Three Strange Things Related to The Current 100 Mile Time Trial Record ???

Now we have something / quite-a-lot to discuss and celebrate.
Post Reply
User avatar
Anthony.R.Brown
Posts: 75
Joined: 8 Mar 2021, 7:16pm

Three Strange Things Related to The Current 100 Mile Time Trial Record ???

Post by Anthony.R.Brown »

Ok the first Strange thing if you look at the 100 TT time results below then A Wild's Time is slower than M Bialoblock's ?
Shown in the link...

100 Miles

2020 A Wild GS Metro 03:28:50
2019 M Bialoblocki NOPINZ 03:24:55


https://www.cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/articles/view/147


The Second Strange thing...

Below it says

What about Marcin Bialoblocki’s 3:13:37 competition record, is it achievable?

Where is this Time ? in the Records link above article below...

https://www.veloveritas.co.uk/2020/09/1 ... ild-sep20/



And the Third Strange thing! concerns "The King of TT Alf Engers"

The RTTC’s response was immediate, a rule was rushed through, the jist of which was that the brakes have to be operable from the ‘normal riding position.

Photo shown below Alf Engers Banned - Hidden Brake Levers

But if you look at the Photo's I have posted below it shows clearly on Adam-Wild's bike that when he is using the bottom handle bar position then his brakes are also Not! operable from the ‘normal riding position ?

So why is his bike Not Banned! ?

https://www.veloveritas.co.uk/2010/12/0 ... -its-easy/
Attachments
Alf Engers Banned - Hidden Brake Levers.jpg
Loch-Ken-TT-2019-95-Adam-Wild-2.jpg
British-Tt-Champs-u23-2018-45-Adam-Wild-06.jpg
User avatar
Anthony.R.Brown
Posts: 75
Joined: 8 Mar 2021, 7:16pm

Re: Three Strange Things Related to The Current 100 Mile Time Trial Record ???

Post by Anthony.R.Brown »

So are Adam Wilds Brake levers legal! ?

CTTC Regulations

https://www.cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/articles/view/11

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:

(a) 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.

(b) On tricycles and tandem tricycles, two brakes may operate on the front wheel but otherwise the braking systems must operate independently on both front and rear wheels.

(c) Bicycles with a fixed wheel shall have a left hand threaded locking device securing the fixed sprocket. Similarly, tricycles with a fixed wheel shall have a suitable locking device or alternatively shall include an integral system as part of the design. Machines with fixed wheel require only a brake operating on the front wheel(s).

(d) 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:

(i) The wrists are no lower than the elbows.
(ii) The height from the ground to the forearm resting position is no less than 80% of the height of the saddle from the ground.

(e) Tyres shall be in good condition and tubular tyres shall be securely attached to the rims.

(f) Disc wheels or spoked wheels fitted with covers may be used only on the rear of a machine.

(g) 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.

(h) The use of recumbent machines, protective shields or windbreaks is prohibited.

(i) No competitor shall be permitted to start either a Type A or Type B event unless such competitor has affixed to the rear of their machine a working rear red light, either flashing or constant, that is illuminated and in a position that is clearly visible to other road users.

N.B. The Board considers that use of the so called “tuck” and “superman” positions would be a breach of the opening paragraph of this Regulation and that such use is not in the best interests of the safety of riders or the welfare of the sport.
N.B. Para-cyclists who are unable to ride a machine that complies with this regulation shall apply to Board for dispensation.
Attachments
Adam-Wild-Brake-Levers.jpg
User avatar
Anthony.R.Brown
Posts: 75
Joined: 8 Mar 2021, 7:16pm

Re: Three Strange Things Related to The Current 100 Mile Time Trial Record ???

Post by Anthony.R.Brown »

So according to the Original RTTC Rules below then both of the Tri Bars below are Illegal! because the Normal riding position ? for a Time Trial rider is on the Tri Bars,let's say 90% ? of the time.

The RTTC’s response was immediate, a rule was rushed through, the jist of which was that the brakes have to be operable from the ‘normal riding position.

And according to the New CTT Rules below

(a) 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.

Which for some strange reason ? and harks back to the Original RTTC having a personal issue with Alf Engers :( they had to include the "whilst holding the handlebars at their widest point" ? so as to make Alf's Banned brake levers still Banned! ???

But the Joke with all this is if you look at Alf's Banned brake levers below,including Tri Bar extensions like allowed today ? then Alf's are more of a Safety design! because it's easier to reach the Brake levers,if the levers are nearer the centre by the stem,on both sides which Alf's are!

Where as on Adam Wild's Tri bar set up,his hands are furthest away from the centre ? resulting in an emergency it will take longer to reach the levers! ? as shown in the photo below.
Attachments
ALFSTRIBARS.png
Adam-Wild-Brake-Levers-2.jpg
mattsccm
Posts: 5095
Joined: 28 Nov 2009, 9:44pm

Re: Three Strange Things Related to The Current 100 Mile Time Trial Record ???

Post by mattsccm »

2 points.
First, Alf would have used his thumbs to brake. Not as good as 4 , potentially, fingers. Secondly, speaking from only a decade of tri bar use, it is far easier to reach for wider set brakes than ones set as on Alf bikes. The arms move in a curve, not straight back.
Of course you can chuck in different attitudes to things as well.
mattsccm
Posts: 5095
Joined: 28 Nov 2009, 9:44pm

Re: Three Strange Things Related to The Current 100 Mile Time Trial Record ???

Post by mattsccm »

And, of course, in a TT the extensions would be regarded as the normal position. I ride at least 2 TT courses where the base bar is used only for the starting effort and the turn.
User avatar
foxyrider
Posts: 6042
Joined: 29 Aug 2011, 10:25am
Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire

Re: Three Strange Things Related to The Current 100 Mile Time Trial Record ???

Post by foxyrider »

more to the point - who uses brakes in a tt? :lol:
Convention? what's that then?
Airnimal Chameleon touring, Orbit Pro hack, Orbit Photon audax, Focus Mares AX tour, Peugeot Carbon sportive, Owen Blower vintage race - all running Tulio's finest!
User avatar
Anthony.R.Brown
Posts: 75
Joined: 8 Mar 2021, 7:16pm

Re: Three Strange Things Related to The Current 100 Mile Time Trial Record ???

Post by Anthony.R.Brown »

mattsccm wrote: 23 Apr 2021, 9:46pm 2 points.
First, Alf would have used his thumbs to brake. Not as good as 4 , potentially, fingers. Secondly, speaking from only a decade of tri bar use, it is far easier to reach for wider set brakes than ones set as on Alf bikes. The arms move in a curve, not straight back.
Of course you can chuck in different attitudes to things as well.
From the Tri bars the shortest route is straight down not a curved manoeuvre ? :( or straight back ? :( making Alf's the safest way to have brakes on a Tri bar set up! :)
User avatar
TrevA
Posts: 3545
Joined: 1 Jun 2007, 9:12pm
Location: Nottingham

Re: Three Strange Things Related to The Current 100 Mile Time Trial Record ???

Post by TrevA »

Firstly, the first link in your first post is to the National Champions for the relevant year, not the record holders. That is why Bialoblocki’s time is faster than Wild’s. Regarding your second question, the record is not listed, because the article is about rides done in National Championships.


Regarding the 2 TT set ups, a lot of things have changed in the 40-odd years since Alf’s set up was banned. If I remember correctly, he said that he used to brake with his forearms, which was perhaps the wrong thing to say, but as he couldn’t brake properly from the normal riding position, that set up was indeed banned.

When Lemond won the Tour in 89? using tribars for the first time, this raised the interest level in them and the RTTC agreed to a trial the following year of allowing some riders to use clip on tribars. As a result of this successful trial (no accidents reported as a result of tribar use) the rules were changed to allow the use of Tribars in CTT time trials. So the requirement to be able to use the brakes from the normal riding position was dropped.

“At the widest point” is open to some interpretation. I think you could hold the end of the bars but still use a couple of fingers to brake. You can see that Adam is holding the end of the bar with 3 fingers, so could brake with his index finger and possibly his thumb.

The UCI regulations are more stringent than the CTT/RTTC ones, so bikes that are legal in UK time trials, may be banned in UCI races.
Sherwood CC and Notts CTC.
A cart horse trapped in the body of a man.
http://www.jogler2009.blogspot.com
User avatar
Anthony.R.Brown
Posts: 75
Joined: 8 Mar 2021, 7:16pm

Re: Three Strange Things Related to The Current 100 Mile Time Trial Record ???

Post by Anthony.R.Brown »

There is just not enough difference with Alf's normal riding position and Adam Wild's,it was at the time a fact that the RTTC had it in for Alf no matter what he did! :( now it's more a case of money talks regarding the coverage races get,with everyone looking at the brand names plastered all over the components.
User avatar
TrevA
Posts: 3545
Joined: 1 Jun 2007, 9:12pm
Location: Nottingham

Re: Three Strange Things Related to The Current 100 Mile Time Trial Record ???

Post by TrevA »

I agree that the RTTC had it in for Alf. It took him 7 years to get reinstated as an amateur after riding for one year as an independent. Ted King in particular was anti-Alf. Apparently someone complained about Alf’s riding the day he beat 50 mins for the Comp record. It turns out that the the complainer was not even present at the event!
Sherwood CC and Notts CTC.
A cart horse trapped in the body of a man.
http://www.jogler2009.blogspot.com
Post Reply