Carbon's cast asunder!
Not a time trial in the proper sense of the word, but just finished the Graham Obree Sportive today on my 753 Peugeot Perthus. Not 'quite' the oldest bike there, chatted to a guy on a Dawes who was ten years + older than me and said he bought it when he was 13!
Anyway, here's a tip, all the strong riders do the long course, leaving us retro-meister's to 'dominate' (ahem) the intermediate 48 miler. First hill and a couple of flash carbons were dispatched - people seem to hit the slightest incline and tap-tap-tap straight the way up the block and come to a virtual halt. I've only got six non-indexed gears so you've got no option but to push harder on the pedals. Another thing I noticed, you may lose all fitness, speed, youth etc. but one thing you don't lose is the ability to ride in a bunch and be a crafty bugger. I'd forgotten how much fun all that was.
On the back of the course I was surprised and delighted to be passing all manner of people, uphill and down. It means I'm not the slowest - can't believe it!! Mind you, lets put this into perspective, 3 hrs 10 mins is ok until you hear that the first guy back did it in 2 hr 20 - hey ho. Anyway, Perthus rode fantastically - so speedy and comfortable.