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

Raising Shed Loads...

An unusual fundraising event took place this weekend. We were very kindly offered a shed by David and Sue Chetham that we could auction or sell as part of our fundraising. All we had to do was move it. So, in true Pollicott style the shed was literally picked up and moved from Ashendon to its new home in Pollicott and a donation will be made. Thanks David and Sue.

The answer is £406.30

The question - how much did quiz night raise? What a result.

It was a lovely night. Ashendon Village Hall provided the perfect venue for a warm and friendly atmosphere. The aroma of jacket potatoes flooded the room. Keen (and often) forgiving competitors and a brilliant 'event' team all helped us to raise well beyond our expectations.

Questions were Pollicott Belles themed with Britain Outdoors, Cycling, Food, Bernwode, Nature and Music rounds. Who would have thought there were so many bike related songs? Google 'cycling' or 'bike' songs to see for yourself.

The results were outstanding - final scores ranged from 21 to 56.

Les Froggletts won the wooden spoon - their excuse? They had hot footed it from Stansted as one member of their team had just flown in from Poitiers, France to join the quiz. Already one round down they struggled to catch up (did they take the Tour de France questions seriously enough we wonder?). Team Awesome put up a similarly cosmopolitan team with 2 members representing Bulgaria, and bringing with them their amazing cheese pastry knowledge to clinch 6th place.

As well as Ashendon folk, Kent, Oxfordshire, Wheatley and Brill were all represented. So the Pollicott Belles reputation is spreading far and wide.

The winners were our very own Ashendon Four Plus One (Team Leader - John Curtis) who pipped The Big Mac's (featuring our local Macmillan fundraising manager Julian Knowles) at the very last post. Sorry Big Mac's they just had the edge with local knowledge.

Team Wooden Spoon failed to achieve their anticipated award - coming in with an impressive 3rd. The Five Graces (our lovely Ashendon gals) took 4th place, just beating the fabulous Ashendon boys (Silence) who followed in 5th.

Behind the scenes Gill Walker, Vicky, Alex and Annalise Reeves worked tirelessly to serve a more than excellent hot supper. Compliments to the chefs came in abundance and they were well deserved.

For those who came and are still wondering what was going on back there? apparently plastic spatulas don't stay rigid when washed in very hot water and Vicky just couldn't contain herself - hence the raucous laughter!

The front of house question team kept proceedings on track (almost!) with Steve Reeves putting up an almost Paxmanlike performance as question master; whilst I coaxed answer sheets from teams and passed them to John Walker to process them through his highly efficient scoring system. John, how do you do that all in your head?

Of course without the teams it would have all come to nought so, to the 30 competitors, thank you for your humour, support and money! We hope you enjoyed the evening.

And finally to Annalise, congratulation on your exceptional sales performance - raising over £100 selling raffle tickets is truly impressive - thank you and well done.

The Peasants Revolt, A Sticky Situation and The Scenic Route To Aylesbury!

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.

Ah….so much to tell since my last blog (you remember, the one where I fell off), two weeks have passed since and we have a little to catch up on. Lets start at the beginning:

Sunday 14th February 2010 - “Speed training today” beamed Sian as Andy began loading bikes up onto the car, “we’re off to the Phoenix Trail – and Andy will be coming with us as timekeeper”. This was worrying. Sian is vastly fitter than I am, Andy is probably as fit as Sian. As well as seasoned cyclists they ski, they walk, and I’m sure if I asked I’d find out they are ex-champion triathlon competitors who throw in a couple of extra events and another ten thousand metres just for the fun of it.

“Oh dear”.

For those not familiar with the Phoenix Trail it is an old disused rail track that runs from Princes Risborough to Thame. The rail tracks are long gone leaving a relatively flat and even trail that is ideal for walking, running, horse riding, and in our case cycling. Today we set off in the car to Thame, the plan being to set off and cycle towards Princess Risborough and turn back at Chinnor – not overly ambitious at first glance but let’s not forget, I had Andy as timekeeper and pace setter.

The ride was actually very enjoyable, this was the first time I’d been out on a relatively flat cycle ride and for once I did have time to take in some of the surroundings. Occasionally my ‘sightseeing’ got in the way of the serious training – I’d know when it did as Sian came cycling past with a gentle reminder of why we were here.

It was also an experience to actually have ‘things’ to overtake. All of my previous rides had been out on the road and I was getting kind of used to cars whizzing past me – today I had to learn to navigate past walkers; dog walkers; horses; and runners (OK – very slow runners).

When we got back to the car, loaded up the bikes, and began the drive back home, the tightness in my muscles began to let me know we’d done a little more than I’d realised. Nevertheless I was pleased – barely a month or so ago I’d have struggled to walk half the distance – Sian has been doing a wonderful job.

Had only she been able to do as much the next week!!

Sunday 21st February 2010 is, in some ways, a cycle ride best forgotten. For those of you who know the route from Ashendon through Wootton, Dorton, Chilton, Chearsley, and back to Ashendon, will appreciate how tough that could be on a mere novice like me.

The problem started the night before when we all got together for a bit of a curry night which, unfortunately got a little out of control and, ended up being a very late finish. The lack of sleep would have been a more manageable problem in isolation – but the ‘carnage’ evident in our bottle recycling box backed up the reason I was feeling so awful. My head was banging, my stomach was churning, and I really didn’t feel very well.

As we cycled out of the village my thoughts turned to survival, not the usual “don’t forget to keep peddling, don’t forget to breathe properly, and don’t forget your basic road safety”. Today I was thinking “do I stop to be sick, do I stay at the back so I’m not sick over everyone, will I make it back home”?

This morning my daughter, Annalise, was joining us Honorary Belle – this was her birthday weekend and came along to see what all the fuss of the last few weeks had been about. I was kind of hoping she’d get a bigger experience than just watching mum being ill at the side of the road.

I guess if I were honest the ride did get easier as time moved on and Sian had been wise enough not to let me in on the route at any time – had I know what she was planning I think I’d have stayed in bed.

I have to admit that most of the morning took place on ‘auto pilot’ but, as always, Sian was always to hand when it came to interesting facts about the places we cycled through.

History tells us that The Royal London School for the Blind original school was in Swiss Cottage but, during the Second World War, the children were evacuated to a property called Dorton House in Buckinghamshire. In 1954 the RLSB purchased the Mansion House Wildernesse in Seal, Sevenoaks, and a year later the school relocated and brought the name Dorton House with it. Something I shall keep in mind should that piece of information ever come up in a quiz night.

Despite feeling ‘jaded’ I have no doubt that the fresh air and exercise, combined with the tremendously good company of Sian and Annalise, gave a very positive boost for the rest of the day. And a lesson learnt – never again will I take liberties the night before training!!

Alex xx

Girly Cycling Fun

Alex and Vicky are going to post up details of our last couple of rides including: mud wrestling, posh bloke bashing and a hill climbing extravaganza.

In the meantime here is a bit of girly fun.

http://www.agame.com/game/Cycling-Girl-Dress-Up.html

Come back soon!!

And Now For Some Brain Training