Written by Norman Mason
The Kilgetty Bike It 100 Charity Cycling Sportive held recently at Kingsmoor Sports & Social Club, Kilgetty has proved the most successful yet! The event attracted a capacity of 220 entries from all over Wales and beyond, raising just under £8k (£7,838.32) for this year’s beneficiaries Paul Sartori Hospice at Home & Haverfordwest High School South Africa Rugby Tour 2025.
Amongst the 196 riders taking to the roads to tackle the challenging 3 routes (50/75/100 miles) were social family riders, but also many top cyclists using the scenic but renowned longer routes as preparation for upcoming events including Ironman Wales in September. The added incentive this year for riders was to compete for the title of King and Queen of The Mountain over 3 timed, long climb sections on the 100-mile route, with the 75-mile entrants (2 sections) and the 50 milers (1 section). The Winner of The Kilgetty Bike It 100 2024 King of the Mountain is Mathew Bassett (Ammanford). Mathew was taking part in his first Kilgetty Bike It and was, to many, a surprise winner, beating some of Ironman Wales’ top local contenders and came out on top in all 3 challenging sections. In The Queen of the Mountain section, Katie Davies (Ystradowen, Swansea) was a convincing winner against strong opposition, so it was no surprise to learn that Katie, who competed in her first Ironman in Tenby last September, qualified for The World Ironman Championships in her age group to be held in Nice in September.
In the 75-mile category, local man Tim Ormsby (East Williamston), one of the more senior entrants, put in two impressive climbs to take the King of the Mountain in the middle distance, and Queen of the Mountain in this distance, Monika Kubiak (Llanelli) followed up her award in The Daffodil Ride held in Llandovery in March with another impressive ride to take the honour. If the 100 King of the Mountain award was unexpected, there was no shock in the 50-mile category as David Griffiths (Scottish Hill Climb Champion 2016/17 among his many triumphs) who grew up in Pembrokeshire, now living in Oswestry, entered the 50 alongside his father, Richard, as he was home for a family celebration. His partner, Ella Hamilton (Oswestry), also took the Queen of the Mountain in this category.
A record number of clubs attended this year with 31 different clubs represented. The award for the Club with the most finishers went to the very popular local club The Tenby Aces, with Gareth Huw Rees receiving the award on behalf of The Aces from former Wales & British Lion Legend Shane Williams MBE. Despite Shane only returning home from holiday the day before, he kindly agreed to support the event, completing the 100-mile route himself in a good time. Shane has a strong rugby connection with Haverfordwest High School as his son plays for Dyffryn Amman School – these are regarded as two of the best school teams in Wales.
Milford Tritons Cycle Club supported the event in large numbers and Chairman Kevin Milich posted on social media “Just wanted to give Norman Mason and his team kudos for arranging a superb sportive. A great day was had by all, and the Tritons will definitely be back”.
The Towy Riders from Carmarthen saw Susie Finucane among their entrants in the 75-milers just a few days before setting off to Paris to proudly watch her daughter Emma compete in The Olympic Cycling and come home with a Gold and 2 Bronze medals. No woman in 60 years has achieved this remarkable feat! it was also great to see Simon Williams (Towy Riders Head Coach) return to complete The Kilgetty 100 miler after he suffered an accident in Crymych during the 2021 event and vowed to return to complete unfinished business.
There were so many success stories throughout the event, with many completing their longest-ever ride. A special mention to the 3 youngest entrants, Caio Jones, Daf Williams (both Clarbeston Rd), and Hugh Thomas (Haverfordwest) – all 15-year-olds completing the 50-miler.
Event organiser Norman Mason said “There are so many to thank with special thanks to Sandra Dade and the team of volunteers from Paul Sartori Hospice at Home, and parents, friends, and the rugby boys from Haverfordwest High School – without their support, this event would never run let alone have been so successful.
Also, thanks to Princes Gate Water and Castell Howell who generously sponsored our Water, Banana & Welsh Cake Stops. Thanks also to our medal sponsors The Plough Inn, Sageston, Folly Farm, Begelly, and Tom Goddard & Sons, Haverfordwest. Also, Pembrokeshire Triathlon Club for the generous loan of their superb Finish Arch, and Pisga Congregrational Chapel, Llandissilio who, as in previous years, opened up the chapel toilets and hosted the water station on the 50-mile route. Kingsmoor Sports & Social Club, Brian, Louise, and staff always offer the use of the superb facilities and very welcome barbecue and refreshments. Thanks to everyone who donated raffle prizes, and thanks to Matt Reynolds and Mark J Saunders for lovely photos throughout the routes.
Thanks again to Roy James, the dispatch rider who has not missed a Kilgetty Bike It, and the support vehicles for making sure all cyclists are escorted throughout the event.
Kilgetty Bike It 100 2025 will be held on Sunday 10 August 2025. Paul Sartori Hospice at Home will take over the running of this event from next year having shadowed and helped organise this year’s event, and with so much positive feedback we are confident this event will go from strength to strength.
Thanks again to everyone who entered and supported this event in 2021/23/24 and helped us raise nearly £20K for some great causes. and all the positive feedback makes all the hard work worthwhile.
(Photos credited to Mark J Saunders & Matt Reynolds)