Time Trial

*Mike and I after the "Race of Truth"

As a pre race activity I decided to punish myself, just a little, by racing at the Saturday night TT (time trial). I have never raced it before, but I have heard that it was pretty fun. In crunching the numbers I thought that my triathlon cycling would hold up fairly well against the TT specialists. However, I didn’t have any time pressure, I was just going to have fun and enjoy being healthy and fit.

The race, although at 6pm, was very hot and windy. Those two things work to my advantage, most people hate the hot-windy two for one special. While I readied my bike and kitted up I received the course low-down form my friend Mike. The course was 7 miles out and back. 4.25 miles would be into the wind and 2.75 with the wind back to the finish. The remaining distance back to the start line was considered the “cool down” area.

*Hot and Windy :)

The TT is a race against the clock. Each successive rider starts at one-minute intervals and rides alone, no drafting, no hiding, no wimps. In races like the Tour de France, the TT is called the “race of truth.” The rider starting ahead of you is considered your “minute man.” My minute man was in my age group so I knew if I could catch him before the end that would give me a minute lead. My friend Mike started just behind me so I was his minute man.

It was pretty sweet to have a full on TT start with race officials holding my bike while I sat clipped in, and giving me the official TDF style finger countdown. I rolled out and prepared for the wind that would soon be opposing me. The course rolls slightly so I kept my head down, my cadence high, and everything under control. I was there to loosen up for the triathlon, not shred my legs by getting too TT crazy.

At mile one I was right in my zone, not hurting but still riding fairly hard. At mile two I counted my minute man at 35 seconds. I continued to pedal at about 100 rpm while trying to hide from the wind. At mile three I was 15 seconds off my minute man’s wheel. Just before the 4.25 mile turn-around I went by my minute man with a, “good job man, keep it up.”

Happy with my efforts I settled slightly as the wind went from my front to my back. I was able to catch my minute man’s minute man (the guy two minutes ahead of me). As I rode I concentrated on getting in my fuel because in less than 12 hours I was hoping to race the triathlon. I cruised through the finish line with the wind at my back and stopped the clock at 19:26.

As I rode easily back to the car, and start line, I had a pretty good chat with some of the other racers. It was very fun, regardless of the outcome, I was happy to be there. Everyone was very nice, the race was well run, and I always like doing new things. After getting my Hammer Recoverite and discussing the race with Mike, it was time for the awards.

After everything was sorted out I finished 9th overall and won the 25-29 division. There were some serious riders at the race so I was happy with that. One of the racers from Billings, Kevin, told me that the TT was a perfect prologue to the triathlon. I wasn’t so sure, but we would know soon enough.

Thanks to Mike for giving me his insight into the race, and thank you to Autumn for the pictures!