You are reading a single comment by @Bundo and its replies.
Click here to read the full conversation.
London Fixed Gear and Single-Speed is a community of predominantly fixed gear and single-speed cyclists in and around London, UK.
This site is supported almost exclusively by donations. Please consider donating a small amount regularly.
@Bundo
Woke at 4.20am as opposed to the alarm of 3.30 in Shepherds Bush, Wave opened at 5 and closed at 6, start time was 6,30am. A wake-up shower was out of the question, inhaled a quick bowl of porridge, strong coffee and double checked bike and pockets.
Set off around 5.10 to cycle 13 Miles to Stratford, arrived at 5.58, a lovely cycle across London which turned very stressful in the multi coloured panic of the olympic park one-way wave system. Managed to sneak into my wave; Yellow B just in time, then a quick half hour wait before i set off, only to stop after 200yds and wait for some pals. Whilst waiting i caught a glimpse of Trott, Vos, Stoney and Martin Johnson leading off their wave.
Waited a good 25mins for my pals before finally setting off down the 3 lane highway (not good with road names) Started eating up the tarmac until Blackfriars when we caught up with Trott et al. A quick #selfie with Ms Trott (see below) and then we picked up the pace all the way to RP. Smashed it up sawyers, luckily missing the aforementioned bloodshed. We kept the pace high as a 4-man train into Kingston and then i pushed on solo from Sunbury area, feeling strong and confident.
Then managed to catch a few trains for a bit before going solo up to Newlands and restocking food & drink. Newlands descent was pretty lively!
From then on - i knew the route well and so knew what was coming, a great shame about missing Box and Leith but understandable considering the circumstances.
I then kept powering on before encountering heavy cramp in left hamstring before wimbledon, pushed on and managed to get rid of it.
A quick water stop somewhere after wimbledon and then I TT'd at high pace all the way down the embankment, even managed to hang onto the Vos, Trott train before i attacked and left them for dead at Imperial Wharf area. I was hammering it but they must've been holding something back as i put several minutes between me and them in the last 10km.
Thoroughly enjoyed the last few Miles past westminster (felt like the opposite to Critical Mass) Although the stewards were a little dodgy letting people cross the road as riders were hammering it at 30+.
The sprint up the mall was epic and i can't wait to do it all again next year
I really relished the challenge of the weather and the differing type of british rain! along with the battle against club riders!
Completed in 4hrs moving time, 4.30 after waiting 25mins for pals and a 5min pit stop
1 Attachment