This year we decided to return to Talybont on Usk and hoped to be part of the local ‘Over the Baas Festival’ but this was pulled late in the day. Undeterred we decided to go ahead but due to hall availability we had to flick to Saturday, but this didn’t seem to affect entries as we had close to 50 riders take part on the day. By extending to 4 hours we were able to get riders all the way over to Dolygaer and with a few cunningly placed controls the extra dimension made clearance just off the table. The final icing on the cake was the glorious weather that greeted everyone as they arrived at the venue and led to fantastic vistas as riders went around the course.

With everyone safely in and chatter of a wonderful day had by all the glory went to, Gary Davis (M40) 475pts, Mark Rowley 446pts and Mark Morgan just behind on 444pts (both M50). First female was Iwona Smidz (W40) on 398pts. The other class winners were Nick Dallimore (M60) 434pts, Harry ‘Single Speed’ Kingstone (W21) 365pts, Isabel Boyd (W21) 320pts, Emma Postlethwaite (W50) ‘first trip out’ 310pts, Amanda & Rhys Williams (MIX40) 287pts, Gill Stott (W60) 255pts, Matthew Boyd (M70) 235pts & Christopher Aldous (EBIKE) 135pts. Congratulations also to Emila Turif & Caloline Bull who went bike free and Christine Farr & Kate Darlington who took the little ones around in tow, new talent on the up!

As normal the refreshments were provided by Amanda and Verda who thank you for the contributions to the collection pot, we collect £100 and this will go to a diabetes charity that Amanda has recently be involved with.

Following the event, I was also fortunate to know 4 riders had opted for the Event Helpers Discount, thank you Chris, Ian, Mark & John who helped collect the CPs in.

Moving forward the final 2019 event is on Sunday 20 October in the Forest of Dean and the League results are still very tight. Despite missing the last event Ifor Powell is still top, Mark Morgan & Mark Rowley are 2nd & 3rd respectively. Iwona Smidz is top female rider and Amanda & Rhys Williams are the strongest Mix Team. Watch this space as the top places could change around quite a bit based on fortunes in the forest and other riders hitting their 6 rides to count. Full League will be on the club website later today.

As ever thank you for all the support.

Siôn and the Black Mountains Planning Team