Ystwyth CC taster day at the Wales National Velodrome

After a very early start from Aberystwyth, 18 riders made their way by coach to the Wales National Velodrome in Newport. This was the first time for most of us, so we were not sure what to expect.  We arrived in plenty of time to be sized for our track bikes. With no gears and brakes, some of us were feeling a touch nervous!  After making our way to the centre of the track we were met by our coach for the session, Steve Marshall.
Steve was fantastic and gave us a great briefing and introduction to the track and bikes. We spent the three-hour session with Steve gradually and safely increasing our confidence and skills with everyone getting higher each time around the track. The three hours flew by so quickly!
This was a great experience and thoroughly recommended – we all wished we lived closer!

High turnout and original jersey at club’s 65th anniversary ride

Ystwyth CC’s 65th anniversary ride on Sunday, 8th October saw over 50 club members, friends and members of neighbouring Clwb Caron come together for a 65-mile ride to Lampeter and back. The ride was the latest in a series of events held during 2017 to commemorate the club’s 65th anniversary, which will culminate in November with a month-long window display of the club jerseys over the years at Summit Cycles, the club sponsor, and then an anniversary club dinner.
Present at the start of the ride was one of the club’s life members, Ken Williams, who joined the club in 1963 and who remains an active member of Ystwyth CC and of the wider Welsh cycling community. Ken brought along his first club jersey, which is part of a collection kept by him over the years and photographed as part of the club’s 65th anniversary celebrations by Kristian Bond, club member and grandson of Bill and Audrey Rushton, who were among Ystwyth CC’s founder members in 1952.
All riders enjoyed a halfway break at Lampeter Rugby Club, and the club would like to thank them for their welcome. On returning to Aberystwyth, hearing of Griff Lewis of Ystwyth Juniors’ notable success in the first round of the National Trophy CX Series in Derby,  meant that this was a memorable day for the club in its anniversary year.
Many thanks to Dan Field for the photos.

65th anniversary ride, Sunday 8th October

As part of the club’s 65th anniversary celebrations, all our usual Sunday rides will come together on Sunday, 8th October for a 65-mile ride to Lampeter and back. The ride will leave Plascrug Leisure Centre promptly at 9.30am but all riders are requested to arrive in good time so that a club photograph can be taken to note the occasion.
The cafe stop in Lampeter will be at the rugby club from 11am onwards, and the club would like to thank them in advance for their willingness to welcome us on our anniversary ride.
All riders are welcome to join us for this special ride. There will be several different paced groups out on the road on the morning, reflecting our usual three rides, and regrouping within those specific groups. We would also encourage everyone to familiarise themselves with the route beforehand – it is available to see here https://www.strava.com/routes/9943088 and can be downloaded to bike computers if required. Event details on FB to be found here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1919100005021738/ 
Here is a brief route synopsis: Plascrug LC > Southgate > Rhydyfelin > Llanfarian > Abermad > back road to Lledrod > back road to Tyncelyn > Llangeitho > Talsarn > Creuddyn Bridge > Lampeter RFC > turn left before Co-op > Llanfair Clydogau > Llanddewi Brefi > Tregaron > Ponrhydfendigaid > Trawscoed > Llanilar > Llanfarian > straight across crossroads and down to cycle path in Rhydyfelin > Trefechan > Plascrug LC. 
This ride is part of a year-long series of events to note our 65th anniversary, culminating in the club anniversary dinner to be held in November. 

Please note that there will be no club rides the following Sunday, 15th October, as many club riders will be attending the club’s Track Taster Day at Newport Velodrome and also in support of the fact that Ystwyth Juniors are hosting a round of the cyclocross series at Penglais Farm. If you are free to marshall that day, for whatever length of time, please contact Nia Peris or alternatively Chris (Tomos) Jones of Ystwyth Juniors – we would greatly appreciate all support for our Juniors section which has made such progress this year. They are, after all, our future club riders and it’s an opportunity to volunteer on behalf of the club and get your ride in the previous day!
The attached photo shows the club’s first jersey, dating from 1952, from Ken Williams’s collection and with thanks to Kristian Bond for the photo.

Ystwyth CC pilot video conference link from Aberystwyth to Welsh Cycling AGM

With the prospect of a five-hour round trip to the Sport Wales National Centre in Cardiff for the annual AGM, Ystwyth CC were grateful to Welsh Cycling for allowing us for the first time ever to be in attendance via a video conference from Aberystwyth.
The AGM took place on the 19th September and the link from Aberystwyth proved successful with Aled Jones (Cycling Development Officer – West Region) joining us in Aberystwyth, and Malcolm Dines representing Troelli Llwybr Llwynog club.
It was a really interesting AGM and a great chance to hear an overview of the year from Welsh Cycling, future plans and listen to discussions regarding knowledge sharing for volunteers in the sport.



Sale of 65th Dinner tickets & Ystwyth CC kit stock – Saturday 16th September

Ystwyth CC will be taking over the community room in Tesco (located next to the tills) from 10 until 12 noon on Saturday 16th September.
We will be selling tickets for the 65th Anniversary Club Dinner, priced at £18 (cheques payable to Ystwyth CC). 
The club dinner will be held in the Black Lion, Talybont on Friday 10th November, with limited numbers available, and the price includes a two course meal.
Also for sale will be the winter kit that the club has in stock ready for the autumn/winter season.
There will also be 2018 club kit order forms and hopefully kit samples to try on, and we will be taking expressions of interest for skinsuits with a view to getting samples in soon.
Or just pay us a social visit to catch up after the summer holidays! Welwn ni chi yno / See you there.

Summit Cycles Llanfihangel-y-Creuddyn Hill Climb – Wednesday 13th September

This is a great fun event to end the season and riders will receive a free tasty meal in the Ffarmers after the event, thanks to our club sponsor Summit Cycles.
Please register beforehand that you’re riding this event with Andy Hunt (0790 308 0072) to help with catering numbers.
Distance: 1.7 miles taking riders usually between 10-14 minutes to complete https://www.strava.com/segments/7360869
First Rider off: 6:30pm
Sign on from 5:30pm outside the Ffarmers, Llanfihangel-Y-Creuddyn
See you all there 🙂



Ystwyth CC Hill Climb

On Wednesday 30th August, in glorious evening sunshine, 15 riders took on the challenge of the 1.4km hill course with an elevation of 110 meters.  As the riders eagerly anticipated the start, going off at 1 minute intervals, the atmosphere on the infamous Clarach hair pin corner was building with claxons sounding, chanting and encouragement in abundance.

With Pro Rider Stevie Williams on the start list it was also expected that the course record may be smashed in the perfect conditions.

First lady home, having ridden an impressive time trial season with the club was Katie Miles in a time of 6min and 30 seconds.  In second place, Lowri Richards in a time of 6min and 49 seconds and in joint 3rd place, riding her first time trial was Mel Gaul in 7min and 8 seconds and Layla Skot Parker riding her first hill climb.

In the men’s event, Stevie Williams didn’t disappoint the frantic crowd on Clarach hair pin corner. Blitzing the field and smashing the course record, Stevie negotiated the hill in a staggering time of 3min and 36 seconds.  In 2nd place, Andrew Poole continued to show his strength on the bike with an impressive time of 4min and 20 seconds.  Third place went to Owen Evans in a time of 5 min and 4 seconds.

Many riders also took Personal Bests on the night and the event was a fantastic end of season race. 

With a week gap in the agenda, the riders return on Wednesday 13th September to take on the Llanfihangel Hill climb sponsored by Summit Cycles.  More information will be on the club facebook page in due course.

Clarach Hill Climb – Weds 30th August
1 Steve Williams 3.36
2 Andrew Poole 4.20
3 Owen Evans 5.04
4 Caron Pugh 5.12
5 Ian Stevens 5.16
6 Jack Ramsbottom 5.41
7 Martyn Saycell 5.49
8 Morgan Commins 6.19
9 Katie Miles 6.30
10 Alan Haird 6.34
11 Justin Manley 6.43
12 Ian Brandreth 6.49
12 Lowri Richards 6.49
14 Mel Gaul 7.08
15 Layla Skot Parker 7.08

Katie on her way to first place in the Clarach hill climb
Photo courtesy of Aled Richards

Final 10 mile TT of the season

As the 29 riders signed on for the last 10 mile time trial of the season in a spectacular late August sunset, this would be the final opportunity to seek a personal best or even club record until 2018.

In a highly competitive men’s field,  riders were competing for top spot. In the end Ieuan Andy Davies, fresh from taking a top 10 finish in the Welsh Championship Veterans TT and road race on the weekend took the podium spot in 22minutes and 29 seconds. Second place went to Danny Thorogood in 23minutes and 5 seconds. And third place to Andrew Poole in 24 mins.

2017 has seen an increase in the number of ladies competing in the club time trial events. Top spot on the final night went to Emma Palfrey in 26minutes and 33 seconds, second place to Helen Marshall in 26 minutes and 36 seconds. In third place Shannon Haird in 28 minutes and 39 seconds.

2017 has seen the number of riders increase in attendance in the time trials, often referred to as ‘the race of truth’. A big thank you to Andy Hunt, time trial co-ordinator and the crew of volunteers who have assisted over the series.

Next week, riders can take on the challenge of the Clarach hill climb.

Llety Gwyn 10  23/8/17

1 Ieuan Andy Davies 22.29
2 Danny Thorogood 23.05
3 Andrew Poole 24.00
4 Andy Hunt 24.02
5 Andy Hamilton 24.53
6 Martyn Saycell 25.14
7 Dan Field 25.51
8 Emma Palfrey 26.33
9 Helen Marshall 26.36
10 Caron Pugh 26.38
11 Derek Rattray 27.31
12 Rhodri Duffee 27.33
13 Dafydd Wright 27.40
14 Alan Haird 27.51
15 Layla Skot Parker & Leif Skot 28.17
16 Aled Richards 28.20
17 Shannon Haird 28.39
18 Katie Miles 28.44
19 Heulwen Lloyd 29.17
20 David Wright 29.18
21 Sarah Hawkins 30.08
22 Lowri Richards 31.07
23 Lowri Norrington Davies 31.32
24 Alan Lloyd 31.39
25  Nia Richards 32.57
26 Angharad Jones 35.14
     Richard Pugh DNF
     Ian Brandreth DNS

Ystwyth CC – Track Taster Day

On Sunday 15th October, Ystwyth CC will be travelling down to Newport International Sports Village, to have a taster session on the track with guidance from the Newport coaches.
This is a taster day and is suitable for everyone who wants to come along and have a go. There will be a coach taking us to and from Newport.
The cost is £25 per person and includes: transport from Aberystwyth to Newport and back, track bike hire and helmet,  exclusive use of the track from 11am-2pm, and a trackside coach to guide us through the session.
Email ystwythcc@gmail.com  as soon as possible to reserve your place.

Here is the link to the Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1749591642008027/



Burgers and chippings

Bathed in glorious mid August sunshine with the prospect of coffee, cake and a barbecue provided by Paul and Kim Jones of Penparcau Butchers, 15 riders signed on to the Ystwyth CC Cwm Rheidol time trial.

With newly laid chippings on a half mile section of the course, the prospect of fast times would be unlikely.  But this did not deter the enthusiasm displayed by those being expertly marshalled by Andy Hunt and Derek Rattray.

In the ladies event, Anita Saycell took the win in 28min and 18 seconds.  Katie Miles, riding a road bike took an impressive second spot in a time of 30min and 1 second with Heulwen Lloyd in third in 31minutes and 27 seconds.  Nia Richards and Angharad Jones both from West Wales Cycling Racing Team, took 4th and 5th respectively.

In the two up event, Andrew and Jacob Poole took the win in an impressive time of  30 minutes and 6 seconds followed closely by Leif Skot and Layla Skot Parker in 30minutes and 16 seconds.

In the men’s event, Ieuan Andy Davies continues to dominate taking top spot in 23 minutes and 37 seconds.  In second, showing a remarkable return to top form was Scott Tomsett in 25 minutes and 34 seconds.  Martyn Saycell took third place in 25min and 59 seconds.

This was the last outing on the Cwm Rheidol course for 2017 and the riders enjoyed the amazing sun set over the Rheidol dam enjoying coffee, cake and burgers, a time to reflect on the 2017 events on this course.

Next week, the riders return to the Llety Gwyn course for the final two 10 mile events for the 2017 time trial series.

Cwmrheidol 10 – 9/8/17

1 Ieuan Andy Davies 23.37
2 Scott Tomsett 25.34
3 Martyn Saycell 25.59
4 Andy Starr 28.08
5 Anita Saycell 28.18
6 Richard Pugh 28.32
7 Rhodri Duffee 28.48
8 Katie Miles (R) 30.01
9 Andrew & Jacob Poole (R) 30.06
10 Leif Skot & Layla Skot Parker (R) 30.16
11 Heulwen Lloyd (R) 31.27
12 Nia Richards (R) 34.23
13 Angharad Jones (R) 36.46