Earlier in the day the best of the British riders battled out the British Time Trial Championships, including our local regular pro rider Lowri Richards and our course record holder Josh Tarling. A fantastic win for Josh to earn the national stripes and great to see local names in the line up!

Inspired by the local successes, nine riders turned out for a sunny evening on the Cwm Rheidol 10 mile course to test their lungs and legs. With light winds from the north west, there would be no weather excuses!

Caron proved the strongest on the night taking the win, with his 22.13 time. In second place, it was great to see long time club member back on the TT bike and proving he hasn’t lost any TT speed. Dewi Hughes crossed the line in 23.58. Completing the podium Adam Hepburn, riding strongly on his road bike to cross the line 24.05.

In the ladies event, Anita crossed the line in 27.25 to take the win, with Emma on her road bike, riding strongly to finish in 27.30.

Mike Fitch and Martin Williams battled the 70+ category, with Mike taking the win in 29.39. Congratulations too to David Bond, dipping under that 30 minute barrier on his road bike and taking two and a half minutes from the first Cwm Rheidol Time Trial he rode this year!

Well done to all the riders and to Andy H, Derek, Scott and Elaine for time keeping and marshalling making the event possible.

Next week (26 June) the series moves to the Devil’s Bridge Hilly time trial course. This course is just over 25km and heads out through Moriah, Devil’s Bridge and Ponterwyd. Further sign on details will be posted on the Club Facebook page.

Round 8 Results – Cwm Rheidol 10 mile:
Caron Owen Pugh 22.13
Dewi Hughes 23.58
Adam Hepburn R 24.05
Anita Saycell 27.25
Emma Palfrey R 27.30
Mike Fitch 29.39
David Bond R 29.45
Martin Williams R 31.14
Llyr Morgan R 33.12

Timekeepers
Andy Hunt & Derek Rattray
Marshals
Scott Tompsett & Elaine Rowlands

The first of the club’s Strava challenges, saw club members heading out on the trails and the road to clock as many miles as they could while enjoying the mixed weather!

The top three riders would be recognised for the following;

• The longest ride
• The total distance
• Highest average speed
• Highest Elevation

The Strava challenge ended at midnight on the 16 June and the winners were announced (see video below). Next time I think the club will have to ban holiday miles!!

Well done to all 36 members that took part during the week!

More Club Strava Challenges to be announced shortly!

With a rare full sun on the forecast, it was great to see nine riders lined up for the Llety Gwyn 10 mile course. Unfortunately, a mechanical at the start meant that one rider had to abandon, leaving the eight to tackle the course.

With the TT secretary away training hard abroad, the riders were left in the capable hands of Elaine, Derek, Scott and Aled to organise, time keep and marshal the event. Thank you to all of them that made the event possible, as well as a thank you to all the riders!

With the westerly wind slightly helping the riders on the outward leg, it was going to be an interesting evening to see if the conditions favoured the riders and fast times.

Once the results were collated, it was Caron Pugh who took a convincing win for the men, looking strong and finishing across the line with 22.19. Taking the second podium spot Ade Price, in 28.06 and David Bond completing the podium in 28.46.

In the women’s event, Lowri Richards was back on her TT bike this week to take the win with a swift 25.33. Emma Palfrey fresh from her win at the Fishguard Sprint Triathlon, crossed the line in second with 25.56.

It was great to see Llyr Morgan, returning back to the time trials and a mention to David Bond who is riding consistently and improving week on week. As well as taking the third podium spot, David had knocked over a minute from his Llety Gwyn previous time.

Next week the time trial series heads back to Cwm Rheidol. All riders are welcome, and further details will be posted on the Club Facebook page before the event.

Round 7 Results – Llety Gwyn 10 mile:
Caron Pugh 22:19
Lowri Richards 25:33
Emma Palfrey 25:56
Anita Saycell 27:12
Ade Price 28:06
David Bond (R) 28:46
Mike Fitch (R) 29:55
Llyr Morgan 33:32

R = No TT bars

Timekeepers
Derek Rattray & Elaine Rowlands
Chief Marshal
Scott Tompsett
Marshal
Aled Richards

With many away this week, it was down to four riders to take on the rolling Cwm Rheidol 10 mile course. With a strong south westly wind, which proved a battle on the outward leg but a welcome assist on the return to the finish line, it wasn’t going to be an easy night for the riders.

Lowri Richards on top form, chose her road bike over her TT bike and rode strongly to take the ladies and the overall win, with 26.58.

In the men’s event it was great to see triathlete David Jones, riding his first Ystwyth TT of the year and winning the top podium place with his time of 28.29. David Bond took the second spot with his fastest Cwm Rheidol TT time of the year, 30.03.

Well done to all the riders and thank you to Andy H, Derek and Scott for their timekeeping and marshalling, making the event possible.

Next week the time trial series returns to the flatter Llety Gwyn 10 mile course. All riders are welcome, and further details will be posted on the Club Facebook page before the event.

Round 6 Results – Cwm Rheidol:
Lowri Richards R 26.58
Anita Saycell 27.31
David Jones 28.29
David Bond R 30.03

R = No TT bars

Timekeepers
Andy Hunt & Derek Rattray
Chief Marshal
Scott Tompsett

With a change from the usual 10 mile time trial, the riders had a chance to test their descending skills as well as their climbing. The route starts near Nant yr Arian and heads down to Lovesgrove roundabout before heading back up the same way, totalling around 300 meters of climbing over the 20km time trial.

The weather stayed dry and the north westerly wind helped the ten riders back up the long climb to the finish.

It was great to see Adam Hepburn and Tim Strang back at the time trials and riding strongly, with Tim setting a new age group TT record on this tough course!

Gruffudd Lewis, fresh from his recent podium age group place in Mallorca Ironman 70.3, proved the strongest on the night, taking the overall win on his road bike with 31.13, hot on his heels was Caron Pugh taking second place and Andy Hunt completing the podium in a swift 32.41.

In the women’s event, Emma Palfrey on her TT bike took the win on the night with her impressive time of 37.26, followed by Lowri Richards riding strongly on her road bike to take second place with 39.11 and Anita completing the podium in third place.

Round 5 Results – Nant yr Arian Hilly:

Gruffudd Lewis R 31.13
Caron Owen Pugh 31.37
Andy Hunt 32.41
Adam Hepburn R 33.48
Paul Brewer 34.49
Emma Palfrey 37.26
Lowri Richards R 39.11
Anita Saycell R 41.49
David Bond R 44.38
Tim Strang R 45.54

R = No TT bars

Timekeepers
Derek Rattray & Elaine Rowlands
Marshals
Scott Tompsett & Glyn Williams

Well done to all the riders taking on this tough course, and a very big thank you to Derek, Elaine, Scott and Glyn for their organisation and help on the night, making the event possible.

Next week the time trial series heads back to Cwm Rheidol. All riders are welcome, and further details will be posted on the Club Facebook page before the event.

Photo Credits: Adrian Price

Returning back to the Llety Gwyn course this week, the riders had a chance to compare their times from two weeks ago. This relatively flat 10 mile course, takes the riders from Llanbadarn out on the A44, then down the Rheidol valley to the half way turn.

However the sunny spring weather decided to hide and the riders were faced with rain, lower temperatures and a strong north westerly wind. This didn’t deter four riders who braved the elements to take on the course.

Despite the challenging weather, David Bond and Martin Williams both rode strongly to post faster times than two weeks ago.

Lowri Richards took the overall win on the night, as well as the female win. She is riding this year for Pro-Noctis – 200º Coffee – Hargreaves Contracting Ltd and it’s great to see Lowri supporting and racing the Ystwyth time trials.

Round 4 Results – Llety Gwyn 10 mile:

Lowri Richards 26.22
Anita Saycell 27.27
David Bond R 29.53
Martin Williams R 30.36

Timekeepers
Andy Hunt & Derek Rattray
Chief Marshal
Scott Tompsett
Joint Chief of Staff
Kristian Bond

Lowri Richards (Photo credit: Aled Richards):

Well done to all the riders that braved the elements, and a very big thank you to Andy H, Derek, Scott and Kristian for their organisation and help on the night, making the event possible.

Next week the time trial series heads to Nant yr Arian, where the riders have the chance to test their descending skills to Lovesgrove roundabout, before making the climb back up to the start. All riders are welcome, and further details will be posted on the Club Facebook page before the event.

The riders returned this week to the rolling 10 mile Cwm Rheidol route. This out and back course tested the riders legs, with the effort proving worthwhile, as many riders improved their time from a couple of weeks ago. Most notably, David Bond and Mike Fitch, both managing to knock a couple of minutes from their previous times this year.

It was great to see the club time trial organiser Andy H, swapping his clipboard for his wheels and testing himself on the course this season to cross the line in 3rd place.

Taking the top spots this week, Finley Tarling in first place, Rich Pizzey taking second and Andy H completing the podium.

In the ladies event, Lowri Richards proving her strength this season took the win with Emma Palfrey, fresh from her podium in Llanelli Triathlon, taking second place.

Well done and thank you to all the riders, Derek, Scott and Kristian for their organisation and help on the night, making the event possible.

Next week the time trial series returns to the Llety Gwyn 10 mile course. All riders welcome, and details will be posted on the Club Facebook page beforehand.

Round 3 Results – Cwm Rheidol 10 mile:

Finlay Tarling 20.05
Richard Pizzey 22.09
Andy Hunt 23.29
Lowri Richards 24.30
Paul Brewer 25.06
Emma Palfrey 25.49
David Bond 30.04
Mike Fitch 30.11
Martin Williams 30.39
Timekeepers
Derek Rattray & Scott Tompsett
Chief Marshal
Kristian Bond

Everyone welcome (members and non-members) this Sunday, meet for 9.30am at Plascrug Leisure Centre for a social ride that finishes at Yr Hen Lew Du, Aberystwyth for cake and coffee provided by the club.

See you all there!

As a club we have raised and donated over £1,500 to Papyrus, a national charity working to prevent suicide in young people.

Thanks to everyone that was involved and came together for the memorial ride, auction, club dinner and the raffle. As a club this enabled us to raise this fantastic amount in memory of the friends we have lost and to be able to support others and each other going forward.

We will continue to work with Papyrus to raise awareness and support, and have recently set up a page on our website for anyone looking for further information and support:

Papyrus – Clwb Beicio Ystwyth Cycling Club

Cambrian News Article (2 May 2024): https://www.cambrian-news.co.uk/sport/ystwyth-cycling-club-raises-over-ps1550-for-suicide-charity-papyrus-685163

This week saw twelve riders taking on the flatter Llety Gwyn course, named after the local hotel that used to be the sign on location for this 10 mile time trial.

The Llety Gwyn course is one of the oldest of the club courses. The route heads out on the A44, then down towards Cwm Rheidol to reach the 5 mile point, before returning back to the start.

Many notable names have ridden this course. British professional cyclist, Leah Dixon holds the women’s course record set in 2021, with her time off 22.20. While Josh Tarling, riding at the time for Flanderscolor-Galloo in 2022, holds the fastest men’s time with 19.31.

Last night saw Finley Tarling take the win on the night, with Caron and Rich battling for 2nd and 3rd. Caron took the spoils this week with Rich closely following only 21 seconds behind.

In the ladies event, Lowri Richards, looking strong from a good winter of training, took the win with her time of 24.31 and Anita taking second in 27.22.

These events are a fantastic way for riders to test themselves against the clock, and provide great training for all cyclists and triathletes.

Round 2 Results – Llety Gwyn 10 mile

Finlay Tarling 19.58
Caron Owen Pugh 22.09
Richard Pizzey 22.30
Arwel Wyn Jones 24.01
Lowri Richards 24.31
Kristian Bond R 25.07
Paul Brewer 25.19
Glyn Williams 26.14
Anita Saycell 27.22
David Bond R 30.39
Martin Williams R 30.53
Mike Fitch R 31.07

Timekeepers
Derek Rattray & Elaine Rowlands
Chief Marshal
Andy Hunt

Thanks to all the riders, Andy H, Derek and Elaine for their organisation and help on the night, making the event possible.

Next week the time trial series returns to the Cwm Rheidol 10 mile course. All riders welcome, and details will be posted on the Club Facebook page beforehand.