WildBettys posted on July 26, 2010 16:26
Eight Bettys, one videographer and two riding facilitators took on Buckwallow on Saturday, for our third destination ride of the season. Thank you to Richard for the filming of our outing and to both Chris and Raoul who made it possible for Stephanie and Isabelle to join in the fun. In addition a big welcome to our newest member, Sarah T who came out for her first ride with us.
Buckwallow is a terrific place to safely tackle the 'flat technical trail'. Mike McLaughlin has his trails well marked and well maintained and was able to give us a good game plan for which trails to explore first and where his biggest climbs were...which is where we started first to warm up. But after trying the 'one' and 'two hoof' trails the Bettys wanted more of a challenge and we started to work on the ' 3 'and '4' hoof-rated trails....these were pretty much the OCup course and I was very impressed with the skill of our riders...it is so true that when you ride in a group if the rider in front of you conquers an obstacle it often gives you courage to try it too, and often succeed. There were quite a few 'woo whos' as we rode (i.e. Biff Betty's exclamation when she doesn't biff!)....though I also noted a quietness to the group on the single track that isn't there when we ride our familiar Don trails, as everyone was concentrating on pedalling over the obstacles, but when we came out to doubletrack parts, well, didn't the conversation pick up again?
we are ladies after all, we do like to chat!
It was a very humid day and we rode very hard and for a good three hours which worked up quite an appetite. Eleanor had us back to her cottage near Gravenhurst for our first annual BBQ lunch and swim. We had a wonderful 'apres' as it were. On reflecting on the day I was struck by how well our new group gets along and how well everyone is riding.
We received a mass mailing from Sacred Rides regarding a survey they put out on Survey Monkey. (Link is on our forum.) They are endeavouring to do some market research and find out what women riders want. We encourage everyone to take the few minutes and put in their two cents as the results are sure to help us all and besides they are a great travel company. One of the choices to one of the questions is 'to be invited on a ride by a woman' To me, this is just the point of club rides.....once you join the club that fits, you are always invited!!!! Belonging goes a long way to helping build confidence , and everyone knows what confidence can do for you on the trail or rather how a lack of confidence can hold you back
. Come join us for a ride if you haven't been out yet this season.
Can't wait for our next ride...oh yeah..it's tomorrow!!!
Ride On!
Melinda