PTW

"Sunny intervals and a moderate breeze" Race Time Temp 18C

With the forecast wind speed possibly dipping below 10mph at race time could we have another night of SB's? For sure, it'll be nowhere near the number of SB's that we had last week but it's looking good for the handful of you who missed out.

The essentials;

1. We meet up at the Neath Canal Car Park in Resolven for signing on from about 18.00hrs and closing at 18.30hrs for a prompt 18.45hrs race start.

2. You have to be member of the PTW or a second-claim member of the PTW. There is no 'single race' fee - you have to join the club as a first-claim or second-claim member.

2021.22 by Alf Williams, on Flickr

Putting the signs out it felt a bit too windy for it to be a good night for SB's or PB's but it really did calm down at race time and whilst it was generally slower than last week I'm glad to report that a few riders went even quicker than last week. Indeed, some of you went so quick you got back before the time-keepers! Emma Davies and Stephen Morgan fell into that category and we've allocated times based on the metronomic Clinton Evans - thankfully none of those three missed out on a new SB although Clinton got really close and finished 6th on the night. Our first rider off was actually Mike Davies who smashed through the '30' barrier to record a 29:35 - a new PB and a breakthrough ride for Mike. Well done Mike!

Even though John Shehan crossed the line to empty pavements he did get an official time taken from the car park and it was a good one too - a 23 second thumping of his time from last week and a new SB. Well done John! Rob Lucas was just a few seconds down from last week whilst Hollie Labunsky trimmed a few seconds off last week's SB to set a new one and bring her really close to a '24'. On her way Hollie passed our tandem pairing of Graham Rogerson and Gerald Williams (aka G-Force) who rode Will's ancient ARGOS tandem quicker than it's ever gone. If you fancy having a go then ask Will for the catalogue number. Ethan Morgan couldn't quite beat last weeks time but Stephan Wilcox had no such problem slashing 27 seconds off his SB to finish on 24:10 - making up for missing out on last weeks SB/PB fest and also making his ride a belated 60th birthday present to himself. Steph, you don't look a day over.

Bill Gannon had an issue with his rear light so sensibly rode home before it got dark but Jeff Rees wasn't to know that and the spectre of being chased by Bill spurred Jeff on to a new SB of 23:58. Stuart Evans couldn't quite match his '23' from last week whilst Les Thomas was a bit under the weather and well off his normal pace. Neither Brad Davies or Mike Broadbent could match their expoits of last week but 14-year old Dylan Sage again rode well to record 22:24 to finish 5th whilst not so young John Deeley continued his steady upward progress with a new SB of 23:58. Steve Curry was our 'noob' last night and I really shouldn't have worried about him getting the turn wrong because it was the finish he cocked up! Despite that, he recorded an impressive 23:34 to finish 8th and take the midfield win. Darren Edwards was well down on his SB but finished 9th and claimed the road bike win to secure 2nd place in the road bike championship whilst John Aspell (too good for midfield) knocked out another '22' to finish 7th.

Our fast final four had mixed fortunes. Rod Hicks finished 4th with a 21:26 whilst Mike Hall finished 3rd with a 21:12 - both down on last week. Neil Seward was on holiday last week and might have thought that he had missed his chance of a '20' but Neil's batteries were clearly recharged as he knocked out an excellent 20:58 to finish 2nd and set a new PB ready for next season. Phil Tucker took the win with a 20:06 a full half-a-minute off his debut with us last week. With 6 SB's to consider Alfie's 'man of the match' award goes to John Shehan for a 23 second bettering of his SB and for being a competive racing man all season.

Apologies for the timing issues. Rest assured, that will not happen again. Repeat after me, two sheets means two cars!

Thanks to Dai for getting you underway and for timing the finish - I was like a spare part As always thanks also to Whistlin' Will and Gareth Davies.

It's an even earlier start next week and also a chance to break bread together afterwards at The Rock & Fountain. Looking forward to it!