It’s the time of the year we all look forward to; Reliability Trials!
This is the time to find out how much, or how little, training you have done over the first half of winter, but also to set you up for the remaining winter months into the Spring. The series starts off modestly with a 50 mile flat ride giving you 6 weeks to get fast, and fit, for the epic 100 miler through the Chilterns.
What is a reliability trial?
A reliability trial is an organised bicycle ride which challenges a cyclist to complete a course, passing through designated control points, within a preset time limit. In the United Kingdom, such events are often held in the wintry, opening, months of the year and are used by club cyclists as training rides. A common test would be a 100 in 8 – 100 miles would have to completed within eight hours, including any stops.
Where does the term come from?
The term is historic and dates back to the early years of the 20th century when cycling equipment was less reliable, roads were rougher, routes were more poorly sign-posted, and mobile telephones had yet to be invented. The name was also a way of emphasising to the police, at a time when the place of cycle sport on British roads was insecure, that the mass rides they might see were not races.
This year ‘Captain’ Andy Mullis has developed a new route for the third trial, and a new GPX file will be published in due course.
In the meantime there is still time left to dust off your turbo and start burning off those mince pies and Turkey! Not to mention the following group rides to choose from (please arrive in good time to leave promptly):
• Saturday 0900 Thame, Debutants run ~40m with café stop (led by Alasdair MacVarish average speed 13-15mph - return about 1200)
• Saturday 0930 DAF Car park Thame, Intermediate run 40-50m no café stop (led by Chippo or Dave Roberts average speed 17-18mph)
• Sunday 0900 Guild Hall HW, Club run 50-60m with café stop (led by Captain Mullis average speed 15-17mph)
• Sunday 0900 Guild Hall HW, Training run 60m+ with no café stop (led by Chippo average speed 17-19mph)
• Sunday 0900 Thame, Debutants run ~50m with café stop (led by Alasdair MacVarish average speed 13-15mph – return about 1300)
• Wednesday 0959 Lewknor – close to Juntion 6 M40, Group ride, 40-50m (led by Alasdair MacVarish average speed 13-15mph)
• Wednesday 1830 West Wycombe Village hall, Chain Gang, 25-30m (led by various average winter speed 18mph, average summer speed 22mph)
For Debutants rides please contact Alasdair for details on start point and so he knows you’ll be riding.
From January 18th, Club President, Dr. Gordon Wright will also be taking a Wednesday night Turbo session in West Wycombe Village Hall at 1930-2030. These sessions will focus on building your strength and speed into the TT season and carry a well-worth-it-cost of £3.
HWCC member Gareth Batson, and owner of Cynergy PT, runs a Thursday night Turbo session from his gym premises in Fawley. These carry a well-worth-it-cost of £3 and to book you space please call/text Gareth on 07774 908065. There has been some fantastic feedback on these so book your place no to avoid disappointment!
When are they?!
See the Club run calendar, or repeated here:
22nd January 50 Mile flat reliability trial
5th February 50 mile hilly reliability trial
19th February 75 mile reliability trial – new course
4th March 100 mile reliability trial
Now get these dates in your diary!
Complete all four and get a medal at the club dinner.
We have been fortunate, until this last weekend, to be spared of the awful weather we had before Christmas last year; so far most of the club have been out on their bikes every weekend and leggings have only been needed, for the most hardy, for the last couple of weeks (others have wrapped up for weeks)! Although the weather is changing so please be careful out there. If it’s icy make friends with your Turbo or the Gym bike, or dream of future conquests at your nearest coffee bar….don’t risk it.
We look forward to seeing you on the road!
