PTW

Now that all of the results are in, I just wanted to write a few words about last weekend.

Last weekend saw Bynea CC put on a whole weekend of TTs, and what a weekend it was for some of our club members. Saturday’s 10 mile TT ended with a new PB of 21:09 for Rod Hicks, Robert Lucas proved that being 67 does not mean you stop improving by setting a new PB of 24:36, and thanks to some borrowed wheels (and I’m sure borrowed legs) I managed a 22:31 and ruined my carefully laid out targets for next year in the process! The star of the day though had to be Stuart Evans, winning the event on Vet Standard by a good margin. Forty-somethings will be fined £5 next time you say “I’m getting too old for this”.

Then there was Sunday. A 25 mile TT on the world’s best course. I started adamant that “No wind will defeat me, I have a trispoke and a disc. I will be in a vacuum”. 10 miles later riding into a firm headwind I realised how wrong I was. Never before has it taken so much effort to go so slow.

No PBs for any of us that day, but there was a very pleasant surprised when the results came through. The Port Talbot Wheelers were the fastest team! We were in the money!

The weekend was a great way to finish the year’s Open events. Being in the money, I basically feel that we are now pro’s. I can't speak for the others but I won't let it change me. Seriously though, assuming anyone has read this far, what I want to get across is that Time Trialling is a fantastic and easily accessible sport, and there is far more to it that just the winning time. You don’t need to start off with all the gear, your normal road bike will do just fine. You won't be alone, and chasing PBs is enormously rewarding and motivating in itself.

A few Wheelers have proven through the year that a road bike and no aero kit is not a barrier to setting a very fast time anyway!

The club events were really well supported this year, and I really do urge everyone who likes to ride their bike to come along and try a few events in the new year. I guarantee you'll enjoy it. Between the back road and the dual carriageway there is a course for everyone, and riding on the dual carriageway is nowhere near as scary as you might think. Just be visible. Says the guy with the black skin suit.

Training for the new year starts now!

(Yes, that was more than a few words sorry)

Great report Matt and well done on a superb first season. I guess Rod will also be setting a new goal for next year, certainly for the 10-mile distance.

Excellent write up there Matt. Let's hope it encourages more into having a go at time trialling.

Do you want a job writing for the club website?

Thanks both. Yes I'd be happy to contribute the odd thing Ray. Do you have anything in particular in mind that you'd like at the moment? If you have my email address then feel free to send me an email