My first 50 mile TT

My first 50 mile Time Trial, the CTT National 50 !  It was local to me so thought I would give it ago. I have previously done a 10 on the early part of the course so I knew what the first part was like and then used google maps to check what the later turns were like. It’s not really a course you can recce outside of an event as it’s on and off of a dual carriageway. 

First rider was off at 6am, so my start at 8:08 wasn’t too bad considering. Getting up early enough for breakfast was still a bit of a struggle.

The forecast looked quite good, cloudy, not much wind, dry and only a 20 % chance of drizzle later on.  Well that was definitely wrong, started to drizzle not long in and absolutely poured for a quite a while. Anyway it actually made it easier to breathe and I don’t mind the rain just had to be more careful on the turns. 

I wasn’t sure how I would do or even if I would enjoy it, but actually once I got into it I felt like I could just have kept going, I started off quite steady and pushed more in the 2nd half, achieving the negative split goal. 

The worst part about the time trial was finishing, although I felt like I could have continued at the same pace when I actually stopped it was quite painful and I couldn’t stop shaking as I was aching, wet and cold. 

Finished 4th overall and first U23/Espoir 

I was predicated to finish 9th on spindata so was definitely pleased to go better, especially considering the start list. 

1:39:20 30.2mph 

BC U23 National Time Trial

This was a big aim for me and although it  didn’t go the best I still loved it. The course was technical & hilly and on closed roads.  I had someone else’s team drive for me and it was the first time using a radio so that was really fun too.

It was the most nervous I’ve been at the start of a time trial and I probably went out a bit too hard on the first lap and although I maintained the same speed for most of the course on the second lap, the 30 seconds I lost the second time up the long climb dropped me from 2nd overall at the first split to 8th overall at the finish.  I was initially disappointed when I finished, especially as i was so high up in the first split, but also once I had chance to process it I think it still showed potential at the same time, I learnt a lot and felt the improvements I could make are really easily achievable for me.  

I shouldn’t really complain about my result especially when most of the riders had the knowledge, advice and equipment from their top pro development / continental teams, I definitely envious of the experience they gain riding for these teams.

But this definitely isn’t an excuse cause I gave it my all and I am super grateful for the support and help I get from my team & coach to even get me to the start and this wouldn’t be possible without them. 

Looking forward to next year’s National TT already 🤞