Gwyn joined the club as a teenager and over the next decades his talent shone through

 He represented Wales in the Pursuit & 10mile events at the 1958 Empire Games held in Cardiff as well as being part of the Acme team which held numerous Welsh records and one of an elite band of riders who beat the hour for riding 25miles, a great achievement in the 1950s.   

But there was far more to Gwyn than clocking up records and being the perfect rider, he had a zest for life which was typified by the way he arrived at races——the best equipped bike strapped to the back of his immaculate blue and white MG sports car and the beautiful Judith sitting by his side.

Indeed before Judith arrived in the passenger seat Gwyn was considered by other club members as something of a babe magnetic, young ladies flocked to join the club so they could be associated with him. He modestly explained the existence of his fan club by saying, “someone has got to do it”.

Even in later life he never lost that competitive edge winning the Acme 12 hour club championship at the age of 58 riding an impressive 203miles.

In later years he will be remembered for instigating and organising for 25 years the club Tuesday night 10 mile time trial, being a South Wales District time keeper and also winning the prestigious Rhondda Sports Personality award.

Although he was no longer able to ride long distances he still went on the Acme training weekends sitting in the accompanying van wearing his Acme kit and shouting encouragement to the riders through the open window.

Not only was he a loyal member and servant to the Acme he was a much valued friend to so many.

Gwyn Remembered:-https://acme-wheelers.co.uk/gallery-2/gallery-2017/nggallery/2017/gwyn-humphries-18

The first of the ACME club Championships took place recently, a tough test over Thirty miles to compete for the D.J.JONES Trophy. This championship first competed for in 1950 and won by E.JONES with a very respectable time of 1.19.38 many years ago, a result which as been beaten numerous times since then.

For the 2017 championship only one member took up the challenge and after an impressive 2016 season where Gary Flower  received  awards for  various Championship Events.

ACME’s 30 Championship is incorporated into the Bynea CC event based around the undulating road of Llandovery where riders negotiate a testing route. Gary like many members admitted to be behind on his training schedule for this time of the year started the trial at a steady pace and  just hoping he could improve on last years’ time of 1:13:39.

Gary coped well once the miles started to roll by through narrow villages and avoiding slow moving farm traffic along the way. Approaching the finishing timekeeper he could see that he was going to beat last years’ time which was always going to be a personal challenge.

Back at the HQ his time was revealed, a 1.11.44 almost 2mins quicker than his 2016 time and 5^th Overhaul in the event, a pleasing performance  and  will receive the 30m Champs Trophy for the first time.

Unknown to Gary at the time, this is a “New ACME Championship Record” beating  Kevin Bartlemore impressive time of 1.12.04 set in 2000.

Club 30 mile Championship History:- https://acme-wheelers.co.uk/club-champions/30-mile-trophy/

Indoor Training

A number of members have recently expressed an interest in another round of indoor training sessions.  Consequently a series of turbo/roller training sessions will begin at the clubroom at 6.30 pm on Thursday 7^th January.

Riders of all levels of fitness are welcome to attend. Although each session will be planned, if you wish to follow your own plan you are welcome to do so alongside the others while enjoying their company.

If you are not interested in training why not treat it as a club night and come along for a chat and cup of tea?

Each training session will cost £3, the same as last winter.  This money is used to pay for the room hire and additional equipment, extra fans and extension cables having already been purchased from last year’s funds.

Remember to bring a drink and towel as well as your turbo or rollers.

 

 

Congratulations to Steve Davies who recently became the ACME Cycle Cross Champion for 2015. The event chosen for the tough Championship was a Melin Mynach ‘Cross in Gorseinon -Swansea, a mid-season event and round 7 of the Welsh League.

Steve a recent new member to the club and new to Cycle Cross was riding only his 5th race and what a race for the ACME championship to be decided. An incredible  172 Riders lined up for the start of the event in generally dry weather conditions, but the course was a typical cycle cross event – muddy, twisty, technical which required a high level of skill to ride lap after lap, the unusually fast road section included was a relief to the tough surrounding  terrain.

The Race attracted some top quality names such as, Grant Johnson who came 5th (currently ranked 3 in UK in over 50’s), past Welsh Champion Tim Davies who finished 4th (Tim is very well known to Many ACME members as he was a special guest to the clubs 1990’s presentation dinner), Andrew Parry 3rd (currently ranked no.1 in UK over 40’s), and mountain bike professional Star Monon Carpenter who rides for the Madison Saracen Downhill team and is currently the UCI mountain bike World Downhill Champion, a true field of talented riders.

Steve was pleased to rub shoulders thought-out the race with the stars and managed to finish in a very respectable position, he is now looking forward to riding the remaining events of the Welsh series with training partner Jeff Rees. His championship win will be rewarded with the Dominic Gamberini Memorial Trophy engraved with his name.

Dave long has done the Triple by winning the recent Club 50 mile Championships to add to his 10 & 100 mile Championship wins this year. His time of 2.06.43 was a personal best which made the event even more pleasing. Second in the championship was Simon Kinsey who again produced a personal best with a 2.12.56 a rewarding time after the training he has been doing of late. The Championships have shown Dave’s talent to perform over three varied distances which makes him a great all-rounder in time trials as well his road racing skills. He could also be one of the favourites to win the Hill Climb Championships in November on Barn Hill to round off a successful season of racing.