Mark Ayling

Hubby to Louise and dad to 3 grown up lads. Station Manager (Response) @mawwfire. Time trial and cyclocross nut racing for CC Abergavenny. Views are my own.

[Mark Ayling @markyboyhay]

I am delighted at my substantive promotion this week to Station Commander responsible for the Aberystwyth Cluster.
I'm really looking forward to making a positive difference with our super teams at Aberystwyth, Aberaeron, and Borth.
The sea views will be a nice bonus too!

[Mark Ayling @markyboyhay]

The alternative dirty weekend a couple of weekends ago at the Welsh CX Champs at the Royal Welsh Showground, Llanelwedd, Builth Wells.
Freezing cold rain, lashings of mud, and a major clean up exercise.

[Mark Ayling @markyboyhay]

Last Sunday's National Hill Climb Championship on The Struggle, Ambleside, Cumbria.
8.4% average gradient for 2.7 miles.
Purgatory.
Last year I said '...never again'. I'm saying it again. Until next season.

[Mark Ayling @markyboyhay]

Last Sunday's hill climb event on Saintbury Hill near Broadway in the Cotswolds.
A 1.3 mile climb with an average gradient of 8%.
Next stop the National Hill Climb Championship and more of the same; 2.7 miles at an average gradient of 8%, with a section at 24%!

[Mark Ayling @markyboyhay]

Yesterday's coffee stop ride from Rhayader to Devil's Bridge and back via the Elan Valley and Cwmystwyth.

Who needs a warm weather training camp when you've got views like this on your doorstep?

Before I got caught in the rain, sleet, and snow!

[Mark Ayling @markyboyhay]

These two photos provide perfect bookends to my 2022/23 CX season which started and finished at the excellent 'ShamXross' events near Bristol.
My enthusiasm for the sport remains undiminished as I head into my last full season as a 'Vet 40' rider. 'Grand Vet' in 2024, surely not?

[Mark Ayling @markyboyhay]

Loving the excellent course at the final round of the Welsh CX League held last Sunday at MV Bike Park, Caerphilly.
Also loving our very dapper new CC Abergavenny/Owen Associates club strip.
🤗

[Mark Ayling @markyboyhay]

Last Sunday's National HC Champs on the Old Horseshoe Pass in black and white.
P245/305 in 10:12:95 for the 1 mile climb with an average gradient of 13%.
Not too shabby me thinks for an 80kg non-climber on an off-the-peg bike.

[Mark Ayling @markyboyhay]

There's just 2 days to go before I tackle the National Hill Climb Championship near Llangollen in North Wales on Sunday.
185cm + 80kg x 1.6km at 13% = I must be mad.
I am mad! 🤪

[Mark Ayling @markyboyhay]

Last Sunday morning at the Welsh Hill Climb Championships on The Tumble near Abergavenny.
It's the taking part that counts, especially when you've battled an 8% average gradient for nearly 3 miles only to find out you were the mens' "lanterne rouge" (finished last).🤪🙈

[Mark Ayling @markyboyhay]

Sandpit action from last Sunday's CX, Round 1 of the Western Cyclocross League, "ShamXross" at Keynsham.
Shot courtesy of Pitchside Photo.
#crossishere on #formebikes supplied by #liphookcycles

[Mark Ayling @markyboyhay]

Ich ❤ Berlin. Hereford to Berlin by train via London, Bruxelles, and Köln. I studied German/Business German for 8 years from 13 to 21 and was utterly fascinated with the whole East/West Berlin thing and its subsequent reunification. It certainly didn't disappoint.

[Mark Ayling @markyboyhay]

In 2007 I joined my local Retained fire station to serve my community.
Fifteen years on, it's time now to hand in my pager at Hay-on-Wye and concentrate on my Wholetime Fire and Rescue Service career.
Thanks for the memories, it's been fab.

[Mark Ayling @markyboyhay]

Easter Sunday's Kingston Wheelers Sporting 14 TT. It was 25 years since I was last on the start list of this classic British TT and it was absolutely awesome to be back.

[Mark Ayling @markyboyhay]

Back on Hampshire home turf.

[We Own It @We_OwnIt]

Channel 4 is a publicly-owned asset that doesn't cost the taxpayer a penny. Selling it off makes no sense and puts jobs, small businesses and popular TV shows at risk.

Sign our petition and tell @NadineDorries to keep Channel 4 in public hands👇 https://t.co/VrHYS7qNTe

[Mark Ayling @markyboyhay]

@howard_dray Thank you @howard_dray. Nice to hear from you and I see from Strava that you're still chewing up the local Tarmac.😉

[Mark Ayling @markyboyhay]

2021 on the bike in photos.
Hilly time trials at Rhayader, cyclocross in the Welsh and Western Leagues, and 158 miles from Powys to Hampshire in 11 hours.
I'll always be one of the "also rans", but I enjoy what I do and that's what counts.😉

[Mark Ayling @markyboyhay]

The aftermath of my first cyclocross race since February 2020. A fast, twisty, technical race at Pittville, Cheltenham.

[Mark Ayling @markyboyhay]

Last night's hilly TT climbing Penrhiwen near Rhayader, with marginal gains from pasties, cream teas, and training in the Devon hills the week before.
(Photo courtesy of Mike Davies)