How To Train For Time Trials – Time Trial Like A Pro

Nailing a time trial is a great feeling. Here are our tips for training for TTs.

Riding a great time trial isn't as simple as just riding hard from start to finish. Strategy, pacing and your position on the bike all play a part.

To ride time trials fast, you need to work on your pacing. Some pro cyclists even ride negative splits; they start slow and finish fast.

Specificity rules when it comes to time trialling. Train, and train hard, on your time trial bike in your aero position. This familiarity will pay off. Do as Chris Boardman did and try riding micro-intervals; 10 seconds in your time trial position flat out. It's all about getting good at riding fast on a bike that's vastly different to your regular road bike.

Have you got anything that you'd like to add? What are your tips for time trial training? Let us know in the comments and don't forget to like, share and subscribe.

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[Timtimzi]

As an owner of a tt bike, I'm so glad that GCN made a video about tt training!

[IanCaine]

4:07 lol, I love the gags these guys put into these!

[WmCRobison]

In addition to this being a great video, you guys are riding on our one of our favorite roads. I recognized it from the first frame. My wife and I ride it almost every Sunday in the summer and even many Sundays through the winter.

Hope you guys enjoyed your time in California.

[glennthunderer]

thank you so much GCN! i don't have a TT-bike but i customized my Giant TCR by adding angle bar, i also bought a skinsuit and now i do 20 km in 32 minutes and 20 seconds... thanks so much!

[jaturapatkompan]

Thank you GCN. I waiting this for a long time.

[brandonvereyken]

some really good info; thanks. I'd say most of your stuff is ride on but now and then like everyone else, I have a question. Here's one you can all thank me for ( I have lots more ) ; mount a mirror down on your handlebars at an angle that allows you to keep your head fully down, and see ahead without raising your head, because the mirror shows you what's ahead. Tucking your head fully down is a huge aero improvement, close to as good as chopping your head clean off. I don't recommend that, as it can be dangerous to ride without a head. As always, stop trying to be funny. You guys are just not cut out for it.

[bradleyosborne]

Thanks for this vid guys, it has really improved my time over this season. But my club has just started participating in team time trials. None of us have any experience and I can't find any videos showing us either. So could you lend us a hand and show us how it's done ?

[hutch]

You guys in Ventura California? Santa Barbra, Ca.

[blackneno]

Need an advice here!! When putting my arms on the handle bar in that aerodynamic position at 2:50, my arms occasionally slips due to the sweat and I almost crash. Is there anything or any way I can prevent that from happening? 

Thank you :)

[PaulHeelis]

I've never heard of clubs in France organising weekly TTs. It would of been nice if you treated the subject of riding a TT on your road bike because we don't all own TT bikes.

Great video as always otherwise. Do you need a French correspondent by the way ?

[LetGoAndFlourish]

My time trials consist of sitting on my couch and eating pizza

[runningwithshemp]

How on earth is stretching going to improve my Time Trialing, I hear your ask? 
HA HA HA HA HA HA... anyone else reminded of this? 

- The... Now, that's another story. The impportant thing here is that we get
to the part where you ask me how I'm gonna get down to the shore.
- Oh, how you gettin' down to the shore?
- Funny you should ask, I've got a car now..
- Ah wow, how'd ya get a car?
- Oh, my folks drove it up here from the Baahamas.
- You're kidding!
- I must be, the Bahamas are islands. Okay, , the important thing here is
that, uh, you ask me what kinda car it is.
- Uh uh, what kinda car do ya' got?
- I've got a bitchin' Camaro...

[DrJRMCFC]

Sorry guys, great video as usual but the surf is going off behind you. Take a rest day and get out there!

[HydrocorePC]

I just bought a canyon speedmax with ultegra di2
but my problem is i dont know what wheels shld i get.I am using zipp 404's and ive just started tt biking

[magorbarocz]

Why do pros train behind a motorcycle? What is the ideea behind it?

[ttmallard]

Hands down, top of forearms parallel to the ground, elbows together is faster in crosswinds, afaik not tested in windtunnels, suggest using 3° angle'of'attack setup both ways to put wattage on it.

With upper arms 90° or more, suggest ~12°-15° opens the chest for breathing.
Ymmv🍺

[plumster]

I really think there should be women GCN presenters there are women cyclists you know