TT Reports

Following a couple of weeks of no time trials due to the weather it was touch and go whether anyone would be racing this week again due to the predicted heavy rain (depending on which forecast you read!).  With people itching to ride Chris Knowles gave the nod at 5pm and it was on.  Unfortunately the rain started when the first rider started but everyone had warmed up by then and it wasn’t too heavy (note TTs are only usually cancelled if heavy rain causing spray/affecting visibility, or roadworks…).

Professional triathlete Joe Skipper who had previously posted at 20.30 in colder conditions on this course last season had a storming ride to break the 24 year old course record by 5 seconds with a 20.02.  Despite the rain, he suggested conditions were pretty good despite having to remove his visor on the way back.  He has been working on a new aero position and this, along with his high average power (>380 watts) made this time possible. In dry conditions sub 20 minutes is more than likely.

Second was Arron Green (Kings Lynn CC) who been away for a while, with a 21.58, with Mike Padfield (NN Wheelers) posting a 22.20 (and fastest on club handicap time). The ever improving junior triathlete Callum Stedman posted a seasons best time of 23.05.  John Morgan (NN Wheelers) posted his best time in 2 years with 23.54.

Thanks to the timekeepers and marshalls.

Our open 10m TT event is this Saturday with 32 riders from the region having a go at our ‘sporting course’. The first rider is off at 9am. The HQ is at Upper Sheringham Village Hall, so feel free to drop in for a coffee and cake.

Results of the first 25m TT on the Pretty Corner Course.  Course PBs all round, well done everyone!

A hilly TT record turnout tonight for the battle up the local hills.  A good mix of abilities including a few on road bikes.  The slightly shortened course due to road works in Holt meant a higher ratio of climbing to flat land helping the road bikes.  Despite having to navigate a newly gritted section on the main road, slow cars and deer crossings everyone got round safely.

Mike Padfield won in 41.51 (average 24 mph), followed by James Lowe (42.00) and Aiden Bond (43.02).  The fastest on a road bike was Bryce Pegg with 43.29.  It was good to see a number of riders including Brian Platts and Paul Harrowing on their first TTs since their winter hibernation!

Thanks to the timekeepers and marshals.

A good turnout for the second TT of the year on the B10/5 course.  There was a very fast ride by Sam Proctor (Ride Harder and a professional triathlete) in a 20.44, (the fastest April ride ever!).  This was 37 seconds off the course record so based on the time of the year and conditions the record could get broken this year! Matt Ratcliffe (North Norfolk Wheelers) was second followed by Kim Morrision (Drag2Zero).  Fastest on handicap was Mike Padfield.  Thanks to the timekeepers, marshals and supporters!

Two events in quick succession kick started the club time trial season. The first at Horsford was hampered by roadworks at the start, meaning we couldn’t use a revised route that avoided a new roundabout at the end.  The TT was therefore shortened slightly. Despite rain starting just as the riders set off, 12 brave souls had good rides to test their early season fitness.  Fresh from temporary retirement Matt Ratcliffe got the fastest time (21.25), followed by Andrew Knowles (22.12) and then Aiden Bond (22.26). Junior rider Callum Stedman had a good ride with a 24.41.

Two days later it was back ‘home’ to Pretty Corner.  The conditions weren’t much better, with a cold north easterly (5 C). Andrew Knowles had the fastest time with a 22:58, followed by Graham Denny (23.11) and Carl Mace (24.15). Paul Furness did his first time trial in seven years and posted a respectable 26.57.

Time trials now come weekly throughout the season, with the next event a 10m TT at Pretty Corner on the 16th April.  We also have the eagerly anticipated Open 10m TT on 22nd June (bookings via the CTT website).  Fingers crossed for some warmer evenings ahead…