Aberystwyth Rapha Women’s 100k, 23rd July

The Rapha Women’s 100k is a celebration of cycling community and collective spirit among riders across the globe. Since its inception, the Women’s 100 has inspired cyclists across the world to come together and ride 100km on the same day. 
On Sunday 23rd July the Ystwyth Club Run, Social Ride and Beginner Ride will join in supporting the Aberystwyth Rapha Women’s 100k led by Mel Gaul. 
Both women and men are encouraged to ride in suport of this event, and you can also register your intent to ride with Rapha here http://pages.rapha.cc/womens100 to receive information about the event worldwide.
The proposed route, from Plascrug Leisure Centre to Aberdyfi and back, is available here https://www.strava.com/routes/9267699 
There will be plenty of different paced groups and encouragement on the day, along with a support vehicle, and no-one will be dropped or left behind. We’ll also have a proper stop to refuel at Aberdyfi half way. However as this is a long ride we would also encourage riders to ensure they bring sufficient drink and snacks. Further information given by Ystwyth CC to its riders on what equipment to bring etc is available here https://www.bc-clubs.co.uk/ystwythcc/index.php/club-rides/

So why not set yourself a challenge and join us on the Aberystwyth Rapha Women’s 100k on Sunday 23rd July?

Ystwyth Juniors’ Summer Cycling Series

Friday evening, 23 June, will see the start of Ystwyth Juniors’ Summer Cycling Series at Blaendolau – another brand new series of events from our ever-growing junior club. Ystwyth Juniors’ usual Friday evening skills sessions have been attracting 60 to 70 riders in recent weeks, which is remarkable considering that the club is only a year old.

This summer series will be for school children and adults alike, with a number of different routes catering for youngsters through to adults.

This is a three-round series, followed by a fun evening and presentation. At the presentation there will be an award for 1st, 2nd and 3rd in each year group but also a trophy for the school that scores the most points based on the first 5 finishers in each race.

The emphasis will still be on fun and participation. Courses and sign-on will be ready from 5.30pm with the first race at 6.15pm.

Time Trialists enjoy the summer heat

Bathed in glorious sunshine, 25 riders registered to compete in the Llety Gwyn 10 mile time trail. With a supporting tail wind on the outward leg, riders were optimistic to make good time to the turn around point and battle the return leg home.

In the absence of Ieuan Andy Davies and Danny Thorogood, competition for the 1st spot was going to interesting. Martyn Saycell crossed the line with the fastest time of the night with a 24min 38 sec followed by Paul Jones and Paul Brewer both clocking a 25min 12 sec.

First road bike rider saw Adam Hughes just pip Hywel Davies to take the spoils.

First female saw Lois Brewer take the win in 27min, with Leah Brewer taking second in 28min 16 seconds and Katie Miles third in 29min 02 seconds.

In the two-up battle, Lowri and Aled Richards just retuned ahead of Layla Skot Parker and Leif Skot.

A great nights riding in excellent conditions shows that the Ystwyth CC time trial scene is growing from strength to strength.

Llety Gwyn 10. 21/6/17

1 Martyn Saycell 24.38
2 Paul Brewer 25.12
   Paul Jones 25.12
4 Dan Field 25.27
5 Adam Hughes (R) 25.29
6 Hywel Davies (R) 25.37
7 Andy Hamilton 26.08
8 Derek Rattray 26.09
9 Andy Starr 26.33
10 Ian Stevens (R) 26.43
11 Lois Brewer 27.00
12 Johnny Ryan 27.11
13 David Jones (R) 27.29
14 Rhodri Duffee 27.33
15 Lowri Richards & Aled Richards (R) 27.54
16 Layla Skot Parker & Leif Skot (R) 28.11
17 Leah Brewer 28.16
18 Paul Tedaldi 28.40
19 Dafydd Wright 28.46
20 David Wright (R) 28.50
21 Katie Miles (R) 29.02
22 Llyr Morgan (R) 30.06
23 Kim Jones 35.42

Great maintenance workshop with club sponsor Summit Cycles

There was a great response to the invitation sent to club members to attend a free workshop ‘Roadside Bike Maintenance Session’, hosted by our club sponsor and local bike shop Summit Cycles. 

The two hour session flew by with members being shown the ‘M Check‘ , some extra pre and post ride care and the opportunity to have a great  Q & A with qualified mechanics at Summit Cycles. 

This was a really useful and informative session with lots of tips and advice to keep our bikes correctly maintained and safe.  Many thanks to Summit Cycles for hosting the workshop.

If you are interested in attending a repeat of this session in the autumn (need to be a club member) email ystwythcc@gmail.com to register your interest. 

Close battles and great riding…

On a sunny warm evening down the scenic Rheidol Valley, the riders battled a light headwind on the way out to Lovesgrove roundabout, with a slight tailwind on the return leg.

With the promise of marzipan cake, brownies and Heather’s famous flapjacks there were some great times posted on this rolling course.

One of our youngest riders was the first girl over the line working as a 2up with her Grandad Leif Skot.   It was great to see Katie and Kim returning to the time trial scene, taking the second and third places.  Ieuan Andy Davies and Danny Thorogood both had storming rides with Ieuan Andy crossing the line 11 seconds ahead of Danny, with Martyn Saycell setting a strong ride in the 25min band for third place.

The (R) category of riders competing with no tri bars saw David Jones take the spoils with a 28mins16secs. 

A great evening, with some closely fought battles and many riders smashing their season best times.

Cwmrheidol 10. Weds 14th June

1 Ieuan Andy Davies 23.04
2 Danny Thorogood 23.15
3 Martyn Saycell 25.31
4 Paul Jones 25.58
5 Andy Hamilton 26.15
6 Dan Field 26.24
7 Andy Starr 27.26
8 Rhodri Duffee 28.14
9 David Jones (R) 28.16
10 Layla Skot Parker & Lief Skot (R) 29.23
11 Katie Miles (R) 31.52
12 Kim Jones 36.43

Cycling Weekly joining Ystwyth CC – Sunday 18th June

On Sunday 18th June we are very lucky to have Cycling Weekly joining us for our Sunday Rides. Each week in the magazine there is a feature article called ‘Ride with…’  and a different club is featured each week.   
All riders are to be in club kit where possible and to bring along any spare club jerseys or gilets to lend others that don’t have club kit.
All the rides on this day will be meeting at Plascrug Leisure Centre for 9:30am and there will be three routes/pace groups available to choose from:
Club Run (16-18mph): Lovesgrove – Bow Street – Glanfred Lane – Talybont – Nant Y Moch – no Arch – Cwtch – Llanilar (76.2 km)https://www.strava.com/routes/9101615
Social Ride (13-15mph):  A44 – Devil’s Bridge – Arch – Pont-rhyd-y-groes – Cwtch – Llanilar  (60.6km) https://www.strava.com/routes/9101743
Beginner Ride (11-13mph):  Devil’s Bridge Road – Devil’s Bridge – Cwtch – Llanilar (56.8km) https://www.strava.com/routes/9101257
The plan is for all groups to arrive at the Cwtch for 11:30am for coffee, cake and catch up before heading back via Llanilar to Aberystwyth.
It will be great to see as many riders as possible! 

Very wet Llety Gwyn 10 mile time trial

With the forecasted heavy rain falling, eleven brave riders made the start line for the Llety Gwyn 10 mile time trial.

With a breezy southerly wind making the first five miles tough going to the turn around point, but riders then being rewarded with some wind assistance on the return leg.

There were some great times posted tonight with all riders going under the 30 minute barrier.

Llety Gwyn 10 mile time trial 7/6/17

1 Ieuan Andy Davies 23.11
2 Martyn Saycell 25.16
3 Paul Jones 25.43
4 Dan Field 25.52
5 Andy Starr 26.49
6 Caron Pugh (R) 27.00
7 Andy Hamilton 27.10
8 Johnny Ryan 27.43
9 Anita Saycell 27.46
10 Leif Skot (R) 28.59
11 David Jones (R) 29.47

R = road bike (no tri bars)

How do I safely approach a horse when riding? Club guidelines updated

The chances of meeting a horse out on the road or trails is fairly high, so we have written the below guidance and updated our Club Ride webpage to provide some simple steps to ensure that both yourself and horse riders can stay safe and both have an enjoyable ride.
Communicate – make the horse rider aware of your presence and wait until the rider acknowledges you and follow any instructions for passing.
Slow down – and be prepared to stop. Allow time for the horse and rider to become aware of your presence.
Avoid unexpected noises – mechanical noises can spook horses.
Pass wide – allow room in case the horse is surprised or startled. 
Be visible – use suitable lights and clothing so that the horse and rider has a warning that a cyclist is approaching.
Be observant – look out for signs that horses may be around such as nearby stables/bridleways.
Groups – if riding in a group, follow the steps above and communicate through the group that you are slowing down. It may be necessary to split into smaller groups to pass.

For further information take a look at the code of conduct for horse riders and cyclists from the British Horse Society.

Gruff Lewis takes the Ystwyth CC hilly 22 mile time trial win

18 riders took on the challenge of the Ystwyth CC hilly 22 mile time trial.  Bathed in glorious early evening sunshine with a southerly wind, the riders made the ascent to Devils Bridge before heading across to Ponterwyd and a short ascent up to Nant Yr Arian.  With a fast 7 mile descent back to the finish line, this was an ideal opportunity for the fast and brave to make up time.  Joined by Madison Genesis rider, Gruff Lewis, the conditions were ideal for a fast night.

Pro rider Gruff Lewis took the win in an impressive 52min and 1 sec, with Andrew Poole, Ieuan Andy Davies and Gareth Hodgson all hitting 55 minutes.  Danny Thorogood once again shows consistency in his riding with 56min 18 sec performance.  Richard Eakins took the spoils in the road bike category with an impressive 57min 38 seconds.

Leah Brewer, following a strong performance in the AberCyleFest crit race, was the first female back in a strong 1hr 7min 55 sec closely followed by Helen Marshall in 1hour 8 min and 2 sec.

Next week the riders return to the 10 mile time trial distance on the Llety Gwyn course, with the sign on from 6.15pm at Plascrug Leisure Centre.

Devils Bridge Hilly 31/5/17

1 Gruff Lewis 52.01
2 Andrew Poole 55.01
3 Ieuan Andy Davies 55.32
4 Gareth Hodgson 55.46
5 Danny Thorogood 56.18
6 Richard Eakins (R)57.38
7 Paul Brewer 1.00.35
8 Phil Evans (R) 1.01.54
9 Caron Pugh (R) 1.02.01
10 Kyle Banks (R) 1.03.39
11 Martyn Saycell 1.03.57
12 Leah Brewer 1.07.55
13 Helen Marshall 1.08.02
14 Johnny Ryan (R) 1.09.03
15 Leif Skot (R) 1.09.36
16 Rhodri Duffee 1.11.13
17 Andy Hamilton (R) 1.11.16
18 Andy Starr (R) 1.11.29

Working hard at the Aber Cycle Fest and Ystwyth TT

The fourth day of Aber Cycle Fest ’17 saw the action move to Cwm Rheidol, where the 10-mile TT with Ystwyth CC brought out the season’s biggest field yet. Ieuan Andy took the win but we again saw fast, close times being recorded and others putting in great performances on their first attempts this season. And of course, as with all Cwm Rheidol TTs this season, free tea, coffee and cakes were put on for the riders, as well as an Ystwyth CC kit stall.
Aber Cycle Fest continues tonight with a film and gala evening at Aberystwyth Arts Centre from 6.30pm, while the TT season takes to the hills next Wednesday evening, for the 22-mile Devil’s Bridge course, with a 6.30pm start. 
Further photos will be added to this blog as they become available.
Cwmrheidol 10. 24/5/17
1 Ieuan Andy Davies 22.48
2 Andrew Poole 22.57
3 Rhys Jeffreys 23.48
4 Carwyn Henson (R) 24.29
5 Caron Pugh (R) 26.12
6 Martyn Saycell 26.13
   Ciaran Rowett (R) 26.13
8 Kyle Banks (R) 26.36
9 Dan Field 26.52
10 Helen Marshall 27.07
11 Ian Stevens (R) 27.11
     Andy Starr 27.11
13 Tim Freeman (R) 27.23
14 Liam Straiton (R) 28.02
15 Jonny Ryan 28.21
16 Rhodri Duffee 28.33
17 Dafydd Wright 28.40
18 David Wright (R) 29.36
19 Layla Skot Parker & Leif Skot (R) 30.02
20 Dylan James 31.09