Day Three - Home from home ride.

Wednesday 28th July update -

Sorry it's a bit late, I didn't get round to updating yesterday. We got to York okay but through some rain. We've had no technical hitches but we did have the advantage of a tail wind, which made the flats even easier! Tomorrow is more hilly around the yorkshire moors and we're going to be in for a windy night.

Stage 3 - Completed

That's stage 3 completed and we've done another 50 miles today. It was very hot and sunny at the start of today's ride but 2 miles from the end it rained. Considering we didn't leave until 10 today we've made good progress after arriving back at the camp at 4:15 and although sore yesterday Stuart was fine today. We've been lucky enough to have no technical hitches as of yet and the camp site is very nice. We're tired but we're looking forwards to the rest of the ride and our rest day that we're going to have tomorrow before continuing on Wednesday. I think it's a well needed rest!

Stage 2 - completed

We've completed stage two of our bike ride from London to Bedlington and once again we have been lucky to have no technical hitches. The weather has been hot but the westerly wind has been annoying and has been hard going at times. That's another 52 miles done, bring on the rest of the week!

Day One - Home from Home ride

Day one completed – Chingford to St. Neots. Only another 250 miles to go! So far we’ve had no technical hitches so at least we’re off to a good start but the wind was very strong. The last ten miles we were unfortunately cycling into a head wind, which made it very difficult, saying that cycling in temperatures of 25 degrees didn’t help much either.
We’re all set up for the night and will enjoy our rest in time to start our next 50 miles in the morning. Thank you once again for all your support and there will be pictures soon.

2nd Charity event coming up!

Well .... the Northern Rock Cyclone Challenge is just around the corner. In fact it is next Saturday!

I've just had a fantastic week off work and started stepping up the training for the next charity event. 63 miles in the Northumberland hills will be both challenging and tough.

On Saturday 29 May, I cycled with Ann and Brynne the toughest 20 miles of the Northern Rock Challenge in terms of hills. Three peaks were long and steep but I managed without stopping although puffed out to say the least! We rested at Cambo before heading back to the starting point. We covered nearly 25 miles that day.
On Monday 31 May I set off from Barmoor Castle and covered nearly 28 miles cycling through Norham, past the castle to Horncliffe and cross country back to Barmoor.

On Wednesday 2 June, I then cycled to Norham again but this time continued on Route 1 to Berwick. This route reminded me of the Melrose to Bedlington cycle route going past Chainbridge Honey Farm into Scotland. I covered just over 37 miles and the last 6 miles or so was a steady incline into head wind. I have to admit I was starting to suffer in both knees and wondered whether I could make it back. I did of course and decided whether I now need to rest and save up energy for the 63 miler coming up.

I have since adjusted my seat height in case this was the cause of my knee problems. However a visit to the Chiropractor on Monday will hopefully sort me out!

The best experience yet!

What a fantastic weekend with friends .... 133 miles from Melrose to my home in Bedlington. The winter training paid off as I was able to complete longer distances each day than I had ever ridden before. Cycling with experienced long distance riders taught me how to pace a long ride. When I ride on my own, I tend to keep going but stopping at Kelso and Coldstream on route for relaxing socialising, drinks and food (of course)not only made the ride more pleasant and relaxing but gave the opportunity to recoup energy.

The first day from Melrose to Swinton by car is about 24 miles but we cycled 40! The scenery was outstanding and the route was mainly on country lanes and through villages.

Day two was the longest stretch cycling through Berwick and down the coast eventually reaching Embleton on the National Cycle Route 1. 53.5 miles of tarmac, gravel, farm tracks and footpaths! On route we stopped at the Chainbridge Honey Farm and had coffee in an old 'London style' bus. The route travelled through Berwick and then followed the coastline. The coffee shop at Beal was also a welcoming break and with the outstanding coastal view to Holy Island (worth a visit).

I was worried about day three as I thought I would be really tired by this point. Actually I felt great once we got going. The wind was in our favour. With the bitterly cold North Easterly wind, it was pushing me along! Cyclist who were cycling North had a really tough time and if I had to battle with the wind as they did, my story would have been quite different! Day three was 39.5 miles and I can't really explain how I felt when I put the key in my front door and arrived home. It took me a while to comprehend that I had just cycled 133 miles from Scotland to home. In a way it felt as if I had just completed a usual circular training route that day but then it sank in that actually .... I am ready for the BIG ONE!!!

Next ..... 63 mile Northern Rock Cyclone Challenge in the Northumberland hills ...

Great 32 mile on Saturday!

The weather was perfect ..... no wind, not too hot and the sun came out!
This ride took me along Route 1 along the Coast and what a wonderful coastline we have in the North East. I took many photographs along the way as I was overwhelmed with the lovely scenery. You miss all this when driving a car ..... cycling is a thrilling way to see the countryside you would not usually see.
This weekend coming 1-3 May, is the Melrose in Scotland to Whitley Bay cycle ride with friends. This will be a good test of my strength and endurance ready for the big one in July. We are proposing to cycle approximately 40 miles a day for three days. I'll report on the ride next week ...