12 hrs
12 people
3 teams
3 game plans
2 ezups
14 bikes
10 spare tubes
4 tents
10 sleping bags
2 bbqs
26 burgers
48 sausages
8 cheese sandwiches
96 wine gums
17 go bars
20 lts of water
28 cups of tea
1 keg of “the usual”
13 kit kats
1 largly fabricated list of stats
Attending Set 2 Rise ? Come and say hi to the BCC; we’ll be the ones counting our wine gums.
Although the day started out wet and windy, by the afternoon, the rain stopped and the wind continued to blow. Not that we’re fair-weathered riders only, quite the oposite; we’d prefer to ride hard and tactfully rather than pushing and dragging our bikes through ankle deep squidgy mud and horse poo – totally not cool!! Although, they do say mud is good for the skin, but ‘mudpoo’ hmmm!!.
As always, we started out on our route up a couple of hills which always gets the group prepared and motivated for the ride. It’s a casual start and not taxing for any new rider. We breezed our way down and into Longleat and though the nature walk. We stopped here for a moment to discuss our next route. We chose an alternate route out of Longleat instead of heading to Huntly’s Gate. As we exited Longleat, we entered Horningsham – a scenic tucked away hamlet (I believe this is what you call a hamlet). From there, the group headed up the long incline and winding road down into Shearwater passing its café where, Marjory informed, great cakes can be found– yummy!! We didn’t stop – honest – the open trails beckoned and we peddled.
Great, now we’re hitting the stone and gravel paths, but that’s wasn’t enough. Caroline spots a perfect trail leading down into what has to be another Boggy Bay full of challenges. Wahoo!!, a challenge we were all up to taking. Marjory lead the way strong and in control – even after riding thirty miles around the Cheddar trails the day before – you go girl!! I followed in an easy gear ducking under low branches and squelching my way through the mud; splashing through the sludge and skimming the rim of huge holes to a perfectly set steep incline. That was fun!! Rachel followed close behind without a hitch, as usual; she just keeps getting better and better. Caroline our mentor and leader, what would we do without her, followed behind with Helen to guide her through the more challenging area of our route.
We followed the trail to the security gates at Centre Parcs and up through a fast winding trail to Longleat entrance and down in to Black Canon Collective allotment to take a moment to watch our talented downhill riders practice their riding skills.
As you can see from the photo, this is where we took a five minute rest. Shortly after, we carried on riding down through the allotment leading to a rather rocky trail and on to a smooth open road. This road is nothing more than a preparation for the steep and bumpy hill before us. All in unison, we clicked into an easy gear and peddled hard. Caroline and Marjory sailed up the hill as I followed closely behind while attempting to clear the path in front of me by shouting at Rachel to move. SORRY Rachel – me and hills – I get a little possessed!! Nearing the end of our route, we tactfully weaved and bumped our way down to meet the ford giving a prime photo op. We all made it across safe and dry except for Helen who made a fabulous attempt of making it more than half way across the ford before taking a paddle – good effort Helen. We hit the last hill and whizzed down to the Horse and Groom for a well earned wine, cider or a wee coffee. Yet again, a great ride.
Juliet.
There were a couple of rather tired and creaky participants at the start of this ride who would have sloped off home given a dark cloud and a couple of raindrops. But, fortunately, the weather was clear and after a nice easy start to the ride along the lanes everyone was in better fettle. We were glad to welcome Helen to the fold, and true to the blithe spirit of the group, we followed her along a new route to Shearwater which gave fine views and missed some of the nastier muddy ascents.
We were blessed with a total absence of mechanical failures. Juliet and Rachel deserve special mention for upping the sartorial elegance of the group. That was some fine new kit and I for one am definitely liking the “technical-but-chic” look! We had been taking dry trails for granted, but Helen showed her mettle and took on the return muddy tracks like a demon. Caroline kept us all together and showed us how to take the ford with panache.
There is some disruption to the usual routine with quite a few people away at half-term etc. Remember there is the Anniversary Ride 3.30 till 6pm on Monday 25th which would be an excellent start for any new girls who are interested.
On the 15th of May 2008 the Black Canon Collective signed a licence for ‘The Allotment’ – the area of forest we manage in Longleat. Now on the 25th of May 2009 we are planning an anniversary cross-country ride around the Longleat estate for all members and anyone else who wants to come along.
The ride will be for all abilities and will run from 3.30pm to 6.00pm from the Horse and Groom pub at East Woodlands (please car share where possible as car parking is limited) and we hope you can join us afterwards for drinks, food and chat.
(We will try and cater for all abilities and fitness levels.)
Don’t want the C02 inflater? No problem, you can choose a mini pump of similar value instead. This is a great offer saving BCC members over £30, so go visit Avon Valley Cyclery with your membership card to take advantage.
Enjoy riding round in circles?
Like massive berms?
Hate braking?
Bored of gears?
Like curry?
If you’ve answered “yes” to any of the above, or just like the look of what you saw in the video then check out the forum for our BCC Velodrome outing comming up soon!
You know that feeling in the morning after a heavy night on the booze? Well, almost everybody who rode at the Ticker Tape had that feeling today (I have to thank Marjory for that, brilliant night, ta), Andrew Denham had to sit out. He had very little sleep and was still wearing the dress from the night before.
Looking around at the HUGE turnout for the timed runs I could see red eyes and tired faces. I immediately thought there were going to be some very slack runs.
The course had been re-routed slightly in-between the step-downs at the top and then back up the hill just before the rocks. This provided a high speed sideways experience all the way down and a number of line choices that could hack almost a second off run times. The rest of the track was running bone dry.
A look at our watches on our first lazy hung-over practice run showed just how quick it would be. Chris Smith and I had just over 32 seconds on the watches, the previous best from the last Ticker Tape was 32.08 by me. Rob Lewis had 30.60 on his. Game on!
It was a fairly relaxed affair all day with 40 second barriers being broken and everybody scoping lines in between runs. I have never seen so many people jumping the doubles, big shouts out to them.
We had loads more people there; Graham Cook, hungry from his Bath trails being ruined by R’tards, was shredding on his 10ft long Yeti 303. Graham, with a few others, built the step down on the track originally. New kid Daniel, only 7 years old and riding real fast. He is definitely one for the future and he has parents that have a brilliant attitude in supporting him in his riding and the millions of other sports he does too. More talent in Ed too. Consistent, fast runs and learning from every little mistake made. He didn’t jump the doubles but was beating most who did. Ed received the Beans award of a freshly baked Brownie courtesy of my lovely girlfriend, Helen.
Right then back to the times.
Chris had a new bike, it was full on DH, set up like a jump bike. He was the one to beat after beating Rob’s previous time. I then got under Rob’s time then it was just between myself and Chris.
He got under 30secs, something I wanted bad, I got it. But soon after I set up his suspension properly he started thrashing me further (why did I do that?). He ended with a 29.38, over half a second quicker than me. I thought that was it, half a second was big. On such a short track, that is riding a cm too far from the line. I plugged out one more run at the last minute, 29.46. “Close but it’s not the one” as Roy Walker would say.
Chris Smith was the recipient of the Ticker Tape sticker and I was beaten by a freerider. I have a bag of excuses but I may need them for some other time.
I wanted to say hello to everyone but those who were there know how busy it was. It was great and I can’t wait for the next one.
Cheers!
18:41: Arrive at Horse and Groom, due to bad parking there are far fewer spaces than there should be. Fit lights.
18:44: Al arrives.
18:51: Al leaves – he’s forgotten his shoes.
19:07: We set off, Simon tries to hitch a lift from Marjory on the first hill.
19:12: Sheppard’s Woods, the trails are bone dry and bluebells are everywhere.
19:40: Al returns to the group, with shoes.
19:45: Reach the Allotment, most of the group ride BBMS, Mark rides 143 in full for the first time, then begins planning for his imminent DH bike purchase.
20:08: Singletrack down to Center Parcs, skids and hops off mounds are the order of the day.
20:19: Fast descent down to Shearwater. Attempts to force Chris off and overtake him are futile.
20:43: Chris leads us into Singletrack that is cut short by felled trees, we abuse him then continue.
20:51: Finally dark when in the trees, nearly crash when I completely fail to notice the final large sleeping policeman.
21:00: Sprint down Longleat drive.
21:03: Still recovering from sprint down drive.
21:08: Final section of off road in Sheppard’s woods, it is now pitch black which makes a simple descent much more challenging and a steep slog just as tiring.
21:15: Return to the pub, throw bike in car, enjoy pint of Landlord, good chat.
22:45: Bedtime.
Hi Ladies,
May 10th Ladies ride was great. We were blessed with sunny weather and dry conditions except for those who splashed their way through the ford 
. By the way, I neither plunged, paddled nor dipped my big toe into the ford 
. My method of execution, major easy gear, follow the previous girls’ line, take it slow but forceful, ‘ viola’, dry land We all, at some point, lead the group, and in true democratic fashion, we unanimously chose our route along the way. Rachel suffered one puncture and two blowouts (i think that’s bike lingo) prompting a prime opportunity to learn some new mechanical skills. Caroline showed the group how to dismantle the rear wheel, replace the inner tube, and reconnect the wheel – a valued lesson. Thanks Caroline!! All of the group was very helpful at handing out pumps, spare inner tubes, and puncture kits, except for me 
In the future, I will pack all necessary mechanical instruments and spare inner tubes (bar the kitchen sink) into my backpack – Sorry ladies!! Adding to Rachel’s bad luck (torment), she tried to retract a bug from her eye ( I tend to eat them) and subsequently fell off her bike. I confess, I too have had the odd little topple myself – you’re not a true biker until you have the bruises to prove it
The fire roads were easy enough with a few rough gravel paths and easy breezy slopes. My bike (not me) seemed to gravitate towards graveled areas, sizeable rocks, and tree roots making my bike rattle and shake – time for a new bike I think . Occasionally, we met a slopping road that allowed for a fast and smooth ride – giving all a few moments to ponder the gorgeous surrounding view. But what goes down must go up!! The hills were steep and challenging, but conquerable. I have to admit, my ego got the better of me this day. I positioned myself well, clicked into an easy gear, leaned down close to my handle bars, and made my way up the steep pathway between the two houses that weaves its way up to the sleeping policemen. Half way up there – I was on a roll, ‘WAHOO’. Still on my bike, I shouted, ” out the way girls I have thighs of steel and I coming through” (what was I thinking). Two peddles later my bike hit a dirt hump and stopped. There went my ego – deflated like a cheap rubber balloon. I thought for sure those thighs were going to get me up the hill 
. I think Helen and Maria had a giggle. Marjory and Caroline conquered the hills like champions. That’s my goal, conquering the hills without stopping or needing resuscitation at the summit
Regardless of a few mishaps, our ride was fun and smooth, with a number of tough hills to grunt our way up!! Fun ride ladies.
