Riding for Mind

My charity ride for Mind is complete; sponsorship link. The original plan was 250 miles straight to Cornwall. And then a three day ride back. 

The change in circumstances - a broken hip in February - meant that wasn't going to be possible. I had to make it a two day ride.

This was my third and longest multi-day ride. The first was four days to Paris and the second a two day ride along the South Downs Way (SDW). Both were with Matthew and Richard. Next year I hope to roundup some companions for a six day ride.

I packed heavy for both trips, including a full size camera. This time I carried the minimum and relied on my phone for pictures. They were both weather affected. The Paris trip by rain for most of the first day. The SDW by rain leading up to the trip. Which meant the first day especially was almost all very thick mud. 

Just having the simple tasks of finding food and staying on route was brilliant. And being with my mates of course.

Back to the Solstice epic.

I'll start with packing, it took me a few goes to be sure I had it right. I did the first round on Saturday. And decided the bag was too heavy. Some stuff was removed and that was supposed to be it. On Sunday I needed to check I had the essentials, so an unpack was necessary. Then that was it. Until Monday when I wanted to remove some more weight and again check that I had what I needed. I was sure I'd forgotten something as I left the house.

The first day started at 4 a.m. and ended 165 miles later in Stawell. It should have been around 150. More on that later.

It was a little chilly as I left the house, getting really cold within a few miles, my hands were freezing. I had to put on my full length gloves. 

Farnham

I was making good time, passing near Farnham, through Alton and Bighton around 08:30.

Bighton

Avington Country Park

I reached Winchester before 10. The roads were quiet and the weather was great.

I was too early at the Mill Arms, Mottisfont for a coffee, but there was a comfy chair if I had had time to wait.

The next village with a shop was Lockerley. Unfortunately having very little food for a vegan diet. Crisps have plenty of carbs and the energy drink was welcome. 

It was a theme of a lot of the ride; the route I was following missed many bigger towns and even villages. It meant that food stops were less common than I would have liked. 

Lockerley

It wasn't until nearly 2 p.m that I was able to stop to eat properly. At the Carriers Arms in Stockton. Great food and a warm welcome. I was too hungry to take a pic of the food.

Carriers Arms Stockton

The rest of the day was okay until I got to Bruton. I was tired and not paying enough attention to the directions given by the cycle comp. It took me on a big figure of eight before I realised something had gone very wrong. It was displaying a map of the Birmingham area. The turn by turn was still working, but I couldn't see how to return to the route without knowing where I was. I continued using my phone and google maps. Stopping every few miles to check my progress and note the next few junctions. 

I eventually made it to the Ivy Cottage in Stawell. Di and Steve were talkative, they had the most time to talk of all the places I stopped at. I asked about food and was told the best pub for a meal was two and half miles away, and that the kitchen closed in less than thirty minutes. So Steve gave me a lift, returning ninety minutes later to pick me up. The pub was the Ring O' Bells in Moorlinch. Clive the landlord welcomed me, it was like walking into my local; one I'd been visiting for many years. He said Trish could cook me a curry, and it was perfect. I haven't tasted better. I was introduced to the regulars, who came over for a chat after I'd eaten. It was just what I needed after a solo ride that had gotten very stressful.

Day two should have been 100 miles to Camelford. The computer had other ideas. The hills increased in frequency and steepness. The temperature climbed quickly, I'm not ashamed to say I walked up some. Without the luggage they would have been hard, with it I had to admit defeat.

Somewhere in the Quantocks

I was meandering through Somerset, mostly singletrack gravel covered lanes. The pic below was at the beginning of a very bad stretch.

It quickly became impossible to ride up the hills, I just didn't have any traction. I'm glad I continued walking. The descents were incredibly dangerous. Very steep, twisty, potholed and completely covered in gravel and stones. I think this slow progress continued for nearly a mile. 

finally into Devon

I entered Devon at about 1 p.m. I tried to smile for the picture, but was just too tired and hot to be able to muster one. I think the stress of the cycle computer routing was also having an effect. The turn by turn was still okay, but the map had me in Wales.

At just before 2 p.m I rode into Bampton. I was cooked, buying too much food and drink to attach to my bike. I looked across the road and saw a church, hoping I'd find a sheltered corner to have a rest.

sheltering from the heat. Bampton

I stayed for the best part of ninety minutes. Again smiles were in short supply. The bike proved an ice breaking with people walking through the churchyard. A brief chat was most welcome. I hadn't realised riding alone was starting to take its toll.

The first place I was looking forward to came south east of Okehampton, the Granite Way. A cycle path alongside an abandoned railway line. It was mostly shaded; and flat. It crossed the Meldon Viaduct.

Meldon Viaduct

The views were great, the viaduct not so much. The original structure being completely built over.

The next highlight; entering Cornwall. Again slightly tempered by the computer stress and heat.

I got to Launceston late in the day, about 9 p.m. I made a wrong turn and was completely lost. My brain was fried, even using my phone I couldn't get back on route. I was just over twenty miles from my sister's house. I couldn't work out how to get there without using the A30; a motorway in all but name. Eventually I gave up and called for assistance. Sheila and Jill came to my rescue.

waiting for my sister

I was disappointed, to be so close, and not to have ridden to the surprise sign my sister had prepared for me. See the top of this post.

I had a great rest day, my sister and I chating non stop. It was brilliant to completely unwind, and relax. The trials of the past two days almost forgotten.

Then it was time to head home. A friend of Sheilas; Jill, who had helped save me on Wednesday, was driving to Salisbury and offered to give me a lift. I didn't have anywhere to stay there until Saturday, so elected to be dropped off at Exeter. It looked a straightforward trip to the b&b. I tried to use the cycle computer, but it still had me in Wales; soon totally losing the plot. I saw a sign for Seaton; knowing this was close to Colyton I continued without it.

It was so relaxing to just meander along the quiet lanes. 

Saint Winifred's Church, Branscombe

Stopping for lunch at the Masons Arms. The landlord was right; it was a very steep hill out of the valley.

Masons Arms. Branscombe

I arrived in Seaton mid afternoon a relaxed man.

Seaton seafront

I didn't expect the trams. But it made a nice reason to wander around for bit.

And take some pictures.

As I rode into Seaton there were signs for Colyton, happy days. 

On the edge of the village was a nice spot to sit and call everyone who was waiting for an update.

The White Cottage b&b was friendly and comfy. Another great find, they recommended that I book a table at the Kingfisher beforehand. They were right; as I walked in it was a busy night. Seeing my name on a table was very welcome. Tasty food too.

As I left Colyton a long hill needed to be climbed, not great so early in the day. I had decided that if the cycling computer was still playing up Salisbury should be easy to get to just by following signs. And then I could catch a train home.

Devon views

Dorset views

Somerset views

As I entered Dorset and then Somerset the roads became flatter and my pace increased. The computer was working perfectly, hopefully this was going to be a good day. This and the shorter distance improved my mood greatly. I arrived at Milborne Port and stopped at a pub with an interesting name.

The theme with my pub meal photography; I eat the food too quickly to want to pause for a picture.

The Tippling Philosopher

Did you know the cow could be the most dangerous mammal in the UK if you discount pets? I climbed a stile to take a comfort break out of site of the road. A herd of cows were some way off, so I didn't give them much attention.

killer cows

As I left the field I heard a noise behind me, the cows had gathered around where I had been. They were pushing at the gate. I'm not saying they would have attacked, but I would certainly have been jostled by them. Apparently at least twelve people were killed in such circumstances between 2008 and 2014.

the long and winding road

I made good time, the weather was much cooler. Arriving in Salisbury around four. The only blight was a painful knee and developing saddlesore. Again the option of the train for the next day was considered.

Salisbury Cathedral

Before checking into my b&b - the Qudos. I took a moment to sit by the river. And update everyone.

The River Avon

The Qudos is centrally located, with a self service buffet breakfast. I always ate as much as I could every morning at all of the stops. It would be my choice if I were to be visiting the area again. Before leaving I lowered the saddle a little to see if it would relieve the pressure. It worked; my knee was a little stiff, but eased up quickly and the rest of the day was almost pain free.

My route quickly had me on a cycle path that brought me to Mottisfont.

 

Passing the library.

More beautiful countryside.

I then started to recognise some of the places I had passed on Tuesday, my route then having gone around Salisbury.

Avington country park

Arriving at Alton it was lunchtime I saw a small square off Market Street that looked promising. On all sides were chain pubs and restaurants, I wanted an independent establishment. I found one in the far corner, the Dill. I sat at the window and ate my mushroom burger.

The Dill Alton

It felt good to be on roads I ridden before, until I wasn't. At one point I was directed down a bridleway so stoney and sandy I had to walk. Another quarter mile at a slower pace.

St Laurence church Seale

I passed through Guildford and Leatherhead then Walton-on-the-Hill, Hooley, and finally Chaldon. I was home.

Some thoughts from this adventure:

I relied totally on technology and it had partially let me down. To be fair the computer had been okay in the past.

I have often written about testing my limits, only thinking physically. Whilst I was tired at the end of each day it was the mental toll I hadn't considered. The first two days had really pushed me the most. Perhaps I now know a limit; it's how far can I go alone. The next multi-day ride will need to be as a group. 

No-one to talk to, then eating alone in the evening and at breakfast. At each stop I looked for conversation, but everyone had their own lives and schedules. I was just someone passing through. 

Except the Ring O' Bells on the 21st. It was brilliant chatting away to the locals.

I called Marcia, Sheila and Michelle in the evenings, before falling asleep. An important part of my day.

I don't know how people travel many days alone. Especially if they aren't in contact with anyone on a regular basis. What did they do before mobile phones and the internet?

I need to slow down, reduce the daily distance target. To quote Jurassic Park; just because you can, doesn't mean you should. The shorter days were much more enjoyable even taking into account the tech failures.

Here are links to the places featured in this post.

The Carriers Arms, Stockton.

Ivy Cottage, Stawell.

The Ring O' Bells, Moorlinch.

The Masons Arms, Branscombe.

The White Cottage, Colyton.

The Kingfisher, Colyton.

The Tippling Philosopher, Milborne Port.

The Qudos, Salisbury.

The Dill, Alton.

A change of plan

A change in circumstance - my bike crash - has meant a rethink about my June challenge. I potentially face another couple of months off the bike, hopefully it will be less. I was confident I could ride 250 miles in a day. Now I think it's maybe 50/50. It depends on getting the all clear from the hospital to start walking and riding. Then building strength and fitness in time. Will the hills be too much for my hip? 

I decided to break the journey at Stawell, a distance of 150 miles leaving a little over 90 the next day. This second section of the ride is the hilliest, I'll have more time to climb them.

It does mean less time with my sister, I know she'll understand.

The family were a little rattled by recent events, so I'll be carrying a tracker, with an emergency button.  I can send them a link so they can follow my progress and it will call for help should anything happen.

I may do the same for the long rides I have planned in the coming years. 

I hope my present and future sponsors don't mind the slightly less epic single day distance.

____________________________________________________________________________

Recovery update.

I am in less pain and the swelling is much reduced, but the bruising is now blooming. 

It's like Andy and his technicolour dream leg.

2022 challenge update

 

Back in July I mentioned my plans for another ride on the longest day next year to raise money for the mental health charity Mind. Here is the link.

There have been some developments.

I've booked the time off work.

Decided I'd ride back rather than get the train. It seemed too much stress could be involved, and it isn't much cheaper than two nights in B&B's.

Booked accommodation for two nights.

 

Sponsorship page created. See just below main site picture.

Let me explain why I'm not returning by train; I mentioned it might be stressful. I couldn't guarantee a carriage for the bike and even if there was one; the design is not well thought out. It could cause damage, or be full. They are built with the expectation to hold more bikes than actually fit in the space. At least that's what I've read.

I wanted to have time to appreciate the countryside as I rode. The outward journey would just be focused on getting to the end. 

 

After a couple of days with my sister I'm taking three days to return.

 

Return day one

 

At first I considered staying at two locations from a hotel chain. I thought it would be cost effective, and easy. Lenny Henry may like them, but they were more expensive than I anticipated. They mention arriving by bike on the website. I could store it in my room, unless it was dirty. I'd be responsible for getting it clean if that was the case. I wasn't sure how I'd achieve that at the end of the ride. So looked for owner run B&B's, and I'm pleased I did. Friday night will be in a small village called Colyton. I asked about secure bike storage. No problem was the quick reply from both places. 

 

Return day two

Saturday night will be in Salisbury.

 

Return day three

 

I'm really looking forward to this. The challenge of the first day, seeing my sister, and exploring the countryside on the way home.

I might meet up with a fellow bike adventurer, if we can organise a place and time. He writes a cycling blog that I read. He lives in Devon and leads bikepacking trips, produces route guides, sells t-shirts that he designs and I'm sure much more. Here is the blog.

My biggest challenge.

Last month I rode over 100 miles for charity. What to do next? I had been thinking about riding to Cornwall for some time. But kept it to myself, maybe not sure I could do it. A visit to see my sister started the planning again.

The route is two hundred and fifty miles. To come home I can get a train to Clapham Junction and cycle the last bit.

I'll have around seventeen hours of daylight to do it.

At the moment, my thinking is:

Ride from around four o'clock on the 21st June, stopping every four hours for proper food and drink. In between use energy gels and bars.

Arrive at my sisters around nine thirty.

Rest for a couple of days and leave from Bodmin on the Friday.

Sounds simple. ;-)

I'll have to be able to carry more food with me, and warm/waterproof clothing. I now have a handlebar bag and will need to investigate a bigger saddle bag. And be able to charge the sat nav, and phone. Both of which will be needed, but unlikely to last the distance. I have a power block, it will have to fit in one of the new bags.

I don't think it's too ambitious, I have done a few rides of over hundred miles, the longest being hundred and sixty two.

The first part of the puzzle shown above; the handlebar bag. Considering changing the bar tape to red; what do you think? I can pack a lightweight rain coat, and food, with the net pockets on the front adding to the capacity and ease of access on the move. I think it looks great, just the right size. And doesn't interfere with or alter the steering very much. Saddle bag to follow later in the year.

The next part will be what to wear; I got very uncomfortable after about a hundred and twenty miles, see the hundred and sixty two link above. Maybe expensive is better, I'll hopefully find out before June. I bought an expensive pair of padded shorts. They will be tested in the coming months.

Being vegan, food maybe a problem, most cakes, sandwiches and snacks sold in cafes and shops contain eggs and dairy. I have continued to try different options since this post. I do think they are expensive, so will be looking for alternatives.  I'll pack some figs and dates, for a sugary pick-me-up.

Lastly I need to maintain or improve my fitness. I'm not sure how to improve it though. I ride everyday; big miles on Saturday with Oxted CC, then on Sunday a ride of around twenty miles to meet Matt in Westerham. Maybe I can change the intensity. At least one day a week on the trainer; I definitely work harder in that hour than during the after work rides.

My bike should be fine, it'll be serviced in preparation. Although there is always the temptation to upgrade bits of it. Lighter is faster; and I could look at the comfort, make some adjustments. To be honest it's a much better bike than when I bought it. It's been gradually upgraded. With new wheels being the last improvement.

Supported causes

 

Last week I rode over 100 miles for the charity Mind. This week I took delivery of a jersey in support of a site providing a hub for mental health. Take a look. It encourages talking, and removing the stigmare still surrounding mental health.

It's not a sign of weakness to admit you need help, a lot of the time you just need to talk. The listener only needs to do that, a solution is not always needed. Talking can reduce loneliness, our minds can build very effective walls. I couldn't have breached mine without help. And that didn't really start until I wrote about my experiences. I guess I wasn't ready to let anyone in to my world until then.

There are some powerful stories in the interviews, Nick speaks very well about his story.

I had talked to my doctor about what I was going through; maybe I didn't express myself well enough, or downplayed how bad I was feeling. The advice I got was to find a less stressful job. 

There is a great sense of achievement knowing I pretty much helped myself in the early days. Arranging a short Cognative Behavioural Therapy course confirmed I had been moving in the right direction. The big step forward was definitely talking.

You'll also notice the picture is a very rare "selfie" in the jersey bought to highlight and help ASCND. Taken on the bench where I had sat in March 2020 and admitted to myself that I needed to talk.

If you're unsure about your mental health, seek help. I think doctors are better at this now. Go to the Mind website.

The CBT course I attended was booked online.

A new year

As the new year settles in I look forward with positivity. It's too easy, almost habitual to expect the worst. This has meant inaction, being too afraid to attempt anything, convinced it will fail. 

Not this year.

What does 2021 have in store? 

More cycling, I have a desire for longer distances. How far can I go? 

The 100 mile challenge I set myself to raise money for Mind.

I hope that a couple of projects will mean a focused approach to photography. It's a watershed year, where I decide the direction it's going to take.

The walking photoshoots I did brought a lot of pleasure, they were a refreshing opportunity to slow down. 

This year will be one when I try to prioritise myself, consider my needs. I'll still be there for family and friends. Hopefully they will follow my growth.

Riding for Sponsorship.

It's getting near to the Ride London event. I have ridden it twice, 2014 and 2015. I decided to take a break this year. I do it for the Multiple Sclerosis therapy centre my wife goes to. http://surrey-ms.org/ I have been fundraising for them close to twenty years.

That's another reason for taking a break. This time of the year people start to expect the email or phone call asking for sponsorship. 

 
It has been a great experience.

The first events were in Snowdon National Park. A person with MS is carried in a wheelchair with a frame attached by a team around a 10km route. It goes through the forest, sometimes on gravel trails, more often along muddy paths. I have been up to my waist in mud, holding the wheelchair aloft.

The best part was always near the end. The river crossing. A chance the wash the mud off. I don't think the passengers were that impressed. On occasion the river was pretty deep and fast flowing. I wish I had pictures for back then. They are around but it was pre-digital. So I'll have to find the draw in which they have been stored.

The type of event changed to cycling in 2005.

And these are the events that have most changed my life. The first time I somehow volunteered for one, I didn't own a bike and hadn't ridden one since my teens. Twenty plus years previously.

I agreed to 15 miles that first year, and borrowed a bike. I had an exercise bike at home. Like most of them it was used to hang cloths on. But a few hours a week meant I was prepared enough for the distance. And I really liked it. I got a bike, said I would do 50 miles the next year and got a bit more serious. It was then that over a curry a plan was hatched to cycle with one of the friends every weekend. He too wanted to ride regularly, but motivation for us both when on our own was a problem.

But together there was no stopping us, except maybe heavy rain.

I gained a good level of fitness, lost two stone and had some great experiences.

I wouldn't have ridden to Paris, completed the South Downs Way and taken part in the brilliant Ride London. And numerous other wonderful moments with my friends, just cycling around Surrey, Sussex and Kent.

It also helps me unwind at the end of a busy, stressful week.

I didn't write much about these events, which is a shame.

Here is what I have written.

London to Paris 2011.

Matt, Richard and myself first talked about riding from London to Paris a year ago, but only recently did we start taking it seriously.

Richard found a route posted online from Dieppe, so it was decided that this would be our starting point in France for Paris. It would mean catching a ferry to Dieppe and arranging a few B&Bs. After that, all that remained was getting a day off work, booking the ferry and Eurostar and then just doing it.

Back in July, as a warm-up, we had a trip planned from Tring to the Cotswolds. This went well and boosted our confidence about tackling London to Paris.

Even so it was with some trepidation that we made our way to the start opposite the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben at seven in the morning. It was 26 August, the bank holiday weekend and the weather wasn’t looking good. Still, we took some photographs.

It was overcast as we set off, but the grey cloud was nothing compared to what came next.

We cycled through quiet pre-rush hour London streets and being as we were ‘counter-commuting’ there were no traffic problems. We were heading south and made it to the. Rendezvous cafe on the A22 in Kenley by nine. As we munched our much-needed breakfast, it started to rain and this set the scene for the rest of the day. The rain got heavier and heavier as the day wore on. The A22 is not the place to cycle in heavy rain with lorries throwing huge plumes of water all over us. Two hours in the pub at lunch time and still it was raining hard, but, an hour or so from Newhaven, it started to brighten up – and then, as we arrived in Newhaven and were looking for our first B&B, Matt got a puncture. Fortunately, there was a Halfords nearby.

The following morning we had an early start with a full English breakfast and then a short ride to the ferry where we queued up with around a dozen other cyclists. Some had support vehicles with them, but we didn’t.

It took four hours to reach France where there was no sign of the bad weather from yesterday.

Our plan meant a ride of about a dozen miles before joining a cycle path converted from a railway track. This was brilliant. No traffic, no map reading needed, and no hills. It was around thirty miles to our B&B. The cycle path still had the old stations along the way and yes, at times, I secretly pretended to be a train. En route there were some impressive chateaus, which made for good photo opportunities. It was early evening as we reached Forges les Faux.

In the morning we enjoyed croissants and coffee in the village square and prepared ourselves for what would be a much harder day. It was hotter for a start and while the countryside was pleasant enough, there were some pretty steep hills too. And being a Sunday, there weren’t many shops open for food and drink. We kept going until we found a bar in a little village where we enjoyed a couple of glasses of nature’s energy drink before speeding off to our next overnight stop at a hotel in Cergy.

Fortunately, there was a Chinese restaurant a walk away from the hotel where the phrase ‘Trois pour le buffet s’il vous plait’ tripped off the tongue. In English, that’s ‘three for the buffet, please’.

The next day we had more croissants, coffee – and some cake - for breakfast and this set us up for the last push to Paris.

After a few hours of riding on the road we entered the first of the parks that would take us to within a mile of the Eiffel Tower. The weather was great, and once into the parks there was no traffic to worry about. Who would be the first to see the Eiffel Tower?

We entered the centre of Paris on a converted aqueduct, which proved to be one of the highlights of the trip. We’d already had a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower earlier on, but as we crept into the French capital it started to get really close. We cycled around the Longchamp Racecourse and out of the last park with only about one mile to go.

As we rounded the corner, there was the Pont d’Lena bridge and the Eiffel Tower on the other side of the Seine.

We had done it! 

London to Paris on a bike and under our own steam. What could be greener? Matt and myself called home and Richard was able to wave to his family who were halfway up the Eiffel Tower – all that remained now was a ride across Paris to the Gare du Nord and the Eurostar back to London.

Now, where are we going next year, I wonder?

Well the next year was the South Downs Way.

Matt said he had heard about the South Downs Way (SDW). Nearly 100 miles off road along bridleways from Winchester to Eastbourne. Richard and myself thought for a while and said okay. How hard could it be?

We decided on the May bank holiday. Where to stay on the Saturday night? We thought it better to have a longer day on Saturday so we booked a B&B around 50 miles from Winchester. Just 40 odd miles on the second day. The London to Paris ride had 40 to 50 mile days with the first day being 70 miles. Should be easy.

For me it started very early on Saturday, cycling to East Croydon at six thirty to catch a train. After a change at Clapham I cycled from Winchester station to the King Alfred statue. The official start of the SDW.

After some pictures we all set off.

It started very well, for about a mile. Then it got muddier and muddier. It was getting more and more difficult to keep going. The mud was about 6 or 7 inches deep, and very sticky. On the flat it was very slow going as the bikes seemed to double in weight as the mud stuck to everything.

When it came to the hills it was impossible to keep on the bikes. We had to get off and push. On a couple of hills it was all we could do to keep upright even when walking. By midday time we had barely done a third of the distance to the B&B. It was starting to dawn on us how hard it could be. We passed a few cyclist with punctures. We all silently prayed that the same fate would not befall us.

The day could be summed up in a few words. Mud, more mud, hills, more steeper hills and no time left. Somehow we kept our spirits up and kept going. But at an average of 3 or 4 miles and hour it wasn't looking good for getting to the B&B in time. Seven o'clock came and we were still around 20 miles from the B&B. Around another 4 hours still to go. It wasn't going to happen. We decided to call for help. A cab company had a van available. Not for a couple of hours, but it would mean we would make it. We made it to the overnight stop after they stopped serving food. The chef looked at us and said he couldn't just give us sandwiches. Give him 30 minutes and he would see what he could do. It was a very welcome pie and chips.

The next day could started with steady rain. Great.

It was easier going as the mud was not as deep or sticky.

The route was now across the rolling downs. Some big views all around. Eleven hours of cycling, still not an easy day.

And then there was the Ride London 2014.

My mate Sam picked me up at 4:30 to drive me to my drop off point in Jamaica Road. The traffic at 5:30 when we got there was busy. A five mile ride to the Olympic park followed.

The weather was okay. Overcast, and the roads were slippery.

It was good to cycle with gradually more and more cyclists as I got nearer to the park.

Praying it the weather reports wouldn't be right.

Finally got started at about 7:45. Cycling through London with just bikes on the ride was great. Even overtook some people.

The first forty miles went past really quickly. Actually it took around two hours. To say I was pleased would be an understatement.

Then the weather went mad. Firstly very heavy rain. The roads started to flood. And the wind started to increase.

There was one section under a bridge that had easily ten inches of standing water. After an hour or so the rain eased off, to be replaced a few miles later with hailstones.

Then back to very heavy rain. I couldn't believe it when I got a puncture. A spectator held an umbrella over me whilst I repaired it. Then did the same while I helped another cyclist repair her fifth puncture.

Fingers crossed that I didn't get another puncture.

Now at eighty miles the rain stopped and it started to warm up. I took off my coat and continued; showing off my SCMSTC t-shirt. I even started to get a tan.

Cycling back through Kingston and Putney in the sun was great. All around the ride people were out cheering us on. Even in the worst of the weather. Which was great. But now the weather had improved more and more people came out. Which helped keep me going.

The feeling as I cycled along Whitehall, round Trafalgar Square and up The Mall was incredible. It was the hardest charity event I have ever done. A real test of mental strength. 

I don't mind saying I was a little emotional after finishing. Something that took me by surprise.

I collected my medal and prepared to cycle home. Just another fifteen miles. And the hailstones returned. Everyone ran for whatever cover they could find.

It only lasted a minute or two.

I then cycled home...