I, along with many other I am sure, have entered the ballot for the Ride London 100 each year and been unsuccessful each time. Unlike many others I have been lucky enough to win a place in the ride during its first year and also this year. Last year I volunteered to help at the start, so have had some involvement each year.
After being unlucky in the ballot again this year I registered to volunteer handing out goody bags at the finish and was all set for a long day on The Mall congratulating all those who had made their way around the course.
I was training for a triathlon and was due to go for a run one weekend when I saw a competition on Twitter from SkodaUKCycling to win a place in Ride London 100. All I had to do was take a selfie at the start and the end of a ride, so my run that day became a brick session!
I was sure that I wouldn't win, does anyone ever enter thinking that they will definitely win? anyway after the competition had closed and the results came out, I had a tweet from Skoda telling me that I was one of the lucky winners!
A parcel of kit duly arrived so that I would look the part in fully Skoda branded shorts, shirt, socks, mitts and water bottle. Then a few days before the event another package arrived, this time it contained VIP passes for the hospitality at the velodrome for the start and in the Grandstands in the Mall, result!
Logistics for getting to the start and home again from the finish the first year I took part had been a bit of a mission, so this year I thought about something different. I drove to The O2 to park and then ride through the Blackwall Tunnel, which had been specially closed to traffic so riders to go through, to the start. We were directed where to go initially but then directions seemed to dry up and we were just following the riders in front. Eventually someone decided we were going away from the start so we all did a U turn and found our way back.
On arriving at the Olympic park I was directed to the Velodrome where porridge, coffee and bacon rolls were all on offer, there were quite a number of people in Skoda kit and we all sat around discussing the oncoming ride.
Laura Trott arrived resplendent in the colours of her new Matrix Fitness team, sat at the table next to us for her breakfast, I don't recall seeing her with a bacon roll though.
At about 7am we were called over the tannoy to make our way to the start, I headed out to collect my bike from the bike park and off down the path to the start, within a few minutes we were on our way, 100 miles stretching out in front of us.
The first part of the ride is quite flat and fast taking in the delights of Richmond Park, I was surprised at how quick the first 40 miles went past. After a while we hit the first major hill at Newlands Corner, I was pleasantly surprised at how my legs coped with getting up, I usually really struggle on hills but this wasn't too bad.
Then it was on to Leith Hill, at the bottom of the slopes were signs indicating that slower riders should stay left and faster ones to the right. Now was I a slow rider or a faster one, I decided to ride to the right hand side of the left lane, I felt this was a good compromise! Anyway it seemed to work I was passing riders whilst also getting passed myself.
One of those who passed me was Rochelle Gilmore, I managed to stay with her for a couple of yards before she was off in the distance!
Box Hill came and went in a similar manner, I was quite pleased with my climbing form, although it was still not quick it was better than I expected.
Riding through the various towns and villages on closed roads was amazing, the support from the crowds was again superb.
As we came back into London the roads were again fast, I managed to catch a few wheels and pick up some speed. Coming onto Whitehall only about half a mile from the finish several riders came down in front of me, after stopping briefly to ensure all were ok and marshalls were looking after them I continued on towards the finish.
Final few hundred metres up the mall to the finish were amazing with the crowds cheering and banging on the boards as I sprinted to the finish, not sure I will improve that strava segment on my rides to work!
Having collected my bag I managed to make my way through Green Park to my office, locked my bike in the garage, had a shower and then returned to the park to meet Dad who had just arrived to watch the rest of the event and the Classic finish.
We made our way to the Grandstands where we bumped into my Cousin Laura and her friend Cathy, she who kept passing me going up the hills at the Bastion!
Being able to watch as the leading 4 of the Pro race came sprinting up the Mall was amazing, being so close and seeing the turn of speed, just incredible.
Now on to the final part of my logistical plan, as my bike was safely locked in the garage at the office I could just get the tube back to The O2 to collect my car. I would get the train to work Monday to collect my bike!
There are a distinct lack of photos in this post, I did my usual trick of riding as hard as I could to try and finish as quick as possible, which I managed in 5hrs 7 minutes so about 20 minutes quicker than 2 years ago. However I think it would have been nice to not try as hard but to enjoy the views from the top of Box Hill a bit more and maybe get some photos.
Thanks must go to Skoda for the place in the ride and the amazing hospitality throughout the day including the opportunity to watch the finish of the Classic race from the grandstands, to all the marshals and volunteers around the course who looked after us as we trundled around the course. To all the supporters around the course cheering us on and supporting us as we passed through their towns and villages.
Finally my thoughts go out to the family and friends of Stephen Green.
