Time Trial Terror (Benchmark TTT - Jan 31st)

The first Benchmark race for the series was a 40km team time trial.  The results of the TTT didn't actually account for any placing for the series but it did determine where your vehicle was placed in the race convoy.   Not all of the teams entered the TTT but Malcolm was keen to get as much exposure as possible so there we were at the start line.

The team consisted of myself, Dave, Caleb, Keiron, and Gary (who was bought in just for the TT).  It was pretty hot and windy at Sefton and we didn't get any opportunity to warmup or ride as a team beforehand.  We were also last to start as we were the defending team from last year.

Things didn't really go that well from the start.  Firstly the starting riders were not riding close enough to the white line so in the strong cross wind when you came off from your pull you had nowhere to shelter as you were in the gutter.  Being the tallest not the strongest I was buffeting around like a kite.  The heat radiating from the road was really getting me and after about 6 turns it was all getting a bit much.  As we only had 5 riders and the time was based on your 5th rider the team really had to wait for me (other teams had a full set of riders and so could ditch the weakest).  I struggled to hang onto the the back of the others.  Dave was really trying to encourage me but I felt had it.  I emptied what little water I had down the back of my neck which helped a bit.  We got to the turnaround and started back.  There was a little bit of a tail wind but mainly it was too the side.  Keiron would come and do a big pull which would really put me under pressure and then would sit on the back - hes not really known for consistency.  About 3/4 of the way through the TTT I started to feel a bit better and managed to take a couple of turns.  Finally the end was in sight and we crossed the line in 0:57:13 which put us in 2nd place in the Division 2 teams.  Not really too bad considering how slowly they had to go for me.

Dave, Caleb and me rode back to where we were staying which was exciting in itself with Dave crashing into me (thankfully neither of us went down) and then us getting lost.  

I was hoping that the next days race would go a little smoother.