Wendy, Peter, Neil and Maria at the finish (l to r)
Sunday 2nd of August saw one of the biggest mass cycle rides in the world as 25000 cyclist started from the iconic London Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park for the Prudential Ride London 2015.
In amongst the throngs of lycra and carbon were 4 Southport Club riders Pete and Wendy Scott, Maria Salcedo (Dan’s mum) and Neil Robinson. The ride follows the Olympic road race route from 2012 and takes in 100 miles including 3 famous climbs, Newlands Corner, Leith Hill and Box Hill. Although the route undulates as it follows the Thames river once into Surrey the pace slows as gravity takes a hold of the riders legs. Having had a spot of early lunch near the half way line, conveniently at the top of Newlands Corner climb the group looked out over the Surrey hills at the real test of all our training.
At this point the experience of such a large gathering of cyclists really hits home, just to get from the rest stop back onto the road through the drinks station took twenty minutes however the organisation, marshalling and control was a credit to the capital city.
There were thousands of people lining the route, cheering the riders as they passed, offering drinks, cakes and encouragement. A fully closed road event requires cooperation from the locals and the event organisers and all we saw were smiles and none of the tension which has been reported in the cycling hot spots around Box Hill, even the weather decided smile upon the riders with a comfortable temperature for most of the day and none of the dreaded rain which blighted last year’s ride.
Once the hills were dispatched with a nodding respect to the pro riders who completed 9 loops of Box Hill at race pace, the ride swings back towards London and the excitement builds up. The last leg of the ride although a little lumpy was mostly flat or downhill and with the mile markers coming thick and fast the adrenalin starts pumping and you need to reign in your legs to make sure you have enough left in the tank to finish. At around 95 miles all four SCC riders regrouped and stuck together for the last few miles along the Embankment, past the Houses of Parliament and to the finish, and what a finish.
The finish line itself is on The Mall with Buckingham Palace in the background giving all riders the opportunity to experience the atmosphere usually reserved for the professionals again huge crowds lined the last few hundred metres cheering and applauding. Once over the line medals were awarded, photos taken and goody bags given plus a big cheer from the Robinson family. All of the club riders wanted to pass on a big thank you for the facilities, drinks stops, and friendly help provided by the event.
All four riders were taking on the 100 mile route in aid of charities Queenscourt Hospice and The Newman Holiday Trust, just search for the names on Virgin Giving website if you want to donate. The whole event is predicted to raise over ten million pounds for many charities so despite a little disruption it’s all in aid of good causes.
Neil Robinson 04/08/2015
