On Sunday 12^th June members headed west to take on the longer challenge in the Bynea CC 50m TT.  Gary Flower benefited from the calm conditions, although it was raining.  Gary was intent on bettering his previous time on this 3 lap course of 2:02.  This was a tall order given that he would have to average 25mph to give him a sub-2 hour time. Keeping the pressure on himself to maintain the average Gary achieved his goal with a very impressive 1:57:01 and although clearly pleased with his effort, only gave himself a 6/10, so perhaps there is more to come. Next up for Gary is the West Wales Cycling League 100m.

Ross Morgan hoped to make his first start in a 50 at this event but unfortunately had a mechanical problem while warming up so a DNS for him.  There will be others Ross.

Across the new Severn Bridge for three of our Club members on Saturday 11^th as they entered a team for the Giant CC 10m on the U7b course at Stone nr Bristol.  Simon Kinsey had gone over with high hopes of taking the team prize.  Expectations were lowered when they saw the PB of the South Bristol riders and entries from the Bristol Cycling Development Squad.  The roads were damp but there was no rain during the event on rolling roads which were not helping anyone get a PB. There is a good side to everything and Simon saw this in the cakes on offer.  The times were not the best for our members but they enjoyed the trip and took 3^rd place Team

Simon 25:42  Jeff Rees  24:23  Ross Morgan 24:23

Four members entered the fourth round of the Celtic Series organised by Cwmcarn Paragons on the R10/16A course on 7^th 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 21^st 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 3^rd 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 16^th.  Ross 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 2^nd Lady

Between Sunday 5^th June and Thursday 9^th 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.