With the amazing weather it was great to see so many people out enjoying the sunshine over the weekend.
On Sunday the Ystwyth Juniors headed to the Mawddach trail, and judging by the smiles and ice creams it looked the perfect ride!!
The club had two paced road groups riding on Sunday morning, the 8.30 group taking in Cwm Elan and the 9am group heading north to take in the coastal views around Aberdyfi.
Leah and Lois were busy racing for the club in Ystwyth colours this weekend at the Tour of Cambridgeshire. Lois raced the TT on Saturday, coming in a fantastic 4th place. On the Sunday Leah and Lois both raced the fully closed roads, Tour of Cambridgeshire Road Race. Leah coming in 6th and Lois 9th, which qualifies them both to compete in the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships. Huge well done to both of you and fantastic to see the club colours represented!
Friday – First Round of the Ystwyth Juniors Children’s Summer Series – First race starts at 6pm if anyone able to help, please let Scott/Tom know.
Sunday – various paced road rides all heading back to Yr Hen Lew Du for 11.30am for tea, coffee and cake provided by the club. See the club Facebook page for ride details.
The sun was out but there was a strong Easterly wind to contend with, making the return leg tough going for round five of the 2023 Catalina Architecture Time Trial Series.
Twelve riders signed on to take on this unique hilly time trial. It proved an all round test of downhill skill, as well as sustained power for the six miles uphill to return to the finish line.
Nant yr Arian elevation profile:
In the overall men’s category absolutely flying on the night was Jack Ramsbottom (Caffi Gruff) crossing the line in 31.34 on his road bike to take the win. Crossing the line in second place on his TT bike was Caron Pugh (Ystwyth CC) in 32.05, Caron was just 5 seconds from the club rider’s senior record set by Tom Swingler in 2015. Completing the podium in third place was Daf Wright (Caffi Gruff) on his TT bike, with a fantastic ride to cross the line in 33.31.
In the overall women’s category it was an exciting race with both Lois and Lowri riding faster than the course record previously set by Helen Marshal in 2014 (38.10). On the night Lois Brewer (Ystwyth CC) on her TT bike showed her strength crossing the line for first place 36.17, followed by Lowri Richards (Tofauti Everyone Active) opting for her road bike, crossed the line in second place with 37.29. Completing the podium, Anita finished in third place in 43.40.
Overall Men:
1st – Jack Ramsbottom 31.34
2nd – Caron Owen Pugh 32.05
3rd – Daf Wright 33.31
Overall Ladies:
1st – Lois Brewer 36.17
2nd – Lowri Richards 37.29
3rd – Anita Saycell 43.40
New records set on the night:
Fastest Ystwyth CC female senior rider on this course (first claim) – Lois Brewer, 36.17. (Previously held by Helen Marshall set in 2014, time of 38.10).
Fastest Ystwyth CC V60 rider on this course (first claim) – Tim Strang, 42.23. (No previous V60 record).
Fastest Junior rider on this course (first claim) – Reggie Middleton 37.51. (No previous Junior record).
Thank you to all the riders and a very big thank you to all the timekeepers and marshals who stood in the cold wind to make this event possible.
Next week the event returns to the Cwm Rheidol 10 mile course, everyone welcome, come along to have a go and test yourself against the clock over this 10 mile course.
Full results:
Catalina Architecture & Design TT Series 2023 – Round 5. Nant-yr-Arian Hilly. Jack Ramsbottom 31.34 Caron Owen Pugh 32.05 Daf Wright 33.31 Andy Hunt 33.58 Andrew Hicklin 34.57 Lois Brewer 36.17 Arwel Wyn Jones 36.44 Iestyn Stephens 36.58 Lowri Richards 37.29 Reggie Middleton 37.51 Tim Strang 42.23 Anita Saycell 43.40 Timekeepers Derek Rattray & Elaine Rowlands Chief Marshal Scott Tompsett
With a return to the faster course this week, the event saw thirteen riders sign on to test themselves on this 10 mile course.
The weather stayed warm and sunny, with a North Westerly breeze which slightly helped on the outward leg.
Again this week saw all the riders under the 30 minute barrier.
The overall win went to Caron Pugh in top form this year crossing the line in 21.58, only two seconds off the senior club course record he set himself in 2022. In second overall place, Daf Wright also having a storming season finished in 22.45, closely followed by Ieuan Andy on his road bike riding strongly to finish in 23.06.
In the ladies race, Lois Brewer fresh from her racing in Essex at the weekend, took the overall win in a fantastic time of 25.26, taking four seconds off the club course record she set herself last year. Crossing the line in second place, Anita Saycell in 27.11.
In the road bike category, Ieuan Andy took the overall win, with Joe Watling crossing the line second showing his strength this year, crossing the line in 25.21, and completing the podium, and it was great to welcome back Andrew Hinklin from Peak Road Club who crossed the line in third place with 25.23.
Overall Men
1st – Caron Owen Pugh (21.58)
2nd – Daf Wright (22.45)
3rd – Ieuan Andrew Davies (23.06)
Overall Ladies
1st – Lois Brewer – (25.26) *New Club Course Record (was 25.30 set by Lois in 2022)
Full Results for the Catalina Architecture & Design TT Series 2023 Round 4. Llety Gwyn 10. Weds May 24th.
Caron Pugh 21.58 Daf Wright 22.45 Ieuan Andy Davies (R) 23.06 Dylan Gwynne Jones 24.49 Paul Brewer 25.11 Joe Watling (R) 25.21 Andrew Hicklin (R) 25.23 Lois Brewer 25.26 Arwel Jones (R) 25.31 Iestyn Stephens 25.54 Reggie Middleton (R) 26.00 Anita Saycell 27.11 Tim Strang (R) 29.11
Thanks to all the riders, Derek Rattray and Andrew Davies for timekeeping, Scott, Gwen and Osian, Tom and Steffan and Iestyn’s dad for marshalling. All of whom there would be no event without you, diolch yn fawr!
It was a busy weekend, starting with the great news that the club have agreed a new sponsorship deal for 2023 with our local bike shop Summit Cycles. We are grateful to Joe for supporting the club and offering some great member only benefits.
With the lovely dry and sunny weekend, it was great to see so many riders out on the road, gravel and MTB.
On the Sunday there were two paced club road rides that both headed South to take in the rolling Ceredigion lanes and it was great to welcome some new faces.
Heading further afield and flying the Ystwyth colours, were Lois and Leah Brewer, racing in the Lea Valley Road Race in Essex on the Hanningfield circuit. Both had a fantastic race, after two riders attacked on the prime and stayed away, the girls finished at the front of the chasing bunch earning 6th (Lois) and 7th (Leah) to secure their 2nd category licences. This is a fantastic achievement and a testament to their training and racing this season all over the U.K.
The weekend also saw the Junior section jointly launch their 2023 Summer Series with Hafren Cycling Club, with the first event, the 9th June in Aberystwyth. More details on the Junior FacebookPage.
For anyone new to the club (and on Strava) don’t forget there is the Ystwyth CC Strava Club available to join. We’re starting to use some of the club features to send out invites for rides, cafe meet ups etc. in addition to posting on the Ystwyth CC Facebook page.
With a forecast that looks like it belongs to Tenerife, hopefully everyone can enjoy getting out and about on the trails and road.
Just a reminder:
Wednesday 24th May – Catalina Architecture + Design Time Trial Series returns to the Llety Gwyn course. Everyone welcome – come along to set yourself a time on the 10 mile course. More details will be posted on the club facebook page.
With near perfect conditions, fourteen riders signed on to test themselves on the gently rolling 10 mile course as part of the Catalina Architecture + Design Time Trial Series.
It proved a fast warm night with all the riders completing the course in under 30 minutes.
Caron set a blistering pace to cross the line taking the win and the men’s senior club record, with his 21.58. Followed by a flying ride by Jack Ramsbottom (Caffi Gruff) on his road bike, finishing in 22.39 for second overall place and completing the podium, riding his road bike, Ieuan Andy Davies (Caffi Gruff) with a strong ride to finish in 23.01.
It was great to see more ladies out on the course this week. Absolutely flying this season and taking the overall win was Lowri Richards (Tofauti Everyone Active) with a fantastic ride to set a new female course record with 24.14. Fresh from racing road and crits this season, it was great to see club rider Lois Brewer showing her strength on the TT’s, her time earning her the senior club course record and the fastest YCC senior over any 10 mile course, well done Lois! To complete the podium, Anita Saycell crossed the line with her 27.31.
The road bike category had only men competing this week, with the top spot going to Jack Ramsbottom for 1st place, 2nd to Ieuan Andrew Davies and completing the podium guest rider from Peak Road Club, Andrew Hicklin in 3rd.
Overall Men
1st – Caron Owen Pugh (21.58)
2nd – Jack Ramsbottom (22.39)
3rd – Ieuan Andrew Davies (23.01)
Overall Ladies
1st – Lowri Richards – (24.14)
2nd – Lois Brewer (25.42)
3rd – Anita Saycell (27.31)
Men’s road bike category winners:
1st – Jack Ramsbottom (22.39)
2nd – Ieuan Andrew Davies (23.01)
3rd – Andrew Hicklin (25.12)
The evening also saw four new records:
Fastest Ystwyth CC male senior rider on this course (first claim) – Caron Pugh, 21.58. (Previously held by Gareth Hodgson set in 2019, with his 22.22).
Fastest Ystwyth CC female senior rider on this course (first claim)– Lois Brewer, 25.42. (Previously held by Anita Saycell set in 2018, with her 25.48).
Fastest female course record– Lowri Richards 24.14. (Beating her own course record set in 2022, with her 24.31).
Fastest Ystwyth CC senior female over any 10 mile course (first claim) – Lois Brewer 25.42. (Previously held by Anita Saycell set in 2018, with her 25.44).
Catalina Architecture & Design TT Series 2023 – Round 3. Cwm Rheidol 10 Caron Owen Pugh 21.58 Jack Ramsbottom R 22.39 Ieuan Andrew Davies R 23.01 Daf Wright 23.07 Lowri Richards 24.14 Andrew Hicklin R 25.12 Joe Watling R 25.25 Lois Brewer 25.42 Arwel Wyn Jones R 25.47 Iestyn Stephen 25.51 Reggie Middleton R 26.29 Anita Saycell 27.31 Tim Strang R 29.17 Toby Everard 29.47 Time Keepers Andy Hunt, Derek Rattray & Elaine Rowlands Marshalls Scott Tompsett & Paul Brewer
Note: R – No tri bars
Thanks go to all the riders and to those organising and helping on the night to make the event possible.
The weather finally turned a corner and the club saw a great turn out for the Tour of Pembrokeshire on a very sunny Saturday.
With a choice of distances, 25, 60, 80 and the 105 miles, Ystwyth CC members Nia, Lynfa and Paul Brewer took on the ultimate distance with nearly 10,000 feet of climbing. Elaine Brewer enjoyed the 25mile event, which was no breeze with nearly 1,500feet of climbing. This looked a tough but great event and a huge well done to all Ystwyth CC riders that took on the Tour.
Sunday proved to be another busy YCC day. Leah and Lois Brewer, not to be outdone by their parents were in action racing the town centre crit in Warwick, and continuing their top racing form. Leah crossed the line in 5th place and Lois just outside a top 10 place in 11th.
The juniors were also busy over the weekend with Lowri competing in the second round of the Welsh MTB series, and crossing the line in 4th place! More junior weekend activities can be found on the Ystwyth Juniors Facebook page: Ystwyth Juniors | Facebook
Closer to home we had a great turn out for the monthly café meet up rides, with 3 different paced groups out riding before heading on to Yr Hen Lew Du for tea, coffee and cake provided by the club and hosted by Gwydion and Sara.
It’s always great to hear what everyone’s up to – drop ystwythcc@gmail.com an email with any news/updates or share on the club social media channels.
With thirteen riders signing on, it promised to be a great evening on this week’s flatter Llety Gwyn 10 mile course. Each rider there to test themselves against the clock and record a 2023 time on this course.
The rain stayed away and the wind remained steady from the south west, which helped the riders slightly on the return leg.
Each rider is set off at 1 minute intervals, which gives an incentive to either catch the person in front or not be caught by riders behind you!
The overall win on the night went to Ystwyth CC rider, Caron Pugh, riding strongly to cross the line in 22.01, which is only seconds away from the course club record he set himself in 2022 with his 21.56.
Taking overall second place and on a road bike, Ieuan Andy (Caffi Gruff) with an impressive 23.45 and closely followed by Daf Wright (Caffi Gruff), having swapped to the road bike this week, clocking a fast time of 24.06 to complete the overall podium.
In the ladies category only one rider on the night, Anita crossed the line in 27.10.
Overall Men
1st – Caron Owen Pugh (22.01)
2nd – Ieuan Andrew Davies (23.45)
3rd – Daf Wright (24.06)
Overall Ladies
1st – Anita Saycell (27.10)
Men’s road bike category winners:
1st – Ieuan Andrew Davies (23.45)
2nd – Daf Wright (24.06)
3rd – Arwel Wyn Jones (25.52)
Next week the series heads back to the Cwm Rheidol 10 mile course. These are great events for all riders to come and test yourself against the clock, get a good workout and catch up afterwards. If it’s your first time let us know and we can chat through the event. All welcome!
These events cannot go ahead without the organisation and help on the night, thanks to go to Andy Hunt, Derek Rattray and Glyn Williams, making the event possible.
Catalina Architecture & Design TT Series 2023 Round 2. Caron Owen Pugh (11.15) 22.01 Ieuan Andrew Davies R (11.49) 23.45 Daf Wright R (12.00) 24.06 Paul Brewer (12.39) 25.23 Dylan Gwynn-Jones (12.35) 25.34 Arwel Wyn Jones R (12.48) 25.52 Iestyn Stephens (13.08) 26.15 Anita Saycell (13.45) 27.10 Reggie Middleton R (13.39) 27.33 Mike Fitch R (14.57) 29.44 Tim Strang R (14.46) 30.05 Ian Brandreth R (15.25) 30.43 David Wright R (15.42) 30.44 Timekeepers Andy Hunt & Derek Rattray Chief Marshall Glyn Williams
Note: R – No tri bars
Caron on his way to take the overall win (photo credit: Jonathan Price)
The sun was shining for a great turn out for the first 10 mile time trial of the 2023 season.
Thirteen riders signed on to test themselves on the Cwm Rheidol rolling course. The riders were faced with a lovely tailwind to the Lovesgrove roundabout halfway point, before facing a strong headwind for the return miles to the finish line.
Daf Wright (Caffi Gruff) took the overall win on the night with an impressive 23.32. Crossing the line in second overall place and on a road bike was Ieuan Andy Davies (Caffi Gruff), 23.59 and completing the overall podium, Dylan Gwynn-Jones with 25.06.
In the ladies category Lowri Richards (Tofauti Everyone Active) took the overall win with a strong ride clocking 25.50 and Anita Saycell took second place, with 28.06.
Overall Men
1st – Daf Wright (23.32)
2nd – Ieuan Andy Davies (23.59)
3rd – Dylan Gwynn-Jones (25.06)
Overall Ladies
1st – Lowri Richards (25.50)
2nd – Anita Saycell (28.06)
Men’s road bike category winners:
1st – Ieuan Andy Davies (23.59)
2nd – Arwel Wyn Jones (26.39)
3rd – Reggie Middleton (27.37)
Next week the series heads onto the Llety Gwyn 10 mile course. Full details of the series can be found here:
Catalina Architecture & Design TT Series Round 1 Daf Wright (10.15) 23.32 Ieuan Andrew Davies R (10.15) 23.59 Dylan Gwynn-Jones (10.53) 25.06 Paul Brewer (11.15) 25.49 Lowri Richards (11.05) 25.50 Iestyn Stephens (11.20) 26.18 Arwel Wyn Jones R (11.25) 26.39 Reggie Middleton R (11.57) 27.37 Michael Tarling R (11.40) 27.51 Anita Saycell (11.49) 28.06 Toby Everard (12.58) 30.39 Mike Fitch R (12.55) 30.47 David Wright R (13.30) 32.05 Timekeepers Andy Hunt & Derek Rattray Chief Marshal Glyn Williams
Note: R – No tri bars
These events cannot go ahead without the organisation and help on the night, thanks to go to Andy Hunt, Derek Rattray and Glyn Williams making the event possible.
It’s great to hear about the different events and activities that YCC members are taking part in and often gives other members ideas for future events!
Well done to Charlie Baxter’s fantastic finish on round one at the National Downhill Championships (Cambrian News article here), and to the all the juniors racing last week in their club colours and doing the club proud! More details can be found on the Junior Facebook page.
Many senior club members were also out and about in various events (and weather!), ranging from gravel, road races and triathlons.
Last Saturday it was great to see the club represented at the North Wales Gravel X event near Ruthin. Nia, Sarah, Andy, John, Lynfa and Rob all took on the challenging gravel ride, which looked a fantastic route and event. I’m sure they will be happy to chat about the event for anyone considering a gravel event this year.
Then on to Sunday, a bit further afield, Leah and Lois Brewer were racing their first road race of the season, the Bradfield Bash Road Race, near Sheffield. They both finished in an impressive top 5 against a strong field, Leah in 4th place and Lois in 5th, earning them some hefty points for the start of the season. Well done girls!
Closer to home, on a damp Sunday morning in Machynlleth, Gavin was part of a relay triathlon team and provided a strong bike leg for his team mates. While Maggie raced all three disciplines for her first triathlon of the 2023 season. Maggie swam the 400m, cycled the 16km then ran the 6km to race her way to 1st in her age category and 10th overall.
While further afield in a much warmer climate, many of the 8.30 Sunday riders have swapped their winter kit for shorts and jerseys and are enjoying some amazing looking scenery, while riding out in sunny Spain!
If you haven’t signed up to any events yet, come along to the first club timetrial, next week (3rd May), these are great weekly local events to test yourself against the clock. Keep an eye (email and Facebook) for more details over the next week.
Don’t forget that you can purchase all types of club kit to wear when representing the club, the NoPinz range has running vests, tri suits as well as road and cross skinsuits/race suits. While Paul T has a range of club Castelli Kit available. More details: Club Kit – Clwb Beicio Ystwyth Cycling Club
