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Reliability Rides
Reliability Ride 3 - Sunday 26th Feb (100km/ 63 miles approx.)
Start and sign-on at Brackla (Physique) 0830, 0900 or 0930 (earlier starts as this one is about 12 miles longer than RR1 and RR2)
Finish and sign-off at Dyffryn Gardens (cafe) as close to 1230 as you can!
It is a similar course to last years RR3 which we did recently in October but with some significant changes to note:
1. It goes a bit further west (to just beyond Margam Park)
2. It no longer takes the lanes to the north of the A48 (some of which can be a bit lethal in winter)
3. The long final slog back along the coast in a westerly direction has been changed to what will hopefully be a wind assisted flyer in an easterly direction.
4. Rather than finishing in what was Ewenny cafe quarter it will finish well east at Dyffryn Gardens (at the cafe attached to the manor house)
Basically its faster, less technical and a bit more straightforward.
Suggest you all familiarise yourself with the route using the below link and printable attached map.
There are no big hills in this one but several moderate climbs like up to Cefn Cribwr. To help you memorise the course, note it tends to go through rather than bypass the villages - for example it goes through the centre of Coychurch, Pencoed, Llantwit Major, Rhoose and finally Wenvoe.
Finally don't miss that right turn between the villages of St Lythans and Dyffryn and then the left turn into Dyffryn Gardens itself (go all the way to the end of the drive). Look for those brown signs with a flower on!
And the timekeeper for this one will be.....me again unless someone else fancies doing a bit of riding but not the full 60 miles? I'd be most grateful to be able to ride the full route from the latest start time as I could do with the training with the racing season about to start.
I won't be at club night on the 24th Feb so e-mail or text/ phone with any questions.
Again can you put my mobile no. in your phones (included in e-mail to members) and then let me know if having signed on you don't finish (let me know before 12.30 if possible). Also tell others around you if possible. This worked well for RR2 with no suspected missing persons at the finish (none that were Oggies anyhow)!
Thanks and see you Sunday.
Rob Jones
Celtic Series
A brand new local competition with a mix of fast and sporting time trials organised by Becky Aicheler and Castle Bikes, Caerphilly.
This series is the ideal opportunity to get into a demanding, and addictive form of cycling. Cyclists of all abilities will be partcipating, and there will plenty of riders new to TTs who won't be wearing silly hats and unflattering skin suits. However, should you wish to dress up, you could look like Rob Powell above. It's unlikely you'd be faster than Rob though.
Thinking of joining?
What cycling is the club involved in?
The key element of our club is social cycling. Our club runs cater for varying apetites and abilities, from those wishing to enjoy a gentle amble in the lanes, to those aiming to complete some sportives, to those maintaining fitness for competition.
What are the benefits?
If you're reading this page, the chances are you have developed an interest in cycling, and you will definitely get more out of it if you join a club. You may have cycled all your life, and just want to meet some new people, you may be relatively new to cycling and want to learn from more experienced riders, you may be a recent convert to cycling from another sport and wish to start competing, or you may want to just keep fit and want to discover good routes in the area. We have members from all those categories.
What do you compete in?
The club is active in road racing, time trialling and cyclo-cross, and we also have mebers who ride on the track and in mountain biking.
What if I don't want to race?
Then you'll be in the majority. Although many of our members compete, most do not, and get their enjoyment from cycling with company and feel no need to prove themselves against the clock or against the racing snakes.
I'm not sure if I'm fit enough.
You almost certainly will be if you're reading this. We have two club runs on a Sunday morning - one for amblers, and a faster one for those looking to push themselves a bit. If you're not sure, start with the amblers, and if you find that too easy...move on up. Keep an eye on the club forum - members post messages on this with suggested routes. Numbers on the club run tend to decrease during the racing season from March to September, but there are usually still a few people out.
How do I join?
The best advice is to come along and try a club run. If you're doing a reasonable amount of cycling, and are perhaps aiming to complete a sportive, then you may be okay with the faster group, but if in doubt, try the amblers. Alternatively, you can come along to the club on a Friday evening to introduce yourself and meet other members.
Testimony
Read some of our current member's stories about why they joined, and what they've gained from the club.
Mallorca March 2012
Steven Madeley will be organising our trip to Mallorca in 2012. Thanks Chris for doing such a great job over the last few years. There are many similarities and a few changes from previous years which were agreed at the Managment team meeting last Friday.
1) Book your flight. Flights out are Sunday 18th at 0710 and return on Saturday 24th at 1420. You can go earlier, come back later or do both. Your alternatives are Sat 17th at 1045 or Monday 26th at 1000 (no flights on Sunday 25th). Do this NOW! Email Steven with your flight booking number.
2) Decide if you want a single or twin room. Tell Steven what nights you are staying and who your room mate is - no drawing of straws this year!
3) Tell me if you want travel to and from Bristol and to and from Palma airport to the hotel.
4) I will book the hotel for you (I may need a deposit which I will get the club to hold). I can also help with advice for anyone interesting in going for the first time.
Rooms need to be reserved at the Hotel by 31st October. The price is approx 200 Euro per person (half board) if you share.
Submit Results
In response to a suggestion from Rob Powell, I have added a database for members to post race results on the site. This is in experimental form at the moment, but please try it out, and I will attempt to iron out any user-issues as we go. Once it is working OK and I am happy with its design, I'll link to it from the side bar.
Fat Boab