Sunday, December 4

Another good turnout this morning - congratulations to Angela for completing the Kenya womenVcancer charity ride and she successfully completed the Gold section, so very well done to her! We think its the BB's training programme which helped get her there!! And welcome back Fiona whom we haven't seen for a few months. Sandra, Caroline, Steph and Elise were also out today and all wearing our brand new spotty windproof/showerproof jackets which look great and received them in record time.

We met at Goodwood Hotel, cycled through to Lavant, passing the Royal Oak and made our way to Chilgrove cycling via the back lanes and eventually coming out by The Fish House. On up the Chilgrove hill instead of turning left I carried on and took the following left hand turning, a new way and I think a little bit better.

From here we went up the hard short steep hill, it not very long but it always gets you, even one of the farmers along the route said 'bet that's difficult!' - it was. From the top its the best bit, a long smooth downhill run almost all the way to Compton. Our favourite tea shop was open and we all sat down for the usual tea and cakes.

We said goodbye to Sandra and Fiona as they had to get back home, we all carried on towards Funtingdon then to West Stoke then to Lavant, the same way we came and eventually ending back at the hotel around 1pm.

Elise and myself cycled back to Tangmere

The previous night most of the Maratona Belles met at my place for a strategy meeting, the conclusion is that we all have booked our flights - departing Gatwick on Wed, June 27! Lots of very useful tips from Malc last night. We have lots to do in preparation, but we'll do it, I have no doubt!

Maratona Ride, Saturday November 19

Elise and myself caught the 10.25 train from Chichester to Cosham, we bumped into Leyla and her friend at Chi station, she was off cycling to West Wittering and promises to come out riding with us on a Sunday very soon.

At Cosham we met Mercy and we all cycled to the Mountbatten Centre in Portsmouth, took us about 10 mins. We met up with Caroline and Gill arrived shortly afterwards.

Their outdoor track was most impressive with inclines and a super smooth surface. Take a look at Mercy's tracker....you can see the circles around the track....

We all warmed up by cycling a few times around the track, then Paul started us off initially with some basic handling skills, individually leading what was the main focus and then safe group riding. Out on the track, he set up a few slalom courses to negotiate. From there we looked at a few techniques for safely moving within a group of riders using the course he set up, riding in pairs, remembering to communicate with each other.

Very worthwhile morning and we are planning on going back for another course in mid January. Anyone interested please let me know.

We started at about 12.15 and finished two hours later. Elise, Mercy and myself cycled back home, dropping Mercy off at Chi station. I arrived home at about 4.15pm - a fun day and for once no hills!

Easy Belles ride - Sunday November 13

Tizzie kindly offered to lead this ride for me today.

Setting off from the start point at 10.08 were myself, Sally, Lynn and three new Belles – Leona, Laura and Denise (very nearly ‘L’s Belles!).  Passing the Spinnaker restaurant, we almost got to the sea lock when I had a call from Nikki who had arrived a little late.  After a few calls to and from, and still no sight of Nikki, we had to push on, it was nice and sunny, but the wind had picked up.  We made a quick de-tour to Dell Quay for a little peek before heading back to the Salterns Way.  We had brief moment of concern when Lynn took a tumble just outside the entrance to Fishbourne church but were quickly able to get going again. 

We went past the front of Chichester College where some of the Belles were surprised to see half an airplane parked up!  Our last ‘hurdle’ before stopping for tea and cakes was crossing the very busy road outside the train station, but as the railway gates were down, we got across easily.  On to the ‘tea shop’ and while we were parking our bikes, I spotted a lonesome cyclist sat outside … Nikki!  We enjoyed a good chatter but despite the sunshine, the wind got through our clothes and we decided to move on. 

We waved goodbye to Sally at this point as this was where she had started from, and Nikki who headed off home as she had more or less done the ride in the opposite direction!  The canal path was not as busy as usual, I would imagine it was the cold wind putting people off.  We stopped by the Selsey Tram crossing point to give a (very brief) history lesson and found myself being heckled by a local who told us that was all rubbish and “no one knows anything ‘cos there was no records”!  

Having decided this was not a good time to mention to the other Belles that the Selsey Tram route could be resurrected as a cycle route, we said a cheerful goodbye to our heckler and bumped our way along the (increasingly muddy) towpath.  On reaching the Donnington crossing, we decided that, as the next section of the towpath was a bit worse, it would be a good idea to do the last leg of our journey on the road via Wophams Lane arriving back at the marina about midday having done about 10 miles.  

After a brief discussion, it was agreed that this had been a very Easy Belles ride, and that we would be keen to do about 20 miles next time.

Maratona Ride - Sunday November 13

This was a good ride and we cycled approx 40 miles!

We all met at Goodwood Hotel - Sandra, Elise, Caroline, Malc and Simon and made our way towards Bosham just to warm ourselves up before the hilly sections of the ride.

From Bosham we made our way along the road towards Compton, which was a long slow climb towards Compton and our cafe! A beautiful crisp morning with lovely blue skies, can't believe its the middle of November! We sat outside and had our tea and cakes.

Here are Sandra's new leggings... which I think we're all going to buy for the colder days ahead.

From Compton we cycled on towards Chilgrove climbing some quite difficult hills, we turned left at The Fish House and cycled the back lanes right on towards The Selsey Arms which is on the Midhurst/Chichester road, crossing over the main road and going along the back lane towards West Dean College. Here we said goodbye to Sandra and Angela as they went home along the Centurion Way and Angela leaves next week for her 400k charity ride in Kenya - good luck to her!

From here, me, Elise, Malc and Caroline went on towards Singleton, towards Charlton (missing out that hill this week) on towards East Dean, turning right at the pond and up East Dean hill - I gather this is the sort of incline we're going to experience on the Maratona, which wasn't too difficult at all.

All along the way Malc kindly gave us some tips on fitness, riding as a group etc which is invaluable - thanks Malc!

Glad to see the nice downhill section from the top of East Dean hill back to Goodwood Hotel.

Next week we're having some indoor training in Portsmouth so this should be very useful.

Maratona Ride, Saturday November 5

A funny thing happened...........


It was discussed and agreed at the start of the ride that we all cycle from Goodwood Hotel towards Heyshott / Cocking (without stopping at our usual cafe there), carry on up Cocking Hill turn left at Singleton, cycle up Charlton Hill and then down the Goodwood Hill finishing up at West Dean for a much deserved tea and cake stop. This was agreed.

However, it appears I was the only one who cut through Singleton, cycled up Charlton Hill and on towards West Dean....I thought it was quiet out there! When I  eventually arrived at West Dean all the other Belles were there! I couldn't believe it, they cycled past the turning towards Charlton Hill and just carried on for tea and cakes!

There was a ringleader and I think I know who it was......!

So I must have cycled 50 miles, where as they cycled only 25 miles! That's what I believe.

Here they all are relaxing and enjoying their tea.....

After tea Mercy felt so guilty she suggested she cycled back towards Charlton and up the hill, and I accompanied her...so I cycled the Charlton Hill TWICE!! I'm very proud of this. The other Belles, who'll I name.....Elise, Angela, Sandra and Steph cycled the easy route back home along the Centurion Way...they must have been exhausted!

We used up over 2,000 calories and our average speed was 11mph.

And a footnote from Mercy...

'And for the complete 'I was there' feeling, she is going 'Nooooooooooo' as I take the picture. On the other side of the hill, she very kindly waited for me as I descended at the speed of an elderly lady on a zimmer.'

The next Maratona ride will be even tougher!!

Sunday, October 30

It rained witches and broomsticks!

Steph looking great!

As it was Halloween most of us dressed up as witches and had a fun ride, despite the rain and gloomy skies....

We met in the car park at Goodwood Hotel and were joined by: Claire, Mercy, Elise, Angela, Gill and Steph.

This was the first of our Maratona rides - non stop to Compton for a much needed tea and cake stop. Our route took us via Lavant, Chilgrove back lanes and Marden. After tea we cycled to Bosham and then back to Goodwood - the total distance was 31 miles. 

Mercy and those nails and wig....

Gill...

Elise and Doreen leaving Tangmere....

Wherever we went we caused a bit of a stir.....Someone in the Compton cafe said to Doreen....'have you escaped from Grailingwell?' she replied... 'actually I work there!' .... and the reply came back as 'sometimes you can't tell the difference between the patients and staff!' ......Hilarious!!

The madwoman....

Leaving the cafe for Bosham.

We cycled 31 miles and used up approx 1600 calories!

Elevation

Thanks to everyone who came out today, quite a challenging ride. Next week there's another Maratona ride - non stop to West Dean from Goodwood via Heyshot and Cocking!! Email if you fancy this one.

Saturday October 22

An Easy Belles Ride.

Nikki returns after breaking her foot a few months ago, good to have you back!

We met at the start of the Centurion Way and discussed either going towards West Dean or visiting the new cafe in Bosham. The new cafe won.

The route to Bosham is a cyclist friendly one, along cycle routes and quiet country lanes for most of the way. It was a lovely sunny morning, but a little windy. Nikki, Gill, Grace and Elise joined us.

Approaching the sea at Bosham was stunning, as usual. A wonderful sight with many boats and sea birds playing in the wind.

We stopped at the new cafe, but no carrot cake! Needless to say we sampled all the other cakes they had on offer....ginger and pear, lemon drizzle, lemon and blueberry cake...all yummy.

Cycling back we cut through the village and said goodbye to Nikki as she went back home, to Chidham, I think.
We arrived back at the start around 12.30pm. A good easy ride and for once no hills!

Next Sunday is the first of the Maratona routes - long and tough rides these!