London 2 Brighton

Friday

It didn't seem like a good idea but I couldn't let Claire down for gradball or my Dad for an other year running on the ride. So I've been in the strictest training, well smoked a bit less and actually tried at the gym a bit more. Going down on the friday sooo tired after grad ball felt like this was the biggest mistake I'd ever made but whenm I finally got there I'd woken up a bit. Unfortunetely this was because I'd changed my sleep patterns and now couldn't get back into waking early, still a few days to sort that yet.

saturday

Well as I said beore sleep patterns shot to hell, didnt wake until 1ish and we had to leave for london at 3, so I went to buy some shoes and pedals, gotta have those serious clip in pedals if I'm going to make 55 miles, it's psycological. This truned into a bit of a saga with me only finding shoes that were too big on paper but not quite big enough on my feet and having to buy new socks to find this out (who goes to buyy shoes with no socks on? me). But I got a god £25 quid off so I thought
"they'll stretch over time
So we had the shoe strecthers on overnight with so random strecthing stuff my mum has. Got to Kinbgston in record time thanks to my map reading. First time we haven't got lost, I'm a natural. Had a really nice thai meel in Kingston whilst staying with Claire in London. Bed by 12ish, going well...

Sunday

Until you factor in we get up the next day at 6am. when we get to the drop of point I'm feeling quite nervoius and I've left the pack at home, but it's ok because we tookj everything I needed and put it on the bike. Found the rest of the pub team and got to the front of the huge queue.
Dad: You wont need the race number just make sure you have the stamp card
steward: You need the race number...
So we queued again at the other tent and then jumped back into the queue feeling rude but ready with a "we've already fucked this up ocne" response. And then after only 2 and a half hours we're off....5 miles in I have to buy some cigarettes and flap jacks (essential for long distance riding) and catching up with the rest of the team when the roads are this full is actually quite hard. Eventually I regainbed bits of the group and after a very close call when I dropped my bottle. Think corssing a motorway but with bicycles.
We were about 15 miles in and we hit the first serious hill, and EVERYONE starts walking, either because they're unable to ride or because they can't get through the walkers! I just about manage to ride most of it but with a few feet down and the occasional pause. So we keep going and I get seperated and finally reach the first meeting point, the dog and duck. And no-ones there! I wait and then I phone and then I see Danny! I was first there. good start.
The next break was preceded by another huge hill but once again walkers blocking the way meant it was a few metres and then stop all the way buit at the top was our first pub stop. A burger and a pint later and it starts raining :/ still no p;oint whining so where off again.
The only really difficult bits from here where passing a serious accident, hope she's ok and then ditchling beacon which is rpeceded by the 1 in 5 mile long climb, ditchling hill. But I made it in fact I half sprinted and man did I feel good at the top. I kept thinking about how bad I'd feel if I didn't make it after all the training. Then afcter waiting at the top in the awful rain (started again) we set off down some very long fast hills. I could easily get addicted to speed then we regrouped for the finish crossing the line all as one. Total time riding: 5hr30, Total Time: 8hrs
It was really cool. Some champagne and pres shots later and one "I mad it" badge and its time to warm down with a kentucky fried chicken and a sleep, then off to the pub for a final pint. What a great day. Thanks to everyone who txt'd to wish me luck. It really helped.