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That's ok, I didn't get to the beach until 9:30am. The double hit of ride leader stuff from Wimbledon to the freecycle and back made it 169 miles for me which was more but not too much.
https://www.strava.com/activities/1735695465
I passed 2 people having CPR with ambulances around them, one early near Epping that I was told had 6+ doctors stop(a driver+many riders), they had a heart attack/seizure/something while riding and stopped middle of the road, the oncoming driver was a doctor stopped and went straight into action. From what people have said that guy is recovering.
The 2nd was near Churchend, I had a puncture not long after and someone who stopped to help hold a light for me said she gave CPR until the ambulance team came, she didn't know if the rider was ok and it clearly played on her the whole ride as we seemed to keep the same time at stops. When I was riding up about a mile before I had the ambulance passs me then approaching seeing the blue lights and guy having CPR that will stay with me for a while.
Gerry+Paul D who work for CI did the ride raising funds for British Lung Foundation following Paul Lowe passing recently. They both made it to the beach.
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/gerry-del-guercio
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Clockwise
Oliver Schick
A shocking moment when coming across the crash--hoping for good news. Andrew Rawling--never forgotten.
Lots of people left early, as usual. I left at about 10 to 9, with Clockwise, whom I promptly lost in Walthamstow, sorry. We also bumped into @flickwg, long not seen on here, geared and still with the longest seatpost in the universe.
I did it fixed for the first time, which worked well (oddly, I found climbing the little rolling climbs much easier than on the road bike), and wanted to ride back, but unfortunately I'd underestimated the lack of comfort from the very simple hoods I have on the Fuji and in the end decided not to try to ride back, as my right hand wasn't feeling good at all. No real sitting problems this time except at the start, when I realised I hadn't adjusted my saddle well. The only other issue in the last two miles or so was a tight right hamstring.
Nice tailwind! I got to Dunwich at 5:35 and was annoyed that I hadn't brought my swimming stuff just in case I might not ride back, after all. Oh well. Good to see @Ruserius and @pastry_bot at the end, but otherwise I didn't spot any forumengers, if memory serves.
I only saw four or five. I think all of them had left quite early. I mostly played leapfrog with the roadie trains that seemed to stop everywhere, when I passed them, and then they overtook me again.
There are always some problems with rider behaviour, although usually not too many. One cycling club, which shall remain nameless, for some bizarre reason rode into Castle Hedingham whistling loudly--a narrow and intimate village street where the sound echoes and where I've witnessed rows between residents in pyjamas and riders before. At some point I came across three riders pissing against someone's garden wall. Too much chatting when going through villages, but it seemed less than on previous editions. Lots of groups rode largely silently.
I didn't stop for any food, only once for water, and despite having a lot of food didn't eat much of it. I was disappointed by the Clif bars I had. They seemed much too dry.
Very impressed by how many places were open, even as far into the ride as Chelsworth, where the pub was still open when I passed long after midnight. Plenty of other feeding spots.
I hitched a ride back to London with the Penge CC coach (thanks @plasticniki ) and rode to a station, where I took the train back to Dalston. The hand was still painful, so I took it very easy.
Now I'm not feeling very tired, perhaps because I'd prepared myself to ride back. I'll probably crash in a little while.