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

2018 Club Time Trial Championships

With the temperatures promising to be rising later in the day, the Club Championships took full advantage of the lower temperatures with an early start. The course involved a rolling out and back route on smooth tarmac to Machynlleth, with a great start and finish venue at the community café in Tre’r-ddol http://cletwr.com/ .

With quiet roads the riders were started at regular intervals to begin their race to Machynlleth and back.  With strong riders in each category it was going to be a competitive event.

Fastest female rider on a road bike (no tri bars) was Toria Jamieson crossing the line in 52.35, and fastest male rider on a road bike with recovered legs from his Alps training camp was Arwel Jones in a time of 40.49.

Fastest male overall was Richard Pizzey in a storming time of 37.32, with fastest female Anita Saycell in a time of 46.14.

In the handicap event the winner was Steffan Roberts.  All the winners received a specially designed winners t-shirt thanks to event organiser and TT Secretary Andy Hunt.  Thanks to all the volunteers on the day too which enabled the event to run smoothly.

Ystwyth Club TT Championship 2018
Sunday July 1st

1. Richard Pizzey 37.32
2. Ieuan Andy Davies 38.09
3. Steffan Roberts 39.00
4. Danny Thorogood 39.51
5. Dewi Hughes 39.59
6. Arwel Jones (R) 40.49
7. Rhys Jeffreys 41.08
8. Caron Pugh 41.36
9. Paul Jones 43.25
10. Glyn Williams (R) 43.30
11. Alex Lowe (R) 45.28
12. Rhodri Duffee 46.04
13. Anita Saycell 46.14
14.Pete Jenkins (R) 46.24
15. Morgan Commins (R) 51.09
16. Toria Jamieson (R) 52.35

Ystwyth CC – round 13 – 27th June

Round 13 of the Ystwyth CC time trial series saw 11 riders sign on to take on the challenge of the 12 mile hilly time trial course.  Starting at the visitor centre at Nant yr Arian, with a flock of red kites circling, the riders took on the challenge of the six mile sweeping descent with speed and precision to the Lovesgrove roundabout before taking the same six mile climb back to the visitor centre.  With temperatures topping 25 degrees it would be a hot ascent with a strong head wind to the finish line.

The records for the course are phenomenally quick, with Stevie Williams holding the men’s record in a time of 31min and 3 seconds; a time some cars would struggle to beat. In the ladies event the course record is held by Dr Helen Marshall in a time of 38min and 10 seconds.  In calm hot conditions and many riders returning from a week riding in the French Alps, it would be likely that many riders may be close to the course record.

On this course, riders are often torn between riding a traditional road bike, where the rider may gain time by being able to climb more efficiently or riding a TT bike where they may gain additional time, if brave on the descent, and then ride to their maximum threshold on the flat section of the course.

In the ladies event, Leah Brewer took the win in an impressive time of 38.36 which was very close to the course record.  Second place went to current course record holder Helen Marshall in a time of 39.35.  Third place went to Anita Saycell in a time of 40.39.

In the men’s event, Ieuan Andy Davies took the win in a time of 32.33, only 8 seconds away from the age group course record; second place went to Andy Hunt in a time of 33.23; third place went to Arwel Jones on a road bike in a time of 34.42.

In the road bike category, fastest male was Arwel Jones in a time of 34.42 and in the female road bike category, Anita Saycell with 40.39.

Next week, riders return to the fast Llety Gwyn course with registration starting at 6.15pm and first rider off at 7pm.

Again, a huge thank you to the time keepers and marshals.  For further information on the time trial series, please visit the Ystwyth CC webpage.

https://www.bc-clubs.co.uk/ystwythcc/index.php/time-trials/

Nant yr Arian Hilly / July 27th 2018

1. Ieuan Andy Davies 32.33
2. Andy Hunt 33.23
3. Arwel Jones R 34.42
4. Caron Pugh 35.35
5. Paul Brewer 36.00
6. Leah Brewer 38.36
7. Helen Marshall 39.35
8. Anita Saycell R 40.39
9. Owen Thomas R 44.46
10. Layla + Leif Skot R 46.41

Ystwyth CC report round 12 – Wednesday 20th June 2018

As the sun hit the tarmac on the A44, round 12 saw 23 the riders register for the Llety Gwyn 10 mile time trial.
In the men’s event, Pro Rider Gruff Lewis took the win and course record in a  time of 21min.  Second place went to Danny Thorogood in a time of 23min 36sec, and third place to Andrew Poole   in a time of 24min 02sec.
In the women’s event, Anita Saycell took the win in a time of 26min 02sec. Second place went to Helen Marshall in a time of 26min and 26sec, and third place to Sara Mela on a road bike in a time of 28min 03sec.
In the road bike category, Adam Hepburn took the top spot in a time of 24min 24sec.  Second place went to Liam Straiton in a time of 27min 53sec and third place went to Sara Mela in a time of 28min 03 sec.
Next week the event returns to the Nant Yr Arian hill course with a start time of 6.30pm.

Llety Gwyn 10 10. 20/6/18

1. Gruff Lewis 21.00
2. Danny Thorogood 23.36
3. Andrew Poole 24.02
4. Steffan Owens 24.03
5. Rhys Jeffreys 24.15
6. Adam Hepburn R 24.24
7. Paul Jones 25.27
8. Martyn Saycell 25.55
9. Anita Saycell 26.02
9. Dafydd Wright 26.02
11. Endaf Williams 26.03
12. Helen Marshall 26.26
13. Rhodri Duffee 26.47
14. Alan Haird 27.43
15. Liam Straiton R 27.53
16. Sara Mela R 28.03
17. Gari Jones R 28.27
18. Lowri Richards R 29.00
19. David Wright R 29.46
20. Shannon Haird R 30.05
21. Katie Miles R 30.12
22. Llion Rees & Rhodri Jenkins R 31.56
23. Nia Richards R 33.14