BSCC Open Hill TT UH26 - Burrington Combe

Matt came up to me the other day and said he was entering the BSCC Open Hill TT on the 19^th. I hadn't really planned on entering anything now until the 10 mile club TT’s next year... but I’m never one to turn down a challenge. Matt and I are head to head at the moment on short medium-high intensity courses like this. He would ruin me on most courses above 1 hour long but I have weight and youth on my side. I’m not prepared for this at all. I have not ridden the climb before, I have put a few excess lb’s on since the ‘last race’ of the season and to top it off, I currently have no back wheel on my bike due to a failed tub. A spare tub acquired on the cheap from Mr Williams has helped out the back pocket but I’m waiting on the tub glue to arrive from Wiggle. This will be my first 3 day gluing ritual for fitting the tub... the first of many I am sure. I have received the usual YouTube training course on this so I am fully qualified...

 I have 1 main objective... beat Matt. 

I should be able to complete the course in about 8:50. This puts it above threshold for the entire climb. This means the pacing is going to be essential. Go off too fast... Go into the red and you will blow with no room for recovery. Go off too slow and you will never claw back those seconds. My only gauge will be heart rate and perceived effort. 

I’m going to compare this climb with Frocester Hill. I can complete Frocester in approx 8 mins (depending on which segment you look at) with an average HR of approx 180. My 10 mile TT average is about 174. I’m going to set off at 174 for the first minute or two. Once I have settled into a rhythm I will push until I reach 182. This should leave me with some in the bag for the final push. At this point there is only one option... PLF. I’m 107^th out of 111 so I expect there to be a lot of saucepans and spoons, cattle bells and whistles. With my HR on the limit, the chances of having a heart attack is highly likely. I just hope I get past the line in time...