On the first Saturday of July Cardiff 100 Milers  promoted a 25mTT  on the  R25/7 course. Nadine Cannon  choose this event to gain some experience of a new course between Usk and Monmouth.  In the end she gained more than just experience by placing as 2^nd Lady in a time of 1:03:07.  Nadine was extremely pleased with her performance but warns other members who ride this course to save some energy for the return effort.  Mitchel Troy village is very undulating and the road surface is poor and saps energy.

The Port Talbot Wheelers promoted the last round of the Celtic Series on 12^th July using the R10/22a  Course in Resolven.  Yet again Acme Wheelers were well represented.  On a warm evening with a slight breeze, Nadine Cannon was a chasing a PB, while she didn’t quite get that after a hard ride from the turn Nadine was very happy with her 24:15 time and her season gets better with every race.

Simon Kinsey was looking to keep up his recent momentum and aimed to beat his course record.  Simon sees this course and the 10 at Raglan as the fastest local courses and was delighted with his course best time of 23.19 which was also a PB for the distance.  Well done Simon.

A new name enters our reports as Emily Kinsey tries her hand in an Open Event for the first time.  Only having completed Club events up to this point Emily was entering the unknown and trying to gain some experience of the event.  A finishing time of 29.31 gains her the Club Bronze Standard and with her determination the Silver Standard is beckoning.

The weekend of 16/17^th July saw two events promoted by Ross-on-Wye CC.  On the Saturday Nadine Cannon was again chasing that PB on the R10/17 Course.  After some difficulties negotiating the Heads of the Valleys road improvements just to get to the event Nadine settled into her ride in the warm but windy conditions.  Nadine was absolutely delighted with her time of 24.01 which gave her the PB she has been working so hard for. Nadine has previously comfortably achieved the Club Gold Standard for a 10 and we look forward to see her times tumbling.

Also looking for a good time on a course he set his best time last year, Jeff Rees found the conditions very hot and windy.  In the end Jeff was extremely disappointed with his time of 24.11 though he was very complimentary of the organisation of the event.

Sunday and the same club promoted a 25m TT on the R25/7 Course.  Nadine Cannon took on the Heads of the Valleys roads works once again just to get to the HQ.   In what she describes as perfect weather conditions Nadine made her assault on the course to and was determined to improve on her best time on this course.  As she had done the previous day Nadine gave her self a 10/10 for how she felt about her performance, and who would argue with that.  Nadine posted a time of 1:01:26, getting ever closer to going under the hour and, yet again, took the prize for 1^st Lady.  What a season she is having, well done Nadine.

Simon Kinsey entered the same event but unfortunately after negotiating the road works to get to the event he took a wrong turn after six miles.  This ended his chances of going under the hour on this fast course. Simon and Nadine warns other members who enter races on this course to watch out for signs as there are many turn-offs along the route

The web site reports show active participation of Acme Wheelers members in Open Events all over South Wales and beyond.  However, the Sunday Club Run is still favoured by members who are not quite so competitive.  The poor weather during the spring and early summer meant that small groups were involved in the Club Run, but with the gradual improvement in the weather conditions so numbers have begun to increase. 

Ever present since the Spring Kerry Lewis (on his new Pinarello) and Mark Nichols used these rides to train for the Velothon always accompanied by Mike Bevan who just enjoys putting miles in on his various bikes, one for each Sunday of the month.  Alec Morris (breaking in new hi-viz shoes) has been preoccupied with exams and has enjoyed the Club Runs at a time when he has been unable to commit to racing. 

Jeff Matthews is an irregular attendee but always enjoys the banter on the road and at the café stop.  Club Treasurer Dave Roberts is making a come back after a long period of injury but is now able to take advantage of the better weather.  “Acme Pensioner Chris T” generally joins the ride in Talbot Green to save the drag up to the Welcome and everyone has to stop to hear Chris’s latest anecdote about life in general. Occasionally Chris Clements has kept Chris company in Talbot while they both wait to join the ride.

The rides have varied in distance from 35 miles right up to longer rides of 60 miles but all have been punctuated by a café stop for refreshments and a chat. Most rides head south to take in stops at Cowbridge, Llantwit Major or Bridgend.  Distances have been dictated by the weather and commitments members have on the day.

Members who are looking for a casual ride or a break from racing could join the Club Run by being at the Welcome in Tonypandy ready to leave at 9:30am.  Ross Morgan has joined the ride, when his racing programme has given him some free time, to rest his weary legs.