After the shock revelation (to me anyway) that I actually enjoyed the Team Time Trial we did in 2019, here we go again.
We were never going to trouble the podium, leave that to the Wheeler's womens team who were robbed by a combine harvester. None of the male team are TTers, no skin suits or pointy hats and pretty much normal road bikes we would use on a club run. But, it's the taking part and supporting the event and doing the best we could on the day.
Arrived in plenty of time, to find out the course was changed, shorter, due to roadworks. At least we should beat our 2019 time now :-) Downside, the new route had a twisty gravel section with a blind junction back on to the main road!
After the usual sign on, faffing about, and wee warm up, we rolled out to the start line for our 9:42 time.
Weather was pretty kind, not hot and wind not too bad. Off we went, keeping the effort manageable and the formation was pretty good. Run out to the first turn flew by and was feeling okay. Wee hiccup on the exit of the turn as the formation split, Jerry powering on, but quickly got back in shape and the four of us pushed on.
The slog after the second turn doesn't get any better, but kept a good pace, with us all rotating nicely. Then we hit the detour and the gravel section. Wasn't too great, twisty, rough (but then so was a lot of the normal roads). Glad the marshals were on the ball as we got back on to the main circuit road otherwise we would have had to dead stop to check for traffic due to bushes!
Off we went on lap 2, so far so good. The pace crept up slightly as we knew what was coming and all 4 stayed together. After the last turn, a 2 mile drag then another 6 miles to the finish. Last mile and time to give all we can as Jerry and Ally drove the pace with Brian and me hanging on. A last wee kicker uphill, then the final sprint for the line and that was it, all over for another year. We stuck together right to the last sprint and all worked well. I think we did as good as we could, without going down the slippery slope of getting all the aero bikes and gear :-)
The male Wheelers team (Brian, Graeme, Ally, Jerry) finished in 20th place with a time of 1:19:48 (24 mph average). We were ahead of 5 other teams, an improvement on our last place in 2019 :-) Would really recommend it, it is actually good type 2 fun. You don't need to have all the TT gear to take part. Everyone was welcoming, friendly and good event.
The Wheelers female team, who had their own fun and games with covid tests, farm machines etc (Karen, Abigail, Helen, Morag) were pipped to the podium. Great effort to finish 4th with a time of 1:25:42.
The new female champions are Torvelo Racing (1:20:43) and male champions are Ryan's Bike Surgery-Thomson Homes (1:04:30)
Big thanks to Steve and Karen for post ride coffee and cakes. Thanks to the Wheelers (and others) who were out on the course cheering us all on, it does make a difference (ta for the pics I have used).
Also, a big thaks to the organisers, marshals and everyone else who put on the event in still trying times (the bridie was great).