[Muffin Queen]

<p>So, there is a group near me that is running TT rides on Tuesday evenings.  I have not participated in one yet but am off work next Tuesday and thinking about participating.  A few questions:</p>
<p>1.  Has anyone here done one of these before?</p>
<p>2.  If you have what was it like?  Were there all skill levels or just really fast people? (Yes I know every area is different but I guess I am wondering if these events generally attract all levels or just really skilled people.)</p>
<p>3.  How did you prepare/warm up?</p>
<p>4.  Any other advice/suggestions/thoughts/whatever would be appreciated.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Thank you.</p>

 

[hobey]

<p>1. There is a Thursday evening TT here near Bannon that he does fairly regularly and I've done once. They're fun in that masochistic kind of way.</p>
<p>2. All skill levels. Anywhere from the top road racers & triathletes in the area to tandems and recumbents. I even saw a guy riding it with a fixie and jeans! Our course is an out & back and pancake flat. Of course, there are winds to contend with off the river. Usually the standings vary from 25+ mph to around 13-14 for the low end. </p>
<p>3. Fifteen minute spin with a couple of pickups. Think warming up for a 5K. The one here has a "holder" at the start so you can start clipped in and you go off in 30-60 second intervals.</p>
<p>4. Do it! You'll have fun. <br>
 </p>
<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Muffin Queen</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/74386/tt-rides#post_2005120"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p>So, there is a group near me that is running TT rides on Tuesday evenings.  I have not participated in one yet but am off work next Tuesday and thinking about participating.  A few questions:</p>
<p>1.  Has anyone here done one of these before?</p>
<p>2.  If you have what was it like?  Were there all skill levels or just really fast people? (Yes I know every area is different but I guess I am wondering if these events generally attract all levels or just really skilled people.)</p>
<p>3.  How did you prepare/warm up?</p>
<p>4.  Any other advice/suggestions/thoughts/whatever would be appreciated.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Thank you.</p>
</div>
</div>
<br><br><p> </p>

 

[MBannon]

<p>Yep, I've done our little local weekly TT about a dozen times over the past few years.  Very low key, very much like a small local 5k.  All ability levels, all types of equipment, no one cares one little bit about your ability level vs. theirs.  And unlike a running race, everyone starts at different times (typically 1 minute apart), so the first/last across the finish line is completely irrelevant.  No DFL here!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I like to warm up for 15-20 minutes, mostly easy spinning but with several 30-60 second hard efforts, building to harder-than-race-pace to really get the muscles cranking.  Pacing the TT is tricky and simply takes some practice.  Generally, though, you need to start a bit easier than you think you can handle.  I usually start out thinking "this isn't so bad, but I know better."  And sure enough, around the 2 mile mark I'm thinking "hm, maybe I went out a little too fast."  By the turnaround at 5 miles I'm suffering mightily but know I'm headed home now.  By 7 miles I hate my life.  By 8 miles my quads and calves are starting to spasm a little.  By 9 miles all I want is death or a flat tire.  At the finish line I am barely coherent and it's a miracle my bike is still upright.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Have fun!!!  </p>

 

[MBannon]

<p>Couple other thoughts.  If you are really trying to put in your best possible effort, this baby will be very high effort, especially if it's a short course like the one I do.  Good chance you will have the barfy feeling for the last mile or so, so don't put too much in your stomach before the race.  A single gel is generally enough for me, just to take the edge off my hunger since our race starts around the time I'd normally be eating dinner.  A little Gatorade or something with some caffeine is good.  During the race I generally only take a couple sips of water because I'm breathing too hard to get more than that.  But one time I decided to go without water in order to keep the bike as aerodynamic as possible.  That was 25 minutes of pure hell.  I couldn't believe how dry my throat was, it was painful.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Regarding aerodynamics, the faster you travel the more it matters.  At the very least, though, you should wear only tight-fitting clothing.  Flappy jerseys create a surprising amount of drag.  I generally go with a tri-top or an UnderArmour shirt.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Don't forget the saddle cream.  I don't chafe much during normal riding, but do when I slide forward on the saddle during hard efforts.  The one or two times I forgot saddle cream were, uh...memorable in the shower afterward.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>There is generally only a small amount of socializing at these things, most folks just show up, warm up, ride the course, chat a little, and go home.  Leave the spouse and kids at home, they would be bored to tears watching one of these.</p>