Fancy having a go at a cycling time trial? TCUK coach, triathlete and cycling supremo, Ady Dench, has registered and affiliated TCUK with the Cycling Time Trials (CTT) so you can race under the TCUK name and maybe earn yourself some prize money at the same time!

Over to Ady for more details…

"Now the clocks have changed, lighter nights are upon us and, thankfully, they seem to be bringing us some better weather. As such, many of us are contemplating getting our race bikes out. I'm a big fan of the ‘race of truth’ commonly known as the time trail or TT so I've registered and affiliated TCUK to the Cycling Time Trials (CTT) this year to enable an early opportunity for you to get out and test your legs, the bike set up and your position on your bike.

“We are affiliated under the team name of Triathlon Coaching UK. There is no individual membership to Cycling Time Trials and, as an affiliated team, TCUK athletes can enter any CTT event throughout England, Scotland and Wales.

"The CTT have a website which is full of useful information about the history of the sport and on how to enter races and what to expect from your first attempt at TTing.

"Visit the Cycling Time Trials web site and register to enter events. Remember to put Triathlon Coaching UK as your club in your profile.

"Also, have a read of my previous ‘T’ word article entitled ‘An Introduction to the Time Trial – The Race of Truth’

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Ady with his TT racing machine! You don't need a TT bike to race though, your regular road bike is just fine. 

"There are two types of time trial: ‘open’ and ‘club’. Entry to club events is usually a ‘turn up and enter on the day’ event. Many cycling clubs local to you will put on these friendly and informal events on midweek evenings through the summer. You will be required to sign a Club Entry Form on the night and pay your entry fee (normally under £5) and pick up your race number which you must return after your race. Numbers are pinned on with safety pins. This is a cycling race so no triathlon race belts.

"Entry to an open event is by an official CTT Entry Form (thankfully many race entries are available on line via the CTT web site now) with a closing date that is usually just under two weeks before the event. If the event is over-subscribed, the fastest entrants (assessed on their qualifying times for the relevant distance over the last three seasons) will be accepted, unless otherwise specified. Entry fees tend to be around £10.

"Once your entry has been accepted, you will receive a start sheet a few days before the event giving details of the course, prizes and your starting time. After the race you will receive a result sheet showing where you finished and confirming your official time.

"If you have any questions, please email me at ady@triathloncoaching.uk.com and I’ll come back to you as soon as I can. There are a few dos and don’ts which aren’t that obvious initially (no bare shoulders for open events for example, so no traditional tri suits!).

TCUK races TT for first time

"Sunday 15^thApril saw the first ever TCUK representation at a 10 mile TT in the Bedfordshire town of Leighton Buzzard. The course being a straight forward flat out and back route on the A505 (this course being known as the F12/10, F being the District, 12 the course number and 10 the distance). I raced under the TCUK name alongside fellow TCUK athletes John Lamb and Marc Smith who also raced under their respective affiliated triathlon or cycling clubs. As usual with TTs this was a very friendly event with tea, coffee and cake on offer and many approachable people to chat to. Unusually this race was put on by a triathlon club, the local Leighton Buzzard Tri Club, who made sure the course was well marked and very well marshalled which is always re-assuring. All got home safe and sound and there is even a rumour TCUK took home some prize money…a whole £10!

"You can see the results here: https://www.cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/race-results/16840#anchor"