PTW

"Sunny intervals with a fresh breeze" - Race time temp 19C.

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 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.

2021.19 by Alf Williams, on Flickr

Well, if anything, the weather was worse than the forecast being windier and certainly colder. Despite this, quite a few of you nabbed new SB's and PB's which either indicates that you're coming into form or that perhaps I need to get Will to check your bikes for hidden motors. E-Will! It was our THIRD best turn out of the season with 21 riders facing a stiff headwind out to the turn and a recommended gear of 55x11 coming back.

Stephen Morgan got us underway and was first back but his son Ethan won the 'first time click-in award' to impressively leave the start line and set a new SB by 29 seconds and also claim bragging rights in the Morgan household. Emma Davies probably blunted her speed by doing a few too many miles on the Wednesday but you already knew that didn't you? Personally, I thought the leaflet campaign was excessive Emma. Ffion Davies had a cracking ride last night and her 26:44 was almost a full minute off her SB whilst her triathlon buddy, Hollie Labunsky, was only a few seconds off a new SB. Matt Jones was riding his first event on the DC on his new TT bike and recorded a new PB of 24:37 to finish in the top half of the result board. Boom!

Clinton Evans got to within 7 seconds of a SB to finish 4th so the form is definitely there for a long '21' on the float night I'm planning later this month. Steph Wilcox was well down on his SB but will get there over the next four weeks I'm sure. Our three septuagenarians (yes, I had to look up how to spell it) had a mixed night with John Shehan getting to within 10 seconds of an SB, Rob Lucas getting to within 15 seconds and whilst Stuart Evans was 39 seconds down he was firmly in the top half of the results table. Well done to all three of you and that cocoa was well deserved.

Bill Gannon trimmed 10 seconds off his SB to literally finish in mid-table whilst Jeff Rees snipped 19 seconds off his SB to finish 8th. Graham 'Road Bike' Rogerson took 15 seconds off his PB and with the road bike championship firmly in the bag he's tempted to give his TT bike an airing before the end of the season. John Deeley was well off the pace but is coming back from being under the weather. Les Thomas was also not at his best and eased off on the return. Mike Broadbent was just 8 seconds off a SB to finish 6th whilst John Aspell impressively knocked 20 seconds off his SB to finish 5th and take the midfield win.

Our top 3 seeds were seperated by just 19 seconds with Mike Hall just 5 seconds down on his SB to finish 3rd whilst Rod Hicks was 20 seconds down on his SB to finish 2nd - a real comeback ride I thought to get within 5 seconds of winning. Neil Seaward took the win and whilst his time was well down on his SB it's another small training block that might just pave the way to a late season '20'. For Alfie's 'man of the match' I hope Matt Jones will forgive me for awarding it to Ffion Davies for an impressive 59 second beating of her previous seasons best. Well done Ffion!

Thanks to Dai for time-keeping, Will for the whistles and also to Gareth & JD for keeping an eye on you at the turn.