13th Dec 2008 - The Day `The One` destroyed the Bwlch Butt.

Today myself (Phil), The Vetran `Teddy` (Andy) and Richard `The One - Pantani` Belcher took on the mighty Bwlch (its like a French Alp like they do `ave in France but about 3 times shorter) from the Port Talbot end.

Starting the day in the Beautiful, and always sunny Porthcawl, a reduced team of 3 set out towards the West and the enclave of Taibach after Teddy had called for `a gentle half hour opener` following a late, vol au vent fuelled 18th Birthday gig at Llanmiloe Social Club (the Ronnie Scott's of the West) where `do you know any Abba song's butt` was the question on everyone's lips.

AWOL team members for this ride included The Leader (Gareth 8` 4" - EPO Evans) due to a nasty case of shopping, and Mr Henry Magners-Meltwater Jones, also suffering with a severe bout of `clothes shopping sorry chaps` - Lets just hope the shops are closed when we're in the US of A..there could be issues...

Soon after arriving in Bosnia Herz`Taibach`egovina the gradient picked up and we soon found ourselves heading up through Penycae and on towards the mighty Bwlch.

Arriving at Blaengwynfi and after a quiet opening hour, Pantani (Richard) decided to show the field his class and put the hammer down and left the chunky element in his wake. Heart monitors screaming we eventually met up with him near the top at one of the favourite local car burning spots on the mountain.

In between mouthfulls of endurance flap-jack and coughing fits I had couple of photo's taken with `The One` who looked like he just stepped off a bus at the top, not a bead of sweat in sight.
Flap-jacks done we then started the descent towards Nantymoel and Ogmore Vale before dicing with the Christmas traffic at McArthur Glen near Bridgend. Safely navigated we headed back towards South Wales answer to Miami (Porthcawl) via 3 Step Hill with nearly 50 miles done and ready for another session tomorrow.

During the final couple of miles I realised that I have never seen `The One` change down on to his easier cog on the front ring and asked if he ever used it as I tend to live on mine....He gave me a blank lost look followed by a prolonged uuurrrrrhhh??? and then finally answered " uhh I did once back in 1996 I think" and then powered off ahead.....

Happy Cycling
Phil

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