PTW

Saturday Morning saw the return of the Dragon Slayers and a reasonable turn out meant that 9 Hardy Souls put their heart rates into overdrive and raced up the old Glynneath bank as fast their little legs could carry them

First off was Richard Gambling recording 7 mins 39.50 second off the block was Rod hicks who blasted his way to a 7:28.23 Dai Triggs then set off and recorded a time of 11:06.00. Chris allen followed suit recording a time of 8:30.63.

All was going well but then came the class of the Titans....... Fat Boy Les Thomas followed one minute later by Gary (Lightening boy) Gregory. My worst nightmare, 1.6 miles up hill........... not a flat bit in sight.......... and Skippy on my tail.............Would Skippy Catch me? Would I make it up the Hill? What is this painfull thumping in my chest? Can I hear Skippy behind me? HOW LONG TO GO. THERE's THE FINISH LINE AAAAAARRRRRGGGGHHHH!.......

I wonder can I Fall off bike onto that nice piece of grass verge.......aah yes soft comfy grass, Its nice here, the world is spinning, Nice fluffy clouds, blue sky, Lungs gasping for every last piece of oxygen.... Heart Rate slowing down......... AND SKIPPY DIDN'T CATCH ME....... He's still not here...... There is a God..............

Yes folks I managed to drag my weary backside up that hill in 9:03.30..................59 seconds later Skippy arrived, He ascended the hill in 9:02.06..... I live to fight another day.

Nice to see Dave Williams having a go, he shot up the climb like a leaping gazelle in 8:03.51. Willy also gave his all and managed to get up the climb in 11:26.13

As is often the case we saved the best till last and Spot blasted his way up the hill in 7:13.51. The event was won by Dale Appleby Ream Raleigh in..... 5:58.58.

When we get the official results I'll let you know, but Ogmore had three more riders out than us so they've probably closed the gap in the club points competition

Finally there was a 25 at Usk this morning and I returned a time of 59:09 with John Stroud recording a 1:03:28 the event was won by Alan Cook in 50:35

Well done to all brave hill-climbers!

Tudor Thomas asked me to look for the West Wales Hill Climb trophy and after blowing the dust off I note the following PTW winners;

2004 Geraint Evans
1980 Chris Jones (dead heat with Martin Harsant)
1979 John Davis
1975 B. Mason*

* Any info on who this is?

Bowen Mason

Joined Ogmore Valley Wheelers shortly after this I think. Recently heard that he has been seen on a bike again as well.

He's a bit older than me so Jugsy will know all about him

Indeed, one Bowen Mason having recently retired, has been joining the friday ride of late - I understand he has joined the Ogmore vw

Appologies for not hanging round and being social on saturday, was in the middle of a ride with a couple of mates. I've not seen the results at all so don't know how I did. I know I'm at least 4th LOL. Knew I wasn't going to catch my min man though, Dale. I think my left leg weighs more than himLOL. It was a hot day, haven't drunk so much in ages.

Oh yes, Hoping to make a club event soon, thursdays Have just been so hectic this last month or so. CAtch ya all soon.

G