One of the Ystwyth CC’s newer members, Damian Burgess is taking on a great challenge and raising money for two important charities, the British Heart Foundation and Mind.
Damian bought his first road bike and took up cycling during lockdown and hasn’t looked back, training outdoors when he can or indoors on Zwift.
Next month, around the 20th July, Damian will ride self-supported and take on the 2000km challenge with over 30,000m of climbing and will aim to finish in under 12 days. This would be a challenge in itself on a road bike, but too make it even tougher his route starts at Land’s End, finishes at John O’Groats and will take in tracks and gravel as well as road sections. The route is an established route known as the GB Divide.
We wish Damian all the best with the rest of his training and the challenge and if anyone is able to donate the details are on Damian’s webpage: DBxGB
Photo credit: Ffocws MediaPhoto credit: Ffocws MediaPhoto credit: Ffocws Media
After the busy Triple Crown weekend many riders were taking a well earned rest, however six riders braved the course and the damp conditions to test themselves on the Cwm Rheidol 10 mile time trial course.
In the men’s event junior rider Griff Lewis stormed the course and showed his form by taking the overall win and the road bike win with his 23.14 time. The second podium (overall and road bike) placing went to Ian Brandreth with his 29.52 and completing the podium (overall and road bike) Michael Clarke in 32.15.
The ladies event saw junior Lowri Richards take the road bike win and second overall in 27.27, with Elaine Rowlands riding her way to second place in the road bike event with her time of 32.15. In the non-road bike category, Emma Palfrey, having won the TT Triple Crown at the weekend, took the win with her time of 26.33.
Well done and thank you to all the riders that braved the weather, and thank you to the TT organisers, marshalls and Aled Richards for his photographs.
Catalina Architecture TT Series Round 8 – Results Griff Lewis 23.14 Emma Palfrey 26.33 Lowri Richards 27.27 Ian Brandreth 29.52 Elaine Rowlands 32.15 Michael Clarke 32.15 Timekeepers Andy Hunt & Derek Rattray Marshall’s Nia Richards
Elaine Rowlands on her way to second place on the podium in the ladies road bike category (Photo credit: Aled Richards)Griff Lewis storming the course to take the road bike win and the overall win (Photo credit: Aled Richards)
The inaugural Ystwyth TT Triple Crown took place over the two days, 19-20th June and saw 25 riders taking part in the events. With three events on offer riders could choose from the 1 mile Clarach hill climb, 10 mile Cwm Rheidol TT or the 16 mile Devil’s Bridge Hilly TT. However to qualify for the Triple Crown, riders would have to complete all three events.
The Ystwyth TT Triple Crown began with an early start at Llangorwen Church and the 12 riders took their turn to take on the 1 mile Clarach Hill Climb challenge. It was a competitive event with Jack Ramsbottom posting the fastest time of the morning 3.53, which was only 17 seconds off the fastest time ever recorded on the hill climb, which was set by Stevie Williams in 3.36 in 2017. The fastest lady on the day was Emma Palfrey storming her way up the hill to take the win in an impressive 5.22.
Jack Ramsbottom storming the Clarach Hill Climb for the overall win (Photo Credit: Ian Ramsbottom)
Stage 1- Ystwyth Time Trial Triple Crown – Clarach Hill Climb Jack Ramsbottom 3.53 Nick Livermore 4.20 Caron Owen Pugh 4.27 Dafydd Wright 4.31 Gruffudd Pugh-Jones 4.34 Llion Rees-Jenkins 4.54 Thomas Mason 5.14 Emma Palfrey 5.22 Anita Saycell 6.27 Toby Driver 6.45 Ian Brandreth 6.58 Mike Fitch 8.05
Next on to the evening event, the 10 mile Cwm Rheidol TT. A course many riders are familiar with and regularly race. The 17 riders entered faced a fast leg to the turn but had a tough battle against the wind on the way back. The ride of the evening and with the overall win, was from Dafydd Wright, posting 22.09, followed by Nick Livermore who did an incredible ride on a road bike to take second place in 22.43 and Caron Pugh completed the overall podium in 23.01. For the ladies event Emma Palfrey won the overall event with her time of 25.52, in second place Anita Saycell with 26.34 and back to racing TT’s and completing the podium Elaine Rowlands in 33.12.
Stage 2Ystwyth Time Trial Triple Crown – Cwmrheidol 10 Dafydd Wright (9.48) 22.09 Nick Livermore R (10.03) 22.43 Caron Owen Pugh (10.05) 23.01 Jack Ramsbottom R (10.22) 23.43 Llion Rees-Jenkins R (11.25) 25.23 Rhodri Jenkins R (11.30) 25.43 Emma Palfrey (11.55) 25.52 Thomas Mason R (11.38) 26.20 Anita Saycell (11.38) 26.34 Gwion James R (12.45) 28.24 Andrew Davies R (12.45) 29.16 Ian Brandreth R (12.53) 29.29 Mike Fitch R (12.55) 30.11 Toby Driver R (13.22) 30.29 David Wright R (12.36) 30.42 Elaine Rowlands R (14.06) 33.12 Dave Reed R (14.30) 36.10
Dafydd Wright on his way to winning Stage 2 – Cwm Rheidol 10 (Photo Credit: Ade Price)
After two events the General Classification was looking exciting with only a minute separating the top four riders.
After a good nights sleep, riders returned bright and early for the final and most brutal event the Devil’s Bridge Hilly. The 16 riders faced an unrelenting headwind all the way to Devil’s Bridge and only enjoyed a tailwind for the last few miles to the finish. Taking the overall win, with a storming ride was Jack Woolley in 44.01, followed by a strong ride by Dafydd Wright, finishing in 44.53 and taking third spot, Griff Lewis, who has recently returned back from competing in the Junior Tour of Yorkshire, finished in a time of 44.58. In the ladies event Emma Palfrey took the win with 53.53 and Anita Saycell took the second spot in 58.09.
Jack Woolley 44.01 Dafydd Wright 44.53 Griff Lewis 44.58 Jack Ramsbottom 45.22 Nick Livermore 45.40 Rhys Iorwerth Evans 46.58 Gruffudd Pugh-Jones 48.02 Caron Owen Pugh 4815 Llion Rees-Jenkins 50.33 Thomas Mason 53.22 Emma Palfrey 53.53 Anita Saycell 58.09 Harry Moore 1.01.58 Ian Brandreth 1.06.49 Mike Fitch 1.09.09 Dave Reed 1.31.11
Jack Woolley storming Stage 3 to take the win (Photo credit: Ian Ramsbottom)
With three very different TT events over the weekend, the Triple Crown General Classification was always going to be a great achievement for each rider to complete. From the 25 riders, there were 10 that completed all three events. Dafydd Wright proved his strength over the hills as well as the flats to take the GC win with his accumulated time of 1.11.33, Nick Livermore took the second place in the GC with his impressive rides over the weekend giving his accumulated time of 1.12.43, and in third GC place only 15 seconds behind was Jack Ramsbottom flying over the weekend and earning his GC time of 1.12.58.
In the ladies GC Emma Palfrey took a convincing win showing her strength over the weekend with her GC time of 1.25.07 and in second place Anita Saycell with her GC time of 1.31.10.
Dafydd Wright winning the overall General Classification (GC) (Photo credit: Ian Ramsbottom)Emma Palfrey on her way to winning the overall ladies General Classification (GC) (Photo credit: Ian Ramsbottom)
Ystwyth Time Trial Triple Crown 2021 – General Classification
Dafydd Wright 1.11.33 Nick Livermore 1.12.43 Jack Ramsbottom 1.12.58 Caron Owen Pugh 1.15.43 Llion Rees-Jenkins 1.20.50 Thomas Mason 1.24.56 Emma Palfrey 1.25.07 Anita Saycell 1.31.10 Ian Brandreth 1.43.16 Mike Fitch 1.47.25
A thank you and huge well done to all the riders that competed over the weekend. Also a very big thank you to the organisers Andy Hunt and Derek Rattray and to all those that were able to help marshal, take photos and came along to support the riders. With all your support it helped to make the event safe, supportive and fun for all the riders! Diolch yn fawr bawb!
Ystwyth Cycle Club have been very fortunate to have the support and expertise for many years from club life member Glyn Evans. After more than 40 years of commissaire service, many of which as a National Commissaire, Glyn will be taking a well earned break and enjoying his retirement.
The club would like to wish Glyn all the best with his retirement and thank him for all his work and help over the many years. Diolch yn fawr Glyn.
Glyn Evans (centre) in his early racing days for Ystwyth CCGlyn Evans (far left). At the time of the photo Glyn and Ken Williams (far right) were two of only five National Commissaires in WalesGlyn (on the left) as one of the Commissaires for the local Tour of the Mining Valleys road race in 2014
While the Welsh football team were playing an impressive game against Turkey, five riders turned up to test their form on the Llety Gwyn TT 10 mile course.
The rain held off and with only a gentle breeze to contend with, it promised to be a fast night.
In the men’s overall and road bike category, young local rider Thomas Mason had a storming ride to take the win on the night with 25.56. The second and third spots were hotly contended by two strong V70 riders, Mike Fitch and Martin Williams, with Mike taking second place (30.02) and Martin Williams completing the podium in 30.25.
In the women’s event Emma Palfrey had an impressive ride to take the ladies win and first place overall, with her personal best time of 25.37. Taking second place on the ladies podium was Anita Saycell with her time of 26.38.
Well done and thank you to all the riders that competed on the night, and a very big thank you to the TT organisers and marshalls that assisted to ensure the safety of the riders.
With the TT Triple Crown Event this weekend 19-20 June (open to non-club members), Ystwyth CC is looking forward to an action packed weekend with lots of prizes on offer.
Catalina Architecture TT Series Round 7– Llety Gwyn 10 Results Emma Palfrey 25.37 Thomas Mason R 25.56 Anita Saycell 26.38 Mike Fitch R 30.02 Martin Williams R 30.25 Timekeepers Andy Hunt & Derek Rattray Marshall’s Scott Tompsett & Gwen
Thomas Mason on his way to winning the men’s event overall and also taking the road bike category win (Photo credit: T. Mason)Emma Palfrey on her way to taking the ladies win and setting a new personal best time (Photo credit: T. Mason)
As part of the 2021 TT series there will be a rider chosen each month for this prize. This isn’t necessarily about the fastest but about attitude and effort.
The TT organisers’ are pleased to announce that the Catalina Architecture May rider of the month is local rider and Caffi Gruff club member, Emma Palfrey. Emma has been flying this season and ridden all the time trials in the series so far and won four out of the five events, setting herself new personal best times on the Llety Gwyn and Cwm Rheidol TT courses.
Congratulations to Emma Palfrey on receiving her Catalina Architecture TT rider of the month prize.
Emma Palfrey receiving her Catalina Architecture Rider of the month prize
The 6th round of the Catalina Architecture TT Series didn’t disappoint and saw some great battles on the night. The weather was dry with a light headwind on the return leg as the riders made their way back down the Rheidol valley.
In the road bike category Adam Hepburn had a storming ride to take the win in 23.53 which also placed him third on the podium for the overall win. Taking second place in the road bike category was junior rider Thomas Mason, with a strong ride of 26.55 and the battle for the 3rd podium spot was between two V70 riders with Caron CC rider Mike Fitch (30.43), edging out Martin Williams (Ystwyth CC) by 7 seconds.
In the women’s road bike category junior rider, Lowri Richards had a great ride and took the win with 27.11, which also placed her third overall.
The overall men’s podium was another hotly contested battle with Henry Moss crossing the line with 22.39 just edging out Caron Pugh (22.48) by 9 seconds. Adam Hepburn completed the overall podium taking third place with his 23.53 time.
The overall women’s podium saw Emma Palfrey with a storming ride to cross the line in 26.11, with Anita Saycell in second place with 26.56 and Lowri Richards in third place with 27.11.
Congratulations and thank you to all the riders that competed on the night, and a very big thank you to the TT organisers, race photographer Aled Richards and to everybody that assisted on the night to ensure the safety of the riders.
With the TT Triple Crown Event fast approaching on the 19-20 June (open to non-club members – temporary weekend membership available) there is one final chance to practice your 10 mile TT before the Triple Crown event on the Llety Gwyn course on the Wednesday 16th June.
Catalina Architecture TT Series Round 6 – Cwm Rheidol 10 Results Henry Moss (10.50) 22.39 Caron Owen Pugh (10.49) 22.48 Adam Hepburn R (11.28) 23.53 Emma Palfrey (12.28) 26.11 Thomas Mason R (12.41) 26.55 Anita Saycell (12.42) 26.56 Lowri Richards R (13.00) 27.11 Mike Fitch R (14.03) 30.43 Martin Williams R (14.23) 30.50 Michael Clarke R (14.43) 31.41 Time Keepers. Andy Hunt & Derek Rattray Marshall’s. Scott Tompsett, Gwen & Nia Richards
R – road bike (non-aero)
Henry Moss taking the overall win (Photo credit: Aled Richards)Adam Hepburn riding his way to 3rd place on the overall podium as well as taking the road bike category win (Photo credit: Aled Richards)Caron CC Mike Fitch (V70) riding to third place on the road bike category podium (Photo credit: Aled Richards)
This ride is open to non-members and members. Book your place and join a friendly group to cycle with this Sunday 🙂 The ride will be a friendly introduction to the club and a chance to enjoy a chat and coffee en route. More details and to book your place: https://forms.gle/yKNUZdKTbFF75r7C9
Ystwyth CC are looking forward to a great weekend of racing with the TT Triple Crown event on the 19-20th June. The event is open to club members as well as non-club members to enter and special weekend membership will be available if you are not a member of a club.
The weekend will kick off with a 9am start on the Saturday 19 June, with a 1 mile hill climb starting at Llangorwen Church, Clarach. The second event of the day will be a 10 mile time trial on the Cwm Rheidol course starting at 7pm. To then complete the Triple Crown the riders will return the following day to ride the Devil’s Bridge Hilly course, starting at 9am near Midfield Caravan Park, heading eastwards towards Devil’s Bridge and finishing near to Nant yr Arian on the A44.
With the cancellation of Round 4 due to traffic lights, the riders were ready to race Round 5 on the Llety Gwyn 10 mile course.
The men’s race saw Henry Moss take the overall win on the night with a storming time of 22.29, closely followed by Caron Pugh in 22.56 and completing the podium was Jonathan Price with 25.25.
The women’s overall winner was Emma Palfrey crossing the line with a strong ride of 26.16, followed by junior rider Lowri Richards in second place with a time of 27.02.
Over the years the club has kept Club Course Records. These records are set by first claim Ystwyth CC riders in different age categories. This year, Martin Williams has been riding the 2021 season strongly and setting new records for his V70 age group. On Wednesday he took nearly 30 seconds off his own record and crossed the line in 29.37.
Congratulations and thank you to all the riders that competed on the night, and a very big thank you to the TT organisers, race photographer Aled Richards and to everybody that assisted on the night to ensure the safety of the riders.
All these events are leading up to the TT Triple Crown weekend on the 19-20th June, which promises to be an action packed racing weekend with plenty of great prizes and a fun weekend of racing. This will be open to non-club members, with the option of a temporary weekend membership.
Photo credit: Aled Richards Martin Williams setting a new age group club record
Catalina Architecture TT Series Round 5 Henry Moss 22.29 Caron Owen Pugh 22.56 Jonathan Price 25.25 Emma Palfrey 26.16 Thomas Mason 26.21 Lowri Richards 27.02 Martyn Williams 29.37 Mike Clarke 30.23 Time Keepers Andy Hunt & Derek Rattray Marshall’s Scott Tompsett, Elaine Rowlands & Nia Richards
