News & Features

This year marks 100 years since time trialling began in Britain, and as the governing body of the sport, Cycling Time Trials has several events planned to celebrate our sport’s centenary!

Much has changed since the early days when riders wore black, women were not allowed to compete and standard road bikes were used.

We’re looking forward to the next 100 years of time trialling, but for now this year’s centenary events will mark the progress made with special events, prizes and medals.

In a nod to the origins of the sport, all the centenary events will be road bike events and a mixture of distances, disciplines and locations will be used ranging from 100 kilometres to hill-climbs.

CTT Chair Sue Bowler said: “The idea of having the centenary events as road bike events came about to try and encourage riders who may not have a specific time trial bike to compete in a series and also a national championship.

“Road bikes can be purchased for a reasonably modest sum 'off the peg'. There is also no reason why riders could not also use them in standard time trials.

“Over the last twelve months in particular there seems to be a growing interest in road bikes in time trials in such events as those promoted by AeroCoach and the road bike category in the Merlin Series.”

Each participant in a centenary event will receive a commemorative medal when they sign on, while special centenary glassware prize will be presented to the fastest man, woman and junior boys and girls.

The road bike criteria is:

• No tri bars, clip on bars or Spinaci bars;

• No disc wheels. Both front and rear wheels must have a minimum of 12 spokes each. The maximum rim depth on all wheels is 65mm;

• No aero helmet or a helmet that covers the ears or a helmet with a visor to be used;

• Riders must not ride with their forearms resting on the handlebars at any time.

 

The idea of celebrating the centenary was first discussed two or three years ago by the previous Chair, Sheila Hardy. The Covid-19 pandemic has meant the celebrations have been scaled back somewhat, but a good mix of events across the country will mark the occasion.

It has been 100 years since the sport’s inception in 1922 as the Road Racing Council, which then became the Road Time Trials Council until in 2002 it became Cycling Time Trials Ltd.

Time Trial Centenary Events:

March 20 – National Road Bike Championships (Newark, Notts)

April 10 - San Fairy Ann CC 25-mile Time Trial (Harrietsham, Kent)

May 15 – Four-up 100km Team Time Trial (Southam, Warwicks)

June 5 – Bynea CC 25-mile Time Trial (Llandovery, Carmarthenshire)

July 3 – Cleveland Wheelers two-stage hill-climb (Teesside)

Sept 18 – GS Metro 25-mile Time Trial (Cramlington, Northumberland)

The organisation has had to adapt to different road conditions and differing attitudes to cycling. Throughout its 100 years the organisation has been volunteer led, from event organisers and helpers to members of District Committees to the Board of Directors.

“Over the 100 years there have been many changes,” added Bowler. “In the early days riders were told to ride in black (ironic, isn't it!) as the events were not sanctioned by the police. This is also the reason that course numbers are such that they cannot be identified by road numbers, and these still exist today.

“And at first women were not allowed to race in events with the men.

“The most obvious change is to the road conditions, and CTT and its predecessors have always tried to move with the times. The introduction of the Rudy Project Series which today is known as the Merlin Classic Series gives riders the opportunity to compete on sporting courses rather than the traditional single or dual carriageway courses.

“Today women ride in the same events as men, and increased female participation has meant that there are sufficient numbers to warrant women's only events alongside the men.”

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