It’s getting close to that time of year again, where we get ourselves tuned up, our bikes cleaned and greased to compete in the lunchtime legends time trials. 

The clocks go forward this coming Sunday, 31st March, meaning our first Time Trial is at Killynure on Tuesday 2nd April - first rider takes off at 18:45 - please arrive early to register and show off those shiny new 2019 Triathlon Ireland licences!

The schedule for the year is as below: 

April
2 - Killynure
9 - Killnchy
16 - Annahilt
23 - Killynure
30 - Titanic
May
7 - Killinchy
14 - Titanic (head to head 1st Round)
21 - Annahilt (Athletes TT)
28 Titanic (head to head round 2)
June
4 Killynure
11 - Annahilt
18 - Possible mid summer BBQ tbc
25 - Titanic (head to head QF)
July
2 - Titanic Duathlon
9 and 16 - summer break
23 - Killynire
30 - Titanic (head to head semi final)
August
6 - Annahilt
13 - Killinchy (Athletes TT)
20 - Titanic Duathlon
27 - Titanic (Head to head final)
September
3 - Drumbo Hill Climb

The TTs are covered under Triathlon Ireland’s insurance and we can confirm that this is a series of TRAINING EVENTS that will help riders improve their time trialling abilities throughout the year. Each event is timed. To help with the competition feel of these training events, we are introducing a head to head competition this year which will take place on the Titanic Route - Riders of different abilities will be able to practice their race mode by being paired with another rider on a one to one basis - the stronger rider will have a time handicap to balance out the ability levels between riders. The rider who completes the course in the fastest time will progress to the next round. Full rules will be published in due course. 

This year, we have introduced two duathlon races again based on the airport road. I appreciate that not everyone who attends the TTs are runners, however, this should give those people a good opportunity to marshal the evening’s events :) 

Marshalling

These events would not be possible without participants taking their turn to marshal. Duties of marshals include, keeping the time records for the event, checking the course beforehand to identify any hazards and communicating these to the riders before the event, putting up the safety signs and ensuring the participants have signed in correctly. If everyone takes their turn at marshalling, then each person should only need to volunteer 2 to 3 times through the season. 

I will timekeep this coming Tuesday and Conor Preshaw has agreed to marshal the turnaround point.

Course Recce

For those new to the TTs, a course recce will take place on Sunday 31st March, leaving from the Carryduff Roundabout at the top of the Saintfield Road. This will leave at 09:30 sharp on Sunday - please drop me a message if you intend to come along. 

Rules

You must have a TI licence (a training licence is sufficient), be a member of a triathlon club and have working front AND rear lights on your bike. Cycling helmets are also mandatory.  For events marked (ATH) - this means it is an athletes TT, meaning that no TT equipment should be used, such as TT bikes, TT bars, aero helmets etc. You can of course turn up with TT equipment, however, you should be prepared for general teasing and mickey taking as the penalty for doing so!

As we are riding on public roads, the rules of the roads apply. The committee have notified the PSNI of our plans for the season; being seen and riding safely are of paramount importance - these events are very enjoyable and will improve your time trialling, but we should all stay safe when participating in them and we all have a responsibility to ensure that this happens.