Laugharne Regatta Day Two

Today 31st May 2009 (my Birthday) saw a day away from the bicycle and the Two Fat Cyclists along with Tomos Wilding, Rhys Baby and steering, Jackie `The Milk` Griffiths (Mrs Dai `the milk`) entering a team in this years dragon boat race.

We arrived as instructed by `The Milk` at 11am sharp only to find that the sailing races (over 4 heats)which had to be run first took many hours to complete. This left only drinking Strongbow in the roasting sun as an alternative.

After a few hours of `Bow`, visiting the on site portaloos and listening to Dirk (Coygen Quarry) taking the P*ss out of the assembled audience it was time for first race of the day.

The Fat Cyclists team along with several of `The Milks` family carried one of the race boats down to the water edge only to find that Jan (Seaview) and his mates were going in first.

The first race saw Jan and crew beating the first ladies team after which we got into the boat for our first go.

After some hasty instruction from Mrs `The Milk` we set off to the start line which was a task in its self.

Our first race was a very close run thing and we narrowly beat the second of the ladies team entered. It is widely believed that Tomos `Onslow` Wilding was not pulling his weight and had several issues including movement of the foot block, belly and knee's getting in the way of full stroke and other personal issues centred around timing and hand eye co-ordination.

It was then back up to the start line for the final of champions. Still panting after the first race and worrying that we would be demolished by the Jan boat we thought about a sneaky rolling start and taking the shoreside line which apparently gives you an advantage.

However neither of these happened but we had a very, very close race and did ourselves proud. We believe that as we hadn't rested between our last heat and the final and the fact that the other boat had had a slight change of personel and brought in fresh arms in the form of Max that this is what lead to our downfall. (nothing to do with Strongbow)

Great day out lots of money raised for the Seascouts and great stripey sun tans all round.

Happy stroking

Phil

www.thetwofatcyclists.co.uk

Laugharne Man-Boob Regatta 30th May 2009

The arrival of summer and blistering temperatures around the havens of Pendine and Laugharne yesterday were enough to tempt a third member of the now defunct C2CUSA team out onto the road. Owner of the worlds gingerest button mushroom, Ian `The Enforcer` Stone decided it was time to break out the lycra and join Mao (Andy) and I for our saturday morning spin.

We set off towards The Ginst, and on the way taking on the mighty Mont Plashett climb where, `the mushroom` attempted to show us his class and blasted up ahead for which he would pay the price later.

After The Ginst and the second category climb of the day (Coygen Quarry Hill) the heat started to take it's toll and we took it easy into Laugharne where the boat club were holding their annual regatta. We cycled across towards the slipway and found several partially naked men including winner of this years Laugharne Man -Boob award (most improved Moobs / best in Class) - Dai `The Milk` Griffiths . Dai had also crossed the line in 1st position in the clubs sailing race from Llangain to Laugharne but was unsure if he'd won at the time (possibly down to questions over urine samples not passing muster).

We then headed back to Pendine and killed ourselves on The Hill of Death, passing en-route a smiling `Doctor` Dave Gardner sitting on his wall chatting with friends and promising that he will come out with us soon (again).

After this Mao, Rhys baby and I grabbed Morfa Bay's new toy the SUP (stand up Paddle Board) and headed down to the beach for a splash. Great fun, harder than it looks but Rhys seemed to get the hang of it in the end and looked positivley Hawiian as he surfed two waves to the beach. Needs a leash though or the death toll will rise. 36sq feet of hard epoxy travelling at 8 mph towards a crowd of small screaming children is not a pretty site.

Happy moobs
Phil

www.thetwofatcyclists.co.uk

CARBS EATEN!

The NO CARB DIET has developed into a 'I'LL HAVE A FEW CHIPS AND A COUPLE OF PIECES OF BREAD ON A FRIDAY NIGHT' DIET.

The Seaview restaurant in Laugharne was the venue for entertaining two friends from America. Ian and Jacquie had looked after us on a Sunday evening in downtown Houston.

The Coast 2 Coast cycle leg from Austin to Houston had been a hairy experience as thousands of Texans hit the freeway on a Sunday afternoon to have their photos taken in fields of bluebells. The cycling was pretty hard as the roads were busy and uncomfortable but we made it in good time and were delighted to find that Ian and Jacquie had a pool and had laid on giant ribs and sweet corn as appetizers before we headed off to the pub for a free meal courtesy of Craig (from Bradford).

Jacquie had organised a news item by ABC with a film crew covering our arrival at their home. Entertained in 'The Red Lion' English Pub, we were able to watch the news item and interview on television after the vittels. We had a great night and sang Welsh hymns and songs as well as the obligatory rugby songs that we churned out in varying musical keys.

www.thetwofatcyclists.co.uk

Whitsun Bank Holiday Training May 2009

Well I might not have done as much as my fatter counterpart this weekend with him joining the Tenby Aces and all for a training ride of 90miles on Monday while I chose a nice day out with Demandy Evans - the better half, but I did manage to get a few miles done on Saturday and Tuesday.

Saturday saw a nice spin out to Tavernspite from Pendine then onto Llanddowror, New Mill, St Clears, Laugharne and back to Pendine.

Today (Tuesday) saw pretty much the reverse of that route for me a 20 miler but this time taking in the near 20 minute climb upto Tavernspite which got the the heart rate up a bit although I don't know to what extent as my Polar HR monitor seems to have given up the ghost. My partner in crime cried off the same route after his excursion on Monday with the Aces and claiming achy leg muscles and opted for the `childrens portion - ride` and the route back on the main road to Red Roses where I met him all panting and sweaty claiming his route was the same distance as mine.....

We met up again later today for a light 30 mins of weights, which is the new angle of attack on the FAT front for us. This new training regime, coupled with a zero carb diet that The Bear has discovered in a small red book he`s bought and is carrying around with him (Mao Tse Tung style) should see us in skimmpy white speedo's by the end of June / mid July or he's going to try to get his money back.

Mao has also managed to secure us some new team apparel by the looks of things courtesy of SHUTT VR and they'll print Diabetes UK logos as well for us so look out for two not so fat blokes in black and pink skin tight lycra around Carmarthenshire soon.

Happy pedaling & pumping iron

Phil

www.thetwofatcyclists.co.uk

Training Ride with Tenby Aces

Help For Heroes
Charity Ride

Seven Aces and one fat cyclist hit the road at 6 a.m. for a 130 mile turnaround trip to Cardiff and back to Mc Donald's, Briton Ferry in search of a route for the big day.

On the day it has been agreed that a 15 mph average has got to be maintained.

Top Left - All day breakfast at The Sporting Chance? Not at 7 a.m.!
Left - The 4 a.m. start on the day won't allow time for the McDonald
stop! Pat and Richard about to enter the forbidden zone!

Right - a newly polished Jon Mills!

A flattish 50 mile that seemed to speed by. Being in a group is so different to what i normally do. Then I had to go solo - working in the afternoon. I hit some big hills to get out of Llanelli and struggled all the way home. Very tired at the end and only managed 90 miles - it can only get better!



www.thetwofatcyclists.co.uk

Help for Heroes Charity Ride

Tenby Aces are organising a charity cycle challenge to raise money for Help For Heroes. Help for Heroes is a new organisation formed to help those who have been wounded in Britain's current conflicts.

The ride will take place on 27th June this year and the challenge is to ride from Tenby to Cardiff and back in a Day, the distance being 200 miles. The Club have chosen the 27th as it's the nearest to the longest day of the year, and as you can appreciate we need as much light as possible, although we will be starting off extremely early on Saturday. The number of places is limited but the Two Fat Cyclists are on board.

We will also need help with support vehicles on the ride, so if anyone is willing to donate some of their time, or knows anyone else who can it will be greatly appreciated.

For more information please go to www.helpforheroes.org.uk.

To donate: www.justgiving.com/tenby-aces

www.thetwofatcyclists.co.uk

Good Wishes from New Mexico

Thumbs up and best wishes from Marilyn and the Taos High School Mariachi Band.

Rachel, Marilyn and some of the musicians giving, at, Phyllis the photographer's request, a thumbs up especially for Andy and Phil!

www.thetwofatcyclists.co.uk

Ooops I did it again....

I swore I'd never do another turbo session having done my last session with The Bear in March before heading off to cycle across the USA.

However this morning after a doing a few light rides together over the last week or two we had planned to go out for an hour or so but the weather had different plans.

So with darkening skies and limited options open to us and following some recent comittments about further long distance cycle challenges it was back into the `Barn of Pain` at Penllew (Sue and Andy's home in Pendine) for a `proper turbo training session`.

1 hour of blasting intervals with some breaks to get your breath back in between....I loved it. Sweaty and breathless with a load of calories burnt off and feeling cleansed again.

Here we go again, Oops we're doing it again...

Happy blasting

Phil (Slightly plump cyclist)

www.thetwofatcyclists.co.uk

Two Fat Cyclists

After the challenge of cycling across the U.S.A. from California to Florida what are we up to next?

Phil has talked about going out to the Alps and trying the gruesome Marmotte. The 174km cycle starts in Bourg d’Oisans and climbs the Col de la Croix Fer, Col du Telegraphe, Col du Galibier before returning to Bourg d’Oisans and finishes up the 21 hairpin bend climb to the ski station of L’Alpe d’Huez. He has also talked about Land's End John O Groats - a long weekend away!
There has been mention of returning to the States and attempting the 1000 mile time trial that is the Race Across The West!

Who knows!