A Guide to MSW Evening Time Trials
Throughout the Summer the club runs a weekly time trial race on a Tuesday evening. Apart from one event it is always over 10 miles (16Km).
It's a chance to regularly test yourself over a fairly challenging course, see if you can improve, get a personal best or just catch up with the club.
What happens?
You need to meet at the the Lion Inn, Westbury (new venue for 2009) Pub car park (map) at the very least about 30 minutes before you intend to ride. The course details including photos, map, and course profile are available in a PDF formatted document: Evening 10 Course Details.
You sign on the start sheet, pay the fee of £2.50 take your number and pin it to the back of your jersey.
Note your start time. For example if you are number 9 you will start 9 minutes after the event start time (at Westbury) and you need to make sure you are at the start on time.
The start line is in Westbury; if you wish to warm up prior to starting (highly recommended!) out of respect for other riders please do not ride past the start line after the start of the event.
When you reach the start you wait behind the start line for your number to be called.
Riders are set off at one minute intervals and usually there will be a race marshal available to hold you upright and push you off at the start and In this way you have your feet on your pedals ready for a clean and fast start. You will be given a countdown from 15 seconds.
You then ride the 10 mile course as fast as you can.
You must not 'draft' - that is get in the slipstream of any other rider. If you catch a rider in front then you must pass them cleanly and quickly. If a rider passes you then you must not attempt to get in their slipstream.
There may be marshals around the course on roundabouts but there will always be a marshal on the left turn in Ford village that leads up to the finish line.
When you cross the finish line which will be marked with a flag please shout your number to the timekeepers in the car as you pass and try to ensure that you number is visible so they can record your time properly.
Once you have free wheeled and got your breath back it is a 4.6mile ride back to the Lion Inn car park at Westbury. This provides a good warm down. Please take care when turning right at the end of the road after the finish as there may be other riders still racing and obviously cars on the road.
After all riders have finished the timekeepers will return to the Lion Inn with the race times. The race times will be available on the website within a few days.
Where does it happen?
The meeting point is The car park of the Lion Inn. The pub is situated on the B4386 at Westbury west of Shrewsbury . It is on the left hand side of the road less than 6 miles off the A4386 as you head off the A5.
When do they take place?
Tuesday nights. The races early and late in the season start at 7.00pm from Westbury. With the longer evenings in mid summer the start time is 7.30. For details of the dates and times see the Tuesday Evening 10s page.
Who takes part?
We usually have at least 20 riders and often we have more than 40 riders. Riders are of all ages (14-70 or more!), both sexes and all abilities. The maximum number of riders that can take part on any evening is 50 and is on a first-come-first-served basis.
Any rider under 18 must provide a signed parental consent form each season in order to be able to ride. These can be downloaded here < word format > <PDF format >
You can ride one event only without being a cycling club on an insured "come and try it" basis. After that you must join a cycling club to be able to compete.
Members of other Cycling Clubs are welcome to take part in these events but they will be doing so as a "Private Time Trial", that is, they will be riding to obtain their best time and will not be eligible for any MSW Club Prizes.
What sort of bike is used?
You can ride on any roadworthy bike -but ideally you should use a road bike ie narrow tyres and dropped handlebars.
Mountain bikes with big heavy tyres and a "sit up and beg position" will sap your energy and slow you down.
If you are keener, and a bit more experienced, then a road bike with the addition of "tri" bars would suit. Once you are really into it then a dedicated time trial bike with aerodynamic wheels will probably fit the bill.
How long does it take?
Most riders complete the course in a time of between 24 and 30 minutes. It is however rare that any new rider trying their first race takes longer than 35 minutes. The course record is 21 mins 18 seconds.
How fit do I need to be?
If you are a new rider then if you are able to ride your bike non stop for an hour you should certainly be fit enough. Just try it.
The "2-up" Time Trial
Once in the season we run this time trial over a slightly different, longer course of 16 miles. The start is in the same place as for the 10-mile event, while the finish is near the church in Westbury. The 2 riders work as a team together and are allowed to 'draft' each other. The teams are usually drawn at random from the riders and this event provides a good opportunity for a new rider to learn from an experienced rider.
Rules and regulations (Not many!)
Unless you are trying a first time trial you must be a member of a cycling club affiliated to the Road Time Trials Council (RTTC). So if you try your first one and want to ride more please join the club.
The event is run under the rules of the RTTC and the event is insured under the RTTC scheme.
Permission to run the race has been given by the police after risk assessment.
You are racing on the road and so you must obey the Highway Code.
There are a number of prizes available
for MSW members only (Series Points Winners, Fastest Man, Fastest Woman,
Most Improved Rider, etc).
Members of other Cycling Clubs are
welcome to take part in these events but they will be doing so as a "Private
Time Trial", that is, they will be riding to obtain their best time and will
not be eligible for any MSW Club Prizes.
Safety (very important)
You are riding on open roads and so must ride carefully and show consideration for other road users. Keep to the left unless passing another rider.
You must particularly be careful on roundabouts and turns - when you will always be turning left. Do not swing out in front of traffic. If you are unlucky and there is a car approaching you do not have right of way and must stop.
It is better to stop when turning and lose a little time than be involved in an accident - you can always get the personal best next week when luck may be on your side.
You start in Westbury and head towards Shrewsbury; turn left onto the A5 then take the next left onto Welshpool Road, turning let again in Ford village to finish on Shoot Hill. More detailed information about the course, with hints on riding and keeping safe are in this PDF document and you can see a highlighted map of the course here.
Helmet usage is not compulsory but for obvious reasons it is highly recommended.
Please wear bright clothing - it makes you much more visible and therefore safer.
The use of a flashing rear light on your seat post is an excellent idea as your visibility to other traffic, especially on a dull night, is greatly improved.
You must not warm up on the course near the start. If you are one of the early riders and are riding back to the Lion Inn when the later riders are racing on the road please look out for them and keep out of their way (but obviously shout encouragement to them as they pass).
Whilst there are signs on the course, and marshals about, your safety really is your responsibility.
Keep your head up at all times
The Pub
The Lion Inn kindly lets us use the car park free of charge. This is a great benefit to the club and so please repay the landlord's kindness by treating yourself to a refreshing, and hydrating, drink at the end whilst chewing over your ride with your club mates.
Points mean prizes
Points are awarded for each club member who rides. 10 points go to the fastest on the night, 9 for the second fastest etc. The points are all noted over the season and the club member with the most points wins a prize.
Other prizes eg for most events ridden , best improvement and fastest time are also awarded.
The Marshals/Organiser/Timekeepers
They all give their time week in, week out, to run these regular events. All are volunteers and without them the events simply wouldn't run.
Please be nice to them and even thank them - as everyone likes to be appreciated.
Occasionally the marshals can get it a bit wrong - please be patient and understanding with them.
There is always a need for help and the general rule is that if you are going to ride a lot of the events then you are expected to marshal on one occasion in the season. (You get 10 points for marshalling so you are not missing out).
Most probably you will be based in Ford at the final turn into Shoot Hill or maybe helping at the start. Please offer to help on one night - it is much better than being asked!
Sorry - but if there are not enough marshals on a night then for safety reasons the event cannot run.
