A bit later doing the report this time but the truth of it is I had ordered a new lens for my camera - a rather super-duper one and when I got home there was a card through the letterbox saying that they had tried to deliver it and that I could fetch it from the depot. Well I was so excited! And I had to fetch it, and then I had to play with it, then I couldn't wait for today to start using it. Lets be honest here - you people (whoever you are, but between 60 and 70 of you log on to my site each week) were far from my mind.

Sorry, but there it is. And here it is.

I had to make a small detour to the start point because they were starting on resurfacing the road past the Bible College, thank goodness, so I had to half ride and half carry the bike through the wood. Never mind it will be worth it. We were 12 altogether (like last week 13 by the time we reached the lunch stop because once again Mike Wood rode from Allt Wallis to meet us). Our route this time was down Pont y Cob Road, past the hospital and up the cycle track then Pontyates, Carway then Pembrey and the cycle track home.

We had got to the cycle track and Trevor thought we should phone the cafe to warn them that we were coming but as we were making such good time (and we weren't rushing) we were going to be there by 12.00 so I didn't think it was necessary to reserve tables for us. Mistake. At high noon we strode into the cafe, dusty and saddle sore. "What baguettes have you got, please?" "Oh, I'm sorry we haven't got any prepared, we didn't know you were coming, you usually ring us." As one the invading throng turned to me, pointed and said "It's his fault!!" I blushed with embarassment but said the magic words "Mae'n ddrwg gen i, dw i'n ymddiheurio'n llwyr!" As always that did the trick. You should try it sometime.

We occupied all the one side of the cafe and several of the local regulars passed by without coming in, they must have felt threatened - can't think why!

Out of Pontyberem to Pontyates, some of us jostling for pole position on the long climb, past Carway then I took a wrong turning, the second one that day but I had realised it as soon as I turned right so no harm done, reached The Butchers Arms on the Pembrey Road and waited for regrouping. Off we went along the main road and came up against some road works and traffic lights, some of us used the pavement. It's difficult to decide just what to do in these circumstances because holding up impatient drivers between traffic lights can hardly be regarded as safe and a clear pavement with not a pedestrian in sight does look the safer bet. Anyway the cable connecting the two lights was laid on the ground and Ken's front wheel rode on to it causing his wheel to roll off onto one side and throwing him off in the process. He landed badly with his arm in the gutter so had a rather nasty knock to the top of his side, he lay there for a while, not moving, then painfully sat up. Nothing broken but some nasty bruising likely to follow. After a while to get himself together we made our way slowly to Burry Port. There seems to be a competition growing at the moment as to who can produce the best wine gums, these were always supplied by John Cardy (Yes! He's got a mention!) but Big Trev and Martin seem to have got together and are beginning to muscle in on his domain. This could get ugly - I shall keep you informed.

Chris and Ken make their way to Penclacwydd where they are going to be picked up, meanwhile, clearly not having eaten enough, we pay a visit to the seafront cafe in Llanelli - little wonder we need to cycle regularly!

Next week it will be September and we visit Pennard. The following week it is the 'Round the Mountain' Away Day and I have just been doing the recce today - a nice ride with just one hill of note. This hill rises from 380 ft to 1333 ft, that's the bad news - the good news is that it takes 2.75 mile to do it. The view from the top is great and a short walk up the hill to the right will give us an even better view. Nice ride down the other side then and we eat at the Tafarn Sinc, and that's quite an experience! On the way back to Crymych we will have time to see the memorial stone of Waldo Williams and also the memorial stone of the Preseli blue stone.

All will be revealed.

Also details of John Cardy's December Away Day have just been made public and here they are:-

The 2007 Christmas Cracker

So here it is then the December Christmas Cracker and you don't even have to bring your own bike.

On Wed the 12th of Dec 2007 I have reserved not a coach as in bus, but a riding coach and two hours of track time at the fabulous indoor Newport Velodrome. It will be exclusively ours for this period.
These people are used to having Velodrome virgins, they often host the CTC and Sustrans groups for sessions, so come snow or hail a good away day is promised on Dec 12th.

I am told that it is an experience not to be missed and one of those things you must do at least once in your life. As long as you can ride a bike you will enjoy it, the man said.


The overall cost including all the bikes and the coach is £140, so if we can get 14 to come it'll be £10 each. A small price to pay for the experience of a lifetime.

Easy riders, Grannies, Aunts and Uncles, get em all to have a go,
Please let me know as quickly as possible if your interested, I'll book a place for lunch then.

Regards to All
John C - jcardy@talk21.com

Happy pedalling

Lew Spokes

This is why John can push Big Trev up hills		This is why Big Trev needs a push from John
The Dapper Bob Smith tucking in		Col & Trev reaching the top (photo: Martin Brain)