PTW

2025 PTW Club Event Series - Round 23 - Thursday, September 4th - 'The Thirteen'

Weather Forecast: Sunny intervals with a gentle breeze (8mph) - Race Time Temp 17°C

With over two days to go the forecast looks OK but even if there is rain about this event will go ahead as this 'back road' course is not really affected by road spray.

OK. Moving on to the time-trial itself here are the essentials;

1. We meet up at the Neath Canal Car Park in Resolven (What3Words: rots.connector.performs) for signing on from about 18.00hrs and closing at 18.30hrs for a prompt 18.45hrs race start on the B4242 near Glynneath.

PLEASE NOTE THE EARLIER START TIME OF 18.45hrs

2. You have to be a member of the PTW or a second-claim member of the PTW and for 2025 this is now £40.00 (£30.00 + £10.00 supplement).

3. Alternatively, if you are a member of a club affiliated to Cycling Time Trials you can enter on the line at a cost of £5.00 per ride. We are testing this out this season and if demand exceeds capacity then we reserve the right to withdraw enter on the line.

4. Please don't forget your helmet and front and rear lights!

R13/S COURSE DESCRIPTION

START (What3Words: tanga.curious.guessing) 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 Ynysygerwn, 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.

Well, what a cracking night that turned out to be! Rain never looked far away but it didn't and the wind played nice!

Firstly, commiserations to the unlucky Andrew Raistrick and Stephan Wilcox who punctured (DNF-P does not mean that Stephan stopped for a pee). Better luck next time guys! Dylan Sage was last rider off and first rider back which takes some doing on a shortish course and in the process he smashed Will Roberts previous record by 22 seconds. Well done Dylan and that's Alfie's MOTM taken care of!

Honestly, nobody really had a bad ride (before you challenge that statement, Mike Hall had severe cramp!) and there is much to admire in the results. Angela took a huge chunk off her PB and got well under the '40' barrier. With only a handful of races under her belt, Angharad got to within 66 seconds of Emma's club record of 35.01 and Darren Edwards got the best out of his new bike to take the road bike win and also finish 4th on the night. Josh did well on an unfamiliar course and Rob Jones continues his great end of season form.

As usual, thanks to Will and Dai plus Grog for pushing you off and also to Dai Abbott and Matt Jones for marshalling.