Time trials are races in which individual riders (or sometimes small teams of riders) set off at fixed intervals to cover a set course in the shortest possible time, riding unpaced.
Most of these races take place on public roads, although some events are now held on off-road circuits such as the Castle Combe race track.
In England and Wales, most time trials are organised under the rules of Cycling Time Trials (CTT), the national body for this discipline of the sport, and are traditionally held on flattish courses over a number of fixed distances, mainly 10, 25, 50 and 100mls, but many events are now held on hillier 'sporting' courses over 'non-standard' distances.
Exceptions to the above include:
- the annual National Time Trial championship which is promoted jointly by British Cycling and the CTT;
- a small number of other races held under the auspices of the League of Veteran Racing Cyclists (LVRC) and the League International (TLI);
- time trial stages of multi-stage road races.
Sodbury Cycle-Sport is affiliated to the CTT, which is divided nationally into a
number of District Councils, and we are a member club of the West DC.
Much more information about the CTT can be found on their website.
The West and South DC's also have their own websites (see 'Links' page).
Follow this link to view Sodbury Cycle-Sport's club time-trial records.
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CTT time trials fall into two categories, Open and Club.
'Open' events can only be entered by members of CTT affiliated clubs. These are organised formally; pre-entry is mandatory (an entry must be submitted on a standard CTT entry form before the closing date, usually 12 days beforehand, but - note that some races can now be entered on-line). The course is marshalled/waymarked, and changing facilities, catering and a result board provided at the event HQ.
- For information about local open events, refer to the listings in the CTT handbook and on their website.
- Note that the Western Time Trial Association coordinates their annual 'Hardriders' series of events on more demanding local courses. Points are awarded by rider's finishing positions in each race, and there are trophies awarded each year for the top riders in various age categories (total of best six points scores from the 12 races in the series)
'Club' events are low-key, and open to members of the organising club and their guests, generally members of other local clubs. Entry is "on-the-line" for a small fee that includes a levy paid to CTT.
Most clubs, including Sodbury Cycle-Sport, welcome newcomers to participate as a 'Come and try it' (CATI) entrant.
- Sodbury CycleSport promote an annual series on Wednesday evenings at Old Sodbury
- Other local clubs, including the following, also promote evening series - refer to their websites for details:
Severn Road Club (Tues evenings)
Dursley Road Club (Thurs evenings)
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