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Places to practice TT

Posted: 16 Aug 2012, 11:27
by Strawburger
Hi All,

Where does one go to train for a road time trial in Sydney?

I'm thinking Centenial could be tricky as i would like to go over 30km/hr, I've tried laps of the Homebush bay but the traffic lights always seem to turn red as i'm approaching a good speed. The M7 may be a goer but walkers with dogs may be an issue (and i'll need to get the car out). Kernell? What's it like to ride down there on a weekday? Any others i've missed?

Cheers

Simon B

Re: Places to practice TT

Posted: 16 Aug 2012, 12:03
by mikesbytes
Kernell, you can ride out there and back

Re: Places to practice TT

Posted: 16 Aug 2012, 12:39
by Simon Llewellyn
Kurnell is definitely good.

The other place I enjoy is rnp from waterfall back to audley. The terrain is varied with the 3 main
Climbs, but it is generally undulating, quiet & good for time trial training because of the variation in the terrain. There are parts which are long stead down hill to perfect the aero position & then up hills which will condition strength. I don't particularly enjoy the climbing but really enjoy the atmosphere.

A few years back we had a Dhbc time trial event there and most people really enjoyed it.

Re: Places to practice TT

Posted: 16 Aug 2012, 12:46
by weiyun
I'm thinking Centenial could be tricky as i would like to go over 30km/hr...
Fact is, you are not going to be picked on if you behave appropriately. Early morning or weekdays are sensible for these. During those times, there's little motor traffic, another important consideration for a sustained ride.

Re: Places to practice TT

Posted: 16 Aug 2012, 13:15
by Stuart
M7 bike path is great for TT training. There are almost no walkers and very few dogs. Our women's masters TTT team use it as their training ground ...

Re: Places to practice TT

Posted: 16 Aug 2012, 13:35
by marc2131
:shock: 36kmph on a bicycle path!
Never been on the M7 bike path. Only used the M4 path from Homebush to Parramatta, and it was rather narrow.
Assume the M7 is safer.

Re: Places to practice TT

Posted: 16 Aug 2012, 13:40
by weiyun
Alternative is on a stationary trainer. TT is about FTP power, one that a stationary trainer will provide. I also recall a story told on an O/S forum many years ago. A Canadian cyclist would only power train indoors on his home stationary trainer. Every now and then he would enter an ITT competition and cream the field. He simply has the power.

Re: Places to practice TT

Posted: 16 Aug 2012, 13:50
by Stuart
:shock: 36kmph on a bicycle path! Never been on the M7 bike path. Only used the M4 path from Homebush to Parramatta, and it was rather narrow. Assume the M7 is safer.
way safe. 2-3 metres wide depending. Only really tricky bits are where it turns under the M7. These are fairly sharp corners, often with gravel / dirt / water or even on one section speed bumps (where two DHBCers have crashed previously). It's also nicely undulating with no major hills - about 5% max. Perfect for training as you don't stop for 40k's in each direction.

See here for a profile >> http://app.strava.com/rides/12690687

Re: Places to practice TT

Posted: 16 Aug 2012, 14:37
by mr mojo
I can vouch for the M7. In fact I managed to push out 42km on it this morning all non stop.

Agree with everything Stuey has said. I have mainly ridden it early morning weekdays and there is ever only light bike and pedestrian traffic. First weekend ride was last Sunday and there was way less bike traffic than I expected (although the strong southerly may have put a few people off).

Cheers
Spiros

Re: Places to practice TT

Posted: 16 Aug 2012, 19:31
by Julio
I use both kernell and waterfall to sublime for my TT training.

Re: Places to practice TT

Posted: 16 Aug 2012, 20:54
by Strawburger
Thanks everyone! I'll give Kernell a go, perhaps a crack at the waterfall ride on the weekend and if i get some time, sneak in a weekday visit to centennial. As M7 is a trek, i may defer that visit once i test out the local options.

Re: Places to practice TT

Posted: 16 Aug 2012, 20:56
by timyone
it depends a bit on how you want to train for it, what type of time trial, how far etc, and then do you want to just do intervals in the bars, as well as some rides with hills, and some rides with longer km's etc?

I did a national park ride with Christian that was hard back to Sutherland from waterfall after doing the park. I also do things like Kernel as every one says, and I would do Centennial park. As Weiyun said, a stationary trainer with what ever power intervals would be good too.

But yeah, I am not too up with all the fancy training bits and pieces, and it would probably require info on how much time you have, what your time trial is, etc etc etc to decide what to do, as to some extent I reckon I could train for a time trial at any of the mentioned spots, except maybe on the way to work, though the fitness would help.

Re: Places to practice TT

Posted: 16 Aug 2012, 21:03
by timyone
(you can just do the loop with the M7 in it)

Re: Places to practice TT

Posted: 16 Aug 2012, 21:19
by mikesbytes
The route I rode the TT bike was;
Tempe -> RNP (Audley in, Stanwell Tops out) -> Wollongong -> Mt Kera -> Wollongong -> RNP (Stanwell Tops in, Audley out) -> Tempe -> German Club

Re: Places to practice TT

Posted: 17 Aug 2012, 08:32
by Strawburger
Yeah, i'm happy enough to do the power training on an indoor trainer, but wanted gain familiarity with the bike & equipment setup on the open road too (thus not look like a bigger fool on the start line!). I don't want to make my ventures a leisurely roll around so I want to get a decent stretch of road to practice on.

I'm wanting to enter the state and national masters TT. My aim is to finish 2nd last or better. It will be touch and go as to finishing last so i'm hoping at least two other people will be in the same situation as i will be in!

Re: Places to practice TT

Posted: 17 Aug 2012, 09:16
by mikesbytes
What did you buy?

Re: Places to practice TT

Posted: 17 Aug 2012, 10:42
by Strawburger
2nd hand helmet. Still same bike with clip ons. Been a while since i kitted up in full tt racing attire with the bike. Thinking about options on wheels (buy/rent)

Re: Places to practice TT

Posted: 17 Aug 2012, 10:55
by mikesbytes
There's a number of bargains popping up on second hand Zipp wheels, as people upgrade to the new firecrest range. Also have a look at these ones http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/c/q/wheels

Re: Places to practice TT

Posted: 17 Aug 2012, 11:51
by weiyun
Yeah, i'm happy enough to do the power training on an indoor trainer, but wanted gain familiarity with the bike & equipment setup on the open road too (thus not look like a bigger fool on the start line!). I don't want to make my ventures a leisurely roll around so I want to get a decent stretch of road to practice on.
There are plenty of pro or near pro level ITT riders training in Centennial Park, going very fast. Per my observation, they don't get picked on if they ride early and be sensible with their use of the road. And I know you are not the type of rider who'll get themselves into trouble. A good and safe place to start in any case. Talk to AlexS, the circuit there is not exactly an easy one from TT's perspective either.

Re: Places to practice TT

Posted: 18 Aug 2012, 18:33
by timyone
Cool, well start by getting as fit as you can