Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100

The Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 was created by the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games for celebrating the legacy for cycling including Newlands Corner, Leith Hill and Box Hill. More than 20, 000 cyclists took the part of the largest sportive in the history of the UK.

To be a part of this event I had to entered for public ballot entry system for the 2013. The ballot was closed when 55,000 applications had have been reached. At the beginning of February 2013 I received notification that I was successful in my application to participate in  Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100. I was ecstatic! 

Right up to the race day there was very good promotional information on the event and this helped to a great build up. The information also included help, support and advice on the training plans and nutrition.

I had my own training plan as I was preparing myself for Half Ironman in May 2013. After this race I was keeping my bike fitness level with some short and long rides but not more then 3 times per week. 

The registration for the riders was split in 3 days before the big day. We had to register and collect our documents at the Prudential RideLondon Cycling Show at ExCel in East London. There was a full programme of informative presentations offering cycling advice, interviews with professionals and a variety of entertainment.  All very good useful and helpful indeed.

The night before the race I prepared my bike and nutrition. I also made sure that I had sufficient carbohydrate loading. I went to bed at 9 pm as I needed to be up at 2 am. 

On the big day I had my usual breakfast which is cereals with little bit of milk and white coffee. Around 3:15 am I and couple my friends went by car to London. We pre-booked a car park in advance and we choose one which was closer to the finish line. It was 4:45 am when we got there. So we had to cycle to the start line around 30 minutes. It was good warm up. On the way to the start we met a few people who were cheering us. It was still dusk so there was also people just leaving a night clubs drunk and merry after enjoying the London nightlife.

The race was held in the new Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park where it started in wave starts between 06:00 and 08:00 on Sunday 4 August 2013. Our start time was at 7 am at but we had to be there 1 hour earlier. At the park there were two start chutes: Blue Start and Black Start. These were followed different routes for the first six miles. We were in the Black Start. 

Around 30 minutes before our start wave I had 2 bananas and a cereal bar. This helped me for my energy. Both start lines converged on exiting the Limehouse Link Tunnel. I really enjoyed going through the tunnels. The 100-mile route was on closed roads through the capital and into Surrey´s stunning countryside. All spectators as well as well as volunteers were cheering all the way through. The atmosphere was brilliant!

There were three Hubs and seven drinks station approximately each 10 miles as well as distance markers. My first stop was after 36 miles in Pyrford village. I only had to top up my bottles and stretch my body and then I was ready to shoot off. My next stop was at Boxhill Village which was on 68th mile. As I was reaching 80 miles a I was little bit emotional as I have not done such a long distance on the bike. The third and last stop was after 82 miles in Esher where I spent only 2 minutes due to my non working speedometer. The last 99-mile marker was pushing me through the last mile. It was the longest mile ever.

The finish line was on The Mall in central London, right opposite Buckingham Palace. All participants got a very impressive medal but they had to finish within nine hours. My time was 6 hours and 3 minutes. My average pace was 16,7 miles per hour including stops and hills. I felt really good after the event and I can tell that I am much stronger on the hills as I was before.

After our achievement we also received goody bags and we were talking about our experience all the way back home. It was very well organised and I´m pleased with my another challenge of this year!

 

Vachery Triathlon Festival 21st July

On Sunday 21 July, The Vachery Estate near Cranleigh organised Surrey’s first major triathlon sports festival. Over 1,500 triathletes of all abilities were competing. There was 3 distances you could choose from. First was Middle distance (70.3), second was Standard distance (Olympic) and third was SuperSprint. I decided to do SuperSprint distance.

The Vachery SuperSprint Distance Triathlon is 400m swim, 15km (9.5m) cycle and 5km (3m) run.
 
Part of this festival was camping and you could do it from Friday evening. Saturday evening they hosted a pre-race pasta party. Sunday morning they served an energy packed breakfast menu including porridge, cereal, toast, juices tea, coffee and much more. Competitors started early on Sunday morning. I wanted to drive there with my friend Gaby as my starting time was 9 am. As soon as we got there we heard live commentary and music as well as cheering supporters and spectators. We arrived around 7:30 am to register. We also received news that is would be a ´non wetsuit swim´. I had never done a race without my wetsuit and I was hoping that was not going to affect my swim time. Usually you are faster with wetsuit as you better float on the water. On the other hand the smell of breakfast was wafting around the area and I was tempted to have second one.
 
My race began with a single lap (400m) swim in Vachery Pond. It was surrounded by woods and covered water lilies and water grass. At some parts the grass was so thick that I had to use my breaststroke technique. Despite this difficulty I enjoyed it. It was a good challenge.

As we exit the water and we run to the transition area where we changed from swim to bike. We cycled through the Surrey Hills, an area of outstanding natural beauty. We completed only one lap. Luckily some roads were closed. There was one food and drink station for our route.

The race finished with an off road run and it started from The Vachery Estate along Knowle Lane and back. There was a single drink station for this lap to. I always carry my energy nutrition with me so I didn't need to top up.

Over all there was a great atmosphere with lots of fun! I ended up 5th in my age group out of 9th. I was slowest on my swim but fastest on the run. I would recommend this triathlon race as it is a very good challenge. So maybe I will see you there next year!  ;0)