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AN EVENING TT, BUT NOT AS WE KNOW IT
Or the Aberystwyth version of the Evening 10
I was in mid-Wales the other week, coincidentally when Ystwyth CC (that’s as in Aberystwyth) were due to hold one of their evening TT’s, and I just happened to have the road bike in the car, as you do.
There’s not a lot of flat down there but even the locals had this particular course down as a “hilly”; it’s the 12 mile D2/12 Nant yr Arian one. Lowest point is not much above sea level, highest point at the top of the pass through the Cambrian mountains is rather loftier at around 1040 feet. Allowing for an undulation or two there’s nearly 1100 feet to be climbed. Imagine the Tarleton course but inclined, with the Hutton roundabout slightly higher than the top of the Trough and you’re getting there although there are a few other differences; the Nant course follows the single carriageway A44 throughout, with some sweeping bends, a forest or two, great scenery, far less traffic and decent road surfaces, yes really.
Counter-intuitively (unless, perhaps, you’re Welsh, and I happen to be one quarter Welsh so I understand) the start is at the far end of the course from Aberystwyth, at the top of the pass, so the good news is that on the outward run to the turn you get over 1,000 feet of downhill to enjoy. The bad news is obvious. Although hills have always been my “thing” (you have to really like hills to tackle them on a tandem) I’ve always viewed Hill Climbing (i.e. racing up them) as something to avoid. This course is really a Hillclimb in Stealth mode thanks to Downhill Technology, as ads like to say, and I fell for the bait.
The course format did raise a couple of issues for which Tarleton and Rainford had not prepared me. Clothing; the evening was cool and breezy, headwind down and tailwind back. If I got my clothing wrong I risked freezing the legs on the descent, negating any warm-up, or alternatively boiling on the climb. Warming-up was actually the other problem as, predictably, the road goes downhill in both directions from the start area.
My preparation for the event had begun the day before with helping my brother through a diy house move involving much lifting of heavy stuff into and out of a Transit, and earlier on TT day I’d ridden a 15 mile minor road loop out in the sticks which turned out to have its very own 1,000 feet of climbs, some requiring a fair heave even in 39x27. So I didn’t want to do any more warming-up(hill) than I had to. I settled for a nearby minor road leading (up) to a wind farm (elevation 1,200 feet) which still netted about 500 feet of ascent after a couple of runs. The turbines were really revving too, indicating significant Welsh wind. Admittedly, nothing beats a Moss Wind but it was still pretty strong. The other problem was the lack of bus shelters, church porches, Home and dangerous drivers, all of which have featured in my Tarleton warm-ups, but I managed.
The outward leg was quick, the steady downward gradient and headwind enabling, or requiring, proper effort in 53x12 (unusual for me to spend so long in this gear) so the legs stayed warm. I managed to make it to the turn without being caught although this was clearly about to change.
My return run was, er, slower with the climb seeing me down to 39x24 for a couple of stretches. For my few days in Wales I had swapped my 12-23 close ratio cassette for a 12-27 which was a Good Decision for my non-TT riding although on the Nant TT I did miss the 18 sprocket. This would not have prevented me from being passed by several local riders but then they’re all mountain goats in Wales aren’t they?
One hurtled past – and as this was uphill hurtling it was especially impressive - so fast I thought my brakes must be rubbing (sadly they weren’t) but he turned out to be the eventual winner and what I was seeing was a Course Record ride from professional rider Gruff Lewis (Metaltek/Knights of Old RT and 2011 Welsh Road Race Champion).
Son John (still an SCC Member although now riding for Bill Nickson Cycles RT) finished 2nd, briefly taking the Course Record with 31-15 only to soon lose it to Gruff’s tarmac-melting 30-33. I was a bit slower ….. but was denied the coveted Lanterne Rouge spot by several places so didn’t disgrace the SCC jersey.
I got my clothing right by the way. What’s that? The time? Get a watch. What? My Time? 41-37. Well, it earned me 18th place from 22 finishers and was a PB so I’m quite happy. OK PB-ing wasn’t difficult as this was my first attempt. Next time……
Back on Tarleton the following evening was a shock in more ways than one – being badly cut-up by cars no less than four times whilst riding to and from the course, in spite of having ignited my flamethrower rear light, was not pleasant. Some things don’t change.
Arthur Findley Posted 27/05/2013 |
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