Dirty Girls ride Oxfordshire - Photos

[Berin]

Well, I didn't exactly look after myself... I was en-route to the first stage of my weekend refuge when the 690 broke down, so I had to be rescued by Jane on Friday night in the van. Then I went to Louis' where we fettled bikes, drank beer and ate curry

But thanks for worrying about me, it's very scary having dozens of girls on motorbikes descending onto your home! I'd been banned from using the inside loo all week, thrown out on Thursday whilst there was dessert cooking going on,and generally moved on and told to get out the way for days prior to to the event. I then suffered emotional scarring, when, having left on gathering (stalling the 690 on the drive on the way out) I had to show up again with the bike loaded in the van!

Originally Posted by muddymatt

Am I the only person worried about poor old Berin.

Did he have to look after himself for a whole weekend ?

I hope you survived OK mate.

[NSFW]

we don't see very often this kind of adventure riding....great job.

[ElleOn2Wheels]

Looks a fantastic weekend was had by all & the photo's are great!

[Etnared]

enjoyed reading that and the photo's are excellent
good weekend had by all then

sorry I couldn't make it, looking forward to next time

[Pumpy]

Phew, now that the Oxford TRF newsletter has been published, I can come back to this ride report.

Thank you all for your nice feedback - and yes, Danielle, Barb and Ange, you were sorely missed. Maybe meet you in Wales when 'The Muckers' return the invitation?

Right, where did I stop? Ladies who lunch in Lambourn, I think... From there we headed south east to the Coppington Down byway (also known as Bullshit Lane... ).

Here is Ilse


Welshbird




... closely followed by Anne


Fully focused


Katie em - always showing that distinctive trail-riding-grin


Ruth taking it easy after lunch


... and Dr JM sweeping up behind us


On the Near Down Gallops we found the byway diverted...


They are certainly looking after their lanes in Berkshire!


It was downhill from here and then we climbed Bailey Hill, joined the road in Baydon and picked up Peaks Wood Lane to Aldbourne. Next on the menu was Snap Farm, a lovely, deeply rutted lane and always good for some entertainment...

Katie em


Local girl JMo can do this trail in her sleep...


Nah, she's still awake!


Ilse and Ruth


I think, Ruth is enjoying herself...


Welshbird coming to a controlled stop


... and Jane closing the field


A quick breather and on we went...


Around the next corner I found a particularly slippery bit - but as there is no photographic evidence, it didn't really happen (or is there? ).

We carried on west to the Ridgeway and then took the UCR to Lower Upham Farm - a steep and mainly chalky lane, which I had not ridden before but Possu had warned me about...

Well, you see, a good leader has to show the group where the dodgy bits of the trail are that should better be avoided...


Photo shamelessly nicked from Katie em & Ruth

Nothing was hurt but my pride and carefully we continued the descent to the A346, where the girls pointed out that I had lost my number plate. Jenny kindly offered to retrace our steps with me and actually found the plate before we had to climb up the slippery slope again - thank you.

Meanwhile the others treated their bikes to some fuel, themselves (and me!) to an ice cream and made contact with the locals at Chiseldon Services - I let Julie tell the story.


Oops, another lunch break is over - time flies when you enjoy yourself!

To be continued...

[duibhceK]

Originally Posted by Pumpy

Phew, now that the Oxford TRF newsletter has been published, I can come back to this ride report.

and a most excellent newsletter it was, with all those good looking people in it.

[Sarah Teach]

Lovin' ya work, ladies!
I've been able to read this thread in one go it makes great reading (thank you) and looks like a most excellent weekend was had by all.... and missed by me ! Sisters!!
See you all next time and some of you before that.... in France
S-Tx

[aldntn]

Great fun! Thanks for sharing.

[Pumpy]

Originally Posted by duibhceK

and a most excellent newsletter it was, with all those good looking people in it.

Really? I have to check again who you may refer to...

Originally Posted by Sarah Teach

... a most excellent weekend was had by all.... and missed by me ! Sisters!!

Yes, Saralina, you were missed, too! Would have been a nice balance: 3 KTMs, 3 DRZs, 3 Serows... Next time, ok?


See you both very soon in France!

[Kurro]

Ladys, bikes, mud.... I love it.

I want you to do this many times.

[SquirrelyGrl]

Woot! I love this RR! Really awesome to see some of the riding you gals do over there. Amazing photos! I hope to see more !

[Pumpy]

Thanks for your nice comment Squirrelygrl - here are some more photos:

Chiseldon was the furthest west we ventured. We turned back onto the Ridgeway taking the chicken route over Whitefield Hill, where the byway is paved for most of the ascent - I didn't want to risk falling off again on Lower Upham Farm Lane, as it's just not great for the morale of the troop to see their leader on the floor all the time...


Heading north and east, we followed the Ridgeway to Shipley Bottom, where we usually stop to cross the B4192 - but mainly to allow everyone to catch their breath after negotiating the deep, chalky and slippery ruts.

Amazing - Ilse does this all in her leathers!


"O ye'll tak' the high road, and Ah'll tak' the low road..." Nicky & Jenny


I think we have to work a bit on our posture, Miss Morgan...


Thank God we didn't meet them going up Sugar Hill!


... which is this lovely lane:


... and relatively easy when it's dry and you keep to the edge of the field


What are the girls doing down there? I seem to be missing all the fun... And who chose not to listen when I advised against riding the deep ruts on the left?


Ok, here they come...




Ilse leading the field


Ruth and Jenny


Welshbird, Anne and Dr JM


Anne (I just love those views...)


And there is our tail-end


Dr JM


Can we carry on then? Alas, there is always one...


At least Julie was fast - and still smiling!


Ok, on we go - the lane ahead looks pretty civilized, doesn't it?


Don't be fooled, our next little gem - the Sheepwalk Plantation - lies just round the corner...


The 4x4's have not only dug excessively deep ruts -


... no, they have also ground the middle bit down, making it extremely slippery...


But can you believe it? Katie em is still smiling!





And, as always, Paparazze everywhere...


If I remember correctly, deep, muddy ruts are Welshbird's favourite - I try to please...


Dr JM waiting for a clear run -


Here she whizzes by


Well, I can't mention it often enough - when you go trail riding, make sure you have decent tyres with sufficient tread...


I'll leave you to ponder on that note -

To be continued...

[Sarah Teach]

Keep it coming, Ela, sterling effort..... as usual!

Jenny and possibly Julie and Ruth, were you passing through Pen Y Bont, Powys last Saturday (22nd), around mid-day??

S-T X

[Katie em]

Ela This is a great ride report - You have brilliant photos as well.

Sarah - Yes that was us. Fantastic day


However the ride home on sunday wasn't so nice... Two punctures and LOTS of rain!



Where were you?

[Gizzaride]

Hey, a full 3 photos where no-one has their feet on terra firma!

Only joking laydeez, great to see you all getting your legs over on a regular basis!

Originally Posted by Katie em