What a day. Long Live Legacy

Being wished luck by a cycling star

What a day. What a simply amazing day.

First things first, though, I had to register on Saturday at ExCel. I met Becca and Chris there, and also met Olympic gold medal winning cyclist Joanna Rowsell, which was a real treat. It was my first time back at ExCel since the Olympics, so the feeling of anniversary celebrations was strong. We also said hello to the guys at the Cancer Research and BHF stands, who we were doing this in aid of.

With an early start yesterday from the Olympic Park I decided to stay over in Stratford - waking up to a view across the park with the first riders already starting to arrive was really inspiring.

Becca, Chris and I rolled into the park not long after 6am. The weather couldn't have been kinder; dry, not too hot and not yet too breezy. By 7am we were in our 'holding pen' with 500 or so other riders, then it was our turn. A count down, a hooter and we were off.

From the Olympic Park to the first hub point at Hampton Court Palace was 25 miles, and without doubt the best 25 miles I've ever ridden. On fully closed roads we crossed the very centre of London; Canary Wharf, the Tower of London, the City, Embankment, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly and Knightsbridge before crossing Chiswick Bridge, doing a beautiful circuit of Richmond Park and onto Hampton Court Palace (and more Olympic reminiscing).

The team at Hampton Court Palace

It was a simply stunning ride, through town on a quiet Sunday morning. While some riders put their foot down, I took it easy, soaking up the views and the unique atmosphere. Amazing.

At Hampton Court we regrouped as a team, refueled and all too soon it was time to leave the sights of London behind. The next 23 miles to the next hub point were the least interesting of the ride, heading through SW London suburbs and into the Surrey countryside, but we rode together chatting.

Riders at the Newlands Corner hub

The second hub was at the top of Newlands Corner, which also marked the first climb of the day. Nothing too hard, just enough to stretch the legs for the first time on the ride. It did, though, mark the start of the section I'd been really looking forward to. The Surrey Hills.

From Newlands at mile 47 to the third and final hub point at Leatherhead at mile 73 the route undulated through some fantastic English countryside, and made two now famous climbs.

The is the leg I'd been really training for, doing extra Chiltern climbing to be as prepared as I could be. I rode ahead alone and indulged myself on the steep climbs and fast descents on closed roads. Leith Hill came first, relatively steep but not too exciting or scenic. Unlike Box Hill, which although the easier climb was stunning. Beautiful scenery, billiard-table flat tarmac, and a great atmosphere, I loved it.

Leatherhead was a chance to take a break, relax and reflect whilst waiting for Becca and Chris to join me after my break away. We wanted to finish together and support each other through the last quarter of the distance, which was made easier with the breeze starting to pick up from the south west, pushing us home towards London.

By now there were crowds starting to build, cheering and clapping the riders on. The support and atmosphere was amazing, and I loved seeing so many people wearing London 2012 t-shirts and waving Union flags. Thanks to everyone who turned out.

Seeing the girls at Whitehall

We came back into London through Wimbledon, over Putney Bridge, a really fast sweep through Fulham, and then we were onto Chelsea Embankment before we knew it. The last mile or so was amazing with huge crowds as we headed up Millbank and past the Houses of Parliament. The family were waiting at the top of Whitehall and I saw them all waving and smiling as we made the sweep round, under Admiralty Arch and down The Mall towards Buckingham Palace.

Becca and I both started cheering and celebrating with 500 meters to go, at which point Chris opened up a sprint and there was nothing left to do but join in. We sprinted down The Mall!

We did it!

What an experience. What a day. I'm immensely proud of what we've all achieved. We did it! And what's more, we did it much quicker than I thought possible. I rode the 100 miles in 6 hours 18 mins, an average of 16.5mph. Here's the full ride on Strava.

Our journey isn't quite over yet as there's a last bit of fundraising to be done, however our sponsorship pages for the British Heart Foundation (here) and Cancer Research (here) and looking very healthy.

I'm only just coming down from a real high. It was an amazing, incredible experience, right up there with the best things I've had the opportunity to do. The whole event was extremely well organised, so thanks to the whole Prudential RideLondon team, and to the Chiseled Whippet for making this happen. If you get the chance to do it next year, then do.

It struck me on the way round that not only did London 2012 give us an amazing month of sport, it continues to give great sporting experiences through events like this. Long Live Legacy!