2018
In February 2018 I was accepted in the public ballot for participation in the Prudential RideLondon 100. This was a major milestone in any cyclist profession as the event is famed as one of the world’s most prestigious one day cycle event, with celebrities and ordinary people rubbing shoulders in a gruelling 100 miles closed roads circuit. A course that included the hills of Box Hill and Leith Hill in the heartlands of Surrey, where professional racing cyclist and Olympians have made their sporting careers.
On July 29, I and 29,999 other cyclists took to the roads of London and Surrey. It was a terrible day, with strong winds and constant rain, it was cold, wet and dirty, but the race was on (it’s not a race it will be pointed out to you). The ride was completed in 6 hours and 37 minutes (total elapsed time was 7 hours and 48 minutes).
Enroy at Loading point Yellow E. There must have been hundreds of people there waiting. As can be seen, there are two queues. The other is Orange. We waited for hours to get started, while the rain was beginning to fall.
Apart from the many punctures that was seen and other mechanicals, the poor weather conditions, there was strong commitment to get it done. The people I met were all very friendly and happy to share the work load of the ride. As crazy as it sounds, everyone wanted to get to the end and say they did it! The 2018 medal, in my opinion was worth its weight in gold for what everyone had to endure leading up to the event and the actually day.
Condolences to the family of Nigel Buchan-Swanson, who died from a cardiac arrest on Ockley Road. He was noted as a very experienced cyclist and died doing something he loved reported his wife. A word for the organisers, it was well managed. They certainly had the experience to do so. The feed and service points were correctly located and manned. The staff and road marshals were supportive and cheerful, even in the wet and cold weather. Even the people that were along the route were fantastic. They waved and cheered as cyclists went by. Some even had water stands out. A great people.
Enroy at the top of Newlands Corners hill, one of the three major hills to tackle in the 100 miles event. With an verage of 5% and a bit that is about 15%, many were walking up it.
Why do such a ride? Why commit to the hard work? The expense and sacrifice? There is a beauty in cycling, it encourages mental discipline, training the body. It encourages you to go out and discover places that you have never seen before or even viewed at a slower speed than in a car. You meet people and share experiences and even develop bonds while tackling long rides or steep climbs. Climbing a steep hill or racing down one, gets the heart pumping literally, along with a trill factor that will either scare you to death or make you want more.
Enroy with Emma Pooley, Olympian and former professional cyclist at the loading point, very early in the morning. Also now a presenter of GCN (Global Cycling Network).
There is a very strong sense of camaraderie with many cyclists, particularly when you are a member of a cycling club. It’s a bond shared in sweat, tears and joys of the club runs, county rides, the races and the lonely long rides that many will make. It brings a freedom from the realty of life that will last as long as the ride.
The RideLondon Prudential would not have been the major event in my life without the help and support of family and friends. Mostly the fact that my wife and close friends were there to see me through. This is what the event was all about, the focus of many personal life battles and goals brought to fulfilling end on the roads of London and Surrey. You will be fill with joy and sadness for some of the stories that many have shared for their reasons for riding the event. Visit the Prudential RideLondon site by clicking the link here or above.
Enroy and Marlene at the The Mall, the end of the event.
In short, I guess I could say I was born to ride and I thank God for the gift to do so.
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