At 7.30 am on a cold Sunday morning, about 18 riders, mainly from Tenby Aces, joined Mark Harding, of http://www.cyclosport.org">www.cyclosport.org, and Bryan Jones (Tour of Pembrokeshire) at Folly Farm, ready to take on some or all of the testing 115-plus mile route of this year's Tour of Pembrokeshire, scheduled for Sunday, June 7.
As the day opened up, the sun came out, and as the group climbed the Preseli mountains on their way over towards the Gwaun Valley and Fishguard the views were well worth the effort, as were the sweeping descents down from the top of the mountains.
At Fishguard they were welcomed with blue skies and seas, and the sea on the right looked quite inviting as they ride on through St. Davids to Newgale for a well-earned lunch break.
A mechanical hitch meant that half the group got to Newgale later, so one group went on to step up the pace and get all around the route through Nolton, Tiers Cross, over the Cleddau Bridge and out through Pembroke, Castlemartin and Freshwater East, before finally heading back to Folly Farm via Tenby.
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The rest continued along the route of the tour to Pembroke Dock, then took the main road back, but still covered over 100 miles, with a couple of riders having met the non-stop hills for the first time.
With over 10,000 feet of climbing, the long route isn't for the faint-hearted! Luckily the organisers offer a more manageable 64-mile route which, although still a challenge in itself, avoids some of the more exhausting climbs.
Congratulations to everyone who took part in the day and thanks to the support vehicles driven by Tim and Dylan, who provided a great deal of moral and practical support all day - apart from the time when Tim stopped for an ice cream, then passed the riders grinning as they were crawling up the hill out of Newgale!
For more pictures of the great day out, visit http://www.cyclosport.org">www.cyclosport.org and for details of the event to be held on June 7 visit http://www.tourofpembrokeshire.co.uk">www.tourofpembrokeshire.co.uk .
The second Neyland Duathlon was held on March 29, run and organised by Pembrokeshire Tri Club. The weather was totally opposite to what faced the entrants last year!
A great showing from the Aces with brilliant individual performances from Mel Morgan (fourth Open Lady) with a (provisional) time of 1:21:50, Neil Morgan (14th Open Male) with 1:11:35.
This event was also part of the Welsh Championships so some class company.
Also doing well were Jill Colman with 1:33:26 and Paul Colman with 1:20:12, both doing the event in some not so aero fancy dress.
In the relay team classes, the Aces picked up prizes for first mixed team of Debbie Phillips and Steve Lewis, with 1:11:40, and first female team of Tanis Hand and Tara Rees, with 1:20:26. Very strong performances from all.
Also taking part were John Phillips in a mixed team with Carol Howard (1:18:17) and Gareth Rees with Kay Davis (1:22:36).
Great fun was had by all, with the added bonus of the Aces Sunday group riding over to Neyland to witness the prize-giving.
CLUB RIDES
Visit the Tenby Aces site for news of the club rides, which have started again, leaving Tenby Leisure Centre at 6 pm for the first few weeks, then moving on to 6.30 once the evenings get lighter. There are also details of club events and the weekend rides which leave the Leisure Centre at 7.30 am on Saturdays and 9 am on Sundays. http://www.tenby-aces.co.uk">www.tenby-aces.co.uk