Next Saturday, March 30, I will participate in the Individual Time Trial ‘Tijdrit Almere’.
A very well organized event in my backyard, in which I participated several times.
It’s a big event too: there are nearly 600 participants, including the ones riding a 4-person Team Time Trial.
I will ride the long distance: 42 kilometers, 3 rounds of 14 kms each.
The route – slightly altered for this year – is pancake flat and the biggest challenge is the wind.
Running next to a large body of water, through mainly wide open space, even a breeze easily becomes a nuisance.
My backyard is, like the course, pancake flat, but the wind is a factor that many dread.
The windspeed throughout the year is 3 to 4 Bft or on average ~25 kph in the open, but 5 to 6 Bft or ~35 kph is not an exception.
I’ve been blown off the road when there was a strong – 60+ kph – wind and when lateral, those are a menace when there’s passing motorized traffic.
Traffic is not a thing during the ITT and as start and finish are in the same spot, there’s a more or less equal amount of head, tail and lateral wind to enjoy…
So far, I have not been able to make a dent in this (new) version of the time trial.
The only time I got close to the “magical” 40 kph barrier, was in 2018 on the old course.
While 40 kph is about 15 kph short of having a shot at the podium, I would be really proud of myself if I would ever achieve that.
But as I grow older, I realize I will have to let go of this goal…
Anyway, at least I will have a bike that will leave many riding that 15 kph faster on a kid-sized tricycle envious 😂
I will write a post-race review if I don’t crash like during the 2022 edition.
The modification to the course allows for a safe return along the main road, avoiding the worst patches with potholes.
At least they have learned from that 2022 edition, albeit that this was not reflected in the 2023 race…
