So yesterday morning I took the TT bike out for its first ride. It was fun, once I got it out of the house! Getting air in the tires of the tri-spoke wheels took a little more effort than I thought it would, but thanks to a presta-schraeder adapter and my trusty compressor, that problem was solved (my floor pump head was too big to fit in the cutout on the wheel..). Getting used to the bike was fine, too. I felt sleek and fast on it, at least I looked fast (see earlier post on looking fast).
After about 20 minutes, I met up wtih 2 of my teammates. They wanted to practice team TT formation, as we have the so-cal/nevada TT team championships on June 2. (note to self: Do NOT try to learn to ride a new bike AND practice speedy TT formation on the same day!) Sure, I say, and off we go. Now, for people who know me that well know that I HATE being bad at something! I mean, really really hate it. So the fact that I had to listen to my teammates (who were trying to be nice and helpful) tell me all these pointers and trips was kind of infuriating! "your seat looks too high," "remember you can't brake when in the paceline," "signal when you're pulling off," "pull off closer," "steady when you pull through (i havent gotten the attachment to get the computer mounted on it yet...and since I'm so bad at gauging speed....this was most difficult)"...It wasn't that any of these comments are bad, or even non-useful! It is just that I am a fiercly independent person, and a bit stubborn, and I sometimes just have to figure things out for myself. Telling me things is all well and good, but until I figure out how something feels, etc...well, its just a moot point. It all just became too much. After about an hour of this I had had enough (well that, and certain parts of my anatomy are screaming bloody murder--2nd note to self: I need a new seat for this bike). Thankfully, a slightly bruised ego is all I have to show for it today. I am not sore, I feel good about the bike, and about the whole 'aero position,' and am once again looking forward to racing and to having fun with cycling.
I'll get to try it out for real in the club TT next Monday. The moment of truth...
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4 comments:
Remember, there is no i in team time trial. Wait, there are two. Anyway, the ttt is something where technique is really important to those around you, and you really do have to learn it from others. But I must sound like someone giving advice, so sorry. However, you should pick it up quickly, and before long you'll be dishing out the advice.
we practiced again yesterday...and i was over my selfishness and frustration from the day before :-). It was just that we were all new at it (we're doing the 4 person team...so it really is about TEAM). I think I just had too much to think about, and ended up just being bitchee... Yesterday was fine, and (i think) we all had fun. We have a few more weeks to get the hang of it and figure out how to optimize our strengths (and in the meantime I get to do two individual TT's to get all the "me" suffering I need).
Oh my, you should seek some coaching. Again, it is a skill where you really need some experience to provide guidance.
Let me suggest some advice. If you only have four, do not do the rotating option (where you pull through and pull off in the same motion, and there is a line going up and a line going down). Instead, pull then pull off (where you slide back on your own and slip back in while the person who is behind you stays until she is done). Make sure that when you pull off that you have a bit of reserve, and you don't slow down too much. That way, you will not have to accelerate too much getting back on the train. And remember, the pull is not done until you are back on the wheel at the end of the line.
TTT's can be the most painful experience you have on a bike, cuz you'll bury yourself for your team and are forced to go the team's pace, but they are a blast and completely rewarding when they work well.
ITT's are simply painful.
dr-nitro: We do have a coach...she just hasn't worked on it with us all together yet, it will be soon. I did learn these skills before, but when I learned I did it with an experienced team, and I was the 'weakest link' so to speak, so I learned quickly. THis is a bit different, with us all 'learning' and me on a TT bike this time, so its a bit different. I'll keep everyone in the blogosphere posted... Oh well...its all about learning, i suppose.
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