Great Performances by Members

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It is pleasing to see our riders representing Acme in a variety of cycle-sport’s branches these days and achieving good results.

Ogmore 25, 26th April

Dan Taylor 56.00

Anthony Redman 57.53

Welsh 25 Champs, 3rd May_DSC1926

Steve Bennett 55.06

Gary Flower 55.51

Anthony Redman 55.52

Dai Long 56.52

Kev Bartlemore 57.11

Ross Morgan 59.17

Jeff Rees 1.02.44

Simon Kinsey 1.06.56

Eddie Morse 1.13.33

Rees Morse 1.22.40 inc 1.16 late start.

Welsh Road Champs, 3rd May

Dan Taylor 19th place and first 3rd Cat rider. Average speed 25.2 for the 85 miles.

On Tuesday 12th May some of our riders competed in the Cwmcarn 10 mile Time Trial where the battle for Club honours was again very close. Neale Lewis came out on top in 23.39 with Kevin Bartlemore just 13 seconds slower in 23.52. He, in turn, had to fight for his position with Ross Morgan snapping at his heels in 23.55. Jeff Rees was the oldest and last of our riders finishing in 25.10 on a very windy evening.

The VTTA 10 mile event on the R10/17, Abergavenny to Raglan course on Saturday 16th May was also affected by fairly strong winds. Five Acme riders competed with Anthony Redman coming out at the top of our riders this time with his 23.12. Kevin Bartlemore recorded 23.47 to take 1.05 off his best for the last three seasons. Jeff Rees also produced a best LTS with 24.45. In the non-aero section, Steve Williams finished with 25.21 while Alec Morris recorded 26.17, taking 57 seconds off his Personal Best.

Thomas Stoddart, concentrating on his preferred sport of mountain biking, competed in the Pembrey XC [Cross Country] Series over the winter and was very competitive throughout. In the first two races he gained a 7th place and then, despite a bout of illness, still achieved 11th place in the third event.

Tom achieved his highest placing in the fourth and fifth events of the series where he fought to an excellent 6th place in both. The fourth round race was also used as the first race of the Welsh XC MTB Series.

Congratulations are due to Tom for these results which have earned him Overall Winner in the Pembrey Winter XC Series in the Sports Category.

Tom is shown here competing in a cyclo-cross race.

Winter Training Paying Off

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Acme seems to be regaining its status as a racing club this year with many more members participating. Tom Stoddard is focusing on his mountain bike racing this year and we hope to have a report on his exploits soon. The circuit racing at Llandow is popular and road racing is also part of the scene. The first of our club championship events, the 30 mile Time Trial, was contested by six members while many more have since made a start to their TT season. In the Ogmore Valley Wheelers 25 on 26th April, Dan Taylor was our fastest rider in 56.00 with Anthony Redman in 57.53 the only other Acme rider to go under the hour. Jeff Rees showed early form with his 1.01.58, Neale Lewis recorded 1.02.25 and Simon Kinsey 1.11.04.

Action then moved onto the Port Talbot Wheelers 10 mile TT on 2nd May. This evDSC_7716 - web newsent incorporated the South Wales District GHS 10 mile Championship where Alec Morris set off in the rain in the 15 year old boys category. This course is tough with rough road surfaces and the Rock and Fountain climb to contend with so his time of 27.14 in his first ever open TT was an excellent one which beat nine riders in the main event which followed. Having won his medal on the day with a gutsy performance he will have to travel to the North London District to participate in the National Final on 12th September. In the main event, Jeff Rees, very keen again this year, recorded 26.47, evergreen Kevin Bartlemore 24.52 with Ross Morgan close on his heels with 25.14. That led us into our Club 25 mile TT Championship, incorporated in the Welsh Champs the following day. Bad weather again threatened to spoil the occasion but times were surpisingly good. An unprecedented [in recent years] ten riders competed for our championship, five in the main event and five in the overflow. Simon Kinsey took over four minutes off his time in the Ogmore event, recording 1.06.56. Eddie Morse, making a comeback, finished in 1.13.33 and Reece Morse 1.22.40 which included a 1.16 late start. Jeff Rees, feeling the effects of his efforts the day before, slowed a little to 1.02.44 while Ross Morgan surprised everyone by going under the hour in his first season to record 59.17 and claim his club silver standard for the distance. The main event which followed was a close fought challenge where Kevin Bartlemore finished in 57.11, Dai Long in 56.52, a personal best by minutes, Anthony Redman, regaining form with 55.52 and Gary Flower 55.51 for second place in our Club Champs just as in the 30 Champs. Fastest Acme rider was, unsurprisingly, Steve Bennett, 55.06, claiming yet another Club Championship to add to his palmares. Winner of the Club 30 Champs, Dan Taylor, was unable to challenge Steve having entered theWelsh Champs Road Race held on the same day. Feeling quite intimidated by the long distance and elite and pro riders in the field, he acquitted himself well to finish in 19th place, 30 seconds behind a small group chasing the break with an average speed of 25.2 mph for the 85 miles ! Acme are now 9th in the regional points table.

It is still early in the season so everyone is keen to build on their performances as the weather improves. Ross has now brought his 10 mile time down to a short 23 and Alec has entered his next event, looking for a faster time. The Port Talbot Wheelers 4-up 25 mile TT, always looked forward to by our riders, will this year have four Acme teams competing. The club is certainly progressing.

21st April

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It was with great sadness that Acme members heard that Debbie Millard had passed away on the day of our Open 25. Debbie had fought illness bravely for many years supported by her family and friends. Debbie was known to many of our members as she helped at our Open events since Kevin joined the Club.

Acme members and their wives joined Kevin, Paul and their family and friends to pay their last respects to Debbie at the Service in Trealaw and later at the Labour Club in Penygraig. Kevin and Paul wish to express their thanks to Acme members for their cards of support and their attendance at the interrment.

5th April

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Club Hilly Fondo

Eight members started our annual Fondo, in conditions which could not have been different from those experienced at the Open 25 the previous Sunday. The eight members were joined by former member Mike Bevan who is looking to improve his fitness.

The nine riders set off together and rode as group as far as Ferndale when they took on the first climb through Blaenllechau and over the top to Llanwonno. Here the group split up never to regroup during the morning. First over the top was Steve Williams and Thomas Stoddart, looking very comfortable, with Ross Morgan third rider around 50 yards behind.

Dean Cummings and Tavis Rees were the next two over, not too far behind closely followed by Jeff Rees. New member Craig Weeks came next with Mike Bevan and Kerry Lewis finding this climb very steep.

From the top all riders were able to take a breather on the fast descent through the forest and on to Ynysbwl. Jeff Rees forgot his sat nav and took a right at the junction in the forest taking the climb to Mountain Ash and down the Cynon Valley before picking up the route again just after Abercynon.

At the top of the incline from Treforest the order had changed a little, Steve and Thomas were still riding well together at the front, a few minutes up on Dean and Tavis who were now riding together. Ross had lost a few places but was determined to get back up the front. Then, amazingly, along came Jeff who had added quite a distance to his route. Kerry, Mike and Craig made a very photogenic group as they topped the incline.

The pace quickened up as the riders went through Tonteg and Llantwit Fadre. The next climb was over Southgate on down to the lights in Talbot Green. Dean and Tavis caught Thomas and Steve but as the quartet went towards Thomastown Thomas and Steve pulled ahead again before climbing “Boot Hill” to Gilfach and on to Blackmill.

Tavis lost a bit of time in the Ogmore Valley drag as he ran out of water and needed to refill at a garage, he also helped another rider with a puncture problem. Just before the Clock climb Steve eased away from Thomas, who was beginning to feel the heat. At the final big bend on the climb Steve was looking very comfortable a short distance in front of Thomas. Ross had ridden with Dean along the Ogmore Valley but pulled away from him on the climb riding about 4 minutes behind Thomas. Dean followed shortly after. The other riders were strung out over the climb. The order on the Cwmparc side saw Jeff Rees first down followed by Tavis Craig and Kerry.

By this time Steve had finished followed by Thomas, Ross and Dean.

The Club 30 Championship this year was contested by five members. Fastest was Dan Taylor with an excellent 1.12.27, an improvement of 40 seconds on his personal best set last year. In second place was Gary Flower, with a later start to his season, who powered around in 1.14.14. Only a minute behind was ever keen Kevin Bartlemore with 1.15.14 for third place. Dai Long finished in 1.17.08 which was a personal best by over a minute followed by Dean Cummings, still enjoying the thrill of competition and finishing in 1.28.08.

News from the circuit series at Maindy is that Steve Williams [3rd Cat] gained a 3rd place last week followed by 4th place last night which earned him enough points to qualify for a 3rd Cat licence. Well done Steve ! Meanwhile, Dan Taylor [3rd Cat] took a 9th place in his event last week and was possibly in the top ten again last night.

A warm welcome is extended to our newest member of Acme Wheelers, 40 year old Carl Middleton of Gelli. We look forward to meeting you and enjoying your company on the road, Carl.

Please note that the clubroom will be open this Friday from 7 pm and Dave Roberts looks forward to meeting up with everyone for a cup of tea and all the latest news . For those who are interested, he will be bringing lots of result sheets dating back to the 1930’s which form a great part of our Club’s racing history.

3rd April

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The terrible weather ruined our Bryn Griffiths Memorial 25 mile Time Trial when just sixteen riders challenged the howling gale. Only fourteen of those finished on a day which saw professional riders like Geraint Thomas blown off the road in Belgium. Luckily, previous events had fared better so our riders were able to make a start to their TT season. In the Cardiff Ajax 10 mile event on 14th March, Dan Taylor recorded 23-33 for 14th place overall ; Dail Long finished with 24-57 and Ross Morgan, riding in his first ever open event, with a very pleasing 25-43. The following day saw our riders competing in the Port Talbot Wheelers 2-up 25 mile team event. The winners were professional riders, Matt Rowe, NFTO and Olympic rider Dani King, Wiggle-Honda in 57 mins 28 secs. Dan was again our best placed rider, finishing with partner Kevin Bartlemore in 1 hour 2 minutes and 4 seconds to claim 11th place overall. Steve Williams and Ross finished in 20th place with 1-05-57 beating Dai and Steve Bennett by just 1 second.

Below are some photos sent in by Ross.