Watch the Tour this Sunday with Ystwyth!

It’s been a historic start to this year’s Tour de France, with Geraint Thomas becoming the first Welshman ever to wear the yellow jersey – and he’s still wearing it as we write, three days later!

This Sunday afternoon, why not join Ystwyth to watch the Tour live at the Ship and Castle from 2pm onwards – and put your feet up after one of our Sunday rides, maybe? Stage 9 promises to be the toughest stage of this year’s Tour so far, as the riders reach the foothills of the Alps, with four classified climbs and 4,600m of ascent, including the Col du Grand Colombier.

We’ll see you there!

https://www.facebook.com/events/473839902968741

Club neighbours Clwb Seiclo Caron CC host a great ride for Ystwyth

With the sun shining, fourteen Ystwyth CC riders made the trip south to Tregaron to meet up with our neighbouring club Clwb Seiclo Caron CC. With the promise of new routes we were not disappointed. Gwion James from Caron had planned a great 70km route leaving Tregaron, taking in Llanddewibrefi, Lampeter and Cribyn, then leading us to a welcomed cafe stop at the National Trust’s Llanerchaeron. Fuelled up with coffee, cake and bacon baps we headed north onto a great back road to Pennant, then east to Cross Inn.  With regular regroups along the way we made our way back to Tregaron with the sun still shining.
On Saturday 15th July there is another chance to ride the roads in this area.There are 3 sportive routes leaving Tregaron, with 20 mile, 40 mile and 79 mile options. This is a good chance to ride a local sportive and support a great local event:

Thanks to Caron for organising and showing us some great routes in south Ceredigion.  

Nant Yr Arian 12 mile hilly time trial

7 riders completed the challenging Ystwyth CC Nant yr Arian 12 mile hilly time trial. In cool, calm conditions, the riders descend the 6 miles to the A44 roundabout before taking on the 6 mile ascent back to the finish line.

With a good mix of time trial and road bikes on the start line, the benefit of a fast technical descent is balanced with the ability to climb strongly.

This proved no problem for Ieuan Andy Davies who took the win with a strong 33min 10 seconds, followed in second place by Andy Hunt on a road bike, just scraping under the 36min barrier. Paul Jones took 3rd place with the remaining 4 riders closely grouped within 3 minutes of each other.

Next week the riders return to the Llety Gwyn time trial route.

Nant Yr Arian 12 – 28/6/17

1. Ieuan Andy Davies 33.10
2. Andy Hunt (R) 35.59
3. Paul Jones 37.44
4. Martyn Saycell (R) 39.09
5. Andy Starr 40.25
6. David Jones (R) 40.50
7. Leif Skot (R) 41.45

Ystwyth CC join Clwb Seiclo Caron CC for a Sunday Ride – 2nd July

Clwb Seiclo Caron CC have kindly agreed to host our Sunday Social Ride and Club Run on the 2nd July. 
The pace will be a steady 15mph average, with the ride leaving from Tregaron Square at 9.30am. This is a great chance to explore the roads further south in the county.

The plan is to go south from Tregaron, a flat 10 miles to Lampeter and then to make our way towards a popular stop at Llanerchaeron, and return to Tregaron. Total around 35-40 miles.

Riding in Ystwyth colours this summer? Let us know!

The racing and sportive season is in full flow and it’s great to see reports and photos of Ystwyth riders participating in all sorts of different events. If you’re riding in any event or race over the summer, or are simply having an adventure, be sure to let us know either on our Ystwyth FB page or by email ystwythcc@gmail.com

Don’t forget, also, to let us know if you want any photos to be added to our #ystwythjerseychallenge, as part of our 65th anniversary celebrations, whether you’re riding a sportive, racing, time-trialling or just enjoying a ride home or away. The closing date is 3rd December 2017 and the winner will receive a £65 voucher kindly donated by our sponsors Summit Cycles. The full jersey challenge album can be seen here 

Dai Clarke riding the Fred Whitton Challenge in Ystwyth colours, May 2017
Elaine Rowlands in the Back O’Skiddaw sportive in early June

Gethin Howells during the Granfondo Stelvio Santini sportive in northern Italy, also in early June

Aberystwyth Rapha Women’s 100k, 23rd July

The Rapha Women’s 100k is a celebration of cycling community and collective spirit among riders across the globe. Since its inception, the Women’s 100 has inspired cyclists across the world to come together and ride 100km on the same day. 
On Sunday 23rd July the Ystwyth Club Run, Social Ride and Beginner Ride will join in supporting the Aberystwyth Rapha Women’s 100k led by Mel Gaul. 
Both women and men are encouraged to ride in suport of this event, and you can also register your intent to ride with Rapha here http://pages.rapha.cc/womens100 to receive information about the event worldwide.
The proposed route, from Plascrug Leisure Centre to Aberdyfi and back, is available here https://www.strava.com/routes/9267699 
There will be plenty of different paced groups and encouragement on the day, along with a support vehicle, and no-one will be dropped or left behind. We’ll also have a proper stop to refuel at Aberdyfi half way. However as this is a long ride we would also encourage riders to ensure they bring sufficient drink and snacks. Further information given by Ystwyth CC to its riders on what equipment to bring etc is available here https://www.bc-clubs.co.uk/ystwythcc/index.php/club-rides/

So why not set yourself a challenge and join us on the Aberystwyth Rapha Women’s 100k on Sunday 23rd July?

Ystwyth Juniors’ Summer Cycling Series

Friday evening, 23 June, will see the start of Ystwyth Juniors’ Summer Cycling Series at Blaendolau – another brand new series of events from our ever-growing junior club. Ystwyth Juniors’ usual Friday evening skills sessions have been attracting 60 to 70 riders in recent weeks, which is remarkable considering that the club is only a year old.

This summer series will be for school children and adults alike, with a number of different routes catering for youngsters through to adults.

This is a three-round series, followed by a fun evening and presentation. At the presentation there will be an award for 1st, 2nd and 3rd in each year group but also a trophy for the school that scores the most points based on the first 5 finishers in each race.

The emphasis will still be on fun and participation. Courses and sign-on will be ready from 5.30pm with the first race at 6.15pm.

Time Trialists enjoy the summer heat

Bathed in glorious sunshine, 25 riders registered to compete in the Llety Gwyn 10 mile time trail. With a supporting tail wind on the outward leg, riders were optimistic to make good time to the turn around point and battle the return leg home.

In the absence of Ieuan Andy Davies and Danny Thorogood, competition for the 1st spot was going to interesting. Martyn Saycell crossed the line with the fastest time of the night with a 24min 38 sec followed by Paul Jones and Paul Brewer both clocking a 25min 12 sec.

First road bike rider saw Adam Hughes just pip Hywel Davies to take the spoils.

First female saw Lois Brewer take the win in 27min, with Leah Brewer taking second in 28min 16 seconds and Katie Miles third in 29min 02 seconds.

In the two-up battle, Lowri and Aled Richards just retuned ahead of Layla Skot Parker and Leif Skot.

A great nights riding in excellent conditions shows that the Ystwyth CC time trial scene is growing from strength to strength.

Llety Gwyn 10. 21/6/17

1 Martyn Saycell 24.38
2 Paul Brewer 25.12
   Paul Jones 25.12
4 Dan Field 25.27
5 Adam Hughes (R) 25.29
6 Hywel Davies (R) 25.37
7 Andy Hamilton 26.08
8 Derek Rattray 26.09
9 Andy Starr 26.33
10 Ian Stevens (R) 26.43
11 Lois Brewer 27.00
12 Johnny Ryan 27.11
13 David Jones (R) 27.29
14 Rhodri Duffee 27.33
15 Lowri Richards & Aled Richards (R) 27.54
16 Layla Skot Parker & Leif Skot (R) 28.11
17 Leah Brewer 28.16
18 Paul Tedaldi 28.40
19 Dafydd Wright 28.46
20 David Wright (R) 28.50
21 Katie Miles (R) 29.02
22 Llyr Morgan (R) 30.06
23 Kim Jones 35.42

Great maintenance workshop with club sponsor Summit Cycles

There was a great response to the invitation sent to club members to attend a free workshop ‘Roadside Bike Maintenance Session’, hosted by our club sponsor and local bike shop Summit Cycles. 

The two hour session flew by with members being shown the ‘M Check‘ , some extra pre and post ride care and the opportunity to have a great  Q & A with qualified mechanics at Summit Cycles. 

This was a really useful and informative session with lots of tips and advice to keep our bikes correctly maintained and safe.  Many thanks to Summit Cycles for hosting the workshop.

If you are interested in attending a repeat of this session in the autumn (need to be a club member) email ystwythcc@gmail.com to register your interest. 

Close battles and great riding…

On a sunny warm evening down the scenic Rheidol Valley, the riders battled a light headwind on the way out to Lovesgrove roundabout, with a slight tailwind on the return leg.

With the promise of marzipan cake, brownies and Heather’s famous flapjacks there were some great times posted on this rolling course.

One of our youngest riders was the first girl over the line working as a 2up with her Grandad Leif Skot.   It was great to see Katie and Kim returning to the time trial scene, taking the second and third places.  Ieuan Andy Davies and Danny Thorogood both had storming rides with Ieuan Andy crossing the line 11 seconds ahead of Danny, with Martyn Saycell setting a strong ride in the 25min band for third place.

The (R) category of riders competing with no tri bars saw David Jones take the spoils with a 28mins16secs. 

A great evening, with some closely fought battles and many riders smashing their season best times.

Cwmrheidol 10. Weds 14th June

1 Ieuan Andy Davies 23.04
2 Danny Thorogood 23.15
3 Martyn Saycell 25.31
4 Paul Jones 25.58
5 Andy Hamilton 26.15
6 Dan Field 26.24
7 Andy Starr 27.26
8 Rhodri Duffee 28.14
9 David Jones (R) 28.16
10 Layla Skot Parker & Lief Skot (R) 29.23
11 Katie Miles (R) 31.52
12 Kim Jones 36.43