Yorkshire VTTA / Jem’Hadar. 10mile Time Trial. V212. 04/03/2023.
Organised jointly by the Yorkshire VTTA and Jem’Hadar Racing, this 10mile time trial on V212, billed as ‘The Battle of the BBARs’ , attracted 110 riders, impressive for such an early season event.
Course and Conditions
V212 is a classic out and back 10 on the A168 near to Knaresborough. The road is straight, running North-South with an elevation drop of 40m from the start to the turn. Not a technically challenging course but a good one for a test of fitness. The elevation change, though not representing anything steep makes the return leg slower and a challenge for the rider who has paced badly. For comparison, the elevation change on the start gift hill on the Levens 10 is only 27m.
The day was forecast to be cold with a moderate wind from the North, a direction that adds the the out vs back speed difference. The day itself proved to be very cold indeed, only a few degress above zero but the wind, whatever there was, was barely noticeable.
Pendle Forest Result
PF fielded three riders and for the second weekend running achieved a win for the fastet team.
21:28 Richard Bideau
23:02 Darren Harvey
23:05 Paul Braithwaite
Race Report
By Richard Bideau.
I was invited to this event, tempted away from the more familiar early SpoCos, by the organiser Jymmy Trevor. Top of the bill already was reigning BBAR (British Best All Rounder) Marcel Schubert, a rider who I have ridden against in the 12 hour event. With me, the 2016 BBAR, added, the battle was set!
It was not going to be much of a battle, with me around 10 years older than Marcel, and not recovered from a recent crash and illness, but I kept that to myself! There were many other impressive names on the rider list. A podium position was out of the question for me, but I did hope to make it into the top 10.
These early events are often very cold and this was no exception. During the race itself, it is not a problem, but the warmup and wait for the start can be very unplesant. Gloves, base layers and other thermal comforts all add drag and cost precious seconds. I don’t use them.
Grim indeed was the warmup. Up and down the A168 to the north of the course with brief bursts of power and speed causing the icy air the suck heat away. I arrived at the start a little early and by the time it was my turn I was shivering again, giving the pusher a challenge to hold me up.
I was away and once again in that strange zone that is a time trial. The first mile was easy, almost effortless – as it should be, I’m experienced enough to avoid the mistake of going off too hard. And then the grind…
The distance built steadily, two, three, four miles. By now it was hard, physically and mentally. At this point, I focussed only on keeping the power constant and avoiding all thoughts of the distant finish.
The turn came and with it, a brief respite, easing off to negotiate the roundabout. Then the start of the tougher northerly leg, back up the drag to the finish.
I have found over the years that the sensations in a 10 follow a similar pattern. Today was a perfect example. After the turn is the hardest part: already close to the limit with several miles still to go, the temptation to ease off just a little is very strong. It must be resisted! The distance continues to build. At six miles, the world seems very bleak. Seven miles and still no sense that the finish is near. And then eight miles and perception starts to shift. The phyiscal burden is greater than ever but mentally it starts to ease: the finish is close now. Nine miles and a thrill. Nine and a half miles. Physically on the limit but bulletproof. The end is close and the pain can be sustained just a little longer. And then the final seconds in which time is distorted: the chequerboard approaching so slowly. The finish. Time returns to normal and gradually breathing becomes easier. It is back to the usual world, everything is more cheerful and thoughts can turn to a warming cup of coffee and meeting friends back at headquarters.
I was pleased with my ride. Though it was still a weak performance compared to previous years, I had paced it well, putting out more power on the uphill return section and I had not given in to the temptation to take it easy. Most important, it was a big improvement on the previous weekend at Bolton-by-Bowland.
This being a VTTA event, there were two sets of results, those for everyone based on actual time and age adjusted times for the over 40 veterans like me. On actual I was 7th, possibly the lowest placing I’ve had in a time trial. On age adjusted time I was the overall winner, beating the younger Marcel Shubert by a very small margin.
| Position | Time | Name | Club | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 20:35 | Marcel Schubert | Darlington CC | Vet |
| 2 | 20:36 | Richard Sharp | ADDFORM Vive Le Vilo | Vet |
| 3 | 20:37 | Patrick Casey | Team Lifting Products | Junior |
| 4 | 20:42 | Ben Pease | Moonglu CC | Senior |
| 5 | 20:55 | David Ashton | Army Cycling | Senior |
| 6 | 21:22 | Alexander Milne | Muckle Cycle Club | Senior |
| 7 | 21:28 | Richard Bideau | Pendle Forest CC | Vet |
| Position | Time | Name | Club | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 25:19 | Isabel Maynes | Shibden Hopetech Apex | Junior |
| 2 | 25:49 | Molly Savill | Albarosa CC | Senior |
| 3 | 27:39 | Karen Taylor | Springfield Finincial RT | Vet |
An added bonus was a team win for Pendle Forest CC.
Many thanks to the organisers, especially Tymmy Trevor. The number and quality of the riders was exceptional for a March event and just what the CTT needs right now.
Links to the CTT results and Race Report. The photographs are by Craig Zadoroznyj, the full gallery is here.