Mid Week Ride report – Femoles meet Moles
So there we were on the second stretch of our Wednesday evening adventure and who should we come across but the moles themselves, femoles meet moles “well hellooooooooooo!” (in a Carry-On style voice, what was the guys name?).
This evening was wonderful, dry but cooler than some previous evenings not that I mind I am all up for getting a gradual tan from a late afternoon sun.
Back at work this week from a week off and a fair bit of riding the most common question I have had asked was where had I been looking so “golden” and refreshed. I took joy in relaying the tale of my last Sunday ride starting 30 mins behind the others and arriving 2nd at half time and also showing off *some* of my war wounds from my Wednesday topple.
This evening the sun was peaking from behind the clouds and there was a comfortable breeze, I had itchy feet at work this afternoon just wishing the time away when I could race home, get changed and get out on my bike.
This evening I met up with another of our new riders (I have a great time meeting new femoles) and took her around some trails that I have used, which are fun and a variation of terrain which I hope are a good introduction to what we ride. Should someone want to come on further rides with us where the ride could be more challenging.
I am getting the feeling that this is working especially if a person hasn’t got much off-tarmac experience. So some ups and downs, some roots and gravel and some chalk and stones.
I am just a rider who has experienced nerves, lack of fitness and confidence and is keen to encourage other people to join us if they want to and to benefit from the same experience I have of riding with others, learning and practising and experiencing new routes and improving my fitness, confidence and skills. As well as enjoying some fab outdoor exercise.
So tonight C and I had been riding a variety of trails by the time we were heading out to Polesden Lacey, when who should we see but a group of moles out for their Wednesday night “stroll”.
For me it was so wonderful to see some new faces and put names to them and some familiar faces, I was Oh-so-curious though boys where were you off to? Wiggly Wood? That other secret trail by the Saw Mill? I can’t wait to read your report and find out where you went.
We finished on just under 13 miles and with rides planned for Saturday and Sunday I am happy with that.
Boys! I do think a mixed ride would be nice sometime. It was nice to be complimented on my bike and bling and just in general to bump into you all.
It was lovely to chat to C about moles and femoles, what we have done etc. and have a feel for the “mole community”.
Getting a bit worried that I actually prefer wearing my mtb clothes to my girly clothes sometimes when there once was a time you would not have caught me in padded pants 😉
A really wonderful evening and I am looking forward to more of them.
About the author
Cathie was introduced to mountain biking by Dave about 9 years ago but only really been riding regularly since May 2008 when she invested in a new hard tail (a white On-One classic Inbred), a wise investment as a result of being able to trial different bikes at Cycle Works demo day at Holmbury-St-Mary. She also rides a full suspension Giant Cypher which was this year's treat and saw many miles during the summer of 2010.
Cathie has attended skills days with Dirt Divas at Swinley Forest, she would like to improve her skills on bomb holes and her favourite trails are the ride over to Newlands corner loving "Whitedown" and a favourite trail through Denbies.
Cathie loves meeting other female riders of all fitness levels and experience and is hoping for less punctures in 2011 now that both bikes are wearing tubeless tyres!
There are 12 comments on ‘Mid Week Ride report – Femoles meet Moles’
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DaveW says:
Hey Cathie, it was good to see you and the other femoles last night, after reading some of your reports (I was the bloke on the blue hardtail, with stubble and a big ‘face plant’ scab on my chin).
I think the carry-on effect was carried off by D’andy ‘I seem to recall him hooting ‘Hellooo, I’m Dandy!’ in an amusing fashion. I’m sure you could tell that he was dandy though, by THOSE (grey pinstripe, with one quarter apparently made from someone’s curtains) SHORTS!
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Posted on July 8, 2010 at 10:15 am
Matt says:
They’re his Fagin shorts I think Dave. I expect him to make his debut in the West End soon by all appearances.
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Posted on July 8, 2010 at 10:43 am
Dave says:
lol…..after some discussion this morning trying to work out which actor Cathie was thinking of we settled on Charles Hawtrey.
Given that it could have been Kenneth Williams or Leslie Phillips I suspect it wasn’t the character D’Andy would have chosen to portray him!
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Posted on July 8, 2010 at 11:27 am
catherine says:
A big thank-you to Cathie, I had a brill time can’t wait till Saturday to go out again, it was nice to see the moles in the flesh and recognize a few from the website, and agree with Cathie that the moles should go out with the fe-moles.
Maybe when I improve. If any other
ladies are thinking about riding please get in touch with Cathie she is great to go out on a first ride with she listens to you, won’t push you too hard but gives you confidence to push yourself a bit harder and plenty of different terrains.
Cheers Cathie, see you on Saturday.
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Posted on July 8, 2010 at 2:24 pm
DandyC says:
I’d settle for Leslie Phillips over Charles Hawtrey or Kenneth Williams. At least he was a ‘ladies man’ unlike the other two who’s tastes were more ‘Spartan’ !
Fagin shorts? If I were a rich man, da dum de diddle diddle dum !
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Posted on July 8, 2010 at 4:26 pm
Cathie says:
*chuckle* re the shorts I guess the moles aren’t considering getting the sewing machines out and making matching ones then?
DaveW I did notice the stubble I thought it was just a “rugged” look and not hiding a war wound because you had been unable to shave 😉
I take it you have stopped yourself recently using your chin *ouch*.
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Posted on July 8, 2010 at 6:38 pm
Dave says:
Did you consider these D’Andy?
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=50940
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Posted on July 8, 2010 at 7:21 pm
DaveW says:
Cathie said:
“I take it you have stopped yourself recently using your chin *ouch*.”
It saves spending good money on brake pads!
D
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Posted on July 8, 2010 at 9:00 pm
DaveW says:
Dave – those shorts are awesome. They would go very well with a dearstalker helmet cover and goretex lined sports jacket!
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Posted on July 8, 2010 at 9:04 pm
DandyC says:
At the risk of losing any remaining credibility (if there is any left), I would like those shorts if it weren’t for the black piping around the cargo pocket.
Destroys any sublety, imho 😉
My Harris Tweed jacket would suit them rather nicely for an evening pub visit, leaving the ‘moleskin blue’ to accompany my new Sombrio shorts.
That’s the evening wear for Wales sorted then.
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Posted on July 9, 2010 at 8:37 am
StevenD says:
No photos of the shorts on the trail ? Do Maxxis tyres now count as bling ? So much written but nothing to see, or is that a good thing ? LOL.
Oh, I have penciled in August 1st to hopefully join you for a ride, if you have room for an oldie on the back 😉 . I have no free Sundays until then.
Have a good weekend everyone.
Steven
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Posted on July 9, 2010 at 10:03 am
DandyC says:
Looks like I will know which shorts to wear on Aug 1st then.
Look forward to seeing you Steven, and you might find you are not as old as you think you are!
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Posted on July 9, 2010 at 3:45 pm