The RTTC National 12 Hr event took place on the R12/16 Course based on Raglan.  This also served as the WCA Championships and the Club Championship.  The weather forecast for the day was deteriorating but the lone Club entry Simon Kinsey was not worried as he felt others would dislike the conditions whereas he thrives on the poor weather.

Simon had set himself four personal targets of increasing ambition for this event:-

1.  To finish the event;

2.  To improve upon his 2014 result;

3.  To reach 200 miles;

4.  To grab the Acme Bronze Standard of 215mls;

When Simon sets himself targets he focuses all his efforts on their achievement.  Even Simon found the Hereford leg of the course mentally and physically challenging.  He knew it would slow him down and factored that into his race tactics.  As forecast the day started dry for Simon’s 6:30am start but later in the day the rain came in.  Simon’s determination paid off for him and he achieved a staggering 222.73 far exceeding his 2014 results and comfortably achieving the Club Bronze Standard and has the Silver Standard in his sights now.  He gave himself a 10/10 on how he felt about his effort, the first one of any Club member this season.

Simon enjoyed the new course and believes that the R12/95 will not be used again.  He urges those members with ambitions to complete a 12 Hr to consider this course for 2017.  Well Done Simon Kinsey the 2016 12 Hour Club Champion.

Earlier in the month Member Fiona Davies entered a middle Distance Triathlon based at the Cotswold Water Park. Being closed water in June the water temperature was quite pleasant at 20C for the 1.9k swim.  The downside of this was that the first bike lap of two was a bit cold and wet. The weather did warm up a little before the 80k bike ride finished.  This meant that Fiona had warmed up for the 21.1k run on a mix of trail and road.  Fiona’s target was to complete the bike ride in under 3hrs 30m and the whole event inside 6hrs30m.  This is a very well organised, family friendly,  event on a fast course with only one real hill on the bike ride.  Supported by husband, and Acme member, Gareth, Fiona was very happy with her race, finishing the bike ride in 3:26:26  giving her a total time of 6:28:47.

We look forward to seeing further reports from Fiona’s events, her next bike event being a 25m TT later in July.

On Saturday 25^th Acme members were in the Neath Valley to ride the Bynea 10 on the R10/22 course.  Nadine Cannon was riding her favourite course and hoping to improve her race fitness.  The wind was a little unpredictable and Nadine was not sure which way it was coming from. Despite this Nadine was very happy with her time of 24:40 which meant that she was 1^st Lady on the night.  Well Done.

The ever present Ross Morgan was also there but even with a time of 23:30 he was not happy with his ride. He described the wind as a head wind out and back.  Jeff Rees also complained about the wind and described it as being “in all directions”.  Jeff’s start time of 16:30 gave him 30 minutes to ride the event and get to the HQ to watch Wales v N.I. His target time of 24m was set with this in mind.  His eventual time of  23:36 gave him an extra 24 seconds to find his seat in front of the TV and the result was well worth the rush.  The Welsh result and Jeff’s Race result was a very well received birthday present for him.

On Sunday 12^th June members headed west to take on the longer challenge in the Bynea CC 50m TT.  Gary Flower benefited from the calm conditions, although it was raining.  Gary was intent on bettering his previous time on this 3 lap course of 2:02.  This was a tall order given that he would have to average 25mph to give him a sub-2 hour time. Keeping the pressure on himself to maintain the average Gary achieved his goal with a very impressive 1:57:01 and although clearly pleased with his effort, only gave himself a 6/10, so perhaps there is more to come. Next up for Gary is the West Wales Cycling League 100m.

Ross Morgan hoped to make his first start in a 50 at this event but unfortunately had a mechanical problem while warming up so a DNS for him.  There will be others Ross.

Across the new Severn Bridge for three of our Club members on Saturday 11^th as they entered a team for the Giant CC 10m on the U7b course at Stone nr Bristol.  Simon Kinsey had gone over with high hopes of taking the team prize.  Expectations were lowered when they saw the PB of the South Bristol riders and entries from the Bristol Cycling Development Squad.  The roads were damp but there was no rain during the event on rolling roads which were not helping anyone get a PB. There is a good side to everything and Simon saw this in the cakes on offer.  The times were not the best for our members but they enjoyed the trip and took 3^rd place Team

Simon 25:42  Jeff Rees  24:23  Ross Morgan 24:23