Almost over

We have taken the hard step of deciding to sell Penny, so she is now being advertised. I named this blog "A smarter life" because of her and it is a shame to see her on the market.

Click here to see the advert Here

I did it

I actually did it!

6 hours and 6 minutes, a few extra miles at the start,

but a very long hard day in the saddle

As you may well be aware on Sunday 15th June I joined 27,000 other riders and cycled from Clapham Common in London to Brighton on the South Coast. A distance of 54 miles. It was an emotional and physical day, but one which I thoroughly enjoyed.

Although it did not get off to the best of starts, as my house is on the route of the ride, and as I was given a start time of 9 o’clock I had to transport the bike to the start line, to do so I had brought a new roof rack for the car, unfortunately about five minutes from home we heard a crash and saw that the bike was no longer held upright, but had collapsed onto its side. One quick fix later and we headed back onto the road, (trying to avoid the hundreds of cyclist who have already started, the event starts at 6.00 – the faster riders complete in under two hours!) only to discover that the bike was leaning again. This time I decided to abandon any attempt to fix the bike to the roof rack but instead to cycle to the start line, which only added an extra two miles to the ride.

The start line at Clapham was very well organised, and everyone had to line up below one of six towers divided into two groups of start times, I joined to 9 am start queue and waited to be given the green light. With five minutes to go we were allowed to pass through and get the all important start line stamp, then onto the main assemble point few meters passed the tower to wait for the starter to drop his rope and let us on our way.

The next six hours are a blur of images and memories, firstly there was all the traffic, which was using most of the same roads as us, then the fancy dress – a man in an Incredible Hulk suit, Mr Incredible, two guys in French maids outfits on a tandem! A group of my neighbours waving from the road side outside our housing estate, and the same later on from a group of people who lived in a retirement village just passed Haywards Heath. There were a few accidents, which again managed to slow us down, at one point a group of riders climbed over a fence, and cycled across a rugby field to try to keep moving.

However it is the last climb that was the real killer, rising from the weald, which is sea level to just under 1000 feet, in just over a mile, Detling Beacon marks the last challenge of the ride, and given that by this point so many people are walking rather than riding it was almost impossible to reach the top whilst still peddling. I’m sorry to say that I had to push my bike at least for three quarters of this climb, there was no way I could ride, a mixture of tiered legs and others pushing their bikes as well. Once on top the weather seemed to sense our arrival and it quickly turned from being a nice sunny day into being cold and windy, fortunately it is all downhill after the beacon, so other than the odd traffic light, and even more cyclists we pretty much managed to coast home.

Crossing the finish line was a great experience, both sides of Madeira Drive were lined with cheering supporters, and at the finish I got the all important finish stamp in my card, and my medal

When I looked around me I saw the smiling faces of all the others who had endured and survived the ride, some taking longer than I, others doubtless faster, but all finishers, a great feeling. In total I raised £450 for the British Heart Foundation, and I can honestly say that without everyone’s support it would not have been such a fulfilling event, so thanks to everyone who sponsored me, in doing so you spurred me on to the finish, for which I say a big thank you

There are two scary thoughts that keep haunting me, firstly as we drove back home, we saw a lot of people cycling back, and secondly I now have an automatic entry into next year’s ride – will I take it?

Who knows

thanks again

Steve

Are We ready - I think so

Well it's almost here, and whilst work kept me away from the gym too many times, the bikes service meant missing two weekends, we arrive at the weekend with a feeling of confidence and enthusiasm that is quite new to me!

The bike is back, and feels great, the gym work this week was good - thanks in part to the two girls in a Ford Ka who waved and blew kisses at me, whilst I was cycling in the gym ( which if you don't know is on the first floor, overlooking a main road)

Planning to do a short 10 miles tomorrow morning and then it is off to Clapham for my 9.00 start time.

Hopefully going to be passing BedZED at around 10ish - sorry for all you Archers fans - you might miss the start.

I have been wearing my London to Brighton Tee shirt around, and got chatting to one fellow who is doing the ride - he said that when training he does L2B in 2.30 hours, but on the event it takes much longer - around 4 hours!

What ever happens Sunday is going to be a loooooooooooooooooooooooooooong day

Fund raising is just under £400.00 which is fantastic, thanks so much to everyone who has been kind enough to sponsor me - I hope I don't let you down

Steve

Almost ready - not quite!

It's the final push.

Gym training has been good, however currently I am bikeless (is that a word?)

Took the bike for a service last week, plenty of time to get it sorted, however they broke the brakes, and have to order a part, will it be ready in time - I hope so

Watch this space, still need some more sponsorship follow the link below to the page, or post here that your name and the amount, and I will sort it for you

Steve