Aero/Gains Thread

Rode my TT rig for the first time this week and surprisingly it felt rather good! Astonishingly no drop in power \o/

New saddle with a different stack, I'd played about briefly on the trainer but was still expecting to have to faff but it was fine. Also that usual quad dominance wasn't an issue either, pedal stroke felt great. Quite a bit of riding lately on the roady has been keeping NP & AVG power as close as possible so think my upstroke is more refined.

I'd widened & rotated my extensions, as well as tipping them up a bit and also twisted by elbow pads slightly to make it more comfortable for the time being.

I still felt very uneasy for the first 15-20 minutes with the bike being top heavy and twitchy in the wind.

Overall not quite as torturous as I recall and I nabbed a KOM to boot :cool:
 
I find mine reasonably comfortable on the aero bars, maybe more comfy than holding on the brakes.

Also for twitchiness, going faster helps.. more gyro effect I guess. Easier said than done!
 
Richmond Park TT this morning. Congrats to @Thomas. PLease. for third place in the mens TT category! Good luck for the Nats.

Conditions seemed calm this morning which may explain the 22s PB for basically the same Watts as last year (1W difference on weighted average). However, still disappointed not to go under 27mins. Time was 27:03 I think.

Really starting to think my TT bike position is compromised or sub-optimal as I got beaten by a couple of mates on road bikes.:o:(

May have to have a crack at the course on my road bike for a comparison.
 
Doesn’t look bad..... like you said maybe a little pointed but nothing that should cost you loads of time.

Are your friends total wattage cottages?
 
Berger said:
Doesn’t look bad..... like you said maybe a little pointed but nothing that should cost you loads of time.

Are your friends total wattage cottages?
Click to expand...

Haha, they aren't Thom Whatley powerful but they are probably more powerful than me in all situations except maybe a mountain climb.:(

Hoping to enter some hill climb TTs later in the season as that might play more to my strengths.
 
Disappointing morning for me really, somewhere along the line this year i've really screwed up my position. CDA has leapt up to something like .250 now. Should won both of these really with my original CDA and power, but will have to be next year now. Shame as this is the first year both Pat and Sharland haven't been in attendance, so a somewhat softer podium!

Where'd those photos come from Liam?
 
Shamrock, I'd say you're losing a bit with your head position, need to get the shoulders shrugged and head down a bit. Certainly benefit from going praying mantis style position to achieve this. I've made some good gains by going this route.

Not sure how far your pads are apart but that's another consideration to get those closer.
 
Pads are as close as they can be. I tried angling my bars up for a mantis position but it really made my arms ache. I don't think they are designed with that position in mind.

Regarding the head, I'm sort of limited by my physical proportions. I can't raise my saddle any higher and my bars won't go any lower! Here's an example of a Pro (Domenico Pozzovivo) on a TT bike who is the same height as me (165cm). I don't think I'll ever manage a Tom Domoulin position unless I had 650c bike.

lCT6pbZ.jpg
 
If you guys want a laugh - here's my attempt at being aero on the Richmond Park TT.

XBsFG62.jpg

Had no idea the number was such a windsail until I saw photos :D
 
Hmm, entered a 25 on Sunday, the entry said 08:00, got the start list today and first rider off is at 8:30.

I’m not off until nearly 9:30 and might not be able to ride now as we have to go to a christening at 12;30... will be cutting it fine, 1 hr ride, some messing about at the end 15 mins, 30 mins home leaves me 15 mins to play with before we have to leave. Not sure my life is worth it, one delay and im in trouble!

Emailed and asked if possible for an earlier slot but not expecting anything.
 
If they didn't get as many entries as predicted they probably started later to benefit their volunteers and riders travelling to the event.

I always put a comment on ctt if I want an early or late start.

Some organisers are quite good and can accommodate changes, are there any other riders you know who you could ask to swap if the organiser gives you permission.
 
Got my start swapped with another club member so happy days. Not sure what state I’ll be in Sunday mind..

Did the club 25 tonight and it was 32c. Went out too fast last time so aimed for 280-300w and keep the first 10 mins under control when it feels so easy. Had a gel 5 before the start as last time I felt a bit bonky and crampy.

20 mins Going good but high HR (mid 180s), 30 mins slipped a couple of watts but still good, 40 uh oh, 45 do I really have to pedal, 50-55 lolololol.

I did a high 57, similar time to 3-4 other guys with nobody going under 57 today.

264w average and HR of 184! Hot weather not helping at all when I Can do 305-310 for 20 mins, dropping more than 10%!

Drank almost a whole bottle at the finish and could hardly walk or pedal. It was a very slow ride home at about 140w average.

Tried the Nopinz timewarp overshoes, they seem like what the velotoez should be... they do mark but have heel cut outs, mine will mark at the front where bont shoes have another walking platform. Hopefully they are rip resistant. I imagine might get one season out of them.
 
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