Well, what a busy couple of training sessions we've had! Sunday 28th February saw us once again surgically attached to our bikes for a cycle to Haddenham and back. We set off with gathering speed down the hill out of Ashendon, where I succesfully communicated to some sheep and their lambs, all of whom answered back in unison!! (I do like sheep!!!)
Climbing up the hill to the top crossroads I found myself observing various animal holes in the bank and wondering whether it was indeed warmer for those animals tucked up down these holes, than us three freezing above ground!! I came to the conclusion that it probably was, but I am never likely to know, pointless information really, but I do feel the human brain ponders on very random things when it suffers from extreme cold!!
Alex made it up the steep hill very well demonstrating her ever increasing levels of fitness and also cycling competency!!! We went down barrack hill in Nether Winchendon, which is very steep and has some very nice properties. Upon reaching the village we took the path across to Cuddington, this crosses over the river, which has flooded into the fields. After succesfully crossing the bridge (We did refrain from a game of Pooh sticks!) we mounted our bikes once more but it was very muddy and upon trying to get on her bike Alex suddenly started floundering and, you've guessed it, ended up flat on her back in the mud!! This time both Sian and I couldn't contain ourselves anymore and ended up crying with laughter!!!! Poor Alex!!!
After reaching Haddenham Garden Centre we enjoyed a nice hot chocolate and set off back the way we came. Once back in Cuddington we took the track back to Nether Winchendon, we were barely half way along when we became aware of a car up bahind us and we went into single file to allow him past. As he passed the young person driving started to tell us that we weren't allowed to cycle along this path and that we should turn back. Alex and I did explain that Alex, being a novice rider, was still not completely confident on the larger roads and where possible we were using smaller tracks, to no avail though as he kept on that we shouldn't be here. Sian then stepped in and started on about our mission and that we were going to raise a lot of money for a very worthwhile charity and that we weren't being reckless or abusing this track. at this point the person drove off slowly and we carried on back to Winchendon. It made us feel as if he were the landowner telling off some Peasants that he found on his land!!!
Saturday 6th March saw us setting off for a cycle to Aylesbury. Once more the hill to the top crossroads was our first hill and I think our fitness is definately starting to show now. We travelled along to Upper Winchendon, where we took the estate track through Eythrope coming out at Stone, it was so lovely to be cycling through some most pictuesque scenery, without the traffic!!
We took the cycle path through stone and on into Aylesbury town, where we cut through various estates to end up at Aqua Vale Swimming Pool for a very well deserved and needed coffeee, shortly after Andy turned up with the car to transport us and our bikes back home.
Next week is our quiz on Saturday night so we may be able to squeeze a quick ride in on Saturday morning.
It has been almost three years since the Belles set a challenge. We haven't stopped, we simply need to re-set and re-focus and find time to get ourselves back in the zone.
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