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!

It hasn't stopped snowing this year ....

Isn't this weather amazing! I haven't been able to go out on the bike for weeks and try out my new Garmin bike sat nav. Actually, that is not quite true. Today, I went out for a walk with my Ventus route logger, my digital camera and the Garmin sat nav. Amazing devices!

I plotted my route using mapping software on my laptop and I then exported the route to the Garmin. The Garmin guided me whilst the Ventus route logger recorded the walk. At the same time I took photographs during the walk.

The amazing aspect of all this is that I downloaded the data on the Ventus route logger to my laptop, attached all the photographs to the data and it then plots the route on a map and shows the pictures at the various points during the walk.

Amazing technology don't you think? I'll be using this technology on my charity cycle ride!

Is the weather a reason or an excuse not to train?

With the poor weather and the festivities, it is not surprising that the motivation to continue training has diminished somewhat. I did however go out for a brisk walk today and enjoyed the deep snow which fell over night and continued today. I took some photos....

I can't wait to get out again on the bike - I have two amazing devices I am desperate to try! Santa (alias my husband Roy) bought me a Ventus Route Logger and a Garmin Edge 605. The Garmin tells me where to go and the Route Logger tells me where I have been! Both devices will be an essential tool on the bike challenge.

I'll be trialling these devices to get fully accustomed to how they work. The training will recommence now that the festivities are over ....

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!