24th January

Because of the current road conditions and the uncertainty of the weather over the weekend the decision has been made to postpone the 50 mile Reliability Ride scheduled for Sunday. It seems there may be an additional problem, with road works and lights on a railway bridge on the Flats and the possibility of road closure. Jeff has e-mailed as many members as possible and everyone will be informed of the new date when a decision is made.

Although a snow scene is always attractive, it is frustrating not being able to cycle for such a long period but it is not so unusual.

Some of you will remember 1983 ( I think ) when the Rhondda was totally shut down for almost a fortnight. The army was drafted in to help clear the roads and snow drifts were up to roof level.

Older members can think back to early 1963 with its deep snow. On that occasion, riding was almost impossible from the beginning of January with a mixture of snow, ice and freezing rain which continued on and off throughout the month.

On the 6th January, a small, intrepid group rode down to Llantwit Major and St Athan. Going toward Cowbridge only the triangle at the top of a roadside sign was visible because of the deep snow. Near Llandow there was no sign of the road and although it was clear after St Athan, it was impossible to see over the snow on either side of the road.

More snow followed in the first three weeks of February and then on 3rd March the clubrun went via Talbot Green to Swansea and back over the Rhigos.

The road was officially closed but we rode up past Tower Colliery with the track narrowing to car width and the snow at shoulder height on both sides. A small number of sightseers had driven up to the hairpin by the lake, which had frozen over and we rode past to come to an abrupt stop.

In those days the final part of the climb from the lake and round the top bend went through a deep cutting which was full of snow and we were faced with a ten foot wall of it. We hacked footholds in the snow, some of the boys climbed up and then reached down and grabbed the bikes as they were handed up.

There was no sign of the road from there, just pristine snow, so we walked across the top, passing a bulldozer and other equipment which had been snowed in. The army were apparently sent in to blast the snow away but failed. We had to walk all the way down to the watchman’s hut before it was possible to ride again.

We were tough in those days !

12th January

The first clubnight of the new year drew a good number of members keen to mix some training with a chat and a cup of tea. No doubt some were thinking of the forthcoming 50 mile Reliability Ride scheduled for 27th January. This is not a race but you can choose a finish time to suit your current fitness or be a challenge. Riders will start in groups at 09.00 hours for a four hour cut off, 09.30 for three and a half hours or 10.00 for three hours.

On Sundays when there is no reliability ride the clubrun will split to reflect the wishes of the riders. Those who want a leisurely ride and cafe stop can do so while those intending to race this year may join in a structured training ride.

The dates for the Club Time Trial Championships in 2013 are :

21st April – 30 miles

5th May – 25 miles

23rd June – 50 miles.

11th August – 100 miles

18th August – 10 miles

1st September – 12 hours

1st January

The Clubroom will re-open for 2013 on Thursday 10th January. Come along for a chat or better still bring your bike and get rid of some Christmas flab while improving your riding technique on the rollers like young Evan.

All members will wish to join in wishing a Happy 80th Birthday, today, 1st January, to Tony Gammon of Tonyrefail.

Although no longer active on a bike, Tony, one of our longest standing members, has been an Honorary life Member for over 50 years. Although he soon decided that racing was not for him he then dedicated himself to organisational tasks, becoming a hard working and essential part of the Club.

Tony still values his ties with the club and we wish him many more years of supporting the Acme Wheelers.

For those who haven’t discovered them yet, lots of photos from the Christmas Dinner are in the Photo Gallery.