Entering open TTs
How to enter open time trial events
General approach
Find the event you want to ride and organiser information
Complete the entry form and send to the organiser with a check, to arrive before the closing date
Also arrange for a day licence with the organiser if required
Closing date is usually 7 to 14 days before the event
Organiser returns a start sheet with your start time, course information, and any information on event specific rules such as not warming up on the course, or not making u-turns near the start/finish
A course map may be available online, or you can trace it from the course information
Arrive at the event headquarters to sign on and collect your number - bring your BC licence for Scottish events
Arrive at the start warmed up and with at least a few minutes to spare before your start time
Scotland - British Cycling
To enter an Open event, you need to pre-enter and the closing date is normally 10 days prior to the event. You can see all open events on the BC website. Entry costs for an Open TT are normally around the £7 mark.
You will either need to hold at least a BC provisional racing licence, which is included with their bronze, silver or gold memberships, or arrange for a day-licence with the organiser for an extra charge.
BC Calender for Scottish events
Courses - Descriptions for all courses
Forms and info - entry forms
Braveheart forums - Event information, results, and discussion
SCU Equipment regulations
SCU regs are fairly relaxed :- the bike must be roadworthy and you cannot use a disc wheel on the front. A helmet to approved standards is required for all TTs.
England and Wales - RTTC
If you do time trials, you don't need any sort of licence, you simply need to join a club affiliated to Cycling Time Trials. (Shetland Wheelers is affiliated through BC)
To enter an Open event, you need to pre-enter, closing date is normally 10 days prior to the event. You can see all open events on the CTT website, or alternatively get the handbook, as this will list all open events, and who the organiser is.
Courses
Time Trialling forum - Event information, results, and discussion
CTT regulations for bikes are a bit stricter than SCU regulations, so note particularly
Brake levers must be secured to the handlebars in such a position as to enable the competitor to readily apply both brakes whilst holding the handlebars at their widest point. The width of handlebars shall be no less than 35 cms.
Machines fitted with triathlon handlebars and derivations thereof which have forearm supports, or Spinacci type handlebars without forearm supports, may be used provided that when the rider adopts a competitive position on these bars
The wrists are no lower than the elbows.
The point of the elbow joint is no more than 3cm in front of a line extended through the centre of the machine’s head tube
The height from the ground to the forearm resting position is no less than 80% of the height of the saddle from the ground.
Tyres shall be in good condition and tubular tyres shall be securely attached to the rims
Disc wheels or spoked wheels fitted with covers may be used only on the rear of a machine.
Deep section rims, tri-spoke and wheels of a similar design may be used. The front wheel must have at least 45% of the surface area open. (e.g. PX101 is the deepest legal spoked rim wheel, Zipp1080 is not legal. HED H3 trispoke is legal, H3D is not)
Bikes
14. Competitor’s Machine
Every competitor must ensure that his machine is so constructed, equipped and maintained as to be capable of being ridden on the road safely at all times and in all conditions. The riding position shall be set so that the competitor has good forward vision when in a competitive position. In particular but without prejudice to the general principles of this regulation: