Fat cyclists set for 1,200-mile US trek | This is South Wales

Fat cyclists set for 1,200-mile US trek | This is South Wales: "TWO Pendine cyclists, planning an epic ride through America's industrial heartland in aid of charity next month, have already raised a third of the funds planned.

Cyclists Andy Edwards and Phil Jenkins, known locally as the Two Fat Cyclists, are planning to ride 1,200 miles in just six days from Chicago to New York."

They hope to raise £12,000 for the Canolfan Plant Sir Gâr children's centre charity.

To date, they have raised £4,000, through events and donations.

They will be joined on the trip, which starts on Friday, March 9, by drivers Lyndon Williams and Gethin Jones.

To add to the challenge, they will be playing acoustic music gigs at various venues en route.

Andy said: "We're riding it as a relay. It's 100 miles each a day for a total of 600 miles each. We're calling it £12,000 for 1,200 miles."

The duo held a fundraising night at the Beach Hotel, Pendine, on February 3 and have a further event planned at Laugharne's New Three Mariners on February 24.

"The Beach Hotel was a great time, it's a real local thing with great community spirit," said Andy.

Back in 2009 Andy took part in an even more impressive 3,000 mile trip across the States, only to crash in torrential rain on the last day.

He is currently putting in the miles to get fit for the March ride.

"I'm training 20-30 miles every day and plan to do 100 miles on a Saturday."

Donations can be made at the justgiving website on www.justgiving.com/bandi.