Organising a time-trial
- Thread starter Ian H
- Start date
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Very demanding task, but appreciated by riders.
I remember my dad organising them. Start sheets, all typed up by hand, same for result sheets. Using Banda copying machines.
No spreadsheets or computers in those days, no electronic payments, all manual work. And they had full fields, so entries had to be posted to 120 riders and those who didnt get in.
Today's IT systems might be complcated, but must be better than the old days.
I haven't organised an event myself, but was the results keeper for our evening 10's for about 15 years and the time and commitment is indeed demanding.
I remember my dad organising them. Start sheets, all typed up by hand, same for result sheets. Using Banda copying machines.
No spreadsheets or computers in those days, no electronic payments, all manual work. And they had full fields, so entries had to be posted to 120 riders and those who didnt get in.
Today's IT systems might be complcated, but must be better than the old days.
I haven't organised an event myself, but was the results keeper for our evening 10's for about 15 years and the time and commitment is indeed demanding.
Dogtrousers
Lefty tighty. Get it righty.
I'm in awe of anyone who organises anything. I struggle to organise my own little solo rides.
Hey organisers PLEASE clearly mark the finish line with a black/white checkerboard or a b/w flag !
During my glory days as a club cyclist in the 1970's the organisation by local clubs (including my own Wreake Valley CC) was very sloppy and amateurish and cost me a highish placing in the 1974 WVCC TT..
I flopped badly because there were knots of people spectating all the way up the course and I wrongly assumed one largish knot were standing at the finish so i slowed right down after passing them.
There were cries of "What's up? Carry on" and I realised my mistake and started pedalling for the true finish which was where another smaller knot were standing about a hundred yards further on. without any b/w board or flag !
Needless to say, my time was appalling..
PS- okay, okay i know i was partly to blame because i should have asked around before the start to learn the exact spot where the finish was, grrrrrr...
During my glory days as a club cyclist in the 1970's the organisation by local clubs (including my own Wreake Valley CC) was very sloppy and amateurish and cost me a highish placing in the 1974 WVCC TT..
I flopped badly because there were knots of people spectating all the way up the course and I wrongly assumed one largish knot were standing at the finish so i slowed right down after passing them.
There were cries of "What's up? Carry on" and I realised my mistake and started pedalling for the true finish which was where another smaller knot were standing about a hundred yards further on. without any b/w board or flag !
Needless to say, my time was appalling..
PS- okay, okay i know i was partly to blame because i should have asked around before the start to learn the exact spot where the finish was, grrrrrr...
Last edited:
Legs
usually riding on Zwift or up steep hills...
- Location
- Staffordshire
Alana18719
New Member
Yeah the admin side definitely takes it out of you more than the ride. That portal's not great to work with either.
- Location
- Inside my skull
How many entrants?
I remember the days of full fields (120) and being impossible to get rides on the fast courses.
OP
OP
Ian H
Ancient randonneur
I think it was 30 something. Normal for round here, and not a fast course.
I remember putting in a time a minute or so faster than my PB that I claimed I done in a private ride in a club time trial in order to get a ride on a fast course. This was on the advice of my more experienced club mates.
I got a ride and did 58:09 for a 25. The course was on the A1 near Boroughbridge.
Was that one of the "V" courses. Did have a reputation. I rode the "O2" course a couple of times in "limit" events. Although it was a fast courses, it was always very windy. For one event, I rode over from Merseyside, the night before and stayed in the youth hostel. No wonder I didn't do a fast time.
The late Alan Barker, offered me a lift back but I declined and rode back after the event.
Never managed to go under the hour on any course. Closest was a 1:1:52.
It was one of the V courses. I rode the 02 after that and did a 59 I can’t remember the seconds. I also rode the O2 ten course which I could enter legitimately having done a few 23‘s locally I did 22:23.
I rode the 50 version (O7a I think) and did. my PB that day (in 1968).
Slightly funny/sad story. Only one of us had a car in those days. George had yellow Ford consul and he got the short straw to do the driving. In those days, pre cycle carriers, the four of us strapped the bikes, upside down on the roof rack.
At the finish, after doing a PB, George was there, and sadly said that in the warm up , his saddle had disintegrated. Result of a 100 mile journey with the bike strapped upside down!
Tough luck, to do all the driving and then DNS on a perfect day.
