PTW

And now, the end is near...

Well, for the Thursday gang anyway and I have a hint of PB up my nostrils for two reasons;

1. Some of you are in blazin' form.
2. We have a forecast of 'dry with a gentle breeze'.

I don't need to remind you that we're on an earlier start... ooops I just have

The essentials;

1. We meet up at the Neath Canal Car Park in Resolven for signing on between 18.00hrs and 18.20hrs for a prompt 18.30hrs start over on the industrial estate.

2. You have to be a 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.

This final event of the season is now a 'Come and try it' event open to non-club members at just £3 entry fee (to cover the levy we pay to the governing body). So if you're a leisure cyclist or a commuter or a triathlete looking to test yourself against the clock then now is your chance! You'll get a warm welcome and plenty of advice on saddle height

Trajectory or momentum - call it what you will but some of you have had it in spades in recent weeks and you got your rewards last night, starting with Shirl who got us underway with a very nice SB of 27:41. Gavin has stuck doggedly with a road bike all season and knocked a fair bit off his old PB to record a 26:19 whilst the late Michael Timothy was off the pace somewhat but will come good next season.

Our ladies had mixed fortunes last night with Carole Welch getting a PB with a 26:40 and Mandy Lane impressively nipped under the '24' but for Diane and Hollie it was the season-long story of chasing their superb rides set back in April but both rides were very competitive last night.

Stephan closed a superb first full season with yet another PB (yawn) and there were PB's also for Andrew Stott (26:11 on a road bike) and Julian Brock whose new PB of 24:37 might well be backed-up with a new PB for the 25-mile distance on Sunday. It was nice to see Graham Rogerson last night and Graham was pleased with his 25:57 on a road bike after a long break from TT'ing. We had a new visitor from the Bynea last night with Josh Townsend joining us for the final '10' of the season - nice one Josh.

The mid-table boys did well last night and especially Jeff Rees who knocked out a new SB of 23:40 whilst Tony Howell was a few seconds behind last week's SB but he has the laudable excuse of having given blood yesterday (although Shirley commented that it was only a little prick). Rob Lucas finished strongly to record a 24:35 as did Patrick Weir with a 24:16. At the upper end of mid-table Les got the upper-hand over Stuart and helped himself to a 22:57 for 5th place which I'll call as a PB because if he has gone faster it was in the last century! Alfie's 'man of the match' therefore goes to Les for a breakthrough ride of getting a '22' to his name and also as a reward for season-long improvements.

Our Top 4 were all as dispatched with Darrel from the Bynea going forward on last weeks time to claim 2nd and Colin Wallace chipped a few seconds off his SB with a 21:53. For the umpteenth time this season Rod Hicks took the win and is showing good form for the 25-mile TT on Sunday.



As always, thanks to Will and Triggs (Neath's most popular country & western duo) for their invaluable support during the season.

ALF!! Why are you being so cruel to Young Gavin.... in your write up you report a credible 26:19 but in the point list you list him as 28:19...... Docking him a full two minutes (and more importantly two whole points).

Cruel.... Cruel timekeeper... building him up... and then knocking him down.....

Les Thomas wrote

ALF!! Why are you being so cruel to Young Gavin.... in your write up you report a credible 26:19 but in the point list you list him as 28:19...... Docking him a full two minutes (and more importantly two whole points).

Cruel.... Cruel timekeeper... building him up... and then knocking him down.....

Good catch! Now sorted.

Points Competition - Top 10

ROD HICKS 300
NEIL SEAWARD 250
TONY HOWELL 242
ROB LUCAS 234
LES THOMAS 225
STUART EVANS 224
ROSS MORGAN 206
HOLLIE LABUNSKY 202
JULIAN BROCK 192
STEPHAN WILCOX 186