Time trials are said to be the purest form of competitive cycling with each rider, on his/her own, against the clock – no drafting and no team tactics. You do not have to be a champion, every rider fights their own battle, to improve their previous best time and to try and beat their peer group at whatever level. Time trials are also the least intrusive event to other road users. Courses are almost always designed with only left turns or roundabout turns and, of course, no traffic lights.
Time trials can be entered by anyone who is registered with a cycling club (not British
Cycling) which can normally cost as little as £10. For club events, which are generally
held on a Tuesday evening, you will need to look at the club’s website in advance
to find out where the race starts and where the HQ is. The HQ is usually the organiser’s
car boot in a pub car park. The pub is chosen on the basis of its available car parking.
The organiser will issue a racing number and in return you need to sign your permission
to race and pay the entry fee (£1:50). Local clubs are listed in the following website:
http://www.ctt.org.uk/Default.aspx?&gv498__gvac=2&tabid=118&gv498__gvff1=3&gv498__gvfl1=8
Local club time trials are usually more relaxed about rules than open events, especially
with kit but its a good idea not to go out of your way to annoy members, but plead
ignorance if you get something wrong. Try to get into good habits early.
Entry to
open time trials
For open events, you may find some listed on club websites or forums,
for all others you will need a copy of the CTT handbook which does include all of
the rules and regulations, as well as information about most (but not all) courses
and a list of the races over the year. It can be ordered from the www.ctt.org.uk
website for £7.00
If you see an event that you would like to try, you need to look at the race distance,
the special conditions and the course. Generally entries have to be in 2 weeks before
the race date, with the closing date normally being on the Tuesday 11-
If an entry
form is returned to you, it means you have not been accepted. You may not hear anything
from the organiser but if you have been accepted you will see your name on a posted
start sheet along with a start time and a number. Take your start sheet with you
to the event. Some start sheets are listed on www.ctt.org.uk
Getting there
You should
arrive at an open time trial as early as you can, aim for 90 mins before the start
in order to test your bike, sign on, collect your number and warm up. Sometimes you
may wish to drive the course beforehand but be aware that the race may have already
started and remember to give cyclists a wide berth. Warming up on the course is fine
as long as the event has not already started. Being on the course when the race is
in progress can mean disqualification.
Starting
Once warmed up, you should aim to be
at the starter’s area within 10 minutes of your start time. Missing your start time
means you get huge penalties. You will normally see a line of people in a layby or
perhaps a parked car to show where the start is. Once in the start area, do not ride
away and turn around within sight of the starter, this can be dangerous to other
road users (no U turns within X metres of the start).
On starting, you will be called
to the start line and ensure that your bike is in the correct gear and that you have
already practiced a start to be sure that your chain will not slip. With 30 seconds
to go, a starter will hold your bike and allow you to be clipped in (this is YOUR
choice, you can do a standing start if you wish).
You will then have a 10 second countdown
and go on 0.
The Finish
At the end of the time trial, you will see a checked flag, a parked car
or a marshal with a clipboard, DO NOT STOP HERE! Call your number out as you pass
the finish as this will help the time keeper to get an accurate time for your ride.
Ride straight through, slow down safely and continue back to the HQ. Here you can
hand your number in, make your excuses and watch your time be posted on the score
board. DO NOT ASK THE MARSHALLS FOR YOUR TIME. Your number usually gets you a free
cup of tea or coffee and you can generally buy exceedingly good home made cakes for
a few pence.
Results
If you wish to stay for the results, you can sometimes get a printed
copy, or write them down on your start sheet as they come in. Results can sometimes
be found the same day on the club website, a club forum, the CTT website or the timetrialling
forum. You will normally get results posted to you although this may take several
weeks.
If you are fortunate enough to have won anything (sometimes complete novices
win handicap or category prizes), then cheques will be posted with the results.