Day 2 MY mission for Tuesday was to make it home, eat, shower, change and be down the pub 25 minutes' walk away - for 8pm to see the England vs Sweden match.

But first, there is the little matter of getting to work.

My 6.30am alarm is half an hour ahead of its normal interruption to my slumber and, as is always the case when your morning is scheduled to start early, I had woken several times and checked my clock to ensure I hadn't slept in.

Still, it felt ridiculously early as I rolled out of bed and Five Live debated whether cyclists were "Saints or Sinners". Surely I was being punished for something, so I came down on the side of the latter.

My mood changed instantly when I stepped outside at 7am, with the sun shining and I realise the hill I had climbed at the end of my journey yesterday was a downhill start to my day. Across the field and onto the paths to take me across towards Bishop Auckland train station and I realised I was beginning to enjoy my cycling adventure.

As I pulled into the station, the train was doing likewise, making me think I'd cut the ride fine, but there was five minutes to settle in before the journey.

On arrival at Darlington, I made the ride up Yarm Road and to the office in ten minutes and I cruised past the commuter jams approaching the roundabout at Cummins.

The cycle paths along McMullen Road gave me a smooth last run in and my morning was made when the Just Deli caf on site agreed to bring me my free breakfast being offered to all Lingfield Point workers cycling in this week to Recognition Marketing and PR's offices.

The ride home was somewhat less enjoyable. The rain started as I left the office and miserably drizzled all the way home. The final leg, from Bishop Auckland train station to home, made me realise how tired my legs were feeling, but I will tell myself it was the negative mental effects of the dour weather, rather than allow myself to believe it has anything to do with my poor fitness levels.

Braving "hell hill", that last upwards stretch to home, I dig in and stubborn pride refuses to allow me to quit and I make it home in time for a shower and change and I leave the house at 7.35 exactly. Just in time.