Welsh Championship 25TT April 30th R25/3H

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The following weekend it was back up to Hirwaun for the WCA Championships on the R25/3H which also serves as the Club 25m Championship.  Four members had entered a big field but only two left the start line with Simon Kinsey and Anthony Redmond both, unfortunately, having to withdraw.  First off was Jeff Rees on a new bike with new tri-bars, ever the pessimist Jeff told Club members, who had ridden over to offer support, that he was concerned that he was in the main field. Another member feeling that recent training had not been enough for this event, Jeff did not have great expectations. Although often seen out on his road bike, Jeff would have us believe that his recent training consisted of riding MTB and trundling up the Taff Trail.  In his first 25 of the season Jeff finished in a time of 1:03:35, a good start to the season but Jeff points out he was 1 from last which reflects the high standard of the field.

Our 30 Mile Champion Gary Flower was looking for his second Club Championship of the year on a cold and windy day.  Gary was hoping to get into the 53’s but soon realised it was not a day for PB’s.  Pacing was difficult on the day with a following wind out and a blustery headwind on the return leg.  In the end Gary posted a 54:16 and was quite pleased with this for his first 25 start of the season and hopes to improve in the near future with more favourable weather.  Gary was pleased to see support from Club members on the course.

Congratulations to Gary on becoming the Club 25 Champion for 2017 and taking the Ken Harrison Challenge Trophy.

April Race Reports

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Picking up from last season we are grateful to racing members for their cooperation in completing the race reports in order that these more detailed reports can be compiled.  All members are encouraged to submit a report when they take part in an event whether it be an Open/Club TT , a Sportif or Charity Ride, members and visitors to the site are interested to read what we are up to.

The Ogmore Valley Wheelers Open 25 on 23rd April was ridden on the often used and fast R25/3H Course, it is a second home to many of our racing members.  Trying to work his way back from knee problems Simon Kinsey has no serious expectations for this event, using it as a training ride.  Even so he finished in a creditable 1:02:14,  just over 4 minutes off his P.B. after an injury disrupted  pre-season training plan.  Missing out on his usual pre-season programme Simon did not leave enough in his tank for the final three miles and paid the price.  He intends now to enter two events each week and use these are training in this first part of the season.

Another member suffering from disrupted training is Anthony Redmond. No need to  guess what has contributed to this disruption when we see him on the Welsh news fighting the grass fires earlier this month and in March.  By the time Anthony hit the course the wind had picked up and although it was mild the wind was gusty which will always cause riders a problem.  Anthony was a little disappointed with his 59.06, which he put down to the lack of training.  The “sidewinders” going down the Glynneath Bank were an unwelcome difficulty on Anthony’s return to racing this season.

30 Mile Championship

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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 5th 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/

Two Members Enjoy Unusually Pleasant CX Weather

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The “Dune ‘Cross” was the 3rd Round of the Welsh Cyclo-Cross League held at Pembrey on October 2nd.  This was the event selected for the Club Off-Road Championship for 2016.   Unfortunately only two Club members lined up at the start but the competition between them was no less keen.  The weather conditions were very different to the “normal” CX rain and cold, Pembrey was bathed in sunshine.

Each lap was about 1.25 miles with a start on a long tarmac section leading onto a sharp left turn over sand  followed by a section of twisting compact sand/gravel dirt tracks. After this more familiar CX terrain appeared with a short steep stepped run up section of about 20 yards, not too far but enough to force riders to to jump off and shoulder the bike in the traditional CX running fashion.  More twisty compact tracks led into another steep bank which would see riders having to dismount for the final 10 yards. Jumping back on the bike the riders finished the lap with a fast flowing, rutted descent into the main grassy start/finish area.

As a result of the large numbers entering the race had been spilt so that Vets had a separate race start to Seniors and Youth riders.  The Vets were then spilt up further, meaning that V50 Jeff Rees had to consider his tactics carefully because V40 Steve Davies would start 2 minutes in front of him.  Jeff saw Steve get off to a decent start and had to wait what seemed like an eternity for the 2 minute gap before he could start from the second row which kept him out of the initial gridlock.

After the first half lap the V50 began picking off the back end of the V40’s on the stepped run section.  Jeff felt that they it would not be too long before he was able to catch Steve.  Jeff  realised that Steve was having a good day as there was no sign of him after three laps.  Eventually Jeff spotted the distinctive Acme Jersey in front of him and made the junction on the fast tarmac section.  Trying to catch Steve off guard Jeff attacked but Steve latched onto his wheel as they weaved their way through the field.  Luckily, Jeff says skilfully, he was able to nip past the rider in front when there was not enough room for Steve to follow.  A big effort on the climb and a kamikaze descent saw him open a gap and “snap the elastic”  For Jeff it was then a matter of staying focussed and avoiding mistakes to claim the off road title.

In the end Jeff finished 6th of 32 V50’s and Steve a creditable 47th from 65 V40’s, a great achievement in only his second CX season.  Jeff ‘s result means that he is the Club Off-Road Champion for 2016.  Well done to him.

Simon Takes Prize at the WCA 100 Champs

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The first weekend of September and it’s Abergavenny but this time the distance is much greater as members took on the WCA 100m Championship on the  R100/8 Course.  Ever present Simon Kinsey got off to and early start at 07:11 when most of us were still tucked up in bed.  For Simon the day started with a little drizzle but this soon cleared leaving just the wind to contend with.  The westerly wind was a help on the road out to Monmouth, but the return ride was made harder as the wind did not change.  Simon had a set of goals at this Championship, firstly he wanted to finish in order to have a BAR qualifying score.

Simon has very bad memories of a previous entry in this event in 2014.  That remains his PB for the distance but he was looking to wipe away the bad memories. Other goals were more “cycling” related, to reach the Acme Bronze Standard of 5:05:00 , to take 30 minutes off his PB and to win the “Best Improver” Prize.

What a day he had, beating his PB by 40 minutes as he paced things well “for a change” (Simon’s words).  This meant he achieved all his goals comfortably as he was awarded with the Best Improver over that past three years. Well done Simon.

Starting a little later in the day at 07:54 Gary Flower missed most of the drizzle but still had to contend with the wind.  Gary finished in 16th position overall from 53 finishers and his time of 4:07:41 was very impressive giving him an average speed of 24:22mph.  Gary’s efforts earn him the Club 100 Mile Champion, I hope he has plenty of silver polish.