On Saturday 24th March Sam McDonald and Pat Ellerbeck kicked off the time trial season at the first round of the NDCA series. 

 

What is the NDCA series?

These are a series of 10 time trials held from March to September on sporting courses (quiet roads like the Abbotsley circuit). They range in distance from 10-25 miles, and are open to members of local clubs to enter. As part of the series, you earn points based on your finishing position in each time trial, and your best six results throughout the year count towards your yearly total. At the end of the year you are awarded prizes based on your total points score - Mark Greenhow and David Lindsay both earned prizes last year.


These are great events to enter as the people are friendly, courses are safe, and you don't need any special equipment (plenty of people do them on road bikes). For more information visit the NDCA website http://www.northamptondca.org.uk/home

How did we do?

Despite feeling a bit rusty, they both put in strong performances over the 18.7-mile course. Sam posted a time of 44:38 for (insert position) place, and Pat clocked a time of 47:56 for (insert position) place overall, and (insert position) in his age group. These results are a great start to the series and the time trial season as a whole. Full results are available here www.cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/race-results/16513#anchor

 

What's next for the time trialists?

The racing really gets going in April, with the second NDCA time trial on 21st April which several members have entered, and Thursday evening time trials around Abbotsley start on 26th April.