Grrrrrrrrr. Yep welcomed by the coldest November day for ten years, we set off 9.30 sat morning with Tim not far behind. Conditions were bad with the rain & cold wind setting in straight away. So bad in fact that we lost our 1st rider Matt Ackland in Llandybie.
News too from our pint sized comic Martyn Harsant that there was no heating, kind of made you wonder why you were doing this to yourself. But we loves it
After the Cafe stop in Llandovery things took a turn for the worst.. by the time we hit the peaks of Sugar Loaf Mnt, we were desperately cold and there was plenty of snow about. Beautiful it was, but man we were suffering. Whilst some of the boys headed on, some struggled badly (me) and got so bad I could not turn the pedals anymore. The word 'epic' gets used far to easily these days, but for the riders who made it to builth that day justified the tag.
Digs were situated in the showground (with heating!) and we soon found ourselves in the pub drinking pints before having any food. Wales of course were playing rugby against New Zealand and with the foul vocal help of Ryan & Paul they nearly did it.
Despite Paul Coleman having trouble on the toilet, the night was flying by and the beer was sinking real quick. Finished off in a night club/bar with the single guys mingling with some fine builth talent. Some of which kindly gave us a 10 in a car lift home and sparing our lives after us begging them to stop, nutters!
Weather the following day was so much better and the ride back to Llandovery cafe was fantastic. After all the jokes & laughs we had all weekend, the best was saved till last at the cafe. Arguments over whether Dai Hawkins payed for his Beans on toast were getting heated and after a while he gave in and payed. Whilst paying, we hid his food and told him they took it... he went back did even more arguing and they argued amongst themselves and decided to give him another beans on toast to get him off their back. However, when Dai and waitress in tow walked to the table the food was put back. Your a good sport Dai.
