Last ride out before I head out to Nevada in just 6 days, yes the Death Valley cycle challenge is here already: how time flies!

Very foggy along the Tyne Valley this morning, but once we'd climbed up out of Hexham we were above it and treated to bright warm sunshine and stunning views out across the moors and countryside.

Just a week and a bit to go. Autumn is most-definitely here now, but no doubt I will be begging for the sort of chilly temperatures this last weekend, when out in the heat of Nevada!
3,033kms of training & preparation this year, so I am hoping that all counts when we set-off in Dearh Valley.
Yet again I'm hugely grateful for the massive support and donations through my JustGiving page, and yet again I've reached the fundraising target I'd set. Huge thank you.

A blast out in Northumberland, out along through Ruding Mill and on to Hexham, before turning up the long series of climbs to Slaley, down to Blanchland and then on round Derwent Reservoir - first avoiding the stray sheep on the roads - up to Carterway Heads and down into Shotley Bridge. Along to Ebchester and then the climb up to Heddon on the Hill, with a final call from the geese and the rave-whistles on the descent back down. 37 miles, but the climbs felt like more!

Can't say today's temperature are much use to me in preparing for Death Valley, but useful miles in the legs all the same. 1,750 miles this year so far, considerably more than I expected.

Another Sunday ride out with Lee, but my son Adam finally making it out on his first ride since London to Paris 7 weeks ago.

Weather great, and Northumberland countryside as spectacular as ever.

Dry night if somewhat blustery, so out into it to take advantage. Pushed-on hard despite the wind, managed to blag a load of PB's over the 20 miles, and pushed the average speed up. Need a lie down now!!

Another fantastic L2P adventure completed!!

Great route - tougher, Great company - new friends made, and another great fundraising experience, in support of Fibroduck Foundation.

Training continuing now for the big one in a couple of months. My 2nd ever "century", merely a calendar-month after the first. Getting as much as I can in as the weather will start to go downhill soon enough.

Well, that's all the training I'm going to get for London to Paris 2015, heading down to London ready for depart tomorrow. 1,300kms this year so far, so we'll down on last year's 2,700, but it is what it is.

Thank you to all who have, & continue to support this challenge I'm doing, fundraising for the Fibroduck Foundation.

First ride on the bike since Mallorca. Brrrr, 15 deg cooler too! Crap drivers intent on slicing a few microns of skin off my elbow almost, rubbish road surfaces but on the plus side my bike has just been serviced and is running sweet, gear changes are super-slick as a new chain has been fitted, and braking improved - new pads. Both items having been worn-out.

Final day's outing on the hire bike, and another 50 miler in the 30+ heat. Pity there was no direct bike-route into the pool upon my return!

3rd (of 4) day on the hired bike today, 85kms & 807mtrs of altitude gain (53 miles and 2,650ft in old money), in 32 deg heat. Great morning on the bike though.