Cycling 2007 - London 2 Brighton
The decision to ride 54 Miles from London to Brighton in aid of the British Heart Foundation was something of a last minute one. The idea was originally proposed by Timmy R way back in January but was shelved due to logistical concerns. However after much tooing and frowing the team (Merlin, Bub, Timmy R and Mimi) registered and began training.
The first run showed just how much work we needed to do since everyone hurt afterwards and doubted we would make 4 miles never mind 54. Mimi was worried more so than the rest until she discovered that she had done half of practice session with her rear breaks on!
The second run in early May was more successful if a little wet and Did involve an early pub lunch to dry off. This time Merlin decided to raise the stakes by riding with a flat tyre. The third run at the end of May was nearly washed out, there is after all only so wet a person can become.
Race day arrived and for once the weather was on our side. We started well, enduring a forced stop when a marshal was knocked out and a rider lost a fight with a barbed wire fence. A few hills later we realised we had lost Bub but he reappeared though none the worse for his little jaunt. We all made it up to the top of the Beacon in one way or another (the majority of us walking) and then enjoyed a down hill coast onto Brighton sea front crossing the line at 18:00, eight and a half hours after we started.
The rain which had held off for the day now fell on us in buckets, but tired, happy and holding our medals we piled into Paul’s car for the marginally quicker journey home. Thanks to Tim’s parents for taking the bikes to London and collecting them form Brighton, thanks to our driver Laurie for getting up before lunchtime on a Sunday and thanks to Paul and his Fiat for bringing us home.
