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

High turnout again in week 7 as TT competition intensifies

Ystwyth TT coordinator Andy Hunt had predicted a night of PBs on the Llety Gwyn course on Wednesday, 17th May, and with a high turnout and plenty of fast times recorded, this week’s TT was another successful event this season.
Next week the Ystwyth TT will feature as part of the Aber Cycle Fest 10-day schedule of events, and will be held on the Cwm Rheidol course. First rider off at 7pm, with refreshments to follow.
Llety Gwyn 10
17/05/17
1. Ieuan Andy Davies 22.59
2. Andrew Poole 23.18
3. Rhys Jeffreys 23.59
4. Carwyn Henson (R) 24.16
5. Jeff Saycell (R) 24.47
6. Adam Hughes (R) 25.02
7. Paul Brewer 25.41
8. Martyn Saycell 25.44
9. Ciaran Rowett (R) 26.23
10. Andy Starr 26.40
11. Caron Pugh (R) 26.44
12. Ian Stevens (R) 27.07
13. Michael Jalbert (R) 27.32
14. Lois Brewer 27.50
15. Rhodri Duffee 28.04
16. Justin Manley (R) 28.15
17. Dafydd Wright 28.44
18. Layla Skot Parker & Leif Skot (R) 29.37
19. David Wright (R) 30.06
R = road bike (no tri bars)

(thanks to Adam Hughes for the photo)

Volunteer marshalls needed for Aber Cycle Fest’s big final weekend

Aberystwyth cyclists, family, friends – we need your help to marshall during Aber Cycle Fest’s big final weekend, particularly during the Friday criteriums in the town centre. 

It’s a great opportunity to be close to the action and feel part of the team of volunteers who work so hard to bring this amazing festival to Aber year after year. It’s a supported role with no need for prior experience, and there’s a briefing event next Wednesday evening if you have any questions. 

As a club, we’d love to see as many of our members and associates as possible getting involved in the festival in whichever way possible. You can fill in the online form here http://www.abercyclefest.co.uk/volunteers/ or simply turn up to the briefing event at the Academy pub in town at 6pm next Wednesday, 24 May. Details here: https://www.facebook.com/events/98410017505971222

Limited Edition 65th Anniversary Cycle Jersey – available to order now

The orders for the 65th limited edition jersey have been extended for a few extra days.  All orders have to be with Anita Saycell by Sunday 21st May.  The order will be sent on Monday 22nd May.  All club members should have received an order form via the club email, if you haven’t received an order form contact Anita at anitasaycell@gmail.com.

If you would like to purchase this anniversary jersey, but you are not yet a member, you can join online at: https://www.bc-clubs.co.uk/ystwythcc/index.php/membership/

Priced at £35 with sample sizes available to try at the Time Trial sign-on, Wednesday 17th May at Plascrug Leisure Centre from 6.30pm, and at the Welsh Cycling Mountain Bike Cross Country Series in Penrhyn-coch on 21st May https://tinyurl.com/n7kjckq 

Saturday Social Ride to Cwm Elan

As we’re cancelling all rides on Sunday 21st May to be able to offer marshalling support for Ystwyth Juniors’ hosting of a round of the WMTB XC series, on Saturday 20 May we’ll hold a social ride to Cwm Elan, leaving Plascrug Leisure Centre at 9.30. This is a 72-mile hilly ride with the route plotted here https://www.strava.com/routes/8680157, reaching Cwmystwyth via Devil’s Bridge and the Arch in order to avoid the A44. We will be stopping for a break / lunch at the visitor centre by the dams. The route can be shortened by meeting us at e.g. Devil’s Bridge – please let us know if you intend to do this so that we can arrange to meet. The pace will be similar to that of the Sunday social rides. We will keep an eye on the forecast and may postpone if required.

Fast times in great conditions at the Cwm Rheidol 10 TT

Andrew Poole recorded the fastest time in Cwm Rheidol on Wednesday, 10 May, on a sunny evening which saw several season bests and other fast times, as well as more new riders joining Ystwyth’s popular 2017 TT series.

The club would like to thank everyone who assists in holding these time trials, including providing cake and coffee at all Cwm Rheidol events, with thanks also to all the riders for their support.

Next week will see a return to the Llety Gwyn course, with the first rider off at 7pm.

Cwm Rheidol 10 10/05/17

1. Andrew Poole 23.04
2. Carwyn Henson (R) 24.27
3. Caron Pugh (R) 25.40
4. Martin Saycell 25.56
5. Ciaran Rowett (R) 26.13
6. Paul Brewer 26.21
7. Dan Field 26.58
8. Rhodri Duffee 28.31
9. Dafydd Wright 28.38
10. David Wright (R) 29.18
11. Layla Skot Parker & Leif Skot (R) 29.56
12. Tim Freeman (R) DNF

(R) = road bike (no tri bars)

Browse and Buy Ystwyth Kit at Plascrug LC this Saturday!

This Saturday 13th May at Plascrug Leisure Centre between 10am and 2pm, we’ll be taking over the downstairs meeting room to display all the Ystwyth CC kit that is in stock and is available to purchase. Changing rooms/mirrors will be available to try on kit and you will be able to purchase items to take away on the day. Pop down to say hello and see what we have in stock to purchase. This will also be an opportunity to try the 65th anniversary jersey samples and place your orders.
The meeting room is on the right after the squash courts, or ask at reception if unsure. Kit purchases are restricted to Ystwyth members but membership will also be available on the day at £20 for the 2017 calendar year.
We’ll look forward to seeing you at Plascrug on Saturday! If you are keen to browse or buy kit but can’t make it on Saturday please message us with any requests.





Latest Llety Gwyn TT attracts highest turnout yet

Ieuan Andy Davies continued to dominate the Ystwyth 2017 TT season with another strong performance on the Llety Gwyn course on Wednesday, 3rd May, with Gareth Hodgson clocking the second fastest time on his first appearance this season. Several youth riders competed well on an evening which saw a great turnout and numerous riders taking part in their first TT of the season. A full album of photos can be seen here, with many thanks to Adam Hughes https://hugheses.smugmug.com/Adams-Photos/Ystwyth-CC-TT-3rd-May-2017/
Next week’s TT returns to the Cwm Rheidol course.

Llety Gwyn 10 3/5/17

1. Ieuan Andy Davies 22.53
2. Gareth Hodgson 23.17
3. Josh Tarling 24.18
4. Martyn Saycell 26.03
5. Ciaron Rowett (R) 27.01
6. Andy Starr 27.27
7. Caron Pugh (R) 27.34
8. Lois Brewer 27.41
9. Leah Brewer 28.25
10. Jack Ramsbottom 28.27
11. Alan Haird (R) 28.43
12. Dafydd Wright 28.44
13. Andy Hamilton (R) 28.55
14. David Wright (R) 28.56
15. David Jones (R) 29.09
16. Shannon Haird 30.25
17. Layla Skot Parker & Leif Skot 30.54
18. Paul Brewer DNF

(R) = road bike (no tri bars)

Gareth Hodgson recorded the 2nd fastest time of the evening (Photo: Adam Hughes)