Today, our topic of choice is cycle safety.  Unfortunately, the reason we have chosen it springs from an unfortunate incident involving Doctor Dave Buchan.  Dave was involved in an accident whilst out riding on his bike when a little girl ran out from the side of the road and straight into Dave’s path, knocking him off his bike.  Thankfully, aside from some bumps and bruises, both parties weren’t too seriously injured, but we thought it was worth discussing how to remain safe whilst riding on the roads.  I’ll pass you onto Dave, to give you his top tips…

Dave:

It’s certainly safe to say that my knock shook me up a little bit, but every experienced cyclist knows that you need to get straight back on the bike!  Please don’t think we’re telling you this to frighten you, in fact quite the opposite; if you follow this advice, it should help you keep yourself as safe as possible.

First of all, although it might seem like an obvious one, I cannot stress enough how important it is to wear a helmet.  They act as your number one protection, and if I hadn’t been wearing one I’d have been in serious trouble!  There are a number of brands on the market, so you can choose the shape, stile and colour that best suits you.  Whichever you pick, make sure it carries a Snell B90A industry standard, certifying its design and composition will protect you.

I am glad to say I’ve noticed more people are wearing helmets now- however some aren’t wearing their helmets correctly.  Yours should always be securely fitted to your head, with the chin-strap tight (whilst being comfortable) so that it doesn’t wobble.  It also needs to provide a correct coverage of your forehead, and should sit in-line with your brow, to protect the front of your head as well as the back.

The beauty of cycling is that you’re able to get up and go whenever you feel like it, so I’m not going to tell you to cover yourself in elbow pads and knee pads, on your commute to work; you need to feel free and not constricted.  I’d say, learning from my experience, that I’d pop on some gloves before you head out cycling.  If you take a tumble, you put your hands down first, so gloves will stop them from getting scuffed.

For riding at night, you need to make sure that drivers can see you, and wearing clothing with florescent or reflective elements will make you stand out.  In addition to this, every bike should by law be fitted with a light above your front wheel, and reflectors on your handlebars.  If your bike doesn’t have this, I’d recommend adding these elements as soon as possible.

For the bike itself, there is a quick two-minute check you can do every time you head out.  This is called the ‘M’ check, and follows the line of the bike’s structure, so you know you’ve checked everything.  Begin checking the front wheel, moving up to the steering head, down to the chain, up to the seat and through to the rear wheel.  Your seat should be in place correctly, your chain fitted, and your brakes in correct working order as you do this.  In addition make sure your tyres are the correct pressure, as flat ones are much more likely to puncture.  The ‘M’ check is so simple, that you can teach your children to do it before they go off riding too.

I think it’s also worthwhile mentioning that you always need to remain aware of your surroundings, and never become complacent.  The little girl ran out in front of me between two parked cars- something I really wasn’t expecting.  Predict hazards before they develop, to protect both yourself and others.  As riding becomes more popular, cyclists, pedestrians and drivers need to be more aware and considerate towards each other.  When you’re cycling on country roads, cyclists please remember that drivers might not be expecting you, so make yourself as visible as you can as you ride, and drivers- keep an eye out!

Joe

Doctor Dave has over 30 years of knowledge and experience, proving no matter how long you have been riding on the roads, and how careful you are, you can’t predict other people’s behaviour.  Follow doctor Dave’s top tips, and you know you’re as safe as you can be.

If you’re unsure of your next step, we have a full range of safety products, from helmets through to reflective clothing and a team just waiting to help you out.  We’ll ensure that you’re kitted out with everything you need to keep you safe, so you can enjoy your ride knowing you’re protected.  You can pop into the shop at 6-10 Bowsden Terrace, South Gosforth NE3 1RX, or telephone us on 0191 285 12 51 for advice.  Alternatively, just drop Dave an email at david@msteelcycles.co.uk. For daily shop updates, you can follow us on twitter @m_steel_cycles, or ‘like’ us on facebook.

Over the last few months, our bicycle doctor Dave Buchan has been continuing his work in the community, and he has certainly been kept busy!

There was a fantastic meet-up between two schools in Northumberland, when the children from Morpeth Road Primary School cycled to Rothbury First School, to continue the training schedule for their annual Coast to Coast ride.  Morpeth Road is already very involved in cycling, and it has now become intrinsic to their academic curriculum.  It looks like the children from Rothbury First School are following suit; they took part in The Big Pedal, a National Competition with 1000 schools participating, in then bid to get more children to cycle to school, and they came eighth in the country!  Impressive stuff by both schools, and an exciting step forward for our community.

We’ve also been working with the Robbie Elliott Foundation for their Bike for Bobby trip; a fundraising trip across Europe in memory of Sir Bobby Robson, taking place in October.  The team are planning to cycle from Lisbon back to Newcastle, more than 3,500 miles, in just 25 days.  Dave has been lucky enough to work closely with the team, providing guidance on training and nutrition, and we have donated the cycles for the trip.  It’s an honour to be working in memory of such a local icon, and raising money for a very worthy cause.

If you’d like to more about cycling events in the community, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.  You can find us at 6-10 Bowsden Terrace, South Gosforth, Newcastle, NE3 1RX, call 0191 285 12 51 or email shop@msteelcycles.co.uk.  For a full range of our services visit www.msteelcycles.co.uk, or for daily shop updates, you can follow us on twitter @m_steel_cycles, or ‘like’ us on facebook.

I’ve decided to give Joe a little break, and I’ll tell you why he needs the rest… we’re soon to embark on a little adventure, to celebrate Joe’s 60th birthday.  So I thought before we go and enjoy ourselves I’d tell you a little bit about what we’ve got planned, and how it came about.

As you may already know, Joe’s life has been consumed by cycling from a very early age; long before he took the reins at M. Steel Cycles, he represented his country on a number of occasions. Very topically, for this year in particular, he was formerly an Olympic cyclist, and competed in the Road Race in Montreal in 1976. In 1982, he took part in the Commonwealth Games in Brisbane, Australia, where he brought back a gold medal in the team time trial. In addition to these outstanding achievements, Joe also took part in the Milk Races many years ago- and by all accounts performed inspiringly.

As a result of this, Joe in his time has inspired many cyclists, who are interested in the pursuit of cycling as more than just an enjoyable, healthy pastime. This includes one individual, and friend of M. Steel Cycles; Chris Balfour, a bank manager whose career changed dramatically after being moved by the stories he read of Joe’s cycling achievements in the local press. Chris now manages PyrActif, a cycling holiday firm in the French Pyrenees, which is to become instrumental in our adventures!

Chris recently contacted Joe to tell him his story, and graciously extended an invitation to him to come out and visit. The chance to experience what his company has to offer was just the excuse we needed to go on a cycling jaunt. We mentioned it to a few of our Saturday cycling group, and suddenly a team of 20 have joined our cycle squad for a week away!

So we now have a very special trip planned in honour of Joe, and as an added treat, I’m being kind enough to do all the legwork. While everyone sits comfily on their Easyjet flight, I’ll be making the journey by road, taking everyone’s bikes there for them.

PyrActif organise riding holidays in the Pyrenees, designed specifically for cyclists who want to take in the stunning scenery whilst enjoying their favourite hobby. They provide accommodation, and a wide range of routes; new cyclists can try gentler paths, whilst the most experienced cyclists can try their hands at something different to their usual road riding.

Whilst there, we’re planning to recreate some of Joe’s favourite memories. This includes riding part of the ‘Tour de l’Avenir’- a route very similar to the Tour de France, which is open to amateur cyclists, rather than professionals. This is one of the tracks that Joe rode when he was younger, so we’re hoping to take him on a nostalgic trip back in time.

To bump up the challenge factor, we’ll be undertaking the Étape du Tour stage of the Tour de France. This stage plays host to a particular event, where over 20,000 people ride it on one day. Thankfully, we won’t be attempting that, but I think the overall course will be challenging enough. It’s set over 197km of gruelling climbs and descents, and over four cols; it’ll be anything but easy.

Because looking the part is just as important, we’re arranging some special jerseys to wear on the trip, to commemorate it for Joe. We’re hoping to make them available in-store too, for anyone who wants to share this little part of Joe’s history. As an added treat, the bike that Joe rode in the Olympics is currently being renovated and restored back to its original glory, including a complete spray paint ensuring the bike is brought up to scratch in honour of the 2012 games, and Joe’s history.

As I’m sure you can tell readers, we’re already extremely excited about our trip this summer. I’ll be back in a couple of months to tell you all about what we got up to.

For more information on PyrActif, you can browse their website at www.pyractif.com. Happy riding- Dave.

We will be attending the Go Smarter media launch, which marked the commencement of a fantastic initiative, which will be endlessly beneficial to the younger members of our community.

Go Smarter has a very simple aim; to get children and their parents across the North East to make healthier, greener travel choices on their journeys to and from school. It will promote the choice to walk, cycle or get public transport, instead of driving a car. This will help to eradicate the congestion caused by cars on the everyday school run, improve the fitness for the children and parents, and perhaps improve their finances- judging by the current cost of petrol!

Go Smarter is composed of 11 different single projects, through which this will be implemented. It was made possible through the provision of a £4.9m grant from the central government’s Department of Transport, which was allocated to the Local Sustainable Transport Fund (LSTF), the organisation responsible for the project.

The launch will be held at Hadrian School in South Tyneside, which was specially selected to host the launch because of its close, highly positive affiliation with cycling.  They work with cycling charity; Sustrans holding cycling breakfasts, and now even have cycling in their curriculum!

To make this initiative even more exciting, Olympic triple jumper and gold medallist Jonathan Edwards will also be closely involved. Jonathan, who is a valued friend of M. Steel Cycles, will visit schools and talk to the children about the advantages of making more informed, healthier decisions about their commute. His participation is hoped to inspire the children throughout the project.

It will be thrilling, to see how the commutes of local children improve with the Go Smarter campaign.

I’ll be passing you onto our facility manager, and Bicycle Doctor Dave Buchan, who has been working with an inspirational organisation to help improve the cycling of one in particular determined woman this year.

Dave:  

As part of my role as M. Steel Cycles’ resident Bicycle Doctor, I have the opportunity leave the shop and visit schools and businesses within our community.  I help to encourage people who would like to ride more or are unsure on their bicycles, by working with them, fixing their bikes, and educating them on using roads and pathways.

Recently, I have been working with one of the top NHS trusts in the country; Northumbria Healthcare Foundation NHS Trust. In particular, I have been liaising with Sathish Sethuraman, the travel plan coordinator for the trust, who is working hard to help staff lead more active, healthier lives.

Sathish introduced me to Kim Ashcroft, catering supervisor at the foundation, who was to be one of the first people in the Trust that we began working with.  Kim had approached Sathish in the canteen, aware of thework he was doing within the organisation, seeking some advice.

 Kim explains:

“I originally spoke to Sathish because I was looking to make significant changes to my lifestyle.  The turning point for me was when I suffered heart attack- I knew that it was time to make some adjustments to my lifestyle.  I wanted, like most people do, to lose a bit of weight and become fitter and more active.”

Kim wanted advice on how to get into exercising, and was considering getting an exercise bike, so she could gradually build up her fitness at home.  Sathish suggested that instead, she should try one of the sample bikes that I brought in, and give cycling outside a go.  His views were that if you’re exercising at home, it’s much easier to stop, but once you’re on a route, you’re much less likely to turn back.

Kim agreed to give it a go, although she admitted to being nervous. We promised to work with her to help to gradually build up her confidence.

The first step was to get Kim a bike that suited her.  She already owned her own small, fold-up cycle, but she had never found it very comfortable; something which had prevented her from cycling frequently.  I brought in one of the M. Steels pool bikes, which is available for anyone in the trust to use, and let Kim try it.  I altered it so it fitted to Kim’s body perfectly, and you could see the difference in her almost immediately.  I also provided some accessories, clothing and safety equipment, to make Kim look and feel the part.

All kitted up, Sathish, Kim and I took the M. Steel Cycles van and three cycles to go on our first ride.  We decided to try a coast to coast ride, travelling fromWalkerthrough toNorth Tyneside.  This cycle path is only 500 metres from Kim’s house, and leads to the Tyne Tunnel, down to theCobaltBusinessParkand very near Kim’s work.  This seven mile route is a similar journey to Kim’s commute, and as she wants to eventually cycle to work, it helped her to gauge the distance of the journey.

I was delighted to see how well Kim handled the ride, and she seemed to thoroughly enjoy herself.

To help Kim to improve her riding, and to gain more confidence on the roads, we decided to cycle her journey home.  I brought our bikes to the trust, and at the end of the working day, we all cycled home together.  It took about 70 minutes, and we took our time, nice and slowly.  Kim made an excellent start, and we left the bike with her to try some smaller rides at weekends.

Kim told me how starting to cycle has changed her life for the better:

“I’m really looking forward to bringing cycling more into my daily routine.   I’m already feeling better, and I feel like I want to exercise the more I do it.

“One of my colleagues has also been helping and getting involved, and has offered to cycle into work with me while my confidence builds.  I’m hoping to ride into work two or three times a week eventually, which will make a big difference to my overall lifestyle; it will save me money on petrol, and get me fit and healthy.”

Joe:

It’s amazing to see the positive differences that cycling is making to Kim’s lifestyle, and inspirational to see her making such positive changes.  If you would like help or advice on how to get into cycling,

Dave’s new service is completely free of charge, so please get in touch.  You can email Dave at david@msteelcycles.co.uk, pop into the shop at 6-10 Bowsden Terrace, South Gosforth NE3 1RX or call him on 0191 285 12 51.

Commonwealth Gold Medallist and Olympian cyclist Joe Waugh was thrilled to learn that Sustrans are working with South Tyneside Council to improve cycling links in the Tyne Dock area of South Shields. Sustrans are providing £250,000 of grant funding as part of a national project developing a series of new routes to enable commuters to make more of their every day journeys, without having to rely on a car. The funding has been secured by Sustrans from the Big Lottery Fund. The route that will benefit from the development, restoration and general enhancement is one which Joe knows well on a personal level, being a route he frequently used as part of his many hours of training in years gone by, and still occasionally enjoys for leisure rides. Joe is looking forward to seeing many of them in more regular use.

Joe Waugh is a lifelong cycling addict and over the years has represented his country in cycle racing in both the Commonwealth and the Olympic games. His role as part of the team which took a gold medal in the Commonwealth team trial in Australia in 1982 was one of the highlights of his competitive career. He was born and raised in South Shields, has spent his life in the region. Joe was proud to represent his home town on the world stage, and now is the proud proprietor of one of the area’s most respected and oldest cycle shops; M. Steel Cycles in Gosforth. Since retiring from international competition, Joe, from East Boldon has continued to champion cycling as a way of life for everyone, not just athletes, particularly promoting it as a form of exercise which can easily be slotted into the busiest day by doubling as a practical activity- getting the person exercising to where they want to go.

Over the past year, Joe and all the team at M. Steel Cycles have become enthusiastic supporters of Sustrans, finding a great deal of common ground with their cause; working hard to promote and facilitate healthier and greener methods of travel, including cycling, for a diverse range of audiences. They have already been closely involved with several Sustrans initiatives, including ‘Bike It’ where Sustrans works with schools across the UK to give children the skills, knowledge and confidence to enable them to cycle to school safely,  by supplying bicycles and expert know how.

Joe explained: “As someone who is passionate about both my home town and my chosen sport and hobby, I could not be more delighted to learn that South Tyneside Council and Sustrans have made this joint commitment to providing a better walking and cycle link. The substantial funding will make it easier for anyone unfamiliar with the old routes to recognise and identify safe ways to ride their bicycles into the centre of South Shields.

“Having obvious, safe tracks on which to cycle is a huge advantage and strengthens our position when encouraging local people to take up this rewarding activity, give the car a break and get fitter. I’d like to congratulate and thank the council and this fantastic charity for recognising the importance of dedicating time and money to this work. I can’t wait to see all the routes correctly surfaced and well marked. As a proud South Shields cycling lad my dreams really have come true!”

The new cycle route will involve implementing access to the A194 along the Western Approach as well as an entrance to National Cycling Route 14, located near the Port of Tyne. The scheme covers the length of the A185 on Jarrow Road to West Way and Dean Road. The cycle route will provide a traffic free road place for cyclists as well as shared pedestrian access. The route is expected to be complete by March 2012.

Find out more about Sustrans and their work at their website; www.sustrans.org.uk, or call 0845 113 00 65 to speak to the information team. Customers can call into M. Steels, which is open 7 days a week, or telephone 0191 285 1251.

Massive savings on selected Specialized bikes in store at M. Steel Cycles today*

*Offer valid on selected bikes. See terms and conditions for more information.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

1. Specialized Red Ticket Promotion (“The Offer”) runs from February 4th until midnight GMT 29th April 2012.
2. The offer is only valid in store.
3. The offer is valid on the following 2012 Specialized bikes: Tarmac, Tarmac Elite, Tarmac Comp, Hardrock SE, Hardrock Sport disc, Crosstrail Limited, Crosstrail Pro, Ariel Comp Disc, Ariel Disc, Expedition Elite, Expedition Sport, Camber Comp, Camber Elite and Camber Expert, Myka, Myka Sport Disc.
4. This offer is not valid with any other discount and /or offer.
5. Specialized reserves the right to withdraw, amend or suspend this offer at any time.
6. By buying into this offer, consumers agree to be bound by these terms and conditions.
7. Promoter: Specialized UK Ltd, 29 Barwell Business Park, Leatherhead Road, Chessington, Surrey KT9 2NY

1.     Specialized Red Ticket Promotion (“The Offer”) runs from February 4th until midnight GMT 29th April 2012.

2.     The offer is only valid in store, at participating Specialized Dealers and online at www.specializedconceptstore.co.uk

3.     The offer is valid on the following 2012 Specialized bikes: Tarmac, Tarmac Elite, Tarmac Comp, Hardrock SE, Hardrock Sport disc, Crosstrail Limited, Crosstrail Pro, Ariel Comp Disc, Ariel Disc, Expedition Elite, Expedition Sport, Camber Comp, Camber Elite and Camber Expert, Myka, Myka Sport Disc.

4.     This offer is not valid with any other discount and /or offer.

5.     Specialized reserves the right to withdraw, amend or suspend this offer at any time.

6.     By buying into this offer, consumers agree to be bound by these terms and conditions.

Promoter: Specialized UK Ltd, 29 Barwell Business Park, Leatherhead Road, Chessington, Surrey KT9 2NY

If your wanting to kick start your New Year’s fitness resolutions, there’s no time like the present! 

Cycle your way to fitness with a number of fantastic discounts in store.

50% off all 2011 bikes

20% off all 2012 bikes

30% off all clothing

Huge discounts on accessories

Half price servicing until February 2012

Come down to our SALE fun day on Sunday 29th January, 10am – 4pm.

Fun for all the family, delicious curry and Nann breads, treats for the kids, selection of drinks, cycling give-aways and competitions… NOT TO BE MISSED!

First 50 visitors receive a VIP Gold Card, offering fantastic discounts and all visitors receive a VIP 2012 loyalty card.

Snookered. Check mate. Game over. I sat in the pub stunned, motionless and silent but fizzing inside with frustration, something akin to anger, and new emotions I had never felt before. I NEVER QUIT. This was unchartered territory. It was the bitterest pill and it was stuck in my throat.

The room was full of well healed polite humanity enjoying a cosy Sunday as the rain lashed hard against the windows. Around the peripheral of my thousand yard stare I sensed people looking at me in a puzzled, slightly uncomfortable manner, trying not to catch my eye.

I did my best to avoid any conversation starter. A slightly intrigued couple repeatedly smiled, perhaps keen to elicit why or how I had came to be there, alone, hollow faced, dressed funny, and with glazed vacant eyes.  Angry with myself, I had no desire to recount the conversation stopping escapade nor reconsider the incident pit that had so suddenly opened up to end play.

One more hill. Some easy miles on lanes and leisure paths. That’s all that was left. All it would take to complete this massive task. This was meant to be the warm down, the final march home after the hardest graft had been done.

Stepping out to the van, I started shaking uncontrollably as the elements battered me one last time. The shock of the cold and the rain confirmed what I already knew; I had made the right decision.  I had been left with no option but to end my attempt on the West Highland Way Double at the eleventh hour. The disappointment was almost unbearable but broken I was not. It’s the journey that matters.

It was an incredible ride. Triumph and tragedy. Extreme joy and deep despair. Effortless progress and torturous shackles…

To find out what transpired on this intense 28hr journey make sure you get your hands on a copy of Privateer in December:

http://www.rouleur.cc/privateer

There will be loads of info on the route as well as my ride. In addition there will be superb photos from M Steel’s own Gordon Harrison.

M Steels Cycles are stockists of Privateer.

I know traditionally you’re supposed to thank supporters and sponsors at the end of these types of self reflective monologues but I wanted to get those in early whilst people are still reading as they are really important to me, this wasn’t a solo challenge:

Firstly and most importantly to my other half Sarah who turned into organiser/admin extraordinaire for this whole thing, I definitely owe you a few trips to see chick flicks at the cinema…
Supporters on the day:
Kev- Bike support 1/physio
Chief- Bike support 2
Mum, Diana- cheerleader 1
Sister, Louise- cheerleader 2
Rich (STAT0)- photo’s
Pete (Judge)- mapping and comms
Han- cheerleader 3/final mile run support
Chazza- cheerleader 4/final mile run support

The people who made it possible:
Hazel and Pete and all the guys at the Calvert Trust
Alex Mac and all the guys at the Forestry Commission and Northumbria Water
My Sponsors:
Bruichladdich Whisky- fuelling the adventure!
M Steels Cycles- keeping my bike going
Exposure Lights- keeping me lit on the run
Purple Mountain- great kielder based support shop
Perro- design and consultancy for press releases and media

So here’s the monologue bit, I’ll try and keep it to the point!
Kielder 100
One thing tells the story, of the 800 entrants to the race only 177 finished! The weather on the day was terrible, it rained non stop from start (6.30am) to finish which when you’re out for hours isn’t fun. I started near the front and managed to stay in roughly the same place throughout the race despite a puncture and some other minor problems (including missing a water station). I felt particularly horrid and had some real lows between 40-60 miles and was really concerned that I wasn’t going to be able to hold a decent pace to set up the rest of the challenge, energy gels particularly helped me through when my stomach was churning, thanks Science in Sport! It really was a case of head down and get on with it, hoping that I wouldn’t have a bike or body mechanical cutting the challenge short. Somehow I got lucky and even didn’t have to change brake pads at all (most people changed at least once).

Start line

I rolled over the finish line in 10hours 42mins, very relieved to have made it through unscathed. Ben Thomas took the win in 8 hours but I’d like to give a special mention to Rich Rothwell and Ant White, both vets, both still tearing it up at the top of the field coming 5th and 6th respectively.

finish line

Kayak Kielder
After stuffing some pasta down me, some chocolate and salt and vinegar crisps (great for staving off cramp) I jumped in to the kayak and was delighted to find that although it was still raining the lake was like a pancake, hurray! This meant I could take the most direct route and made it to the finish at Tower Knowe in around 50minutes. I was greeted by what felt like a massive crowd and supporters from the sailing club based there were going wild, hooting boat horns and everything, brilliant, what a boost, although I did feel a bit embarrassed that I couldn’t really acknowledge people properly at first as I had suffered quite badly from stiffening up and cramp in the kayak and had to jump out as quickly as possible to stretch.

Kayaking Kielder Water

Kielder Marathon
After a quick shower, some more food, a quiet word with myself and some last minute bag packing for the support bike with trailer it was back out to start the Kielder Marathon. Probably the highlight of the whole thing was seeing a big group of Calvert Trust guests come out to see me off, they had made signs and everything, it was raining really hard and they had been waiting for me whilst I got myself sorted inside, a real motivator.

Setting off for marathon

Fortunately there was still a bit of light for the first hour of the run where I was followed by Kev and Chief on bikes, handing me bottles and food on cue, thanks guys. Once darkness fell (and it gets properly dark at Kielder) on went the Exposure Lights to turn night in to day which really helped me keep focused on the at times twisty and certainly hilly trail. This really helped keep up a fairly consistent pace throughout and I used the steep hills as a chance to have a rest and take on water and energy gels by walking up.

Night runner

Other support crew were following in a 4×4 on the nearby forest roads and this helped with motivation as I saw them at least once a hour and even got a Mexican wave at one point, ace.
For the last mile or so I was joined by a couple of other runners and Sarah on the bike, the legs were like jelly at this point, that typical comical hip swaying run you see at the end of marathons on tv. Nevertheless with about 500m to go the call came in that if I could manage a sprint finish I would break the 5 hour mark, those who know me will tell you I see everything as a race, and although I was clearly going to be on the podium for Killer Kielder this didn’t stop me finding some strength from somewhere to sprint to the end and then literally fall over the finish tape, exhausted but satisfied. I was handed my first drink in 6 months which I managed to get some down before feeling a bit ill on finishing at 12.45am Sunday morning.

Finish line

Didn’t really get much sleep that night and felt really ill the next morning, a sort of hungover, breathless feeling that slowly faded through the day and I was able to start the recovery eating. The body was aching but nothing major, truly amazing and I feel very lucky to have got through so well.

So although I’ve done a fair amount of training for all this I really stand my assertion at the outset, that it’s all about mind over matter. I found this out when doing the Kielder Marathon last year without any specific training other than my mtb fitness, realising that I was somehow able to push myself beyond what my fitness level alone would allow. So get out there and set yourself a challenge that is unthinkable for a good cause, mentally prepare yourself and then the rest will fall in to place.
My garmin output from the whole thing, think there’s a few errors with signal problems but you get the general idea http://connect.garmin.com/activity/112301728 . It also is set to bike mode so massive underestimation of calories on kayak and run.
I’m sure there are so many people/things I’ve left unmentioned and unsaid, for that I apologise but you know who you are.
My final plug for sponsorship for a great cause, www.justgiving.com/killerkielderchallenge look for pics and more updates on www.killerkielder.co.uk and @killerkielder
Time to drink beer and eat pizza.
Matt