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!

I am fed up with the cold, the rain, the snow, the frost, the ice .... when is it going to stop! I managed to get out on the bike on Sunday afternoon but only 7 miles to the shops and back again. So ...... it is the gym everyday this week on the rowing machine to warm up then on the exercise bike for 20 minutes of hard cycling to improve my cardio vascular. The next time you are at the gym, try this ..... 1 minute at 40 rpm, 45 seconds at 80 rpm and then 15 seconds as fast as you can. Do that routine 10 times! I started on level 2 resistance in November and I am now at level 4. In addition I am working with weights on my legs, shoulders, arms and the core muscles too.

With the days growing longer, I am definitely out on the bike within the next few weeks and the next event in June is the Northern Rock Cyclone Challenge and this time I am doing the 60 mile route in Northumberland as my final long distance ride before the real thing in July. For more information on this event click on the following link.

http://www.northernrockcyclone.com/CycloneChallenge.asp

Oh .... by the way, my charity ride is starting around 12 July!