Zoe Chappell

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

Completing a 600K ride was for personal challenge after a few 400’s. I chose RTTW for two reasons - a route covering many Counties with an historical link and the promise of diverse scenery. Secondly because it was run as an Audax which I knew meant it’d be done proper and by people with a passion themselves for cycling; very apparent when you speak with Jim and Paul.

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

Without doubt the most challenging ride I have done (to date) but the overwhelming feeling of achievement I got when I finally road in to London made every painful climb worth it.

What was your most memorable part of the ride?

So many.

Arriving at the start not knowing anybody, full of nervousness mixed with excitement and keen to get going.

Riding the Jurassic coast as the sunset behind me and the temperature dropping as the sky slowly turned to darkness around me.

In the very early hours near falling asleep riding along and being startled hearing my tyres crunching along the gravel of the verge; stopped and rested in a bus shelter shortly afterwards.

And resting again a few hours later on a large patch of mown grass to the entrance of a golf course, and waking to the wonderful warmth of the sun rising on me.

The camaraderie amongst fellow riders and the encouraging words shared by the organisers at the start and at checkpoints along with the volunteers.

Upon reaching Whitehall, the realisation that I’d ridden from my home in Cornwall all the way to London … on little sleep.

And finally, missing the sleeper train back to Cornwall and spending the night on high alert at Paddington station awaiting the first train back in the morning.

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

1. Break the route down into sections. I laminated a small piece of card showing the places at 50K intervals and had it handy to look at when I felt like I wasn’t making much progress.
2. Take photos, look at your surroundings. The route takes you through countryside you might not have had cause to ever go through before or will again so take time to appreciate those moments in time.
3. No matter what the forecast, take a rain jacket and ultralight layers for when the temperature drops at night.

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

1. Dynamo set up for powering lights at night and charging accessories by day. I’ve a SON 28 hub and Sinewave Revolution usb charger in addition took a fully charged Exposure MTB light as back up.
2. My Rab Ark Emergency bivvy - basically a foil bag as opposed to a foil blanket. Packs tiny, completely waterproof and reflects your body heat back in; ideal for power naps.
3. Albion women’s ultralight insulated gilet and jacket, highly packable, perfect for layering up into the night.
4. Albion cargo bib shorts - really useful mesh pockets on both thighs and for us ladies, has the invaluable drop seat function to speed up those comfort breaks.
5. Travel toothbrush and paste

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

Ritchey Outback gravel bike. Set up with the Ritchey Venturemax handlebars, DT Swiss wheels with Terravail Cannonball 35mm tyres. 11-34 cassette and 50/34 crankset.