Hey peeps, I did the RL100 last year, was a blast. Rode for Sue Ryder Care and raised over £700 smackeroonies. I rode in memory of my mother in law - Sue Ryder took care of her. This year I missed out on the ballot but already agreed to ride for The Lymphoma Society as my father in law had / has this illness. Have scanned through some of the threads and would like to offer some of my experiences:
Training - I kept a log / blog of all my training and used Strava to gauge how I was doing. I literally did 1000's of miles from Jan-August in preparation. I probably overdid it to be fair, but it did mean that on the day, I got to enjoy the whole thing without feeling terrible. Finished in 5:40 something. Could have been quicker but I stopped for tea and cake on Boxhill because It was there! When I applied, I nervously said I would be 7 hours.
I got up at 4 am, and drove from Twyford, Berks, along the M4, into London, over a bridge (lucky it was open) to Surrey Quays car park - was EASY PEASY!!!! The ride to the part took 20 minutes, was ace, though some of the tunnels were a bit scary.
I was in one of the last groups to set of, having put my finish at the 7 hours. Annoyingly, by the time some of the hills started to come up I was passing volumes of slower riders. I felt very sorry for them, but also wondered why they had started before me. More my mistake than theirs i'm sure.
I saw, and was nearly taken out by one accident where a guy did a loud burp up a steep hill, people laughed (me included) the burper looked back at those laughing, and clipped a wheel in-front, sending two or three over sideways - Don't be distracted for a moment! It was a close call.
I was riding solo, I tailgated when I needed a break (much to the annoyance of some other riders). In the last 40 miles I found myself with a group similar speed riders and a rapport started to form, it was great.
I remembered to eat and drink all the time - so easy to get caught up in the atmosphere and forget a basic thing - you are burning calories big time and need to replenish constantly. I had some SiS drinks and High5 bars and some "normal" food like flapjack and a banana (not much use to be honest).
Finishing on the Mall is one of the most emotional and memorable things I have ever done, I hope you all get to experience it.
I had no punctures, no mechanicals, no crashes.
For 2014, I hope to get a better time and enjoy the day all over again. I'll be more confident and even fitter. I'm doing the Dragon Ride in June also.
