London to Brighton Bike Ride 2007

  Brighton, United Kingdom
Monday, June 18, 2007

The human body is remarkably resilient.  Considering the abuse I subjected mine to today I am in awe of the fact that it hasn't fallen apart completely!

Stepping off the plane somewhere around midnight last night, I managed about 5 hours sleep before heading to Clapham Common to meet Paul and join the London to Brighton Bike Ride.

Tonya on Clapham Common

 

Paul and Pietro at the Start

Map - note the big hill near the end

Paul has been cycling to and from work every day, so has been "in training".  The extent of my training? Well... I did the London to Brighton last year and I've sat on my bike twice since then. If I'm honest, one of those times doesn't really count as I was only adjusting my clip-in pedals and didn't actually cycle anywhere!

So, sleep deprived and barely recalling how to cycle I followed the crowds (27000 other riders) through South London and towards Gatwick, grateful that the roads were so crowded with bikes that overtaking was impossible. This meant that Paul was forced to stick by me rather than speed off at a pace I would never be able to keep up with.


As we passed under the M25 motorway the crowds began to thin out and the roads opened up through the beautiful Sussex countryside. We passed the Mayfield Lavender field which looked stunning in the morning sunshine.

Mayfield Lavender Field 1

 

Mayfield Lavender Field 2

 

Mayfield Lavender Field 3

The ride raises funds for the British Heart Foundation, so every extra rider counts as far as sponsorship is concerned, but 27000 bikes are more than the roads can cope with. We decided that the event should be renamed the "London to Brighton Bike Push" as there was so much congestion that in many places we had to walk and push.

Clapham Common

Ditchling Beacon is the big hill just before you arrive in Brighton which many riders fear.  We didn't even try to cycle it - just took it as a "snack break" and walked up munching muesli bars and glugging water... even that was exhausting!

More walking and pushing!

 

Exhausted at the top of Ditchling Beacon

 

Paul and Pietro recovering on Ditchling Beacon

Eventually we crossed the finish line on Brighton's seafront - and after a short spell relaxing on the beach we got back on our bikes and cycled to a friend's house for a fantastic BBQ to replenish lost calories!

Brighton Sea Front

 

Congestion - no option but to walk and push

We drove back to West London, then put our bikes on the train to Waterloo, and eventually arrived home at midnight - absolutely exhausted.  Grateful that I don't have to get up and go to work in the morning... not sure how Paul will feel having to cycle to his office!

Thanks to everyone who sponsored us - we've raised about £300 already.  If you haven't made a donation it's not too late... just go to http://www.bhf.org.uk/sponsor/tonyapaulpietro and support a good cause.