Great North Bike Ride!!

Sunday was the 10th anniversary of, and my first time competing in, The Great North Bike Ride. The morning started with a lot of stress trying to fit the bikes into the car and make it to the pick up point for 7am. We didnt incidentaly make it, although luckily the buses and bike lorries were still at Tynemouth loading up when we got there at ten past. We had taken the front wheel off Taryn's bike to fit it into the car and so she had to run to the lorries with bike in one hand and wheel in the other! I had her brake pads and other essential pieces in my pocket and luckily there was someone with a tool kit and the know how to put it all back together before we loaded it onto the lorry. Thanks to that man whoever you are!

We got up to Seahouses for 9:20am and started the ride around 9:30am in sunny weather, with a lot of wind! The first 15 miles or so were difficult, with the wind blowing sideways as I tried to pedal forwards.....I think i was wobbling around and zig-zagging for a lot of the way! I stopped at Warkworth to refuel with a banana and lucozade powder, and half wished I could join those riding for fun that had stopped for lunch in the pub! By this time Taryn had lost me, and I jumped back on the bike to finish the rest of the ride. The second half of the ride was easier, as I began to recognise where I was riding through. I've never been as happy to see Ashington and Blyth in my life!

The last 10 miles were really fun as I picked up the pace and headed for the finish, back at Tynemouth where we had started. The ride had been difficult: my back and shoulders were really hurting, and at points my hands were so numb that I couldnt change the gears: but it didnt seem like I had been riding for over 4 hours as I must have been really focussed and full of adrenalin. I completed the ride in a time of 4 hours 25 minutes which I'm happy with as I have never cycled or exercised for this length of time or distance before. Taryn was waiting for me at the finish, where I went to pick up my race tshirt and medal before heading home.

I'm really pleased with having completed the Great North Bike Ride and would definitely recommend it to anyone considering entering either as competitive event, or just as a fun bike ride to do in a group without riding for a time. Thanks to Lynn Lucas and all of the guys who helped to organise and manage the event, it all ran really smoothly and gave me, and I'm sure all of the other riders too, a great sense of achievement.

I managed to come away without any cuts or bruises, and although my back was aching for the rest of the day and I was pretty tired, I didnt have any muscle soreness or stiffness which I'm pretty impressed with. I had a day off training yesterday and am straight back into it today, as have my second event, The Great North Run, in less than 3 weeks. I ran 3 miles to work this morning with a heavy rucksack, in a time of 24 minutes, and will be doing an hour class at The Barre later tonight.

I really need to get my mileage up this week for the run and will be looking to incorporate a hill run, intervals session, and cross training session into this week, along with a long run at race pace on sunday.

Thanks to those of you that have sponsored me so far. Specifically  my dad, Kimbo, Neal, Ian Johnson, Graham Keddy, Sarah Garnett, Alan Findlay from Pin Point recruitment, Alan Fidler, Sarah Caine, Kevin Lister, Jan Campbell, Jacqui Patterson, Stef Pendleton, Martin Wardle, Sarah, Sam, Rach Maxwell, Gaff, Sunny, Dani, Mark & Davina, Rob O'Neill, Aunty Elaine, Tove, Az, and Peter Conroy.  THANK YOU!

I have passed the half way mark for my fundraising and have 2 weeks and 5 days to raise the rest (and more if possible). Please sponsor me at www.justgiving.com/niycpidge

Thanks

Niyc xx