It’s that time of year again! Escape the Christmas bustle and join a ride beforehand or just turn up to enjoy a pre-Christmas catch up and a mince pie (or two)! Everyone welcome with or without bikes!
Where: Yr Hen Lew Du, Bridge Street, Aberystwyth
Time: 11.30am
When: Sunday 22 December 2024
Cost: Free
There’ll be a couple of ride options, which will be posted on our club Facebook page and on the member’s Strava group.
See you all there!
*Also save the 29th December in your calendars for the Summit Cycles/Ystwyth CC Gravel Mince Pie ride. More details to follow shortly.
The club were very grateful to the Halfway Inn for accommodating us at very short notice! There was a great turnout on the night, top company, with plentiful and delicious food. A great way to round off the year and for the club to recognise the riders’ achievements throughout the year!
Well done to all the award winners and thank you to our club sponsors, Summit Cycles and Cambrian Tyres for supporting the club and it’s member’s throughout the year.
Men’s TT League winner – Caron Pugh
Hill Climb winner – Caron Pugh
Handicap TT winner – David Bond
Most Improved Rider – David Bond
Club Road Race Award – Lois Brewer
Women’s TT League winner – Anita Saycell
Club MTB of the year – Dylan Stephens
Hilly TT winner – Paul Brewer
Club person of the year – Scott Thompsett
On the night, there was a raffle with some fantastic prizes from our club sponsors Summit Cycles and Cambrian Tyres and some amazing cycle kit arranged by our kit secretary Paul T.
The club were also able to congratulate the winners of the MTB Strava challenge held earlier in the month. This was open to any club member, with the challenge to ride the off road segment ‘Italian Blue’ and record their time on Strava.
1st place – Tom Jewell
2nd place – Nathan Daverson
3rd place – Chris Ware
The club would like to thank Glyn W and Elaine R, for all their hard work and time organising a fantastic evening!
The next club member’s Strava challenge starts on Friday 18 October and runs until midnight Friday 15 November.
Club members have one month to ride the following segment and record a time. Ride it once or attempt it multiple times, it’s up to you!
To take part, just make sure you’re a club member and have joined the Ystwyth CC Strava Group: Ystwyth CC on Strava
Anyone joining the club now, will have extended membership through to December 2025! See here for how to join Ystwyth CC: https://www.ystwyth.cc/membership/
Note: For this Strava challenge no e-bikes (we will look at a future e-bike challenge!)
It was the final event to close the 2024 Catalina Architecture & Design Ltd TT Series and proved popular with riders testing their legs on the 1 mile Clarach hill climb.
With a minute between riders, many were catching or being caught, proving an exciting battle to the top of the hill.
With lung busting efforts from all the riders, there was no time for easing off the bars, with riders having to work hard from the start to the finish line.
The top three men crossed the line with only 17 seconds separating them! Caron took the win, Andy H only 11 seconds behind for second place and Arwel completing the podium to place third.
The ladies event had a full podium. It was great to see Lois and Lowri competing after their fantastic racing in the Welsh Road Race Championships on Sunday. Lois took the win on the night, Lowri second and Anita completing the podium for third place.
A new club record was set by Glyn Williams, taking the V60 record previously held for two years by Tim Strang.
Well done to all the riders and supporters and thank you to everyone that has been involved in the 2024 series, helping to make it a success. A big thank you from the riders to the club TT Secretary Andy Hunt, for all his work behind the scenes and co-ordination of the weekly events with the help of Assistant TT Secretary, Derek Rattray.
Clarach Hill Climb Results: Caron Owen Pugh 4.39 Andy Hunt 4.50 Arwel Wyn Jones 4.56 Paul Brewer 5.17 Lois Brewer 5.18 Clint Middleton 5.20 Glyn Williams 5.23 Lowri Richards 5.59 David Bond 6.14 Anita Saycell 6.38 Martin Williams 8.07 Timekeepers & Marshals Derek Rattray, Kristian Bond & Scott Tompsett
The sun came out and the wind blew favourably for the five riders that lined up for the final chance to test themselves on the faster flat route.
Caron flew around the Llety Gwyn 10 mile course to take a convincing win and only 23 seconds away from the club record set by Richard Pizzey in 2023. The second and third place was a battle of the road bike and TT bike, with Arwel Jones coming out on top by 13 seconds and Glyn Williams having to settle for third place and just missing out on the V60 record by 19 seconds, set by Tim Johnson 10 years ago.
In the ladies category, with just one rider this week, Anita Saycell came across the line dipping under the 27 minutes.
Thanks to Andy H, Scott and Elaine for their timekeeping and marshalling on the night, making the event possible for the riders.
Next week (4 September) is the final event of the series, the infamous 1 mile Clarach hill Climb, all riders (and supporters!) are encouraged to come along! Sign on details will be posted on the club Facebook page before the event: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ystwythcc
Round 18 Results – Llety Gwyn 10 mile: Caron Owen Pugh 21.46 Arwel Wyn Jones 24.55 Glyn Williams R 25.08 Anita Saycell 26.51 David Bond R 27.01 Timekeeping Andy Hunt Marshals Elaine Rowlands & Scott Tompsett
Eight riders were treated to a gap in the weather and avoided the rain, for the last chance to test themselves on the Cwm Rheidol course this year.
Caron convincingly took the win but unable to match his club record set last year, a tantalisingly 26 seconds away. Arwel placed second on the night with a strong ride, and completing the podium, and setting a new V60 record in the process, Glyn Williams.
In the women’s event, Lowri Richards, showing her form this season took the win. Emma Palfrey placed second on the poduim and Anita took the third spot.
There was no stopping David Bond, knocking more time off his personal best. It was also great to welcome Paul Gough this week, testing himself on the Ystwyth course.
With only two events left in the series, it’s the last chance for riders to test themselves on the Llety Gwyn course next week (28 August) and the infamous 1 mile Clarach Hill Climb (4th September) https://www.ystwyth.cc/time-trial-series/.
Well done to all the riders this week and a very big thank you to the volunteers for time keeping and marshalling.
Round 17 Results – Cwm Rheidol 10 mile: Caron Owen Pugh 21.54 Arwel Wyn Jones 24.40 Glyn Williams R 25.25 Lowri Richards 26.04 Emma Palfrey 26.51 David Bond R 27.16 Paul Gough 27.53 Anita Saycell 28.01 Timekeepers Derek Rattray & Andy Hunt Marshals Elaine Rowlands & Andrew Davies
With only four events left in the series, nine riders keenly signed on for the start. The course this week was the flatter 10 mile time trial course, starting in Llanbadarn.
The sun shone and a gentle breeze assisted the riders to the turnaround point, which proved a fast night.
Taking the top men’s podium, was Caron Pugh, only 28 seconds away from the club record held by Rich Pizzey. Arwel showing his return to form took second place and Paul Brewer completed the podium.
It was an exciting battle in the women’s event, with Lois Brewer crossing the line first and Lowri Richards taking second place, both riders posting fantastic times.
In the V60 category, Glyn Williams took the win this week over Tony Jones. It was great to see Tony back at the time trials and riding strongly. Chasing Tony down was David Bond, smashing out a new personal best time on his road bike. While Martin Williams broke the 30 minute barrier this week.
Well done to all the riders and a huge thank you to Andy, Derek, Elaine, Scott and Mike for time keeping and marshalling.
Caron Owen Pugh 21.51 Arwel Wyn Jones 24.15 Paul Brewer 24.52 Glyn Williams R 25.19 Lois Brewer 25.41 Lowri Richards 26.07 Tony Jones R 26.29 David Bond R 26.38 Martin Williams R 29.59 Timekeepers Derek Rattray & Elaine Rowlands Marshals Scott Tompsett, Mike Fitch & Andy Hunt
Inspired by our fantastic Ceredigion Olympic athletes, Stevie and Josh, nine riders took to the start line to test their own legs on the Cwm Rheidol 10 mile time trial course.
Caron defied the blustery conditions to post a time only 28 seconds from the club senior record he set himself last year, to earn the first place. Adam Hepburn rode a strong time trial on his road bike to cross the line in second place, and chasing Adam down, only 10 seconds behind was Arwel Jones, taking the third spot on the podium.
In the women’s race, Emma Palfrey rode a strong race on her road bike, to take the win, with Anita taking second place.
David Bond, showing his improved strength and commitment each week, posted another great sub 28minute ride. While Glyn Williams, showing his speed this season, was only 2 seconds away from breaking the V60 club record.
In the V70 category, both Martin and Mike, showing no sign of slowing down, enjoyed a good battle on the night, with Mike Fitch, coming out on top by 31 seconds.
Well done to all the riders that braved the strong winds and narrowly missed the rain shower! Thanks to the time keepers and marshals, Derek, Elaine, Andy H and Scott, for the smooth running of the event.
Caron Owen Pugh 21.56 Adam Hepburn 24.29 Arwel Wyn Jones 24.39 Glyn Williams 25.34 David Bond 27.29 Emma Palfrey 28.10 Anita Saycell 28.59 Mike Fitch 30.27 Martin Williams 30.58 Timekeepers Derek Rattray & Elaine Rowlands Marshals Andy Hunt & Scott Tompsett
With the cancellation of round thirteen, riders were keen to jump back on their bikes and test themselves for the 20km Nant yr Arian time trial. With the elevation profile looking more like a roller coaster ride, it’s always a great course to test descending skills as well as the rider’s climbing legs. The riders start at Nant yr Arian, then head down to Lovesgrove roundabout, before beginning the long steady climb back to where they started, accumulating over 300m of ascent in the time trial.
A warm, dry evening meant that the nine riders were treated to excellent conditions. With a slightly earlier start time, the first rider set off at 6.30pm with each rider following with a minute gap.
It proved an exciting battle for the men’s podium places, with only 50 seconds separating the top three riders. Paul Brewer, proving his climbing skills, took the overall win, in 35.05. In second place on his road bike, Glyn Williams, in 35.24. Glyn’s time was also a new V60 age category record by an impressive 7 minutes. Completing the podium, Arwel Jones rode a strong race to finish third in 35.55.
In the women’s race, Lois Brewer took the top spot and finished first in 36.20, only 3 seconds off the course record she set herself last year. Chasing her down, Emma Palfrey took second on the podium with 38.54 and completing the podium, Anita crossed the line to take third in 41.25.
It was great to see Andy Starr testing himself on the tough course and dipping under the 44minutes. Another top performance on the night came from David Bond, finishing in 39.24 to knock an impressive 5 minutes off his course time in May. While Martin Williams, having competed in a previous 10 mile time trial event the evening before, showed no sign of tired legs and flew up the hill to take a new V70 course record and crossed the line in 44.43.
Well done to all the riders and thank you to Andy Hunt for his excellent organising and time keeping and Kristian Bond for marshalling. Without the help each each week, the events would not go ahead.
Next week the series returns to Cwm Rheidol 10 mile course (7th August). All riders are welcome to come along and test themselves against the clock. Sign on details will be posted on the Club Facebook page.
Round 14 Results – Nant yr Arian Hilly:
Paul Brewer 35.05 Glyn Williams R 35.24 Arwel Wyn Jones 35.55 Lois Brewer 36.20 Emma Palfrey 38.54 David Bond R 39.24 Anita Saycell 41.25 Andy Starr 43.39 Martin Williams R 44.43
R = No TT bars
Time Keeper Andy Hunt Chief Marshal Kristian Bond
Photo Credits: Elaine Brewer
Martin on his way to a new V70 recordLois on her way to first placeDavid Bond being chased down by Glyn Williams
The ten riders that lined up for the start were treated to perfect conditions for the Cwm Rheidol 10 mile time trial.
It was going to be an exciting evening with battles for podium places as well as age group places!
Caron took his sixth win this year, finishing in a fantastic 22.09 for a well earned first place podium position. Arwel Jones and Paul Brewer had an exciting battle for the remaining podium places. Arwel ended up edging out Paul by 3 seconds to take second place, with Paul taking third place.
Glyn Williams made a return to the time trials on his road bike, placing an impressive 4th overall, in 25.32 and in doing so, set a new V60 club record. Second in the road bike category David Bond, jumping from strength to strength, smashed his previous time and crossed the line in 27.15. While Martin Williams, despite being edged out of the V70 battle on the night, by Mike Fitch who was riding strongly, took the 3rd road bike category podium.
For the women’s race it was great to see Lois back at the time trials, after a winter of swapping wheels for skis. It was a exciting battle between the two women, Emma and Lois, with Emma taking the win on the night with 25.39 and Lois in second with 26.26.
Round 12 Results – Cwm Rheidol 10 mile:
Caron Owen Pugh 22.09 Arwel Wyn Jones 24.51 Paul Brewer 24.54 Glyn Williams R 25.32 Emma Palfrey 25.39 Lois Brewer 26.26 David Bond R 27.15 Mike Fitch 29.31 Martin Williams R 30.20 Llyr Morgan R 32.56 Time Keepers Derek Rattray & Andy Hunt Marshals Elaine Rowlands, Anita Saycell & Scott Tompsett
