Despite the bad weather .....

Despite the bad weather on Sunday 29 November, I cycled a 20 mile circular route just to prove that I can beat the rain and wind. I cycled from my home to Morpeth, attended the church service, had a cup of tea and then continued through Pegswood, Ashington and then back home to Bedlington. To say the least, I was tired but it is all part of the training!

I have discovered some amazing software which plots the route, makes a route card and shows me the profile of the terrain. I am hoping Santa will bring me a Garmin Edge 605 which is a cyclist sat nav system which clips to the handlebars. This will be even better!

The picture shows the terrain on my 20 mile circular route .... I think I am getting fitter as the hills don't bother me so much. However .... please help me with a decision .... do I cycle down the middle of the country taking the most direct route and tackle hills around Yorkshire or do I follow a flatter route along the East coast but cycle more miles? Let me know what you think ... what would you do?

Bad weather means a session in the gym

Cycling in the gym is not exactly the same as actually going out for a ride. However, the weather is so wet and windy, I'd rather do a workout than battle with the wind and the rain. I know I may have to tackle this sort of weather during the ride but I'll wait until the spring when it won't be so cold!

Chris Bunten, the Gym Manager and Sports & Fitness Coach has devised an excellent workout to improve my cardio vascular in preparation of the ride to London. I've only been going to the gym for a few weeks and already I feel much more fit and energised. In fact, I get quite grumpy when I can't get out on my bike!

I know tomorrow's weather will be worse so I'll do some other form of workout - may be some pilates to work on my core muscles..... or perhaps spend some time on the Wii Fit and have some fun!

Weekly cycle ride took me to Druridge Bay in Northumberland

On Sunday 15 November, the weather being dry and sunny, I took to Route 1 on the National Cycle Path heading north and 13.5 miles later I arrived at Druridge Bay in Northumberland. This was an easy ride which took one hour.

What I did not realise on the way was that the tail wind was obviously making the ride easy. When I decided to return home heading back south, the wind was so strong that I struggled to do more than 10 mile an hour!

Next time, I'll check on the wind direction before I embark on another ride! Meanwhile, here is a picture of Druridge Bay - what a fantastic coastline!