Come and Try It Time Trial
Clifton Cycling Club are holding a "come and try it" time trial starting at 11.00am on Saturday 11th July, with a 4.9 mile circuit on carefully chosen quiet roads.
Event HQ will be Appleton Roebuck village hall (see location map) and signing on will begin at 9.30am. Entry is just two pounds, or one pound for under 18's (*). Riders should enter on the day.
Newcomers to competitive cycling are particularly welcome, and if you need further encouragement, Cycle Heaven of York have donated valuable prizes for the fastest three first-timers. You don't need to be a member of a cycling club, you don't need a pointy hat or a lycra skinsuit. ...you just need a roadworthy bike.
Where does it go
It's a flat course based around Appleton Roebuck (just south of York), and is all on quiet roads with little traffic.
So, what's a time trial?
A time trial is a race against the clock, not against other riders. Competitors are set off at one-minute intervals and you simply ride a marked course as fast as you can. There will be marshals at junctions to help keep the route safe, and the route will be clearly signposted. After you cross the finish line, the timekeeper works out your time and you'll be up on the scoreboard!
(We've more information on our How to Start Time Trialing page)
What do I need to do when I turn up?
When you arrive at the Event HQ you should head for the signing on desk. If you're under 18 (but you'll need to be over 12) your parent or guardian will need to sign a consent form. You pay your entry fee and sign the start-sheet (so we know who's taking part and how many riders are out there on the road) and you'll get a race number. You pin this on your back, and the number will tell you when you'll be starting; No.1 will set off at 10:01, No.2 at 10:02, etc. Ride down to the start line (as shown on the map) in good time and you'll see a queue of riders preparing to set off. When it's your turn you'll move up to the start line. At 30secs to go the starter will - if you want - hold your bike so you can get both feet on the pedals for maximum getaway speed. You'll get a countdown and then you're off!
What about after I've finished?
Once you've got your breath back, head to the Event HQ again. Please remember to return your race number! Your score will go up on the scoreboard shortly after you finish. There will be a certificate for all competitors showing your time - could be collector's items in a few years. We'll have a display of cycling kit from event sponsors Cycle Heaven, and there will be refreshments available. There'll be bikes too. .lots of them, including some serious kit, and club members who will answer any question you have about any aspect of cycling.
Not only all that, but prizes too!
There will be prizes for the top finishers, but some of these people will have done this before, so we've also got valuable prizes for the fastest riders who've never done a time trial before.
Other Hints
- Pin your number to your back at the bottom of your jersey so that it can be read.
- You will be held upright at the start and the time keeper will count down the seconds to your start time
- Remember these are fully open roads; ride on the left with your head up! Take care on the tight bends.
- The marshals cannot hold up any traffic for you; they are there simply to indicate the direction.
- When you pass the chequered board shout your number.
- Please don't distract the time keeper.
- Eat lots of cake, drink tea and talk about cycling and the Clifton!
(*) Under 18s will need a signed parental consent form from the Cycling Time Trials site