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.

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.