I had promised a sunny day with calmer winds than yesterday but my promise turned out to be as accurate as the BBC's Weather Site, not surprising really as that is where I got the information from in order to make such a rash promise. We hadn't been gone long before it started to rain and the wind as we neared Rhossili had become rather bracing to say the least. Never mind we all thought if the wind was against us on the way there it stands to reason it will be behind us on the way back.

Well, we shall see.

But there was a crisis even before we started. I had just got on to the cycle track when I realised that my front tyre didn't feel right and then, looking at it I realised it didn't look right either. Yes I had a puncture! I pumped some air into the tyre and hoped it would hold for the next two miles, thankfully it did and I got to the start just on 10.00. The wheel was soon off and with the help of John White the tube was changed. There was a thorn through the tyre but I have Marathon tyres and they are supposed to be thornproof so how can this possibly be?

Anyway we were soon off up the road out of Killay. It is a hill that sort of grabs your attention somewhat. Nine of us were at the start with Big Trev and TD Bob Smith joining us en route, nice to get our numbers over ten again after dropping down to eight last week.

We went along Welsh Moor then down to Cheriton and climbed the Britannia Hill, through Burry Green then Scurlage. Lunch was at the Worms Head Hotel and I was looking forward to a pint of the Cwrw Haf and there I was watching the pint being pulled, mouth watering in anticipation when the barmaid suddenly gave up and turned the label round the other way.

"Barrel is empty" she said "can you wait 15 minutes?"

Well, of course I couldn't so I had a pint of Guinness.

"Anything else?" she asked.

"Yes, I'll have the pie and chips." I said.

"Sorry, no pies left" she said.

So I had to make do with that good old standby chilli con carne. I must say they do a very good one there so it wasn't a huge disaster. The views are quite terrific from the restaurant, you look down on miles of beach with a lovely curve to the sea. It was lovely today to be behind glass, not many people chose to sit outside - well, to be precise, none actually.

We were hoping to have a following wind on the way back but strangely it seemed to have changed direction and what with having to fight against that and the fact that the Guiness seemed to be sloshing about in both legs I was struggling. Cefn Bryn was a challenge that we all met and overcame, but then we always do. No speed trials this time, no point really but I was passed by two riders assuming the Marco Pantani style of riding. Very picturesque Mr Cardy and Mr Trev!!

We spit up at Cilibion, four of us turning right towards Fairwood common. My leaden legs were struggling up the hill when I realised that I was providing slipstream for Messrs Cardy and White, John offered to lead and I suppose it was marginally easier but I had to expend so much energy trying to keep up with him that I just had to give up and watch him disappear into the distance. But then he is powered by wine gums. He waited for us at the top and rewarded us with, not one but two, wine gums!

I think the advice for next week may have to be "Winter Drawers On!!"

And talking about next week we are off to Llangenith, so be there!!

Happy pedalling

Lew Spokes

John and Colin in discussion		Lunch over, time to go
An empty Rossili beach