OK I admit it, I’ll probably never become World Time Trial Champion (unless by some miracle I lose a further 7 stone, develop a cardiovascular system of a bull and buy a wind tunnel) but I have to admit when it comes to pro cycling and in particular Le Tour de France, 2 things captivate me most.
The first is the mountains. Men shouldn’t be able to make bicycles do that. It isn’t a physcial possibility. My car wouldn’t go up those roads.
The second is the time trial. Firstly, the time trial is by far the most glamorous part of pro cycling - the equipment and apparel is advanced as Formula 1, with bikes and kit being developed in wind tunnels. Secondly, it’s the purest form of the sport; man vs the clock. Riders depart at 2 second intervals and race against the clock. The person who completes the course in the shortest time is the winner.
Keith at KB Cycles was telling me that he competes in 10 mile time trials, and that his time is around 25 minutes. So, for fun, I decided to see how fast I can do 10 miles, and then try to reduce my time. Today, I did 25 minutes and 40 seconds. This can’t be compared to Keith’s time, who does it out on the road on the hills and I did it on the turbo trainer on the lowest resistance (come on I weigh 18 stone, what did you expect).
So, 25 minutes and 40 seconds is the time to beat!