UK’s time trialling organisation aims to modernise and expand participation with electronic timing and user-friendly online platform
Cycling Time Trials (CTT), the leading time trialling organisation in the UK, has unveiled a fresh rebrand along with the launch of a new website, marking a significant step in its ongoing mission to modernise and broaden the sport’s appeal. The new site, which replaces its previous outdated design, introduces extensive back-end improvements designed to streamline operations and attract both current and new participants.
One of the standout features of the revamped site is its built-in support for electronic event timing, offering seamless integration with social media and the flexibility to evolve with future developments. CTT describes the site as “future-proof,” enabling time trial events to be more accessible and efficient for competitors and organisers alike.
CTT Chair Andrea Parish, who took on the role in December 2021, expressed her ambition for the sport’s growth, explaining that the new platform is a critical step towards making time trialling more inclusive. “We’re trying to get to the parkrun situation, where it’s a mass participation sport and an open event,” Parish told Cycling Weekly. “Once it’s online, it’s a game changer for us.”
Parish also shared her vision for expanding time trialling beyond traditional road racing, with off-road trials already gaining traction. “I want to get off-road. We’ve got clubs doing that,” she added. The broader goal is to foster a larger community by encouraging more clubs to affiliate with CTT, thereby enhancing the overall value proposition and driving revenue that can be reinvested into the sport’s development.
A major innovation on the new platform is the introduction of electronic timing for all affiliated clubs. Parish explained that this feature will allow timekeepers to use tablets to automatically import online rider registrations, streamlining the race-day process. Additionally, marshals will be able to log split-times using devices that sync instantly with the results board, ensuring real-time updates and accuracy.
Reflecting on the organisation’s previous online presence, Parish acknowledged that CTT’s former site and its image were perceived as outdated. “I’d come to realise that CTT was seen as fuddy-duddy… that upset me. So there was a lot that I set out to change,” she said. The new site aims to make time trialling more accessible to newcomers, with simplified content designed to help potential participants navigate the process with ease.
“The current riders know the ropes, but this is about attracting new riders,” Parish emphasised. “Anyone who has got a bike essentially can time trial. That’s the premise.” The website revamp also includes a clearer path for beginners, breaking down complex jargon and offering straightforward guidance for those interested in starting their time trial journey.
In a statement of confidence, Parish described the new website as “the impossible website,” citing the significant achievement of delivering such a complex platform under tight constraints. “What we’ve actually delivered, under any normal circumstances for any company – and dare I say any other governing body – would be completely impossible,” she said.
Looking ahead, Parish is optimistic about the future of CTT and the sport as a whole. She highlighted the organisation’s recent successes, including the introduction of road bike time trials as a standard class, which has attracted hundreds of new riders. Additionally, the launch of the Tribes initiative, a nationwide competition for club riders, further supports grassroots participation by providing inclusive opportunities for athletes of all levels.
However, Parish is mindful of the post-Covid landscape, recognising that amateur sport has been permanently changed by the pandemic. “We are in a post-Covid world,” she acknowledged. “The game has changed. We cannot go back to that. So we have to adapt, we have to do things differently, and we have to understand that the landscape has changed. And we actually have to take what we’ve got and make the most of that and use that as a new base for growth.”
With a refreshed identity and a robust new platform, Cycling Time Trials is poised to lead the charge in revitalising the sport and engaging a wider, more diverse audience in the years to come.
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