With a new bike unwrapped, adjusted and a short test ride completed I assumed my daily commute would be faster, more comfortable and generally a lovelier experience......and in fairness the first few rides in and out of work were quicker, riding the bike was more comfortable and cycling was generally lovelier.

With these factors making my cycling a better all round experience, and a low level of self generated pressure to keep racking up the miles I felt I was achieving improvements in my fitness with every rotation of the pedals.

I had also noticed the shedding of some weight , in part cycling, in part better diet and no alcohol, and through all of this I was growing some confidence to take my bike on a non-commute ride or two. All through the year I had been using social media and Youtube to pick up tips for cycling and stumbled across a number of incredible individuals who were already at a higher level of cycling than I was achieving at this point; in fact on Youtube alone I had enjoyed watching several people who had ridden from Alaska to Patagonia or down the length of Europe and Africa.

Whilst I'm sure adventure of some sort was what I was considering, my lack of fitness, experience and most importantly available time was all going to have an impact on what I might be able to undertake. Up until this point in the year, early June, the longest I had ridden in one go had been around 16 miles, a long cut on my way home from a meeting at work, but with an abundance of potential routes to cycle on it was time to jump in and get on with it.

I suppose its likely to be true of anything you look to do in life, you don't know what you are capable of until you give it a go. With a new bike, at least 5 months of constant commuting and a desire to test myself I set my alarm to head out on an early morning cycle into the New Forest.

5.30am might not be everyones idea of the best time of day to get up and head out for an adventure, but thats exactly what I intended to do. Early setting off would mean less traffic (cars being the natural enemy of bikes) and from a very boring, practical point of view a chance to enjoy the ride and not impact the rest of the day with my wife (who had been and continues to be incredibly supportive, thank you Jan).

Using the world of google maps I planned a route heading into the heart of the New Forest towards Beaulieu, home of the National Motor Museum (which isn't open at 5.30am on a Sunday!), so with my clothes laid out for an early half asleep Sunday morning start, a water bottle or two filled and bike sat waiting in the middle of my kitchen I headed off to bed.

My alarm sounded and my ninja like reflexes stopped it before it woke my wife (in my mind at least), got dressed and quietly pushed the bike out into the semi darkness of Sunday morning.....just as the sun was starting to poke over the horizon.

Problem number one as I set off heading eastwards was the sun, as lovely and appreciated as it was, shining low on my horizon, in between the shade of houses and trees making a challenging first few miles in the saddle. To my utter surprise my legs were into a pedalling rhythm that felt almost effortless, particularly over the first 10 miles or more, and I cycled along the back roads towards Lymington and uphill into the New Forest.

It also felt like I was the only person out on the roads early on a Sunday morning, as I continued to head eastwards I was seeing far more New Forest ponies than cars. The weather was perfect, the sun now lifting slowly into the morning sky, a slight breeze from the south west - everything about the ride was perfect.

Arriving in Beaulieu I stopped to take in the calm peaceful feel of the village and capture this on my phone before starting the journey home. The earlier tail wind was now of course a slight head wind, and this combined with the length of my ride so far meant the homeward leg of the ride was slightly slower and far harder work. Back through Lymington I knew I had a nine mile section left to complete, only slightly more than my daily commute into work, and whilst a little tired I knew I had the fitness to get home and enjoy a well earned breakfast.

I was back at home putting the bike away before 8am....and more importantly I was still able to function, so I headed back out for a dog walk and then a well earned, slightly later than anticipated breakfast, with all the rest of the day still ahead of me for some quality family time.

Post-breakfast the use of the stairs proved to be a slight challenge, and if I'm being honest I did enjoy an early afternoon nap, but I had completed the longest ride to date of a little over 34 miles, reasonable average speed and most importantly proved that I was capable of going further on my bike.

Even before I got halfway on my New Forest cycle I was already contemplating how far I might try and ride next time..........yes, next time! Without me really realising I had moved my own goal posts from work commute to pushing myself to new lengths of cycle rides, and the morning and afternoon cycles too and from the office became the perfecet time not only to unwind from work, but also to start to consider where I might ride next to go further.

Without the time to cycle to Patagonia where would I venture next ?