Another good evening at Hillingdon for me. Tried a new technique of turning the cranks up the hill without changing gears – so a really low cadence rather than a gear change meaning I don’t need to change position just watch my watts. Then I don’t need to change again at the top of the hill – more time aero.

Anyway, aside from being chopped on the straight once, I’ve a new PB 25:47 for 10.2. (road bike with clip ons), so I’m quite chuffed.

Q: is a skin suit – £135 and reported as “fragile” (Kalas) worth it for the part time TT er? I guess probably not and its just a case of besting your times with what you have?

Right – so my TT career to date includes one “pinning” session ( a spoco 10) as Hillingdon TT’s use ankle gadgets. If the Kalas kit is robust, maybe I could save some cash unless i suddenly find more time for TT’s in 2017, then I could get the no pinz picket sewn in.

Seems like the best option, I’m just not sure the £125 is worth it as I’m not competing (well, except against my self).

Seems like the best option, I’m just not sure the £125 is worth it as I’m not competing (well, except against my self).

90% of people who are riding TTs (even at open level) are competing against themselves, or against their mate, or that bloke who’s always 20 seconds faster i.e. most people arent racing for the win. A lot to them don’t bat an eyelid at spending a hundred quid on a brake calliper, never mind a skin suit!!

What I’m trying to say is, if you’re riding TTs you should really buy a skin suit 🙂

After aerobars, the next thing to buy is a skinsuit; then pointy hat, then wheels then shoe covers, then all the other little bits and bobs you might fancy.

Having said that, you don’t necessarily need to spend 100+, My first skin suit I bought off a mate for 20 quid and that did me well until I started chasing seconds instead of minutes. The main thing is that it’s a tight fit – no loose material.

Jamz – That is lush !

You need a TriRig Omega

Just commenting so i can easily find the thread.

I started taking it semi serious last year and did a 24:45 on my local, very
lumpy and windy local course (Thurso). My aim this year was a 25mph/sub 24 min ten. Bizarrely i managed that feat on the 25 first! I then went 23:05 on the ten the next day.

Since then i’ve gone 22:59 on the ten and 02:04:19 on my first 50m TT. Which i probably shouldn’t have done as i came down really badly with a cold the day before. I’ve got my first 100 on Sunday.

Is it just me or as a rule do the people get weirder the longer the distance with regards to testing?

Was due to do my first 10 tonight, been cancelled because of the wind, Hurray! Er, I mean Ohhh, noooo.

hjghg5, I suffered with my saddle on the 50, everything was numb. I had a look online and found these http://www.pedal-pedal.co.uk/bicycle-saddles.html
They have a good range, you can demo what you want then get the money back if you purchase. The guy was really helpful on the phone too. I got one of the ISM TT specific ones designed to ensure there is no pressure on sensitive areas. Rode it for 50 miles today and it was much, much better, no numbness at all. It was delivered to Thurso the next day. First time i’ve ever actually received anything the next day(it’s the little things when you live this far north).

Good spot thanks – just ordered a Chrono 4 speed suit. 🙂

Start easy finish hard. I may up the zones in the next race asi had too much left. We start with an uphill, and it is very easy to go off too hard. I think I’m loosing time on the downhill section not the climbs. So 4.1, 4.3, 4.5 then all I can. Average HR was 168 so still another 20 bpm to max HR!

Hopefully mine turns up today. Likewise I’ve gone for medium when my head says large.

TiRed – same for me at Hillingdon bearing in mind I’m less experienced, my first TT there was aimed at starting under FTP at 230w and increasing with the last being an all out 300+ watt effort. Now I’m happier riding at around 280w constant on the Garmin for 9 laps pushing to 300w on lap 10 and maxing out to sprinting the back straight on lap 11. Last week that produced consistent lap times with 3 seconds faster on the last and my best time.

I’ve found out a lot about myself this summer by having a go at TT – mainly that I can suffer muscular endurance pain at higher watts and longer periods than I’d given myself credit for when on the road. Just as well, I’m about to trott off and have a go at Sufferefest Local Hero in lieu of a club ride today.

Oh well, the North of Scotland 100 was cancelled this morning due to very high winds (gusting up to 50mph). I was in two minds about doing it due to my recent condition (feel i may have strayed into overtrained territory), so i should have been relieved. But felt a bit deflated tbh. Probably for the best.

Definitely the right decision by the organisers though.

For once I think I’ve just the sizing right (medium, using the kgs guide at 73.5kg’s). Its very snug, tight on the quads & wrists and to do the zip up I have the gather the suit just under my rib cage to get it past that point and then it zips up fine – but I am barrel chested. Judging by the wrinkles in the belly area in the aero position a large would have “gathered”. l can stand up comfortably.

I think once sweaty I’ll be a struggle in the car a la MrBlobby. Thanks to GalibierCC for throwing in a free pair of socks!

Looking forward to its debut tomorrow night at the final Westerly/Hillingdon TT.