I am also new at the TT this year - I have done two - one a hill climb and one a 20K flat. I used the clip on aero bars and agree with the advice posted earlier. It is a good idea to know what level you can sustain for the entire course - either via heart rate or power (which most of us do not have power meters on our bikes) Also you may want to practice the turn if there is one - there was on my 20K and also the start if you will be held. My other advice is to stay focused - don't worry if others pass you - concentrate on what you are doing - and only on yourself. Don't worry about being slow - the slowest person is the one who never starts. My own personal experience was that after the 20 K #ell bent for leather effort - I was fatigued for two days afterwards - more so that a 100 mile ride!!!

I hope you love it as much as I did. I had zero expectations - as I had never ridden the flat course before and went out and just did it - and guess what - I beat some of the local "sponsored" team members - at 40 years old I was darn proud of myself. Now the bug has bitten and I am hooked. I can suffer an extreme amount if I know when it will end. It's just you and the road and it is an awesome feeling.

Good luck - tell us how it went!

debi