Yesterday, I finished the Essex Countryside Bike ride. It was 58miles long. They lied.
According to my computer, it was 62miles. When the 58mile mark came and went, I was running out of steam. My usual training rides are 15-30miles so this was always going to get hard for me towards the end. But I did it.
It was looking initially like I would not make it due to having to walk to the start after suffering two punctures at Rayleigh high street. I picked up two bits of glass. The first gave me a puncture. The second did for my replacement tube. The friendly mechanic at the start soon got me on the road though.
I managed to buddy-up with a local chap named Jason. He did well for most of the way but got his own puncture just after the halfway point. I have to admit that his lack of fitness meant that I kept losing him and waiting for him to catch-up but after about the 45mile mark, I carried on alone. I managed to see him at the end though, so I know he did make it in the end.
As far as the ride itself goes, there are a few gentle climbs until we hit Danbury where it seems like they stack the hills, one behind the other. There are no Ditchling Beacon style climbs, so I didn’t need my small cog at any stage but it kept the knees working hard for a few miles.
So far it looks like I’ve raised £300 to help run the Little Haven’s Hospice. So I feel good today despite my sore knees and shoulders.
In total yesterday, I cycled 68miles at an average of 14miles/hour. I so need to get fitter.