Answering the second part of your question, time-trialling appears to have an entry system which is designed to put people off.
In order to enter you need to find out who is promoting the event. The basic details are on the ctt website (
http://www.ctt.org.uk). However this does not seem to give you the address of the promoter which is pretty essential.
To get the address you need either to contact the promoter or look it up in the CTT Handbook - available from the CTT or some good cycling shops.
Once you have the name and address of the promoter you need an entry form (CTT website again) which has to be filled in and with the promoter together with entry fee usually about two weeks before the event (this is not entirely accurate but close enough and I can't be bothered to explain how the actual date is calculated). You then wait for a start sheet to see if you have got a start and this also encloses details of the course used.
Alternatively you could enter one of our evening 10s excellently promoted by Dave Palmer. Details appear in marco's e-mail and the entry procedure involves e-mailing Dave to enter and paying a couple of quid on the night. Far simpler!