With just 6 weeks before the off the plan for sometime was for this weekend to be a full C2C team test and to have a weekend of long distance riding around the Counties of Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire with the full support crew in tow, testing the logistics and making sure change overs and individual roles were all nailed down.
Friday evening and we had planned to meet at Morfa Bay in Pendine where rooms had been organised and the heating `turned off` in readiness of our arrival along with biting easterly winds.
Due to a number of developments, some genuine and serious in nature, and some it has to be said very tenuous in nature, we found ourselves only as a five some on Friday evening down from an expected 8. So we ended up with 3 of us watching Wally and his woman (Belcher) tucking into their `private` ASDA microwave Chinese.
So the crew for this weekend looked like:-
1. Andy `The Buzzard Slayer" Edwardakis (Current #1 ranking. Tenby Aces Reliabilty Champion)
2. Richard `Axl Rose` Belcher
3. Gareth `Where's Wally' Evans
4. Phil `The Hairdresser - I ride with The Buzzard Slayer` Jenkins
5. Mr Henry `The Kitten Magners - Meltwater` Jones (loose support)
A slight change of plans due to limited support meant that the riders would at first light take on the Daffodil challenge ride from Pendine with Meltwater in support (not the usual kind though where you can see the vehicle following you, more the hidden, covert kind where he turns up after you`ve arrived and left).
SAT DAY
- Woken at 6.30 by Wally releaving himself of the aforementioned ASDA Chinese with the lav door open accompanied by not only the stench but also the timeless classic tunes of Paul Mac and the mighty Wings. By 7.30 we find ourselves fully loaded with Morfa Bay porridge and by 8am we set off towards St Clear's and the climb from Meidrim to Trelech.Poppy sets the early pace banging away on the old AIR DRUMS screaming Live and Let diiieeeee....... at every
farmer we pass. His reportaire of air instruments has increased somewhat recently and on this ride we witnessed also Air trombone and the all new Air keyboards.After arriving at Trelech, Meltwaters cover is broken and we pull him over for a quick feed stop. FULLY layered up with several fleeces and cycle gloves `the kitten` emerges from the warmth of his VW Golf. "ohh its rather chilly here chaps"
Another 90mins and were back at base and changing into dry gear for the afternoon's outing which we decide will be a series of 6 mile relay runs along the flats at Pendine to Plashet and back as its getting very cold.
Melt decides to join in with this and dons a few more layers. With woolen hats in place and his helmet about two feet off his head they set off for the first run. 4 leave, 3 return. The woolen mummy has suffered with the extreme race pace set by the trio and makes a tactical decision to sit out the next round. I join and find the going quite tough as the old chest is starting to wheeze which is not a good sign as the Fat Cyclists are playing tonight at the Spring Well.
I manage a few then retire to the van with `the kitten` and await the return of the others. We all then head to the Point for a cuppa, while Wally, starving as usual orders a jacket spud and beans.
The others decide on another run and I run up the red flag and head back to base with the van to get ready for the gig.
S
AT NIGHT - 6pm and we set off for Hurst House for a swift pint and also to check out the venue for our homecoming party then back to the Spring Well to set up and get some food in.Currys for a few, Steak for me and going for glory is Wally with a 20oz mixed grill, chips, salad & steak Diane sauce (goes tidy with fried egg butt!)
A gentle few pints and a couple of songs is the shout as we have another big day ahead of us tomorrow. After so
me coaxing The One steps up to the mike and wows the crowd with American Pie sung in the newly discovered Key of J#. We finish the gig around 11.30 and the buzzard and I get the gear packed away in the van and are away by midnight.I bunker down alone and am just dropping off when at 1am, Wally, (10 Jim Beams and a nasty bought of bullemia) and The One (7 more pints) aboard roll into the dorm. Gareth dons his LED head torch and with lav door wide open comences to show the kids the pool while maintaining converstaion with all that'll listen.
SUNDAY MORNING -
The day dorns to the sound yet again of the mighty P MAC & Wings and Wally unbelievably on the dunny (door wide open) and letting rip with running commentary. The Stench of this combined with the emissions of the recovering Belcher is reminiscent of a Calcutta slum in mid summer.A quick chat over breakfast and the four of us (Meltwater having decided on a lay in, exhausted, and with a plan to put the chicken in the oven early) decided on a route.
The wind has whipped up and the plan is for us to head west towards Castlemartin and Freshwater then turn into the wind and head back to Tenby. A forty miler and some more flat work will see us for today.
The ride is a fairly tough one with the barflys suffering a little (The One more than most). After this we head back to base and on to The Point Cafe` for a fuel up for the afternoon session.
SUNDAY PM - Upon arrival back at base we notice that `The Kitten's` Ninkinonk Battaglyn two 
wheeler is out of the barn and resting on the non supportive vehicle. In the lounge we find him huddled up, in full race attire complete with cleated shoes, to a roaring wood burner being attended to by three doting females, recovery drinks and chocolate wrappe
rs surround him. The buzzard slayer enquiries as to events and the response comes back from a visibly shaken and barely conscious Meltwater that he's done a lap of Llansadwrnen and is finished for the day.
wheeler is out of the barn and resting on the non supportive vehicle. In the lounge we find him huddled up, in full race attire complete with cleated shoes, to a roaring wood burner being attended to by three doting females, recovery drinks and chocolate wrappe
rs surround him. The buzzard slayer enquiries as to events and the response comes back from a visibly shaken and barely conscious Meltwater that he's done a lap of Llansadwrnen and is finished for the day.We change, grab lunch at the point cafe` and head out for a final 3 relays to Plashet.
Over 130 miles under our belts this weekend we head back to the Morfa Bay Centre and prepare to head home to our familys.....with only 42 days to go before the off.
Happy Hill Climbing
Phil Jenkins
Team Cyclist
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