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 ...
