Celtic Series Roundup

Four members entered the fourth round of the Celtic Series organised by Cwmcarn Paragons on the R10/16A course on 7th June.  Ross Morgan enjoyed the warm evening and while trying to improve on his time for the previous year probably lost a bit of concentration on the return ride.  Despite this and some nasty pot holes he managed a 23:43 to put him 21st out of 49 riders. 

Jeff Rees was happy with his time of 23:35, helped by the light breeze on the drag to the finish. He admits to feeling a little tired on the course and puts it down to recreational mountain bike rides.  His plan is now to rest up and eat cake to see if that helps. 

Neale Lewis was also back in action but was not particularly happy with his 24:18.  He tried to maintain a consistent pace but did not feel good during his warm up which he puts down to not eating properly before the event. 

Simon Kinsey had low expectations at this event because he had ridden the Dragon Ride the previous weekend. He was hoping to improve on his time of the previous year but realised that it was a mistake to enter by mile two.  With 143 miles in his legs after the weekend it was difficult to keep something back for the return leg, especially the difficult mile 8. A little disappointed with his time of 27:16, at least he knows where his boundaries are.

Well done to Ross, Jeff and Neale who took 3rd in the Team Prize.

Club members will see the R10/17 Course in Raglan as a second home with Round 5 of the Celtic Series organised by RealTeam on Thursday 16thRoss Morgan was keen to finish the event before he developed hyperthermia in conditions he described as more like winter.  He only gave himself a 3/10 for his finishing time of 23:04

Jeff Rees experienced four seasons in one race as weather conditions changed dramatically throughout his ride. After posting a 23:16 on this course a few days before he hoped for better than the 23:46 he finished with and cannot understand where the time went.  Jeff intends to have a week off the bike and take in the sites of Cardiff while having a few beers before resuming his race programme with the Bynea 10 at the end of the month.

The last race of June saw several of our racing members back in Raglan on the R10/17 Course for Round 6 of the Celtic Series promoted by RealTeam.  Ross Morgan found the conditions not to his liking with a cold wind and some showers.  Despite posting a creditable time of 23:24 Ross was unhappy with his efforts and was just pleased to get to the finish after a feeling a stomach bug after 3miles.  Ross now plans to take some time away from racing to give his legs a chance to recover.

In contrast, even though she described the conditions as “hot,cold,wet windy and smelly”  Nadine Cannon was delighted with her performance on the night.  On what she describes as a fast course Nadine posted a PB of 24:32 and was the 2nd Lady

Emily Rides to Amsterdam

Between Sunday 5th June and Thursday 9th June new member Emily Kinsey will be joining a large group of fund raisers riding from Cardiff to Amsterdam.  The ride is a charity fund raiser for the “Stay Strong for Ows” appeal being spearheaded by Cardiff Blues for their former player Owen Williams, and the Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust.

The ride is split into four stages ranging from 93 to 140 Km.  with the elevation ranging from a mere 304m in Holland on the last leg to a leg burning 1043m on the first day from Cardiff to Wiltshire.

This ride will be a challenge for everyone taking part, but especially so for Emily.  She has borrowed her father’s bike and four weeks ago her “long ride”  was a round trip from Rhondda to Radyr and back.  Her father, Club member Simon Kinsey, will be supporting her on the route and is looking forward to meeting up with Emily in Amsterdam on Thursday.

If you want to donate to Emily’s  ride click on http://www.justgiving.com/Emily-Kinsey

Hopefully we will have Emily’s thoughts on the ride soon.

Velothon Wales

Velothon Wales is one of the largest Sportifs in the UK with around 12000 cyclists enjoying traffic free roads in five Local Authority areas. The riders set off from Cardiff  on a 140Km (87m) route, taking in the views of Newport, Usk, the Brecon Beacons, Pontypool, Newbridge and Caerphilly before finishing in Cardiff Civic Centre.

 The first group of five Acme Club members left the city centre at 7:15, an early start for Jason Dodd, Kerry Lewis, Mark Nichols, Jeff Matthews and Chris Thomas.  Each starting pen contained over 500 riders and it gave everyone the sensation of riding a road race.  When our call came it was along the castle wall into Castle Street for the start in St Mary’s Street.  Very quickly the younger legs of Jason, Mark and Kerry moved away from Jeff and Chris but there was plenty of company on the route with riders from all over Wales and England riding shoulder to shoulder. 

Once out of Newport the route took to the beautiful Monmouthshire countryside and its up and down roads were packed with cyclists.  Just before the feed stop in Usk the riders encountered one of the forecast showers, not too heavy but is lasted for a while.

At the Usk stop Chris and Jeff caught up with Kerry and Mark but Jason had decided to plough on alone, hoping to ride through the poor weather.  Despite being vigilant for other Club members there was no sign of Tommy Doherty and Cae Lovatt who had predicted they would pass the first group just after Newport, with a start time of 8:30 and an extra hour in bed. Tommy and Cae rode together and may have passed the others at the Usk stop on their way to a very respectable finishing time.

The showers passed over and the clouds began to break up, but the improved weather could not encourage Jeff and Chris to take the Tumble challenge and they took a left turn to reach Pontypool by a less arduous route.

From Pontypool it was “all downhill” to Caerphilly before the next real uphill over Caerphilly Mountain. Kerry and Mark were hindered on their way but a torrential downpour in Pontypool.  After a mixture of walking and riding Chris and Jeff reached the feed station on top of Caerphilly Mountain and were soon joined by Mark and Kerry, who had managed to ride up all the way.  After a couple of bananas the four sped down the mountain into Cardiff and after a quick chat to Robert Davies on Special Constable duties it was into the city centre for a foursome photograph crossing the line.

Velothon Wales is one of the largest Sportifs in the UK with around 12000 cyclists enjoying traffic free roads in five Local Authority areas. The riders set off from Cardiff  on a 140Km (87m) route, taking in the views of Newport, Usk, the Brecon Beacons, Pontypool, Newbridge and Caerphilly before finishing in Cardiff Civic Centre.

 The first group of five Acme Club members left the city centre at 7:15, an early start for Jason Dodd, Kerry Lewis, Mark Nichols, Jeff Matthews and Chris Thomas.  Each starting pen contained over 500 riders and it gave everyone the sensation of riding a road race.  When our call came it was along the castle wall into Castle Street for the start in St Mary’s Street.  Very quickly the younger legs of Jason, Mark and Kerry moved away from Jeff and Chris but there was plenty of company on the route with riders from all over Wales and England riding shoulder to shoulder. 

Once out of Newport the route took to the beautiful Monmouthshire countryside and its up and down roads were packed with cyclists.  Just before the feed stop in Usk the riders encountered one of the forecast showers, not too heavy but is lasted for a while.

At the Usk stop Chris and Jeff caught up with Kerry and Mark but Jason had decided to plough on alone, hoping to ride through the poor weather.  Despite being vigilant for other Club members there was no sign of Tommy Doherty and Cae Lovatt who had predicted they would pass the first group just after Newport, with a start time of 8:30 and an extra hour in bed. Tommy and Cae rode together and may have passed the others at the Usk stop on their way to a very respectable finishing time.

The showers passed over and the clouds began to break up, but the improved weather could not encourage Jeff and Chris to take the Tumble challenge and they took a left turn to reach Pontypool by a less arduous route.

From Pontypool it was “all downhill” to Caerphilly before the next real uphill over Caerphilly Mountain. Kerry and Mark were hindered on their way but a torrential downpour in Pontypool.  After a mixture of walking and riding Chris and Jeff reached the feed station on top of Caerphilly Mountain and were soon joined by Mark and Kerry, who had managed to ride up all the way.  After a couple of bananas the four sped down the mountain into Cardiff and after a quick chat to Robert Davies on Special Constable duties it was into the city centre for a foursome photograph crossing the line.

Everyone enjoyed the experience of riding traffic free roads, but there are mixed feeling about registering for next year.

Everyone enjoyed the experience of riding traffic free roads, but there are mixed feeling about registering for next year.

My entry to the Wales Velothon was booked for me as one of my Christmas presents – a lovely Surprise??   Yes, I was excited and a little nervous.  But as the month of April came I was panicking a bit. I wondered how Emma how decided what wave to put me in. Reply was, “I guessed and figured you would do it in under 5hrs”.  No pressure on then!!!

My good friend, and Acme member, Cae  Lovatt had also entered as he and Emma  talked about the event previous season. The training was stepped up and thanks to our good Club members who organised and ran the Hilly Fondo all was kicked off in the rain, but a lovely day and great company.

Thankfully I avoided any major injuries or accidents and entered into a few more sportifs which built me up to what I thought would be a great event. To be honest I wasn’t disappointed, the build up, the set up and then the atmosphere on the morning, it was so we’ll organised and marshals were so helpful, myself and good friend Cae were seen off by Emma at 8:20 an hour after a few of our more “Senior Club members” who challenged us to a faster time and be back in “spoons” for dinner at 2:30.  It was fingers crossed and off we went.

It was a beautiful morning in the capital and indeed it was beautiful the whole way around, great support from the locals got a little shower of rain at the bottom of Tumble but nothing serious. The Tumble itself was tough, the hardest part was making room for myself so I could keep a nice steady cadence and good rhythm.  Nice feeling going over the top and the large crowd cheered each and every rider up.  A quick look around and there my wee man Cae coming over the summit fresh as a daisy.  A fast decent down allowed time to recover before the legs got another burning,

We all have cycled up the Caerphilly mountain, from various angles, but after an 80mile ride it just felt like a bigger climb than I remembered.  Anyway it was head down and full concentration, and with a little push from my club friend Simon, we we’re at the top in no time!!  Enjoyed the atmosphere and chance to refill water bottle use the loos etc, A good day was coming to a end but not before a classic Welsh finish, great support from the locals and the crowd at the finish line.  A memory I won’t forget, look forward to next year already.

 PS,  Yes we met the “Senior Club ” members, but it was later than 2:30 lads.

Ross Morgan Posts Two PB’s During May

After the WCA Championships, next up for Club members on the following Sunday was the CC Blaenau Gwent 25 on the R25/7a in Raglan. Although the temperature was warming up there were a few spots of rain at the start for some riders. Ross Morgan decided to ride without his Garmin in order to try to improve his pacing during a race.  Knowing the course, he could use his experience from other rides.  This seemed to work out well for him as he posted a 57:57.

Simon Kinsey enjoyed the best racing weather of the year with conditions improving during the race.  The weather helped Simon improve his previous ride by 1m34s to finish with a creditable 1:01:10. Simon knew the up hill start here and to ensure he did not go into the red in the first half mile he warmed up before the event.

Jeff Rees posted a time of 1:02:17

The second round of the Celtic Series was organised by RealTeam on the R10/17 course in Abergavenny.  This Thursday evening event took place on what was the hottest racing day of the year so far and while there was head wind on the return ride a good group of Acme members enjoyed the conditions.

Simon Kinsey is almost taking up residency on this course but was not happy with his 24:30 after what he describes as his poor pacing of the distance.  He is looking for a better effort when he rides the VTTA 10 next week on this course.

While his legs were still aching from his efforts in the CC Blaenau Gwent 25 the previous Sunday Ross Morgan still managed to post a 22:29 and set a new PB by 32s, finishing 32nd out of 76.

Nadine Cannon’s PB didn’t materialise in the hot windless evening conditions but she still managed her best time on this course posting a 24:35 after riding 8 miles from the HQ to the start.  Neale Lewis highlighted the same issue as Nadine suggesting riders allow about 30 minutes from HQ to start.  Nevertheless he enjoyed this event and saw it as a good training ride. Neale posted a 23:28, not bad for a training ride.

Two members returned to the R10/17 course in Raglan for the VTTA 10 on Saturday 14th May. Simon Kinsey was planning to improve his pacing on a warm day with a slight headwind on the outward ride.  His time of 24:26 showed an improvement of 4 secs on the previous Thursday and left him a little happier.  Simon intends putting in some long training rides and a few Club events before the Bynea 10.

Ross Morgan found the ride hard graft and was cold at the start but the temperature rose for him during the ride.  The tail wind home enabled Ross to post another PB 22:17.  To finish off the day Ross enjoyed some quiet sunbathing.

Saturday 15th saw a return to Hirwaun for a group of Acme members, competing in the SportzMad 25 on the R25/3H Course.  Ross Morgan pushed against a headwind out but again used the return tail wind to finish in 55:58. He is now taking a well earned two weeks off from racing.  Chris Woolley is using these events to get some long distance training in, by riding to and from events.  That’s dedication for you.  It seemed to work for him as he posted a season PB of  55:57 on a dry day that “wasn’t blowing a gale”.  Nadine Cannon was still hoping to go under the hour with a comfortable temperature and cool breeze.  Unfortunately she just missed out this time by only 25secs. But still came in as 3rd Lady.  Nadine intends competing in plenty of Club events before her next race.

Acme Wheelers still have members competing in Road Races, on Sunday 22nd Dean Cummings was in action at the LVRC National C/D in Malvern.  While Dean enjoyed the sunny weather, on the day the course route was changed because of road works and Worcester’s “rolling” road included two climbs of 17%.  Dean was disappointed not to achieve his goal of finishing in the bunch.  The very demanding course had attracted some of the top Vets in the country and included some rough roads.  Dean, unfortunately packed in after 40 miles of a 55 mile course and is hoping for better things in the President’s Road Race.

Thursday 26th May saw Ross Morgan make his debut in road racing in the President’s Road Race.  This 40 miler took place in the Resolven area.  The weather was good during the evening and Ross held his position in the first group until seven riders fell in front of him and he lost contact. Though Dean did note that he finished strongly and the experience will have been good for him for future rides.  Dean’s luck was still not in.  During what was a poorly controlled neutralized zone some Vets sneaked off with the first group.  This left Dean having to time trial for an hour to bridge the gap.  He paid for this effort later in the race and packed in during the last lap.

Back to Time Trialing on Saturday as all roads led to Bynea for the 10m TT. This was the 3rd Round of the Celtic Challenge.  As ever Simon Kinsey was on the start line on the R10/4 course in Llandovery.  Simon was hoping to continue with his steady improvement in past weeks. The 10 am start meant that temperatures were rising during the ride with a slight head wind after the turn.  The “dead turn” was difficult at race speed which meant that this course is not one for PB but makes a pleasant change from racing on dual carriageways.  Simon posted a 26:05.   Also riding the event was Jeff Rees who was looking to better his last year’s time by 30 seconds.  Jeff was very disappointed with his effort of 25:57 which was 33secs. slower than last year.  Although it was a tough course on a “slow” surface Jeff also enjoyed the ride off the dual carriageways. After a couple of Club 10’s Simon takes a Club Team to the Giant CC 10 on the U7B course in the Bristol area, where he will be joined by Jeff Rees and Ross Morgan  The team have high hopes of bringing home the