PTW

Light rain showers and a moderate breeze - Race Time Temp 16°C

Not the best forecast for our final Thursday night of the season but the post-race forecast for the Rock & Fountain is drier and warmer.

Don't forget that it's an 18.30hrs start time.

R10/23 ‘BACK ROAD’ COURSE DESCRIPTION

R10/23 START on the B4242 Old Vale of Neath Road at the entrance to F.E. Chick just north-east of Rheola Pond. 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 (5.0 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.

With loads of rain about and dark skies aplenty I'd never have believed that we could be so lucky to have a welcome weather window (www.com) that allowed everyone to race and allow everyone to stay dry - well apart from road spray. Fair play, nobody bitched about it being on the back road and we had a good night's racing and an even better night's socialising.

Anyway, Diane Wilson-Evans was first off and first back and I saw how much effort she puts into her ride - fair play! John Shehan was one of a few road bikers last night and he enjoyed the more comfortable ride and got his just desserts in the Rock & Fountain later! It's been a great season for Emma Davies and she got away from the start line quite impressively and also finished strongly to take a few scalps on her way to 9th place. Romain 'Screech' Sacre finished in the top half of the table (6th) but needs to sort those damn disc brakes out!

Mike Broadbent was another who also got his just desserts in the Rock & Fountain (early carbo loading for Sunday's PTW Open 10) and was nudged down to 8th by Brad Davies by the slenderest of margins. Stephan Wilcox was on his road bike and was just off the pace but, like Emma, it's been a great break-through season for Stephan and we look forward to further progress in 2023. No pressure Stephan! David Wilson-Evans took the road bike win with a 26:30 to finish 5th and it was great to see David and Diane break bread with us afterwards.

Our final four really were head and shoulders above the rest. Darrel Williams finished 4th with a 24:53 whilst our two 12-hour boys finished 3rd (Mike) and 2nd (Grog) allowing John Aspell to completely overturn the seedings to take the win from 4th place on the grid! A fantastic ride that and a no-brainer for Alfie's MOTM.

Over another successful club event season I've had superb help from Dai and Will with additional support from Gareth, JD, Tony, Shirley and Julian who have all marshalled the turn at various times - thanks guys! And, on our final night, on behalf of everyone who was at the Rock & Fountain a huge thank you to Tony and Shirley for arranging our swan song soirée and to Hollie for her kindness in organising the totally unnecessary but most welcome gifts - we do it for the smiles Hollie!

It's not lost on me that whilst we were enjoying our normal Thursday night activity the saddest of news was emerging from Balmoral.

God save The King.