Once again the league is coming to a conclusion and with three rounds left it's time for the team time trial. The format will be mostly the same as recent years, with riders selecting their own teams in advance, though if anyone doesn't have a team they can show up on the night and a team will be found for them.

Teams are made up of 3/4 riders. The team's time will be taken on the third rider to cross the line, so obviously if you have a fourth rider you have more leeway to lose one to puncture, inability to keep up, or whatever. Teams can be made up from any of the groups, but it's best to form a team where everyone has similar abilities - the work is shared more evenly, everyone's able for the same fastest pace, etc.

If you have a team already formed, please post it here, so the organisers can more easily prepare the time sheets. If you're without a team, you can use this thread to find others looking for one, or just show up on the night and you'll be matched up with others. But your best bet is to form one beforehand with riders you know, otherwise you may end up either collecting tickets for the night (not so bad for the result), or constantly pinging off the front (frustrating for everyone). It also allows you to practice and work out a system for riding through.

Usual TT rules apply - aero gear allowed, caution when overtaking teams, and no drafting (except within teams, obviously!). Any questions, ask away, though it might be covered in previous TTT threads...

The threads from the past two years can be found here: 2014 , and 2013 .

We will be using the same route and format as last year. Mapmyride link. Sign on will be at the Blue Gardenia as usual, closing at 19:00, with a neutralised rollout to the start in Blessington. The route will be a lap of the lakes, for a distance of 28km, so marginally shorter than recent years, but quite a bit more challenging.

Also carried over from last year will be the handicapping system- there will be handicaps applied to each team based on the groups of the individual riders on the team; there will be a 2'30" deduction for every limit rider on the team, 1'35" for each semi-limit, 35" for each semi-scratch and no deduction for the scratch riders. This means that a team made up of 4 limit riders will have a 10 minute advantage on a full scratch team, and every other combination will fall somewhere in between. Based on recent years that shouldn't shake the results up too much, but it will mean that an organised limit or semi-limit team has a very good chance of placing (or even winning), and a disorganised scratch team is likely to come away with nothing.

Ann Horan, Breda Horan, Helen Horan .. Watch out everybody. We've been practising for more than 20 years now!!
Luke GJ Potter will be joining us but only on the condition that he writes one of his thrilling race reports to capture the event!

Any semi limit semi banjaxed guys want to join me?

I'm available for selection for this also !

Has the Murnane Dream Team added a 4th ?!

We'd like to have you on the team Bryan if you are still available

excellent !

Is there a family crest or coat of arms I must purchase in advance ?

Hi Dave,

Here's our team:

Daragh Boyd (SL),
Mark Holland (S),
Julian Moore (SS)
Matt Williams (SL)

Regards,
Daragh

Dick O'Brien
Bernard English
Jamie Busher
Valdis Andersons

Early start if possible, thanks.

Hi am hoping to do this on Thursday, if anyone is in need or has space for a limit rider, I am able. Thanks

Looking for a team if there're any going?

Graham Scanlon
Ed O'Mahony
Jules Cantwell
Ken O'Neill

Ken and I did a recce of the TTT course this morning and came across a patch of road that in our view is very dangerous and unsuitable for racing. Starting at the crest of a hill a bit after Ballyknockan, the council has covered the road in gravel. This goes on for about 2 to 3km around the back of the lake, on very lumpy, twisty roads.
I presume I will have been dropped by the time my team hits this section, so it doesn't affect me so much, but I really wouldn't feel safe racing on it. The gravel is very loose and the terrain is difficult enough even on a stable surface.
Would it be worth one of the organisers going out to check it out?

True Killian.
It's from 14.1km to 16.4km on the route. There's a corner that needs a good amount of braking close to the start this section.

It might be worth the teams getting organised there, leaving space between the riders (for the braking) and putting the strongest person on the front (to avoid needing to pull off the front and into the gravel track) for those 2.2km.

1. David Maher ss
2. Stephen Barry ss
3. Aidan hammond ss
4. David hendron limit

I'm also available for a Team on Thursday night.. (Limit)

Kevin

Unfortunately our team is one man down, Bernard had to withdraw due to injury.

If anyone wants to join myself, Dick and Jamie you're more than welcome. We don't bite, promise!