I was back to work this week, so not so much free time to prep up, hence I was in a bit of a rush to finish work, eat something, get kitted up and ride out to the TT. Got there in the end and left on time though, it was cold outside despite the sun shining brightly, so I was dressed for the cold and the necessary hanging around.
Riding over past Tolethorpe, I sensed someone on my wheel. It was an older guy and we chatted as we rode, he was heading in the same direction as me but was not off to the TT. As happened last week, a chance to cool the nerves came at the level crossing, which was only stopped a short while this week, but as soon as I crossed the rail line I heard the alarm sound for the barriers to go down again!
Getting closer to the start point I saw a work colleague, and we stopped for a chat. I learnt that he would be riding the TT as well, so it was good to have someone else I knew in the field. I took the opportunity of being stopped to have a quick loo stop.
Signing On
Signing on was a formality, again I’d forgotten safety pins and a pen, but I could borrow some in any case. This week I was #11.
I met my other work colleague at the HQ, he wouldn’t be riding this week, but his daughter was riding again. This week I brought a drink for post effort throat soothing and I chose to leave a few things in my colleagues car at the HQ, just to lighten the load a little.
Again there were several weapon level bikes around, and I was the only one on a steel bike.
Warm Up
I did several warm ups, practicing starts off the line and making sure I knew which gear was best for that. On advice from an internet friend I also pushed my heart rate up higher in the warm ups than I did last week.
As I was #11 I didn’t have too much time hanging around after my warm ups, and on the third time of checking out the starting line I could see that #9 was about to go. I struggled a little to get my left cleat locked into the pedal, so had to briefly stop to clean any obstructions which fortunately, seemed to take care of it. Then I took my rain jacket off, folded it up and tucked it down my front in preparation for the start line.
TT
I lined up behind #10 and watched him go, then it was my turn to take the start. 30… 15… 10… start Garmin, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, GO!
I started fast, and didn’t get clipped in on my left straightaway, I made it on the second revolution though and then I could stand up and get up to speed. The wind was more favourable on the out leg and once up to >40Kmh I tried to settle down, but my heart rate was high, breathing laboured and my power was around 350Watts. I kept trying to ease off a bit as I felt that the wind would be worse on the back leg, but I needed to keep the speed high. I shifted into a higher gear which took my cadence lower and generally this was ok but made it harder when there was an uphill section.
The turnaround point came and went without incident, but accelerating out of the mini roundabout back up to speed hurt the legs and the lungs more. I was catching people up and as I progressed back up the course I had a lower number rider in view. This was a good target to focus on as I kept the pace as high as I could against my max effort. I passed the rider ahead making sure to pull out well in advance, and quickly afterwards I saw another rider ahead, he was a very young lad and was passed at speed.
I was hanging on now against fading legs, but I knew the finish line wasn’t far off. My form was likely looking more out of control through the high effort, but I was making sure to stay as low as I could do on my aero bars. I shouted my race number out as I crossed the line, hoping not to spray my slobber all over the volunteers, then I could ease off. I couldn’t be sure how I’d performed compared to last weeks effort, I felt it was quicker on the out leg but slower on the back leg.
Uploading my ride to Strava showed me that I was around 6 seconds quicker on the TT section, but I would have to wait for the official results to be published to be sure of my time and placing. I got my items from my colleagues car, had a brief chat with some folk before getting on my way back home.
Results
Later that evening my work colleague shared the results to me. I had beaten last weeks time by 5 seconds, and managed 12:28, which was good enough for 7th place (out of 30). I was pleased with that for sure.
A superb effort once again Andy, as you now know the effort and focus required for a TT is very different to any other sort of cycling. Glad to see you are enjoying these events.
Thanks very much John!
Another great read Andy! Its kind of a “sick” enjoyment isn’t it? The nerves knowing what is up coming, the pain of it all and the best part being when you stop. Still, rising to that personal physical and mental challenge and NOT stopping when every neuron in your brain is telling you to somehow make it all worth while. Yes, we cyclists (or psychoists) are a different breed! Well done! Cheers!
Hey Rick, thanks for reading. Yes it is a difficult one to explain to someone. I tried it with my father in law once, and I used the “it feels good when you stop” line, and he said well so would banging your head with a hammer…