[CR]M.G.Selbach

(Example: Events:BVVW)

From: "Doug Smith" <doug@Kingsweir.plus.com>
To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Date: Wed, 8 Nov 2006 22:44:20 -0000
Subject: [CR]M.G.Selbach

Jerry Moos wrote:- Excuse the American ignorance of British time trialing, but how does one establish the mileage achieved in a 24 hour time trial? Easy enough for the Hour Record around a closed track, but for 24 hours over the roads, isn't every participant likely to be at a different location when the 24 hours expires? How then does one judge the results?

Jerry

Not very complicated really , to answer your question. The 24 hour time trial is usually commenced on a Saturday afternoon sent off by the timekeeper at one or two mintue intervals. All the riders would be riding on the open roads along with other road users. The event would not be possible without the help of the cycling club folks to marshall the riders and checks/feeding etc.to ensure everyone kept on official course. It has been quoted an event of this scale would take more helpers/marshalls than the number of riders taking part.The course itself would be over an area of some 50 mile radius with pre measured straight out and back courses with added detours of various distances thus totaling up their mileage before reaching a point near the end of the day where all riders would be directed onto a finishing circuit for example say 5-8 miles. On reaching the start of the first lap the chief timekeeper would have the record of each individual riders mileage .The riders then continue to complete their ride as well as being timed by one of a number of time keepers at set distances ,usually about every mile, around the finishing circuit. Should a rider happen to finish their ride in between one of these officials a calculation would be made on the average speed the rider set themselves and be converted into the distance travelled whilst riding this part of the time trial.

Hope this makes sense ,a bit difficult to put into writing and explain. Easy when you're taking part and have the experienced riding in these kind of events. Sad to say these 24 hour and the half day events are very few today as many have to be cancelled due to the lack of support from both riders and the help required to run a safe event.

Doug Smith
North Dorset
UK