NAUT CYCLING CLUB RIDER ALEX PAUL TESTS HIMSELF AGAINST THE CLOCK IN STAFFORDSHIRE

NAUT Cycling Club & Race Team rider Alex Paul recently headed away to push himself against the clock in Staffordshire. The ‘WattShop Weekend’, on June 8th & 9th, was a chance to test Time Trial form on two challenging courses across 2 days. With an ‘out and back’ 10-mile TT on day one and a 2-and-a-bit lap loop totalling 25 miles on day 2. There was a stacked field including WattShop head honcho, Team Ineos Aerodynamicist and former UCI World Hour Record holder Dan Bigham, along with other notable names from UK cycling; including John Archibald, Bora Hansgrohe development squad’s Patrick Casey, along with Regional, National and Age Group record holders and champions of various pedigrees. The 10-mile effort was held on the K48/10 course, on the A51. A challenging headwind sapped energy on the dragging uphill outward leg before the turn, after which the tailwind effect was a welcome respite on some smooth road surfaces. The evening saw a talk, giving insights into Dan’s world hour record attempt; the focus, discipline and innovation involved in taking the record in only 5 months. Plus, a showcase of the in-depth science behind the aerodynamic research WattShop are famous for. Day 2 was the 25-mile effort on the J5/13, around Swynnerton. Featuring 3 climbs up the ‘Swynner-berg’, before a long swooping downhill, giving a total of 385m climbing. Conditions were cold and breezy, with the threat of drizzle and no tailwind at any point to take advantage of. With the slow climbing section and the previous day’s effort in the legs, it was difficult to maintain the 25mph average needed to bring it in under the 1hr mark.