Saturday, April 14

I just didn't have a chance to take any photos today, but I liked last weeks photo of bunnies repairing Sandra's puncture, so I thought I'd use it again this week....

Another great turnout today...Angie (who is now competing in the Maratona together with Morag and the seven other Belles), Claire, Elise, Sandra, Nikki, Mercy and Angela.

We cycled to Petworth / Midhurst / Cocking route - mileage: 48

A few of us cycled non-stop from Goodwood, which was hard work but something we need to get used to.  So we spent three hours in the saddle without taking a break. The rest of the group stopped off at the Choc Cafe in Petworth and I'm sure had delicious cakes there!

The non-stoppers returned to Goodwood at 1pm, without even stopping for a cuppa at West Dean!

Another good, testing ride for all of us.

The next Maratona ride is next Sunday - April 22. Please email me if you're interested in joining us on another tough ride!

Saturday, April 7

Our Easter Easy Bunny Ride...

We have a great turnout today. Welcome to new Belle ...Angie and welcome back Anthea, Morag, Shelley, Nikki, Mercy, Angela, Sally, Caroline, Sandra and Leyla.

Lovely ride down to Bosham, the tide was out so after tea we were able to cycle along the waterfront back to the starting point.

Sandra, Caroline and Anthea above

Nikki, Angela, Sandra and Leyla above

Tea in the cafe...

Then Sandra had a puncture.....a few of us piled in and helped......we even had wet wipes again this week!

It was lovely to see everyone today and hope to see you all again very soon!

Saturday March 31

'This road seems very bumpy'.......'No Sandra, you have a puncture!'

Malc came to our rescue again, helping Sandra out with her puncture outside the East Beach Cafe in Littlehampton....

Funnily enough we had only just been talking about repairing punctures and how bad we all were at it and what we would do if we had one during the Maratona. The conclusion was that no one would stop to help us!

Mercy seems to be giving Malc a round of applause in the above pic...

Think he was impressed that we had hand wipes and a bag to put the used wipes in - thanks to Tizzie.

It was certainly a lot colder today. We met at 9am outside our usual venue in Goodwood, cycled through Boxgrove, Tangmere and met Caroline and Rebecca outside Barnham Station and carried on along the Coastal Cycle Route to Littlehampton. Stopping off at the East Beach Cafe for tea / coffees and cakes. Malc and Becky had, what looked like a very good full breakfast.

We all felt we needed an easier ride today, as many of us were gettig tired of those hills! However, the Hills Belles Club starts in earnest on Monday evening!

Belles out today were :
Val / Mercy / Angela / Laura / Caroline / Rebecca / Sandra / Tizzie and Malc Belle.

Saturday March 24

Piggy wigs....in Byworth

The difference a week makes....a wonderful morning...hot and sunny with a little breeze...perfect for cycling.

Welcome new Belle...Morag.

We met as usual at the Goodwood Hotel, cycled up Sculpture Park Hill, straight across the East Dean crossroads, down the hill and being on the lookout for deer crossing the lanes, as last week there were several who suddenly appeared as we were on our way down.  No deer this week, we turned right at the pond and cycled on towards Duncton hill where we turned right halfway down the hill, via Barlavington and Byworth to Petworth where we stopped at the lovely Choc Cafe there.

We then went towards Midhurst turning left to South Ambersham to Heyshott and on up that 'B' of a hill, as Felicity called it.

We said goodbye to Elise and Felicity as they wanted to cycle back via West Dean / Centurion Way.

The rest of us then cut through Charlton and went up the long slow hill, as I call it, or the Buzzard hill as Mercy calls it. Anyway, this week I spotted that Oak Tree, so all is well.

Mercy picked up a puncture just outside Goodwood Racecourse, so we all cycled back to Goodwood, left her there after telling her not to speak to strangers, while Caroline very kindly drove back to collect her and dropped her off at the hotel.

Happy Birthday to Caroline for tomorrow!

Many thanks to the Belles who came out today and very well done to all...Elise, Angela, Felicty, Mercy, Caroline and Morag. Next week we're meeting at 9am, outside the Goodwood Hotel.

Saturday, March 17

The ducks were happy...

What a day, but we were determined to go out. Elise and myself met Mercy at Goodwood hotel and cycled in the pouring rain to Bishop Luffa school. We were soaked before we set off - as soon as I reached home I went onto Wiggle and ordered a pair of waterproof socks!!

Welcome to new Belles....Alison, Laura, Shelley and Anthea.

Felicity, Caroline, Claire, Carla, Mercy, Leyla and Elise were also out - a very good turnout considering the foul weather!

The path across Bosham bay was above sea level today so we scampered across to our cafe to have hot chocolates and coffees and tea cakes!

Here we are admiring Caroline's new bike in true BB's colours! It looks great and if anyone is interested in having their bike BB-ed then sent me an email and I'll put you in touch with Caroline - I understand it was a birthday present!

After tea and cakes in Bosham we said goodbye to Claire and Alison who made their way back to East Ashling and Rolands Castle.

Once we returned to Bishop Luffa most of us carried on cycling along the Centurion Way to West Dean, to Singleton and Charlton and up what I had thought was the short sharp hill...East Dea, but I was told the Charlton hill is the short sharp one ...what do I know!

Thanks to everyone who came out today and hope to see you all again soon.

The next Easy Belles ride is on Saturday April 7 but as today, there will be an extra loop added for those who want a longer ride.

Sunday, March 11

A hill session with Paul, and another well supported ride:  me, Elise, Claire, Nikki, Caroline, Mercy, Sandra, Angela, Ali, Fiona plus two friends.

Paul was great...and very patient ...as at times I think we were all a bit of a hand full! Great coaching for riding up hills and descending. Altering our positions, not changing gear while we are out of the saddle, what to eat before, during and after the rides, making sure we are using the correct gears etc. A very worthwhile session - our thanks to Paul.

We started off at Goodwood Hotel and rode up Sculpture Park Hill in pairs then across Pilleygreen crossroads and down East Dean hill, here the front section encountered a stampede of deers right across their path. Must have been about 8 deer in total. On down the hill and turning left at the pond, past The Fox and on up Charlton Hill.

All went well and then on down Kennel Hill and we cut through Goodwood estate and back up Sculpture Park hill again.

Here about eight of us said our goodbyes as we had planned on having lunch at The Fox (it was my birthday).

At the pub

The Fox is quickly becoming our HQ. We had a lovely lunch and were joined by our honorary Belles - Malc and Simon.

Eventually leaving for home around 2.30pm a few of us cycled back via East Dean Hill (Malc, Caroline, Mercy and myself) and the remainder cycled along the CW and back via Lavant.

Once again many thanks to all who came out to make this such a fun day and indeed a great weekend!

As from Monday April 2 we will be starting Monday evening rides, starting at 6pm and finishing by 8pm. Details to follow.

Saturday, March 3

Ironing Fairies and a Willing, Able and Discreet Handyman - is what we all need!

As advertised at the Compton Cafe

The day started off wet and misty but we still met as arranged at the Goodwood Hotel - Angela, Caroline, Sandra, Jane and Mercy. Instead of doing the epic ride I had designed we made our way towards Compton, starting off up Sculpture Park Hill - we are getting so fit now someone said.... hill, what hill?'

From here we cycled past the racecourse, down Kennel Hill and turned right to Lavant. From here we made our way to Chilgrove, cycling the back lanes and coming out at The Fish House. Then up Chilgrove hill, but instead of turning left at the brow of the hill as we usually do we carried straight on and turned left about half a mile dwn the road. On up the two hills and made our way to Compton. Unfortunately, Jane had a puncture and decided to head home.  The rest of us stopped for a cuppa at one of our favourite cafes.

Mud everywhere!

It was so lovely and sunny by now, we even had blues skies so we sat outside. From here we made our way back to Goodwood via Stoughton. Angela and Sandra turned off and went back to Chichester. I reached home at 2.30pm

Mileage: 42 long and bumpy miles

Great ride - thanks to the girls who came out today.

Next Sunday, March 11 - a Hill session at 9.30am followed by a pub lunch. Let me know if you plan to join us.