Great excitement - an Away Day and a promising, sunny day at that. Isn't it just great that the better weather is here at last. I dug out my short sleeved top and I knew that I could cycle in my shorts today. This was a route that was new to me and discovering new scenery is all part of the enjoyment.

It was my turn to drive and I was under instruction to be at the meeting place smack on time although being five minutes early would be acceptable too.

I had everything ready to put in the car - drink, cycling shoes, helmet and saddlebag. I unlocked the front door and loaded the car but something was troubling me - what could it be? Ah yes, the bike of course, what an idiot! It just goes to prove that even the most sensible of us can lose our brains sometimes!

So I unlocked the garage and loaded the bike on to the top of the car. But time was now short and I just couldn't be late!

Fortunately most of the traffic lights were with me and I arrived at the Jersey Marine roundabout at 8.27. I sat in the car and pondered on how wonderful it would be if the great Mr Cardy were late. Ah dreams!

But of course he wasn't. This man is more punctual than the pips. I wouldn't be surprised if he is known locally as the Baglan Pip. Getting his bike on the top was (in the words of P G Wodehouse) the work of an instant, thanks of course to my wonderful Thule bike rack.

Llandovery next stop.

We got to the car park and found the ticket machine guarded by a policeman (too late old chum - if you had been there the night before you could have stopped the local miscreants from squirting superglue and foam into every available orifice) But he was able to give us the good news that we could park for free for the day so - "chwarae teg" as we say in Welsh.

Eleven of us found each other and formed a group outside the hotel and refreshed ourselves. At about 10.20 we set off but got no further than the start of the Builth road when a mobile phone was heard to ring. Almost simultaneously the whole group reached into their back pockets and I observed quietly to myself that this could be a really good Olympic sport - synchronised mobile phone answering (that is if they ever get the finance sorted out).

Anyway the winner was Des for it was his phone that was ringing with Ken, of Chris and Ken fame, on the other end. The really interesting part of this was that Ken would have been totally unaware of the extreme danger that Des was in. You see we had all pulled in to a parking space for Des to answer and for us to wait for him. This however upset the plans of a white haired lady in a red car who really quite seriously wanted our space, she got most of the way in but quite clearly was intent on 100% success. Her fellow passengers were even more white haired and were clearly benignly menacing, a condition that elderly white haired old ladies are particularly good at after centuries of training.

So he moved.

Chris and Ken had been at the other cafe and had probably seen us passing - well how could they have missed us! So we cycled on and waited for them at Cynghordy where we were turning right to Tirabad. United we proceeded and stopped a bit further up the hill where we had a superb view of the viaduct. Time to take a photo. The sun was flitting about all over the place but was almost deliberately avoiding the bridge - could we see a train on it please? Then we heard one, it was a single red carriage and had the sun lit it up when it was at the centre of the viaduct it would have been perfect but, alas it didn't. That is the frustrating thing about photography, two minutes later the sun rested just on the viaduct and the light was perfect but the train had long gone, my camera put away. Photography can be a cruel hobby.

A bit further on Craig had problems with his handlebars and the second half of the group stopped to stay with him while he fixed it. The others, unaware of this, were long gone. We were, however soon on the way again and fortunately we had Colin with us. Fortunately because it was Colin that had ridden the route with Trevor last year.

So that was us on the right road and the others on, you've guessed it, the wrong one. We stopped at the turning for Llywel and the entrance to the firing range and waited, and waited. Eventually most of them arrived but Brian had had a puncture just down the hill from where we were so we waited again, and again. Then eventually we were together again and commenced on our journey across the range. This is vast and great for cycling, vehicles are few and far between. We were on high ground most of the time with breathtaking panoramas. No photos I'm afraid - I just didn't want to be arrested. There was one point where the road wound out towards the horizon, a lovely easy ride, skylarks competing for their own "best song" competition and a lazy kite soaring in the breeze. Beautiful.

This road ended up in a dual carriageway would you believe, but each carriageway was a single track. Quite surreal.

We were soon on the Brecon road and a left turn took us to Trecastle where we had planned to eat. The poor lad at the tea room was busy even before we got there but he started taking our orders, however the look in his eyes told us he was in a quiet panic. We sat down and waited patiently, he kept his head and we were soon served - full marks to him!

Replete, we paid and left but Val had his eye on a shooting stick - you see this eatery also sold some interesting bric-a-brac and a shooting stick was what Val really wanted. He duly tested all the models and finally plumped for his favourite, parted with his money and we were off. But not before Colin posed for some photos.

We were then off up the lane opposite and when I say up I really mean that, it was almost never ending but finally we were at the top and in the middle of the area where the gas pipeline was being laid. This is a really huge engineering project. The track here was mostly rideable but had deep ruts in places and some stretches over bare rock. This demanded some careful concentration - but exciting nevertheless.

We finally arrived at Llandovery, the cars were still there and we had had a really superb day, great countryside, lovely weather and a grand total of 13 of us having thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

This was Trevor's Away Day but he couldn't be with us because he has to look after Pat so thanks Trev and we all hope Pat recovers soon and things get back to normal for you both.

I was about to say see you all on the next Away Day in May but I can't see it in the new programme. I tried to phone Des this evening to clarify this but I couldn't get through. I'm sure its just an oversight - it would be a real shame to think that they are coming to an end.

So, see you in May hopefully!

And on next week's ride too, of course.

Lew Spokes

The Viaduct		Emergency repairs

Most of the riders

Choosing the stick		Shooting stick testing

Post lunch cup of tea for Colin		That's enough now

I feel a bit cold Val		Just put me on my bike!

King of the Castle		The long, long trail

More pipes please		Round the bend

Packed up and ready to go		Same again, with me