12 August 2014
Ride London - a celebration of cycling - DESPITE the weather
Last weekend saw the streets of London closed for the annual Ride London weekend.
I was lucky enough to take part in the Ride London-Surrey 100 for a second time this year - though that was badly hit by the after effects of Hurricane Bertha. The amateur event was shortened from 100 miles to 86 miles to avoid the more dangerous parts of the route - Leith Hill and Box Hill.
On Saturday an estimated 60,000 took part in a 10 mile ride through central London and the festivities included the largest bicycle bell ensemble........
Sunday was the day for the more serious events - the Ride London 100, followed by the 'Classic' event for elite riders.
I started my ride at 7:50 - when it was fairly drizzly, but not too bad. By the time I reached Hampton Court, about 25 miles in - the heavens well and truly opened - it was like cycling through a power shower. The speed of the downpour resulted in lots of flooding en route - all taken in its stride by the great marshalls and volunteers.
The rain did not seem to put off the supporters - who were out along most of the route - and really did spur on the cyclists.
With 25 miles to go the sun came out - I dried out - and even had the sun glasses on!! It stayed dry until I had 1 mile to go - the sky went very dark, and then the heavens opened again - the wind picked up, knocking over hoardings in the final stages - bt I got through - soaked - again - but delighted to have got through without a puncture - and without coming off.
The whole day was brilliantly organised - and any accidents I did see were being well attended by medics and marshalls.
I was really sorry to hear afterwards that a cyclists had died of a cardiac arrest on the climb up to Newlands Corner near Guildford. My heartfelt condolences go to his family and friends. I was relieved to see that the cyclist behind him has been able to reassure the family that he was really well looked after by the medics and the Police. RIP Kris Cook.
More than 20,709 cyclists defied the wind and the rain to complete the course, making it the biggest ever cycling sportive held in the UK.
Gary Watson and Lisa Russell, of Raynes Park even managed to get married en route - stopping of at Richmond Park's Pembroke Lodge to tie the knot, before completing the course!
I was lucky enough to take part in the Ride London-Surrey 100 for a second time this year - though that was badly hit by the after effects of Hurricane Bertha. The amateur event was shortened from 100 miles to 86 miles to avoid the more dangerous parts of the route - Leith Hill and Box Hill.
On Saturday an estimated 60,000 took part in a 10 mile ride through central London and the festivities included the largest bicycle bell ensemble........
Sunday was the day for the more serious events - the Ride London 100, followed by the 'Classic' event for elite riders.
I started my ride at 7:50 - when it was fairly drizzly, but not too bad. By the time I reached Hampton Court, about 25 miles in - the heavens well and truly opened - it was like cycling through a power shower. The speed of the downpour resulted in lots of flooding en route - all taken in its stride by the great marshalls and volunteers.
The rain did not seem to put off the supporters - who were out along most of the route - and really did spur on the cyclists.
With 25 miles to go the sun came out - I dried out - and even had the sun glasses on!! It stayed dry until I had 1 mile to go - the sky went very dark, and then the heavens opened again - the wind picked up, knocking over hoardings in the final stages - bt I got through - soaked - again - but delighted to have got through without a puncture - and without coming off.
The whole day was brilliantly organised - and any accidents I did see were being well attended by medics and marshalls.
I was really sorry to hear afterwards that a cyclists had died of a cardiac arrest on the climb up to Newlands Corner near Guildford. My heartfelt condolences go to his family and friends. I was relieved to see that the cyclist behind him has been able to reassure the family that he was really well looked after by the medics and the Police. RIP Kris Cook.
More than 20,709 cyclists defied the wind and the rain to complete the course, making it the biggest ever cycling sportive held in the UK.
Gary Watson and Lisa Russell, of Raynes Park even managed to get married en route - stopping of at Richmond Park's Pembroke Lodge to tie the knot, before completing the course!
