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
