My odometer says that I've covered 111.4km; my bottom feels like it was closer to 1000! but its done.
It really was a fantastic event, from the cameraderie at the top of Alexander Palace at 12.42am to the sights of London from Kensington to Docklands; Ally Pally to Crystal Palace. Highlights for me were riding through the West End at 2 in the morning, with dozens of fellow Nightriders battling with Rickshaws, Taxis and drunk Londoners - it was a real buzz. The stretch from 50km to 70km was predictably tough - not lots to see in South London, lots more hills that my last post predicted and it is always the worse bit when you are beginning to feel the ride but there is still a long way to go. Also missing a nights sleep means your body is telling you to stop cycling at 4am!
But as we crossed Tower Bridge on a Sunny sunday morning (it was light from 4.30) and headed out to Docklands we knew that we were on the home straight.
Thank you for everyone whotook past for Action on Hearing Loss, particularly my friends and family who responded to my e-mail back in January. I hope you all loved it as much as I did. A special mention for my sister Cath, and Tori who cycled with me to half way despite being fitter and faster (Tori had already done a 5mile run and a 1 mile open water swim over the past 24 hours - amazing!) also thank you to Neil and Rich for sticking with me until the bitter end.
The special mention of the day goes to Ian though, having trashed his bike on Waterloo Bridge less than 20km into the ride - he hired a Boris bike and did the last 80km using it (has one ever been that distance before in one hire?) also much respect to Barry and Jason for seeing him all the way home.
And finally to the other group of Matt, Larry and Mike who finished first out of the 11 of us despite taking a wrong turn and adding a few extra kilometers onto the route around Euston Station!
So following a radox bath and a couple of hours kip I'm feeling almost human again, the bike safely in the garage; at least for a week or two...
Thanks to everyone who sponsored me.
From putting up bunting in our new brand colours in the office, to our birthday celebrations around the country, followed by a Buckingham Palace reception and then Nightrider this will be a week to remember! Welcome to the world 'Action on Hearing Loss'.
Sunday, 12 June 2011
Tuesday, 7 June 2011
Come in Number 901 Your Time Is Up!
OK, so its all a bit real now; the final race pack has arrived and the next time I get on my bike will be on the start line. Yep, I'm number 901 and the gang of 11 who have all signed up to ride for Action on Hearing Loss through my arm twisting are setting off from Alexander Palace at 12.43am on the morning of 12 June.
Firstly a massive thank you and good luck to Neil, Rich, Jason, Matt, Barry, Ian, Larry, Mike, Cath and Tori - what stars.
I don't want to be at all cocky or complacent but I've downloaded the route map this morning and London is much flatter than the Chiltern Hills where we've been doing our training. Apart from a sustained climb in the middle (Crystal Palace) and the end (Alexander Palace) the rest is as flat as a pancake! The toughest gradient looks only to be 3-5% on Map My Ride; which compares pretty favourably to the 14% hill coming out of Wendover to Cholesbury that I've struggled up 3 times 60k in on my 80k+ training rides (admitedly with lots of stopping and panting!)
But...lets take nothing for granted, this is the first (last?) time I've ever cycled for 100km and we've done all our training in the light having had a full nights sleep.
I might not blog again until after the event.
Wish me luck! and thanks for the amazing support.
Firstly a massive thank you and good luck to Neil, Rich, Jason, Matt, Barry, Ian, Larry, Mike, Cath and Tori - what stars.
I don't want to be at all cocky or complacent but I've downloaded the route map this morning and London is much flatter than the Chiltern Hills where we've been doing our training. Apart from a sustained climb in the middle (Crystal Palace) and the end (Alexander Palace) the rest is as flat as a pancake! The toughest gradient looks only to be 3-5% on Map My Ride; which compares pretty favourably to the 14% hill coming out of Wendover to Cholesbury that I've struggled up 3 times 60k in on my 80k+ training rides (admitedly with lots of stopping and panting!)
But...lets take nothing for granted, this is the first (last?) time I've ever cycled for 100km and we've done all our training in the light having had a full nights sleep.
I might not blog again until after the event.
Wish me luck! and thanks for the amazing support.
Thursday, 2 June 2011
The Last Big One Before the Big One
I can't believe the event is less than two weeks away!
On Sunday, myself Jason and Barry went out for 81km. Our now very regular route through Ashridge and on to Eaton Bray. Again on to Billington, Mentmore and eventually Aylesbury - back to Wendover and over that horendous hill! To be fair, knowing it was coming made it easier in a way, and although I still stopped about 10 times on the way up (its a 1:7 incline and 60km in to the ride) I made sure that I didn't get completely puffed out half way up. Overall I was pretty chuffed to have got to the end of the ride still feeling in good shape.
So just a short 20 or 30km this weekend as we wind down the training; and then Nightrider is on Saturday 11th.
On Sunday, myself Jason and Barry went out for 81km. Our now very regular route through Ashridge and on to Eaton Bray. Again on to Billington, Mentmore and eventually Aylesbury - back to Wendover and over that horendous hill! To be fair, knowing it was coming made it easier in a way, and although I still stopped about 10 times on the way up (its a 1:7 incline and 60km in to the ride) I made sure that I didn't get completely puffed out half way up. Overall I was pretty chuffed to have got to the end of the ride still feeling in good shape.
So just a short 20 or 30km this weekend as we wind down the training; and then Nightrider is on Saturday 11th.
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