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