PTW

The event ,a six stage five day event, starts today 2/7/2008 based in the Usk / Abergavenny area(details in WELSH CYCLING website). Good luck to our riders Dave Crowley Jonathan Harris and Alex Bland., just stick with Nicole!. Keep us posted boys

what,s happening in the Ras lads, some info please

Dunno what's happening but Davey and Jon were on the TV last night and looking very happy too !!!

Well ??? What's occurring ???????

Ok.... sorry aboput the delay guys! Situation is: Day 1 Prologue - 12km.

Excuses in early - my training has been virtually zero for this event, but I was determined to grit my teeth and get stuck in...

After a mixed morning weather wise, and a qucik chance to unpack, Jon, Jason (our man in the City) and I (Alex Bland having pulled out) rode out to the prologue course, whcih was on a 'tumpy' course, finsihing with a 2km steep climb. As we took to the start, timed to perfection, every drop of rain ever created in the history of man emptied on us. It was in these conditions that we set about our prologue. Now those who know me know that I don't DO rain, so I sulked my way round the 12km course, crying and thinking 'is it too early to pack?'. Anyway - I crossed the line in a poor time, with my morale in my boots. Jon and Jason faired better, being harder cyclists. However, I had left my jersey at the start line, sso I set about riding back up the course, only to be hit my another array of thunderstorms. This was not going well....

Nevermind, our Ras was off to a shaky start, but a start none the less, and things can only get better as the song goes....

to be continued....

Come on Davey ,dont keep us in suspense, it might even make the best seller list, not sure what category though!

Stage 2 Abergavenny - Abergavenny 100km

A miserable start to the day, but mercifully the rain stayed off during the morning's stage. We set off at a brisk pace, and the legs weren't feeling too bad. We hit the first KOM and Jason had managed to chip off the front with a break containing (unfortunaltey) Richie Harris from Cwmcarn, current,y 2nd overrall. The bunch weren't about to let this get away, and while I tried to bridge across, my legs exploded and I found myself back in the bunch, which reeled in the short lived break.
It was then that we hit the big one of the day. A climb like the old Glyneath bank. From the bottom I started going backwards, and my lack of training was finally found out as I got spat out the back halfway up. Jon stayed in the bunch and Jason got into a 'laughing group' that rode a steady lick all the way round. I managed to pick up a few riders and we trundled home, 20 minutes down, and legs in bits. Jon had popped off the main group on the next big climb and came in 2 minutes down, but had a good ride to stay there that long. It was going to be a long week, and my new found inability to climb was going to cause me problems...

Stage 3 TTT - Abergavenny - Abergavenny 30km

Ok, after a quick excursion into Abergavenny to get some coffee and cake, the PTWCC Team Time Trial assembled under sunny skies. Finally! With our GC hopes gone, it was just a question of bowling along the tumpy course in as steady a fashion as possible. Which we did, and a very smooth TTT it was too, good turns, no balsting offt he front on the hills, and easing when we needed to. And best of all - we didn't come in last!!! Things are looking up....

Nice reports Davey, but your not getting away with the big question ....... Where in the race did you finish ?

Stage 4 - Newport - Usk - Abergavenny - Usk 110km.

A bright blue sky finally greeted us this morning, and morale was instantly lifted. We wolfed down our breakfast in the knowledge that today's rolling stage would suit undertrained bloaters like myself, and soft southerners like Jason. However, word quickly swept the camp that there was in fact a hill finish, and the little bump ont he stage profile was a steep and long bar steward of a hill. Undetterred, after some tactical positioning on the start line to get myself (and of course my sponsors) maximum exposure to the press, we were off. A long neutralised section helped warm up the legs, before we hit the hill. Bang - straight to the back of the bunch, and clingin on for dear life over the top. Luckily I managed to get back on, but that was to be the order of things until the last lap. Fight to get to the front all lap, and then lose it all going over the Hill. It is worth pointing out that Jon's copmputer said we were tanking along at 28mph on some of the flatter sections!!! Anyway - on the last lap I managed to feel better, and hit the front in the last 5 miles to give Cwmcarn a bit of help. We hit the hill just before the finish and I sat up, content that I had had a decent stage. Jon and Jason finished in the bunch, no mean feat. A great day, and the local school kids had been brought out especially to cheer us on - and nothing makes you feel like you are riding the Tour more than crowds lining the side of the road cheering!! Allez PTWCC!!
Things were looking better all the time...

Ok - the big day dawns - Defynog and Storey Arms - 100km. We awake to stormy skies, which you can guarantee will be twice as bad at the top of the Beacons. A quick breakfast and a long drive to Storey Arms, where the rain staarts in earnest. The car park is full of gloomy cyclists looking out from the warmth of their cars, trying to leave it until the last possible second before getting out. Thougths of packing are creeping into my head, as by now I am feeling the cumulative effects of all this racing. Jon and I exchange glances - today is going to be tough. Jason however, remains positive. I want what he's on.
We set off - and it's a long descent down to Brecon. WE turn round and tackle the rolling road to Sennybridge with little difficulty, but the bunch is growing apprehensive as the dreaded 18% Defynog climb approachs. A quick left and a sign announces we are in the village. A scramble to get to the front and then we turn the corner to face the climb proiper. It rises like a wall in front of us, and the smell of strained clutches fills the air. We hit the climb, and I am suprised to find I am coping. Bang - a guys chain hjams and he goes over the bars, bits of bike fly everywhere. No worries, around him I go without breaking my stride. I look around - I've got Nicoel in front of me, and Jon to my right, - 'I'm going to make it!!' We turn another corner and the road, unbelivably pitches up again!! I was now in 'serious difficulty' and there was 'panic on board'. The 'bridge was saying to the engine room I need more power, but there isn't any left' - (all classic Sherwinisms). My legs, not used to this punishment, cramped up, and I drifted off the back. A few death throes to try and latch on to a chasing group (including one with Jason) but now my legs and morale, both fragile, had collapsed. I ground to a halt and began the long slow cold ride back to Storey Arms. For me ze Tour was over...
AS an epolgue Jon also packed after getting caught in no man's land. Jason battled bravely through the whole stage on his own, despite suffering with chronic back pain. This problem would eventually prevent him from starting the next day.

So - in conclusion, a bit of a disaster! But the event was enjoyed by all. The actual race and organissation was top notch, and the racing was fierce, with fantastic courses. I will be back next year with better legs. The training starts now...

Very entertaining Davey,

well done boys. It does help if you train before hand though especially if you are a race team for the club. Maybe I should make a comeback and give you a kicking lololololol!!!

A top notch write up Davey.