Training for Time Trials

[Eden]

Eden, you got this in Jan, and your TTs started in Feb and i have been meaning to ask ALL year how you have found your HED disc!?

I haven't done a lot of TT'ing so far this year, so I've only used the disc 3 times. The last one was very windy and I was a little concerned about being blown about with the disc (it was a pretty seriously ugly wind - enough that peple were doing over 30 mph (48.3 kph) out, but only 12 mph (19.3 kph) back and I never felt like it was going to take me off the road or anything bad like that), but it was fine. It's hard to say, since really a lot has changed besides just the rear wheel, but it may have even helped since I did better than I expected. From what I understand, in a crosswind the disc can actually act like a sail and help you go forward faster. I'm not a really strong TT'er - middle of the pack at stage races usually - but I still got omnium points for being 11th out of a few over 30 some particpants and I beat some people that I generally consider to be stronger than I am. An omnium race here is a stage race that instead of using your total time, uses a points based on top finishes (1-11 in TT's and crits, 1-14 in the road race I think) in each stage - I actually prefer a regular stage race since its easier for me to make up time in a road race than it is to get points in TT's and crits. I've got another big stage race coming up next weekend that will include a TT, so another chance to get the TT bike and the disc out. Last year I muffed the TT in this race bad, by having my rear wheel skewer come open and the rim drag on the brake for the whole TT - so I really expect to do much better this year

One thing that I would like to try to do - the speed sensor for the computer that came on the bike is positioned for the rear wheel, so I want to try to get a magnet onto the disc - I think I'll have to try to find something very small and epoxy it on. Right now I can only get cadence, which is OK - I can pace myself with hr and cadence, but I'd like to have speed as well. I guess I could move the sensor to the front fork, but its a funky big aero fork, so it might be hard to get it to stay put.

[RoadRaven]

My partner and sons say epoxy you could use, but then you have no alternative if you want to take it off.

But what he and my son do with their HEDs is use a small round flat magnet, and tape over it with black electricians tape. Its the same stuff that they use to tape over the valve to make that part of the disc aero too.

I need to read the 'ominum' bits tomorrow - I'm too tired to quite get what you are saying.

I am glad you have had some races on the disc, I have yet to ride on a disc, but I do have some deep dish wheels (Grammo Vipers) I am going to ride for the first time tomorrow

I look forward to hearing about your stage racing next weekend... spesh the TT

[RoadRaven]

Considering the ridiculous expense of TT booties, and the only fractions of seconds, or maybe a few seconds, that might save (since all that air around pedals is "dirty" anyway) I am wondering about cheap alternatives...

What about socks, for example? Or does the coarseness of the wool or weave defeat the purpose of wearing them over your shoes?

What about a lycra sleeve if I messed about and fasioned one on my sewing machine?

Do you gals think its worth the effort?

[Eden]

What about a lycra sleeve if I messed about and fasioned one on my sewing machine?

Do you gals think its worth the effort?

Why not - I think the ones you buy are made of lycra - just sew it real small so that it fits nice and snug.
I think I've seen people use socks too - I have no idea if they are as effective.

[RoadRaven]

Think I'll give it a go... the lycra... it'll have to wait til the study break though, am snowed under at work!

[RoadRaven]

OK... This week is the week I try and make some TT booties (and mend my winter booties - plastic bags in my shoes are just NOT enough!)

But my question is about being "on the rivet" in a TT.

Watching the boys in the prologue (I LOVE this part of the TdF even though its only about 8km long) I noticed many were on the rivet... you know, sitting right forward on the nose of their seats.

Discussion with the family as we watch and its because you can potentially get more power for your push if you can sit a tad further forward.

Like a good girl I am sitting on the spin bike as I watch and TTing with them (for an hour or so of it) so I scoot forward to see how sitting on the rivet feels... and IMMEDIATELY scoot back...

There's this little matter of anatomy... we gals have a gap where guys dont, and that meant the nose of the seat felt like it was gonna go somewhere it wasn't intended. There's no way I could ride a TT for 40 minutes with that sensation!!!!

So... do gals... indeed, CAN gals... ride "on the rivet"? Do we need a special seat? Would tilting the seat down even more work? Is this a possible thing?

[equus123]

one thing that i find interesting about that idea of sitting more forward on the saddle for more power - if that's the case then why don't they move the saddle more forward? i really don't see the purpose in sitting on the nose of the saddle if you could just shift it forward so that you're in the same spot but sitting on the normal saddle position. anybody else wonder about that too? it seems pretty "der!" to me. lol

i think i have a very special private area because i can't sit on ANY other saddle than my Terry CrMo cutout otherwise i'm ready to scream within 5 minutes. even though this is the only comfy saddle for me, i can't even scoot forward or else that hurts like crazy. i don't know WHAT my deal is. so when i change my road bike into TT mode (i only have 1 bike), i just shove the saddle all the way forward and tilt down slightly.