The weather finally turned a corner and the club saw a great turn out for the Tour of Pembrokeshire on a very sunny Saturday.

With a choice of distances, 25, 60, 80 and the 105 miles, Ystwyth CC members Nia, Lynfa and Paul Brewer took on the ultimate distance with nearly 10,000 feet of climbing. Elaine Brewer enjoyed the 25mile event, which was no breeze with nearly 1,500feet of climbing. This looked a tough but great event and a huge well done to all Ystwyth CC riders that took on the Tour.

Sunday proved to be another busy YCC day. Leah and Lois Brewer, not to be outdone by their parents were in action racing the town centre crit in Warwick, and continuing their top racing form. Leah crossed the line in 5th place and Lois just outside a top 10 place in 11th.

The juniors were also busy over the weekend with Lowri competing in the second round of the Welsh MTB series, and crossing the line in 4th place! More junior weekend activities can be found on the Ystwyth Juniors Facebook page: Ystwyth Juniors | Facebook

Closer to home we had a great turn out for the monthly café meet up rides, with 3 different paced groups out riding before heading on to Yr Hen Lew Du for tea, coffee and cake provided by the club and hosted by Gwydion and Sara.

It’s always great to hear what everyone’s up to – drop ystwythcc@gmail.com an email with any news/updates or share on the club social media channels.

With thirteen riders signing on, it promised to be a great evening on this week’s flatter Llety Gwyn 10 mile course. Each rider there to test themselves against the clock and record a 2023 time on this course.

The rain stayed away and the wind remained steady from the south west, which helped the riders slightly on the return leg.

Each rider is set off at 1 minute intervals, which gives an incentive to either catch the person in front or not be caught by riders behind you!

The overall win on the night went to Ystwyth CC rider, Caron Pugh, riding strongly to cross the line in 22.01, which is only seconds away from the course club record he set himself in 2022 with his 21.56.

Taking overall second place and on a road bike, Ieuan Andy (Caffi Gruff) with an impressive 23.45 and closely followed by Daf Wright (Caffi Gruff), having swapped to the road bike this week, clocking a fast time of 24.06 to complete the overall podium.

In the ladies category only one rider on the night, Anita crossed the line in 27.10.

Overall Men

1st – Caron Owen Pugh (22.01)

2nd – Ieuan Andrew Davies (23.45)

3rd – Daf Wright (24.06)

Overall Ladies

1st – Anita Saycell (27.10)

Men’s road bike category winners:

1st – Ieuan Andrew Davies (23.45)

2nd – Daf Wright (24.06)

3rd – Arwel Wyn Jones (25.52)

Next week the series heads back to the Cwm Rheidol 10 mile course. These are great events for all riders to come and test yourself against the clock, get a good workout and catch up afterwards. If it’s your first time let us know and we can chat through the event. All welcome!

These events cannot go ahead without the organisation and help on the night, thanks to go to Andy Hunt, Derek Rattray and Glyn Williams, making the event possible.

Full details of the series can be found here:

2023 Catalina Architecture Time Trial Series – Clwb Beicio Ystwyth Cycling Club

Full Results:

Catalina Architecture & Design TT Series 2023
Round 2.
Caron Owen Pugh (11.15) 22.01
Ieuan Andrew Davies R (11.49) 23.45
Daf Wright R (12.00) 24.06
Paul Brewer (12.39) 25.23
Dylan Gwynn-Jones (12.35) 25.34
Arwel Wyn Jones R (12.48) 25.52
Iestyn Stephens (13.08) 26.15
Anita Saycell (13.45) 27.10
Reggie Middleton R (13.39) 27.33
Mike Fitch R (14.57) 29.44
Tim Strang R (14.46) 30.05
Ian Brandreth R (15.25) 30.43
David Wright R (15.42) 30.44
Timekeepers
Andy Hunt & Derek Rattray
Chief Marshall
Glyn Williams

Note: R – No tri bars

Caron on his way to take the overall win (photo credit: Jonathan Price)

The sun was shining for a great turn out for the first 10 mile time trial of the 2023 season.

Thirteen riders signed on to test themselves on the Cwm Rheidol rolling course. The riders were faced with a lovely tailwind to the Lovesgrove roundabout halfway point, before facing a strong headwind for the return miles to the finish line.

Daf Wright (Caffi Gruff) took the overall win on the night with an impressive 23.32. Crossing the line in second overall place and on a road bike was Ieuan Andy Davies (Caffi Gruff), 23.59 and completing the overall podium, Dylan Gwynn-Jones with 25.06.

In the ladies category Lowri Richards (Tofauti Everyone Active) took the overall win with a strong ride clocking 25.50 and Anita Saycell took second place, with 28.06.

Overall Men

1st – Daf Wright (23.32)

2nd – Ieuan Andy Davies (23.59)

3rd – Dylan Gwynn-Jones (25.06)

Overall Ladies

1st – Lowri Richards (25.50)

2nd – Anita Saycell (28.06)

Men’s road bike category winners:

1st – Ieuan Andy Davies (23.59)

2nd – Arwel Wyn Jones (26.39)

3rd – Reggie Middleton (27.37)

Next week the series heads onto the Llety Gwyn 10 mile course. Full details of the series can be found here:

2023 Catalina Architecture Time Trial Series – Clwb Beicio Ystwyth Cycling Club

Full Results:

Catalina Architecture & Design TT Series Round 1
Daf Wright (10.15) 23.32
Ieuan Andrew Davies R (10.15) 23.59
Dylan Gwynn-Jones (10.53) 25.06
Paul Brewer (11.15) 25.49
Lowri Richards (11.05) 25.50
Iestyn Stephens (11.20) 26.18
Arwel Wyn Jones R (11.25) 26.39
Reggie Middleton R (11.57) 27.37
Michael Tarling R (11.40) 27.51
Anita Saycell (11.49) 28.06
Toby Everard (12.58) 30.39
Mike Fitch R (12.55) 30.47
David Wright R (13.30) 32.05
Timekeepers
Andy Hunt & Derek Rattray
Chief Marshal
Glyn Williams

Note: R – No tri bars

These events cannot go ahead without the organisation and help on the night, thanks to go to Andy Hunt, Derek Rattray and Glyn Williams making the event possible.

It’s great to hear about the different events and activities that YCC members are taking part in and often gives other members ideas for future events!

To share your events and activities, either post up on the club Facebook site or email: ystwythcc@gmail.com

Well done to Charlie Baxter’s fantastic finish on round one at the National Downhill Championships (Cambrian News article here), and to the all the juniors racing last week in their club colours and doing the club proud! More details can be found on the Junior Facebook page.

Many senior club members were also out and about in various events (and weather!), ranging from gravel, road races and triathlons.

Last Saturday it was great to see the club represented at the North Wales Gravel X event near Ruthin. Nia, Sarah, Andy, John, Lynfa and Rob all took on the challenging gravel ride, which looked a fantastic route and event. I’m sure they will be happy to chat about the event for anyone considering a gravel event this year.

Then on to Sunday, a bit further afield, Leah and Lois Brewer were racing their first road race of the season, the Bradfield Bash Road Race, near Sheffield. They both finished in an impressive top 5 against a strong field, Leah in 4th place and Lois in 5th, earning them some hefty points for the start of the season. Well done girls!

Closer to home, on a damp Sunday morning in Machynlleth, Gavin was part of a relay triathlon team and provided a strong bike leg for his team mates. While Maggie raced all three disciplines for her first triathlon of the 2023 season. Maggie swam the 400m, cycled the 16km then ran the 6km to race her way to 1st in her age category and 10th overall.

While further afield in a much warmer climate, many of the 8.30 Sunday riders have swapped their winter kit for shorts and jerseys and are enjoying some amazing looking scenery, while riding out in sunny Spain!

If you haven’t signed up to any events yet, come along to the first club timetrial, next week (3rd May), these are great weekly local events to test yourself against the clock. Keep an eye (email and Facebook) for more details over the next week.

Don’t forget that you can purchase all types of club kit to wear when representing the club, the NoPinz range has running vests, tri suits as well as road and cross skinsuits/race suits. While Paul T has a range of club Castelli Kit available. More details: Club Kit – Clwb Beicio Ystwyth Cycling Club

Become an Ystwyth CC member for 2023.

Join online: Membership – Clwb Beicio Ystwyth Cycling Club

Paper membership forms available in Summit Cycles.

The membership year runs from January to December.

Senior – £20 (+ £1 admin fee)
Student – £15 (+ £1 admin fee)
Junior (17-18yrs.) – £7 (+ £1 admin fee)
Youth (0-16yrs.) – £5 (+ £1 admin fee)

Need any further help? Contact the Ystwyth CC Club Membership Secretary:
Andy Davies andrewdavies113@btinternet.com

After the official business and AGM it was great to be able to award and recognise the riders for their achievements and contributions during the year.

Club Mountain Biker of the Year – Dylan Williams

Mens TT League Winner – Caron Pugh

Womens TT League Winner – Elaine Rowlands

Handicap TT Award– Mike Fitch

Club Road Race Award – Lois Brewer

Hilly TT Award– Richard Pizzey

Hill Climb Award – Caron Pugh

During the evening the club also launched the limited edition 70th jersey to celebrate the 70 year anniversairy.

The limited Castelli jerseys have been designed to match the club’s original colours and logo. These are available in mens and ladies sizes.

Contact Paul Tedaldi to purchase: Club Kit – Clwb Beicio Ystwyth Cycling Club

To celebrate the club’s 70th year, the Club Chairman, Andy Davies arranged for commemorative ties in the club’s original colours and logo.
At the start of the year, Andy Davies presented each Life Member with one of these special ties, designed to reflect the burgundy of the original club jersey worn from 1952-1965.

Thanks to the foresight of one of the club’s life members, Ken Williams, who has been collecting each club jersey throughout the club’s history and thanks to Kristian Bond’s photography, (Kristian’s grandparents are both Life Members) the club have a record of the club’s cycle jerseys throughout the seventy years.

The jersey’s can be viewed here:
Ystwyth CC jerseys through the years | Ystwyth Cycling Club News

We are grateful to all of our life members that have contributed so much to the club and many continue to do so. We hope they are able to join us to celebrate at the Club’s 70th Anniversary Dinner on Saturday 15th October. The tickets will be on sale shortly.

The time trials are back! Sign up and have a go for 2022 – they are great events for all riders to challenge themselves against the clock. All the courses are in or near Aberystwyth, making it easy to access and take part in a weekly local event.

All club members are welcome, and no special equipment is needed. Just bring yourself, and a road worthy bike with a rear light.

Also, returning to sponsor the series this year, the club are grateful to Catalina Architecture + Design Ltd.

The first event starts Wednesday 4th May. This will be held on the 10 mile course starting at Statkraft Visitor Centre.

Further details on how to sign up for the first TT will be posted before Wednesday 5th May on the club Facebook site.

A list of the 2022 TT dates can be found here: 2022 Catalina Architecture TT Series

The club introduced a new award at the end of 2021 for ‘Mountain Biker of the Year’.

Dylan (MTB Secretary) presented the first winner of this award to a very deserving winner, Dave Reed.

Dave has continuously been involved and supported the MTB side of the club for over 20 years and the award was a chance to recognize his involvement for the club.

The club membership is now open!!  It’s only £20 for the year (18 years old +), and cheaper prices for youth, juniors and students. Visit the YCC membership page for the link to join: https://www.ystwyth.cc/membership/

Join the club online to ensure you receive the great offers, benefits and events that are open to Ystwyth Cycle Club members only and be part of a special year to help the club celebrate it’s 70th birthday:  https://www.ystwyth.cc/membership/

Your membership will run from January to December.

If you have any problems please don’t hesitate to contact the Club Membership Secretary Andy Davies:  andrewdavies113@btinternet.com 

A step by step guide is available for further help: https://www.ystwyth.cc/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/2020YCCmembership-help.pdf