Gary Flower powers to another Club Championship win riding in the Welsh 100 mile Time Trial Championship on Sunday 11th August on a course which included 3 laps of the Abergavenny to Monmouth dual carriageway circuit. On a dry and warm day he had no one to feed him so had to stop to collect drinks and was further hampered when, on the back road at Mitchell Troy, he unshipped his chain which got wedged between the bottom bracket and chainset. Undaunted, he fininished in 4 hours 28 minutes and 51 seconds for 20th place, an excellent time for his first event at this distance.
Unfortunately, he will not be able to ride the Welsh 12 hour and collect the club BAR award becuse he will be competing in an Ironman event, his main goal for the year. Also riding in the championship was Dan Taylor. Unable to ride the West Wales 100 because his car failed its MOT, this was his only chance to challenge for the club BAR. At approximately 40 miles he punctured near Hardwick and lost 10 minutes or so waiting for a spare wheel to be brought from Raglan. He carried on but at about 83 miles he went off course, arriving at a confused timekeeper from the wrong direction. He still intends to ride the 12 hour and this Sunday joins Steve Bennett, Neale Lewis and Paul Griffiths in the Welsh [and Club]10 mile Championship.
Following his upgrading to 2nd Cat road-racing licence, Steve road his first open time trial of the year on 18th August, the Cwmcarn 25 mile event. From a full field of 120 competitors and 98 starters he took 18th place with an excellent time of 54 minutes 39 seconds, the fastest Acme time this year.
No doubt inspired by Steve’s achievements, Dai Long, riding in a 4th Cat criterium at Maindy, attacked from the bunch with a couple of laps to go, chasing a lone breakaway. Dai just got pipped on the line but still took 3rd place and collected enough additional points to be upgraded to 3rd Category.
Samples of the new design Club Clothing were approved by the committee last week. There will be an open evening at the clubroom on Friday 30th August between 6 and 8.30 pm when members will be able to drop in to view the range of summer and winter garments and try them for size. All orders for the first batch of clothing must be placed by 10th September. There will be no late orders accepted and no other bulk order will be placed until late spring 2014. Members will be able to order individually, direct from the manufacturer but the cost will be substantially more.
Tony Rees now has entry forms for the 5 Valleys Gran Fondo charity sportive on 1st September. Please contact him for further information.
The Valleys Velo Sportive takes place on 29th September and a link to it can be found here.
This is a final reminder to members that anyone wishing to book a place for our autumn weekend ride needs to contact Eddie Blayney as soon as possible. All members have already received full details from the chairman.
