I arrived at Royal Hospital Chelsea around 9am wearing my
charity riders t-shirt and my allocated riders number - 4954. I was anxious, excited and eagerly ready to
complete the challenge ahead which was supporting the bid to beat blood cancer.
It was an absolutely gorgeous morning with jet Blue skies overhead, very few clouds
to be seen and the Sun was even saying a big booming hello.
On entering the start location, at the Hospital, riders were
ushered down a fenced path in order to queue for their allocated start time, as
riders were let out in batches to avoid congestion. This took some time to get
going but before I knew it our group was at the front of the pack and we heard
the sound for us to start pedalling and we were off………
Former England International footballer Geoff Thomas was competing
in the race with us due to this charity being very close to him.
With the weather on our side the ride took in some beautiful
sights of London starting out in central London and taking in some stunning
architecture and bridges. It wasn’t long before we approached Waterloo, the London
Eye, Big Ben, Westminster Cathedral and the list goes on………… this was an amazing
backdrop for a ride. The roads were not shut for the charity cycle so it made
for a lot of stop / start action in central London, which became frustrating
very quickly. St Pauls and Tower Bridge soon followed and you realise yet again
what a stunning capital city we have in England.
After Tower Bridge there was opportunity to really open your
legs and passing the Oval and then on to Battersea (dogs home and power
station) lead to the first 1 minute stop at the refreshments points on the
course. Banana, pumpkin bar and sugary energy drink (dropped in the water
bottle) later we were off again. Slight interlude on exiting with the police
catching what seemed to be a “robber” which surprised everyone as a big chase ensued
and lots of squad cars. After some commotion they got their man after jumping
and cuffing him in the middle of the park with 4,000 charity riders looking on.
After Kew Gardens we arrived at Ham House and this signalled
the halfway point. I only know this by looking at the map after I finished the
ride as there were no signs of “how much to go” or “how much you had completed”
on the entire route.
The long stretch home was more about cycling and the earlier
stop / start frustration was no longer a problem as blasting through Richmond
Park and Wimbledon Common was a sheer pleasure and serious cycling. FUN TIME!
I must say the stewards around the course did a fantastic job,
positioned at crucial points helping guide us in the right direction when
needed. Also the refreshment teams and the start and finish were also excellent
and were fully appreciated for the time they gave up.
We crossed the river one last time and passed Stamford
Bridge before the last run down the Kings Road to the finish line. I crossed
the line after 4 hours and 46 minutes. With congestion, traffic lights and
refreshment breaks I was delighted with this as I wanted to get less than 5
hours for the 52-miler.
On crossing the line I collected my medal, joined a group of
other cyclists that gathered on the grass and soaked on the achievement.
However, at that point it was like someone turned on a switch and the heavens
opened. I still had to get back to the station and then cycle home after the
train! You need to always take a positive from the situation and that was I survived
the race with no injuries to me or the bike (importantly) so a bit of a soaking
on the way home seemed a very small hardship to suffer for the luck of the
weather during the race.
Thank you all for supporting this first stage of my epic
journey to conquer two countries in 2014. I plan at least 3 more cycles before
that big event and miles covered will increase in preparation for the 1000
miles.
Thank you so much to for the 18 donations which totalled £214.99. I am so thankful
for the support and I hope you can follow me all the way for the challenge of
my life in 2014.
I look
forward to telling you the next challenge in the next week or so but it will be
progressively more impressive!
