Ystwyth MTB Social and Newbie Ride

Ever thought of riding MTB with Ystwyth but haven’t ventured out yet? On Friday, 4th August, Ystwyth MTB have the perfect opportunity for you to join us on the tracks at Nant yr Arian.

With two ride length options, these will be easy-paced, relaxed rides to suit all level of riders – with talking on the climbs, fun on the downhills and no rider being left behind.

The ride options will be:
The Pendam Trail – 9km / 1 hour
The Summit Trail – 16km / 1.5 – 2 hours

There’ll be a further opportunity to socialize at the Maes Bangor pub in Capel Bangor after the ride too.

Riders should aim to meet at Nant yr Arian at 6.30pm on the 4th, ready to ride at 7pm. This is a free social ride for members and non-members, and isn’t an officially led ride. As always, riders must wear helmets otherwise won’t be able to take part, must have a suitably maintained bike, spare inner tubes, suitable clothing etc. Riders are responsible for their own wellbeing.

Full details of the event can be found on the Ystwyth MTB Facebook page event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1364793126945703/?acontext=%7B%22source%22%3A4%2C%22action_history%22%3A%22null%22%7D&source=4&action_history=null 

24/7 Town Track Pump and Tools

Noticing very low tyre pressure before heading home on the bike, I thought this was a good excuse to find and try out some of the new cycle facilities in town.

I headed to the end of the taxi rank in Aberystwyth, outside the railway station, to the new ‘Bike Tool Station’ , apparently the first of its kind in the county.

The track pump worked really well with the bike on the stand, and had a clear pressure gauge to see how much air was being added.  As well as the pump there were loads of tools available from allen keys, screw drivers to pedal spanners.

I thought I’d also find the location of the other track pump in town and headed to Baker Street (the road heading from Nat West bank to the Treehouse) and halfway up the street is a new bike rack and another track pump.

Knowing where these are can be really useful, especially as they are available 24/7.

These facilities are all part of  a wider Ceredigion County Council investment in Active Travel.

 ‘Bike Tool Station’ located at the end of the taxi rank outside Aberystwyth railway station


Track pump located in Baker Street, Aberystwyth

Llety Gwyn 10 19/7/17

With damp humid conditions, 24 riders signed on for the Ystwyth CC 10 mile time trial on the Llety Gwyn course.

With an unfavourable south westerly wind, riders would find both outward and return sections challenging.

However, this did not curtail a competitive evening.  In the women’s event, the competition was hot, with 2nd cat rider Anita Saycell taking the win and setting a new course record in 26min and 9secs and taking 7th place overall.  8th and 9th position overall were also secured by two female riders, 8th place overall and 2nd in the female competition by experienced TT rider Helen Marshall in 26min and 31 seconds and new club member, and experienced triathlete Emma Palfrey in 9th and 3rd in the female competition with a 26min 46 seconds.  Lois and Leah Brewer continue to show consistency with their riding taking 4th and 5th place respectively with Angharad Jones taking the road bike category win. 

In the two up event, Shannon Haird and Lowri Richards came under the 29 min mark with a time of 28min and 59 seconds.

In the men’s event, Chris Goldstein in his first TT and riding a road bike broke the 30 min barrier with a 29min and 38 seconds.

Ieuan Andy Davies continues to dominate the top spot with a PB time of 22min 24sec, closely followed by experienced triathlete Andrew Poole in second place with a time of 22min and 53 sec.  Andy Hamilton continues to improve taking 3rd place on the night and setting a new PB of 24min 7 seconds.

Again, thank you Andy Hunt and his team of marshals for a fantastic event.  Next week, the riders’ take on the challenge of the Devils Bridge course over a hilly 22mile route starting at 6:30pm.

Llety Gwyn 10  –  19/7/17

1 Ieuan Andy Davies 22.24
2 Andrew Poole 22.53
3 Andy Hamilton 24.07
4 Martyn Saycell 25.22
5 Dan Field 25.25
6 Paul Brewer 25.47
7 Anita Saycell 26.09
8 Helen Marshall 26.31
9 Emma Palfrey 26.46
10 Andy Starr 26.50
11 Ian Stevens (R) 27.03
12 Caron Pugh (R) 27.07
13 Lois Brewer 27.21
14 Alan Haird (R) 27.23
15 Rhodri Duffee 27.25
16 Dafydd Wright 27.50
17 Aled Richards (R) 27.57
18 Leah Brewer 27.59
19 David Wright (R) 28.10
20 Llyr Morgan (R) 28.55
21 Shannon Haird & Lowri Richards 28.59
22 Chris Goldstein (R) 29.38
23 Angharad Jones (R) 34.57

(R) No tri bars

Ieuan Andy Davies takes top spot in the Ystwyth CC 10 mile time trial


With the sun setting majestically down the Rheidol valley, 27 riders, the highest number in 2017, took part in the latest Ystwyth CC 10 mile time trial.  On the challenging course known as the Cwm Rheidol 10, riders tackle the technical corners and climbs out to the A44 roundabout and back.  With a slight headwind on the outward leg, the riders were optimistic at the start line of the  benefit from the tailwind on the hillier return leg of the course.

A record 10 female riders competed in the event, many riding a time trial for the first time which is fantastic.  The first female rider home on a TT bike was Helen Marshall in a competitive time of 26min and 58 seconds, also putting her in 11th position on the night.  This was followed in second place by Emma Palfrey in 27min 14 seconds and third place went to Shannon Haird in a time of 29min 4 seconds.

In the two up category, Layla Skot Parker and Leif Skot took the win in 28min and 37seconds closely followed by Lowri Norrington Davies and Derek Rattray in 31min and 24 seconds.

In the men’s event, 15 riders took to the start line. With the sun setting, and feeling no side effect from a fantastic win on Tuesday evening at the Llandow circuit, Ieuan Andy Davies took pole position in a time of 22min and 39seconds, this was followed in second place by the consistent Danny Thorogood in a time of 23min and 14 seconds. In third place, following a few weeks absence, Andrew Poole produced a solid 23min 39seconds.

First roadie home saw Jack Woolley take 4th spot overall in a very impressive time of 24min and 1 second.

Riders were treated to free coffee and cake after the event, providing an ideal opportunity to discuss the evening’s event.

Thanks again, must go to Andy Hunt, TT coordinator and his team of volunteers and contributors to the Ystwyth CC bake off.

Cwmrheidol 10  12/7/17

1 Ieuan Andy Davies 22.39

2 Danny Thorogood 23.14

3 Andrew Poole 23.39

4 Jack Woolley (R) 24.01

5 Paul Jones 24.37

6 Martyn Saycell 25.10

7 Andy Hamilton 25.14

8 Shelley Childs 25.50

9 Scott Tomsett 25.54

10 Andy Starr 26.53

11 Helen Marshall 26.58

12 Endaf Williams (R) 27.03

13 Emma Palfrey 27.14

14 Dafydd Wright 28.18

15 Rhodri Duffee 28.19

16 Layla Skot Parker & Leif Skot (R) 28.37

17 Shannon Haird 29.04

18 David Wright (R) 29.05

19 Lowri Richards (R) 29.56

20 Ian Brandreth (R) 30.56

21 Heulwen Lloyd (R) 30.58

22 Derek Rattray & Lowri Norrington Davies 31.34

23 Nia Richards (R) 32.07

24 Kim Jones 35.29

25 Angharad Jones  (R) 36.13

(R) No tri bars


Llety Gwyn 10 5/7/17

In near perfect conditions, 25 riders comprising of 23 individual riders and one two-up competed on the Llety Gwyn 10-mile TT course.

With a slight cross wind, riders would not benefit from a supporting wind on either the out or return leg.

Having raced on Tuesday evening at Llandow, Ieuan Andy Davies took the top spot with an impressive 22min 25sec. Danny Thorogood took second in 22min 50sec with West Wales Cycle Racing Team rider Joshua Tarling getting third spot in 23min 24sec ahead of his dad, Mike Tarling.

Paul Jones and Andy Hamilton showed an impressive return to top form with some strong times.

Jack Woolley took the top spot in the road bike category in a very competitive 23min 50sec.

It was great to see 6 female riders, possibly the highest number of female riders challenging the TT course, taking the start line with Lois Brewer taking top spot in an impressive 27min 4sec. West Wales Cycle Racing Team rider Shannon Haird took the second spot in 27min 16sec and Leah Brewer took third spot in 28min 32sec.

Layla Skot Parker and Leif Skot continue to shave time off their two-up TT time.

Katie Miles took the win in the road bike category for the female riders in an impressive 29min 10 sec.

Thanks again to Andy Hunt and his dedicated team of marshals for providing a vibrant TT event.

Llety Gwyn 10  5/7/17

1 Ieuan Andy Davies 22.25
2 Danny Thorogood 22.50
3 Joshua Tarling 23.24
4 Michael Tarling 23.40
5 Jack Woolley (R) 23.50
6 Paul Jones 24.17
7 Andy Hamilton 24.38
8 Martyn Saycell 24.53
9 Chris McClean (R) 25.39
10 Endaf Williams (R) 26.16
11 Andy Starr 26.24
12 Lois Brewer 27.04
13 Shannon Haird 27.16
13 Alan Haird 27.16
15 Rhodri Duffee 27.41
16 Ian Stevens (R) 27.57
17 Layla Skot Parker & Leif Skot (R) 28.02
18 Dafydd Wright 28.17
19 David Jones (R) 28.21
19 David Wright (R) 28.21
21 Leah Brewer 28.32
22 Katie Miles (R) 29.10
23 Llyr Morgan (R) 30.04
24 Kim Jones 33.36

Watch the Tour this Sunday with Ystwyth!

It’s been a historic start to this year’s Tour de France, with Geraint Thomas becoming the first Welshman ever to wear the yellow jersey – and he’s still wearing it as we write, three days later!

This Sunday afternoon, why not join Ystwyth to watch the Tour live at the Ship and Castle from 2pm onwards – and put your feet up after one of our Sunday rides, maybe? Stage 9 promises to be the toughest stage of this year’s Tour so far, as the riders reach the foothills of the Alps, with four classified climbs and 4,600m of ascent, including the Col du Grand Colombier.

We’ll see you there!

https://www.facebook.com/events/473839902968741

Club neighbours Clwb Seiclo Caron CC host a great ride for Ystwyth

With the sun shining, fourteen Ystwyth CC riders made the trip south to Tregaron to meet up with our neighbouring club Clwb Seiclo Caron CC. With the promise of new routes we were not disappointed. Gwion James from Caron had planned a great 70km route leaving Tregaron, taking in Llanddewibrefi, Lampeter and Cribyn, then leading us to a welcomed cafe stop at the National Trust’s Llanerchaeron. Fuelled up with coffee, cake and bacon baps we headed north onto a great back road to Pennant, then east to Cross Inn.  With regular regroups along the way we made our way back to Tregaron with the sun still shining.
On Saturday 15th July there is another chance to ride the roads in this area.There are 3 sportive routes leaving Tregaron, with 20 mile, 40 mile and 79 mile options. This is a good chance to ride a local sportive and support a great local event:

Thanks to Caron for organising and showing us some great routes in south Ceredigion.  

Nant Yr Arian 12 mile hilly time trial

7 riders completed the challenging Ystwyth CC Nant yr Arian 12 mile hilly time trial. In cool, calm conditions, the riders descend the 6 miles to the A44 roundabout before taking on the 6 mile ascent back to the finish line.

With a good mix of time trial and road bikes on the start line, the benefit of a fast technical descent is balanced with the ability to climb strongly.

This proved no problem for Ieuan Andy Davies who took the win with a strong 33min 10 seconds, followed in second place by Andy Hunt on a road bike, just scraping under the 36min barrier. Paul Jones took 3rd place with the remaining 4 riders closely grouped within 3 minutes of each other.

Next week the riders return to the Llety Gwyn time trial route.

Nant Yr Arian 12 – 28/6/17

1. Ieuan Andy Davies 33.10
2. Andy Hunt (R) 35.59
3. Paul Jones 37.44
4. Martyn Saycell (R) 39.09
5. Andy Starr 40.25
6. David Jones (R) 40.50
7. Leif Skot (R) 41.45

Ystwyth CC join Clwb Seiclo Caron CC for a Sunday Ride – 2nd July

Clwb Seiclo Caron CC have kindly agreed to host our Sunday Social Ride and Club Run on the 2nd July. 
The pace will be a steady 15mph average, with the ride leaving from Tregaron Square at 9.30am. This is a great chance to explore the roads further south in the county.

The plan is to go south from Tregaron, a flat 10 miles to Lampeter and then to make our way towards a popular stop at Llanerchaeron, and return to Tregaron. Total around 35-40 miles.

Riding in Ystwyth colours this summer? Let us know!

The racing and sportive season is in full flow and it’s great to see reports and photos of Ystwyth riders participating in all sorts of different events. If you’re riding in any event or race over the summer, or are simply having an adventure, be sure to let us know either on our Ystwyth FB page or by email ystwythcc@gmail.com

Don’t forget, also, to let us know if you want any photos to be added to our #ystwythjerseychallenge, as part of our 65th anniversary celebrations, whether you’re riding a sportive, racing, time-trialling or just enjoying a ride home or away. The closing date is 3rd December 2017 and the winner will receive a £65 voucher kindly donated by our sponsors Summit Cycles. The full jersey challenge album can be seen here 

Dai Clarke riding the Fred Whitton Challenge in Ystwyth colours, May 2017
Elaine Rowlands in the Back O’Skiddaw sportive in early June

Gethin Howells during the Granfondo Stelvio Santini sportive in northern Italy, also in early June