The Catalina Architecture TT Series returned with a (Covid safe) bang for the first round of 2021 with sixteen riders taking on the 10 mile challenge.

The opening night was held on the Cwm Rheidol course. Each rider started at 1 minute intervals to test their form and fitness over the ten miles and set their benchmark time for the start of the series.

Starting at the Statkraft Visitor Centre, the riders headed down to the half way point at Lovesgrove roundabout and then returned back to complete the 10 miles.

This is often known as the race of truth because there is no hiding in a pack or drafting, it’s just the rider setting their own time against the elements and the clock.

The opening round didn’t disappoint, with a fast field racing on the night it was no surprise that the first ten riders all finished under an impressive 25 minutes. Josh Tarling (FlandersColor Galloo) stormed around the course and took the overall men’s win on the night and in doing so, set a new men’s course record, with his time of 20.35, knocking 2 seconds off his record from last year.

The second overall men’s place went to Gruff Lewis (Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling) with a fast ride on the opening night and crossing the line in 21.24. Taking the third podium spot, junior rider Finlay Tarling (WORX Factory Racing) finishing with an impressive 21.50.

In the men’s road bike category, Griff Lewis (Backstedt Bike Performance RC) flew around the course to take the win in 23.09, followed by Steff James (Caffi Gruff Race Team) in 23.56, and in third place with a time of 24.16 and completing the podium was Hefin Evans (Caffi Gruff Race Team).

In the women’s race Emma Palfrey took the win on the night with 27.25, closely followed by Lowri Richards (Backstedt Bike Performance RC) in 27.58 and completing the podium in third place Anita Saycell in 28.11.

Lowri Richards also took the winning spot for the women’s road bike category with her time of 27.58.

To view a full list of upcoming events in the 2021 Catalina Architecture TT Series: http://www.ystwyth.cc/2020-time-trial-series/

A very big thank you to all the riders, the organisers, Aled Richards for his photos and to everybody that helped during the evening to ensure the riders had a safe and well organised event.

Catalina Architecture TT Series Round 1 – Cwmrheidol 10
Joshua Tarling 20.35 (9.54)
Gruffudd Lewis 21.24 (10.27)
Finlay Tarling 21.50 (10.24)
Griff Lewis 23.09 (11.03)
Caron Owen Pugh 23.28 (11.17)
Steffan James 23.56 (11.30)
Henry Moss 23.58 (11.35)
Hefin Evans 24.16 (11.52)
Jack Ramsbottom 24.24 (11.50)
Adam Hepburn 24.33 (11.48)
Llion Rees-Jenkins 26.17 (12.37)
Rhodri Jenkins 26.32 (12.43)
Emma Palfrey 27.25
Lowri Richards 27.58 (13.25)
Anita Saycell 28.11 (13.29)
Dave Reed 38.04 (17.17)
Timekeepers
Andy Hunt & Derek Rattray
Marshall’s
Scott Tompsett & Gwen
Andrew Davies
David Wright

As a club we are pleased to announce we are back and able to offer local events and club rides again for club members from the 2nd May, following the Welsh Government’s relaxation in regulations.

Good news alert! Anyone that was a member for 2020 has had their membership rolled over for 2021 so no need to do anything!

For any new potential members, the 2021 club membership runs from January to December, you can sign up online and costs;

• £20 for adults
• £15 for students
• £7 under 18’s
• £5 under 16’s
  
  You’ll be entitled to discounts and offers from our main club sponsors, Summit Cycles and Continental: http://www.ystwyth.cc/membership
  
  To be part of the action, sign up and join Ystwyth CC to ensure you don’t miss out for 2021! http://www.ystwyth.cc/membership/
  
  For any further membership enquiries contact Membership Secretary, Andy Davies: andrewdavies113@btinternet.com

The time trials are back! Sign up and have a go for 2021 – they are great events for all riders to challenge themselves against the clock. All the courses are in or near Aberystwyth, making it easy to access and take part in a weekly local event.

All club members are welcome, and no special equipment is needed. Just bring yourself, £3 and a road worthy bike with a rear light.

Also, returning to sponsor the series this year, the club are grateful to Catalina Architecture + Design Ltd.

The first Covid safe event starts on Wednesday 5th May. This will be held on the 10 mile course starting at Statkraft Visitor Centre.

If you would like to ride the 10 mile Cwm Rheidol course before the first TT, sign up to ride the Sunday club ride on the 2nd May (booking link will be emailed to all club members). This will be a chance to ride the course and ask any TT questions on the Sunday club ride.

Further details on how to sign up for the first TT will be posted before Wednesday 5th May on the club Facebook site.

A list of the 2021 TT dates can be found here: 2021 Catalina Architecture Time Trial Series

It’s great news that outdoor group activity, organised by official clubs can restart from the 26th April 2021. Following this Welsh Government announcement the club will be co-ordinating Sunday rides starting from the 2nd May 2021.

The club will start with small groups of riders and pre-booking will be required to ensure we can safely organise the rides. Over time we hope to increase the number of rides available and different pace groups.

Each week the ride options available will be emailed to club members (about two days beforehand) along with a booking link.

Please ensure you select a ride that is appropriate to your current pace to ensure everyone enjoys the ride and stays together (2 meters apart).

It is fantastic to be able to offer club rides again and catch up with old and new faces.

Ystwyth Cycle Club have been very fortunate to have the support and expertise for many years from club life member Ken Williams is his role as a National Commissaire.

Ken will be stepping down from this role after a long service of over forty years to Welsh Cycling as a Commissaire, of which over twenty eight of these years were as a National Commissaire. Ken could regularly be found Commissairing at races all over the country ensuring they were run safely and fairly.

The club would like to wish Ken all the best with his retirement from his role of Commissaire and thank him for all his work and help over the many years. Diolch yn fawr Ken.

We are launching the 2021 YCC jersey challenge and encouraging club members to upload their photos of their club jersey whilst out riding.

All club members that upload a photo will receive a small gift at the end of the year.

It is crucial that current guidelines are adhered to. Check out Welsh Cycling for a summary of latest rules/regulations: Welsh Cycling Coronavirus / Covid-19 Update

There are a number of ways you can upload your photos;

Instagram: #ystwythcc @ystwythcc

Facebook: #yccjersey2021 Clwb Beicio Ystwyth

E-mail: ystwythcc@gmail.com

Closing date: 21st November 2021.

Submit as many photos as you would like but only one gift per club member.

Photo: Kristian Bond

At the recent club AGM, it was great to have over 20 attendees (online) to help make the decisions shaping the club for 2021.

The full minutes will be circulated soon to club members, but in the meantime we can share some updates for those that were unable to attend.

2021 Committee

The committee for 2021 can be seen on the website: Committee – Clwb Beicio Ystwyth Cycling Club the main change is that John Gee has kindly stepped forward to take over from Lowri as Treasurer. The club are very grateful for all the work and time Lowri has given to the club in this role and Lowri will be working alongside John to arrange the handover when safe to do so.

There is a role vacant for 2021 if anyone is interested! The Press Secretary role involves writing short blog posts on club news and activities and the use of social media to promote these. E-mail ystwythcc@gmail.com if interested in this role or have any questions.

Membership rolled over for 2020 Club Members

There was a decision at the AGM to roll over the membership for 2020 club members, which is great news and those that joined this year do not have to rejoin for 2021.

Club President presentation

We are sad to announce that Leif, our Club President, Life Member and regular club rider has made the move to Denmark and will be greatly missed.

Andy Davies (Club Chairman) presented a club jersey and mounted photo montage to Leif for his commitment to the club over the many years. Leif is happy to continue as the Club President and will be returning regularly post-Covid to visit his family in the area.

On behalf of the club we will all miss Leif who was a regular rider every Sunday. Leif and his wife Kirsten were also regular volunteers at club events and both were accredited cycling race marshals and could be spotted at cycle events throughout Wales.

Leif has been an integral part of the club for a long time and we wish Leif and Kirsten the very best wishes from everyone in Ystwyth CC.

End of 2020…

On the whole it’s been a quiet year for the club, however it’s been great to see so many people out cycling and hopefully when it’s safe to do so we’ll see lots of new faces in 2021.

Thanks to Andy and Derek for safely running the welcomed TT events this year and also thanks to Andy for his work in setting up the Club Zwift TT’s during the lockdown and the quiz!

The Club would like to wish all members a great Christmas break, stay safe and well and hopefully see you all at some point in 2021.

Nadolig Llawen a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda

As part of the 2020 TT series there has been 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 September rider of the month is junior rider Lowri Richards.

Lowri has taken part in every single TT event in the 2020 series and each time she has placed on the podium, with five wins out of the nine events. Despite still being a junior (under 16) she has shown her strength over every distance from winning the tough Devil’s Bridge hilly course to winning on the shorter but no easier one mile hill climb.

Congratulations to Lowri Richards on receiving her Catalina Architecture TT rider of the month prize.

As part of the 2020 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 August rider of the month is local rider Josh Tarling. Josh has ridden all the time trials in August and won three out of the four August events and in doing so set a new course record on the 26th August on the Cwm Rheidol course with a time of 20.37.

Congratulations to Josh Tarling on receiving his Catalina Architecture TT rider of the month prize.