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
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