Saturday August 18

We had a great ride today, and good to meet and ride with new Belles....Jessie, Linda, Mandy and Sue - all have said they're entering the Maratona next year!

We met at our usual meeting place, we made our way to Petworth - tea and coffe at our chocolate cafe, the plan was to go back via Ambersham and Heyshott but I met an old friend in the cafe and he invited us to watch some polo at his ground near Midhurst.

After a glass of champagne and really enjoyed the polo we eventually made our way to Heyshott, Cocking and then back home. By now it was getting very hot and quite glad to reach home. Meeting at 9am I think was a very good idea.

No pictures today as I forgot my camera...again!

Hope to see new Belles again next week.

Saturday August 11

Another lovely morning...I met up with some of the SV boys in Boxgrove on my way to Goodwood. They were on their way to Rowlands Castle. John Rowlands and myself were the pacemakers going at a very fast pace, you'll be glad to know I didn't disgrace the BBs name and I actually think the SVs had a hard time keeping up with me!

We said our goodbyes at the Goodwood Estate gates and I went on to meet the girls at the Hotel.

From the hotel we made our way towards Duncton. It appears we hit 39.5 mph going down Duncton Hill, which is a record! Er...if you're a traffic cop reading this, I'm just kidding!!

Through Duncton we turned left towards Graffham, it was here Angie fell off her bike, we're not sure why, as there was no real reason!  She was uninjured.

Oops.....

From Graffham we made our way towards Heyshott and then to Cocking. In Cocking we went away from our normal route to view a famous persons' garden (can't say who!). We found it and it has a beautiful and very large garden! We weren't spotted, so off we went back and made our way up Cocking Hill.

To note: the cafe at the bottom of Cocking Hill is still closed!

Caroline

Julia



Angie

We arrived at West Dean for tea and cakes, and sat outside and enjoyed the wonderful views.

From here we cycled along the main road towards Lavant, past the Royal Oak, cutting through Goodwood Estate and back to the hotel. Said our goodbyes to Angie and Julia. Caroline and myself carried on back to Tangmere / Oving.

A great days ride - such a pretty route yet a good testing ride - thoroughly enjoyed it and thanks to the girls... Angie, Caroline and Julia for coming out today.

Angie: I hope you enjoyed that vodka and tonic!

Caroline: Hope you have a wonderful holiday and see you in September.

Next weekend there's a Hardy Belles ride on Saturday and a Middy Belles ride on Sunday. Please email me if you're interested in coming out.

Sunday Aug 5

Woke up Sunday morning to a heavy downpour, walked the dogs at Goodwood, got soaked!

Needless to say the Hardy Belles were out in force....me and Caroline plus Malc and Simon. Not a particularly long ride today as we made our way to East Dean and then ended up at West Dean for a coffee. Malc and Simon joined us shortly afterwards, but unfortunately Malc had a fall and had hurt his elbow. Off to St Richards with Becky and I hear all is well - nothing broken.

Caroline and myself made our way home via East Dean Hill and Goodwood as Caroline wanted to get to the hospital to see Malc.

My best wishes to Malc!

No pics today as my camera had a flat battery...

Hills Belles on Monday evening....Aug 6 at 5.45pm if anyone is interested.

Tour de France

Congratulations to Wiggo and Team Sky!  What a historic day and I was so glad to be there!

Bradley's in the centre of this photo....

and he's on the screen below

French Boris Bikes!

 

St Swithins day

It actually didn't rain ...and we even managed to sit outside at our cafe in Compton!

We had a great turnout today - Malc Belle, Morag, Angie, Sandra, Caroline, Mercy, Angela, Julia and Steph

We met at Goodwood Hotel and made out way via East Dean, West Dean, Chilgrove, Mardens and then stopped at our cafe in Compton.









We officially welcomed Malc on his first ride as our honorary Belle...and he looks splendid in his spotty top!

Julia had a fall along the back lanes in Chilgrove....our first fallen Belle for quite some time...

Close up.....

She was fine, just road scuffs.....Doctor Belle had several antiseptic wipes, tissues and the ever important aloe vera fragranced wet wipes to make everything smell pretty and nice afterwards.

Mileage: 32, not the Maratona but we had a few long pulls towards Compton which sort of brought back some Maratona memories!

Next week Claire has come up with what looks like a great ride around the Rowlands Castle area - approx 25 miles. There are a few Belles meeting at 9am in Chichester and cycling to the start in Rowlands Castle. Email me if you'reinterested in coming along.

Post Maratona - July 8

Hard to believe this time last week we were competing in the Maratona, through wonderful countryside, sunshine and 32 degrees! Back to earth with a bang....wet windy morning here in Sussex but there were a few Hardy Belles who put on their Martona tops and came out....Val, Caroline, Morag and Steph.

One minute we had on our waterproofs, the next we were cycling in lovely sunshine. Needless to say we had to stop for tea and cakes. This time we popped in to West Dean.

Due to a few requests the ride next week has been changed from Saturday to Sunday. Please email me if you plan to come out.

Well worth taking a look at the Maratona Belles page.....