Scott Kocher
Ditto what Erik V said.
Time trials like Jack Frost are perfect for beginners. You start one at a time, so the risk of crashing, or messing up other riders, is very low. And, because you're really racing yourself, equipment doesn't matter. Ride a mountain bike. Ride anything. You'll see all sorts of folks out there. It's about getting out the door and doing what you want to do. For most people that means focusing and riding harder than usual... or as hard as you can. If you like climbing, look for the uphill time trials on the calendar, too.
If you do want to try out aero bars (and lose out on being able to ride the Eddy category), you're welcome to borrow my Profile clip-ons. I also have a forward-extending 27.2 seatpost. With those two things you can replicate a TT bike position on a road or cross bike (or even some MTBs).
IF you can make clip-ons reasonably comfortable you'll likely find they're a bunch faster. For most people that takes some miles getting used to them. First time with clip-ons I rode a half-hour Sauvie Island lap 2 minutes faster than with drops. On my TT bike a Sauvie lap is probably less than 30 seconds faster than my road bike with clip-ons. For clip-ons start with: not too low, not too far forward but not hitting your knees when you stand, flat forearms or angle the up/down just enough so you're not tending to slide forward or backward on the armrests when relaxed and riding at speed (can't get that part right on a trainer). You might need a different seat or seat angle. Lots of fit-related ideas out there about hip angle, seat height, etc. Web sites, local fit gurus, etc. For sure don't jump right in and spend a lot of time in an aggressive TT position.
If you ride Eddy (non-aero category) this power calculator web site page gives a rough way to compare your time to aero riders if you're interested in such things:
http://bikecalculator.com/
Cheers,
Scott
Subject
Re: Jack Frost - first TT - questions
Date
02/15/2013 12:03 PM
From
Erik Voldengen
Hi Zach, I am the co-promoter for Jack Frost TT.
Yes, it's great for beginners!
You don't need to use any aero equipment at all. In fact, if you throw on
some aero bars at the last minute, it will probably hurt your legs because
they aren't used to riding in that position. Just come as is. There's
even a special "Eddy" category for people without aero equipment if you
want to do that.
Nobody will laugh at you. I don't ride it with aero bars, either.
However, you might laugh at some of the TT kits out there.
Nobody will get pissy if they pass you. People LOVE passing. It makes
them feel awesome. Just don't weave back and forth, but you should never
do that anyway.
Get numbers via OBRA.org, or you can show up at checkin before 8am and 9am
and get a temporary day of race number. You need an OBRA license, so you
can buy an annual membership on site in the morning, or a one day license.
Note you can only do this between 8 and 9. This is why EVERYONE should
have their OBRA membership status squared away before race day, so they can
sleep in longer!
Hope to see you there. Email me with any questions.
-Erik Voldengen
On Thu, Feb 14, 2013 at 9:01 PM, Zach Goude wrote:
> I'm a newbie wanting to get into some road action, raced a couple seasons
> of beginner 'cross. I thought I'd give Jack Frost a try, but have some
> questions (and totally missed Wenzel TT clinic and the UEF clinic last
> week!)
>
> Is Jack Frost a good go for beginners?
>
> All I have is my 'cross bike, should I get aerobars or something?
>
> Without some TT style, will I get laughed at and tomatoes thrown at me?
>
> Are people going to get all pissy having to pass the slow guy with his
> head up?
>
> Where can I get some numbers?
>
> Thanks for time and patience with such banality, you guys are all awesome
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