She Rides to the Sunrise Bike Fest Special
Thanks to She Rides regular Kelly for her account of the sunrise ride…“How gorgeous to start a bike ride with not a car on the roads! The only people I saw cycling down to the Palace Pier (old skool) were drunken revellers and my student neighbours rolling in. Please note that it was 4.50am! It wasn’t too chilly at the start, that, or my body was in shock due to the hour. We then cycled along the beach hanging a right up Grand Avenue, all the way past Hove Park and up to Dyke Road via the mammoth Woodland Drive. By this point we were well and truly warmed up!
It was so peaceful on the streets; the only noise to be heard was the morning birdsong. Delightful.
As we cycled up over the Downs to Devil’s Dyke the sun glowed warm and orange to the east.
A veritable breakfast feast was shared at the top….hot tea, fruit, dates, buttered hot cross buns and scrumptious homemade nutty apple flapjacks.
As only She Rides ladies know how, we then freewheeled back down to the seafront for more tea, hitting the beach at 7.30am. Warmed up and relaxed, we cycled east towards the pier in the glorious morning sunshine back to The Level just in time for Lucy to lead the Bike Train up to the University at 8.20am!
Lovely ladies, lovely ride, lovely chats. A perfect way to start the day. Who needs overpriced gyms?”
We Ride Easter Special!
We have a ride planned for Easter Monday for all the family – come and join us and celebrate a Happy Easter with She Rides!
Brighton Bike Fest and New Ride Dates
She Rides to Arundel
She Rides Gemma gives us the low down on our Arundel adventure…
‘Saturday morning was looking bleak and sweaty. Sports bra, vest top, leggings, hoodie, lycra trousers, anorak, waterproof trousers, waterproof shoe covers…. My cycling attire was endless. It reminded me of when I was in the guides and we had to wrap our bedding in a ground sheet and tie it tightly with a hardy piece of rope to make sure our sleeping bags were water-tight. “I’m going to throw you in the river” joked Helen.
Charlotte, Alexa, Kate, Liz, Becka, Helen and I all met at Hove train station at 11am. The girls were also prepared for the rain which, thank heavens, miraculously cleared up just before we got on the train. So after re-dressing into spring time outfits Southern Rail took us to Angmering where we started our Black Rabbit ride.
Helen led us towards the coast and along the sea front to Littlehampton and with the wind against us the beach seemed endless. Even here it was marked with the groynes and tumbling pebbles so familiar to Sussex.
Through the seaside streets of Littlehampton, we passed winter lolly lickers and popped over the foot bridge and the loch to Ferry Road on the other side. Met by some countryside we cycled to Climping, past the primary school to avoid a busy road and through Ford.
After reversing the route we said cheerio to Liz at Angmering who decided to catch the train back to Brighton. The remaining six of us cycled through West and East Preston, secretly reconsidering our career choices as we gawped at the delightful houses and gardens in that area. They weren’t dissimilar to those on Desperate wives’ Wisteria Lane (note to self: add generously to piggy bank on Monday).
Through the slowly yielding maze of winding suburbia we found the sea again. We pushed our bikes over a long stretch of open common, accompanied by a playful black Labrador. We rejoined the coastal road and cruised back via National Cycle Route 2 through Worthing and on to Brighton. 40 miles, plenty of smiles.’
She Rode to the Donkeys – words from a She Rides Virgin!
Thanks to She Rides newbie Caroline for her low down on Sunday’s ride to the Donkeys
“I had the loveliest wholesome country Sunday with the She Rides gang. I’d been meaning to join the group for months and am so pleased I now have. I wasn’t the only newbie and there were a host of different types of bikes and abilities but everyone was so friendly and welcoming.
After a quick road worthy bike check and chats we set off destined for the amazing Sussex countryside taking in Devils Dyke before free wheeling down to the pretty villages of Poynings and Fulking. We traversed the Downs in the winter sunshine and stopped to pay a visit to the goats and donkeys at Swains Farm. Some of us took the opportunity to have our lunches {note to copy the idea of bringing a thermos of hot stew next time like clever Suzie} but a chill in the air prompted us to seek a warmer pit stop leading us to the pub log fire in Heathfield.
Some hot chips and drinks later spurred us onwards through Albourne then Hurstpierpoint and on to Hassocks making the trip a cool 20 miles. Here we were given the option to either catch the train back to Brighton or continue home on 2 wheels upping the mileage to make it a 30 mile round trip.
It may sound to you like a lot of hard work, but honestly it was a great leisurely stretch catering for all abilities and taking care to cycle as a group with plenty of breaks. I can’t wait for the next one – can we cycle again tomorrow please?”
- Donkey at Swains Farm
More Ride Dates
23 and 1/2 hours: What is the single best thing we can do for our health?
You guessed it! So what are you waiting for? Come join one of our rides - click here to check out ride dates for February and March
She Rides Breeze
The ride was fast and the route was dark but we lit the was with our beaming smiles and bright lights. Thanks to Lyndsay, Zoe, Elizabeth, Gemma and Helen who joined us.
We have more rides planned for February – please email us if you have some suggestions for routes - sheridesbrighton@gmail.com
