Clarach Hill Climb

As the Ystwyth CC time trial series came to a close, 16 riders signed on for one more time for the Clarach Hill climb event.  Taking on the famous local hill climb with it’s hairpin bend is always one of the highlights of the season with great support from members on the course. 

In perfect conditions, riding a specialist hill climb bike, pro rider Gruff Lewis took the win in an astonishing 4 minutes. Second place and very close to taking the top spot, went to new Ystwyth CC club member Chris McLean in a very fast time of 4min and 10sec and third place to up and coming rider Owen Evans in a time of 4min and 25sec. In past events, all three of these times would have taken the win.

In the women’s event, Cat 2 racer Rebecca Richardson from Hafren took the win in a new course record of 4min and 36sec with Leah Brewer taking second and new Ystwyth CC rider course record in 5min 29 sec and Lois Brewer in third in a time of 5min 56sec.

Well done also to Finley Saycell, who helping at the start, then signed himself on the start sheet, and rode up complete with marshall vest.

A big thank you to the marshals on the night, and for the whole of the TT series for making the events happen and with a special mention to TT co-ordinator Andy Hunt for making the events happen each week.

The club Sunday rides will continue and the club looks forward to the 2019 TT series.

If round 20 was wet, round 21 should have been called a swim trial! With heavy rain, falling from early afternoon, Round 21 of the Ystwyth CC TT series was going to be the wettest event in the 2018 calendar. Therefore, it was no surprise that only 9 riders signed on for round 21 and the last of the 10-mile time trial events for 2018. Using the traditional Llety Gwyn course, the riders would ride out a flat 5 miles past the Big Tribute Festival site before turning up the Rheidol Valley to the turnaround. 
Even in challenging conditions, local cycling legend Shelley Childs took the win in a time of 24min 44sec.  Second place and very close to taking the top spot, went to Caron Pugh in a time of 24min 48sec and only six seconds following in third place, Glyn Williams in a time of 24min 54sec. Only 35 seconds separated the top 5 riders with 5th place going to the ghost writer in a time of 25min 19sec.
In the women’s event, an impressive ride from Katie Miles on a road bike took the win in a time of 29min.
In the two up event, Layla and Leif Skot rode a strong 30min 17sec in challenging conditions.
A big thank you to the marshals for the night, and the whole of the TT series for making the events happen.  
Next week the event returns to the Clarach hill climb, a short punchy climb guaranteed to get the lungs working.

Llety Gwyn 10 / Wednesday August 22nd 2018

1. Shelley Childs 24.44
2. Caron Pugh 24.48
3. Glyn Williams 24.54
4. Martyn Saycell 25.19
5. Ian Stevens 26.09
6. Andy Starr 27.11
7. Katie Miles R 29.00
8. Layla & Leif Skot 30.17

Why does it always rain on me…..

Two hours prior to Round 20 of the Ystwyth CC TT series, the heavens opened and the Rheidol valley was blessed with a torrent of rain, a strong southwesterly breeze and fading light.  Therefore, it was no surprise that only 6 riders signed on for round 20 even though the Welsh TT championships is being held this weekend in Rhayader. 
Even in challenging conditions, Pro Rider Gruff Lewis took the win in a time of 20min 56sec knocking out a strong time in preparation for Saturday’s Championship ride.  Second place went to Steffan Roberts in a time of 23min 13sec and third place to Richard Eakins in a time of 24min 51sec.
In the women’s event, an impressive ride from Helen Marshall took the win in a time of 26min 21sec.
Good luck to the riders taking part in the Welsh Championship Time Trial this Saturday and the Road Race on Sunday.
Next week the event returns to the Llety Gwyn course for the final time of the season. The need for speed continues…….

Llety Gwyn 10 10 / Wednesday August 15th  2018

1. Gruff Lewis 20.56
2. Steffan Roberts 23.13
3. Richard Eakins R 24.51
4. Paul Jones 24.56
5. Helen Marshall 26.21
6. Martyn Saycell R 26.49

Ystwyth CC report – round 19 – Wednesday 8th August 2018

With the sun setting majestically over the Rheidol valley,  round 19 saw 11 riders register for the Cwm Rheidol 10 mile time trial. This is regarded as a challenging 10  mile course used by the club and with this being the last outing on the course for 2018, riders would be pushing hard to get that elusive PB or course win or record followed cake and coffee.

Rolling back the years and knocking out a performance often seen a decade ago, In the men’s event, Shelley Childs took the win in a  time of 24min 19sec.  Second place went to rider Richard Eakins on a road bike in a time of 24min 35 sec, and third place to Glyn ‘GT’ Williams in a time of 24min 44sec.

In the women’s event, an impressive ride from Helen Marshall took the win in a time of 26min 50sec. Second place went to Lowri Richards in a time of 28min and 30sec, and third place to Nia Richards in a time of 33min 22sec.

Next week the event returns to the Llety Gwyn course for 2 consecutive weeks. The need for speed continues…….

Ystwyth CC report – round 18 – Wednesday 2nd August 2018

With tears and champagne flowing following Sky Rider Geraint Thomas’ fantastic domination and win at Le Tour, it would be interesting to see how many riders would turn out for round 18 of the Ystwyth CC time trial series.

With the fine weather coming to an end, it was a humid and breezy round 18 that saw 21 riders register for the Llety Gwyn 10 mile time trial. This is regarded as the fastest 10  mile course used by the club and with only a few outings on this course remaining, riders would be pushing hard to get that elusive PB or course win or record.

In the men’s event, pro rider Gruff Lewis took the win and course record in a time of 20min 35sec.  Second place went to young rider Joshua Tarling in a time of 22min 09sec, and third place to Steffan Roberts in a time of 23min 20sec.

In the women’s event, an impressive ride from Helen Marshall took the win in a time of 26min 37sec. Second place went to Lowri Richards in a time of 29min and 53sec, and third place to Nia Peris  in a time of 30min 08sec.

Next week the event returns to the Cwm Rheidol course on an undulating 10 mile time trial with a start time of 7.00pm.  the need for speed continues…….

Llety Gwyn 10 / Wednesday August 1st  2018

1. Gruff Lewis 20.35
2. Joshua Tarling 22.09
3. Steffan Roberts 23.20
4. Micheal Tarling 24.25
5. Shelley Childs 24.30
6. Richard Eakins R 25.09
7. Caron Pugh 25.10
8. Gethin Price R 25.23
9. Dafydd Wright 25.35
10. Ian Stevens 25.39
11. Paul Jones 25.45
12. Helen Marshall 26.37
13. Alex Lowe 26.47
14. Alan Haird 27.32
15. David Wright 27.39
16. Ian Brandreth R 29.35
17. Lowri Richards R 29.53
18. Morgan Commins R 30.00
19. Nia Peris R 30.08
20. Lynfa Davies R 31.13
21. Shannon Haird R 31.18

Ystwyth CC report – round 16 – Wednesday 18th July 2018

Ieaun Andy Davies takes Yellow in the men’s event with Lowri Richards taking Yellow in the women’s event.

With a new road surface on the A44 resembling sections of stage 9 of the Tour de France, where the pro riders battled sections of the course used in the famous spring classic Paris Roubaix; it would be interesting to see how the riders would contend with round 16 of the Ystwyth CC time trial series.

With the fine weather continuing, round 16 saw 18 riders register for the Llety Gwyn 10 mile time trial. This is regarded as the fastest 10 mile course used by the club and with only 4 outings on this course remaining, riders would be pushing hard to get that elusive PB or course win.

In the men’s event, Ieuan Andy Davies took the win in a  time of 22min 31sec.  Second place went to James Taylor in a time of 23min 52sec, and third place to Caron Pugh in a time of 24min 09sec.

In the women’s event, an impressive ride from Lowri Richards took the win in a time of 27min 39sec. Second place went to Nia Peris in a time of 30min and 28sec, and third place to Toria Jamieson in a time of 32min 09sec.

In the road bike category, Alex Lowe took the top spot in a time of 26min 45sec.  Second place went to David Wright in a time of 27min 55 sec and third place went to Gari Jones in a time of 28min 05sec.

Next week the event returns to the challenging Devils Bridge course on an undulating 22 mile hilly course with a start time of 6.30pm.  the need for speed continues…….

Llety Gwyn 10. July 18th  2018

1. Ieuan Andy Davies 22.31
2. James Taylor 23.52
3. Caron Pugh 24.09
4. Shelley Childs 25.19
5. Steffan Roberts 25.26
6. Martyn Saycell 25.33
7. Dafydd Wright 25.47
8. Paul Brewer 25.56
9. Alex Lowe (R) 26.45
10. Rhodri Duffee 26.52
11. Lowri Richards 27.39
12. David Wright (R) 27.55
13. Gari Jones (R) 28.05
14. Leif Skot (R) 28.46
15. Nia Peris (R) 30.28
16. Toria Jamieson (R) 32.09
17. Nia Richards (R) 32.56
Paul Jones DNF

(R) Road bike no tri bars

Ystwyth CC report – round 15 – Wednesday 11th July 2018

Ieaun Andy Davies takes the win in the men’s event with Anita Saycell continuing to dominate in the women’s event.

With England taking on Croatia in the semi-final of the FIFA World cup, it would be interesting to see where loyalties would be stretched with round 15 of the TT series taking place.  Back in 1990, at Italia ’90, England took on the might of West Germany, for our more junior members of the club, the country doesn’t even exist today! How technology in relation to bikes has developed since then. In 1990, you would have expected to see a rider roll up to the start line on a Raleigh Vitesse 14 speed with down tube shifters and maybe even a set of top bar brakes, very different from the modern day technology of Aero frames and deep rimmed wheels.   1990 also saw Greg LeMond win Le Tour… who will be the winner by the end of this year’s tour????

With the fine weather continuing, round 15 saw 13 riders register for the Cwm Rheidol 10 mile time trial.

In the men’s event, Ieuan Andy Davies took the win in a time of 22min 29sec setting a new age course record.  Second place went to Glyn Williams in a new personal best time of 24min 59sec, and third place to Paul Jones in a time of 25min 24sec.

In the women’s event, Anita Saycell took the win in a time of 26min. Second place went to Helen Marshall in a time of 27min and 9sec, and third place to Lowri Richards on a road bike in a time of 28min 42sec.

In the road bike category, Jack Ramsbottom took the top spot in a time of 26min 33sec.  Second place went to Dan Ramsbottom in a time of 28min 08 sec and third place went to Lowri Richards in a time of 28min 38sec.

Good to see Layla and Leif Skot returning for the 2 up TT in a time of 29min 08sec.

Next week the event returns to the Llety Gwyn course with a start time of 7pm.  With only 8 TT’s left, the need for speed continues…….

Glyn Williams on his way to a podium finish in a new personal best time 24.59 (photo credit: Aled Richards)

Ystwyth CC report – round 14 – Wednesday 4th July

As we enter the month of July, riders get side-tracked watching Wimbledon, the Fifa World Cup or even the Tour de France, but not the Ystwyth CC time-trialists! With a slight change in the weather and the sun disappearing behind the clouds, round 14 saw 18 riders register for the Llety Gwyn 10 mile time trial which proved to be a fast night with many riders setting new personal best times.

In the men’s event, Gruff Lewis took the win and a fantastic new course record in a  time of 20.55 min.  Second place went to Ieuan Andy Davies in a time of 22min 23sec, and third place to Steffan Roberts in a time of 22min 57sec.

In the women’s event, Anita Saycell took the win in a time of 25min 47sec. Second place went to an up and coming younger rider Lowri Richards, in a time of 27min and 57sec, and third place to Katie Miles in a time of 28min 45sec following her win the day before on the Caron Cycling Club 10 mile course.

In the road bike category, Arwel Jones took the top spot in a time of 24min 14sec.  Second place went to Alex Lowe in a time of 26min 31sec and third place went to Lowri Richards in a time of 27min 57sec.

Next week the event returns to the Cwm Rheidol course with a start time of 7:00pm.

Llety Gwyn 10 / Wednesday July 5th

1. Gruff Lewis 20.55
2. Ieuan Andy Davies 22.23
3. Steffan Roberts 22.57
4. Arwel Jones 24.14 (R)
5. Shelley Childs 24.48
6. Ian Stevens 24.51
7. Martyn Saycell 25.11
8. Paul Brewer 25.20
9. Dafydd Wright 25.54
10.Anita Saycell 25.47
11. Alex Lowe 26.31 (R)
12. Rhodri Duffee 27.10
13. Lowri Richards 27.57 (R)
14. David Wright 28.43 (R)
15. Katie Miles 28.45 (R)
16. Gari Jones 28.54 (R)
17. Nia Peris 30.21 (R)
18. Nia Richards 32.49 (R)

(R) Road Bike