PTW

Sunny intervals and a moderate breeze - Race Time Temp 19°C

After a full month of 10's on the dual we make a return to the 13 and it's a reasonable weather forecast especially when considering the shelter you get on the back road. I'd love to see some PB's and there's also a women's course record that's there for the taking (no pressure Hollie).

Anyway, as the start is three miles from the signing-on can I point out the slightly earlier closing time of 18.40hrs.

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 18.40hrs 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 B4242 Old Vale of Neath Road at unused entrance just south-west of the new Health Centre in Glynneath. Proceed south-west on the B4242 to Resolven junction. Continue south-west on the B4242 passing through Abergarwed village and Ynysarwed village to the ‘Rock and Fountain’ hill, climb and continue to TURN with care at the break in the dual-carriageway opposite the Groundhog factory at Ynysgerwen, SA10 8HH (6.5 miles).

Descend hill and retrace route north-eastwards along the B4242 through Ynysarwed village and Abergarwed village. Continue north-eastwards through Resolven junction and past Rheola Pond to FINISH directly opposite the start.

The ride to the start is 3.2 miles or 15 mins at a 13mph plod.

For our final visit to the '13' for this year it was great to see half the field on road bikes and on some tasty looking machines too! Stephen Morgan got us underway on his lovely Raleigh 753 but our first rider back was Chris Groves who signed up on the night and posted an excellent 32:58 which took the midfield win. That's a great debut Chris - well done! Our second rider off and also our second rider back was Emma Davies who did well on the night but was a minute down on her SB set at the Open '13' early last month. Ethan Morgan was on his Dad's 1984 Vitus Duranilox and was two minutes quicker than Dad and released his inner Sean Kelly by edging him out in the sprint too! Completing the vintage line-up of road bikes was Graham Rogerson on his Raleigh USA 531 dripping with 7-speed Dura Ace and I suspect that Graham stopped to polish it before he crossed the line such was his modest time .

John Shehan and Rob Lucas are having a most friendly rivalry this season and after Rob's win last week it was John's turn this week and he also clipped 43 seconds off his SB for good measure. Well done boys and I use the term loosely!

Continuing a great season in Tri's and TT's Hollie Labunsky got real close to her SB and finished in the top half of the results table. Romain Sacre did his homework on the course and did well in the test by finishing 6th with a benchmark ride of 35:50 (on a road bike) that he'll demolish next season. Almost catching Romain, and also on a road bike, was John Aspell who finished 5th and hopefully John now has his mojo back. Unfortunately, Matt Jones is still looking for his mojo as he clearly isn't quite right and had nothing in his legs last night so perhaps a short break is required... or just go out and buy a red bike .

Mike Broadbent was another rider on a road bike and hopefully he enjoyed the change but will get back on his TT bike for unfinished business on the dual. Also on a road bike was John Deeley and whilst John Deeley's sparkly Klein isn't quite vintage it certainly is a modern classic and John posted a 36:04 to finish 7th. Our fast three were sent off in reverse order this week as Neil Seaward was on a road bike after last week's 'tub trouble' and Neil was only 50 seconds off his SB to finish 3rd. Neil Gregory's recent progress continued as he took a full minute off his SB set in June to finish 2nd and Mike Hall took the win with a 30:45 that was only 10 seconds off his SB set in last month's Open '13'. Well done Mike and enjoy your holiday in France!

As always, there are many candidates for Alfie's MOTM (Chris Groves debut, Romain's strong ride, the two Neils, Mike Hall's win, etc.) but I'm going for John Shehan's 43 second beating of his SB and partly for being a season-long racing man. Well done John!

Concours d'Elegance: Graham Rogerson's Raleigh USA 531

Thanks to Dai for time-keeping, Will for the snaps and Gareth for marshalling the turn. Well done everyone!