PTW

Light cloud and a fresh breeze - 17°C

There's still a couple of days to go but it does look dry for our '15' that is essentially one big loop of the Presidents Circuit but starting right by our meeting point.

Normal rules apply, sign on between 18.15hrs and 18.45hrs for a prompt 19.00hrs start at the bus stop very close to the 'T' junction by the car park... boy, those net curtains will be twitching!

Course Description R15/2C - Start at west end of drain in front of bench on the B4242 (old Vale of Neath road) and 13 yards west of link road to A465 rbt at Resolven. Proceed westwards on B4242 through Abergarwed and Ynysarwed past the 'Rock and Fountain' climb to Aberdulais to the junction with the A4109 where left with care. Continue on the A4109 through Aberdulais to the Aberdulais Interchange where left onto the slip-road down to the A465 eastbound. Continue eastwards on A465 to Resolven rbt to take 2nd exit along A465 to Blaengwrach rbt. Bear left along cross valley link road to junction with B4242 (the old Vale of Neath road). Turn left onto the B4242 and proceed westwards to finish at the "30" mph speed limit sign at the east end of Resolven.

The forecast improvement in the weather never really materialized but the rain did stop before we started (only to return) and the visibilty was just about good enough to run the event. Ten riders started with the late Bill Gannon off first at 'minute zero' and also back first with a 38:58. Emma Davies looked super-fast when negotiating the Resolven rbt and finished with a 42:20 a far better ride than it looks in the result table as the extra 2 miles this week only took Emma an additional 4 minutes. John Shehan was edged out by Emma in our last '10' but finished comfortably ahead this week and John can aim for a '39' (or better!) next week.

Hollie Labunsky is coming into great form and has been snapping at the heels of the midfielders in the past few weeks. Bill Gannon and Hollie were tied on 38:58 and when checking the hundreths last night there was just 1/100th in it but, more importantly, Hollie is now our ladies '15' record holder adding this to the '10' and '25' records that she already holds. Congratulations Hollie and may I recommend Page 10 of the Club Handbook as inspiration for a longer distance campaign next season.

A punctured tub on his TT bike meant that Matt Jones had to grab his road bike but his ride was very competitive when compared to the three riders who finished ahead of him and, best of all, he enjoyed the course! Brad Davies was our only visitor last night but took the midfield win and also 4th place with a 38:53. Stephan Wilcox didn't fill me with confidence last night with his repeated questions about the course and somewhere along the way this translated to a below par ride which Stephan can correct next week and prove the superiority of red bikes!

Our fast three had mixed fortunes with Neil Gregory finishing in his seeded position of 3rd with 35:06. The other Neil unshipped his chain and had to stop and get his fingers oily to finish 2nd whilst Mike Hall took the win with a 32:56 and bank some useful race miles in preparation for the West Wales 100 on Sunday. Good luck to Mike and also to Paul Colman in that classic event.

Thanks to Gareth for putting out some signs before departing on his hols and to Tony and Dame Shirley for marshaling at Ynysygerwen and to Derby and Joan for marshaling at the turn. This week, our guest marshal was Andy Williams ("get down Shep". As always, you were dispatched by Dai Triggs and snapped by Will (well, it keeps them off the streets).

P.S. of course, Alfie's MOTM goes to Hollie Labunsky for setting a new club record and for not being that far away from finishing 4th