Ythan CC confined 10m TT – Tuesday 20th August
The times of the first riders on the B9000 Pitmedden course in each category were:
Ewan Gronkowski 23:15
Alan Smith 23:21
Mike Giles 23:53
Jenny Noble 27:10
Wendy Gault 28:17
Morag Thomson 32:10
Youth
Robert Smart 31:44
Team Time Trial Championships, Forfar – Saturday 24th August
On Saturday 24th August, Ythan riders Gavin Gronkowski, Steve Rae, Matt Reid and John Soutar competed in the Men’s Scottish Cycling Team Time Trial Championships at Forfar.
With only two weeks of practice sessions with Ythan’s BC coach, Paul Winter, under their belt, the riders set off to tackle the 60km course, with their time based on the third man over the line.
Heavy traffic affected the riders’ progress ,and they struggled to get into a smooth rhythm. After 5km of continual surges in speed, a lapse in concentration led to a touch of wheels and Steve Rae falling. As a result, the remaining riders had to complete the rest of the race as a three-man team.
The riders put in a sterling effort, finishing in 12th place with a time of 1:26:19. The winning team of Bioracer-Moriarty Bikes finished in a time of 1:16:39 – two minutes clear of the second and third placed teams. Only minutes separated the teams between 4th and 12th place, so with more practice and a little luck on their side, the future looks good for the Ythan time trial team.
Scottish National Criterium and Youth Circuit Championships – Saturday 31st August
Unlike previous years where Ythan CC were represented in each category of races, Kath Thomson was the only rider representing the club at the Fife Cycle Park in Lochgelly on Saturday 31st August.
Kath finished in a fine 9th place in the women’s race, gaining 2 British Cycling race points in the process.
Round 6 Scottish Cross Country Mountain Bike championships – Sunday 1st September
Ewan Gronkowski, daughter Eilidh Gronkowski and her fellow QL rider, Euan Murphy, were in action further south at Glentress on 1st Sept for round 6 of the Scottish XC mountain bike championships.
Eilidh and Euan competed in the U10 and U12 races and had thoroughly enjoyable time on a great course.
Ewan Gronkowski led the men’s race until the last lap, where he had a puncture and was passed. Incredibly he held on to secure a great second place on the podium.
In other news…
Also on the 1st September and not far from the action at Glentress, a number of Ythanites rode in the Tour O’ The Borders cycle sportive, tackling the 120km route, which started and finished in Peebles.
The previous weekend a large contingent of Ythanites were representing the club and raising money for various charities on the Ride the North cycle challenge, an epic 2-day cycle from Castle Fraser to Elgin and back. In direct contrast to last year where riders battled horizontal winds and hail, they were treated to far more balmy conditions this year, making the hills on the second day just that bit harder!
Meanwhile in France, Ythan rider James West lined up alongside 5300 riders for the Paris – Brest – Paris audax. Described as the jewel in the crown of the international audax calendar, the challenge runs once every four years and demands that riders cover the 1200km route in a time limit of just 90 hours.
James completed the event in 86 hours 15 minutes. His blog on the Ythan CC website is an excellent read, and a fascinating insight into a very physically and mentally challenging ride. Check it out at YthanCC.org.uk