Blogs
Wed, 18 May 2011
Time Trial racing
By Ella Sadler-Andrews - Horizon Fitness Racing Team
Last weekend brought me my first Rudy Project time trial experience. The 13 mile rolling course (despite being told it was blumming flat) was out in Beckingham, nr Doncaster. I can honestly say I have never been to that part of the UK...Such new landscape and countryside. I was off at 3ish so I set off late morning. The weather was sooo bad. Driving down the M60 in torrential rain, strong gusts of wind and little visibilty was somewhat scary. However, when I got past Leeds way, the sun came out. Beckingham itself was lovely and warm with a light wind. I don't mind the rain in road racing, but everyone prefers a dry time trial.
I rocked up to this time trial knowing no one. Very strange considering most road races I go to I'm familiar with 99% of people. The world of testing is a new one to me and one I am yet to familiarise with...Without wanting to offend any, the stereotypes surrounding testing are rather accurate. I walked into the hall where signing on was to find a huddle of men surrounding this huge board with everyones name and time on it. If you wanted to keep your time a secret, this wasn't the event to do so.
Some of the bikes people had were like something out of the future. Where as I couldn't have looked more like a roadie if I had tried. With my rollers and TT bike that is five sizes too big...Aaaanyways, turns out I knew three people there! Lynn Hamel and Ken (don't know last name...) from my local area and old team mate, Gabby Day. Made me feel slightly more comfortable.
Unfortunately I didn't have enough time to ride the course previous to riding it. Riding blind would have to suffice. About 500m into the course, it went uphill. Not a mountain or anything, but a significant incline for over a km! Sooo painful. Got to the top (just) and it went downhill for aaaages. Into a headwind mind, so I wasn't exactly flying. Bit of flat, bit of cross wind, bit more downhill. Then sharp left and UP. This was some brutal climb. I had no idea how far through the course I was (Speedo decided not to work), but I figured I couldn't be far from the end. With this in mind, I tried to step on the pedals even more. My body was screaming, no oxygen was getting into my lungs. I was crawling! However, I can't have been crawling as much as my two minute man who I caught up the climb...I got to the top (eventually) and fortunately it rolled down, enough for me to get my breath back. It continued to roll up and down all the way to the finish and before I knew it, there was the chequered board.
I finished exhausted but no in a state of collapse. I have learnt from my experience that knowing the course and having a working speedo is fundamental in a time trial. Next time ay...My time wasn't too shabby. 32 20 for 13 miles. Not exactly flat either...I left the TT feeling rather chuffed; I survived my first proper testing experience and even better, I enjoyed it!
From the TT, I drove to Penny's in Sheffield. Some drive that was...Safe to say I got pretty damn lost. I was so glad to get there in the end. Was really nice to stay with the Rowson's. Such a lovely family =) We planned to go watch Lincoln GP on Sunday. We ended up driving half way, then riding the remaining distance with a bag full of lovely picnic and shoes to avoid wearing down our cleats. How organised were we?! We decided to take the more direct route to Lincoln. Direct it may have been, picturesque not so. Got to love a bit of A road tt'ing. It was windy but dry. Penny let me ride most of the way on the front. Thanks Pen. We got to Lincoln with four laps to go. Perfect timing! Seemed a mega race, all broken up by the lovely cobbled climb. I reckon they should do a women's race around that course; that would be wicked bike racing.
My drive home from Penny's took me over the nostalgic Snake Pass. Nostalgic because that area brings me back memories of the awful ODP selection camp based in Bakewell. For someone who isn't the best hill climber, those routes gave me nightmares. It wasn't all tears though, we did have some fun times.
Next weekend is the National 10 in Hartlepool. I know what time I would like to do and I look forward to the challenge. The day after I travel to Belgium with Emma Grant. My first time going over without family/BCF/supervison. But more on that later...
As for now, I'm so cold sitting on this computer that I can't feel my hands. Dog walk and coffee time! Ciao for now.
For more information on the Horizon Fitness Racing Team, visit www.horizonfitnessrt.com.