Are you ready for something fun, something new, and something to improve your fitness level? I’ve got just the thing!
Dust off your bicycle (or borrow one from a friend), fasten your helmet, start riding, and participate – even compete – in a bicycle race!
Yes, You Can Do *This* Bicycle Race
Before you laugh and click away, give me a chance to explain. There’s one kind of bicycle race you can do no matter your experience.
It’s called a time trial and it’s simply you and your bike against the clock. You pedal as fast as you can all by yourself until you reach the finish line. It’s that simple!
Time trials are common in road cycling. All riders line up in start order and then begin their race usually 30 seconds apart. Drafting or riding close enough behind another cyclist to avoid wind resistance is not allowed (you’ll be disqualified!).
I love this type of racing because it’s not road racing (think “Tour de France”) or a criterium (doing several laps on closed course). They’re fun to watch but require confidence, experience in riding closely to other cyclists, and really good bike handling skills.
My Time Trial Experiences
Mesquite Senior Games
Last March, I tried the Mesquite Senior Games’ 3-mile time trial on a short but steep course. A couple months earlier, I did a practice ride on the course…and thought I would die. The road grade was serious! I trained with my coach, did my strength training workouts, and tried to eat and sleep well. Come race morning, I lined up with the other few women and waited my turn. I did well until the first hill. I did my best but finally had to quit and push the bike. <sigh!>
The other woman in my age group passed me…ever so slowly and she lurched from side-to-side as she used her body weight to pedal. She rode a mountain bike! At the summit, I decided to keep pushing, and see if I could catch up with her on the downhill. Almost did! I snagged the silver medal with a time of 15:51.7 minutes.
Utah Summer Games
I penciled in the Utah Summer Games’ 10-mile time trial slated for June. However, I opted out at the registration deadline. I didn’t feel confident in my level of training for the distance, and especially for the resistance caused by the strong late afternoon headwinds. Afterwards, I wished I had given it a try. The course was pretty flat, and an out-and-back in farm country outside Cedar City.
Washington State Senior Games
In July, I did my best in the Washington State Senior Games’ 5K time trial outside Olympia. The steep grade on 81st Ave NW was wickedly fun on the downhill but brutal on the climb back toward the finish line. I managed to climb one-third of that short distance before having to get off the bike. My heart pounded and my lungs burned all the way to the top.
The gals from the Starbucks-sponsored cycling team did really well, and cheered me on during my race!
I finished in 20:26.34 minutes, good enough for third place and a bronze medal. I felt much stronger than I did back in March. Attending my coach’s indoor bike classes, core training sessions, and doing riding on my own made a huge difference.
Nevada Senior Games
In September, I competed in the Nevada Senior Games’ 5K time trial. I really liked the straight, rolling paved course outside Las Vegas on a road that parallels Interstate 15. Everyone agreed we could have done without the gusty winds that morning! I managed to cross the finish line in 23:32.8 minutes and win a silver medal.
I hope this gives you an idea of how common time trials are and how easy it is to do one.
Find a race in your area by searching at Active.com, BikeReg.com, or find a senior games here. Then start training!
Let me know what you think over on the Slowpoke Divas’ Facebook page. Good luck!