Category: Ladies’ Night…..Ride

We had our first unofficial Ladies’ Night Ride on Sunday evening 7.00pm at the Horse and Groom, Frome. At this time of the year it’s going to be a bit muddy, but thankfully, the mud was soft and squidgy and the puddles not too deep. I don’t know about you girls but, the night, the mist, the glowing lights, and the mud was rather therapeutic ooooooowa!!! We took our time and planned our route along the way depending on our lights’. Although our group was small, it was a great first night ride and strongly urge all ladies of all skill levels to join our Sunday Ladies’ Night Ride. I can promise a ride under the stars with lively conversation and the thrill of smashing through the mud and up a few inclines; you’ll love it!!! So lets make next Sunday our official Ladies’ Night Ride.

With a couple of group members nursing an injury and recovering from an illness, we decided to take a lighter route through Vallis Vale for yesterdays ride. Helen led the way without a hitch. Luckily, we dodged the rain but not the muddy puddles along our route. Lets face it, muddy puddles are nothing compared to tree roots and sizable rocks. I have to say, cruising through Vallis Vale was a great opportunity to practice ones’ manoeuvres over countless tree roots, small boulders, and avoiding trail drop-offs to the river. The curved and winding trail provided sporadically placed gates and bridges, and yes, you guessed it, we lifted our bikes up and over numerous gates which then conjured memories of our first bike lifting experiences. At that time, we could only lift our bikes up to shoulder height, repeated bike lifting = upper body strength!!

Parched and ready to try my first half pint of cider, we stopped at The Talbot Inn at Mells. Sadly, we arrived an hour earlier than opening time and no sympathy could be had from the chef. Back to drinking water and back to the trail.

The route back offered a couple of narrow hills followed by fast winding lanes. Weaving and ducking, we all cruised to the end of Vallis Vale (over gates as well). Now that was not the end of our route. There in front of us was a long, steep, hill to ride. Strangely, we all seemed a little excited for the challenge. Rachael bombed up the hill, I followed muttering encouragement to myself (yes I talk to myself; it helps me get up the hills!!) Maria and Helen followed closely behind. Our heads down, teeth gritted, and major heavy breathing saw us all half way up the hill to where we were forced to pull over to allow a 4 x 4 to pass. Annoyed but not petered, we carried on to the top of the hill (with one forced stop) – not bad!!

Back on smooth, straight ground, we made our way to the Royal Oak Pub, in Frome, where I finally had my first half pint of cider (but it tasted like Lucozade). A lighter ride was appreciated. Great ride girls!

Editors note:

I see you didn’t give me a mention after all that bike washing (mumble grumble….)!

This is a route to repeat.  Armed with ample packs of water and glorious sunny weather, we started out on our usual route down into Longleat and up through Horningsham.   Our newbie rider of the day was Jamie Amor (my daughter) who did a fab job of  climbing the hills in her own pace and fashion without loosing her breath (what it is to be 18).   Caroline already had a great route mapped out from Horningsham up to White Cliff  Down and across Cold Kitchen Hill.  I think I speak for all the group, it was awesome atop Kitchen Hill.  The trail was not easy, with a number of inclines, grassy paths, and gravel fire roads.  The views of colourful patchwork fields were incredible making the tough moments soooo worthwhile. 

As we descended Cold Kitchen Hill into Deverill, Caroline cruised ahead down the gravel fire road, in expert fashion, to open the gate.  However, not in expert fashion, I bombed down the fire road full of confidence and a big smile slapped across my face.  I saw a hump – it didn’t look too mean so I  jumped it -I  landed yay!! I’m was still on my bike.  For a split second there I was proud.  But,  my hands clenched the brake levers forcing my front wheel to turn 90 degrees left.  Yes, yet again, over the handlebars I went.  As Caroline put it  I ” stomach-surfed the gravel fire road”.   Rachel came running, “that was great – are you ok!” Thank you Rachel for getting my butt off the fire road and on to softer ground, and thank you Jamie for putting water on my bloody elbows and legs.  

Ok enough of the fooling around, we were behind schedule and still had a ways to go.  Onward we ventured into Deverill and down through Shearwater.  At the foot of the sleeping policemen, we took a moment to speak to two fellow riders snapping pics of themselves jumping over the sleeping policemen.  These are prime moments of catching one’s self in action –  I’m glad no one caught me in action!  Tired and cotton mouthed, we peddled hard up and out of Longleat.  The Horse and Groom was over the hill, and we started shouting our drinks’ order.  What a great route –  great ride – we’ll do that one again!!

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.

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.