7 Tips for Riding Time Trials

1. Don’t go too hard at the start. It is a common mistake that beginners to time trialling start too hard. It is easy to be over enthusiastic at the start of a race. However what happens is that if you sprint from the start you will build up lactic acid in your legs right from the beginning. This initial burst of speed will then slow you down for the rest of the race.

2. Good Mental Attitude. A good cycling friend of mine, spends most of time road racing. His attitude to time trials is that it helps “if you can have your brain removed.” I think this is a little harsh, but you do need a strong will to keep pushing yourself. Don’t let negative thoughts take hold when racing.

3. Steady Pace. The real trick to time trialling is to be able to keep a constant effort. This constant power output may lead to quite different speeds, but it becomes the most effective mechanism to get a quicker time. However there are exceptions. If you are going very fast downhill, you will probably find your power output goes down a little. This is OK because to increase your speed going downhill will have a correspondingly larger effect on aerodynamic drag. However the basic principle is to maintain a constant effort throughout the race.

4. Don’t lose Concentration. This is one of the more difficult things. The concentration required involves keeping yourself within a threshold of pain. The problem is that in time trials you have nothing to chase or follow. You have to be your own motivator.

5. Practise Cornering. You can save yourself some “free” seconds by practising cornering and gradually increasing your capacity and cornering ability. At the same time you don’t want to take unnecessary risks, if it is wet I will take roundabouts quite cautiously, 1 or 2 seconds isn’t worth the risk of a broken arm or worse.

6. Power Meter A power meter is more useful for gauging effort than a heart rate monitor. A heart rate monitor is an unreliable guide to effort. For example at the start of a race your heart rate will take time to build up. If you strain to reach your “race heart rate” you will probably expend too much effort. Also remember your heart rate can fluctuate due to changes in the weather e.t.c. A power meter is the best guide to the effort you are putting in.

7. Practise It is only through riding time trials that you learn how to listen to your body and judge when you have made sufficient effort. This comes with practise.

Article Source: http://www.new.citynewslive.com

Richard Pettinger is a member of Sri Chinmoy Cycling Team and regularly competes in Time Trials in the UK. He finished 7th in the 2006 National Hill Climb Championship. Richard's cycling blog: www.richardpettinger.com/cycling/blog

Please Rate this Article

5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5 

Not yet Rated