Wye Valley Cycling 2011 – by Adam Spector

For those of you who suffer bike withdrawal symptoms on your summer holiday, I have an answer.  This year we packed Jennifer's time trial bike into the back of the car, instead of two teenagers, for our holiday in Wales.  Our first outing was with Abergavenny Road Club, riding their evening 10 on the A40 - very fast, but busy; we were not ready for drafting juggernauts. 

After this experience, we thought some training  might be a good idea, and joined up with Ross on Wye Cycling Club for their Sunday ride; a fast 95km, and 1500 metres of climbing, but a great cafe stop and everybody was very friendly.  When they heard that Jennifer had a TT bike with her, they encouraged us to try their evening 10s.  So, this is what we experienced; two different courses (they alternate fortnightly), one alongside a beautiful stretch of the River Wye, and the other downhill for 5 miles towards Ledbury, before turning round and 5 miles back up the hill.  I completed the events in 26:17 and 27:02, Jennifer in 31.28 and 30:38.  We will return next year and see whether we can better these times.