Dash to the Shop!

This morning, Daughter and I took our Huge Dalmatian for a walk along the promenade (four miles for me, a lot further for her on her bike - needing a cup of coffee at the half-way point for me, and an ice cream for her) . . . and then after lunch, we baked some biscuits. Delia Smith’s (a.k.a. St Delia of Norwich) recipe for ginger nuts. Hmmmm great biscuits!

Anyway, I had to get to the DIY shop to pick up some brackets for the shelves that’re going into the en-suite that I’m building on our top floor, and left home at 3:40 on Trixie the Fixie . . . with a closing time of 4pm to beat. I made it - just (last man through the doors - dismounting & skidding on my feet), and then headed off for a ride into Newcastle and back.

The trouble was that I’d left home in such a hurry that I’d forgotten to take any fluids with me. Could I manage this ride ‘dry’? Or more to the point, how far would be sensible? For my mileage target for the year, 35 miles would be good, but that’d take around two hours. Two hours working out without getting any fluids down my neck? No - let’s be realistic . . . . and aim for something a little less likely to reduce me to something resembling week-old lettuce (wilted, somewhat green, and probably starting to smell).

So the only option was to aim for something around 25 miles - around 90 minutes or so. Of course part of the problem was that I was on Trixie the Fixie . . . a stripped-down bike. Without gears (check!), without full drop bars (check!) and without a computer / odometer (check!). So how far and how fast should I go?

Sage Gateshead & the Tyne BridgesI decided on the Swing Bridge as the turnaround point, heading back up behind The Sage (overtaking a couple of high-spinning mountain bikers on the way up - I love riding a fixie!), and then joining the Felling Bypass. This is part of the course of the Great North Run, and is a a two mile, moderate climb that’s the first part of the course to let you know that although it might only (Ha!) be a half marathon, but it ain’t going to be as easy as it looks on TV. On a bike though . . . with a following wind . . . it’s a blast. Especially when there’s enough traffic to play with - catching and overtaking the same cars at every set of lights.

And then home via Hebburn & the Tyne Foot Tunnel.

Workout:

  • Type: Cycle
  • Date: 09/02/2007
  • Time: 11:18:07
  • Total Time: 1:30:00.00
  • Distance: 26 miles
  • Average Speed: 17.33 mph

Filed under: Cycle, Family, Newcastle

2 Responses to “ Dash to the Shop! ”

  1. Von Smallhaussen on September 4, 2007 at 11:47 am

    I’m guessing that R is better on her bike by now than i am. Sounds like it was fun.

    The pic from your trip to the bridge is gorgeous.

  2. melbean on September 4, 2007 at 2:28 pm

    I bet your daughter will remember this trip forever. Nothing like a fun ride with your dad in a beautiful place - and then you get ice cream and coffee - When I have kids, I’m going to try to recreate your day with them ;)