27.33 miles, 2800ft

Started off August the way I intend to go on.....

BOOM.

Nooooooooooo

I couldn't do it. I didn't make the 100 mile target.

My plan of doing more short rides is all well and good but when it comes to the 100 mile target I need to throw in one or two 30 mile+ rides per month.

Lesson learned.

On the plus side I did A LOT of pilates, walking and zumba in July so I won't be too hard on myself regarding July's cycling miles (78).

I dont want a repeat in August though so St John's Chapel (and possibly further if its not raining) is calling my name.

I have still done some great rides in July (particular favourite was the first ride up to the local reservoir). Here's to more of the same in August!

Kimberley

A trip to the reservoir...

On Sunday I went to my usual Pilates class to stretch out the muscles and push my self to get a stronger core. 

After the class I felt like taking a bike ride whilst my energy was up & it was a lovely day. Nice and sunny and warm. 

I took a new route up to the local reservoir and it was glorious. It's only an 8 mile round trip from my house but it's hilly & a challenging ride. I actually had to get off on the final hill and walk but I think that was because I had already done Pilates. I always worried about the short steep hills on the way up to the reservoir so I'd never attempted it on bike before. 

I made it up there in 25 minutes which was impressive I thought. I sat with the bike beside me at the side of the water for a long time. Looking at the geese and fishermen out on their boats. It was the most beautiful moment I've had with my bike so far. 

A good strategy...

I'm enjoying my new strategy - short rides every day or every other day.

In previous months I have relied on my longer bike rides to build up the miles. The problem with that was that I was only riding once or twice a week on average.

Now that I am riding often I feel stronger - it is really helping to improve my strength but is also helping to keep the momentum going. When I get on the bike at present the only pain I feel is a sore bum but once I get into the ride that doesn't matter. All I can think about is how strong I feel.

Still feels like a chore to put the effort in after a long day at work but once I'm out there I feel great.

Here's to short rides. Short but often - my new strategy.

Kimberley

Rogelli.

Calculator you surprise me

I have added it up and I have cycled 473.34 miles since 18th January this year.

Wow!

I posted this on instagram last night: "Hard ride in the rain. I am determined to keep going. Whatever life throws at you. Keep going. At your low point. Keep going. Without makeup. Without worry. Without anyone else. Just ride."

Slow and steady wins the race?

I have cycled 29.9 miles in July. This month is a struggle - for the first time since I started in January I honestly don't want to go out. At present the thought of a 28 mile ride to S J Chapel and back seems like a nightmare.

I have been doing a lot of other exercise lately - pilates and zumba and a lot of gardening - so my body is tired all of the time - perhaps that explains my present attitude to the bike.

I have decided to push through this bump in the road (ha!) and keep on cycling. It doesn't have to be a 30 mile ride - any ride will do. I have given myself a 10 mile rule. Do 10 miles then go and rest. If I do plenty of shorter rides I can still manage 100 this month.

Perhaps later in the month I will feel energetic and will get out into the Dale - given that this is the perfect time of year with good weather (usually) and light nights.

For now I am taking min. 10 mile rides every other day (usually the same 11-12 mile route).

Tour De France has been great watching and has provided a lot of much need inspiration. IAM cycling team pushing through and getting 6th in the 9th stage really inspired me. The Guardian reports that the IAM team "surprised everyone" by finishing 6th. That might be the case but they delighted me - good on them. Love a dark horse. I too feel like a dark horse. Most of the cyclists I pass (90% or more) are men. They mostly ride in pairs or groups. They have better bikes than me (I see a lot of carbon frames flying by). They have better gear than me. They ALL take over me. I WILL KEEP GOING THOUGH. Just like IAM - I will push through and hope to surprise no one other than myself.

                               
                                                                  Look at them go!

I have decided it is high time I get myself into a nice looking jersey so this morning I bought this little beauty:

Men's jerseys are the only ones long enough for me (being 5"11). Also hoping that in buying a bigger size than I need that I will be able to fit my chest into the jersey. I have one women's jersey and it is too short and must be designed for women without breasts. I hope this one fits!

Ah the woes of a tall female cyclist.

Going out in the rain tonight for 12 miles.

Must. Keep. Going.

A cure like no other

Medication, change of diet, exercising more, reading a book...these are all good cures when you're feeling a bit low.

Other than music though the only thing that makes me feel better is getting out on my bike.

The freedom and silence soothes my soul.

Tonight a bike ride will be just the right thing.

Glastonbury..

I've just got back from Glastonbury festival and it was one of the most insane experiences of my life. It was brilliant but it was truly insane. I am so tired. I think I might be tired for the rest of the month!

There were around 175,000 people there. Massive crowds all day and all night wherever you wanted to go and still I saw some people getting around by bike! I don't know what is worse - walking so far in welly boots or cycling extremely slowly weaving in and out of huge crowds. I think maybe cycling in crowds is worse.

In June, due to my bike being off the road and my being away down south for a week, I have only managed to cycle 50 miles :(

That is half of what I usually do.

July is a lot quieter so I'm getting back out on my lovely Emilio tonight to give him a spin and a warm up for plenty of rides in July.

I'm currently reading Rendell's  'The Death of Marco Pantani'

It's both inspiring and terrifying.

Here is my public pledge to cycle 100 miles in July. I think it's also time I should be getting up to Killhope to check out those famous hills.

Now that it is on here I WILL do it.

Kimberley

I'm getting there...

Since I've started cycling I've lost 9lbs and I've definitely gained some muscle! 

Reunited and it feels so good...

I have my bike back! It's been in for its service and repairs and I took it out on Saturday morning for a spin - 27.3 miles and a trip to St John's Chapel later I came back thrilled to bits. I was thrilled to have my bike back but also thrilled at how it felt - the brakes were better - the gear change was smoother - it was the best ride in ages.

Also good was the fact that the dreaded St John's Chapel ride is starting to feel easier. I have done it six times now. I think that my ride into work last week (and up the ridiculously steep hills out of Weardale) has really put things into perspective for me. This weekend the ride was definitely easier.

I am taking part in the National Bike Challenge with my employer - they are getting staff to sign up to do at least one bike ride (at least 10 minutes long). It is a competition to get more people cycling with some great prizes for the organisation that gets the most people on their bikes!

I've signed up and have challenged colleagues to do the same!

Why not check if your employer is taking part here

I'm spreading the word throughout my small corner of the University :)

Hoping for some nice weather this week for a nice ride to Stanhope after work.

Happy cycling to all

Kimberley

Some recent cycling pictures!

The second ride is the hardest.

As I mentioned in my last post I planned a last minute cycle to work and back in aid of World Environment Day and to raise money for the charity Mind. This is how it went...

When I woke up at 06.15 I rushed to the window to see what the weather was like - I had been watching the wind forecast all week. To my delight it was sunny and the trees stood tall and still. I had prepared everything the previous night but could not find my water bottles anywhere...I ended up taking my niece and nephew's sippy cups! I was embarassed initially but at the top of the first hill I couldn't have cared less.

So, the first hill, the one I dreaded, 828ft above sea level. Hell. I am not ashamed to tell you that it took me nearly thirty minutes to get from my house to the top of this hill. The reason I am not ashamed is because that hill would test even the best and strongest amateur riders. I stopped several times - there were moments where I thought - it's so steep how on earth am I going to even move forward once I've stopped. Somehow I just did.

The second hill into Tow Law, 1035ft above sea level. Hell. I nearly cried on this one since it was so soon after the first. The rest of the ride in was downhill until the very last mile. There was one final hill to tackle but it was only 567ft up so it felt easy compared to the monsters that had come before it.

I got to work very pleased with myself, £243.75 raised for charity, one less car on the road that day. Everyone joked that I had made it and the way back would be a breeze. I even thought it might not be too bad.

It was.

It was bad.

Very bad.

A 35mph gust appeared from nowhere around lunch and it was blowing right in my direction on the way home. Usually I would just try my best and ride into it as best I could but I was so tired from the morning. I had been so concerned about getting up the hills out of Wolsingham and into Tow Law in the morning that I had completely neglected to think about the route home.

The hills on the way back were long and gruelling, I was running out of energy and my legs were on fire. I did it though. Goodness knows it was worth it for the money raised and because I now know that I am capable of climbing hills like that! So I'm really pleased that I did it.

I broke a spoke on the way down the hill - thank goodness it was near my house when it happened.

I tried to fix it and I have made it worse so it is going to the mechanic on Friday - putting it in for a full service whilst I'm on with it since I haven't had it looked at or serviced yet by anyone.

I can't wait to get back out on the road on Saturday morning :)

Kimberley

Cycling for charity

Hi,

This Friday I will be cycling to and from home to work in honour of World Environment Day.

I am also raising money for the mental health charity Mind.

This ride is a big challenge for me. It is the first time I will have cycled up the extremely steep hill out of Wolsingham into Tow Law. Once I make it up the first hill there is another (less long but just as steep) hill soon after. The route is 11.7 miles each way so it's not an incredibly long distance but its a very challenging ride all the same.

If you would like to donate to these causes then I would be extremely grateful for your support

In many ways I've been training for this since January. I'm very happy to be combining cycling with great causes. Bring on the hills!

Kimberley

Withdrawal symptoms and pilates for cycling

I have not been on my bike in 25 days. The first two weeks were OK because I was on holiday and could not take my bike with me. I did cycle in the gym as I have mentioned but that is not the same.

On the last day of my holiday I really screwed my back up and it is still not 100%. Luckily it is much better but I don't want to set it back by going back on the bike too soon. No zumba this week for me either.

Although I did a lot of gym cycling whilst on holiday I am starting to feel sluggish and less happy. I think it is because I'm not getting out on the bike.

In an effort to distract myself from bike withdrawal I have been looking into getting some new sportswear for zumba and it spiraled out of control and I have basically enrolled onto a pilates class. This all happened before 9am. I have a lovely funky new outfit on its way (including a sports bra for the bustier woman ;) from Fabletics). My first pilates class is 10am on Sunday morning. I'm really looking forward to it.

Then I happened upon this article article 

So whilst I am not new to cycling I was pleased to read some advice from a pro and even more pleased to see that Pendleton's 6th tip for cycling is supporting your hard work with an activity like pilates! Woop!

Victoria says:

“I think Pilates is really good. Yoga is great, but it’s quite hard work if you’re not someone who is really into that holistic kind of approach. You have to buy into yoga in some way, both spiritually and physically. I think Pilates is great – I did Pilates towards the end of my career to manage my core stability and back pain from wear and tear and a long time spent hunched over a bike, and I found it really helpful.

“Matt Pilates, reformer Pilates… I just bought myself a reformer for my garage gym, which makes me super happy. Pilates is excellent because it’s a really important to have a strong back and core and support throughout your midsection so you don’t get achy shoulders, back, and pelvis, so yeah, Pilates is key.”

I have found a class in my village and I hope that pilates helps to stretch out my thigh muscles and also stretch and strengthen my back to avoid another stint off the bike.

So I've got cycling at least twice a week, zumba and pilates once a week - or I will have as soon as this back of mine is fixed.

Kimberley  

A week in the desert - a week in the gym

I have spent the past week in Dubai.

In a gym.

On an exercise bike.

OK, so maybe not the entire week in the gym, I did an hour a day, 15 miles average per hour which I was happy with.

Exercise bikes are incredibly dull. Especially out there in the immense heat with air conditioned gyms and a view of the desert.

I was amazed to drive by a 'Cycle Hub' shop in Motor City. Even more amazed to see some people (not many, maybe 3 or 4 the whole week I was there) out cycling. Two of them were in the early morning and two were in the middle of the day. It was 45c that day. Kudos to them!

So I got 75 miles done but its just not the same. When I got back to my bike I actually gave it a hug. Don't care who knows it either. I love that bike!

Can't wait to get back on it this week.

Kimberley

Blazing saddles.

Several years ago, as you'll know if you have read this blog from the beggining, I lived in the lovely city of Torino in the North of Italy. I still maintain that my love of cycling was born in Turin because (as described at length in my first post!) that is where I got my first bike as an adult, saw the Giro D'Italia and spent countless hours cycling around the city. It was also where I first heard of a remarkable man named Gino Bartali.

  

Bartali won the Giro three times in his career and the Tour De France once. Bartali's feat of winning three consecutive mountain stages (13, 14 and 15) in the 1948 Tour de France has never been equaled. If that wasn't enough reason to fall in love with someone then know this: during World War II Bartali used his fame as a cyclist as a cover to deliver messages and documents in order to save Jewish people. Pretending to train, he would ride miles and miles to take documents back and forth and also is said to have hidden a Jewish family in his cellar. What a man.

 

For anyone interested I would strongly recommend reading Road to Valour or if you're up for an emotional rollercoaster you should watch the Rai Television TV adaptation 'Bartali - L'Intramontabile' (Bartali - Timeless) although I can't find it anywhere with English subtitles. It does star Pierfrancesco Favino as Bartali - and there are a lot of action shots of Pierfrancesco riding - and what a sight that is - highly recommended even if you do not speak Italian. It's worth it for Favino and his thighs. Anyway.

 

Here's a small taste of the glory

                                           

The reason I have been thinking about Bartali, other than just because he was brilliant, is because I think I have started to enjoy cycling up hills. I am not sure that I can explain exactly how this strange development has come about but there's a real difference now when I'm on a hill. I stay in the saddle, just like our man Bartali who often stayed in the saddle throughout a 15km climb. Now, I don't think I would like (or be able) to take on a 15km climb, and if I did I am sure I would not enjoy it. Small, steep climbs are great fun though. The sense of achievement at the top of the hill is unlike anything I have felt before. Nice that I am riding the same route as when I first started so I can feel the difference on each bit of the route - I can remember struggling to get out of the Dale and now that feels like one of the easier bits (between Wolsingham and Frosterley).

Cycling is just very good for me. I have noticed a change in my physique - my thighs are very toned and I'm losing weight steadily. I have noticed that my confidence on the bike has gone up; not only do I feel better going uphill but I am less scared of the downhill and am less likely to have the brakes firmly on when I'm descending. This is because I feel like I know the bike better and that I am in control.

                                                       

So it's all good. I shall continue to channel my inner Bartali and I shall be the Queen of the Mountains (well, hills).

Kimberley

A secret path & the day I cycled 30 miles on Kendal Mint Cake

Hi there,

Been a while since I have posted. I have been cycling a lot and travelling around a lot. Hence the lack of posts. 

The great news is that I have smashed my cycling targets already and have cycled just under 200 miles so far since 16th January which is a huge achievement. 

I mentioned a while ago that I went to a Cycle Maintenance class at Evans cycles at the Metro Centre. It was a great class, only one other student who was also a novice, and we were both interested in the same things - punctures, brakes, cleaning the chain etc. We were both given an Muc Off Rider Kit  which is a good set (especially when included in the cost of the class!). 

I like the muc-off standard bike wash well enough but the drivechain cleaner is really good. You do have to use quite a lot of it in one cleaning but it's very effective (especially on the cassette).  

So the best thing about this time of year is that I can finally go out on my bike after work - which makes a huge difference to the week. I think doing shorter rides more often will help me to maintain a good level of fitness and take the pressure off of the weekend rides.

I had the most beautiful ride up into Weardale on Easter Monday. It was a warm day (about 16-17c) and it was bright sunshine, I got up and out at 8am and had three wonderful hours on the bike. Loved it. I was given some Kendal Mint Cake and that works an absolute treat in combination with ice cold water. A great 30 mile ride was had. I had lost my gloves so that wasn't ideal but overall a great ride - the hills couldn't slow me and it was my fastest ride yet!

I met a fellow cyclist at work who told me about a secret path that runs parallel to the A689 and avoids some of the worst bends on that road. It's a one track lane right beside the river and its glorious. Made my rides even better. There are a few very steep but short hills on that section of path as well which is good to keep my hill game up.

Not much else to report other than that I still love my bike and it still loves me.

Kimberley 

Go to Lidl today...

Lidl have cycling stuff in shops today.

I highly recommend going down to your local shop & grabbing a bargain. 

I have been down & bought a foot pump (which is amazing for £4.99) - I'm finally getting my tyres up to 100 PSI. 

I also bought a jacket - quite nice & a good fit - for £11.99 

Finally I bought a phone holder - it was £5.99 - I've seen them in cycling shops for at least double the Lidl price. It's a perfect fit for my iPhone 6. I use my RunKeeper and Strava & usually put the phone in the saddle bag but that makes me nervous that it'll fall out etc. 

It was very busy around the bike section this morning so go quickly!

Kimberley 

Is it always windy in Weardale?

I have become obsessed with the Met Office website. I can't stop thinking about/checking the wind speed forecast. I'm seeing wind direction diagrams in my sleep.

 

 

On Sunday I went out for a ride but turned back after Frosterley as I felt there was a genuine possibility that I was going to be blown into a field.

I monitored the weather and Tuesday didn't look too bad wind wise. It turned out to be a lovely sunny (and quite mild) day so my lovely boss allowed me to take a rare last minute afternoon off to get some cycling done! :)

Even though the wind speed & gusts were less than half that of Sunday it was STILL windy out there. I battled through anyway inspired by this quote from the Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett:

"She made herself stronger by fighting with the wind"

Fight I did and I made it back up to Saint John's Chapel :)

Another 27 miles in the bag, 113 miles this year so far. I am thinking I should invest in some proper clippy shoes since my foot slipped a few times on the up and down hills so I'm just going to get some and see what all the fuss is about.

Need to improve my game, was speaking to a cyclist in the pub on Friday night, he cycles every day, usually up into Bollihope/Hill End (!!) with his wife. They are both in their 70s and go on cycling holidays to Lanzarote every year. Inspiring stuff.

Kimberley

Germany get's it.

Just back from Frankfurt - hence the lack of posts.

I was out in the beautiful Rhein Valley wine growing area for work and had some time to kill in Frankfurt towards the end of the trip.

The first thing I noticed about cycling in Germany is that it seems to be more commonplace than here in the UK - I think that is the case in many European countries but I can't remember ever seeing staff inside airports getting around by bike! That's the first thing I saw on entering Frankfurt airport - a security guard going by on a bike (papped below).

Out in the Rhein there is plenty of opportunity for cycling. Wide paths running parallel to the Rhein, quiet (and beautifully surfaced unlike County Durham) country roads and little villages were calling my name as I rode by in a taxi.

Frankfurt was great though. First things first - the cycle paths were nice and wide and I did not see a single car or van parked or driving over them!

You may not be able to tell from these pictures but these paths were huge! Very jealous of Frankfurt's cyclists.

(I think this means go slowly as this was found in a busy city centre square) 

I would like to go back to Germany with my bike. I like that every thing is a bike rack too:

I would say that Antwerp is my favourite European cycling city - closely followed by Frankfurt however I'll need another trip and actually get on the bike to test it out to be sure! One thing's for sure, from what I've seen, Germany get's it.

Because of my trip I haven't been out on the bike for two weeks! I would go out today but am listening to the weather forecast (and the wind battering the house right now!) and there's no way I can go out in this weather (50mph gusts - not good!). Tomorrow is looking good though weather wise - wonder how far I can get :)

Queen of the mountains & the infinite cold.

Yesterday I went out on the bike as soon as I woke up. It was cold and very windy but sunny.

                                 

It was a gruelling ride battling against the wind. I found myself in easy gears on flat parts of the road just to try and counteract the wind. I didn't need to use the brakes much on downhill as the elements acted as a natural braking system! 

I don't think I have ever felt so cold but my goodness it was beautiful out there. No matter how cold though or how my legs hurt I kept on going. 

                                

I stopped often and wanted to give up so many times - I even considered calling home for a lift back in the car. I couldn't do it though - something possesed my entire being and I managed to cycle all the way to St John's Chapel! It was a 27 mile / 44km return trip and it was bloody awful I must admit but it was the most amazing feeling of accomplishment at the same time. 

                                

I stopped at the side of an extremely busy bit of road and just as the last lorry had flown by I heard a noise behind me - turned around to find about 15 rabbits all sitting looking at me! One in particular stayed for a while and just looked on - probably thinking - what on earth is that girl doing cycling up the Dale in THIS weather. 

                               

I know that for so many people, most people probably, this will not sound like much of an achievement but for me this is huge. I hated PE in school and had no interest in taking part in any sport between the ages of about 14-22. It took absolutely everything that I had to get that far yesterday so let me just say WELL DONE to myself :) 

This has made me think two things: one I'm more capable than I thought I was. Two - now I have to think of somewhere farther to get to! I definitely need to do several more rides up to SJC as that was a struggle yesterday but since I've made it there (in such extreme weather as well) then I have to rethink the goal. 

I'm tempted to sign up for the 30 mile sportive that I had mentioned on here before - haven't committed to it yet as I'm still not convinced I'll be able to take on Crawleyside Bank. 

A few things I've learned:

1. wearing two pairs of cycling shorts on a long ride is essential 

2. wear proper padded cycling gloves at all times if you value your hands  

3. if the weather forecast is for wind then perhaps rethink cycling very far that day 

4. cycling is the best thing ever 

As soon as I got home yesterday I bought a pair of bib shorts since my back was frozen for hours after my ride - I'm thinking that they'll solve that problem? 

                                

This photograph in no way captures the length of this incline or the bitter cold wind but it does capture at least a bit of the stunning scenery. 

I'm lucky I live here. I'm very lucky to have such a great bike (thanks to you who recommended it to me) and I'm even more lucky to think that I have the spring and summer ahead of me to get in even more rides (and since I've made it to SJC - ever farther rides!). 

I look forward to sharing those stories on here and leave you with the post ride celebrations: 

                                

                                

My week in cycling...

It's been a busy week.

At the weekend I got in 6.72 miles (to Frosterley and back from my house) on Saturday and then 15.31 miles on Sunday.

Sunday was my farthest, fastest, highest and longest ride to date. I made it to the other side of Stanhope and happily saw my first road sign for St John's Chapel! I had been approaching longer rides in the wrong way I think, I was only stopping once I had reached my destination and not giving my legs enough of a rest or drinking enough. It's amazing the difference it makes to have a little break on the odd hill and get some water down you and give your legs a moment. Makes the hill significantly easier I think.

On Sunday morning I attended the Fixit! class at Evans but I'm going to do a separate post about that.

It occurred to me, half way up a hill somewhere outside of Stanhope, that I actually haven't been as far up the Dale as I was in at that point, in over ten years. I think the last time I was there was when I was at sixth form!

Last night I decided to go on an reconnaissance mission into the wilds (mainly to find out how many hills I have to face between Stanhope and St John's Chapel). The answer is that there are a fair few hills! It's easy to forget how tough they will be on the bike when you're in your nice warm car. The road to St John's Chapel actually didn't scare me too much and there is a nice little cafe on the corner in the market place that I will definitely call in to for a victory hot chocolate (if I ever make it up there that is!).

The real shocker was definitely the road between St John's Chapel and Killhope. Ouch. I can't believe people cycle up there and that I might even be able to do it by the end of this summer.

I have had quite a few aches and pains this week (getting old) due to my epic cycle (epic by my standards) this weekend.

Tomorrow the forecast is 7-8c and sunny for Saturday with snow and gales on Sunday.

With that in mind I have my RunKeeper and Strava apps set to automatic pause, I have my water chilling in the fridge, I have cereal bars on hand and I'm going to go as far as I possibly can tomorrow. Been stuck in the office all week and I can't wait to feel the breeze around my hair and that familiar ache in my legs! Bring it on.

Kimberley

Friday anticipation...

Hi (anyone?)

I had a very nice time checking out the Cycle Hub in Newcastle this week...

First thing about the hub is it's great location down the Quayside in Newcastle - great views...

There is a bike shop, repairs area and cycle hire. There's a little cafe (lovely tea!), some nice bikes on display and some cycling prints for sale not to mention shelves full of information on cycling holidays, local events and all sorts.

If you're in the North East you ought to check it out. I still feel like a cycling imposter - especially when I read about cycling holidays that people take - don't fancy a ride up Mont Ventoux on my holiday but each to their own.

Tomorrow is going to be very busy so I'm going to get out extra early on the (now fixed) bike. I did have a dilemma mid week because I got the puncture sorted but then I couldn't get the wheel back on! It's a bit tricky getting around the derailleur.

Hopefully my Sunday morning maintenance class will prep me a bit for the next puncture - I'll let you know how it goes!

I don't know anything about bikes

I chickened out of fixing the puncture myself  (I did try to get the tyre off so that I could assess the damage but I couldn't get it to budge without levers) and took the wheel over to Infinity cycles in Durham this lunchtime.

It's fixed now and I have equipped myself with:

• two spare inner tubes
• three tyre levers 
• a puncture repair kit

Since I had such an issue getting the pocket rocket pump (ha ha) to fix onto the presta I have decided that I'm going to carry the pump that I actually can use in case I get caught in any road side puncture dilemmas again. I have a saddle bag on the way and will take the above kit with me wherever I go.

This whole episode has shown me how much I love and enjoy cycling - I am STILL disappointed that I couldn't get a proper ride in on Sunday and I went to the bike shop as soon as I could physically get there to fix it all to ensure that I am definitely able to get out first thing on Saturday.

It has also shown me how little I actually know about bikes. So in an effort to learn the basics I spent the last half hour before bed last night reading this Essential Pre Ride Checks  . I panicked for a good 15 minutes and began the search for nearby cycle maintenance courses.

I need to learn how to fix the bike by myself - I can't rely upon kind hearted cyclists stopping to help me each time that I get a puncture!

Tomorrow I have an afternoon off of work and I'm going to go and check out the The Cycle Hub in Gateshead.

Sunday morning will be spent in a FixIt! cycle maintenance class at Evans Cycles at the Metrocentre.

Yesterday at work I dropped my bag and an inner tube and some perfume fell out. I thought that was quite funny. I've changed.   

Cyclists are lovely.

Hi again,

I've had a bit of a disaster this morning.

It's a stunning day in Weardale its very sunny and feels quite mild. I wanted to get up to Stanhope again today but that didn't happen.

Just outside of Wolsingham I got a flat tire - I pulled onto the verge and tried to pump it back up - I have a topeak pocket rocket mini pump (te hee) and I stupidly have not had any trial runs using it - I don't know whether it was me being stupid/inexperienced or whether it was because I was in a bit of a panic but I had such an issue getting the pump to fix onto the presta that I had just about given up when a kind cyclist who happened to be driving past stopped to help me out :)

I had a bit of an audience while trying to fix it...

I am very grateful to Dave who, on successfully getting the pump onto the valve, determined that it was definitely punctured and promptly gave me a lift back to Wolsingham! What a hero! Thank you thank you thank you to that man!

I feel really disappointed that I was not able to get the ride to Stanhope done - I don't have enough time today to fix the tire and get back out on the road because I have an awful lot of work to do for a course for my job. So it will have to wait. I have never (ever) been this disappointed that I have no choice and cannot go and exercise.

My next dilemma is that as a child my brother or my dad always fixed my bike for me, when in Turin my fiancé fixed eveything for me, and it will sound silly but I don't actually know how to fix a puncture. I have a rough idea though from watching them so I'm going to give it a go - thats if I can ever get the tire off! Tough isn't it?

I've had to leave it for now to get this work done but I'll try getting the tyre off later to assess the damage.

On the plus side there were a handful of cyclists out today and every single one of them said hello to me. Between that and Dave the hero I have come to the conclusion that all cyclists are lovely.

Kimberley

On the road again

The weather was so lovely in Durham today - sunny and about 7c - perfect for a ride up the Dale. This was my first ride since Sunday because I've been at work all week and I'm still not keen on riding at night - by the time I get home it's too dark to get out. I've definitely noticed a change so hopefully it won't be long until I can get out on one or two week nights a week as well.

Standard ride to Frosterley done this afternoon - and in my fastest time yet! It gets easier every time I go out!! 

I got out the mountain bike today just as a comparison - it's a nice bike but those gears! The weight of it was a shock as well compared to the Secteur. 

I saw an advert this week for the Roof of England Sportive this August. There are 30, 50 or 90 mile routes. I'm thinking about signing up as then I'll have a concrete goal to work towards. 

I've noticed that when I'm out on the bike most cyclists give you a little wave or a nod which is nice - lovely bunch! 

I'm aiming to get out for longer ride tomorrow - to Stanhope - hopefully a little further too. 

Kimberley 

My new fear.

I am scared of pedals.

I realise that so far on this blog I have written about quite a few things that I am scared of; wind, 60mph roads, hills. I am adding pedals to the list. It will take me a long time before I am able to use these horrible things confidently...

A realisation.

It looks as though I may be closer to my goal than I realised.

My usual route took me from my house in Wolsingham to Frosterley (approx 7.5 miles return trip) and I have to admit that the first few rides were torture. I had sore legs, was getting blown all over the place, I was scared of the traffic flying by at 60mph, I was short of breath at certain parts of the route and the hills. Oh the hills. They're deadly because they're mostly not too steep (between Wolsingham and Frosterley) they just feel like they never end! They are much easier now that I've got more miles done though.

I did the Wolsingham-Frosterley route about 10-12 times, I always stopped at Frosterley since that's as far as I could make it on the old mountain bike before I'd give up the will to live and turn around.

My first few rides on the Specialized were just as difficult as I had not mastered the gears (at all) and I was a little bit worried about the new riding position. It took me one whole ride to discover the best place to rest your hands in order to easily reach the brakes! I have earned some impressive bruises so far..

Anyway so I pushed on through Frosterley last week and although I had driven through the village many times before I felt as if I had never been there in my life. It was entirely new to me and I couldn't help but feel a massive triumph over this new territory. I was so happy. I was a cycling deity. Queen of the road. I was Gino Bartali winning his third Giro D'Italia in 1946. I had made it further than I ever had before and I wanted more.

This was a major achievement for me. Distance wise it is no great shakes (at all) but something just clicked and I knew that I wanted to keep on doing this as often as possible. That was the moment that I fell in love with cycling.

Since that ride (which was only a week ago now) I have added on a little bit each time. On Saturday I went my usual route but pushed a little further into Frosterley.

On Sunday I woke up and although it was very cold and windy outside I decided I wanted to make use of the light so I went out again. This time I pushed straight through Frosterley and decided I wanted to try and get half way to Stanhope.

The half way point is beautiful, down to the left of this picture is the River Wear, to the right a field :)

I am still stunned but I actually made it all the way to Stanhope.

Since I made it to Stanhope without too much difficulty I'm thinking I'll probably get to St John's Chapel at some point and it may be sooner than later - if I do then I'll review the goal - but I don't want to jinx myself by getting too confident too soon!

It was a beautiful sunny day in Durham today - there is more snow expected overnight but I will get out on my bike this weekend - hopefully on both Saturday and Sunday - and hopefully to at least Stanhope again if not further.

Can I take a moment to appreciate cyclists the world over - it's harder than it looks!

Kimberley

Then there was Weardale

So...

Last time I was talking about my previous adventures on two wheels. This time, still on two wheels, I'm bringing things up to date.

When I decided on that fateful Sunday in August 2014 that I fancied a bike ride I was actually hungover following a friends hen party, I decided the mountain bike was the best bet, since my supermarket town bike had two flats.

Considering that the mountain bike is too small for me and is actually not fully functioning (it only has two working gears) I am very proud that I was able to go as far and as fast as I did. I had not cycled at that point in nearly three years and I was not the most fit I had ever been - buying my first car in April 2013 affected my fitness levels somewhat.

I went out quite a few times on that bike, I got the tyres sorted out at the local bike shop and I was on my way, but the more I cycled, the more I thought about how much more I could achieve with a better bike. I completed six bike rides on that bike between August and December 2014. Not an amazing record by anyone's standards but still - better than no rides at all!

Mountain biking near my house convinced me that I wanted to take cycling further so the search began for a new bike. I had my eye on a few racing bikes on eBay, visited some local cycle shops and most importantly read up about what it was I should get! I also sought advice from cyclist friends and finally decided that I would like a road bike that was as lightweight as possible (considering all of the hills in the area) for my £300 budget.

My friend found a secondhand mens 56cm Specialized Secteur that was for sale for collection in Hexham and initially I was quite apprehensive since I had only been on a road bike once before. Would I like the riding position? I'm 5"11 -was it the right size for me? What if I didn't understand the gears! I wasn't going to bid but something compelled me so I bid and won the bike for £320.

I read into the differences between mens and women's bikes and though some may disagree I thought that they weren't massively significant. Also, being quite tall with very long legs, I need a decent sized bike and I didn't find that many women's bikes were the right size/price.

Since the new bike coincided with the new year and reflection on goals and everything - I decided to make a realistic goal for 2015.

I am going to cycle from my house in Wolsingham up the dale to St John's Chapel and potentially to Killhope. This will not sound like a massive challenge to some people but it is a challenge for me. In the main I am cycling for fitness but also to enjoy time outdoors and to challenge myself. I have decided that I am not going to make huge challenges to cycle across country. All I want to do is make it to St John's Chapel at some point in 2015.

I have recently discovered - in the last two years or so - a huge appreciation and love for being outside and getting active. I had genuinely never really experienced that but I realised how lucky I am to live in an area of 'outstanding natural beauty' with excellent challenges (and stunning scenery) at my doorstep.

I want this blog to be quite relaxed, I'm racing myself, challenging myself and I am not ashamed to put my dismal MPH etc on the internet - hopefully it will get faster - but that is not my goal.

My goal is simple: St John's Chapel.

Kimberley

In the beginning there was Turin.

Hi.

I'm Kimberley. I'm 27 and I live in County Durham in the North East of England. I am a cyclist and I want to talk a little about that.

This blog will be dedicated to me writing stories about my cycling progress and goals. I recently bought a Specialized Secteur and am going to be tackling Weardale's hills this year - the ultimate goal being the dizzying heights of Killhope.

Before I get to that though...

A good place to start is to tell you that I am new to road bikes but I am not new to cycling. I survived ten months of cycling in the Italian city of Turin. On arrival in Turin I went to the flea market and bought myself a beat up old town bike. I loved that bike. Back then I was all about the looks. I wanted a bike that looked beautiful that I could hang a basket on and I am not ashamed to say it.

You can see how happy I was with my lovely bike below.

I spent a few blissful months cycling around the city, working as an Au Pair, and enjoying the largely flat and decent network of cycle paths. A few months of use and the bike started to fall to bits, I remember two things about it: it was heavy and things fell off of it!

After one of the brakes fell off (seriously) I upgraded to a less good looking but more practical town bike (pictured below) that we bought in a supermarket. That was a good bike and I still have it in the garage at home - I recently pinched the pedals from it but that's another story. Again though it was very heavy and it was just not practical - or big enough - as I would later come to understand.

Not the best picture but you should notice the basket ;)

During my time in Turin I really started to get into cycling, the public transport network there, trams and crammed buses, made cycling the best option for me. Turin was a city of cycling firsts. I bought my first adult bike, with the basket I had always dreamed of, witnessed my first live cycle race in the form of the Giro D'Italia, had my first cycling accident when I was knocked off the bike by a man running a red light AND had a bike stolen too! I was very lucky that year in that I was able to attend both the opening and closing ceremonies of the Giro (not that I look too impressed about it below)!

Turin is a fast paced and at first terrifying city to cycle in. I am very glad that I started my cycling career exasperatedly dashing across the busy piazza near my house. I witnessed several car crashes and cant count the number of times that I found myself swearing & avoiding death whilst trying to get from one point to the other. The cycle paths were great but were mainly central. As soon as you deviate from the paths and mingle with the motorists you're in genuinely dangerous territory. Once I became more confident though I used to cycle to the Parco Valentino and I could happily ride around there for an hour or so - it is a vast park near the River Po with long wide paths and no traffic!

I moved back to the UK in July 2011 and did not cycle (regularly at least) until August 2014. This was mostly due to living in Durham City. Durham is a small city, I could walk to work or get the bus service out of town once our offices moved, I lived at the top of a very steep hill and I admit that I wasn't wild on the idea of cycling in heavy traffic again.

In 2014 I moved back out to the beautiful area of Weardale. I don't know why but in August 2014 I reviewed my bike situation and found that my best option for a ride was my brother's old mountain bike. A few repairs here and there and I was out on my first ride.

This is where things really began to take off but I'll save it for the next post.

I leave you with this picture taken at the Balon Flea Market in Turin sometime in 2011!