CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Events, rides etc.

Sport Relief Cycle Challenge - London to Edinburgh

(14 posts)
  • Started 9 years ago by HankChief
  • Latest reply from HankChief

  1. HankChief
    Member

    It came slightly out of the blue when my employer announced it was arranging a Cycle Challenge in aid of Sport Relief.

    The format is a 5 day ride from London to Edinburgh of about 100 miles a day.

    There are 120 doing all 5 days and each day a further 200 doing either a full day or half day, so it is not a small undertaking.

    There was a ballot for entries as the interest outweighed places many times over. As luck would have it I got a 5day place and find myself on a train to London.

    You can track my progress here rider 114

    Great to see a major employer running this sort of thing.

    Myself & others have been trying to capitalise on this interest by stressing the transport element of cycling as well as the sport part.

    Posted 9 years ago #

  2. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    My dearest wish would be to see you doing it on the tandem with a tagalong. I suspect you'd still leave a few people in your wake.

    Have fun, and good luck.

    Posted 9 years ago #

  3. HankChief
    Member

    I would have but the kids couldn't get the time off school ;-)

    Posted 9 years ago #

  4. gembo
    Member

    Clicked on link, looks like a feeder coming in from Surrey already as you all descend on London Town. Is the route North heading Lea Valley?

    Posted 9 years ago #

  5. HankChief
    Member

    I think it will make more sense once we have set off..

    Starting near Liverpool Street and winding our way out via Crouch End, Finchley & Radlett, finishing day 1 near Banbury.

    We're starting early to avoid the worse of the traffic (yeah right...) but still expecting to have plenty of practice clipping in & out.

    Posted 9 years ago #

  6. Greenroofer
    Member

    Departing Liverpool Street should be an interesting way to get into the swing of things. It's not really the environment for getting a good cadence and rhythm going, I fear...

    I hope you and the other riders have a great time. I shall be following your progress with interest.

    Who do you think will be the first person back to Head Office on Friday?

    Posted 9 years ago #

  7. HankChief
    Member

    My money is on Foggy, the time trial specialist. He's only doing the last day and so should be fresh.

    I've already asked to sit on his wheel as I need to get home sharpish as the family is heading away for the weekend and may leave without me...

    I will be interested to see what the standard is like. I expect some good regular cyclists but I assume there will be many garage bikes brought out for a rare glimpse of daylight.

    I just hope everyone enjoys it...

    Posted 9 years ago #

  8. chdot
    Admin

    Mass finish on GSR??

    Posted 9 years ago #

  9. HankChief
    Member

    Mass finish on GSR??

    We do finish with GSR, but I'd expect the 300 riders will have strung out a bit having set off from Carlisle.

    Posted 9 years ago #

  10. Snowy
    Member

    Best of luck, Hankchief, enjoy!

    Posted 9 years ago #

  11. HankChief
    Member

    Job done...

    It was a really enjoyable week of riding. Got to see a lot of England and some of Scotland at a steady pace, whilst chatting with colleagues & raising money for Sport Relief.

    The route we took was well marked and easy to follow but was designed to keep us out of towns and off busy roads so was down little lanes which changed in direction, width & surface at regular intervals and meant we didn't have a clue as to where we were most of the time. "just follow the yellow signs..."

    Quite a range of abilities and bikes - a lot doing their furthest distance on a bike (be it 35, 100 or 500 miles). Much respect to those on the road for 10+ hrs each day and keeping going day after day.

    Weather was poor at the start of the week with heavy showers flooding some lanes and washing stones onto others (many many punctures on day 1). For day 4&5 the sun came out and it was glorious going up Kirkstone Pass & Devil's Beef Tub on familiar roads.

    GSR was a delight to ride on having just tackled the pavé of Clifton Rd.

    There was quite a party put on to welcome us home but unfortunately I got there before Mrs Hankchief arrived with the kids from school.

    It seems to have created quite a buzz around the office as well as raising over £500k, so hopefully will be considered a success and be repeated.

    Posted 9 years ago #

  12. gembo
    Member

    Nice one. Was the pub open at the top of kirkstone pass?

    There has been a very big square sign on lights outside my house , it says 12 but a disappointed RBS employee who did not get to go was discussing with me the other day that it would not be the London Edinburgh route. Maybe the pentlands push

    Posted 9 years ago #

  13. amir
    Member

    Well done, Hankchief. You were really quick as well!

    Posted 9 years ago #

  14. HankChief
    Member

    Gembo: the pub was open but we didn't stop as there was a lunchstop in Patterdale.

    I do like that descent - wiggly enough to slow down cars but can be taken in a straight line on a bike.

    The sign won't have been ours as we went Carnwath, Woolfords, Livingston, Calders, Ratho.

    Posted 9 years ago #

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