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

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

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

In blustery conditions 18 riders signed on to tackle the Ystwyth CC 10 mile Llety Gwyn time trial course in the early August sunshine.

With excitement and anticipation of two local pro riders, Stevie Williams (SEG Racing Academy) and Gruff Lewis (Madison Genesis) on the start sheet riding as a two up, the expectation and pressure of a fast time was laid down on the tarmac from the start.  The two riders didn’t disappoint, with an excellent two-up time of  21min and 22 sec on road bikes, taking the fastest time on the evening.

In the men’s event, even with two back to back criterium races in his legs from Tuesday night’s Llandow races, Ieuan Andy Davies took the win in a fantastic time of 22 min and 37 seconds.  This was closely followed in second place by Danny Thorogood in 22 min and 54 seconds and Andrew Poole in 23 min and 26 seconds.

Jack Woolley, took the individual win in the road bike section with a strong time of 23 min and 45 seconds, with Chris McLean in second place in 25min and 41 seconds and Caron Pugh in third in 26 min and 29 seconds.

The women’s local time trial scene is growing in numbers and standard. A strong performance by Emma Palfrey earned her top spot on the podium in an excellent time of 26min and 30 seconds. Second place, a position she also secured at the Llandow criterium the evening before, went to Anita Saycell in 26 min and 46 seconds and 3rd place, again having competed at the Llandow criterium went to Shannon Haird in 30 mins and 18 seconds.

Next week the TT races return to the Cwm Rheidol 10 mile course.

Llety Gwyn 10
2/8/17
1 Gruff Lewis & Steve Williams (R) 21.22
2 Ieuan Andy Davies 22.37
3 Danny Thorogood 22.54
4 Andrew Poole 23.26
5 Jack Woolley (R) 23.45
6 Paul Jones 24.07
7 Martyn Saycell 24.55
8 Andy Hamilton 25.02
9 Chris McLean (R) 25.41
10 Caron Pugh (R) 26.29
11 Emma Palfrey 26.30
12 Andy Starr 26.44
13 Anita Saycell 26.46
14 Alan Haird (R) 27.49
15 Dafydd Wright 28.30
16 David Wright (R) 30.00
17 Shannon Haird 30.18

(R) no tri bars

On probably the most scenic and challenging TT courses in Wales, 10 riders signed on to take on the challenge of the Ystwyth CC 22 mile Devil’s Bridge course.

With a strong south westerly wind, the riders would benefit from a tail/crosswind for the majority of the climbing sections but face a difficult descent from Nant Yr Arian back to the finish line.

Even in the challenging conditions, only 4 seconds separated the top two places and 5 riders coming in under the 1 hour mark.  Taking the win in a fantastic time of 55 minutes and 17 seconds was Danny Thorogood; followed closely in second place by Ieuan Andy Davies in 55min and 21 seconds. Third place, in 56mins and 50 seconds went to TT organiser Andy Hunt.

Chris McClean took the win on the road bike category in an impressive time of 58 minutes and 8 seconds.

In the Female race, Helen Marshall took the win in a time of 1 hour 10 minutes and 32seconds.

Thank you again to the marshals.   Next week the time trial returns to the Llety Gwyn 10 mile course with the expectation of another fast night of time trialling.

Devil’s Bridge Hilly 22 mile TT

Danny Thorogood 00:55:17
Ieuan Andy Davies 00:55:21
Andy Hunt 00:56:50
Chris McLean 00:58:08 (R)
Paul Jones 00:59:38
Caron Pugh 01:01:43 (R)
Martyn Saycell 01:02:21
Dan Field 01:06:25
Dilwyn Williams 01:06:30 (R)
Helen Marshall 01:10:32

(R) No Tri Bars

With damp humid conditions, 24 riders signed on for the Ystwyth CC 10 mile time trial on the Llety Gwyn course.

With an unfavourable south westerly wind, riders would find both outward and return sections challenging.

However, this did not curtail a competitive evening.  In the women’s event, the competition was hot, with 2nd cat rider Anita Saycell taking the win and setting a new course record in 26min and 9secs and taking 7th place overall.  8th and 9th position overall were also secured by two female riders, 8th place overall and 2nd in the female competition by experienced TT rider Helen Marshall in 26min and 31 seconds and new club member, and experienced triathlete Emma Palfrey in 9th and 3rd in the female competition with a 26min 46 seconds.  Lois and Leah Brewer continue to show consistency with their riding taking 4th and 5th place respectively with Angharad Jones taking the road bike category win. 

In the two up event, Shannon Haird and Lowri Richards came under the 29 min mark with a time of 28min and 59 seconds.

In the men’s event, Chris Goldstein in his first TT and riding a road bike broke the 30 min barrier with a 29min and 38 seconds.

Ieuan Andy Davies continues to dominate the top spot with a PB time of 22min 24sec, closely followed by experienced triathlete Andrew Poole in second place with a time of 22min and 53 sec.  Andy Hamilton continues to improve taking 3rd place on the night and setting a new PB of 24min 7 seconds.

Again, thank you Andy Hunt and his team of marshals for a fantastic event.  Next week, the riders’ take on the challenge of the Devils Bridge course over a hilly 22mile route starting at 6:30pm.

Llety Gwyn 10  –  19/7/17

1 Ieuan Andy Davies 22.24
2 Andrew Poole 22.53
3 Andy Hamilton 24.07
4 Martyn Saycell 25.22
5 Dan Field 25.25
6 Paul Brewer 25.47
7 Anita Saycell 26.09
8 Helen Marshall 26.31
9 Emma Palfrey 26.46
10 Andy Starr 26.50
11 Ian Stevens (R) 27.03
12 Caron Pugh (R) 27.07
13 Lois Brewer 27.21
14 Alan Haird (R) 27.23
15 Rhodri Duffee 27.25
16 Dafydd Wright 27.50
17 Aled Richards (R) 27.57
18 Leah Brewer 27.59
19 David Wright (R) 28.10
20 Llyr Morgan (R) 28.55
21 Shannon Haird & Lowri Richards 28.59
22 Chris Goldstein (R) 29.38
23 Angharad Jones (R) 34.57

(R) No tri bars