1959-60

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2
CYCLING
HOW TO RUN A CYCLISTS ROAD TIME TRIAL
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IN,
by Major P. Edgeley, R.E.M.E.
These notes are written for the benefit of unit sports officers
who may be called upon at some time to organise a cyclist's road
time trial, having had no previous experience in cycling as a sport.
The writer found himself in such a position and his experience
might be found useful by others.
A road time trial consists of the competitors setting off at defined
intervals to ride a prescribed course the winner being the one
who takes the least time. The courses are usually at fixed dis-
tances, e.g-, 25, 50 or Ioo miles.
The national organising body of this sport is the Road Time
Trials Council (abbreviated to R.T.T.C.). Army events conform
to the rules and regulations of the R.T.T.C. as laid down in the
Council's handbook, published annually. It is essential that a
copy of this handbook is obtained. The R.T.T.C. arranges for
and approves properly measured courses and before use is made of
them prior consent must be obtained from the Council.
The Army Cycling Union is affiliated to the R.T.T.C. and during
the winter obtains consent to use of courses for the following
season's events. It will be seen, therefore, that it is necessary
to draw up fixtures list in the autumn.
The courses are listed in the R.T.T.C. handbook. Unfortun-
ately the details of the courses and where they start are not given
but the precise details can be obtained from the Officials of the
District R.T.T.C. in which the course is located. The addresses of
the various District Officials are given in the handbook.
The chief factor to consider in choosing a course is the avail-
ability of accommodation for the competitors. It must be remem-
bered that events start very early in the morning and competitors
want to be fairly close at hand for the start. Having selected
the course, obtained approval for its use, and arranged for accommo-
dation the next important step is to obtain the services of a time-
keeper. The District Officials of the R.T.T.C. will provide the
names and addresses of approved timekeepers.
These events are usually run on a handicap basis so it will also
be necessary to obtain the names and addresses of approved handi-
cappers (again from the R.T.T.C. District Officials) who will
handicap the riders on information provided on the event entry
forms.
There is a proper R.T.T.C. layout for entry forms, and such
forms must be insisted upon. Two weeks before the event all
entry forms should have been received together with the entry fee,
which is normally 2/6. This money goes towards paying for the
prizes and the expenses of running the race.
The day after the date of closure for entries, the entry forms
are sent to the handicapper together with a stamped addressed