2008 February | VeloProject.com

Soon it will be time for the first of 9 time trials at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. For the past four years I have been fortunate enough to be on the Board of Directors of the Carolina Cycling Time Trial Association (CCTTA). During this time I have been a part of our organization growth from about 100 participants to sold out at 350 participants a night. At the same time spectators have grown to over 1000 people a night. For you to better understand now CCTTA works and its relationship to VeloProject.com the following outline should answer most of your questions.

Relationship:

Non-paid volunteers run the CCTTA from bicycle clubs through out the Carolina’s. These bicycle clubs are called ABC’s. (Affiliated Bicycle Clubs) As an ABC member your club maintains a seat on the Board of Directors and is expected to provide volunteer workers to perform jobs such as registration, set up, take down, judges, safety marshals, and other projects it takes to make the events happen. I am your representative to the Board of Directors and have held a seat on the Board for the past four years. And it is my job to recruit volunteers and keep the club informed with the happenings of the CCTTA.

How CCTTA works:

The tack, security staff, lights, EMS, and all the facility is provided 9 times per year free of charge to the CCTTA. (Complements of Humpy Wheeler avid cyclist and co-owner of Lowe’s Motor Speedway)
CCTTA provides all the time trial materials to set up the track including the timing devices, staging, and marking the track.
CCTTA provides all track set-up and operations via ABC volunteers.
Your times are recorded on the CCTTA web site Carolinatt.org and organized in 5-year age groups as citizen class and licensed classes. The winner in each age division is based on the best 6 of 9 events.
Awards are presented at the end of each season based on points earned from the best 6 of 9 events competed in.

Who races at the CCTTA?

Lowe’s, Humpy Wheeler, and the CCTTA have specified that the track is available to all, and new riders are encouraged to race time trial just the same as professionals.
About 10 to 15% of those who race at Lowe’s each event are first time participants.
The balance of racers are anywhere from riders who race once to nine times a year to top professionals from teams like Jittery Joe’s to Health Net and other pro-teams across the nation and European teams when in the area.
The track is children friendly and the CCTTA hosts about 3 free kid’s races per year for children ages ? to 9 years old. Kids 10 and older are allowed to race in age divisions starting at age group 10 to 14. Non racing kids are also welcome at the facility.
Also CCTTA has a division for hand cyclists, collegiate, and fixed gear athletes.

Other information:

The place to find out dates, standings and register for races on line is Carolinatt.org.
The race starts at 6:30 and ends about 8:30. If you are pre registered and have a late start time you just need to arrive about 45 minutes early.
To get to the track take I-85 south from High Point to exit 49 north of Charlotte. (about 40 minute drive) Turn left at the top of the ramp and continue about 2 miles to the Lowe’s Speedway. Continue straight ahead into the speedway and turn left on the speedway outer belt. On the backside of the speedway you will enter the track through the tunnel. (You will need to sign in) Once inside the track drive to the left and the CCTTA race starts around the Busch Series garage about the center of the track. Park and look for the registration signs. If you are a spectator just park bring lawn chairs and cross pit row and set up at the tracks edge on the warning track.
There are excellent facilities to change clothes, and bathroom facilities in the Busch garage.

Precautions:

The track is very friendly however when crossing pit row it is very important to only cross in designated crossing areas and LOOK BOTH WAYS to avoid being hit by a cyclist racing in pit row. It is very important to supervise children in this area. Racing on the track is very safe, the key to proper track edict is keep to the left as close to the warring track line as possible and pass on the right only. We have had very few accidents over the years so this is most likely safer than your normal club rides.

Final thoughts:

The time trials at Lowe’s Motor Speedway is most likely the most professional run and organized event you will ever attend of participate in. It is close, easy to get to, free to be a spectator, and as an ABC member you receive a considerable discount to race. Time Trial is just you and your abilities, drafting is not permitted so therefore it is most likely the fairest way to evaluate your fitness and at the same time enjoy your sport. AS AN ABC AFFILIATE PLEASE JOIN ME AND SUPPORT THE CCTTA. If you are not interested please come as a spectator, you will be talking about the thrill for weeks to come.

How to volunteer:

We need as many volunteers as we can get to support the CCTTA. It takes about 8 to 12 volunteers per event to enable VeloProject.com to hold a preferred standing. The jobs are easy to do and making it a family night is great fun. Kids can join in and help as well and as a club we earn about $2 per volunteer in points you can use for race fees, merchandise, or donated your earnings to charity. After the event there are many restaurants in the area to meet your friends for fun.

Here’s how to volunteer:

Simple just email William Rabley and let me know you are interested. I will send you the details no strings attached. Then be prepared to enjoy your sport more than ever before. NOTE: I need to set up a volunteer schedule in the next two weeks so please do not delay.

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Become a Better Time Trialist

Wednesday, January 2nd, 2008

February 9, 2008
1:00 pm	to	5:00 pm

February 9, 2008 1:00-5:00 PM Lowe’s Motor Speedway Media Center

The same people that bring you the time trial at Lowe’s Motor Speedway now bring you a special time trial seminar. Everyone, beginner and experienced, is welcome.

Learn From The Best

Chad Andrews - Per4mance Training
Andy Applegate - Asheville Velosport
Mike Giraud - A2 Wind Tunnel
Bruce Guild - Cool Breeze Cyclery
Jim O’Brien - The Right Gear
Two Cyclists with Lots of TT Experience

Some seminar topics include:

Training
- Identify your weaknesses
- How to establish a TT training program
Equipment
- The effect of various TT equipment on your time
Aerodynamics
- Optimize position
- Ways to reduce drag
- Wind Tunnel Testing
Nutrition
- Pre-race and post-race nutrition
- Role of supplements