How to pace a long time trial (video)

Pacing is key when it comes to time trials: go off too fast and you'll fade, hold too much back and you'll be disappointed with your time. Here we look at pacing, efficient use of energy and nutrition strategies to help you perform to your best

(Image credit: Graham Watson)

Endurance cycling is an exercise in managing your finite energy reserves. Finishing an event with energy to spare suggests you rode too conservatively; struggling or even failing to finish suggests you went out too hard. Judging it right is a skill gained through experience.

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Hannah Reynolds

Hannah Reynolds interest in cycling started while studying for a degree in Sports Science at the University College Chichester. A number of students and lecturers were elite and even world class cyclists, many of whom went onto long-term careers in cycling. Despite being a complete novice she was taken under the wing of the experts and given a fast-track introduction to the world of road racing, cross-country mountain biking, time trials and cyclo-cross. A committed dabbler whose passion outweighed her talent Reynolds has competed across all disciplines of cycling bar BMX. In the very distant past she has been south-east road race champion, southern cyclo-cross champion and finished third in the European 24hr Solo mountain-bike champs in 2011. She was also the Fitness Editor of Cycling Weekly for 15 years. 


In more recent times Reynolds has worked as a cycle guide in the UK and France. She is author of several cycling books, France-en-Velo a guide to the ultimate 1000 mile cycle route from the Channel to Med; Britain's Best Bike Ride. LEJOG1000; A 1000 mile journey from Land's End to John o' Groats and 1001 Cycling Tips. Her cycling now is less competitive and more focussed on travel and helping her young son to experience the world by bike.