Sunday Training Ride - 16.03.14

The Delaval Arms was looking good in the morning sunshine but the photograph is deceptive. What it doesn't show is the 25 mph wind sweeping over from the west. However, we cyclists know that if you wait for a perfect day the bike would never get out of the garage. 
Five of us met up and at 9.30 am set off down the track towards St Mary's Lighthouse. One of the benefits of windy conditions is that the paths are drying out so with the wind behind us it was easy going until we turned to head west up to the cycle way leading along to Tynemouth. The route along the coast was tricky, particularly in the exposed parts where we felt the full force of the wind. Nevertheless, we survived and made it safely to the Spanish Battery. 

We paused to catch our breath and it was at this point that one of the group decided to fall off his bike.

The ride along the promenade to the fish quay wasn't too bad but Borough Bank, tough at the best of times, proved quite a challenge. Similarly, the ride through Coble Dene to the Royal Quays was hard work. Once at the Royal Quays we were joined by the sixth member of the group for the journey on to the Cycle Hub.

 
Once we reached Hadrian Road our progress was relatively untroubled and we made good time. The descent from St Peter's Basin along to the Cycle Hub was, however into the teeth of a very strong wind.

As we had hoped, our return to the Royal Quays was made easier by a following wind. The ride from Percy Main to Shiremoor was a slog against the wind but the route to the coast via Earsdon, South Wellfield and Monkseaton Drive was wind assisted.
The final sting in the tail was the hill up to the Delaval Arms but we successfully completed our 32 mile ride rather more easily than we had anticipated.