Considering it was late November the weather smiled sweetly on 17 riders bound for Ammanford. This was possibly our second best attendance level since The Refrigerator Run to Kidwelly back in January of this year when, for a reason that no-one can explain, we had 21.

The route was to take us through Gowerton, Pontarddulais and Llanedi coming back across the suspension bridge. From Llanedi we turned right to cycle along 'puncture alley' as it has now been renamed, with good reason. We were lucky and got through unscathed. No huge hills today but quite a few 'relative underlations' as Big Trev would have said.

And so it was that we got to Ammanford bringing along with us a warm glow, a touch of hunger and a healthy thirst. We entered a hostelry and were surprised to find that all the tables were occupied. Seeing so many of us, and sensing that we would be voracious eaters, the staff were eager to accommodate us and promised that tables would be available quite soon. Meanwhile the wiser among us went out in search of an alternative and found one in the form of The Cottage Inn, a messenger boy was sent back to us to inform us of this but by that time food had been ordered and, indeed tables had been found - outside. It was significant and lucky that most of us seemed to have ordered the curry and that it was a hot one because we gradually became colder and colder. We kept getting messages from the other group telling us how warm and cosy they were and that was, of course a great help (not!). Never mind, the answer was to eat up quickly and join them and, after all we could boast that we had visited two pubs! (As you can see I am wildly searching for positives here)

We wasted no time in covering the few hundred yards that separated us and were amazed to see that they had put tables together in a separate room so that we could have all eaten together. This will be our Ammanford lunch stop on future occasions. Not wanting people to think that I am a keen drinker of alcohol I decided that perhaps I would just have a very small drink, just to be sociable and I sat down among the others and had my grouse. And in case you might think that I was miserable I should tell you that I should have spelt that with a capital G and preceded it with the word 'Famous'.

Now that we were all together we had the chance of solving a mystery that had been vexing us all for a long time.

What is John Cardy?

Several offerings were made.

"I think he must be Superman" said someone remembering the time that John cycled alongside Trevor and pushed him up to the top of a hill that we other 'humans' were struggling up.

"No, I think he's Spiderman" said someone else having heard that John has difficulty getting out of a bath.

"Well I think he's an enigma" said an erudite member leaving us, less intelligent riders wondering what on earth that was. Its meaning is still a mystery.

No answer was to be found.

So, "How do we solve a problem like John Cardy" Colin sang in his best baritone.

It was John White who came up with a long term plan.

"This may take some time" he said "but this is, after all, a huge question. I think we should solve it by a process of elimination."

We nodded in agreement, said our goodbyes to our hosts, unlocked our bikes and were very careful not to ride our bikes down the pedestrian precinct (well at least, not when the two policemen were looking). At the far end we saw a structure with a very narrow gap running through the middle. Visibly and before our very eyes John gets into 'Challenge Mode' and not once, not twice but three times cycles through the middle. Those of you with biblical knowledge will now realise that the elimination process has started and John has undergone his first test.

Well, he certainly is not a camel!

Thanks to all who were able to join us on this ride.

Happy pedalling

Lew Spokes

Val phones a friend		John struggles with the problem
Colin dons his thinking cap		The Needle
Ok, so he's not a camel!		Homeward bound
Generous John		None for Me!