Dry chilly overcast conditions set the scene for the 2024 Hill Climb Championships on Barn Hill, Tonyrefail. Regulars to the hill climb event Dean Cummings and Kerry Lewis were unable to compete due to injury so it was just three members competing for the R & M Trophy.

Experience rider Gareth Clements was the first to line up alongside the start timekeeper Roger Evans, next to take the start line to be released  by Club Chairman Jeff Matthews was new member Nathen Mullins and he sped away and determined to set a good time. Final rider and last years champion Ed Wells, with good form and the still  conditions  Ed  set off up the tough half mile climb.

Gareth powered up the ten percent climb and along the finish straight onto the finishing time keeper Margaret Evans setting a time of 3 minutes and 18 seconds. A close battle for the next rider across the line as Nathen recorded 3 mins 6 sec to ride into second place, Ed stormed up the climb and across the line with an impressive time of 2 minutes and 3 seconds  to take the 2024 Hill Club Championship for the second year,  improving on last year’s time by 38 seconds.

More Photo’s from the event:- https://acme-wheelers.co.uk/gallery-2/gallery-2020/nggallery/awaiting-location/hill-climb-championships-2024

Kerry Lewis and Mike Bevan recently took part in the Cycle Sportive which forms part of the Tenby Long Course. A well-established event and attracts thousands of competitors to participate in a swim, run and cycle spread over three days.  The chosen undulating medium 70-mile cycle tour of West Wales started in Tenby, overcast clouds and light rain forecast for the opening miles as the riders set off. The route headed towards Pembroke on gentle undulating roads, the closed road event led to an interesting start as large groups filled the road. The route then headed to the coast passing through Castle Martin then onto the scenic coastline of Fresh Water West.

Tough climbs greeted the riders as they made their way back inland toward Carew then a northern loop around Tavernspite before south and onto Wisemans Bridge and Saundersfoot for the closing miles and two long ten percent climbs provided a sting in the tail. Large crowds along the route provided great encouragement and distraction on the tough climbs especially out of Saundersfoot. An atmospheric loop around Tenby Town before the finish. An incredibly well organise event on amazing scenic roads, but be prepared as the route is very undulating with 4500 feet of climbing along the way.

More Photo’s from the event https://acme-wheelers.co.uk/gallery-2/gallery-2020/nggallery/awaiting-location/tenby-long-course-sportive-2024

An absolutely stunning day for it, cold but not freezing with blue skies, a gentle breeze blowing up the valley from the South West so a slight tailwind after the turn.  Josh’s younger brother Finlay Tarling was off last and there was talk in the HQ before the event about the course record going with such a perfect day but I wasn’t sure, 18 minutes is quick for a 17 year old??

A healthy field by current standards, 65 starters with only a handful of DNS’s which was undoubtedly due to the weather.  Sadly Simon Richardson fell at the start just before he joined the dual.  He needed ambulance treatment and was down for a while so fingers crossed it’s not too serious but he was eventually transported to hospital via helicopter.

Nathan Mullins in his first TT was off at number 3 and he raced in the road bike category, for some reason Nathan missed his start and had to wait until number 13 before he was allowed to go.  He eventually recorded an actual time of 28:31 which is very respectable for his first ever race. I was off number 28 with a pretty uneventful 25:04, I’m happy with that as I’m deep in a training block for Ironman Mallorca in May so hopefully I’ll go quicker by the summer

Nancy passed away on the week before Christmas, she was the wife of the late Neville Yeo and both were popular and hard working former members of the Acme Wheelers (Rhondda) cc . Along with Nev they were involved with the WCA and was part of the group that  organised the Builth wells cycle Rally during the sixties seventies and into the eighties. 

The funeral of Nancy Yeo will take place at St Matthews Church Treorchy at 11am on the 11January 2024. and at 12 oclock at Treorchy Cemetery

Congratulations to Edward Wells with a impressive ride to the take the 2023 Club Hill Climb Championship.

On a bright cold morning four members took to the start line to do battle. Experienced member Kerry Lewis took off first followed by new member Edward Wells who quickly set an impressive speed on the lower slope, returning member Gareth Clement also powered away at the start on the Barn Hill course with a gradient of ten percent on the tough climb, finally returning Hill Climb Champ Dean Cummings hoping to repeat his past victory’s was the last man and quickly set off in pursuit of Gareth. As all the riders got stuck in to the tough accent Edward was setting an amazing pace and past Kerry near the top of the climb, Gareth also held a good pace on the final stage as the he sped towards the finish line. Dean was the last to finish closing on Gareth on the finishing straight as he approached the chequered flag.

Riders Times

Edward Wells – 2 mins 41 secs

Dean Cummings – 3.04

Gareth Clements – 3.37

Kerry Lewis – 4.04

Edwards Wells was a convincing winner setting and amazing time over the distance taking the R & M Shield for his first Club Championship Win, more could follow.

Thanks to Club Chairman Jeff Matthews for organising the event, timekeepers Roger & Margaret Evans and Club President for his support.