The ride was probably my worst yet, losing 1min 51sec on my previous time and coming in last once again.
I knew things where not going well when I forget to set my Garmin timer, then for some reason it was not showing any cadence though it was working OK in my warm up. So wasted time messing with this switching it off and on again and eventually it came on on its own. Then the wind was also effecting me.
So now with no clue as to my time I eventually get into a rhythm but a lot where coming past me too early on so I new I was behind. Though I pushed hard during the second half of the lap I think the damage was already done. Felt pretty rubbish and did not really get over it until Wednesday afternoon, this may seem stupid but could not even get the spirit to go on the Wednesday ride!
So my goal for the rest of the season ( to keep sane) is not to try and better my time anymore but just try and maintain a time under 32 minutes and with luck I may get another sub 30min if weather conditions happen to be perfect. I am planning some solo training rides (on road bike) with hill climbs and fast intervals with slower recovery periods .
Then if I ever do get stronger legs maybe my times will come down naturally?
I would say try not to get too concerned about your gadgetry Howard. Try to get used to doing the 10 on feel.
Being new to cycling there's no substitute for miles.
Miles, miles and more miles!
Giles will disagree with me but you need the stimulus of being out with others and on the road. There is no magic pill.
Don't let one backward ride disspirit you. TT'ers also say there are racing against themselves. They may be but you are always going to compare yourself to others. This is only natural because that is the only way you can gauge how you are really doing on any given day.
This is why the handcicap system is so good. If you look at the handicaps for Tuesday's 10 when the next Acorn News comes out in a few days, you will see that Ed has 4 or 5 rider within about 5 seconds of each. This stands testament to how good Ed is with his handicaps. He really is that good.
If you can aim to be within 15 seconds of your chosen rider, who is comparable to you, then that is good.
For you, I would say, David Trevor might be a good measuring stick. He's new to it like you but seemed to be very consistent this week improving by 3 seconds despite the harsh conditions. I went backwards 16 seconds and some others went backwards the same sort of ballpark but most went backwards a minute from memory so to go backwards 2 minutes as an absolute beginner to it isn't particularly bad. In this instance, David Trevor should steay improvement but he has been riding a lot longer than you generally I believe.
I wouldn't disagree Rog. All riding is good and the club run will build your aerobic base but I don't think it will necessarily make you faster in a TT.
Roger is right. You need to ride your bike more, but also look to increase the speed of your rides. Club runs are of limited benefit, unless you ride with the faster guys. Riding on the club run at 14mph doesn't prepare you for riding at 20+mph. Good strides can be made from increasing your basic fitness but if you really want to get faster, you need to adopt a more scientific approach and train with a heart rate monitor or power meter.
As Trevor says, club rides are of limited benefit if you don't go with the fast boys. If you want, I'll shepherd you next week on a medium and drop off with you if necessary even though that may mean I take part in a sprint and then wait at a turn for you.
Alternatively, get a Dawes Galaxy and go on Ed's runs. It's done me no harm...
The extra weight of 5-7 kg over a carbon and the wheels and tyres being 5kg of that makes for a very hard effort if you keep up with the mediums given time. I don't think people appreciate just how hard it is to ride a hack at 28-30mph at times.
what fast boys ? those ridding to the café how many races have they done