East Kent Ladies Day

A sea of pink!

We had a really great day's cycling with the lovely ladies from the East Kent Ladies Cycling Club!

When we arranged this ride back in February no one imagined the temperature would be 28 degrees on October 1st!

We met at 10am at the start of the Centurion Way - and there was a total of 13 girls.

The gang....

We cycled almost the length of the CW, cutting through the housing estate in Lavant, then along the Chilgrove road, turning right onto Hylters Lane, up and along the 'bumpy bits' and instead of turning right as we normally do at the bottom of the lane we turned left. 

These back lanes to The Fish House were in the shade, so it was pleasant  and pretty along this route. At The Fish House we stopped to refill our water bottles and have a cool drink.

Back on the Chilrove Road we cycled on towards Marden, again a few hilly sections, finally reaching Compton for much needed tea and cakes.

At the start of the ride

A friendly cyclist who took our group photo....

Along the Centurion Way....

Chilgrove....

Compton tea shop

From Compton we made our way towards Bosham, along a very pretty route. We thought the girls would like an ice cream along the waterfront in Bosham and to look around the lovely area.



We reached Bosham at about 2.30pm and a few of us said our goodbyes. 

Tizzie and Elise kindly offered to show the girls around Bosham, but I gather there were quite a few pub stops along the way!

It was great to meet the ladies from East Kent and hope very much to see you all again very soon, perhaps in Kent!

We had a lovely day with you all - thank you for coming to Chichester to see us!

The distance to Bosham was 26.5 miles and a fairly hilly route.

This is what Tizzie emailed me ....

Unfortunately we were not able to go into the church at Bosham as there was a wedding taking place.  Having had a little look around the Quay, we then walked along the foreshore path then cycled down to the ferry where we (well, rather a nice looking guy in a dodgy looking boat) took the EKLs across to Itchenor.  We stopped at (another) pub, the Ship, for more fluid and a comfort break, then took the EKLs back along the Salterns Way.  A parting of the ways took place close to the underpass at the A27 – at this point we had done about 34 miles from the start of the Centurion Way.

Sunday, Sept 25

GOODWOOD TO HEYSHOTT TO COCKING RIDE

One of our favourite rides this one and we're suggesting it becomes our Maratona Route in order to get all the Maratona Belles fit. We'll be planning monthly and then twice monthly rides along this route. It's not the Dolomites but a good route to increase our fitness before Christmas.

Angela, Ellie and Steph came out. Ellie and Angela met at my place and we cycled to meet Steph at Goodwood Hotel at 10.15am.

Good fine weather for a ride today and the roads along towards Duncton were quite busy with weekend traffic. Still bit of a thrill to free cycle down Duncton Hill.

Horse and carriage near Ambersham

We stopped at the Moonlight Cafe in Cocking for a lovely cup of tea and slice of cake. From here we made out way to Singleton and then up the Charlton Hill. Then cutting through the Goodwood Estate to see their cricket match plus a fun fair in progress.

Next Saturday we're meeting our pals from the East Kent Ladies Cycling Club, we're not going to West Dean as planned but probably to Compton / Stoughton. Please email me if you're interested in joining us.

Distance today was approx 30 miles

Easy Belles ride - Sat Sept 24

Sally, Sandra and Lynne

We all met outside Sainsburys in Chichester, made our way towards Goodwood then over to Halnaker and down Tinwood Lane towards Aldingbourne Garden Centre.

I hadn't been here before but was very impressed with the facilities they have here - a cafe, small animal farm, shop, a well stocked garden centre, a furniture repair shop, they even clean horse rugs. Here are some of the animals we saw....

They even had a pair of lamas....

From here we crossed over the A27 at the Level Mare Lane junction, cycled along towards Nyton Lane then across to Church Lane, over the gate and on to the Tangmere airfield. We said goodbye to Sally at the edge of the airfield. Sandra and Lynne cycled back towards Sainsburys.

Approx distance was 13 miles. Thanks to all who came out.

The next easy ride will be on Wed, October 5 which is the first ride of our new section - the Mums Club. Hope to see as many of you as possible - and you don't have to be a mum to join us! We'll be meeting in Sainsburys car park, please email me if you're interested in joining us.

Charity News

I'm delighted to announce that Lady March, the Countess of March and Kinrara, has kindly agreed to become Patron of the new charity section of the Biking Belles!

More details to follow....

Saturday, September 11

LOST IN RUSTINGTON OR WAS IT EAST PRESTON!!

We all met outside Barnham Station - an excellent turnout....we welcomed new Belles...Felicity and Michelle. Caroline, Mercy, Karen, Ellie, Steph, Angela, Gill, Baby Belle, Sandra and Tizzie all made the ride and Cathy joined us at the East Beach Cafe.  It was good to see so many Belles out - thanks to all.

Littlehampton swans...

It all started off ok...we cycled towards Ford (a bit busy this road, something to remember) and turned left on to the South Coast Cycle Route (2) all the way to the East Beach Cafe......



Here we had a lovely breakfast, from crispy bacon sandwiches, scrambled eggs on toast, apple cake, flap jacks and lovlely hot tea and coffees.

Mercy and Cathy

The owner of the cafe came over to us and told us that her daughter was getting married there this afternoon.

Reluctantly we left the cafe and cycled on towards Rustington, unfortunately Felicity had trouble with her tyres. Passing a car tyre place nearby, a friendly man helped her and soon we were back on the road....to nowhere!

Suddenly all the cycle route signs disappeared and we were stranded at the shops in East Preston. Thanks Arun Council! Heading nowhere fast we decided to make our way back to Barnham.

A disappointing ride in a way, but we arrived back at about 1pm and we did have a lovely breakfast, so not all was lost....

Back at Barnham Station, Mercy took the plunge and wrote out her cheque for the Maratona 2012...well done to her and to Sandra (and myself) who are also taking part.

Get ready for the pain girls!!

http://www.maratona.it/en/

More details about this to follow.

Mercy

Saturday, September 3

This is one of our favourite rides...challenging yet we cycle through some lovely countryside and not forgetting the very pretty cafe in Cocking....Moonlight Cafe. Following our relaxing cuppa we make our way up the Cocking Hill, which is not as bad as the Charlton Hill, which follows very shortly afterwards.

The length of the ride was 26 miles, but those of us who cycled from Tangmere or Chichester could add another 6 miles to this total. Take a look at Mercy's log.....

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/111530513#.TmJiuKxt0eU.email

It was good to see....Ellie, Angela, Mercy, Elise, Gill, Grace and Sandra out today. The next ride is on Sat, Sept 10 and we'll be meeting at 9.30am outside Barnham station to Littlehampton and breakfast at the East Beach Cafe. An easier ride this week - no hills!

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY BIKING BELLES!

Sunday, August 21, 2011

My thanks to all Belles who made this such a special 1st Birthday Ride. It was great fun and certainly a day very much to remember....

From left to right....Karen (founder member and BB's official cake supplier), Gill, Claire, Ellie, Caroline, new Belle; Steph, Angela, me, Elise (founder member and BB's official champagne supplier), Baby Belle, Mercy ( BB's official chocolate expert) and Sandra.

What a great weekend we had....it all started at Karen's BBQ on the Saturday evening and she brilliantly made a BB's 1st Birthday cake, take a look....

 Very well done and thank you very much Karen!

Nikki was at the BBQ also, we hadn't seen her for so long as she's broken her foot. Hope to see her out cycling sometime in the Autumn.

Nikki receiving her Club top.

Caroline was also at the BBQ - wearing Elise's fancy headband in readiness for her Moulon Rouge party this weekend (note the price tag!)....

Then on Sunday morning we all met at Chichester Station and caught the 9.14 train to Portsmouth Harbour - a great turnout, thanks to everyone who made this such a great day for the Biking Belles. 

Mercy brought with her pink balloons, birthday girl badges, party poppers, we caused quite a bit of a stir on the train... actually everywhere we went!

Elise serving what was to become the first of many bottles of pink champagne!

And again on the Catamarran....

Balloon Belles.....

Grace...our first Bunny Belle!

First stop was and what will become a regular refreshment stop in Ryde, the Chocolate Apothecary, naturally we all ordered chocolate of some description....

Mercy in heaven!

The cakes here are wonderful!

Reluctantly we left this lovely cafe and made our way to Bembridge...

On the road to Bembridge.

So many people commented on our lovely tops, even chatting to us on the Catamarran and pub about what we are all about!

Had lunch at the Crab & Lobster Inn in Forelands, Bembridge - lovely food - fresh crab salad, sardines, spicy prawns...

The beach just below the Crab & Lobster pub

From Bembridge we made our way back to Ryde via Brading...lovely country lanes and passed by a vineyard...

Returning to Ryde, Mercy popped back into the choc shop and some Belles had an ice cream.

Map supplied by Mercy....

Here's looking forward to our 2nd Birthday Party Ride!