Apologies for the long wait since my last blog entry - what with quiz nights, shifting sheds, and Easter holidays, time juggling has been as hard as staying on my bike.
Saturday 13th March – to be fair today our minds were on this evenings quiz night. As usual we gathered in the lane to set off but all conversation along the way was about tonight. I’m sure there was lots to see as usual but each of us was torn between excitement and apprehension – so many people had put so much effort into our fund raising evening and, just for this once, our minds were elsewhere.
Saturday 20th March 2010 – as you’ll know from Sians blog all of our apprehension surrounding last weeks quiz night was unfounded and the night was a brilliant success – thank you again to everyone.
Todays cycle ride had a really good feel to it – somehow last week had made it all ‘real’ - so many new people now sharing our plan, Had there been a ‘point of no return’ then today we’d be beyond it, no going back now.
Joe and Andy joined the Belles today, so five of us set off towards the crossroads at Nether Winchendon. From there we headed left along towards……well, I don’t know where. What I do know is that we darted down a little ‘off road’ section and ended up in Eythrope.
As the sun shone five mad people from Pollicott sailed down through Stone towards the Bugle Horn. At this point out group split with Andy and Joe heading off to Stoke Mandeville and The Belles heading off to Haddenham for well deserved tea and cake before heading back home via Chearsley.
A great day, not necessarily due to distance, speed, or spectacle but, it simply felt different and very positive way.
I think we’re all looking forward to The Ridgeway just that little bit more now.
Sunday 28th March 2010 – With Vicky busy organising the ‘Big 5’ birthday party for Georgina it was Sian, Andy, and I who set off from Pollicott to meet up with our super supporters Isalda & Tim on our way out to Wotton. So far so good.
Now for those who know where they’re going, it would be obviously apparent that to cycle from Wotton to Quainton via Doddeshall, and back to Pollicott - it would be necessary to tackle the A41. Twice!! A small detail Sian forgot to mention before we set off. Usually at this stage of my write up I’d be telling you about the long, endless, slog up Wesctott Hill to home. But not today.
I knew something wasn’t quite right when Sian began shouting at me. Usually a picture of composure and confidence Sians face looked slightly panic stricken as I glanced around to see what the problem might be. Unbeknown to Sian, who had spotted a slight wobble as I veered out towards the passing traffic, I’d spotted a pothole heading rapidly my way. What Sian saw was a cycling novice easing her way into a stream of speeding traffic on the A41.
But I lived to fight another day. Perhaps spurred on by the adrenaline rush of the A41 experience (or a desperate need for the safety of my own home), Westcott Hill offered no resistance, as I managed a ‘no stop’ climb right back to Pollicott. Much to the mutual satisfaction of both Sian and I – a climb I’d never have contemplated when the training began.
Easter Sunday – With Sian, Andy, and Joe, away for the holidays and Vicky suffering from one of the numerous ‘bugs’ doing the rounds at the moment – I had no choice. Today was going to be my first day out alone. Sian had drilled into me the importance of safety equipment so, at 7am sharp, I wheeled my bike out onto the lane fully kitted out in high viz jacket and safety helmet. It felt slightly odd being out on my own, no Sian to provide motivation and encouragement, and no Vicky to banter with.
Before I’d even realised it I’d hit the crossroads at Nether Winchendon and headed straight over towards Cuddington. As I cycled down the hill I quickly concluded I might not be able to navigate a decent route from Cuddington, so I hung a right up to Chearsley and back along the top road to Pollicott.
Despite being out on my own, time passed surprisingly quickly. Clearly I’d managed to have some decent conversations with myself and even the steep climb up to Pollicott came and went without incident as I found myself back home. All in all not an unpleasant experience but I’d rather be out with the rest of the Belles.
Easter Monday – Having heard of my Loner experience the day before, Roger (Ewers) offered to keep me company and join up for a 7am training ride. I was a little apprehensive, as the impressive former custodian of the Ludgershall FC goal, I figured he must be at least half fit. Even with Sian away I’d have to be on top form.
We headed out of Pollicott and hung a right up to the crossroads at Nether Winchendon (seem to end up here a lot) and this time hung a right into Chearsley before heading off towards Cuddington. “Hey” said Roger “let’s drop in on my dad and grab a cup of tea”. Now I can’t speak for John (Rogers dad) but, two cyclists turning up at my door, unannounced, at 7.15am on a Bank Holiday Monday, and the door may remain unanswered. But not John, he was already up and about, and I’m sure the kettle was already on.
So, with a decent cup of Nether Winchendon tea under my belt, we said a thankful goodbye to John and Helen (who had arrived by this time) and headed back to Pollicott. A great morning out and a big thank you to ‘Honorary Belle’ Roger.
Alex xx
