The A40 between Llandovery and Carmarthen is up and down when driving in the car.  The route profile for the Bynea 50 resembles the sort of saw lumberjacks used to use before the advent of the chainsaw.  The Bynea event was run on the R50/5, a change from the planned Resolven course because of road works which gave organisers and riders the opportunity to look at the up-coming National 50 Championships course at the end of June.

Two Acme members had signed up for the event, unfortunately Dave Singleton was not able to start, leaving Gary Flower as the Club’s sole starter.  Conditions were dry and cool but there was the inevitable wind for riders to contend with.  Gary had his sights set on a distance PB, however, when he saw the trees bending as he rode to the start his plans changed.

The course profile and technical nature of the roads meant that the wind offered no assistance to riders on this out and back course.  Even the road surface was a hinderance in some areas, Gary estimated he lost a couple of miles per hour on some sections. The GE engineer was disappointed with his 61 minutes for the first 25, after the hard work he had put in he felt he had gained little reward.  Although the return leg was not quite as difficult it was still a tough ride with the hoped for tailwind not materialising.

After setting too high a pace at the start Gary was counting the miles after 40 and was delighted to see the Time Keeper get closer and closer.

Next up for Gary the WCA 100m Championships.

Another regular event in the LVRC Calendar this 48 mile route is broken down into three laps of 16 miles.  It is known as the Welland Circuit, after one of the villages on the course, which is in the shadows of the Malvern Hills.  All the riders expected a fast pace but that was likely to take its toll because of the strong easterly wind.  The course wends its way through agricultural countryside with hedges providing the occasional shelter from the wind.  In other areas these same hedges would create “head-wind tunnels“ for the riders to contend with.

 The first lap went well for retired policeman Dean Cummings and all riders were together after a few attacks were pulled back. As the bunch travelled along the open common road the cross wind caused a split in the Bunch. Dean chased back taking several riders with him and managed to get back on before the start of the 3rd and final lap.

The pace quickened and Dean knew he would pay for his efforts on the previous lap. As the final miles came he could feel the fatigue his legs. As the riders negotiated the final bend onto the common road into a now strong head/cross wind the bunch kicked. Digging in to stay with the front-runners Dean managed to finish 23rd for a second time. However, this put him into an excellent 10th in his age group.

For the “Statos” amongst the readers Dean completed the 48.58 miles in 2hrs 6min with an average speed of 23.1mph.  His average power output was 213w with a maximum of 742 watts.

The Road Racing season started at the end of March for Committee Member Dean Cummings with two visits to Worcestershire to compete in League of Veteran Racing Club (LVRC) events.  http://www.lvrc.org.uk/

The first trip across Offa’s Dyke was for the Pinvin RR in the Pershore area of Worcestershire, Dean was competing in the D cat 55-59yrs section.

The course was an 8mile circuit along undulating country roads which is completed six times. This regular LVRC event is always a good one to test the legs and form for the early season. The Race went from the gun with four riders away and the strong team from Bath CC blocking any efforts to bridge the gap. The fast race pace continued with several attacks from the bunch over the undulating circuit with a difficult easterly cross-wind to deal with. At 2 miles to go two riders were well clear though they were being chased down by three riders hovering a few seconds in front of the bunch. Though very tense, the final mile saw no change in the overall result.  With 300 metres to the finish the road opened up in front of ambulance driver Dean and he went for it only to be swallowed up with 20 metres to the line.  

In a very competitive field Dean finished in a creditable 23^rd position with an average speed of 23.8mph over the 48 miles. 

Over the first two weekends of May Road, Race specialist, Dean Cummings made the relatively short trip to the Vale of Glamorgan Llandow Circuit. The Welsh Cycling Spring Race Series attracts many riders for different reasons and Acme Wheelers’ Dean Cummings was there for training in a race situation.  These events are fast and furious running for 35 minutes and 3 laps and can be very difficult, averaging 23 and 25 mph on a technical circuit is not everyone’s idea of a good day out. Dean, though, was very happy with his effort in both events which took place in sunny weather, finishing 23^rd in each race and picking a 3^rd/4^th Cat point.