PTW

Sunny intervals and a fresh breeze - 12°C

Well, the weather couldn't be worse with 36 hours to go but do not despair for things are better for race time tomorrow although still decidely cool and breezy so I don't think anyone will be challenging Chris Gibbard's sensational new course record of 18:49 set on Saturday's Open event.

Anyway, here are the essentials;

1. We meet up at the Neath Canal Car Park in Resolven for signing on from about 18.00hrs and closing at 18.45hrs for a prompt 19.00hrs race start.

2. You have to be a 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.

Course Description

START on the Vale of Neath Supplier Estate service road opposite Lamp Post No. 18. Proceed eastwards along the service road to the Resolven Roundabout (0.458 miles). (Safety Notice:- Do not cross the centre line of the road on the right hand bend). Take the 1st exit left along A465 dual carriageway westbound to the 1st exit left (4.862 miles). Continue up the loop to the small Tonna Roundabout where take the 1st exit to the large Aberdulais Interchange. Take the 4th exit (5.505 miles) to proceed down the slip road to re-join A465 dual carriageway. Proceed eastbound to the Resolven Roundabout where take 1st exit left to FINISH at the access road to the Canal Car Park on the cross-valley link road (10.006 miles).

Please note that results from Saturday's Open 10 have been cranked into the rankings. Just sayin'

A surprisingly good turnout for a cold, cloudy and breezy May evening which threatened rain. Given that there was no threat of a PB the times were surprisingly good for many of you as well.

Riding a roadbike, Mike Timothy got us underway with a useful 22 second improvement from last week but our first rider back was Neil Gregory having an early start to get back for his wife's birthday. How sweet! Also sweet was Neil's form as he went forward by 18 seconds from last week on a night when most didn't. Fresh from her 'Carten' ride was Amy Seppman who couldn't quite break the '30' barrier and was close to being caught by the very competitive Emma Davies who despite slipping back by a full minute was close enough "to the girls" (a direct quote from Emma there). Clinton Evans did well to only slip back by 17 seconds to finish 5th but really didn't appreciate the wind down to the turn.

Ffion Davies was well off the pace from last week but is a known freezer! Apparently, she's part lizard. Diane Wilson-Evans was a minute down from last week and was probably missing 'Hubby' whilst Hollie Labunsky was just 21 seconds down from week to finish a very respectable 10th and congratulations to Amy, Ffion and Hollie for their successful abseiling adventure last weekend. Lots of money was raised for The Soldiers' Charity - well done girls!

Another roadbiker last night was Gavin Thomas and whilst Gavin was a minute down on last week he has nipped into a slender one point lead in the roadbike championship points table. Rob Lucas did well to only lose 18 seconds from last week but Matt Jones was well off the pace compared to his SB as was Stephan Wilcox - both are '23' men and will get back there on better nights I'm sure. Dan Jenkins was only 18 seconds down from his SB to finish 7th and will probably be knocking on the door of a '21' in future weeks as he learns the rhythm of the course. Well, I don't know how he did it but Graham Rogerson went forward by 34 seconds from last week which either means he was very aero on the way out or had 58x11 coming back!

Our 1-2-3 had a different look this week with our PTW 'fast three' having mixed fortunes when compared to last week. Neil Seaward was only 11 seconds down from last week but finished 3rd on the night whilst Rod Hicks had a good night with a huge 42 second improvement from last week to finish 2nd and, indeed, was only 2 seconds away from a SB. That left Mike Hall to take the win with a 21:31 which was 18 seconds better than last week and it followed on from a good ride in the PTW Open 10 last Saturday. I hope Rod Hicks will forgive me for awarding Alfie's MOTM to Mike Hall for a breakthrough win although this does mean that Mike will no longer be known as the eternal second!

Thanks to Dai for time-keeping, Will for the whistles and to Gareth for signage and marshalling.