Time Trials
Known by some as the Race of Truth, others as great training for triathlons and the rest as a very painful type of torture! Read on to find out about competing in cycling Time Trials.
Cycling Time Trials (CTT) is the governing body for Time Trials in England and Wales. Their website contains lots of useful information if you are interested in entering some time trials as well as a list of all Open events:
The minimum distance for a time trial is generally 10 miles but shorter races are permitted. Most races are at fixed distances (10. 25, 50 and 100 miles) or fixed time (12 and 24 hours). Riders start at one-minute intervals, or sometimes more, and cover the course alone and without taking pace from other competitors or vehicles. If one competitor is caught by another, the CTT regulations require the overtaken rider to fall back behind the other to a distance where they are getting no shelter or help from the faster rider. At least 50 yards/metres is suggested.
There are two classes of time trial events:
- Club
- Open
Club Events
As the name suggests these are organised by a club primarily for their own members or those of other local clubs. You can normally turn up on the night and enter on the line as long as you are a member of another affiliated club (such as Manchester Triathlon Club) and the cost is usually only a few pounds. Most Club events are held on midweek evenings and are often used by time-trialers and triathletes as training for open events or triathlons.
J2/1: Stockport Clarion 10m Time Trial
- Almost every Monday evening between 4th May and 10th August 2009
- Sign on from 6.45pm, first rider off at 7.30pm
- See the clubs website for more details and results:
- http://www.stockport-clarion.org.uk/
J2/1: Westmead Team 88 Club 10m Time Trial
- Almost every Wednesday evenings* between 29th April 2009 and 26th August 2009.
- Sign on from 6.30pm, first rider off at 7.15pm
- See the clubs website for more details and results:
- http://www.westmeadteam88.co.uk
Seamons 8.75m Time Trial
- Almost every Wednesday evening between 22nd April and 19th August 2009
- See the clubs website for more details and results:
- http://www.seamonscc.co.uk/
Manchester Wheelers 10m Time Trial
These are a series of 'sign on the line' events run on various Thursdays throughout the summer. They are open to all and all levels are welcome including beginners. They are on a 10 mile course starting at the Red Lion in Lower Withington. More details on these events can be found on the Manchester Wheelers website under Events. You can also post questions to members on the members site forum.
Open Events
These events need to be entered in advance by downloading and printing the official CTT entry form from their website and posting it to the race organisor. The next hurdle to overcome is that the address of the race organsisor is not listed on the CTT website, but only in their handbook that has to be purchased online for £7 (or borrowed from a friend). For most events entry closes about 14 days prior to the date of the race so it's important to enter early. For certain events entries may not be accepted on a first come first served basis but instead may depend on your fastest time for the specified distance with only the fastest riders able to enter. Once you've got past all this then you are in and things are much simpler on the day! Some events are now making online entry available and hopefully in the future things will get simpler and a little more welcoming for beginners.
You can search the event section of the CTT website for details of Open Events over a wide variety of distance or alternatively buy a copy of their handbook. Below is a list of local time trial events and series. If you are planning on entering some time trials this year then these would be a great place to start.
The Manchester District of Cycling Time Trials
http://www.manchesterctt.org.uk
A full calendar of Manchester & District open time trials is available from their website calendar:
http://www.manchesterctt.org.uk/calendar.html
The Cheshire Points Series
The Cheshire Points Series involves 20 Manchester District open events where your best 10 results count towards your total. View the poster here:
http://www.manchesterctt.org.uk/Chesh%20Points%202009.doc
Latest results can be viewed here:
http://www.manchesterctt.org.uk/m&dtta.html
Manchester & District Ladies Cycling Association
- 25th April - M&DLCA invitation 10m TT (J2/1)
- 16th May - M&DLCA 10m TT (J2/1)
- 13th June - M&DLCA invitation 10m TT (J2/1)
- 27th June - M&DLCA in association with Nova CC 25m TT (J2/9)
- 18th July - M&DLCA in conjunction with M&DTTA championships 50m TT (J4/16)