Actual Rides - 1 x 33
1 x 50
1 x 53 (with Debbie)
1 x 80 (with Ian)
Following a lovely ride with Debbie on Friday, I had a fabulous offer I couldn't pass on for Sunday, despite it being Bob's birthday! My friend Ian and his wife take their son to the Sage, Gateshead on a Sunday, and they offered to take our bikes over, so Ian and I could then cycle home via the Hadrian's Cycleway. It was a lovely route - fairly flat following the river Tyne for the first section, then up and over the Pennines, following the route of Hadrian's Wall, then down into Brampton and Carlisle before the climb back home. We ended up doing almost exactly 80 miles, with ascents totalling around 3500ft, and keeping up an impressive (for me!) average speed of 11.5 mph. A great route, great company, and just the right kind of training ride I need at this stage - I can't thank you enough, Ian!
Up to now, I've been lucky enough to manage most of my rides in the dry, but I've been keen to test my waterproofs, and my confidence in handling the bike in the wet. Today was the day! Many lessons learned, and I know I need better gloves now! Despite the weather, the hills and the distance, I've not uttered a swear-word all day, and now I'm home, dry, and have a glass in my hand, I feel fine (but I'll sleep tonight!). A really 'Grand Day Out', and a fantastic morale-booster. I feel ready to go now!
www.justgiving.com/JanesBigTrip
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| Leaving the Sage, Gateshead |
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| The cycle path along the Tyne |
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| Trying to keep dry at lunch in Haltwhistle |
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| Passing by Birdoswald Fort on Hadrian's Wall |
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| The sign in the window should say 'scoffin in the rain'! Check out Ian's helmet hair!! |
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| A lovely morning with Debbie on Friday |
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