Today was a day off first in a long time.  We took little Harvey for a walk in the park to feed some ducks and then went shopping.  All in all a pretty relaxing day.

Today was a pretty hard day motivation wise and I found myself urging myself to go out on a ride.  For some reason I was thinking a lot about my mam and the events around the time she passed away.  
However, with the support of Suzanne and some helpful words of support from people who follow me I managed to motivate myself.  There was a lot planned for the day and that along with the fact it was my 9th day in a row training I made the ride a short and easy one.  The wind had dropped a little but was still quite brisk, the sun was shining and spring was well and truely here.  I only done 24 miles at an average speed of 15.1mph 1hour 43mins.
Later a short 2.6 mile run and then off to pick up my nieces son Harvey who we had the pleasure of over night.  
I know my mam would want us all to keep involved with the extended family and that is what we will do.

Today was yet another blustery day and I started off with a visit to a potential job opportunity.  When that was over I was back on the bike for a couple of hours.
A couple of years back I worked in Sunderland and decided to head off over to see some of the people I used to work with.  So with that in mind I headed out.  Firstly through Hebburn, Monkton and Primrose into Boldon Colliery.  The sun was warm and the breeze strong but the weather was nice to make the ride enjoyable.  I headed into Sunderland and over the Wearmoth Bridge into the City Center and then onto Leechmere where I used to work.
Sure enough when I got there I was met by a few familiar faces who stopped their work to have a short chat and relay their support.  It was a comfort to know that they knew about my ride and that one of them Stephen Tetley was following my progress through my site.  I didn't stop too long as they had to work but it was good to see them again each and every one of them decent people.
From there I rode off through Plains Farm and into Grindon and on towards Penshaw.  This was a slow and gentle climb all the way.  When I got to Penshaw the view was beautiful.  With the sky as clear as clear as I have seen it so far this year.  I could see for miles.  From here I heade down into the valley across the wear again into Washington.  fromm here a long climb from the riverside a fatfield village all the way up and into Gateshead at Springwell and onto Wrekenton.  The wind at this point was very much in my face and slowed me considerably as I headed along and down the long slope at Deckham.  I was enjoying the ride and wasn't feeling too much from the journey.  At the bottom of the steep slope I headed along sunderland Road through Felling and Heworth onto Pelaw and Home.  A lovely mixture of hills both ups and downs head and tail winds and flat.  
One observation was the amount of fluid intake now the weather is warming has started to increase.  
34.05miles, 2 hours 19 mins average speed 14.8mph.  Later a 2.6 mile run and a welcome phone call from Steve Tetley for a catch up and some welcome support.

It seems to have been quite windy for some time now and today wasn't an exception.  A bit stuck for where to go but also aware that I was i need of some hill work I decided to go towards the hills near Gibside.  So I left home not long after 9 and headed off towards Gateshead.
The sky was pretty much overcast but in the distance there were blue skys visible and as the wind direction was in my face they were sure to be here soon. I went over Bensham and down the hill to Dunston then on over Swalwell.  From here I decided to take the cycle path through Derwent Walk as the weather had been drier latetly and the path wouldn't be soft or muddy.  As I had said earlier it had been windy for quite some time now and the path had fallen trees over it and on either side.  The path brought me out at Rowlands Gill near Gibside.  So here I was with several hills to tackle I opted for one I had done several weeks back which took me up towards Chopwell.  This gave me an indication of the improvement I have made since my last time there and I must say it is a vast one the long winding and sometimes steep incline was no problem at all and I got to the top with ease.
From here I headed through the villages on the top of the hill over to Blaydon and then through to Ryton and down the other side back onto the river path.
I had two options from here turn right towards home or left towards Wylam.  I opted to turn left.  I headed to Wylam and then off down the North river path the route I travelled up to get to Wylam the previous day.  The wind now behind me the journey felt easier and I made good time coming home.  
41.1 miles 2 hrs 45 mins average speed 14.8mph.
Later off to the sauna for a chill out and then off to the gym and a couple of miles running.  All in all a nice mixture.

I had a lot on through the night last night as I had been invited along to visit a warehouse where I might be starting as a night manager.  This visit started at 3 and lasted till 5:15.  So I was a little tired when I got on my bike later in the morning.  It is also my sons 11th birth day his first with out his Nana.
I was thinking where to go and wanted to take a bit of a ride which wouldn't challenge me too much but would get a reasonable amount of miles under my belt.  I decided to head off to Wylam.
Now when I first went to Wylam  several weeks ago it was one of my longer journies.  Back then I was looking to stretch myself to see what i was capable of but now I know I just want to churn out the miles.  This doesn't matter whether there are big hills strong winds and even heavy rain.  
My journey took me to jarrow and through the pedestrian tunnel into North Shields and then along the river route through Newcastle Quay Side.  The sun was warm and the sky slightly cloudy and the wind was a strong and in my face. When I got through Newcastle I had two options I could leave the riverside and head north slightly or  carry on along the river.  I opted for the second as with the wind being so strong even the flat was like cycling up hill which the other route would have given me.  Plus I had never been this way before.
I entered Wylam, which was the birth place of George Stephenson the inventor of the steam train I think and stopped for a few minutes to take in the surroundings before heading back home.
The return journey on the south river route was wind assisted and I managed to travel the 17 miles home in 1 hour.
27.05 miles 2 hours 30 minutes average speed 14.6 mph.

Later I spent the day with my family taking James out for a birthday treat.  My heart melted as he opened his card from his Granda and he went silent and then cried because his Nana's name was not in the card.

After yesterday it was hard to get motivated  to train and a busy schedule was sure to slow me down.  However, I still managed to get 1hr 40 mins in at the gym and even used the bikes in there.  This is the first time I've used a static bike to train on this year.

Its not the same and I'll be glad to get back on the real thing tomorrow!

Well today is a significant day for our family.  Its the first Mothers day with out Mam being with us.  I was feeling quite emotional and my thoughts were very much with how my whole family was feeling.  I definately didn't expect it to be easy and knew I wouldn't be the only one feeling this way.
I still managed to get out thought an early start again and out for 7am.  I headed off on what has become a Sunday routine.  I was amazed at the amount of people out and about today at this time.  
My head was full of thoughts about my mam and before I knew it I had climbed the long hill through Deckham and all the way onto Wrekenton.   If it wasn't for ther sun shining bright in the distance over the sea at Sunderland I probably would have remained in my thoughts.   So as it was I found my thoughts once again distracted by my cycling.  A beautiful spring morning was unfolding and as I headed through Washington Village the church bells were ringing and the birds were in full voice.  I cycled off now feeling a lot better towards Penshaw to tackle the steep slopes before heading into Pennywell and past Pallion and over the Queen Alexandra Bridge.  My pace was ok and felt comfortable When I reached the sharp incline at Downhill and then the slow steady decent on the other side into Boldon from here it was only a few miles home.
28.96miles 

I was thinking a lot about the reasons for me doing this charity event and with Mothers day almost here I found it hard to motivate myself.  I managed to get myself out of bed and ready for the off at about 7am.
I headed towards Newcastle and over the Millenium Bridge.  I climbed the steep hill up and through Newcastle city center, strange not seeing too many people around here on a weekend.  I then headed towards Gosforth and then turned towards the coast and past the Freeman Hospital.  This again brought the thought flooding back.  The wind had mostly been a head wind up to this point and was now behind me.
I made rapid progress from here on and found myself going up hill at speeds of around 24mph which was nice for a change and with what seemed to be no time at all I found myself at the coast at seaton sluice in Northumberland.  
From here I travelled south along the coastal route to Tynemouth again now the wind in my face.  This was the case for about 9 miles solid until I reached home.
Now if there is one thing I'm learning it is the wind makes all the difference.
29.89 miles 1 hour 56mins average speed 15.1mph.

After a good days rest yesterday it was back to the grind.  I was still feeling tired so decided to ease myself into the day by riding.  I wanted the ride to be an ok sort of distance but not too far and I also wanted to through in a couple of good hills as most of my rides recently had been relatively flat.
I headed from home along the main road through Hebburn into Jarrow and through the pedestrian tunnel to North Shields.  Then a sharp left heading towards Newcastle.  This is where the ride got difficult as the wind was strong and in my face.  So the chances of an easy paced ride had gone out the window, because to keep a steady pace I needed to pedal hard.
Through Newcastle Quayside and onto Blaydon the wind didn't ease off.  I had done about 15 miles by this time and was arriving at the bottom of Whickam Bank.  Now I hadn't rode this bank for a good few weeks and was interested to see the improvements made.  I was feeling well warmed up and the wind wasn't as strong here.  To give you an idea of the gradient on this bank their is a slip lane for vehicles if they cant slow down and I normally reach 40mph going down it.  I managed the hill feeling a lot better than the first time I had tried it and my speed was down to about 5mph.
After this through to Lobly Hill and over the A1 to Team Valley.  I headed then onto saltwell Road in Gateshead where the wind again was strong.  Yhen onto the next hill which was Allerdene up to Wrekenton.  I found this ok too with a similar gradient as the previous hill and then on to Springwell.  
At this stage the wind was behind me and the pace picked up nicely.  I headed through to Washington then onto Pelaw and onto Hebburn.
32.91miles 2hrs 25mins averag speed 13.6mph
After this I headed out for a run for 4.5miles and later a gym session.
Total training time 3 hrs 55 mins.
Here you can see the route maps for first the run and second the ride.