Port Talbot Wheelers 2-up '25' - 8th March 2026

This 2-up time trial has been a usual early season fixture for me, and my regular 2-up partner. The first half of the course is a pretty flat dual cariageway, and the second half of the course is rather more sporting (aka severely undulating).

In last year's event, my partner was unwell and packed, leaving me to ride on solo. In the previous year's event, we had the misfortune of my rear wheel puncture shortly after our start. So, it would be interesting to see how this year's race went.

Well, it can be said that we looked better than we actually were, at least according to the available photographic evidence. The usual matchking kit and bikes helps there, I think.

Unfortunately the visuals were the best part of our ride: somewhat mismatched in fitness, the well-oiled Team Grumpy 2-up machine rather fell apart, with ragged changeovers and imprecise team riding. To add to our woes, were were caught for two minutes at around the half-way mark. This was made particularly irritating by the fact that on the more 'sporting' second half of the course, we were riding more strongly than the team that caught us, regularly catching them at the crests of rises, but having to let them go on the corresponding descents as we re-formed the team.

While all this was going on, we were caught by later (and really quite fast) teams. I'd had enough by the last mile, and tried to push the pace. We finished in a pretty lowly position.

Next up with be the Northants & District CA 10 mile time trial on a course local to me. Should be interesting.