My day started with my alarm going off at 3.45 am and got ready and out for the cab that was booked for 4.30, went to pick up my mate, who sadly hadnt woken up and there was a panicked 20 minutes of door banging and phone calls. Cab did well and we were dropped off in Blackwall lane at 6am, mate had to be in his start pen for 6.30 so we had to peg it a bit. First bit of drama came when the marshals didnt send us the right way to the start and we headed up the A12 right into the path of the first group, lots of screaming and a "Get off the road you f&%king Prick" from a London dickamo Dynamo rider, who if I meet again will never ride a bike again.
Got to the start and it was all very organised, I honestly think I set off way too quickly. My 17 mile split was 54 minutes, and I think that hurt me as the day wore on. Felt like I was going up a mountain from Ripley to Newlands, but managed to get up Newlands faster than I had ever done before. I got to Leith hill in time for it to be shut, had no idea what had happened, but there was a strange feeling of something not right as I rejoined the A25 and the group of cyclists that had stopped there had a strange atmosphere.
Dorking high street was solid, and was walking speed only through the narrow section.
Had to walk up Box hill after the second hairpin, jelly legs took over, was gutted as i have done this before. Stopped at Leatherhead and had my first pee of the day, and that is when my problems really started, it was stinging like an absolute B@stard, and plagued me until late last night, was shivering and had to keep stopping regularly for a wee. By the time I got out of Esher cramp started setting in in my hamstring and thigh, but this passed by the time I got to Putney.
It was a really hard slog to the finish, but wow what a finish, coming up whitehall, seeing Nelsons column and turning into the Mall will stay with me forever, made even better seeing my Wife, kids and mum just after the finish line. Amazing.
As for the agressive riding of certain people, I did see that, these people need to chill out and if they want fast times on these segments for Strava then they need to go out on a quite Sunday morning, Its like the M25 in the rush hour, if there is no room to overtake, you have to wait.
Far too many crashes for my liking, didnt see any actually happen but lots of people laying in the road, and obviously the sad news that one of our own has passed away, rest in peace dude.
Would I do it again? Absolutely, but more training and more weight loss required, and I don't think I will do it for charity again. Its ballot or bust for me.
don't expect a total stranger to try to barge through a gap that isn't there on a crowded hill with riders (and walkers) of all abilities and experience. You can't compare the two scenarios
If those guys had come off it would have been carnage
