History

Ystwyth Cycle Club has a great history, which we are discovering and recording – we would love to hear from anyone with further information, photos or memorabilia to help us fill in the gaps ystwythcc@gmail.com.

The club jerseys through the years have been photographed and recorded by Kristian Bond, club member and grandson, to original cycle club members Bill and Audrey Rushton: http://ystwythccnews.blogspot.co.uk/2017/03/ystwyth-cc-jerseys-through-years.html#!/2017/03/ystwyth-cc-jerseys-through-years.html

Discover more photographic club history

Discover more club history browsing the fantastic photos in the People’s Collection Wales: https://www.peoplescollection.wales/user/10467/author/10467/sort/date

2023

  • Stephen Williams racing with Israel-Premier Tech team this year, and wins stage 3 and the overall race for the 2023 Arctic Race of Norway and 3rd in the 2023 National Road Race Championships.
  • Gruff Lewis, 5th overall male in Ironman Wales in September.
  • Club rider 10 mile records, Richard Pizzey, male senior (Llety Gwyn) record of 21.23, Caron Pugh, male senior (Cwm Rheidol) 21.28, Lois Brewer, female senior (Llety Gwyn) 25.19 and (Cwm Rheidol) 25.32.
  • Club rider TT records for Nant yr Arian 12 mile course, Lois Brewer (Female Senior) 36.17, Reggie Middleton (Junior) 37.51, Tim Strang (V60) 42.23.
  • Club rider TT records for the 1 mile Clarach hill climb, Richard Pizzey (Male senior) 00.03.59.
  • Ieuan Andy Davies racing for Caffi Gruff wins the V50 Welsh Closed Circuit , Road Race and TT Championships.
  • Anita Saycell on the podium for the Welsh Championships TT (V40).
  • Fastest time ever ridden on the Cwm Rheidol 10 mile TT, by Josh Tarling (Ineos Grenadiers) 18.33.
  • Lois and Leah Brewer race the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships (6th and 7th GB riders)
  • Lois Brewer races in the UCI Cycling World Championships TT Gran Fondo in Dundee.

2022

  • The club celebrate their 70th anniversary.

2021

2020

2019

• Aberystwyth again host the Welsh Criterium Championships on a closed circuit around the town.
• Ieuan Andy Davies regains his 2nd cat licence.

• Gruff Lewis continues with Ribble Pro Cycling and opens his cycling themed café in Talybont, Caffi Gruff.
• Gruff Lewis wins the Welsh Road Race Championships


• Ystwyth CC features as club of the month by Welsh Cycling
• Jack Woolley riding this year for BIKESTRONG-KTM
• Lois and Leah Brewer gain their 2nd cat race licences
• Leah Brewer races in the first ever British Cycling’s eRacing Championships final.
• Ieuan Andy Davies is on the podium for Masters 50+ category for the Welsh Criterium, Welsh Time Trial and the Welsh Road Race Championships.
• Anita Saycell on the podium for the V40 Welsh time Trial Championships

2018

• Aberystwyth host the Welsh Criterium Championships on a closed circuit around the town.

• Stevie Williams riding this year for Bahrain-Merida Pro Cycling Team
• Ystwyth CC shortlisted for club of the Year at the Welsh Cycling Awards


• Kristian Bond nominated for Club Rider of the year at the Welsh Cycling Awards
• Shelley Childs presented with Ystwyth CC Life Membership
• Gruff Lewis signs for Ribble Pro Cycling
• Gruff Lewis wins the Welsh National Closed Road Circuit Championships
• Kristian Bond and Richard Eakins gain their 2nd cat licence

2017

  • The Club celebrate their 65th anniversary .
  • The club feature in Cycling Weekly.
  • Stevie Williams riding this year for SEG Racing Academy
  • Glyn Evans and Ken Williams (life members of Ystwyth CC) continue to oversee many races as National British Cycling Commissaires – between them over the years they have officiated at many of the country’s most prestigious races from youth to veteran level.
  • Gruff Lewis crowned Welsh National Cyclocross Champion
  • Ieuan Andy Davies on the podium for the V40 Welsh Circuit Race Championships.
  • Anita Saycell on the podium for the Welsh Circuit Race and Welsh Time Trial Championships

2016

  • Stevie Williams rides this year for JLT Condor
  • Gruff Lewis joins Madison Genesis Race Team
  • Anita Saycell is on the podium for Ystwyth CC with a 3rd place in the Welsh Road Race Championships.

2015

• Stevie Williams wins the Welsh Road Race Championships (riding for Pedal Heaven)
• Gruff Lewis takes second place in the Welsh Road Race Championships (riding for Pedal Heaven)
• Anita Saycell wins the Woodstock Classic Road Race.

Anita Saycell crossing the line first in the Woodstock classic Road Race:

2014

• Stevie Williams joins NFTO race team from Teamwallis
• Gruff Lewis joins Pedal Heaven Race Team
• Gruff Lewis wins silver in the Welsh Open Criterium Championships (riding for Pedal Heaven)

2013

• Ystwyth CC rider Stevie Williams joins Teamwallis Racing Team

2012

• Ieuan Andy Davies riding for Ystwyth CC podiums for 3rd place in the Welsh Veterans Road Race Championships.

2011

• Stevie Williams – joins Ystwyth CC in 2011
• Gruff Lewis joins Team UK Youth
• Gruff Lewis wins the Welsh Championship Circuit Race and the Welsh Road Race Championship (riding for Team UK Youth)
• After only taking up cycling in 2009 Gruff Lewis became the Welsh Road Race Champion at Ogmore Vale this year and earning a place in a top British squad, Team UK Youth.
• Jonathan Shubert, Ystwyth CC rider takes silver in the Welsh Hill climb Championship.
• Jonathan Shubert wins the Essex RCC 25 mile time trial in Ystwyth CC colours with 55:57.

2010

• Gruff Lewis – joined Ystwyth CC in 2010.
• Gruff Lewis wins the Ystwyth CC Tour of the Mining Valleys Road Race riding for Ystwyth CC

2009

• Ystwyth CC rider Andy Hunt was crowned the Welsh Hill Climb Champion this year after the title race at Llangynidr in Powys on Sunday. Andy covered the 2.2-mile course from Llangynidr to Beaufort in exactly 11 minutes, winning by 11 seconds from Team Wiggle’s Ben Simmons, while Bynea CC’s Rowan Marshall was third, another 17 seconds off the pace.

2006

• Dafydd Dylan breaks the club 10 mile time trial record which has stood for 9 years with 21:36. This was previously set by Arwel Davies with a 21:57 back in 1997.
• Dafydd Dylan also sets a new record this year for the Club 25 mile course record 57:39 on the Bow Street – Machynlleth – Bow Street course. Joining only three other riders that had previously ridden below the hour.
• Dafydd Dylan was fourth in the National Time Trial Championships (Mens Espoirs) and only 15 seconds off a podium place.
• Lizzy Felton (nee Goodband) sets the ladies club record this year on the Clarach hill Climb with a fast 5:49.

Lizzy Felton (nee Goodband) setting the ladies club record on the Clarach hill Climb:

2005

• Lizzy Felton (nee Goodband) was selected to ride for the UCI registered pro women’s race team for 2005-2008 ‘Fat Birds UK’ Stef Wyman was the Team Manager. The team was a British team based in Belgium.

2004

• In this year Lizzy Felton (nee Goodband) joined the Welsh Cycling women’s team for a year and represented them in stage races in Ireland and on the track. Lizzy raced in the British championships from road, crit and track.
• Nicole Cooke attends the Ystwyth CC club dinner held at Plas Antaron. Nicole gave a great speech about her racing, training and achievements and presented the awards on the evening.

Nicole Cooke presenting the club prizes at the 2004 Ystwyth CC Dinner:

2003

  • Paul Robinson having started his career as a time triallist turned his hand to road racing and won the Pembrokeshire Velo early season road race league at Carmarthen velodrome.
  • Paul Robinson wins second place in the 80km Betty Pharoah Memorial Road Race in Cardiff, the first place went to Geraint Thomas of Cardiff JIF, who has gone on to race for Team Sky!
  • Sean Grosvenor, former British Motocross champion begins racing with the club and gains a creditable fifth place in the overall Abergavenny Handicap race series.
  • Dafydd Dylan joined the club as a junior in 2003, started out racing as a junior with Ystwyth CC and went on to gain his Elite race licence and race for K.F.S Special Vehicles – Sabbath Bicycles, then Sabbath – Claytan, and finally TeamWallis Racing Team until 2011;
  • Welsh (junior) international
  • Podium positions in the junior tours of Ireland and Wales
  • Best u23 rider in Girvan 3 day premier calendar 2007
  • K.F.S. trade team 2007/2008 racing the premier calendar series

Ystwyth CC feature in the Cambrian News (12th March 1993)

Joe Hayward, Merion Davies, Aled Roberts, Adam Smith, Alistair Rhodes, Greg Brown and Shelley Child’s left arm!

2002

  • Ystwyth CC celebrate their 50th anniversary year.
  • Two club riders become Welsh Cross Country Champions. Youth rider Dafydd Dylan and senior Paul Newnham.
  • Four current Welsh Champions this year, including Paul Robinson in his first year with the club since joining from Velo Teifi.
  • Paul Robinson rode the Welsh Commonwealth Games Time Trial qualification race at Abergavenny which also doubled up as the Welsh Cycling Union Time Trial Championships. He won the 30-40 year age group and became the Welsh Masters gold medallist for time trialling. Also the same year Paul used him Time Trialling strength to win a number of races at Pembrey.
  • Lizzy Felton (nee Goodband) – first joined the club in 2002 and went on to ride for a UCI registered pro women’s race team for 2005-2008 ‘Fat Birds UK’.
  • Danny Thorogood became the Welsh Veteran Sprint Triathlon Champion.
  • Rob Brennan won the 50km Stonefield Cycles Road Race.
  • Paul Robinson wins two Pembrey criterium races.

2001

• Paul Robinson stood on the podium with 3rd place in the Welsh Best All Rounder competition (BAR). Riders have to gain the highest average speed over distances of 25, 50 and 100 miles and also the 12 hour race.

1997

• Arwel Davies set a new record on the Ystwyth CC 10 mile time trial course with a 21:57 this time remained unbroken for 9 years).

1996

• Shelley Childs sets a new record for the Ystwyth Cycling Club 10 mile time trial with 22:42. The previous record of 22 minutes 53 seconds was set by Rick Morris in 1987. Shelley finally broke the club record after equalling the record three times this year!


(Year??) Meirion Davies riding for Ystwyth CC took his first win in the 55 mile Ras Gwynt a Glaw in Anglesey and also taking a mountain prime during the race.

1993

• The 25 mile Time Trial record was broken twice this season, first by Joe Hayward, 1min 59secs then by Merion Davies breaking the hour with a time of 59mins 59secs.
• Ystwyth CC organised a 50 mile Road Race which was won by Ystwyth CC rider Shelley Childs.

1992

• Cardi Cycles, Bow Street continue to sponsor the club this year.
• Club member Shelley Childs won a 50 mile Road Race near Ammanford, and the 50 mile Road Race at Llangefni.

1989

• Rosemary Collins became the first ever female to represent Ystwyth CC in a road race, riding the 45 mile race at Llanelli and finishing only a few minutes behind the male winner and in doing so won a prize for first female home.
• Ystwyth CC hosted the Welsh Road Race Championships. A 45 mile race for the juniors and veterans and 90 mile for the seniors. The race passed through Southgate, Llanfarian, Llanilar, Trawscoed, Penywern Hill, and New Cross and back to Southgate.
• New sponsors for the club were announced for this year, Cardi Cycles, Bow Street.
• New President of the club was Mr. Ken Evans.

1988

• Miss E.E. Williams’s final year as club president.
• Ystwyth CC organised the Welsh Road Race Championships for 60 riders including seniors, juniors and Veterans. The race passed through Southgate, Llanfarian, Llanilar, Trawscoed, Penywern Hill, and New Cross and back to Southgate. The seniors had to do 6 laps for a distance of 96 miles, while the juniors and veterans did 3 laps, 48 miles.
The winners of the Welsh Road Race Championships were:

Seniors:

  1. Jason Ford (Coldra R.C.) 3hr 59m 05sec
  2. Steve Alymond (Rhyl R.C.) 3hr 59m 07sec
  3. Ian Jones (Coldra R.C.) 3hr 59m 08sec

Veterans

  1. Roger Pratt (Cardiff Ajax) 1hr 58min 25sec
  2. J. Parsons (?) 2hr 04min 7sec
  3. Terry Wilkins (?) 2hr 06min 12sec

    Juniors
  4. Neil Main (Abergavenny R.C./Mimo) 1hr 59min 54sec
  5. John Holt (Clwb Rasio Mona) 1hr 59min 56sec
  6. Richard Hughes (Rhyl R.C.) 1hr 59min 57sec

1987

• Rick Morris sets a new record for the Ystwyth Cycling Club 10 mile time trial with 22 minutes 53 seconds. This remained unbroken until 1996.

1983

• Ystwyth Cycling Club hosted the Welsh Senior and Junior Road Race Championships – the junior race was 2 laps of the circuit Park Avenue, Southgate, Devil’s Bridge, Ponterwyd, and Aberystwyth. The seniors raced 85 miles over Southgate, Llanfarian, Llanrhystud, Llanon, Aberaeron, Felinfach, Lampeter, Tregaron, Bont, Trawscoed, Llanilar, Llanfarian, Southgate, Capel Seion, Devil’s Bridge, Ponterwyd, Capel Bangor, and Llanbadarn back to Park Avenue.

1974

• Seventeen year old Ian Ford riding for Ystwyth CC won a Road Race at Builth Wells.
• The Guest of honour at the Ystwyth CC club dinner this year, was the government minister Denis Howell (later the Rt Hon The Lord Howell, PC). At the time he was Minister for Sport in Harold Wilson’s government.

1966

• Ken Williams riding for Ystwyth CC won the 50 mile Road Race in Llandegla.
• Glyn and Ken Evans, were the club’s first international riders called up to represent Wales in the ‘The Guinness Tour of the North’, in Northern Ireland riding for Wales.

• The club held it’s first cycling race weekend this year. On Saturday evening there was the Aberystwyth Kermesse (racing around the streets of Aberystwyth) and on Sunday the 80 mile Tour of Mid Wales. The weekend was held for the next 25 years and was one of the most popular events in Wales.

First cycling race weekend held in Aberystwyth – 1966:

1966 Ystwyth Cycle Club Team in Llanidloes (below). Left to Right: John Goad, Huw (Charlie) Jones, Ken Williams, David Taylor, Mike Roberts.

1963

• Ken Evans and Ken Williams joined the club. They raced with Glyn Evans in many races across Wales.
• Several new members joined the club over the next couple of years.
• The main racing team in the 1960’s were;
Glyn Evans, Ken Evans, Ken Williams, David Taylor and Mike Roberts. Mike also raced on a tricycle as well as a road bike.

1960

Bill Rushton, the first Welshman over the line was presented with the Kerry Hill Race Cup in 1960 by Margaret Watkins the 1960 Mid Wales Cycling Queen.

1959

Mr F.C. Carter was the Chairman for the year.
In the Cycling (magazine) it was reported in 1959 that Bill Rushton retained the Albert Davies Cup Road Race title and also won the Kerry Cup Road Race held near Newtown. Bill was joined in the Kerry Cup Road Race by two other Ystwyth Cycle Club riders, Will Hughes (finishing 20th) and Ian Pryse (finishing 21st).

1958

In 1958, Bill Rushton had a number of wins for the Ystwyth Cycle Club;
• Albert Davies Road Race in 1958
• 25 mile Time Trial – 3rd October 1958 (1 hour 08minutes and 43 seconds)
• Hill Climb Championship at Llangollen – 5th October 1958.
Glyn Evans joined the club in 1958.

1956

In March 1956, Bill Rushton became the secretary with Audrey (his wife) the treasurer.

1953

In 1953 the club are mentioned in the Cycling (magazine). The club held their first annual dinner where Cllr. W.C. Pryse the mayor spoke in glowing terms of the club’s activities and presented a substantial cheque to the club. The president gave thanks, after which the prizes were awarded by the mayor, the main award going to the club’s best All Rounder William (Bill) Rushton.
The club held it’s first race ‘The Coronation Cup’ in 1953 which was won by Bill Rushton.

1953 Coronation Cup Road Race:

1952

The Ystwyth Cycle Club enjoyed it’s first full year as a club in 1952.  It was set up by a group of keen cyclists from Aberystwyth;

Norman Wyman, Ben Wigley, Peter Jones and John Chessam.

They met initially together at Edleson House, Queens Road, Aberystwyth in October 1951 to discuss setting up the club.

More cyclists joined during the club’s first year, including William (Bill) and Audrey Rushton.

The first President was Tom Davies. He owned a cycle shop in Pier Street, Aberystwyth.

1952 Ystwyth Cycle Club Team