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.
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.
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.
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.