Buxton Mountain Time trial is a long running time trial which features a lot of climbing (1,100m) over the 33 mile course. In recent years, there has been a constant growth in people riding the event. I think this year was a record entry with 181 riders entered across the different categories. It is also the second round in the National RTTC Classic time trial series.

I tend to go quite well in this event, because with all the climbing it is a time trial which favours the hill climbing types (i.e skinny people). The major climb from Longnor up Hollingbourne is a good couple of miles. But, unlike hill climbs, what goes up has to come down too, and there are quite a few fast descents, especially when today there was a strong tailwind going down.

It is my first national level race of the year, and a major target of the time trial season. A recent cold, took the edge of this target, but I don’t know how much difference two weeks off makes.

I’ve ridden Buxton MTT amidst snow drifts piled high on the side of the road. But, today, was one of those great early spring days, with great weather and for the first time this season, riding in shorts, which meant digging out the old razor last night and pondering the recurring question of the best way to shave legs.

A common problem with Buxton MTT is to go out too hard. It’s a very easy trap to fall into and I’ve done it every year I’ve entered. It’s one thing going up the long climb when you’re fresh, it’s another matter after 25 miles in the legs on the third lap. I took it relatively steady up first climb, but it was hard because there was quite a strong headwind up the climb. At the top you turn left onto the A54 and here the wind was quite strong and I could feel the side-wind hitting into my daiskwheel and Zipp 404 on the front. It wasn’t the best wheel choice, but I don’t have any alternative. I need to sell my Zipp 808 and get a good front wheel for people who easily get blown around. After a difficult cross wind section, there is a fast descent and this year there was a tailwind behind. I do have a 56*11 and made as much use of it I could, but at some points I stopped pedalling and just tried to recover the legs.

The second lap was harder and the third lap, even more difficult. The hardest point of the course is towards the end of the long climb. There is a little downhill section, but then quite a steep section, I was really grovelling in my lowest gear of 39*25 on the last lap. Out of the saddle, the only comfort knowing this was the last time.

Then it’s the long descent and it’s nearly over, but there are still a few lumps on the course and at the end of 31 miles they feel longer than usual.

I stopped the clock in about 1.24.25, which I was quite happy with given headwind and stop start winter. Phillip Graves (Clifton CC)  won in a 1.23.26. Graves is an international triathlete who recently has been concentrating on cycling due to injury. The thing about triathletes that sticks in the mind is Alastair Brownlee running a 29:07 10km at the end of the Olympic Triathlon. That time of 29.07 would have been good enough not to come last in the 10km 10,000 m final. http://www.olympic.org/olympic-results/london-2012/athletics/10000m-m

My Quark Elsa power meter has broken again, so I had no power meter. Not that I would have ridden to power. I also forgot to start my garmin until half way around first lap, so I was riding the whole course on feel and trying to maintain the pace for the three laps.

Axe Edge

After race, there was a long wait for the presentation, so I went for another ride into Buxton, so I could climb Axe Edge. The legs were tired, and it was great devotion to the cause of climbing difficult hills for no particular reason. I can’t say Axe Edge was great fun. On a time trial bike, into a stonking headwind and legs like blocks of wood. But, I got to meet some marshalls from Buxton CC who were standing at the corner waiting for the last couple of riders.

Thanks to Buxton CC and sponsors Design Detail Engineering Limited, Hotel Milano Helvetia
Sett Valley Cycles, The Old Wooden Spoon Bakery (I’ve had a few of Lou’s cakes, very good.