A 12-hour time trial is not something I was ever considering until listening to an episode of The Cycling Time Trial Podcast by Mark Florence. While Michael Broadwith, the two-time British 24-hour time trial champion, recounted his experiences, it occurred to me that much of the training I’d done this year for long gravel and mountain bike races would translate fairly well to a long-format time trial.
I grew up time trialing, racing mostly the 20-kilometer as a junior, but hadn’t raced a TT bike for quite some time. A quick internet search showed that RAAM’s 24-Hour World Time Trial Championships took place in early November in Borrego Springs, California. Also offered were six- and 12-hour options. I signed up after a bit more research (and reading how former BikeRadar editor Jeff Jones smashed the 12-hour record back in 2011).
- The course: The desert landscape of Borrego Springs, California plays host to the race. A mostly flat course means that aerodynamics take priority over weight. Racers ride an 18-mile loop until 1.5 hours to go, when they switch to a 5-mile loop. Both are flat and for the most part offer smooth pavement.
- The equipment goal: Effectively balance aerodynamics, efficiency and comfort to maximize speed and minimize the need for stops.
- The horse: A Trek Speed Concept with Shimano Ultegra Di2, a Stages power meter, Profile Design hydration, Cobb Maxx saddle, Vittoria Corsa Speed Open tires, Wheelbuilder AeroJacket disc cover and Speedplay Zero Aero pedals.
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The 12-hour bike: Trek Speed Concept
There are a lot of fast time trial bikes on the market these days, and a growing number are designed without the UCI’s rules in mind. Because the 24 Hour World Time Trial Championships are run by the Race Across America (RAAM), I didn’t need to worry about pesky measurements, much like those who race in the time trials in the United Kingdom.
Trek’s Speed Concept can be ordered with a UCI compliant fork and bar, or — as I used it — with a more aerodynamic fork, base bar, Speed Fin rear brake cowling and Speed Box. There are more radical bikes now on the market that offer integrated storage, but I’m very familiar with the Speed Concept and wanted to ride a known quantity.
Using the Wisconsin company’s Project One program, Trek applied the custom bright blue paint and a beautiful pearl overcoat. Shimano’s Ultegra Di2 electronic shifting was key over such a long day of riding and I set up both aerobar shifters to change the rear derailleur. This meant that even while eating or drinking from a bottle, I could easily change gear with whatever hand was still on the bar. The course was exceptionally flat and I never used the small chainring except when leaving the race’s pit area, so I never missed having that option with the left aerobar shifter.
Other 12-hour gear
Bontrager Aeolus 5 wheels with Wheelbuilder AeroJacket Disc Cover
Vittoria Corsa Speed Open TLR tires
Stages Power Meter
Garmin Edge 820
Speedplay Zero Aero pedals
Cobb Max Saddle
Profile Aero HC and RML bottle carriers
Other bike prep notes
12-hour clothing, helmets and nutrition
Specialized Evade Skinsuit
IceFill Arm Coolers
Nopinz ATS Trip Sockz
Giro Aerohead MIPS and Bontrager Ballista MIPS helmets
Nutrition
The 12-hour experience overall
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