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After all our discussion the other day I got curious!
I was seriously tempted the other night to attend Reading Cylcing Club's Buckkebury TT to see what I've got so to speak but couldn't bring myself to go on my Mtb (all ive got) as I thought they might not appreciate it!
Still intrigued though, I had a stab at it tonight. It's a 15.6 mile course and the best time Tuesday night was 38minutes 11 seconds which comes out roughly as 24.5mph!
The slowest time was 50minutes 12 seconds which comes out at about 18.5mph.
So what could I do with my full suspension Scott running Rocket Rons?
Well, I couldn't trouble the roadies, but was well chuffed with a 52minute 32 second effort which is 17.8 mph 🙂
It's HCC201b on Strava if you want a look
I'd say that's quite good on a full sus with mtb tyres. 😆
I know those roads well, quite surprised the best time wasn't a bit quicker really but it is a bit lumpy for a TT. Top effort on a FS with knobblies though!
I tried to ride it for the whole distance and didn't get any pb's so there's more in reserve, I just need to improve my stamina. Had the HR alarm set for 170 and it was going off constantly up every hill 😀
Even without a guy in front and one behind, it was strangely addictive chasing the clock! Watching your average creep up to 18.8 18.9 19.1 then come crashing down on the hills 😀
Dark side is definitely calling 😉
TT's are very addictive. If you ever fancy trying a TT bike... 😉
Crit race at Preston last night, 22.5 miles in 50-ish mins, my average speed was 27mph.
It hurt. Average heart rate was 179bpm and I hit my 195 redline in the final sprint. Came 8th, so well chuffed in such a fast race and such a big field.
I think I'm ready to start winding down a bit for winter!
Crosshair, thought I'd incorporate HCC201b into a lunchtime loop for a mtb/road bike comparison (though admittedly not a brilliant one given different riders.) Quite a sporting course that one! Took it easy on the flats, pushed a bit on the uphills, but didn't have a huge amount in my legs after a nasty 3x15 on the turbo last night. Anyway, excuses out the way, on the fancy plastic road bike I went round in 44.29 (avg of 20.9 mph). Ride overall was 23 miles at 21 mph. Also quite a weird easterly wind today, I reckon that course is quicker with a westerly.
So I think the only conclusion that can be reliably drawn from this is that you need to buy a road bike 😉
Distance 71.08 mi
Duration 4h:45m:15s
Avg. Speed 15.0 mph
Max. Speed 31.3 mph
Calories 3892 kcal
Hydration 2.80L
Min. Altitude 388 ft
Max. Altitude 1233 ft
Total Ascent 2540 ft
Total Descent 2629 ft
Weather Partly sunny
the_lecht_rocks, I hope you stopped for cake!
yes - at Ballater, bacon roll, coffee and bakewell 🙂
Good skills Mrblobby!
They did have near perfect still conditions on Tuesday night.
My least favourite bit was the hill up to the Bladebone- that was a killer (given the 4 miles of fast flats leading up to it 😉 )
I'm desperate to get a go on one before I spend any money but I think I'd get the use out of it.
Crosshair, that is quite a ramp there, though the easterly had already taken some of the pace from the run from Hermitage to Buckleberry.
If you are around 6ft you are welcome to come take one of mine for a spin. Alternatively, Banjo's in Newbury are usually good about letting you have a test ride on some bikes... as are most good shops for that matter.
Oh and mmmmm bakewell tart 🙂
Yep, 6' spot on. That'd be great thanks! I'm available pretty much any when from early afternoons onwards with a bit of notice. We could meet somewhere a couple of miles from yours if you want to check me out first, otherwise m18wilts@yahoo.co.uk
I've got some spare Mtb pedals I can bring, save putting my stinky feet in your shoes 😉
Well Mrblobby, I ended up buying a Triban 5. Bit disappointed though as I'm no faster on it. Had a go at the TT and knocked just 11seconds off! Need more practice and a good thorough bike fit I reckon.
Strava and sportives are racing without the emotional investment, racing for people who don't want to put their ego on the line, racing in private so you can take your ball home when you lose.
That may be partially true but I think in the main they are racing for people who aren't very good at racing. Which is fair enough - there's no point in playing way outside your league. There is no point whatsoever in me doing a proper cycle race as I'd get completely massacred, but like many people I like to push myself so I'll do a sportive or a timed lap at CyB and feel good because of the people I overtake and less happy about all the people who burn me off.
I think it's about comparing yourself to your peers. And my peers are other unfit 40something IT middle managers with 2 kids, a working wife and a mortgage. No point in comparing myself with people who get out training more than once a month.