Briercliffe 10 – 23 July 2019

Promoted for and on behalf of Cycling Time Trials – Under its rules and regulations.

Event Sec and Sign On: Nick Hickman (Team SalesEngine.co.uk)
Principal Time Keeper: Paul Riley
Assistant Time Keepers: Steve Smith and Frank Turner
H2O: total soft water
Prop:  Steve Smith
Reporter: Andy Saunders
Club TT Sec: Julian Pegg

Hitchin Nomads Competition

Women:  Ella Ruggles (Junior) 30:12

Men: Andy Saunders 23.58; Paul Abraham 25.01; Tom Weir 25.23; Martin Scott 25.57; Andrew Hardy 26.06; Nigel Tooke 27.00; Mark Collins 27.39; Brian Ruggles 28.36; Paul Wright 29.23; Russell Plunkett 29.32; David Summerell 31.21

Private Time Trials

Nick Hickman (Team SalesEngine.co.uk) 24.58

Andy Saunders’ Reflections on the Event

On a decidedly warm evening of approx 28 degrees and with a decent south easterly breeze we had a turnout of 13 riders on the superb Briercliffe 10 course.  I usually keep an eye on the forecast wind direction in the days preceding the TT and unfortunately this time the wind moved from a predicted perfect south westerly to a slightly less helpful south easterly.

There were however a few PB’s/course PB’s on the night from Ella Ruggles, Andrew Hardy and Nick Hickman (who was sporting a splendid pair of extra long DVT socks in white) and who was dead happy to go under 25 minutes on this course for the first time after 8 years of trying (well done Sir).  And well done to Paul Abraham for riding 25.01 on a standard non-aero bike.

On a personal note, as I withdraw the old alloy HED TT bike from the shed once a week I do sometimes ponder what time gains could be had by upgrading to a more modern machine. Then I remember that I’m only racing myself so it doesn’t help to change the baseline although I guess I could purchase a new PB if I wanted to. Anyway, having taken the precaution of starting this evening cool with the help of some aerosol aqua cooling mist (!) I tried to maintain my recent pattern of riding a slightly quicker first half. In previous weeks this was to fend off being caught by Nick Morgan for as long as possible! I’m sure every competitor has their own theory about how to improve their performance.  On such a well-used course you can refine your approach to every corner over years of practice. From watching the TT cornering style of Tour de France riders I’ve picked up enough technique to usually ride this course without braking. Most times, and particularly in this edition, I finish the race both boiled and knackered. I’ve never been a good time trialist, and never will be – but all you can offer yourself is to finish the race fully spent. In this case I got back into the 23’s for the first time in a few years and within 15 seconds of my course PB (content with that).

Next Event

Same again next Tuesday!  Look out on the Club’s Facebook Group for the usual call for crew and riders from Leanne Cutler.