News

Gruff takes the big one!

The Ystwyth train at the finish of the Mining Valleys RR

The 2010 edition of Ystwyth Cycling Clubs annual Tour of the Mining Valleys’ road race, was saved from cancellation thanks to club president Leif Skot, who stepped in when  the previous organiser’s plans changed and he was unable to attend.

This gesture was of great benefit to the numerous fans of this fairly unique race, especially the home clubs riders who entered en-masse for the 2/3 cat event.

With the hilly course being so tough and challenging, the event attracts the types of riders who seem to enjoy ‘feeling the burn’ in their climbing muscles and entries came in from as far afield as East London, Lancaster and Birkenhead.

Previous winner Gareth McGuiness was also back to try and retain the title he won in 2009. The 2008 TLI British Champion was in good form after a season mixing it with Elite riders in Premier Calendar and tough E/1/2 races in the north.

Ystwyth fielded almost a full strength road race team of Gruff, Dan, Murdo, Andy, Jade, Shelley, Arwel & Carwyn with only Danny Thorogood and Paul Jones absent due to the British TT champs in nearby Llandeilo on the same day and Dewi Hughes who kindly volunteered to run the service vehicle this year.

The 64 mile race started cautiously, as no riders gambled on an early move and so the bunch rolled out the first 10 miles at a fairly average speed until they reached the course proper. From here the paced increased and from the 55 or so starters, only around 35 survived the first ascent of the New Row climb. The first lap was ridden in a reported 29 minutes. Based on the fact that most Ystwyth CC training laps are run out at approx 33 minutes, its fair to say that the climb and the following descent were seat of the pants stuff.

It hurts even for the winner

Most Ystwyth lads were still in the mix at this point and a break of two riders then broke away on lap 2 to forge over a minutes lead. McGuiness tried a couple of attempts to break away in the valley but he was heavily marked by a number of riders and the bunch stayed together in the main with the second climb being ridden even faster than the first time, claiming Arwel and a few other riders.

With Murdo working away at the front and Jade not far behind, and Gruff and Dan Davies sitting comforatbly in the pack along with Andy and Shelley, things were looking good for Ystwyth as there was now only around 25 riders left in the running.

The third ascent claimed another Ystwyth casualty, this time Shelley, but the others survived the climb to leave just the fearsome 49′er climb out of Pontrhydygroes up to Devils Bridge to go, in terms of climbing.

This is where the peleton really exploded and it was at the top of the climb, after the steep section at the Hafod junction that riders at the front really pressed on and a small group formed. This was the point at which the final selection was being made with the Birkenhead riders being very strong along with Cwmcarns etarnal strongman, Richard Harris. The two man break had now been reeled in and sensing the danger, Gruff Lewis beckoned ‘super’ Dan Davies to assist in bridging across to the leaders, which they duly did.

Jade had been prominent up the 49′er as had Andy Hunt but it was this counter attacking on the lumpy roads afterwards that really did the damage.

On the run in, though Pisgah and Capel Seion there were attacks and both Gruff and Dan were in a small group of just five wih Cwmcarns Harris and Harry Grey & Jeff Vernon from Birkenhead CC. On the final clip to the line it was Davies who led out with Gruff perfectly coming around his generous slipstream to win by half a wheel. Such was Davies’s lead out, he held onto second place in true Matt Renshaw style, leaving Harris in third and the two Birkenhead lads 4th & 5th.

Dan on the chase

Just as impressive is Dan Davies rise in cycling circles in 2010. Again, only starting out in the winter of 09, coming in from a very strong running background, he has literally been getting faster each week, having already taken the Tywyn Criterium 3/4 title in August.

With Jade, Murdo and Andy also finishing well, and Arwel and Shelley showing that they can survive some of the tough bits, the club seems to be going in the right direction in road races and so a solid winter is now required to see the black & whites (and a bit of red, green & yellows) again at the front of the peleton in 2011. 

Dear Riders,

To make the most of the fitness gained during the summer and before losing it during the Winter, a mini hill climb league has been organized. This will include three famous short climbs around Aberystwyth town.

The league will start on Wednesday 15th of September for 3 weeks. The events will start at 6.30pm sharp, with signing-on/weighing-in at 6pm. The events are:

• 15th September - Penglais Hill, starting opposite the hospital car park and finishing at the Clarach turn.
• 22nd September – Primrose Hill, starting by the Black Lion and finishing by the junction at the top for Waunfawr.
• 29th September - sprint up Penparcau Hill, starting on the bridge, turning and finishing by the school.

As well as a league for the fastest time, there will also be an adjusted league, based on the rider and bike weight, i.e. the heavier riders will be rewarded with a time deductions compared to lighter riders. So don’t be put off if you think you have a bit more gravity!!!

All three hills have street lights on them, but please put rear lights on you bike for our safety.

The events are free and after the final event we intend to hire the Penparcau Community Centre for refreshments and awards.

Dewi and Kirsten

Danny has put together this really cool spreadsheet so that bragging rights can be easily identified & confirmed