Today's exciting trip news from the Coast-2-Coast USA team - a bunch of brave dads/uncles/brothers/friends of children from the UK, cycling across the southern continental United States from Oceanside, California to St. Augustine, Florida to raise donations for the Children's Hospital for Wales and the Noah's Ark Appeal . Show them your support with pledges and, if you're on their route - especially at the end in St Augustine, Florida - turn out and welcome them, put them up or feed them or just buy them a beer!

Porth's 1st blog

Hi boyos - Clwb 6, Llandysul motor club and the football boys, Clwb 8 a merched MGT...and everyone else who has sponsored us. Shw mae!!

Am feeling better today, I had a fight with a tequila bottle the other night and am just coming round. Gar, Rich, Andy and Phil are cycling great, but am a bit upset by the weather. It's cold, windy and too much snow, but still doing 200miles a day.

Great country, but too big for me. Haven't jumped on the bike yet, but look out when I get going...am waiting for the downhills!!

Tom's our driver, and I'm his navigator, film and radio crew, Dyfrig and craig sitting in the back, with Dyfrig sleeping all the time!!

Off to Taos tomorrow, where they've pulled out all the stops. I just hope they've put away the tequila!! Keep on sponsoring us, cos were all working hard and slumming it. take it easy, don't work too hard.

Porthi

Stoney in Taos

Just a quickie today. The Intrepid Four did the mountain climb up to 10,500 ft before we descended into Taos. The Kitten and The Milgi even managed to have a spot of shore leave from HMS Hwyl and indulge in a spot of cycling with the four heroes!!!!!

HMS Hwyl was left in the capable hands of Tomos Onslow Wilding under the stewardship of Admiral Cooper, although his navigational skills were affected by a Gopher photo opportunity!!!!!

The welcome in Taos was truly astonishing. From the meeting on the Rio Grande bridge, to meeting up with some local cyclists, who escorted us into Taos. Next came the police escort and finally Zorro on horseback before we had to make two circuits of the Plaza, to the wonderful sounds of the High School Mariachi band.

Next came Marilyns welcome speech, which Porth tried to hold up because Merve and Tomos got lost!!!!!, Then a welcome by the mayor, Darren Cordoba.

Then came the musical entertainment Billy Archeretta on guitar, followed by Paul and Grace Jones (good Welsh name) on pipes and drum. The Bear did the honours on behalf of Team Coast2coast, including handing a letter of thanks to the mayor from Anthony Jenkins, Mayor of Carmarthen. After adding some extra clothing due to the sharpness of the climate, we adjourned to the various shops in the Plaza.

We were then taken to our digs for the night. Now were talking!!!! Jan and Phyls ranch accommodation is better than any 5 star hotel. All the rooms are of highest standard in comfort. King size beds, whirlpool baths et al!!!!

As The Kitten was first in, we got the pick, staying in the appropriately named Taos room.

A quick change and a dip in the hot tub to relax the aching limbs, followed by a hot shower then it was time for the evenings entertainment. Superb BBQ food whilst enjoying Paul and Grace on Pipes, drums and guitar (and the beer and wine was sponsored!!!!!!!).

Once again The Bear did the honours in thanking our hosts and everyone involved in making this visit so special. We ended the evening by proving that not all Welshmen can sing with a few well chosen Welsh favourites. Phil, Andy and Merve let rip with a few songs then it was time for bed.

As for the welcome in Taos, beat that America!!!!!!!!!! UNBELIEVABLE.

Gar's #7

Dulce to Taos, New Mexico - Day 6

It's hard to believe that it's only day six, as we've seen and experienced so much already, but the days seem to just get better.

The early depart from Dulce saw both groups eat up some morning road in crisp, sub zero conditions. We were soon at the foot of the the highest climb of the challenge, 10,500 ft or so, the highest any of the group has ever climbed, going into the unknown.

After 7 miles of steady, continuous climbing, and a view that stretched across the snow topped new Mexican mountains, all 4 crossed the summit together, where the fear of altitude effects seemed to be fogotten. The town of Taos was calling, and the cougar and bear tracks were probably an indication to get a move on.

The four of us continued the descent to Taos, and with speeds hitting 40mph, the road soon dissapeared. We arrived at the Rio Grande Gorge, tiny in stature compared to the grand canyon, but equally as impressive when you cross the bridge staring into the abyss below.

Finally. Taos, and after over six months of communication between the bear and marilyn, resulted in one he'll of a welcoming party. Members of taos cycling club helped with the draft, and once the police esort caught up with us, it was over to Zorro and his trusty steed to navigate us around the plaza as marilyn gave the traditional 'Whoop whoops' from the mike. The in time, made rich piss his pants, which seems to have resulted in the most common side effect of altitude... The giggles.

What followed...you'll have to see the videos. A Mariachi band, Billy Archiletta on guitar, zorro doing his tricks, the mayor and his sidekick, Paul and Grace Jones with their peace pipes (there's one for the office in the case!!). What can you say...speechless.

The early arrival meant a jaunt around the village and an opportunity to get some gifts. $50 later, and the only items bought were from the local cycling Shop...sorry ler, you'll have to wait til Florida where some real thought and effort can be applied.

Back to the accomodation for the night, and the old b&b has transformed into a palatial ranch. Outdoor jacuzzi, hot tub baths, and a barn the size of the Porth. The nights entertainment, peace pipes, BBQ, zorro...without the horse, and Phillipousis on guitar to finish. Unfortunatley, the welsh contingent couldn't keep up with the days standards, and almost killed bread of heaven, calon lan and hen wlad fy nhadau, but the New Mexican loved it.

Today, in a word, surreal. Hard to understand why complete strangers would go to so much effort to welcoming a group of wannabe cyclists, you could have sworn lance was in town. It has set a standard of welcoming that we can only attempt to immitate back home, but the same can be said for all destinations so far. Tip top.

Tommorow, our final major climb to 9,500 ft, then it's due south east to Melrose and Clovis, just before the Texan border. More of the same...yes please.

10-4. Pops oh yeah, we've passed the 1000miles mark too...where exactly, I couldn't tell you. It got lost on all the excitement.

Today was spectacular

Today was spectacular. We spent more time with all riders on the road than any other day for two main reasons:

1) We hit our highest peak at 10500 ft and all of us were keen to make the trip to the top; and

2) We had a civic reception in Taos, New Mexico and had a police escort in to town, along with some members of the local cycling club.

First to the riding - the altitude was a factor and we paced ourselves up the mountain, stopping at the top for some photos and to look at bear and cougar tracks in the snow.

On our descent in to Taos I struggled to match the pace set by Andy and Phil. A problem with my gearing meant that I couldn't manage top gear - that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.

We stopped on the outskirts of town and had a police escort in to the town plaza along with a number of members of the local cycling club.

We did a few laps of the plaza, following Zorro on his horse while being played to by a Mariachi Band. Further entertainment followed by local artists Billy Archuletta and then Paul and Grace playing the pueblo flute. Paul is originally from London and now lives in Taos with his wife Grace and not only plays but makes traditional flutes.

We are being hosted this evening by Jan and Phylis in their ranch - an amazing building with 5 star luxury. We have enjoyed a BBQ in the barn with more music from Paul and Grace, before we all got in on the act. I managed to mime along initially but then the guys did some songs in Welsh and I tried my hardest not to look like John Redwood attempting Land of my Fathers, but just managed to giggle my way through.

We were then treated to Phil and his guitar with Merv on the spoons. A great evening was had by all.

The hospitality we have encountered has been out of this world and Taos will live long in the memory.