Tips for Time Trial Newbie

[SheFly]

Thanks for your comments Bike Chick and TxDoc. TxDoc, what do you mean by "iab". Was that at typo, cause I have no clue!

I think I have come to some conclusions. I'm going to stick with shorter TT's for now, I have a list of when they are and will do my first one when I feel like I can do it and be at least in the middle of the pack. I've been looking at race results, so I know about what I have to do to achieve that. I need to do another tempo ride this week and see how I've progressed since my last one a few weeks ago. I've been doing some interval rides and faster group rides to build speed, as well as the Solvang Half Century ... so I need to get back to "tempo ride" mode to really see where I'm at ... as well as for TT training, of course. Trying to figure out the best way schedule group rides, which push me, and still include intervals, hill repeats and tempos AND recovery! I could pay a coach to give me a training program as DH does, so I'm thinking about that.

So, yeah, what's "iab"???!

Wow - lots of activity here over the weekend. Excellent!

Jiffer, you are correct in that TT rules follow the same rules as road races and crits. Save the earbuds for your warmup time on the trainer - they aren't allowed while you are out on the road. TxDoc also had good advice here that I forgot - a TT need a VERY good warmup on the trainer. I typically will ride for 20-30 mins in advance of a 23-25 minute effort.

Go do your TT in April. DH will get on board - he's just not being as supportive because you have decided to do something he wants to do, but isn't at the moment. He'll come around. don't let it stop you.

Go back to my first post - a TT is NOT about where you place against other people, but how you do against yourself. Stop looking at past results, and don't wait until you feel like I can do it and be at least in the middle of the pack. They don't call it the "race of truth" for nothing. If I had waited to do my first TT, I never would have started. Look at Bike Chick's tag: DFL>DNF>DNS I live by this.

As for iab - make sure you practice this before you try it in a race. Remember that in this position, you have far less control over steering, and would need to come out of the position completely to get to your brakes if needed. I typically will save this for road races where I am alone (that's a whole other story...), the road is good, straight and flat. It definitely feels odd.

Again, the whole point of this is to push yourself to YOUR limit, and more importantly, to have fun! Can't wait to hear all about it.

SheFly