Friday, June 3

BBs go horseracing at Goodwood.....

We had a lovely time.....  picnics which were full of goodies, pink champagne, wonderful views, and after the horseracing DJ Boy George who was supposed to thrill and excite us, but left us all rather unimpressed. I would suggest that Chris Evans, who's appearing next Friday evening will be more fun and enthusiastic!

Elise and myself cycled from Tangmere, through the Goodwood estate and up the FoS hill climb - which was hard work especially with that wind blowing. Our time was about 15 mins rather than the few minutes the racing cars take during FoS - at least we can say we've cycled the route!

The picnic....note the hamper and the royal connection!

Elise and Mercy...

Elise found a sheltered dip in The Trundle - and with a bench! .....where we sat and had our picnic and watched the races. It was a lovely sunny evening, but windy! Mercy came all the way from Horsham and stayed until the last race which was at 9pm.

The BB flag, flying with pride at the top of The Trundle!!

 

The evening drawing to a close.

We cycled back home, in the dark at about 10.30pm. Elise and myself back to Tangmere and Angela back to Chichester -  how she made it back in one piece I'll never know as she was laden down with about 4 rather large bags! She texted me when she got home saying she had arrived safely and laughed all the way home...I know Elise and I did the same!

It was a fun evening, we are planning to go back to The Trundle on June 24 for Abba and wonderful fireworks. The evening starts as from 6.30pm. Let me know if you fancy joining us, we are all taking a picnic.

Sunday, May 29

Fox Goes Free, Charlton

This was our first late afternoon cycle ride followed by supper at the Fox Goes Free. The weather was cloudy and with a fairly strong wind at times. However, we all met outside the Goodwood Hotel - Elise, Nikki, Angela and welcome back Karen!

From the hotel we cycled up New Barn Lane, turned right at the crossroads and cycled towards the Petworth/Chichester Road. From here we turned left and enyjoyed a free cycle down the hill towards Upwalham, which was fun but you have to be ready to turn a sharp left at the base of the hill!

We all made this turn safely and cycled towards Drovers and on to the pub.

Grey clouds over Charlton Hill












At the pub we had a lovely chat and supper - from fish and chips, goats cheese and chirozo salad and mackeral salads. We decided not to have a dessert on this occasion! Chatting amongst ourselves Karen has kindly offered to look into the possibility of us having a BBs weekend away in France this year.....more to follow on this.

On offer was either cycling up Charlton Hill (short and sharp) or along the Centurion Way (long and level), due to Karen's knee we offered her the choice - which was to go up Charlton Hill...

Elise and Nikki heading towards the top of the hill.









Back to the start of the ride via Kennel Hill - lovely long free ride down this hill, cutting through Goodwood Estate where there was a cricket match in session.

We must have arrived back at about 7.30pm - a fun ride and one we must do again during the summer before the bad weather returns.

Thanks to all who made the ride this evening and hope to see you again soon - the next ride is a MTB, meeting at the same meeting place as last time. Full details will be posted on the Blog and email me if you're interested in joining us.

Sunday, May 22

Mercy, just reminding us all that we need cake!

This was our first MTB and I think everyone enjoyed themselves even though it was a hilly ride. I think this is one of my favourite rides so far.

Thanks to Mercy, Angela, Elise, Nikki, Sandra and Leyla who made this ride such fun.

We met at Harroways, which is opposite Goodwood Racecourse, on what was a very windy morning.

We started off cycling along the tracks in the woods which in places were very narrow with tree roots and short tree stumps along the way.

Crossing over from the woods to the Racecourse track and down to Charlton.

We then crossed over to the Bridleway which runs along the back edge of Goodwood Racecourse, down the hill and out into Charlton, just coming out near the back of The Partridge. This track was all downhill.

Still nobody had fallen off, however I heard that Leyla had to 'dismount in a lady-like fashion', suppose that doesn't count as a fall. So far Angela is in the lead as the most fallen Belle...

Angela!













From Charlton we cycled past the Fox Goes Free and turned right along the Bridleway which brought us out on top of Cocking hill. This was a rough stoney track with a short sharp hill towards the end - most satisfying to reach the top!

The views all along the ride were spectacular....

This track brought us out on the Cocking road, from here we made our way to our essential tea and cake stop at West Dean, as usual they have a good selection of cakes and scones. In their car park they had several classic cars....

After tea we cycled along the back road from West Dean and along the Bridleway which ends at The Trundle, but first we headed towards 'that hill'.........

Leyla and sheep

Sandra, Angela and Nikki

'That hill' - hard work but very satisying once we'd reached the top...more great views!

Signpost home, back to The Trundle.

Back to the start of the ride.

We reached Harroways at approximately 1pm and had cycled almost 10miles (those who cycled from Tangmere add another 6 miles!).

This was a great ride, as I mentioned, one of my favourites. We have more MTB rides planned in the next couple of months. Our next ride is an evening ride with supper at the Fox Goes Free on Sunday May 29 - this is a road ride and not a MTB ride.

Hope to see you all again soon- safe cycling!

Boot Camp, Wednesday May 18

Angela and myself decided to try out the Fitness First Boot Camp in Bognor last night, which took place in West Park.

Despite the session taking place in an area the size of four football pitches Angela managed to find the only dog 'doodoo' in the whole place. After completing one of the many sessions of stomach crunches we could all smell something not very nice.....Angela had laid in the doodoo! Stella, another one of the participants ran off to her car and found a box of Wet Wipes for her.

I'm so glad I carry my camera with me at all times, it's so very useful!

Well, I suppose it makes a change to Angela falling off her bike! Watch this space for further developments....

Sunday, May 15

We met at the start of the Centurion Way and cycled along the Salterns Way to the Ship in Itchenor. It was a windy morning, but dry and sunny.

Welcome to new Belles....Fiona, Nikki and Fiona.

Chichester Yacht Club

House boats near the CY Club

We all stopped for lunch at the Ship, who offer good food and huge portions!

Mercy, Angela, Ellie, Fiona, Fiona, Caroline, Nikki and Elise.

From the Ship we waved for the ferry to take us over to Bosham....

The ferry was busy so we split into two groups and waved bye to Ellie, Nikki, Angela and Elise.....

This is a great service to have and seems to be popular amongst cyclists to get from one side of the shore to the other...

This chap seemed to be having a great time in the water!

Back at Bosham Hoe we cycled towards Chichester along the quiet lanes and reached the start of the ride at about 2pm.

This was a shorter and easier ride than usual. It was good to see everyone again and hope to see you all soon.

The next ride is on Sunday May 22 and will be a MTB ride!