First club TT of the year! Sutton, next Thursday

[G.]

It's the start of the time trialling season. Yay!

When?
The first of our club events is on the Sutton course next week. That's Thursday May 12th. These are 'Sporting Course' (SPOCO) events, so they're run on quiet roads. Turn up by 7:00 to be sure of a ride; the first rider starts at 7:30.

Where?
Here's a map of the Sutton 10 Course on Google Maps. This is our flat 10 mile course: the 'flat 10' is a national institution and you can do them all over the country. We start in the lay by you can see on streetview.

What?
Time trialling is probably the easiest way to start racing. If you're new and aren't sure what to do, there's a page on the Clifton website that tells you all about it. There's also a Video by CTT that will tell you much the same thing.

In short, when you enter I'll give you a number to pin on your back. You'll start at intervals of one minute, and ride to the end of the course. There will be marshals at each corner of the course. When you get to the end, you'll see a timekeeper with a chequerboard. SHOUT your number at the timekeeper. Your time will be recorded and we'll announce a winner!

How much?
Entry is £3 on the line, or £1 for under 18s, for a maximum of 40 riders. First come first served. Start in order of sign-on.

What do I need?
If you're an adult, you need a working bike. That's it.
If you're under 18, you also need a helmet and a parental consent form.

Anything else?
Yes, a few things.

1) When you get to the end, SHOUT your number at the timekeeper. If we don't hear you and can't see your number, you may not get a time.
2) If you catch someone, go straight past them. If someone catches you, don't try to sit on their wheel: if they've caught you for a minute, they're already going a lot faster than you anyway.
3) Number placement: pin your number on the bottom of your jersey, or even your shorts if you've got a very short jersey. The number should point backwards when you are bent over in a racing crouch. Here's what it should look like:



I look forward to seeing you all on the night! Any questions, post them on here, PM me or email David on thursdaytt@cliftoncc.org

[G.]

Another thing: We Need Marshals!

Dave Cook is doing the honours of timekeeping, but after Matt's unfortunate accident we only have two marshals signed up. This course requires four marshals, so we need at least two more! More are always welcome.

One thing to consider: the first flast 10 is always a popular event. That means that unless you're Sharpy, you'll probably come low down the rankings if you ride it You need to marshal at least one event to qualify for our league, which is scored using your best five events (see here), so if you want to do well overall, this is a good one to marshal.

If you do intend to volunteer, please put your name on the Google doc sooner rather than later: apart from anything else, you'll stop me and David having sleepless nights.

Here's the link to volunteer in case you missed it first time round.

[DavidShort]

Many thanks to Greg for volunteering to organise, Dave C as timekeeper and the marshalls. As has been said we need 4 for this course. I will probably be too fatigued to take part as a result of a little Lakeland ride on Sunday on the tandem so I will co organise with Greg and fill a gap where there is one. I will be away from tomorrow, Friday until Wednesday, the day before the first event. Thanks everyone for supporting the event and lets hope for a good turn out of competitors. Just one thing I will mention now, which will be reinforced on the night. The road surface prior to the left hand bend, just beyond the Goosewood camp site is atrocious and heavily pot holed. I will stick a red flag up but please take care. You have been warned!

All the best David
TT Sec'
PS Many thanks for the kind birthday card from the club, very thoughtful. V60 here we come !!

[G.]

It's a bright sunny day and we have a full complement of marshals, so all systems are go! Remember, sign on at the lay-by by 7pm, £3 for £1 for juniors. I look forward to seeing you all tonight!