A time trial is a good test of a cyclist’s ability. It is you racing the clock. No hiding in a bunch, no sharing the work to get to the finish. It is an honest event where very often success is measured by personal bests rather than winning events.
A 40 km time trial is a kind of gold standard for time trialists. The distance is a genuine challenge and riding close to or under an hour is a significant achievement for most riders.
Upcoming time trials within reasonable driving distance that I am aware over the summer months are listed below. Most of the 40km time trials are run by the Wellington Veterans Cycling Club, but I note that BikeManawatu has snuck one in as well. The events attract a small entry fee. Several riders from the Manawatu ride the Wellington events each season.
The time trials programmed for this year are:
Sunday 15 January 2012: 40 km TT at Kahutara School near Martinborough about 2 hours from PN. WVCC – Guests of all ages welcome.
Sunday 5 February 2012: 40 km TT at Kahutara School. WVCC – Guests of all ages welcome.
Saturday 11 February 2012: 40 km TT at Rongotea. Bike Manawatu – Guests welcome.
Saturday 3 March 2012: BikeManawatu Time Trial Champs – Guests welcome
Sunday 11 March 2012: 40 km TT at Kahutara School. This is an open event for all masters’ riders with age group medals. Guests welcome.
Sunday 1 April 2012: 80 km TT around Lake Wairarapa. Reasonably flat, think of it as 2 x 40km This event is open to all ages.
You can check out the details and enter at www.bikemanawatu.co.nz and www.wvcc.org.nz.
Barry Gilliland