Monday, April 27, 2009

Time Trial

Yesterday, it was probably the first time i had a podium finish in any sport. Well, it was not an official 'event', it was just an informal event where a bunch of guys from BBC (Bangalore Bikers Club) / BZ (BikesZone Cycling) tested their speed versus each other. But, nevertheless, it was a first time i won even an informal event.

For those of you who dont know what a time trial is..... Its a cycle race, with a staggered start (One cyclist starts one minute after the another cyclist who starts.....), so that the cylists dont bump into each other too often. And you do a short distance like 10-20 km, where u try to hit the maximum pace u can.

There were two categories: Roadbikes and MTB/Hybrid. The course was 8.65 km long. It was generally a gentle downhill for round1. And in round2, it was the same course uphill. It saw around 20 participants

Round1: There was a nasty truck that was blocking the road for a lot of the route, that was preventing me from doing fast enough.... the advantages of drafting behind it was soon lost. So i dropped the truck as soon as it permitted, doing a dangerous pumped up overtake...... In some time, overtook 3 ppl who started ahead of me..... Finished the 8.65 km in 14:47 at an average speed of 35.1 kmph.... Finished first in the MTB/Hybrid cactegory and third overall(including roadbikes)

Round 2: the long gentle uphill, is painful and irritating, as it doesn't give any break for ur legs. And to top it all, there was headwind (wind coming head on), making it hard to even touch the thirties speed, forget maintaining it.... Did it in 18:41 at avg speed of 27.7 kmph. Won in my category again, and came 4th overall (Missed third spot by 3 secs).

Overall results combining round 1 and 2 : 17.3 km in 33:28 at an avg speed of 31.2 kmph. First in MTB/Hybrid category and third overall.

Current mood: Jumpin around
Currently listening to: Jupiter Cafe - Thermal and a Quarter

5 comments:

Tanvir Kazmi said...

Excellent. Going for the Duathlon?

sameer said...

Dude - 35kmph+ *average* is totally wow! Congrats. Obviously you've gotten much quicker than during the TFN :)

Unknown said...

@Tanvir: Thanks. Yes, I am participating in the duathlon

@sameer: Thanks. I was a bit shocked too! :) I have been improving my speed on commute, for lack of better things to do..... effect is rubbing off on my general speed :) Now i have to see how long a ride i can do at a thirties pace. So far my best on a 50 km distance (Devanhalli and back) has been a 28 kmph pace

Crazy Krish said...

Cool dude... nice to meet you during the race.. had fun.

Thermal and a quarter is our college band. U too a Christite by any chance?

Unknown said...

@krish: nice to meet u too. thanks for the chocs mane. They really helped me later. And me not a christite, not a huge TnQ fan either... except for this particular song.