| Often dubbed the race of truth, the time trail is | | | | time in wind tunnel tests to find the most |
| one of the purest disciplines in the world of | | | | efficient, slipstream position, which still allows them |
| cycling. Each rider against the clock, the time trail | | | | maximum output. Simply adopting the most |
| is a true test of fitness, technique and attitude. | | | | aerodynamic position may not be the best for |
| Depending upon the distance of the race, time | | | | efficient peddling and breathing, so often a |
| trailing can offer something for everyone. In the | | | | compromise has to be found. |
| UK at least, time trails are regularly held over set | | | | Unlike road races, time trails call for a steady but |
| distances, usually 10, 25, 30, 50 and 100 miles as | | | | nevertheless high-speed approach. Gear ratios |
| well as 12 and 24 hours. As roads have become a | | | | tends to be bigger with riders aiming for a swift |
| little more congested, hilly courses or less rounded | | | | cadence of around 90 to 100rpm. Techniques |
| distances on circuits, on quieter roads are also | | | | obviously vary depending on a rider's size and |
| gaining in popularity. | | | | strength but there is no getting away from the |
| Many stage races also pepper the race with times | | | | fact that big gears - turned quickly usually wins |
| trails as a means of testing riders under different | | | | the day. The biggest technique is mind over |
| conditions. While skilled sprinters may become | | | | matter. Concentration, especially during long |
| adept at hiding in the field until the last 100 | | | | distance events can drift. Four or more hours in |
| meters, the time trail offers an opportunity to | | | | the saddle and the will to keep pushing your body |
| riders who have both natural speed and a mindset | | | | at its max can become a little strained. Riders |
| that enjoys the prolonged effort. During races | | | | regularly talk about whole sections of roads which |
| such as the Tour de France, the race is begun | | | | they don't recall covering when concentration has |
| with a prologue time trail. The prologue is usually | | | | been interrupted by small distractions. As the |
| fairly short, perhaps just a few kilometres, and | | | | body becomes tired the mind may also slow a |
| may give an opportunity for short distance | | | | little. Remaining aware that this can happen it's |
| specialists, such as track pursuit riders, to take an | | | | important that energy reserves are regularly |
| early scalp. | | | | topped up earlier in the race, well before the |
| The time trail bike is generally much more like a | | | | problem arises. Once tiredness hits, it's probably |
| formula 1 racecar than a regular road machine. | | | | too late to reverse the situation and still produce |
| Yes it's still basically two wheels and a frame, but | | | | a good time. |
| the geometry will often be set to give the rider a | | | | With all this in mind the time trial rider will aim to |
| more upright or forward prone position, in order | | | | keep their effort close to the top of their aerobic |
| to get more weight over higher set gearing, whilst | | | | range, possibly dipping into oxygen debt |
| attempting to lower the frontal area and become | | | | (anaerobic) perhaps over short hills and in the last |
| more aerodynamic. The emphasis is very much | | | | few kilometres as they lead up to the finish. |
| towards speed rather than comfort. Much | | | | Average speeds will inevitably slow during long |
| depends on the course and the distance of the | | | | distance races, and call for riders to remain as |
| event. Longer distance or more mountainous time | | | | focused while balancing their effort with the need |
| trails however, may see rider opt for a machine | | | | to take onboard food and drink over the course |
| closer to a regular road bike. | | | | of the event. Shorter events may call for no |
| As with the machine, clothing will often be kept | | | | food or drink at all; instead the focus is purely |
| down to a minimum. Lightweight skin suits are | | | | speed and little else. |
| generally the order of the day and may be | | | | This article is free to republish provided the |
| accompanied by those rather amusing teardrop | | | | resource information remains intact. |
| shaped helmets. To aid speed top riders will spend | | | | |