Our first 100 mile cycle is in the bag - we are tired and a bit sore but really pleased with ourselves, and had a fantastic day on Sunday.
What a great event to be part of - the route, the support, the weather, the organisation (marshalling, safety, food & drinks stations, toilets) and the festival atmosphere in the park at the end were all superb. Thank you to everyone who made it possible.
If you are just the tiniest bit interested I would encourage you to get your name in the ballot for next year when it opens on Monday 12 August.
http://www.prudentialridelondon.co.uk/The_Events/Prudential_RideLondon-Surrey_100.htm
We were up at 5am on Sunday morning so we had time to get some breakfast, freshen up and dress ourselves in the pinkest of shorts before heading over to the Olympic Stadium, where Chris dropped us off just after 6:30.
There were thousands of cyclist milling around, but everyone was efficiently directed to their starting area for the staggered start. It can't be easy getting over 16,000 cyclists underway without incident, but that is what happened. It wasn't long before we were whizzing past the 0 mile marker and underway.
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| Gillian in the start chute (above) Cuban Wheels fresh and ready to go (below) |
It was such a thrill to be cycling through the streets of London with no traffic - just the sound of whirring bike wheels and the odd clap from an early morning spectator.
We headed out past the Tower of London and along the Thames before heading out towards towards Chiswick and Richmond Park. That was where we hit our first climb of the day, but with reasonably fresh legs, we soon recovered.
The sight of a line of toilets with no queue just before we left the park was a delight, and we carried on with a minimum delay, somewhat relieved!
It didn't seem long before we were crossing into Surrey and meandering along leafy country lanes in the sunshine. All along the route people had come out to support the cyclists - some had put up bunting, and even arranged parties with food and drink so they could enjoy the spectacle in style. One lady was putting up a sign inviting cyclists to drop in for a cup of tea as we went past!
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| Taking on the hill |
Our first really tricky patch came at about 45 miles with a decent one mile climb up to Newlands Corner, which took us to the top of a hill and a hub stop which we decided to take advantage of. Unfortunately so did a lot of other people and it took us ages to file through, but it helped loosen up our legs a bit.
For the next 25 miles we were up and down the rolling hills of Surrey - me flying down, Gillian breaking more cautiously and catching me up at the bottom! I think my way is by far the best. This was all lovely until we hit 55 miles, and Leith Hill.
We had dedicated this stretch of the cycle to Sally, and we needed all our resolve to get to the top without getting off. Just as you thought the gradient was easing and you had reached the top, you turned a bend and were faced with another incline just a little bit steeper. I set a light gear and a steady pace and just kept going with burning legs. It was a joy to get to the top and find a drinks station waiting.
We were just tucking in to sandwich number 2 when a lady came over to us to say hello, as she was also cycling for Jo's Cervical Trust, and had spotted the logo on our cycling tops. She had just lost her sister to cervical cancer a few days before the event, but had found the strength to go ahead and still take part. Her courage and composure completely took us aback at first, and we were really moved, but it also motivated us to keep going. It is very inspiring to see how much events like this generate so much care and enthusiasm in so many people - both those taking part and those cheering on from the sidelines.
The next big challenge was Box Hill - a much more gradual incline, but a longer climb that snaked up a wooded hillside. Very beautiful. We just kept going - D - this one was for you.
The view at the top was stunning, but we didn't hang around as we knew that our chief spectator was stationed a bit further along the route, just after the 70 mile marker. The perfect point for some extra encouragement.
We were so pleased to see Chris, armed with camera, cheering us on! We passed in a few seconds, but the boost he gave us lasted for miles.
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| A wave for our fave spectator! |
The miles were starting to take their toll by now and we decided we needed a bit of a break before we tackled the last 18 miles into London. Fuelled with our last sandwich and energy bars we set off again.
As we got closer to London the support got louder and louder. Special thanks to the Breast Cancer support team who gave us a shout out, and the two ladies who had been enjoying a couple of drinks in the sunshine - you made us smile when it was getting tough!
There was a sneaky final hill coming out of Wimbledon. We dedicated that to Maria - we knew she would get us to the top without stopping.
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| Passing the Houses of Parliament |
The last few miles through the centre of London were simply amazing. We were tired and sore, but couldn't help smiling the whole way as we pedalled through Parliament Square through cheering crowds, up the middle of Whitehall to Trafalgar Square, under Admiralty Arch and on to the Mall where we got first sight of the finish line.
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| The crowd at the finishing line which is just visible in the distance in front of Buckingham Palace |
I just caught sight of Chris cheering in the crowds and had time to give him a quick wave before we pushed on for a final sprint to the finish. The crowd was banging on the hoardings either side as we passed so it felt like the finish to a professional race!
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| Digging in for the final stretch along The Mall |
We crossed the line in 8:31:19 - good work from Cuban Wheels - great motivation from Women v Cancer!
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