Day 3

Well here we are again. It has been a long day today as it was also our hotel change over day. We were all up at 5.30am and packed and on the road at 6.30am. We had a 45 minute drive to our starting point in Bardon Mill.
We unloaded and set off at about 7.30am. I just must say that today it has only been 13 degrees and we are all freezing (we are never happy)! It has been perfect cycling weather but the amount of layers of clothes that have gone on and off all day is amazing.
Our start was an immediate steady 130m climb. This warmed us all up. It didn't get any easier from there as we then immediately climbed again up a 1:7 to the summit of the whole trip at 256m above sea level. The view was fantastic and we stopped at the top for a photo.
The next bit was a very fast 4 mile, 195m descent to the village of Fourstones.
We then carried on through to the town of Hexham where we stopped for Breakfast (although by now it was really brunch) at a little breakfast van (I thought we were slimmers)!
After brunch we climbed a long steady hill through the village of Corbridge and stopped at the top for a quick rest. During our rest there was a crash and we all turned to see Pam laying on the floor. She had been trying to get back on her bike and lost her footing she put a big dent in the back of her helmet so thank goodness she was wearing it as she would have hit her head hard. This is Pam's 3rd accident so really we knew that it was coming at some point since things always come in 3's, (she fell in a hedge on one of our training nights, a hole on day 1 and now this).
The final stage of the day was another fast descent towards Ovingham and then one last climb in Ovingham and we had finished.
Another 29 miles done and now all the hills are over.
We loaded up and made our way to our new hotel and after a few wrong turns are now settled in for a well earned rest.
The bikes are now starting to show signs of strain as are we all. Carl has got to have some new pedals later tonight, my gears are not quite right and there are lots of other noises coming from a good few of the bikes.
I must just say that Lynda has had a fantastic day, her confidence has really gone up and she is just going for all the hills we can't stop her!
Well only 1 day left and no hills, yipee! Although we will be in fancy dress tomorrow so that will be quite interesting especially since we are going through the centre of Newcastle and probably a bit cold as the weather is supposed to be much the same as today.
Thanks for all the support and comments that you are putting on here we are reading them all.
See you tomorrow. Chez.

P.S. Hope you aren't too fed up with all the pictures yet. Wait for the fancy dress ones tomorrow!