Took part on June 17th 2007. Trained for 8 months, starting at a measley 3 miles, working up & getting much much fitter until my final practice run the Saturday before at 49 miles!.
On the day i managed to get awat 10 mins before my “Official” start time. Anyone who has done the ride before will know how mad it is at the start!.
The ride is all stop/start until you get out of London. Then it becomes a real joy.
Lots of hills (more down than up!), & lots of places to rest & refresh (although i didn’t).
As much as i wanted to, i didn’t “Beat the Beacon”! – Gutted, but it was the steepest longest hill in the world (Well that’s how it felt after 47 miles!!!).
Got flashed by a speed camera on the way down into Brighton (43 miles an hour). Very emotional at the finish line with all the people cheering.
The time? – 3 hrs 41 mins. – All that training was worth it. (Remember it’s a ride, not a race! – If you decide to go in 2008 remember – Keep left!)