Hi, my name is Larry Whyte and I am proud to be David's coach & gym trainer

In 2006, I became the World Champion Drug Free Powerlifter in the 90 Kg category, bringing home 4 gold medals from the Championships in Bendigo, Australia. I am very proud of this achievement as I had only just returned to the sport after a 15 year break, and I had also reached the golden age of 50. Prior to the success in Australia, I became the British Masters Champion & the Midlands Masters Champion, breaking two World Records in the process.

I entered powerlifting in my mid twenties and my last big achievement before I 'retired' was to win the South West Powerlifting Championships, hoisting a decent 295 Kg's. In my twenties I was into martial arts & boxing, making good use of my natural flexibility & speed.

In 2007, Mens Health Magazine did an awesome 6 page feature 'The Life Of Iron' on me, my background and achievements. I have been a Gym Instructor and Coach since 2007. I will compete for the British and World Championships in 2009, after taking time-out in 2008 - then I plan to retire to leave it open for David to have a go!

My achievements and titles include:
World masters drug free power lifting champion 2007 – dead lift un-equipped and world record holder for equipped. Event held in Italy.
European masters champion 2007 - bench press, dead lift equipped and un-equipped. Event held in Switzerland.
World master champion 2006 - winning 4 gold medals. Bench press un-equipped, world champion dead lift equipped and world record holder. World champion dead lift un-equipped, world record holder and bench press. Event held in Bendigo, Australia.
British masters champion 2006/2007 - bench press dead lift equipped and unequipped. British record holder equipped and unequipped dead lift. Event held in England.
Midlands masters champion 2006/2007 - dead lift equipped and un-equipped, and bench press. British bench press record holder and best male over all. Events held in Cheltenham 2007 and the Midlands in 2006.

My next challenge? A British Championship. Yes, A British Championship

I have promised to post an article on my Lon Las Cymru solo ride, some thoughts on Cycling Fit and to discuss the Survival Equipment I took and didn't use. Then tonight, I read Georgina Best's blog posting and she is good, very good! In her blog 'For Girls Who Can't Do Football' she made a heart felt statement on life:

"Maybe it's because real life is in the small, the ordinary and the everyday. A reminder that we should live every moment to the full and treasure our existence. And what football shows me is that the game's not over until the final whistle, that a battle can have beauty within it and that strength comes in working together and mutual support."

In demonstration of what might be possible, I decided to live this sentiment! So in the last few minutes I have taken the best advice possible and been offered World Class Coaching by a World Champion, the aim a British Championship and the chance at a World Title within three years. I hope your all in a betting mood?!

Of course Cycling Fit will be part of my training programme, with the odd long ride and I will be challenging a few to join in, to be coached and train together for a Title! More of this soon......
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The Taff Trail Across The Brecon Beacons in Pictures

More pictures to be uploaded over next few days......

Exhaustion and Recovery

It is Friday and I wake up in my own bed. My recovery plan involves rest, naps, sleep and cup after cup of herbal tea. I manage to blog, then send Neil an email in understanding of his feelings our ride together had invoked. New Years Eve had been a good day to enjoy beauty and friendship.

I am determined not to cycle anywhere today. In accepting the Rector and Christina's invitation to enjoy good cooking and a warm hearth, a lift is immediately offered - as they already understand how I might feel.

Again I am with friends, they tell me of their own plans to undertake a long journey and busk everyday for charity, that my ride has helped inspire. Warmed in many ways by a lovely evening, I begin to think of another French Cycle Tour this coming June - perhaps with back-up crew.

Well?

New Year's Day 2009 - A Long Last Leg East

I slept under two heavy duvets in the high round tower at Daffy's and the first memorable event of the year was my slipping in my socks on the steep narrow wooden stairway that curve downwards to 'ski the lot' and hit the first floor landing! The steepness and small size of the stairs made for a fast bruising yet injury free descent?

Daffy had learnt the need for lots of food, so we had a huge whatever-you-want breakfast and piles of snacks to store away enroute. The plan was to follow the Taff Trail(8) to where the Celtic Trail(4) divided off to the East. The Celtic Trail would then lead me on a winding route through Caerphilly; On to Newport hence to wander the Coastal Salt Marshes to Caldicot; Then the long hill into Chepstow before a couple of miles of up-and-over on the old Severn Bridge cycleway; Then wander the lanes to the A38, to head North in the direction of Gloucester, before going East towards Stroud to reach Stonehouse - a journey of nearly 70 odd miles.

Daffy wanted to join me as far as Caerphilly Castle, it was chilly so instead our leave taking was well timed at the divide of the trails. She had surprised and seen me off in Holyhead, found me in Brecon, accompanied me to Ponty with Neil and now waved me goodbye dan jalan bagus on the Celtic Trail home. I headed back towards a cold home, the hot bath, an exhausted sleep and a blog or two. Yet, knowing what warming presents to buy Daffy for her 40th Birthday Party next week!

Lets just say the trail home was a bitter cold slog and I could have done without the broken beer bottle in Newport!

The fierce beauty of Snowdonia, the Cambrian Mountains and the Brecon Beacons were the best, with the solo legs of Lon Las Cymru having each been an adventure. Having company and sharing the beauty of New Years Eve morning had made my journey the more memorable and enjoyable.

Thank you

PS. There are Neil's pictures to download, upload to the web and add as New Year's Eve '08 & Taff Trail Slideshow. I also plan to blog on the related subjects of staying warm and survival soonest.

The Off - New Years Eve 2008

New Years Eve, Inspirational Company and Snow?

Neil, Helen and Carys had driven up in early morning temperatures of -7 degrees Centigrade to the Castle at Brecon - where Neil is to join me and Daffy on the Taff Trail section of Lon Las Cymru to Pontypridd.

Firstly, Neil held a master class, truing and making reliable both of BadBoy's wheels! No ordinary mountain biker, he is best described as an 'acrobat on wheels' who enjoys long black runs down French mountains. Watch out though, this year the taxman is buying Daffy a mountain bike and lessons, so she might carry out a long time wish to downhill Ben Nevis!

Ho, another long time mountain biker and our guide on few previous adventures in the Brecons can not now join us today.... But, here at the start I have my soul mate and hero Daffy. The best and truly inspirational friends, Neil and Helen! So I am feeling good, happy, loved and yes, ready for what awaits us this New Years Eve.

Helen, captures an image or two of this happy threesome at the start, then will deliver my rear panniers to Daffy Towers in Ponty. We set off through Brecon, to follow the canal for a mile or so before signs take us winding up to Talybont reservoir.

Here, with ice in our hair and in my beard, the cloud white-out sees us start the forest trail on-up past beautiful ice and stalagmite grotto's to our left and views of the Brecon Beacons o'so slowly appearing above the clouds as we pedal ever higher. Near the top, the cold flooding at the entrances to the old railway tunnel is as Ho advised. In a few minutes, its midday and we are in Sunshine before the freezing cold that win's out when we descend.

I am wearing warm liner socks under thermal waterproof socks inside roomy leather boots which are again partly shielded by the front panniers I am still using - its this combination of footwear carefully dried each night, that has kept my feet warm during the damp freezing cold afternoon and evenings of my journey from Holyhead. Daffy and Neil have tight fitting light cycle shoes and socks, thus their feet are 'blocks of ice' within minutes of leaving Brecon during a light snow fall. Plastic bags, loosened shoes, extra socks and plastic bags, plus some walking brings a little relief.

We are trying to avoid exhaustion through snacking and taking drinks every forty minutes. As we travel down through Mertha, Daffy realizes the need to find warmth and eat - the choice is very limited, so we end up enjoying poor food, poorer service and late service. Which means we are warmer yet going to now reach Ponty in the dark! Its the cold that is sapping our energy the worst, so we are happy to find ourselves nearing our evening's destination.

Daffy is passionate about surprises! So when she stops at a pub we are greeted by friends and start in on the New Year celebrations....