Another year on, seems like only 360 days since the last Ledbury & Back . Nice warm air greeted the 19 starters. As per several events this year, the question of which was harder, out or back crept up by several people. I think everyone agreed it was a head wind out, but as to which direction was toughest it was pretty split. I know at least 2 of us burnt ourselves out on the outward leg, one said it only got easier from Woodredding climb. A tad late to play catch up.

 Anyways, Jonny foreigner took the 1^st 4 steps in results. Paul Jones had a cracking ride, forcing me to check the course records. Afraid the record’s safe for at least another 12 months, Cookie can sleep easy, the record being 36:11. Paul’s bro Jonah also had a good un, just missing out on the sub 40 and blowing up….

 Mr. Humble you sandbagger “I don’t do fast or hills”, anything under 42 is what I consider good for this course. It’s the type of course that shows strengths and weaknesses, it also tests the people that only race 10 miles, that little bit outside the comfort zone has a profound effect coupled with the extra hills. Mr T extracted revenge on me this week just squeezing under the magic 42.

 As I mentioned, I had a screamer out but was a sitting duck for Ant P. on the return, all those Audax rides giving him superhuman strength home. Max was second Ross rider home just pipping an ever improving Radders by 4 seconds. Pushing that pram around must be good training.

 Quad dominant James C. (we have a lot of riders called James have just decided) was if my memory serves me well the first road bike home, with usual first road bike Jonny a distant 49 seconds behind. Too much racing on a Tuesday night and a long drive to our event probably blunted him.

 Fresh from the costa del Majorca was Dave H, the last 2 miles being his favourite bit, threatening to get his TT machine out soon. That could throw a spanner into the 753 front runners…

 It appeared on the result sheet Wobbly Bob had stopped at Colwall for a coffee judging by his time on the results sheet, normal service was resumed when the timekeeper had merely put the workings in the wrong columns. 

 Fitness is coming back fast for Adam, he looked really pleased with his ride, just edging young James. James, you need to maintain the aero position into the wind a little more, sit up more on a tailwind. The wind can be your friend as well as your enemy. 

Marcle straight expert Phil Hill turned in a much improved effort this week. The ride to work each day and the secret training up Betws y  Coed paying dividends. For his next challenge, feel free to support Phil, as he’s going straight in to do the 12 hour along with Dennis on the 21^st  down at Usk Raglan. He’s going to need as many cheering faces as possible.

Tom "the Power" didn’t look 100% tickety boo, almost as though the race to the start had already burnt him out. Jon Airey this week put in a massive effort for the last mile and a bit, if only the hills were flatter, but on the positive side (for him) he scalped "the spinner". What on earth happened there? I shall set the Spanish inquisition up to find out what went wrong, very unusual.

 Paul C, target was sub hour, done easily, in reality, I think this could have been one of your best rides to date Paul.

Thanks this week go to Julie timing, Bill & Mike Dunsby at the roundabouts, and Richard & Tony pushing off. Also worth noting Dave (Bailey)Hall & Richard (Bailey) Harrington provided the snap shots.

This week/next week depending on when you read this, is a Walford 10, traffic lights have gone, Julie is one of the timekeepers, and we will need a second at the start , Dave Hall’s kindly doing the turn.

Talking Marshal, pencil in the opens – Will and I can’t do it all on our own, Will will need 2 on the road and people at the HQ. I will need 4 on the road and people at the HQ

Rider of the night this week is Adam, a fantastic effort!

1	Paul Jones	36:57	Severn Valley Cycles
2	Lee Jones	40:05	Severn Valley Cycles
3	Ian Humble	40:32	Gloucester City CC
4	Adam Taylor	41:56	RDFCC
5	Paul Stephens	42:20
6	Max Suff	43:12
7	Mark Raddenbury	43:16	Shutt VR
8	Antony Pollard	43:34	RDFCC
9	James Coull	44:05
10	Jonny Webb	44:54	Gannet CC
11	Dave Harwood	45:10
12	Robin Hill	45:33
13	Adam Spector	47:01
14	James Hall	47:10	Newport Olympic
15	Phil Hill	47:34
16	Tom Knight	48:03
17	Jon Airey	50:19
18	James Wilson	50:31
19	Paul Cooper	55:06