Colin Stratton

what was your reason for wanting to ride the Trafalgar Way?

Two answers. Answer one was training for LEL 2022, answer two was a personal challenge after a diving accident in 2019 where I should have died and the resultant desire to recover and get fit, both physically and mentally.

How would you sum up your ride of the Trafalgar Way to a friend?

An epic journey with stunning roads and views, following the route taken to notify the admiralty after the victory at Trafalgar

What was your most memorable part of the ride?

Aside from actually finishing the ride the other memorable part for me was the Jurassic coastline from Bridport towards Portland with stunning twilight views as the sun was setting

What are your top 3 tips for anyone thinking of riding the Trafalgar Way?

Top 3 tips. Ensure your bike is in good mechanical condition. Take a winter gilet for riding at night, there is quite a temperature drop at night. Make sure your bike is fit for you. I suffered from cyclists palsy and a bike fit is recommended. It’s not a ride for the faint hearted!!!!

What are your top bits of equipment or kit you wouldn’t want to ride the Trafalgar Way without?

Top bits of kit or equipment: galibier winter gilet. (Perfect for night riding and stows away small enough to fit in a tail pack).

Garmin 1030+ computer. Big enough to see regardless of weather and conditions and great mapping and route pages. It didn’t miss a beat all trip.

Exposure strada and joystick front lights. (The night sections can be remote and pitch black, good lights are essential andexposure are awesome)

What bike (make and model) and chainset / cassette set up did you ride the Trafalgar Way with (if available)?

Kinesis RTD with Shimano Ultegra running gear. FSA powerbox 52/36 chainset with 11/32 rear cassette.