To say Easter weekend was indulgent would be a VAST understatement, with the combination of my sister, Hannah, being over here on a flying visit from Oz, and the copious amounts of alcohol and rich food (and the odd bit of chocolate) being consumed, we certainly needed to burn some of those excess calories on the bikes.
Alex and myslelf decided on an easter monday outing, minus Sian (in Wales) and Amber (working unsociable hours!) HOWEVER we did manange to recruit a willing volunteer, for 1 day only, Belle in Damon, ok so he's a young lad not really a 'Belle' but he did tackle riding my old bike with enthusiasm and cheer, until he discovered those troublesome gears!!
Time was of the essence today so we opted for a short and sweet route to Ludgershall and back, and while Alex and I chattered away (mostly about food!!) we were aware of Damon ahead of us, he obviously didn't share our passion to talk about food!. We met up with him at water stops where he checked on the route with me before speeding off again!!
Upon returning to Ashendon the dreaded 'Brickhill' loomed before us, needless to say I made it up in one go this time and only waited about 5 minutes at the top for Alex so she did good too, maybe the thought of food helped!!
Upon our return the statutary bacon Sarnie awaited us and we then got on with our day's chores which mostly consisted of gardening!!
We now wait with eager anticipation of our French Night in the Gatehangers this coming Friday!!
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.
Thursday, 28 April 2011
Monday, 18 April 2011
Bouncing Belles
Though it was sad not to all be cycling together this week it’s probably just as well that Alex couldn’t join us for our Sunday evening cycle – her bra would have almost certainly emptied itself over middle England. Because…we found a totally brilliant off-road route that literally shook us to the core.
Alex held out glasses of orange squash as we returned to Pollicott and listened in awe as we described our route and is now keen to get on the track next weekend (while I'm enjoying some R&R in sunny Wales). Oh when will we four ride again?!
Our final task of the day was to draw our book token lucky squares fundraiser – Carol Smith has won the £10 book voucher and Helen & Douglas are £26 better off as a result of our (ever supportive) friends, family and neighbours willingness to chip in a £1 each for a lucky square. Congratulations Carol – happy reading.
For just over ten miles of our 25 mile route we enjoyed a bouncy, traffic free, off-road route that covered byways, bridleways and a short section of an Aylesbury Vale cycle path that took us all the way from Kimblewick to Westcott. What a great find. We bounced over ridges (power plates are nothing compared to this) and sank into tractor ruts. We scrambled on gravel and glided over grass.
A few weeks ago I searched hard to find some new local off road routes believing there must be more bridle paths in Aylesbury Vale. All the internet could turn up was the Ridgeway – and for that information I had to sign up to some dodgy horse riding club website. Our route this week is living proof that perseverance pays: my annoying habit of asking locals about local paths and tracks turned up an absolute gem. Victoria (who works with me), brought up on a farm in Bishopstone, came up trumps during interrogation on a car journey through her homelands. Thank you Victoria. The good news, Belles, is that Victoria has described (in detail) several variations and we may be able to get even further next time on safe, fun, routes. Alex held out glasses of orange squash as we returned to Pollicott and listened in awe as we described our route and is now keen to get on the track next weekend (while I'm enjoying some R&R in sunny Wales). Oh when will we four ride again?!
Our final task of the day was to draw our book token lucky squares fundraiser – Carol Smith has won the £10 book voucher and Helen & Douglas are £26 better off as a result of our (ever supportive) friends, family and neighbours willingness to chip in a £1 each for a lucky square. Congratulations Carol – happy reading.
Thursday, 14 April 2011
Be Prepared - Dib Dib Dib
Sometimes a Sunday morning training session is so much harder than the one before. With the glorious early Spring weather forcing us into an early firing up of Roger and Vickys barbecue, and the many delights that go with it, my Saturday night suggestion of a 6am start met with more than just a grunt of disapproval from Vicky. Don’t you just hate that warm sunshine, Rogers barbecuing skills, and wine?
Come Sunday morning, with grim determination and steely resolve, Vicky and I met in the lane at 9am (“oh come on, with Miller out of the way for the week and Amber working you didn’t really think we’d be out at 6am did you?”).
As we cycled out of Pollicott we hung a right and headed off towards the crossroads up at Nether Winchendon. No matter what way you go from Pollicott there’s always a hill, the top couldn’t arrive quickly enough but our destination this morning was the coffee shop in Haddenham, which meant the next bit was all down - whichever way you go. Our choice of route this morning was Barrack Hill, Cuddington, and into Haddenham and as usual, at the mere mention of coffee, Vicky began to peddle faster and faster.
Funny how some things can play with your mind. As Vicky began to pull away, clearly motivated by the vision of a steaming mug of coffee in her hand, I began to reflect on something I’d heard on the Jeremy Vine show about the power of positive thinking. The show in question featured people who had achieved exceptional outcomes in their lives simply by getting themselves in a positive ‘frame of mind’.
I’d been having a few ‘confidence’ problems since my little mishap in the ice, plus I’d been struggling with the hills lately – we used pretty much the same training routes as last year yet every hill seemed just that little bit steeper….and longer. Now I was watching Vicky powering away at the mere mention of coffee.
Without realising it we were in Haddenham pulling up outside the coffee shop where we were unexpectedly greeted by our Pollicott neighbour Robert who was sat outside enjoying a nice coffee on another day of beautiful sunshine. There is something nice about good company, warm sunshine, hot coffee, and butter croissants but, as the saying goes, all good things come to an end and soon Vicky and I was back on the bikes and making our way back out towards Pollicott.
As I pondered the ways in which I could turn positive thinking to my advantage Vicky almost had me cycling into the hedge - “I have to say Alex, I’m always amazed by what you keep in your bra” she yelled as we made our way back into Cuddington. Sensing my bewilderment I was offered a full explanation.
It appears that, since The Belles began cycling together many items of necessity have been produced from within my bra: mobile phone; keys; mints; and today money; “that is one heck of a bra” – chirped Vicky – “you ought to have been a honourable member of the scouting movement…..have bra, always be prepared”.
Dib dib dib back to Pollicott.
Alex xx
Come Sunday morning, with grim determination and steely resolve, Vicky and I met in the lane at 9am (“oh come on, with Miller out of the way for the week and Amber working you didn’t really think we’d be out at 6am did you?”).
As we cycled out of Pollicott we hung a right and headed off towards the crossroads up at Nether Winchendon. No matter what way you go from Pollicott there’s always a hill, the top couldn’t arrive quickly enough but our destination this morning was the coffee shop in Haddenham, which meant the next bit was all down - whichever way you go. Our choice of route this morning was Barrack Hill, Cuddington, and into Haddenham and as usual, at the mere mention of coffee, Vicky began to peddle faster and faster.
Funny how some things can play with your mind. As Vicky began to pull away, clearly motivated by the vision of a steaming mug of coffee in her hand, I began to reflect on something I’d heard on the Jeremy Vine show about the power of positive thinking. The show in question featured people who had achieved exceptional outcomes in their lives simply by getting themselves in a positive ‘frame of mind’.
I’d been having a few ‘confidence’ problems since my little mishap in the ice, plus I’d been struggling with the hills lately – we used pretty much the same training routes as last year yet every hill seemed just that little bit steeper….and longer. Now I was watching Vicky powering away at the mere mention of coffee.
Without realising it we were in Haddenham pulling up outside the coffee shop where we were unexpectedly greeted by our Pollicott neighbour Robert who was sat outside enjoying a nice coffee on another day of beautiful sunshine. There is something nice about good company, warm sunshine, hot coffee, and butter croissants but, as the saying goes, all good things come to an end and soon Vicky and I was back on the bikes and making our way back out towards Pollicott.
As I pondered the ways in which I could turn positive thinking to my advantage Vicky almost had me cycling into the hedge - “I have to say Alex, I’m always amazed by what you keep in your bra” she yelled as we made our way back into Cuddington. Sensing my bewilderment I was offered a full explanation.
It appears that, since The Belles began cycling together many items of necessity have been produced from within my bra: mobile phone; keys; mints; and today money; “that is one heck of a bra” – chirped Vicky – “you ought to have been a honourable member of the scouting movement…..have bra, always be prepared”.
Dib dib dib back to Pollicott.
Alex xx
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