Training for Time Trials

[SheFly]

1. Time trialing is about efficiency, not just power. You increase efficiency by becoming more aerodynamic. It's much easier to increase your aerodynamic efficiency rather than increasing your power.

Got the power, now working on the aerodynamic...

4. Aero-bars will save up to two minutes on a 40km/25mile course. Aero-bars are more aero-dynamic than tri-bars.

This is the newest piece of equipment going on my TT bike - integrated stem/aero bars. DH says that they are about 1lb lighter than my current setup.

9. Wearing gloves creates more drag than having a non-aero front wheel. Like the helmet - spend money on close fitting, smooth gloves rather than a HED disc...

Precisely why I don't wear gloves when I am TT'ing.... Then again, I don't wear them while road racing/training either.

10. TT booties and a skin suit will only save you seconds, and are not worth the expense unless you are an elite contender.

Well, I don't consider myself an elite contender, but I have both a skinsuit AND TT booties, and they do make a difference. Depending on the length of your TT, seconds count. For me, the addition of these items and an aero helmet probably saved between 30-45 seconds, which on a 9.75 mile course, is significant. Where these really made a difference though was on the tandem TT attempt.

Great advice, RoadRaven! And thanks for the training tips, too .

SheFly