Savernake Autumn Pleasure Ride - 2021
As always a great any thanks go to Rosie Pack and her team of helpers who make this ride possible, despite the C-19 curveballs and getting permission arrangements in place so many months in advance.
After a year off it was good to be back “in harness” again, with
all the fun and games that organising this ride can bring!
Sadly, we had to cap numbers and stop entries on the day in
order to manage the parking arrangements which have
diminished over the past few years. Saplings were planted in
the Nursery area, and they have grown; we were also asked
not to park in the central grass area in case we made any
marks. This took out 50% of available space, and combined
with the fact that the large grass verges in the start area are
no longer cut, we are now only able to take 50 entries.
Challenges this year included: being sent only one key to open 2 different locks, the day was saved by a Forestry worker opening the other locks at 7am on the day.
On Sunday, the barrier opposite Grand Avenue wasn’t open as the first riders headed out, and the security guard knew
nothing about it. The land agent had done his part, but the security company management had forgotten to tell the poor
man who was on duty! It took several phone calls in Nepalese and English in order to get it opened, and the next gate along
had to be taken off its hinges due to padlock failure! Rosie was definitely a woman on the edge of a nervous breakdown for
about half an hour. In the end 41 people enjoyed a great ride and gave us lovely feedback, so it was all worth it.
After a year off it was good to be back “in harness” again, with
all the fun and games that organising this ride can bring!
Sadly, we had to cap numbers and stop entries on the day in
order to manage the parking arrangements which have
diminished over the past few years. Saplings were planted in
the Nursery area, and they have grown; we were also asked
not to park in the central grass area in case we made any
marks. This took out 50% of available space, and combined
with the fact that the large grass verges in the start area are
no longer cut, we are now only able to take 50 entries.
Challenges this year included: being sent only one key to open 2 different locks, the day was saved by a Forestry worker opening the other locks at 7am on the day.
On Sunday, the barrier opposite Grand Avenue wasn’t open as the first riders headed out, and the security guard knew
nothing about it. The land agent had done his part, but the security company management had forgotten to tell the poor
man who was on duty! It took several phone calls in Nepalese and English in order to get it opened, and the next gate along
had to be taken off its hinges due to padlock failure! Rosie was definitely a woman on the edge of a nervous breakdown for
about half an hour. In the end 41 people enjoyed a great ride and gave us lovely feedback, so it was all worth it.
Click the year to read more about past rides
