Beebo
Firm and Fruity
- Location
- Hexleybeef
Long write up.
I slept badly, having set the alarm for 4.20, and woke up every half hour, as one does.
Got to the car park at Surrey Quays in light drizzle and very dark, had to cycle without lights, but there were plenty of others about to ride with. Ummed and arrred about what to wear, i had a car full of stuff to make a last minute decision. I elected for shorts, ss top and gillet, no need for arm warmers or waterproof jacket.
The start was well signed, but there is a fair bit of standing around. The actual send off is vey well organised, and off we went at 6.32 on the dot. We sped along passing two separate riders on the floor within the first 10 miles. Central london quickly passes and we were out into the suburbs. I stopped for a wee in Richmond Park. Loved riding as part of a large peleton all going full speed. Every so often you heard the whizz of deep carbon rims as a small group sped by at huge speed.
Then the rain came, and came and came. My clothing choice was perfect, i got soaking wet, but so did everyone else, gillet kept my body warm and short sleeves kept me cool. Glad i didnt have a boil in the bag jacket. My main problem was that i wear prescription glasses, which were either covered in rain, or misted up. I wore sealskin socks, which filled with water, but kept my feet warm.
I stopped at Newlands hub, just for a drink, wish i hadnt bothered as i must have lost at least 5 minutes in the queue, when i could have got water much quicker at the drink stops, but with the diversions i didnt know when the next stop would be.
Very wet through dorking, I had my last stop in Oxshott to meet my parents, who looked very wet, but they gave me some haribo and water.
Then the homeward leg, by now i was getting tired, and the rain was getting harder, my arms were bright red with the stinging rain. A couple of sections were totally underwater. I felt very sorry for the back-markers who were at a standstill as i passed through Kingston, who had the whole race ahead of themselves as we whizzed by.
I'm glad i was prewarned about Wimbledon Hill, so I saved just enough energy to get up it. Then onto the embankment and the finish.
I was a bit annoyed that the collection bags were just sitting in the rain, i poured half a cup of water out of mine, and everything was soaked.
I didnt hang round, and cycled back to Surrey Quays via the closed roads in reverse, which was very good.
Thanks to all volunteers and spectators, for standing in that weather.
I would do it again, but only with a ballot place, i cant raise £1,000.
I slept badly, having set the alarm for 4.20, and woke up every half hour, as one does.
Got to the car park at Surrey Quays in light drizzle and very dark, had to cycle without lights, but there were plenty of others about to ride with. Ummed and arrred about what to wear, i had a car full of stuff to make a last minute decision. I elected for shorts, ss top and gillet, no need for arm warmers or waterproof jacket.
The start was well signed, but there is a fair bit of standing around. The actual send off is vey well organised, and off we went at 6.32 on the dot. We sped along passing two separate riders on the floor within the first 10 miles. Central london quickly passes and we were out into the suburbs. I stopped for a wee in Richmond Park. Loved riding as part of a large peleton all going full speed. Every so often you heard the whizz of deep carbon rims as a small group sped by at huge speed.
Then the rain came, and came and came. My clothing choice was perfect, i got soaking wet, but so did everyone else, gillet kept my body warm and short sleeves kept me cool. Glad i didnt have a boil in the bag jacket. My main problem was that i wear prescription glasses, which were either covered in rain, or misted up. I wore sealskin socks, which filled with water, but kept my feet warm.
I stopped at Newlands hub, just for a drink, wish i hadnt bothered as i must have lost at least 5 minutes in the queue, when i could have got water much quicker at the drink stops, but with the diversions i didnt know when the next stop would be.
Very wet through dorking, I had my last stop in Oxshott to meet my parents, who looked very wet, but they gave me some haribo and water.
Then the homeward leg, by now i was getting tired, and the rain was getting harder, my arms were bright red with the stinging rain. A couple of sections were totally underwater. I felt very sorry for the back-markers who were at a standstill as i passed through Kingston, who had the whole race ahead of themselves as we whizzed by.
I'm glad i was prewarned about Wimbledon Hill, so I saved just enough energy to get up it. Then onto the embankment and the finish.
I was a bit annoyed that the collection bags were just sitting in the rain, i poured half a cup of water out of mine, and everything was soaked.
I didnt hang round, and cycled back to Surrey Quays via the closed roads in reverse, which was very good.
Thanks to all volunteers and spectators, for standing in that weather.
I would do it again, but only with a ballot place, i cant raise £1,000.
