With the Scarlet Fire 2-Person Team Time Trial fast
approaching, I thought it would be a good time for some 2-person team time
trial tips. If you're looking to register for this event, you can at True Sport. If
you're still looking for a partner for the Scarlet Fire 2-Person 40K TTT, I'll have
a signup sheet at both the Bong and a Half TT this Sunday, and the Harvard TT
next Sunday. Hopefully, I can take this information and help assist you in
finding a partner for the event, or the Wolfgang Freitag Memorial 2-Person 50k TTT in Hersher, IL on Sunday, July 8th.
Course:
As a team, you should pre-ride the
course together. If time doesn't allow for that, then drive the course the
morning of the event before the first rider takes off. If all else fails, the two
of you better study the map before you set out.
Communication:
Both verbal and nonverbal
communication is crucial to your success in the team time trial. Verbally
communicate about the tempo...is it too fast...too slow? At times it might be
difficult to verbally communicate because of the wind, so having a couple simple
hand gestures will aid when this becomes an issue. For example: when you make a
turn, your teammate might indicate the direction you'll
be rotating on this stretch by moving their hand clockwise or counter
clockwise. If you're the lead rider make sure you leave the necessary room for
your teammate to pull through as you roll off.
Motivation:
This event can be difficult when you’re
sitting on the rivets, so don't forget to let your teammate know they did a
nice job pulling into the wind or grinding it out on a false flat. It's up
to the two of you to get yourselves to the finish...so stay positive!
Rotation:
When rotating, don't make the
trailing rider accelerate to come around you at the front. The leading rider
should pull off to the left or right depending on wind direction. If you're the
rider pulling through, you should do your best to maintain this speed....keep
things smooth! Don't forget that your teammate just put in a serious
effort at the front, so you better not gap him.
You and your partner might want to
rotate in such a manner that one rider will always lead you into and out of
turns. This works really well when one of you is a better "wheel
sucker" or has the ability to quickly accelerate back into the slipstream
if a small gap does open up. When you consider that the Garden Prairie course
has six turns (3 left and 3 right), using this tactic just might save you some
serious time in the end. It would also be wise to try this at the turnaround.
Allow the rider who has a smooth, constant acceleration to take the
lead...similar to the start.
Evaluation:
During the event you'll have
been communicating while rotating, this will have allowed you to
adjust to the circumstances that have arisen. For example, one rider
might have to take longer pulls while allowing your partner to take shorter
pulls. Don't get caught up in having to equally share the work load. If you're
the stronger rider, 30 seconds in the slipstream can help you recoup, so you
can continue your one minute pulls.
Annihilation:
By the time you and your teammate
are in the home stretch, I'm sure you'll both have completely turned yourselves
inside out to go as fast as possible. Therefore, this isn't the time
to out sprint your teammate to the line. However, it would be smart to
finish side by side since the clock stops as the second rider crosses the line.
To do this, you could come up alongside your teammate with about 20-30 meters
before the line.
Excitation:
What's not to be excited about when
you have a bakers dozen of fine Jewish pastries waiting for you
when you’re done.
"CLICK" link for more
Once again, don't forget the scoring and categories have
changed this year for the team time trial competition. Hopefully, these new
categories will make things interesting.
Team Time Trial Scoring:
How many points will I earn for partipating in team time trial events in 2012?
Riders who compete in team time trial events will be awarded 15 points each towards the end of the season overall awards. The series made this change to give riders more flexibilty in choosing a partner for these races.
2-Person Team Time Trial Categories:
Open Categories*
Open Male, Open Female, Mixed Open, Juniors
*Open categories are for teams that are not juniors and have not reached a combined age of 69.
Male and Female Combined Age Categories
Juniors, 70-79, 80-89, 90-99, 100-109, 110-119, 120-129, 130-39, 140-149, 150+
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| Welcome to Bob Burke County where I live to time trial and time trial to live! Bizzy...it's time to drop the hammer girl! |
For those of you heading North of the
State Line this Sunday for the WBR
Bong and a Half 30K Time Trial in Kansasville,
WI....GOOD LUCK! If you haven't already registered, here's the link to do so: Bong and a Half.
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| Don't forget...we are all guests so act appropriately. |
Don't forget to check out the Mid America Time Trial Series on facebook and Mid America Time Trial Series website.
BA
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