Aber & Back

What can we say…

Adams about to receive a real good blow home

Weather was pretty damn good, slightly chilly start, little breeze to mention, and so it was we had as many officials as riders this year. Unfortunately we were lacking a Ross rider to pick up the trophy. Turbo Will pulled out 2 hours before the start, possibley looking at the welsh skyline from the comfort of his bed.

That left a Forest verses Climb on Battle. Tom Knight set off first with Adam Taylor following 5 minutes later. I stayed behind chatting to The Destroyer, who at this stage was wishing he was riding. 

20 minutes later and the rain began to fall. I set off for Aber, low and behold I past 2 dry cyclist, rain nowhere near that part of the country. Adam had past Tom “The Power” knight at this stage on Dawn of day. Tom was winding the big ring up the hill with a classic face of pain, Adam spinning gracefully. From Hardwick they said there was a slight headwind to Raglan before the winds really picked up. Now “The Power” was in the zone, both riders feeling the effects of the wind on the front wheels, Adam once again appearing to float up the hill out of Monmouth, to take the victory by time he got to the finish. Tom lost it up the hill really, deciding a road bike with TT bars may be the way to go next time. I did ask why he was straining on the big ring to be told, the little ring was to easy. Well done both, and you both stayed dry, and both have a new PB

The Powers only weakness - uphills

Next week is the short hill climb, especially for the hill whippets. I’m sure Sarah wants a piece of me this year, still reveling from the long hill climb. Jerry will be the sly fox in the ointment if he turns up, oh and lets not under estimate Fallon Jnr.

Thursday night rides leave 7:00 prompt, only had 9 this week!

Vintage Tankard Team coming along very nicely, still need 2 more!

Paul

1	Adam Taylor	2:16:00	RDFCC
2	Tom Knight	2:39:22	Climb-on-Bikes

 

KM Sprint

This was the last of the Thursday night events, although only a minute and a half of full power, it hurts like no other, well unless you include anything that goes up hill fast..

Now is that pain or fly catching?

No surprises, with No Missile to stir him up, Turbo Will took an easy win. Steve M, still reeling from 3^rd spot to me last year reversed the situation back around to his favor. Fallon junior, at this stage of his racing career, has yet to build those big ol pistons for blasting off the line, but he to reversed last year’s battle with Tony the Tiger, who himself was very happy with the result taking into account the lack of miles. James just managed a Pb, looking really good at the half way distance, scalping Handicap hero Wobbly Bobs scalp. Gazzer was keen to say his was a PB, having never ridden a KM sprint before. Poor Rich,  he looked shocked when I told him he was a tad slower than last year. Don’t worry about it Rich, it was a slower harder night than usual. Someones got to come last, this week it was Tom “The Power” Knight. Being such a short event, mean’t Tom didn’t get the chance to get his monster gear turning.

Thank To Paul Fallon Starting, Richard Harrington pushing off, Julie finishing.

Rider of the night this week was Tony, not bad considering he’s not been out.

Next week is the start of the evening rides, leaving Ross Rowing club, 7:00 Prompt, you will need lights, not wet on the ground, means you can bring you good bikes. Wet – make it an old hack. Straight to RRC afterwards.

Sunday is the Aber & Back, please let me know if you riding. Currently no timekeeper. If there's a few, I will time.

Vintage Tankard details out this week – We need to stay fit.

Today Will got a 50:55, in the wet at Glyneath, in the monsoon that followed I did a 58:25. Not good conditions for the main event. To add insult to injury, as soon as Will finished I had to usher him out of his shoes so I could borrow them, as I did a Fallon and left mine at home…

1	Will Bevan	1:07:15
2	Steve Millard	1:12:26
3	Paul Stephens	1:15:19
4	Matt Fallon	1:18:25
5	Tony Price	1:19:70
6	James Wilson	1:22:96
7	Bob Hill	1:23:20
8	Gary Downs	1:24:88
9	Richard Harrington	1:26:39
10	Tom Knight	1:27:91	C-on- B’s

Old Gore 1/8/13

Whilst the cats away, the mouses play. This week’s conditions were a far cry from the previous week’s fine conditions. Only a couple of people went quicker, with a tough frontal/side wind making the return leg home a form of torture for others. Millie played the hardest with Will away on a bike mechanics couse far far away.  Was the performance the week before a fluke?

Max floating towards the finish

Jonny had the same scenario as Jwooones the Steam the week before, the sight of me very close at the roundabout, just as well he and Jwoooones can get up that final climb. Humming Bird Legs Fallon may have had some time out, but it appears he’s on the way back, possibly meaner and leaner than before. Will he have another top step  podium before the end of the year? 

Tom The Power Knight, faster than the shutter of a camera!

Rashing frashing, if only I could get up that hill, this week maybe…

Climb on Andy, has suddenly found a whole pile of speed from somewhere, looking like the cat that got the cheese after the event .  One could tell he was very pleased, it’s not till you look at the previous times you realise how much progress he’s made this year.  Max volunteered for the number one spot on the road this week, but will need to be looking over his shoulder for the improving Spinner, this week out on his best wheels. 

Harwood tucks into his 5th bacon butty, Taff watches in disbelief, Sarah can't look...

Well what can or should I say about “The Harwood” I’m sure it’s only a temporary glitch in services,  but Tom “The Power” Knight will be keen to have a little of Harwood’s derrière next time out.

Another faster on the night was our Nigel, “What breeze?” he asked afterwards.

Young Sarah once again did the bizz, finding even more on a hard night just stretching out the gap to Gazzer GasTec^TM   

 Wayne M  just about held off Paul M, who found the conditions very different to his sub 30 ten, looking almost shocked when he got back. I was wondering if Tim was going to make a return, well he did return, work stopping the fun of cycling for the past couple of weeks. He’s actually quite keen, improving a little every time he comes out. What can I say about Mr. Airey? That red face saying it all. Still he’s very keen to tell me he is the oldest rider out.

This week thanks to Bill at the turn, Fallon senior pushing off, Julie timing.

Rider of the night this week is climb-on- Andy, the hard work’s starting to pay off.

Next week/this week depending on how you look at it is an Old Gore 10.

The next 2 weeks after that you will require a timekeeper and turn marshals, as Julies away climbing all the cols I can think of. Week 2 will be the Handicap 10 so I best pull my finger out and work out who’s going to do what (provided you have a timekeeper).

Will is going to help marshal the Welsh CA 100 Sunday, the more the merrier if anyone fancies putting a bit back into the sport (contact Will)  then on  1 Sept we have the WCA 12 hour which I will be riding, again there are calls for help off the local clubs, this could be the last one if there’s apathy from clubs in the district. Contact Bill for more info on a plan which can include riding and a BBq  on a junction or feed station. That’s made me hungry thinking about the BBq already….

Well I saw Richard come back from Sunday club ride, looking somewhat wet, though I’m sure those that went out were not as wet as Will & I. Will in his first underwater 50 miler managed a 1:53:31 with me a few minutes behind in 2:06:21.

Don’t forget, a back light may be required this week if its dull.