Sometimes things just don’t turn out the way you plan. After a week of lovely warm and sunny weather the day ride we had booked for five members of our local Women’s Institute should have been experienced under ideal conditions.  However, you know how it goes, Sod’s Law the day dawned overcast and threatening, but these lively ladies climbed on the bikes and were raring to go anyway.  We kitted them out with our CTUK rain jackets, just in case there should be a shower and off we went, leaving Stockbridge and heading for a lovely pub lunch in Dunbridge.

Our group of five was made up of three women who were quite fit to moderately fit and cycled short distances often, and two women who hadn’t been cycling for years. They didn’t consider themselves very fit, and were keen to see if cycling might provide a pleasant physical activity they would enjoy.   We had chosen the flattest route we could find, but there are always a few hills in this part of Hampshire that can’t be avoided.  Everyone was very game, and if the hills proved too much, the ladies got off their bikes and good naturedly pushed them to the top with a lot of teasing and cheerful  banter bless them. 

The women who weren’t regular cyclists were amazed at how easy the cycling was with good gears on the bike, and how the ride was enhanced by the comfortable wide gel saddles.

Things were going beautifully, and everyone was having such a lovely time enjoying the Hampshire countryside when about 20 minutes before the lunch stop, the sky opened and a drenching rain poured down as we peddled furiously along.  Our rain jackets kept us all bone dry on the top, but none of us had rain trousers, and by the time we got to the pub, our legs and feet were soaked through. 

This is a cycle tour operator’s nightmare – to have guests who are wet and uncomfortable, but the human capacity for good cheer, never ceases to amaze me.  With a lot of laughing and shaking off like a pack of Labradors, our ladies arrived at the pub in good spirits and ready to tuck into the bountiful platter of baguettes and pots of hot tea that were waiting for us. We all thought the rain would push through by the time we finished lunch allowing us to comfortably complete our return loop to Stockbridge.  The weather gods were having a laugh that day, and it continued to pour.  Chris offered to ride back and get the van to pick them up but in true WI style, they chose to Keep Calm and Carry On!  True Blitz spirit prevailed and off they went, laughing and splashing through puddles like cheeky school girls. 

It was still raining when we arrived back at our starting point in Stockbridge and once they were settled in the van and waiting for Chris to load the bikes onto the trailer, they all wanted to know how far they had ridden.  We had been out about four and a half hours, including our lunch break.  They were astounded to learn they had ridden just about 25 miles.  They were chuffed to bits  and all said they couldn’t believe they had ridden that far.  The two women who weren’t regular cyclists were amazed they had achieved that many miles.  They both said if someone had told them when they started they were going to cycle 25 miles, they wouldn’t have gone – they would have said they couldn’t possibly cycle that far.  They were grinning ear to ear and couldn’t wait to get home to tell their families.

So even though the cycling conditions were soggily less than perfect, the end result of the day was as uplifting as a massive ray of sunshine.  Our guests had been terrific sports, and had a personally rewarding positive experience despite the damp conditions.  They even said they wanted to do another cycle day out later in the year.  Our two women who weren’t as fit as they could be had realised that cycling was something enjoyable they could do that would improve their fitness.   

Our ethos at Cycle Tours UK is to raise awareness that you don’t have to cycle far, or fast to enjoy cycling. Its all about the experience of being active and outdoors and enjoying the world at your own pace.   As you build stamina and strength, you will want to explore further on your bike but that is a goal you can build on.  Thank you WI Ladies for your cheerful company and remember:

“Life is like riding a bicycle.  To keep your balance you must keep moving.”   - Albert Einstein