What is the Belles’ Bounty event?
On 22nd June we invited any Bingley Belle to take part in our inaugural Belles Bounty Event. The event entails members to come along and then in pairs or small groups take on a challenge to complete during the day, navigating their own route.
Developing navigation skills
In June we had offered three workshops to support people to develop skills in navigation. One on GPX files and how to use them with devices such as phones, Garmin or Wahoo cycling computers. The second session focused on paper and online Ordnance Survey Maps. And the third session invited people to come along and find out everything they might want to know about using Strava.
We also recruited three volunteers who agreed to give up their time and support the event at our base camp at The Friends of Mytrle Park Hub. Janet, Lindsey and Judy registered participants, tracked their progress, offered drinks and snacks to those returning to the Hub and acted as emergency back up for anyone needing help on the day.
On the day
The first wave of those taking part arrived at the Hub in Myrtle Park at 10am to register for the event. The second wave arriving at midday. Everyone received a copy of a map, a list of pre-determined destinations to choose from to visit and complete at least one of the Belles Bounty challenges. The challenges were designed to be achieved by our 1, 2 or 3 cake riders.
They could choose to:
Ride to as many cafes as possible (no obligation to buy anything!).
Ride the furthest between at least three destinations of your choice.
Ride the shortest distance and visit the most destinations.
Ride the longest, flattest route and visit at least three destinations
Ride with the most elevation visiting at least three destinations.
One Cake Ride
To claim that a challenge had been completed it was explained that the participants would need to take a picture of themselves at each of the destinations visited for checking on return to the Hub. We were all aware that Judy would keep a keen eye on who was doing what and that the challenge had been completed.
Two Cake Ride
Everyone was asked to take care, to ride safely and remember that our motto is ‘We never leave anyone behind’. Some groups took time to study their maps, others were off and riding to their first destination.
Of course we had our obligatory WhatsApp group and it wasn’t long before pictures of destinations reached started to filter through.
And Three Cake Rides
On return to the Hub everyone was met with Rocky road (kindly made by Fiona), every other treat imaginable and steaming cups of tea! We learnt that Janet had won the game of scrabble held at the hub whilst waiting for the first teams to return!
Prizes were also given out to everyone taking part.
Lots of fun was had by all. Well done Alison, Lois, Barbara, Anna, Marie, Rosie, Vicky, Marie, Amanda, Anne, Jane, Sarah, Marian and Tracey.
Special thanks to Gaynor at The Friends of Myrtle Park and to Janet, Lindsey and Judy for looking after us.