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Posted Sunday, January 22, 2006 by Jim Teague
After the first two installments, it’s time to put things into practice for an actual time trial. With that in mind, I offer some basic Day-of-Race advice keyed towards the Zoka Ice Breaker Time Trial on March 6 (which you can get info on here: www.supersquadra.com ).
Before your start
If you haven’t pre-registered, you should get to the race early, very early. You will need to fill out forms that you may not be familiar with, and you will have to locate:
- Parking
- Registration
- Starting line
Don't get there late and be rushed, your adrenaline will be at high enough levels already. And note that registration is in a state park, so $$$ will be required to park.
After you register, find the starting line. At the Zoka Ice Breaker Time Trial, the starting line is nowhere near registration. When it's 3 minutes until you start, that's not the time to find out that the starting line is a 4 minute ride away.
When you check out the starting line…synchronize your watch to the race clock. As above, when your watch says its 5 minutes until your start, that's also not the time to find out that your watch is several minutes behind the race clock (and no, the officials won't care if your watch is closer to the official atomic clock time – theirs is the only one that counts).
Put your number on correctly. This is not STP, race officials will actually need to see your number as you cross the finish line. Put it on your side, NOT in the middle of your back. It needs to be readable from the side when your upper body is nearly horizontal. It should probably go on your right side, but ask at the race or watch how everyone else is doing it. Don’t put it on upside down (5-10 people will do this, guaranteed).
If you’re a first-timer, don't be intimidated. Other people will always be there with spiffier bikes and uniforms, no matter what you ride or what you wear.
Get some kind of warmup (30 minutes is plenty for most folks), but don't you dare warm up on the course. If you were out there racing you wouldn't be happy with someone who is diddling around and making a 2mph turn right in front of you in your final 100 meters, so don’t do that to others. It's best to use a wind/mag/fluid trainer or something similar here, plus it lessens the chances of getting a flat a few minutes before your start (yes, this has happened to me).
Forget the double water bottles. Forget any water bottles. For a 10-mile time trial, most people will be out there less than 30 minutes. You won't die of thirst, I promise, even if you take 37 minutes.
Regardless of the weather, leave off the flappy yellow jackets, rain suits, STP Tyvek jackets (I call these "parachutes" because of how much they'll slow you down. Did you ever ride behind someone wearing one of these? They “inflate” like Bibb, the Michelin man.). Anyway, remember your aerodynamics: dress warm if you want, but put something tight-fitting on the outside.
At the start
There's no need to get to the starting line more than 10 minutes before your starting time...you'll just get cold (see above about accurate times, though).
Get in the gear you want to start in BEFORE you are at the line. First, know what gear that is, and second, make sure you are in it. Don’t line up at the start and then click your shifters – your chain may derail when you start. So figure out your gear and ride around in it a little first to ensure your chain is in fully where you want it to be.
A "holder" will hold your bike upright while you get clipped in with both feet and await your start. Trust the holder to keep you upright, they know what they are doing. Next, make sure you are securely clipped into your pedals.
If you come unclipped or your chain comes off at the start (see previous two paragraphs), calmly get it together and get going. Don't waste time fuming over it: the clock is ticking and there are no restarts.
On the course
Remember the first two weeks installments. Go hard, but not too hard. If the time trial is 10 miles and you are absolutely dying after a half mile, you are in serious trouble. Of course you'll finish, but your time won't be as good as it could be. Pull back on the reins a little for the first half, and if you have something left put the pedal to the metal after the halfway mark, whatever that is.
Regarding halfway marks, there is a 180-degree turnaround at five miles out. Don’t forget last week’s advice: take it easy here. It's better to have a slow turnaround (loss of 2-3 seconds) than to go down and get parted with your bike (loss of 10-15 seconds).
One final thing: drafting is illegal in a time trial. If you approach someone and must pass, then you must stay well to their left to do it.
Good Luck! Have a great race!
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