On Whitsun 1945, six cycling enthusiasts met at the home of George
Wynn's parents, located in the area known as the Warm Turn, near Sixbells,
Abertillery, for the inaugural meeting of the Abertillery & District
Wheelers Cycling Club, and a year later they were fully organised with
a membership total of twenty-eight.
It is to their credit that the basics
that they agreed on that date, endured throughout the years.
They formulated a programme of Sunday Runs and club events that is still the
basis of cycling club life today. although in an updated form, with much
altered roads, and increased traffic volumes. Sunday runs are shorter,
and there are many more club time trials, organised for training and to
introduce new members to competition. The club provides the means for
anyone to enter the sport, whether they wish to compete or just enjoy
company on runs, and all are made welcome. The oldest member still competing
in Road Time Trials this year is 70 years of age, proving there is room
for all, irrespective of ability or fitness.
The club has also contributed
to the sport by promoting all sorts of open events, and by playing an
important part in the cycling bodies to which it is affiliated, helping
with the running of their events, and providing officers and committee
members. As well as being the means of providing a lot of people with a
lot of fun, the club has also produced many first class racing cyclists,
with members winning Welsh Championships, and taking many awards
in open racing. The most successful period was the eighties, when the
club's name was engraved on every trophy then owned by the Welsh Cycling
Association, and each of those years over 100 prizes were won by members
Membership figures have fluctuated between 15 and 86, and is currently
around fifty. It is now the only cycling club left in Blaenau Gwent, from
six that have been formed since World War Two. It is committed to providing
the sport at the lowest possible cost, and to making membership available
to anyone who wishes to take part in the competitive or leisure sections
of the sport. A welcome addition has been a few Tri-athletes, who have used
club cycling to improve their riding ability. The club promote 34 events
for members, as well as open events each year. The club has been kept on
a solid footing through its long serving officers.
Sunday Runs leave Brynmawr Square at 10 a.m. throughout the year,
and members have access to open cyclo-cross or mountain bike races during
autumn and winter months. The club has been here for sixty years, and intends
to be here for many more.
The club welcomes anyone interested in the leisure activity or in the
sport. Browse the club website to see more of our activities, or just
turn up at the Institute one Thursday evening.
