This page is intended to supplement the CTT Event Timing System (🔗) Knowledge Base article. It provides a step-by-step guide to follow on the day of your event.

The timing app uses the event's provisional (or finalised) start list as it's source of riders and start times. Therefore, before the event starts, all riders must:

  • Be registered on the CTT system
  • Have a valid rider profile
  • Have entered the event (either online upfront, or manually on the line)
  • Have been given a start time and number on the event's start list.

Rider order and start times cannot be altered within the timing app itself. Any changes must be made via the Start List 

At Rider Sign on

1. Rider Registration

Riders not registered with Cycling Time Trials must do so when they sign on. This takes a few minutes and can be done on a phone. From the homepage, www.cyclingtimetrials.org.uk, click Login and select Create Account. More detail here (🔗)

2. Creating a valid Rider Profile

In order for a rider's entry to pass validation, he/she must have completed certain details within their rider profile. To do so, they should click My Account from the home page and select My Rider Profile, then complete all the details. If they have no third-party insurance, or don't remember the details, they should enter 'none'.  More detail here (🔗)

3. Creating manual entries

The organiser must ensure all riders have entered or have been entered into the event. Online entries will already be complete. The organiser must add any new entries manually as the riders sign on (after they have registered and completed their rider profiles). To add manual entries, access your event's admin page and select Entries, then Add Entry. More detail here (🔗)

4. Handling withdrawals

Any online entries that cannot make the event should either withdraw their entry themselves or have their entry rejected by the organiser. To reject an entry, access your event's admin page and select Entries, check the box next to the rider's name and select Actions -> Reject

5. Creating a provisional Start List

Once all entries are in, the organiser must create a provisional start list. The timing app uses this to determine when each rider sets off. Go to your event’s Admin Page and select Start List. Apply rider numbers directly in the grid. Start times are calculated automatically. For example, if the event has a start time of 19:00, and you have selected riders to set off at one-minute intervals (the default), then rider 1 will set off at 19:01; rider 2 at 19:02 etc. More detail here (🔗). You do not need to finalise the start list

You can still reject no-shows, add new manual entries and reorder riders by editing the start list provided it hasn’t been finalised, and you’ve followed prerequisite steps above. Before going to the start line, make sure the start list is correct - the app will set riders off based on the exact time of day shown for each rider.

This would be a good time to check screen brightness and volume settings on your devices. Set them to the max

 

At the Start Line

1. Start the timing app

  • When: 5-minutes before first rider off
  • What: Access the timing app and start the clock

To keep time accurate, the app needs to sync with a reliable online time source. This can take a few minutes, especially if the signal is weak. Always start the clock a few minutes before the event to give it time to settle and ensure accurate starts.

Click My Account from the home page and selecting Timing App as explained here (🔗). Select your event and then Start Control from the menu, then Enable Start Timer (🔗)

2. Synchronise the timing app with your stopwatch

  • When: Exactly 1-minute before first rider off (assuming 1-minute intervals between riders; otherwise, 30 seconds*)
  • What: Synchronise the app with a reliable backup stopwatch

While the timing app is being tested (and possibly beyond), all events must also be timed using traditional stopwatches as a backup. It is essential that the stopwatch is started exactly one minute (or 30 seconds*) before the first rider is due to set off. The app operator should count down and coordinate with the stopwatch operator to ensure the watch starts precisely at that moment. This ensures rider 1 is set off by the app when the stopwatch reads exactly 1 minute, rider 2 at 2 minutes, and so on.

To facilitate this, when the start timer is enabled, the clock will be displayed alongside the start time of the event. For example, if your event starts at 19:00 and your first rider sets off at 19:01, then the clock will count down to 19:00 at which point the stopwatch should be started. You will receive verbal alerts stating "Event starts in X minutes" at 10, 5, 2, and 1 minute before the start time of the event. The app operator stopwatch timekeeper must then watch the clock on the app and start the stopwatch at the exact start time of the event. 

By this point, riders must be in-line ready to go.

3. Set riders off

  • When: The exact time of day specified on the start list
  • What: Hold the device in such a way that the riders can see and hear it

The app will set riders off, audibly and visually as explained here (🔗)

Each named rider must leave according to their specific time in the start list. If a rider is late to the line, they miss their start time. The next rider in line cannot shuffle up but must wait until their own specified start time.

4. Recording finish times

Typically, riders' finish times would be recorded by a second timing app administrator. This person must be listed when the timing app is configured (🔗) prior to the event. As riders cross the finish line, the finish timing administrator taps their screen and applies recorded times to riders as explained here (🔗)

5. Manual amendment of finish times and recording DNFs

During or after the event, any finish-time errors can be corrected by typing in amendments using the timing app's Event Control (🔗). DNSs, DNFs and DQs can also be recorded using Event Control

 

After the event

Results may be viewed in real-time on the Results Board (🔗). Once all results are in, have been validated against the stopwatch times, and any necessary adjustments made (as explained in Step 5), they must be imported into the event. To do this, go to your event's admin page and select Results, then click Import Results. Confirm that you want to import from the Timing App. Once imported, you can review the results. Any amendments must be made via the timing app's Event Control (🔗) and then re-imported. When you are happy with the final results, click Publish Results to apply them and email them to riders. More detail here (🔗)

 

 

 

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