A Day to Remember at the Wales Velothon

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Velothon Wales Sportive

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The eagerly awaited and much published Velothon Wales Sportive turned out to be a really spectacular event. A number of members and partners luckily signed up to ride the quickly sold out 50 and 140km events. Closed roads were promised by the organiser’s and 100% closed roads we were given with thousands of spectator’s cheering from the roadside as we passed through the villages and towns on route.

Leading up to the event the Press and TV voiced criticism of the event due to the disruption it was going to cause, but as we pedalled around the route enthusiastic applause and encouragement was all we heard from the public as we passed by.

Starting in Cardiff 15,000 cyclists were quite a sight around the centre, marshals quickly organised everyone and released at designated times. Group after group smoothly rode past the castle and down St Mary’s street and through the start area cheered on by Wales rugby Player Colin Charvis, also a very keen cyclist and was starting in a later group. A gentle tailwind was a welcome start to the event as riders had a first taste of the closed roads, negotiating roundabouts in opposite directions, ignoring red lights and having the freedom of using the full width of the road. Moving in the direction of Newport average speed were high as chain gangs amongst the riders developed. From Newport the 50 and 140k events split with the longer event going on a loop around Magor and then it was back and up and around the Celtic Manor, this was where the Tacks on the roads incident occurred delaying a number of riders with punctures and most carried their bikes over the affected area. Usk was the next town on route with the first feed zone with Welsh Cakes and Bananas on the menu, then on to Abergavenny and the feared Tumble climb. An average gradient of 10% slowed many with some deciding to walk for sections of the long tough climb. ACME support with Chairman Jeff and Chris were a welcome sight on the summit with further refreshments and photos to record the special day. Miles of decent followed through the valleys and onto Caerphilly Mountain for the final test. Regularly used in the Tour of Britain the climb brought many to a slow crawl up the steep ascent with a 20% gradient in places. The fast twisty decent off Caerphilly mountain is always a thrill, then passing through Roath and on to the finish on the King Edwards Avenue amongst the civic building in Cardiff.

Paul Harries, Jason Dodd, Mark Nicholls, Dean Cummings, Hywel Morgan, Kevin Millard & Kerry Lewis completed the 140k route and covering the long undulating event in a riding times ranging from 4.30 – 5.00hrs. We were all of the same opinion the event was amazing and we all had a taste of being a Professional Rider for the day having the full freedom of the roads and cheered along for the full 140 kilometres. We recently heard this event is in place for the next three year and we would all recommend entering for a great days riding experience.

In the 50k event Craig’s partner Michelle took up the challenge to complete the tough undulating course. Craig’s report Continues:-

When the Velothon was first announced, Michelle jumped at the chance and entered straight away. The idea of cycling round her local roads while closed to traffic really appealed to her. As the route hadn’t been announced, we both assumed that the race would bypass Caerphilly town centre and the mountain. We were in for a surprise!

As the race drew closer, there was a bit of apprehension at the thought of tackling Caerphilly Mountain so a few practice hill climbs were in order. The road from Tongwynlais to the top of Caerphilly Mountain was ridden 3 or 4 times in the weeks leading up to the race, each time quicker than the last. The entire route was ridden on the weekend before the race, completed in just under 3 hours.

Come race day, Michelle’s enthusiasm wasn’t dampened by a 4:45am start to the day! She even managed to make a friend in the starting pen before starting off at 7am.

The target she had in mind was 3 hours, so a finishing time of 2:28 was the icing on the cake. Michelle is now looking forward to the 2016 race, her only problem is the decision whether to go the 50k again or jump in at the deep end and go for the 140! She had the time of her life (her own words!)………… Well Done Michelle.

Sunday Clubruns

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Despite the number of members involved in racing and others riding recent sportive’s the Sunday clubruns are still popular leaving the Welcome Inn, Tonypandy 9.30 each week. Rides vary from 40 – 60 miles depending on weather condition. Recent rides have varied between coastal rides and the mountains of the Brecon Beacons with a cafe stop on route. The picture above shows Craig, Carl, Alec, Mark and potential new members Mike, Andrew, Lloyd & Scott on a recent coastal ride.

The Club 100 mile Championship was held on 14th June and as usual was incorporated in the Welsh Championship. Disappointingly, only two members had entered and with Dan Taylor being DNS this left Dai Long as our only competitor. The course used this year was the West Wales one between Brecon and Carmarthen and while being very scenic does not produce the fastest of times. However, in his first ever 100 mile time trial, Dai became our 100 mile Champion with an excellent 4 hours 37 minutes 05 seconds, well inside our silver standard of 4.45.00.

In round 5 of the Celtic Series 10 mile TT’s, Neale Lewis produced a 22.15 ride and Jeff Rees 23.58 which he must have been pleased with. Ross Morgan and Nadine Cannon both managed late starts of over five minutes ! Ross’s actual time would have been 24-47 and Nadine who was given 32.03 must have been kicking herself when her actual time was a very respectable 26.54.

The Port Talbot 4-up Team Time Trial evening event is always popular with Acme members and this year we had three teams competing. Above are pictured Dan Taylor, Neale Lewis, Dai Long and Steve Bennett, considered to be our A-Team, who completed the 25 mile course in 52.06. _DSC0381

The B-Team, shown below, consisted of Dean Cummings, Steve Williams, Paul Harries and Tommy Doherty. This was Tommy’s first 25 mile time trial so he did well to match the others and was rewarded with an under the hour ride when the team finished in 58.54._DSC0377

Team-C was a mixed group of Schoolboy,Senior and Veteran riders. Experienced veteran, Jeff Rees, took the role of team captain and ushered Simon Kinsey, young Rory Jenkins and even younger Alec Morris to a very good finishing time of 1.02.26. Several riders were disappointed not to have a ride so we can expect at least one other team to participate next year._DSC0349

Gary Battles Through the Wind in Bynea 50

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image1rRiders in the Bynea 50 mile TT on Sunday had a tough ride, facing a headwind on the dual carriageway instead of the usual help from a westerly wind. Many competitors were disappointed at not getting under the two hour mark. Five of our members took part with Gary Flower achieving the fastest time by an Acme rider with his 2.02.54. Steve Bennett was not far behind with a 2.03 and Dan Taylor following on with 2.04. Anthony Redman finished with a 2.07 and Dai Long in 2.09 so it was a closely fought battle among our riders. All will be hoping to go faster in the club championship but will have to wait until the end of the season for that. In the meantime, the Championship 100 is looming and being held on the West Wales course will also prove a tough challenge.

 

 

Sportive News – VELOTHON WALES

Meanwhile, many other Acme members will be finalizing they training in preparation for the Cardiff Velothon a Combined closed road sportive alongside a UCI sanctioned professional race. Velothon Wales promises to deliver a weekend of cycling on a scale that Wales has never before witnessed.

On the 14th June 2015, up to 15,000 riders will make history as they roll across the start line in the heart of Cardiff and embark on a completely closed road cycling sportive that takes in some of Wales’ most breath-taking scenery. Offering a challenging 140km route for experienced riders and a 50km route for those looking for a slightly less intense day in the saddle, Velothon Wales appeals to cyclists of all abilities.

Taking place after the sportive, the professional race is likely to attract some of the world’s best teams and riders. Watching the pro’s fly into Cardiff city centre and across the finish line is guaranteed to provide a dramatic climax to a truly memorable day of cycling.

Bwlch Hillclimb Series

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DSC_0147On Thursday evening the first event in the Hillclimb Series was held on the Bwlch. With more members racing in open events this year and having to fit in their training there was a smaller number of riders in our club event. Despite this and the headwind on the climb, five members were keen to put themselves to the test. Craig Weeks was first off in his first attempt and completed the course in 15 minutes 30 seconds. New member, Carl Middleton, chased him to the top to finish in a very good 14.47 with Steve Williams powering up just behind him to win in 13.10. Veteran, Dean Cummings, finished in 15.07 and Rory Jenkins finished in 16.33, surprising himself on such a tough evening.

Great Performances by Members

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It is pleasing to see our riders representing Acme in a variety of cycle-sport’s branches these days and achieving good results.

Ogmore 25, 26th April

Dan Taylor 56.00

Anthony Redman 57.53

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Steve Bennett 55.06

Gary Flower 55.51

Anthony Redman 55.52

Dai Long 56.52

Kev Bartlemore 57.11

Ross Morgan 59.17

Jeff Rees 1.02.44

Simon Kinsey 1.06.56

Eddie Morse 1.13.33

Rees Morse 1.22.40 inc 1.16 late start.

Welsh Road Champs, 3rd May

Dan Taylor 19th place and first 3rd Cat rider. Average speed 25.2 for the 85 miles.

On Tuesday 12th May some of our riders competed in the Cwmcarn 10 mile Time Trial where the battle for Club honours was again very close. Neale Lewis came out on top in 23.39 with Kevin Bartlemore just 13 seconds slower in 23.52. He, in turn, had to fight for his position with Ross Morgan snapping at his heels in 23.55. Jeff Rees was the oldest and last of our riders finishing in 25.10 on a very windy evening.

The VTTA 10 mile event on the R10/17, Abergavenny to Raglan course on Saturday 16th May was also affected by fairly strong winds. Five Acme riders competed with Anthony Redman coming out at the top of our riders this time with his 23.12. Kevin Bartlemore recorded 23.47 to take 1.05 off his best for the last three seasons. Jeff Rees also produced a best LTS with 24.45. In the non-aero section, Steve Williams finished with 25.21 while Alec Morris recorded 26.17, taking 57 seconds off his Personal Best.

Thomas Stoddart, concentrating on his preferred sport of mountain biking, competed in the Pembrey XC [Cross Country] Series over the winter and was very competitive throughout. In the first two races he gained a 7th place and then, despite a bout of illness, still achieved 11th place in the third event.

Tom achieved his highest placing in the fourth and fifth events of the series where he fought to an excellent 6th place in both. The fourth round race was also used as the first race of the Welsh XC MTB Series.

Congratulations are due to Tom for these results which have earned him Overall Winner in the Pembrey Winter XC Series in the Sports Category.

Tom is shown here competing in a cyclo-cross race.