My first time driving to London ran like clockwork, set off at 8.30 and arrived at Travelodge at 11.30ish, no delays on the motorways and luckily there were a couple of spare parking spaces upon my arrival phew!
Signing on at the Excel was quick and easy, I then I had a look around the cycle show, it was usual cycle show gubbins - nothing spectacular but a nice way to waste time as I couldn't check-in to my room until 3, decided to have a burger and chips while at the Excel - tasted like cardboard! At least I got plenty of chips though (carbs!). Afterward, I ventured along the waters edge to Tesco to pick up an egg sarnie and a chicken and bacon pasta pot for my tea.
Checked in at Travelodge at 3 - tried to book a second night there but they were fully booked ouch. I had stopped at Potters Bar service station on the drive down so decided to book my second night at the Ramada there.
Bed plus sleeping mask at 9pm, a few times I started drifitng into a dream and then suddenly was aware and wide awake again, tried a sleeping tablet at 12, last I looked at the clock it was 1.30am - woke up at 4am - figured I had managed around 2 hours of continuous sleep. Dozed until 5 before getting up and ready to go. Checked out of Travelodge at 6 and was on the road to my starting pen at 6.15.
I arrived at 7 just as my starting pen opened, had over a hour to stand around waiting until it started to move towards the starting line at 7.40 - The Start time was 8.20 and impressively my pen actually rolled out on time.
Riding around London on closed roads is a surreal experience, especially as there were people at the side of the road cheering us all on. I kept my distance to the other riders, the majority of which still kept to the left side of the road including myself, I figured I'd leave the right hand side to the boy racers (FKW's!) however, annoyingly I still had the odd dickhead undertaking at speed.
As I had so little sleep (plus concerned about driving afterward) I decided to see how I felt at the first hub at mile 26 as to which distance i would do.
At the first hub I discovered the route so far had been very flat and fast, as I felt fine and wide awake I decided to carry on along the 100 mile route but miss out Leith and Box Hill, thus reducing total distance to 86 miles.
There was a a long steady climb up to hub no.2 out in the Surrey countryside, when I got to the top I was feeling a little tired, I spent half hour eating and drinking as much as I could before carrying on. There was a very welcome long descent just afterward.
There were plenty of people on the side of the road cheering us all on as the route passed through little towns on the return leg.
My 3rd stop was a drinks station about 20 miles before finishing, I didn't feel like eating at this point so a quick loo break and a few shot bloks and fig rolls to keep me going.
Last major-ish climb was Wimbledon Hill, it was steady and not too bad, shortly afterward I was riding in the familiarity of Central London counting down the final miles.
A final corner, through the arch, and down the Mall to the finish line... the best finish to a ride I've ever experienced - kinda felt like I was finishing a race and had achieved something.
I had a steady 10 mile ride back to my car afterward, luckily it was on the segregated Cycle Superhighway which was flat and dead easy to trundle along for a hour.
The 32 mile drive to the Ramada at Potters Bar was fine, wide awake and no delays.
Verdict:
A top notch experience and well worth the logistics, originally thought I'd do this as a one off but shall likely find myself throwing my name into the ballot hat when entry opens up for next year.
Stats:
4.5 miles to the start
86 miles on route
10 miles back to car
My first century ride so far this year
Fuel:
1 x Porridge pot (pre ride)
Banana (pre ride)
2 x Banana and Peanut Butter Wraps
3 x Cliffbars
8 x Fig Rolls
Haribo Jelly Babies
Shotbloks
Celeb Spotting:
My mate Chris Hoy stood next to me at hub No.1 - was too busy scoffing food to bother him though. Food is more importanter! 😀
Special Mention:
The lady standing on the side of the road shouting out we were all inspirational and should be proud of ourselves after all the horrible news that had happened recently.
Rider of the day:
The lady who rode past me bopping along to Rick Astley's Never gonna Give You Up on her phone speaker with a huge smile on her face, had her own personal spin class going on! 😃
