On a warm and apparently calm Sunday morning, 6 of the intrepid squadra chrono reported to the timekeeper for the Hirwuan 50 on the R 50 3 C at Resolven. This was also the Club 50 so nerves were jangling at the thought of the competition ahead. Rod Hicks was the first out of the Blocks at number 21. I was off Second two minutes later. Hirwaun Wheelers seemed to keep things sociable as Jayson James was off number 32 with John Stroud off 2 minutes later at number 34. Hugh Davies was the only solitary PTW man, but he was off in a fast mans slot at number 45.
After the first lap it was clear that the apparently calm day was not as calm as people thought with a headwind up the dual carriageway. This was not going to be a fast day..........
Much to my surprise as I approached Resolven Roundabout after 14 miles I could see a Port Talbot wheelers Jersey ahead and as I got closer I realised that it was Rod travelling very slowly, making his way back to the event HQ.
Unlucky mate, obviously some problem prevented you from finishing but we've not been able to find out what happened so we'll have to wait and see.
Second time up the Rock can be hard but second time up the dual carriageway was worse. Big thanks for the encouragement from Charles who was on his way to the National Road Race Champs I guess.
Third time up the Rock, bottom Gear, legs pumping but it was a crawl... Breath you B.... Breath.......... after all that. it was back on the the dual carriageway
The third time up the stretch before the McDonalds Roundabout I could have got off, but wth only 4 miles to go so there was not a lot of point.......I finished with a 2:14:14 and headed back to the club house and see how everyone else had done. Jayson was next home in 2:13:04 we both commented on how the legs were still stuffed from the effects of last sunday. Hugh Davies was next Home in 2:02:25 Once again a superb ride which was enough to record +40:12 to secure the Vets Prize just ahead of Barry Williams (+39:21) Well done Hugh, Great ride once again. John Stroud recorded a 2:19:32.
Back at the HQ it was clear that everyone was claiming how hard it was. Alan Cook the Winner in 1:51:01 was some 3 minutes off his WCA 50 Winning time and the number of DNFs amongst the better riders in the field seemed to reiterate it was not a day for the faint hearted. So all in all it was a big well done to all the boys and commiserations to Rod
Finally, Nice to See Tud and Martin out on the course. Thanks for the words of encouragement, And to the Sunday Club run. sorry if I did'nt stop to talk I was a lttle proccupied.....
