/himself to be extremely aerodynamic
• discipline her/himself to operate just below the anaerobic threshold until near the end of the course
• blot out pain and all other distractions

If you are just starting TTs, you will likely find yourself putting in a J profile effort, meaning you go out too hard in the beginning, compensate by reducing your efforts in the middle, and then realize towards the end that you have not put out enough effort during the ride.  In short, every ride teaches us something about our tactics and pushes our bodies and our experience a little more.  And, did I mention they are fun . . . 

THEY ARE FUN, HUH?

Honestly, I don't enjoy TTs.  I don't know too many people that do; however, TTs are about being disciplined and about being able to mentally shake off the pain.  The better you can blot out pain the better you will ride.  No different than life.  However, back to bicycling . . . TTs have a large role in the overall physical and mental development of an athlete or an individual.  Also, TTs provide everyone an opportunity to improve and then celebrate their improvement as others congratulate them.

THE COURSES

The Club operates four regular Time Trials for 2008 that rotate West to East (Miscouche, Indian River, Crapaud, and Rocky Point) that return to the same location in four weeks to see if riders can improve their time.  We also have two end of season TT that occur once per year.

Follow this link to view the current calendar.