Category Archives: 2016 News

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Today I got in my car and typed in the post code for the Blaenau Gwent 25 TT HQ, NP15 2EN, not realising where it was.   When I arrived at the HQ it brought back a flood of memories from the mid 90’s when I was a youngster going to cycling events with my grandfather.

 I remember the place as a kid, but not the name, now I know it is the Old Church Hall Raglan. A lot has changed since then. That is where the Raglan 50 was held and I remember there use to be a big event on that day and Grandpa “Nev” use to take the Acme rollers along and let people have a go.

 I also remember going on the bouncy castle and watching 3 men drinking a pint of beans and a bean bath. They were the fun old days for some of the boys and girls. Unfortunately the ground that I once had fun on and memories of is now a car park (touch of Max Boyce there)  but the school is still there.   I shall always treasure those memories. Good times. 

Many Club members will remember New Yeo for his enthusiasm in everything he did.  Thanks for that Ross


Also I think it was 1995 or 4

The CARTEN100

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The CARTEN100  is a 100+ mile ride from Cardiff to Tenby, over what the organisers describe as “fairly benign” roads.  This year the ride started outside City Hall and finished in Tudor Square before the riders went on to the harbour to collect their finishers T-shirts and eat their free pasta meal.

Acme member Tommy Doherty joined around 2000 riders and was delighted with the beautiful Welsh weather of light cloud, sunshine and an easterly wind at his back. Typical cycling day in Wales.  The Carten100 is known to be a tough ride so Tommy’s priority was to finish safely and was looking for a time of around 6h 30m.

Tommy’s ride did not go exactly to plan when he hit a post alongside a cycle path, fortunately his bike was not damaged but Tommy felt the bump.  His advice for anyone thinking of entering next year is to prepare thoroughly, both physically and mentally.  He found the feed stations less well stocked than he would have expected and was glad he carried his own supply of gels.

While the last 30 miles were “rolling” with some sharp kicks, Tommy still managed to finish in the top 30 with a time of 5h 49m and thoroughly enjoyed his day.  Well done you.

Before Tommy takes on the Wales Velothon he will enjoy a well earned rest back in his native Ireland.  Will the weather be as good as it is in Wales!!

WCA25 Report

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The month of May began with a big event, the WCA 25ml Championships had 240 entrants in two events on the R25/3H Course.  Seven of the starters were Acme Wheelers members, so the Club was well represented. 

Nadine Cannon went off at 10:26 in the Women’s Event. Looking to build on previous good form and go under the hour again, the wet and windy conditions encountered meant she was pleased with her time of 1:00:51.  Nadine’s time gave her 5th place in the Women’s Event (probably 3rd Welsh rider) so well done to her.

Our men had mixed fortunes, all of them feeling the effects of the wet and windy conditions yet all going under the hour. Neale Lewisposted a 59.07.   Simon Kinsey was hoping togo under 59 minutes but the conditions combined with him losing a bit of concentration left him a little disappointed with his time of 59:25.  Anthony Redman’s goal was to ride an even paced event and ultimately he was quite content with his time of 57:07.  Chris Woolley continues his good form, but longs for some dry, wind free racing.  Good luck with that Chris !!  Chris was happy with his time of 56:40 and has his sights set on setting a PB on a 100ml course.

Ross Morgan was celebrating on Sunday night after posting a PB of 55:58 on the day.  In the wet and windy conditions he was rightly very happy with this creditable performance.  1:19 separated Ross from the new Club 25 Champion, Gary Flower who finished with a 54:39.  Our new champion’s goal for the day was to improve on his last year’s performance and compete for the Club Champion’s title.  Concentrating on an even paced ride and not to become distracted by the pace of other riders, Gary was very pleased with his day’s efforts. His future goals include entering triathlons as well as continuing with the TT races.  The Club wishes him and all our racers well with their efforts in the future.

Early Season Reports

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April has not been as busy for racers as March because Easter was early and two Sundays were left empty.  The month started with our own Open 25 which went very well thanks to the efforts of those members who gave up their time to ensure its success.  There were 110 entrants but around 15 did not start on the day.  Still the best entry we have had for a few years now.

A number of Acme Riders entered the race and several have sent in a report about their race on the day.  Simon Kinsey was hurting on the way back into quite a stiff wind and he advises others to keep their head up and watch the road because unfortunately he DNF after hitting a pothole and puncturing in both wheels.  Anthony Redman and Ross Morgan had better fortunes, both going under the hour. 

Ross was reasonably happy with his finishing time of  59:10 after having no specific goal for the day.  Anthony had mixed feelings about his time of 59:15. Anthony advises others to sort out their gears before the race.  Seems like he forgot to follow his own advise.  This was Anthony’s first start of the season so it suggests he will improve as the season progresses.

Next up for Acme members was the Bynea 30 on the R30 Llanwrda to Carmarthen road.  Conditions were cold but with no wind.  Chris Wooley enjoys this testing course because of its quiet roads and well run event.  He was looking for a PB and was quite satisfied with 1:12:47.  Congratulations to Chris on becoming the Club 30ml Champion for 2016.     Gary Flower also entered and finished with a time of  1:13:39.

April 24th saw the OVW 25 on the R25/3H Course run in dry conditions but riders had to contend with a head wind after the turn.  Simon Kinsey was looking to go under the hour for the first time on this course so must have been pleased with his time of  59:28. Simon noticed that the pothole is still there and will be looking out for it when he returns for the WCA 25.  Ross Morgan continues to improve and posted a PB of 57:01.  Quite an achievement in the windy conditions.

Other Club  Members who entered included  Nadine Cannon, Jeff Rees, Anthony Redman and Chris Wooley.

Acme will be well represented at the WCA 25  on the R25/3H  Course, hopefully we will have a report from all of them.  Good luck to all our members on the day which is also our Club 25 Championship event.

Acme Members get the 2016 season off to a Great Start

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Acme Wheelers members have been very active racing from the word go this season, the wet winter doesn’t seem to have caused too much of a problem.

The season started for four of our members at the EC Cycles 10m TT  (R10/22A) on the 6th March.  Times posted were very creditable for this time of year on a cold day, Kevin Bartlemore posting a 23:47,  Simon Kinsey a 24:25 10 seconds off his best for that course, with Ross Morgan close behind at 24:30.  Special mention must be made of Nadine Cannon who posted a 23:52, a ten minute improvement on her time of last season.  Well done Nadine.

Not to be outdone, the road racers got in on the act starting on March 13th with the Betty Pharoah Memorial Legstretcher  55m for 3rd and 4th Cats..  Thanks to Dai Long there is a full report of the race in the News section.  But recently returned member Neil Moulsdale deserves a mention as he came in 22nd place after being caught up in a crash and having to chase back.

Also on the 13th  PTW promoted a 25m 2-Up  TT  (R25/24)  with Carl Banwell and Kevin Bartlemore teaming up for Acme Wheelers on a sunny but cold day they

finished in 17th place from 53 finishers  posting a time of 1:03:24

Four members, Dan Taylor, Dai Long, Dean Cummings and Neil Moulsdale rode the Abergavenny Spring Handicap Road Race. A very cold day and only two groups on the road it was always going to be tough Neil and Dean were in the first group when the scratch group, including Dan and Dai, caught them half way through the 2nd lap of a 3 lap race. Once the scratch group caught the main field the race settled down but that wouldn’t last long. Neil positioned himself on the front of the peleton and waited for the attacks to come. Dean was feeling comfortable with the pace, but unfortunately punctured after 9 miles. Dai and Dan lost contact with their group because of the blistering pace set by some of the elite riders.  The attacks started mid way into the 3rd and final lap. Neil went with the attacks and managed to finish 27th with the main bunch,only 17 seconds behind the eventual winner.

Further afield, on the 20th March the Royal Dean Forest CC promoted a 25m TT  (R25/7A).  Three members made the journey to this event, leading the way Carl Banwell posted  1:02:13 with Simon Kinsey at 1:02:51 and Kevin Bartlemore at 1:03:08.  Another recently returned member Chris Wooley posted a 1:02:13 riding for the Tri Club at the time. 

Finally Simon Kinsey took advantage of travelling away for work to enter VC Sevale 10 10m TT (K46/10).  In the Malvern area.  Showing good form Simon posted a 26.26 to finish in 8th place.