Saturday 6th February 2010
That last weekend in January reminded me of Christmas morning as a youngster (bear with me on this). The excitement of opening those beautifully wrapped presents and finally coming to the ‘piece de resistance’ – that one toy that that you knew would occupy you for the foreseeable future. If you were a girl it might have been the latest talking doll or some fancy kitchen set up with fancy lights and bells. If you were a boy maybe some futuristic space weapon or intergalactic craft. Can you remember tearing open the box, unpacking your new wondrous toy……..and then discovering you had no batteries?
Argh….the frustration and disappointment of having something, but not having it because you can’t use it. And so it was on that cold and frosty Saturday morning in Pollicott.
There I was glowing in my new high vis jacket, safety helmet aloft, and sat aside my gleaming new bike – with temperatures minus many degrees and more ice on the road than a beginner like me should be trying to cycle on.
When Sian declared “Ice Stops Play” thoughts immediately turned to tea, toast, and a warm fire, but the reality was we ended up in the gym. Treadmills and exercise bikes made sure training for The Ridgeway stayed on track in the mysterious world of pain and hard work.
Today was a little better, still very cold (and a little misty) but this time we’d be away, we just knew it. And so it was.
As we sailed down the lane talking to every horse, chicken, and cow we passed (thanks for the heads up on that one Olwen) confidence was growing. Not only was I cycling I was managing to multi task at the same time – even having time to listen to Vicky raging on about the awful state of the roads. This was fun.
Up the lane, down the hill, up the next bit, and down another, along the pathway that Des and his dad built, and onto the ‘off road’ track that was our main training exercise of the morning.
Sian was up front as we skimmed along making light work of this new challenge, “how easy is this” I thought as my new bike ate up the miles. “Keep peddling through the mud” shouted Sian as we hit a sticky bit “whatever you do don’t stop peddling”.
“What was that you said” I asked Sian as I stared up to her from my resting-place in the mud? Sian was stood over me asking if I was OK, Vicky was removing the bike from across my legs to make sure I didn’t come to any more harm. I have no idea how many seconds it takes to go from ‘cycling down a track’ to ‘laying in the mud’ but I do not remember a moment of it. Perhaps just as well.
The cycle back was a little slower than the cycle out – falling off had always been on my mind and a bit of a worry, and I survived. That said I wasn’t in a great hurry to try it again, not today anyway.
On a thankful note I was grateful for Sians considerable help up Wotton Hill when, having cycled to the top, she ran back down to help me.
Accidents and bruises do seem to attract a certain amount of sympathy though. Vickys four year old daughter Georgina was kind enough to point out where I’d gone wrong, offering to lend me the stabiliser bars from her bike. Andy was impressed enough to jet wash our bikes down at the end of the ride. My family was quick to point out that fooling about on bikes at my age was always going to end in tears.
An interesting fortnight by any standards…..I wonder what next Saturday will bring!!
Alex xx
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.
Tuesday, 9 February 2010
Wednesday, 3 February 2010
Today We Made a Difference...
I just dropped £55.63p off at the local Macmillan fundraising office in Launton. This was mainly the cash we raised at Chris Reeve's 18th and the 6 Nations Sweepstake donations for the England vs. Wales match this Saturday.
When handing in the money I made the 'mistake' of saying (about the amount): "it's only....". I stood corrected because the team at Launton was absolutely thrilled with our efforts. I was recognised immediately, welcomed and introduced to the fundraising team - I left feeling that our efforts are truly appreciated.
In fact, £55.63p will go far - for example £40...will help a cancer support group hold their first meeting. These groups provide the opportunity for people with cancer to talk about their deepest concerns, and know they will be met with acceptance and understanding. This simple act of sharing can make an enormous difference.
We are 32% of our way to £1000 - our efforts so far will keep a Macmillan cancer information and support centre stocked for a month with all the information resources, leaflets, guides and directories it needs to support people affected by cancer.
Our £1000 target will pay for a Macmillan nurse for a working week, providing expert information, advice and support to improve the lives of people with cancer.
So today the Pollicott Belles, and our families, colleagues and friends MADE A DIFFERENCE and I have the receipt to prove it!
When handing in the money I made the 'mistake' of saying (about the amount): "it's only....". I stood corrected because the team at Launton was absolutely thrilled with our efforts. I was recognised immediately, welcomed and introduced to the fundraising team - I left feeling that our efforts are truly appreciated.
In fact, £55.63p will go far - for example £40...will help a cancer support group hold their first meeting. These groups provide the opportunity for people with cancer to talk about their deepest concerns, and know they will be met with acceptance and understanding. This simple act of sharing can make an enormous difference.
We are 32% of our way to £1000 - our efforts so far will keep a Macmillan cancer information and support centre stocked for a month with all the information resources, leaflets, guides and directories it needs to support people affected by cancer.
Our £1000 target will pay for a Macmillan nurse for a working week, providing expert information, advice and support to improve the lives of people with cancer.
So today the Pollicott Belles, and our families, colleagues and friends MADE A DIFFERENCE and I have the receipt to prove it!
Thursday, 28 January 2010
Wednesday, 27 January 2010
Hill and Terrain Training
8!!!!!! am on Sunday morning saw us Belles on the latest stage of training for our ever looming bike ride. We found ourselves admiring Alex's latest aquisition, a NEW bike, and her new high Viz jacket, kindly given by Sian for her birthday, unlike myself, in my Pink jodphurs and smelly, green horse fleece....well I was going on to ride Pink straight after cycle training!!!
We set off up towards Ashendon Church hill to master the art of gear changes going up and down STEEP hills!!
On arrival at the pub car park, our starting point of 'the hill', we cycled round in circles in formation practising getting the right gear for ascending upwards. We scaled the hill up and down for about 8 or so times each time Alex got a little further up the hill without stopping and eventually on the last attempt reached the top of the hill in one go with much cheering-on from myself and Sian!!
We then decided to cycle back to Lower Pollicott, along the way admiring our wonderful scenery that surrounds us and talking...yes, talking to some sheep in a field along the way, they did baaaa back, bless them!!!
Once we reached Lower Pollicott we were reliably informed by Sian that It was once the site of a saxon village, is there an end to the extensive knowledge of 'our Sian'?!!!
The terrain around the Lower Pollicott loop is very similar to that of the Ridgeway, ROUGH, giving us an opportunity to feel how our bikes will react, neeedless to say we all found it surprisingly not too bad.
We cycled back onto the main road leading to 'our Pollicott' and I parted company with my fellow Belles, to go and ride my lovely horse, concluding our Hill and terrain training session.
We set off up towards Ashendon Church hill to master the art of gear changes going up and down STEEP hills!!
On arrival at the pub car park, our starting point of 'the hill', we cycled round in circles in formation practising getting the right gear for ascending upwards. We scaled the hill up and down for about 8 or so times each time Alex got a little further up the hill without stopping and eventually on the last attempt reached the top of the hill in one go with much cheering-on from myself and Sian!!
We then decided to cycle back to Lower Pollicott, along the way admiring our wonderful scenery that surrounds us and talking...yes, talking to some sheep in a field along the way, they did baaaa back, bless them!!!
Once we reached Lower Pollicott we were reliably informed by Sian that It was once the site of a saxon village, is there an end to the extensive knowledge of 'our Sian'?!!!
The terrain around the Lower Pollicott loop is very similar to that of the Ridgeway, ROUGH, giving us an opportunity to feel how our bikes will react, neeedless to say we all found it surprisingly not too bad.
We cycled back onto the main road leading to 'our Pollicott' and I parted company with my fellow Belles, to go and ride my lovely horse, concluding our Hill and terrain training session.
Monday, 25 January 2010
Snow Cycling Honorary Belle
Sue Roberts is awarded status of honorary Belle for her outstanding cycling efforts during the snow. Here is a picture of Sue cycling past Pollicott on her way to work - so determined was she to get to her desk.
Sue your determination is an inspiration and we will hold this image in our minds when we think the 'going is getting tough'.
Sue your determination is an inspiration and we will hold this image in our minds when we think the 'going is getting tough'.
Sunday, 17 January 2010
Lift Off In Pollicott
“Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, (T minus 5), four, three, two, one…….Pollicott we have lift off”.
Well, not quite as dramatic as that, the bottom line is that I was going ‘Stir Crazy’ – eight days in the house because of snow, not to mention the fact that my other half convinced me we needed a ‘winter car’ to thrash about in the snow!! A car so awful that the neighbours can hear us coming from several miles away and the start up noise is like a bag full of weasels being squeezed in a vice. So I haven’t been out much.
Sian to the rescue: “Fancy a bike ride” came the text while the sleep was still in my eyes. Before I had time to think, and realise the consequences of a novice like me, taking to the roads on a bike with a seasoned competitor like Sian, I’d agreed. Oh dear!!
I allayed my concerns by convincing myself Sian would go easy on two novices like me and Vicky but my optimism was soon shattered - Vicky was already out riding and wasn’t around when the invite came. Today it was just me - and the experienced Sian. Oh dear again!!
My expectations were more than met, exceeded even, by more miles and sore bum than I care to think about.
As we cycled the lanes around the villages Sian was considerate enough to point out the local points of interest as well as throw in the occasional fact about goings on and history. If I take one memory home with me it was Wotton Underwood church, a truly lovely place to stop and take a break.
“Hey” said Sian, “there’s Tony Blairs new house”. I kind of acknowledged, wondering if old Tone had some cream in his medical cabinet that might help me over the next mile or two. She also mentioned something about cake – which got me wondering if coffee cake could be converted into something that could be used to deal with a red raw bum.
Amidst the pain and anguish we seemed to pass the same Volvo driver three times, at each passing he seemed more pleased to see us -–a true supporter I began to think. Sian on the other hand thought he might be more interested in my glowing backside in the lycra shorts. Thanks Sian, and thanks to Volvo Man – your frantic waves were appreciated.
In true NASA style, after the initial lift off, we seemed close to re-entry into Pollicott – a moment where I remember watching something about the nose cone of a returning space craft reaching 2000 degrees centigrade. That was my bum – a burning experience before splashdown.
Tonight I will sleep well. Tomorrow Volvo Man might see me hobbling along the pavements looking like a girl three times my age, I on the other hand will have the satisfaction of knowing my first crack at the ‘real thing’ wasn’t so bad after all.
So far so good. The Ridgeway Cycle Challenge is still several months away – but with Sians help, relentless enthusiasm, and encouragement, I am truly looking forward to it. Until then, sleep.
Much love and thanks………….Alex
Well, not quite as dramatic as that, the bottom line is that I was going ‘Stir Crazy’ – eight days in the house because of snow, not to mention the fact that my other half convinced me we needed a ‘winter car’ to thrash about in the snow!! A car so awful that the neighbours can hear us coming from several miles away and the start up noise is like a bag full of weasels being squeezed in a vice. So I haven’t been out much.
Sian to the rescue: “Fancy a bike ride” came the text while the sleep was still in my eyes. Before I had time to think, and realise the consequences of a novice like me, taking to the roads on a bike with a seasoned competitor like Sian, I’d agreed. Oh dear!!
I allayed my concerns by convincing myself Sian would go easy on two novices like me and Vicky but my optimism was soon shattered - Vicky was already out riding and wasn’t around when the invite came. Today it was just me - and the experienced Sian. Oh dear again!!
My expectations were more than met, exceeded even, by more miles and sore bum than I care to think about.
As we cycled the lanes around the villages Sian was considerate enough to point out the local points of interest as well as throw in the occasional fact about goings on and history. If I take one memory home with me it was Wotton Underwood church, a truly lovely place to stop and take a break.
“Hey” said Sian, “there’s Tony Blairs new house”. I kind of acknowledged, wondering if old Tone had some cream in his medical cabinet that might help me over the next mile or two. She also mentioned something about cake – which got me wondering if coffee cake could be converted into something that could be used to deal with a red raw bum.
Amidst the pain and anguish we seemed to pass the same Volvo driver three times, at each passing he seemed more pleased to see us -–a true supporter I began to think. Sian on the other hand thought he might be more interested in my glowing backside in the lycra shorts. Thanks Sian, and thanks to Volvo Man – your frantic waves were appreciated.
In true NASA style, after the initial lift off, we seemed close to re-entry into Pollicott – a moment where I remember watching something about the nose cone of a returning space craft reaching 2000 degrees centigrade. That was my bum – a burning experience before splashdown.
Tonight I will sleep well. Tomorrow Volvo Man might see me hobbling along the pavements looking like a girl three times my age, I on the other hand will have the satisfaction of knowing my first crack at the ‘real thing’ wasn’t so bad after all.
So far so good. The Ridgeway Cycle Challenge is still several months away – but with Sians help, relentless enthusiasm, and encouragement, I am truly looking forward to it. Until then, sleep.
Much love and thanks………….Alex
Friday, 8 January 2010
About the Ridgeway
15% of Ridgeway users are cyclist so we are not alone in our lunacy. However other Ridgeway users have problems with cyclists because of failure to warn of approach from behind, dangerous riding, inconsiderate and abusive behaviour and disturbance of dogs and horses. The Pollicott Belles training and preparation will focus on such things to ensure we are not a nuisance.
We are testing our sound warning equipment.
We are testing our sound warning equipment.
Perfecting our proficiency
Selecting appropriate cycle wear
And acclimatising ourselves to identified sources of abuse and disruption
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