Way Down South (Pencoed actually) With Uncle Lyndon aka The Cornelly Hillbilly and the Two Fat Cyclists

Yesterday started with a wet and windy training ride for the Two Fat Cyclists (TFC) to Llanstephan and back to Carmarthen and saw the chunky duo out for a second day on the trott with an earlier Friday night spin out in Pendine and Laugharne. It also marks a turning point in the training regime and a change in commitment with positive noises being made about the big man's plans for a Chicago to New York event next March to coincide with the Six Nations competition.
(Diet Commitment From Andy)
The idea at present is that we fly out to the windy city take in a Wales match at a Welsh bar, cycle to New York for the following weeks encounter against the French with a couple or three gigs along the way and taking in places with Welsh links etc.
With potential gigs enroute and with the upcoming Charity Americana event at the Tin Shed in Laugharne on July 9th we've called in the Big Gun, Spam Dagger chief warbler and Harmonizing Guru - Uncle Lyndon, who, after an initial practice last weekend is really up for it, being as he is absolutley steeped in old timey music.

After our cycle yesterday we jumped into the VW and headed up the M4 for deepest darkest Pencoed for another practice with our new band leader.

We found him in fine fettle as can be seen in the above photograph. we had a great practice of our new (cover) material and Andy has narrowed the set down to `just the 40 songs`.

Another practice this week hopefully and a couple of rides will see both Harmonies and cycle performances improve further before our first musical outing of the new line up in two weeks time.

Phil (formely a Pork Pie) Jenkins

Cycling Buddies

Ian Jones - singer songwriter of Didlly Sqwat. Promoted into the trio known as Yasgur's Farm. Keen cricketer and father to three.








Iannis Ireland - guitarist, singer and a fantastic discussion maker. Won the Wiltshire talk off of 2008 against the West Of Ireland Champion, Tony Hassett.







Charlie Griffiths - grand-daughter, known to walk to nursery and eat packed lunch.











Rhys and Charlie, a balancing act of tolerance.










Stuart on Mont Ventoux, weirdly playing a violin at the Tom Simpson memorial.


















Gareth Jones, brewing up during the non-stop cycle from Amiens, Northern France to Carmarthen, 1993.

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