The first year it was run I won a place through a competition run by Skoda, the 2nd year I marshalled at the start, the 3rd year I won a place again with Skoda and then this year I won 2 places through Evans Cycles! More than just lucky I guess.
Having won 2 places this year I needed to find someone to ride with me and Dave Hughes duly volunteered to take the extra space. Dave had also ridden the first year of the event and we had a few issues with logistics of getting to and from the event. This year however I had a plan, perfected last year, I would drive to The O2 and park then we would ride through the Blackwall Tunnel, which is closed specifically for the event, to get to the start. Then having finished on The Mall we would go back to my office which has a secure garage for the bikes, have a shower, take in some of the events in Green Park before getting the tube back to The O2, collect the car and drive home. I would then bring the bikes home Monday and Tuesday.
I duly collected Dave about 4am and headed off, I had volunteered to take some photos for the BBC Get Inspired team throughout the day so this meant stopping regularly throughout the ride which was a great incentive for me to really enjoy the ride rather than going all out to get to the finish as quickly as possible which I had done on the previous 2 rides.
We arrived at the Olympic Park, dropped the bags off and made our way to the start pens, just about perfect timing getting into the pen about 5 mins before it closed. We met a guy called Carl who had ridden the event every year, he had also won his place this year in a competition. Before long we were moving round to the start, I am always impressed that they seem to get the waves away almost exactly on time, no mean feat for so many riders!
Soon after the start there were a mass of riders stood by the side of the road, no doubt waiting for friends who were in a different wave.
The first few miles go past really quickly through London and Richmond Park then out to Hampton Court and the first of the Hubs, we stopped in the park and at the hub to take some photos and enjoy the fig rolls and other food and drink that was on offer. After we were suitably refreshed we set off again and before too much longer were near to Newlands Corner.
On our way to Newlands we were temporarily stopped due to an accident but were allowed past once the ambulance had arrived. Once at the top of Newlands Corner we again stopped at the Hub to take on food and water, on leaving the hub it was clear that something had happened back round the course as there were very few riders coming up the hill and we were 2 of about a handful of riders going down the hill.
As we hit the bottom of Leith Hill my legs felt quite strong and I knew it was going to be difficult to try and ride up with Dave alongside all the other riders so I decided to go up at my own pace and meet Dave at the top. When he arrived at the summit I discovered that his chain had come off on the approach to the hill.
From Leith Hill we progressed on to the iconic Box Hill and once again we agreed to meet at the top of the hill for some food and water provided by the amazing volunteers.
Returning to London there is a final rise at Wimbledon and then a final run in to swing under Admiralty Arch and onto The Mall to the finish line and a quite amazing medal.
Ride London is a fantastic event giving a unique opportunity to ride around London and Surrey on closed roads, a massive thanks to all involved with putting it on. An equally massive thanks to all the volunteers around the course who were always smiling and cheerful providing not only the food and water but heaps of encouragement.
Obviously the event suffered a sad event and my condolences go to the family affected.
