Don't forget your tri bars

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

We're having a little training bash, after yesterday's 100 to get us in the mood for a 12 hour.

Meet at CSS at 8:30am for a speedy run to Brighton and back (non-stop as requested by Steve B)

Expect a flattish route and all home by lunchtime.

[Sylv]

Is that Saturday?

New bars ordered yesterday, so should be fitted by then - was planning to do the clubrun with them to try it anyway

Do you move your saddle forward at all to use them?

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

Saturday.

Generally people do move the saddle forward on TT bikes, but with road bike geometry, you may well find it best to leave it as it is.

See you there
Guru P

[Sylv]

Ok, what I meant to say was more, does the position on the extensions require moving saddle forward, just to be comfortable and not too stretched?

Would prefer not as it might upset leg muscles.

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

If the extensions are adjustable, I would get them as close as you can to your normal position and not stretch out - if you're not used to it, it could kill you in a 12. The aero advantage is not that great as generally travelling at much lower speeds, but they are good for the flatter sections.

I prefer my road bike position, being able to use the hoods and the drops, so just add clip ons, but don't alter the position.

[Sylv]

Ok sounds good.

Last thing, do you roll on tubs or clinchers?

I was planning to use my aero tubular wheels, but as you say will be travelling at around 20mph so not so much an aero advantage - then it's a matter of deciding whether tubs or clinchers are the most practical in case of one (or several) punctures, knowing that you can roll to the next station on tubs to get a spare wheel, but on the other hand with a clincher you can repair one or several punctures on the go if you carry spare tubes.. So I'm not sure what to do?

[Andrew G]

I've a 10 on Saturday and then I'm just on tick over 'til the 12 so will leave you chaps to rip up the tarmac.

Sylv - It may depend how you are made up too (back/leg length). The clip-ons I have are just cheap ones and not adjustable for reach. What this does is, as Paul says, stretches me out a bit - I'm about 50/50 even split so without a long back and I'm not that flexible. In yesterday's 100 I was okay (just) on them on the flat bits but when the road rose I always switched to the hoods. My back ached a bit from time to time so I had a quick stretch occasionally when on an up section. My TT bike which is okay up to a 50 has quite a different position with the saddle noticeably higher due to me being pitched forward more, it'll vary for different body shapes so you'll need to test but any saddle raising could screw you when you're not on the tri-bars.

I have also found that my hamstrings were a bit tight this morning, gentle recovery spin has sorted that though, but I was only riding for just under 5 hours yesterday not 12. I won't be using them for the 12 and will ride my normal road bike as over such a huge amount of time comfort is key. For such a long ride I'm working from a simple maxim - If it isn't comfortable it isn't worth it.

Hardly the most experienced at this but I would suggest you put the tri-bars on asap and ride with them as much as you can (road not turbo as it felt a lot different to me). You should be able to make a couple of minor tweaks to the reach/height to get as comfy as poss, you don't want to start the 12 without something you haven't had a good run on first. If you aren't completely happy then personally I'd leave them off. Will any aero advantage counteract a potential sore back/legs after 6 hours when you're only half way? For that reason I'd also make sure you can reach the hoods and anywhere else you want to so you can just ignore them if you want. I don't think aero is quick if it has you in agony.

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

[quote="Sylv"]Ok sounds good.

Last thing, do you roll on tubs or clinchers?

I was planning to use my aero tubular wheels, but as you say will be travelling at around 20mph so not so much an aero advantage - then it's a matter of deciding whether tubs or clinchers are the most practical in case of one (or several) punctures, knowing that you can roll to the next station on tubs to get a spare wheel, but on the other hand with a clincher you can repair one or several punctures on the go if you carry spare tubes.. So I'm not sure what to do?

[Sylv]

[quote="mrP(Boonen)VT"]Personally I don't bother, just take a squirt in one gunk canister and my phone to make a distress call.

[Sylv]

Trying now to find out exactly where is the course,

Clicking on the course link on the cyclingtimetrials website doesn't take you anywhere

Where's E2/12h?

[Andrew G]

Fear not the course details and startsheets will be out in the next few days I believe. I have my sources .

[Sylv]

Oh it's still a secret is it?

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

Shhhhhhhhhhhhh

If I tell you, I'll have to kill you.

Guru P

PS Both tubs done for you.

[Andrew G]

[quote="Sylv"]Trying now to find out exactly where is the course,

Clicking on the course link on the cyclingtimetrials website doesn't take you anywhere

Where's E2/12h?

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

[quote]The problem with these things is that it's all run voluntarily by people who do it in their spare time so there isn't a definitive set of maps and descriptions anywhere that I know of. Quite a lot of the people who organise and run a lot of these things are also from an older generation as well, so ,not wishing to sound ageist, are not always hugely web savvy regarding mapping sites and blogs etc which would be the natural place to hold this sort of stuff.

In an ideal world the CTT site should have all the courses mapped out on Googlemaps (or similar) and a "Courses" page which provides the detailed description and the map of every course on it, in reality it has no maps and course descriptions are a bit hit and miss as to whether they are there or not.