On Saturday 30th August 2014, having woken every hour to check the time, I began to feel nerves and excitement for the challenge soon to begin. Could I really cycle 310 miles from London to Newcastle in less than 24 hours?
After a quick breakfast I put my kit on, packed my bag and made the short ride from the hotel to the start line. I was greeted by a huge start banner and over 100 cyclists making their final bike and kit adjustments. The countdown to our 10am start began and by now I was itching to get going!
After a quick safety briefing, a few ‘selfies’ and a final Facebook update, there was a countdown from 10 and we were off! A short spin out of Clissold Park and onto the roads of North London. The first 10 miles were stop-start as we made our way out of the city, but on reaching the country roads we got into a good rhythm.
My aim was to stay with the front group to minimise the waiting time at each rest stop and to complete the challenge as quickly as possible. The first stage of 43 miles flew by and we soon made it to the first rest station in Royston.
As the ride progressed, rest and food stops were vital. They gave us the chance to refuel, stretch our legs and most of all top up our chamois cream! The second stage of 43 miles also took no time at all, taking us to the first hot food stop in Peterborough for BBQ food and pasta. I was going well and feeling good so far but I knew the worst was to come.
Although the following longest stage of 58 mile proved to be relatively uneventful, if a little quicker than the previous 86, I began to experience my first problems of the day. Although replacing up to 600 calories an hour is essential, exercising and eating over a long ride are not a combination the body likes – hence the start of stomach cramps and trapped wind.
As night time approached and we reached the 144 mile point at around 8pm, I knew my only choice was to eat anyway and suffer the consequences as without the energy I would not make it through the night. At Lincoln heading, for Goole, the following 51 miles would be the proper start of my challenge.
We passed the 12 hour mark near midnight, and there seemed to be no let up in pace from our lead rider Bruce – an ex pro Australian cyclist who had recently cycled 2,800km in a week. How he rode the entire 310 miles at the front is staggering!
The hard pace, combined with my stomach pains and the fact we were in the early hours, made the majority of the night ride very tough. I remember at times thinking it would never end. The thing with cycling in total darkness with just a few bike lights ahead of you is that you have very little concept of time or distance travelled.
We thought we must have gone 20 miles since the last stop only to learn it was just 10 and this dampened my spirits at times. However, thinking about why I was riding helped. I was proud to be raising money through my challenge for Teenage Cancer Trust and really hope it can make a difference.
At the 5th stop in Easingwold and with just one more stop until the finish, I reached my lowest point. Having cycled over 230 miles so far and still being awake at around 3am, I felt as though I’d been for a night on the town. I was certain by now that I would never attempt a similar challenge again. I stopped eating because it was causing too much pain – something which would eventually catch up with me as energy levels dropped. Even drinking water was making me feel sick. The only thing that really kept me going was knowing that during the next stage we would pass just a couple of miles from my home town Newton Aycliffe where a huge moral boost awaited!
As we approached Sadberge, a local photographer, Dave Stox was waiting ready to get a few snaps. I also knew that further along the road at Hardwick Park were my girlfriend, Mam and Stepdad waiting to cheer me on and then my sister and niece waiting at the next stop in Coxhoe.
This gave me a huge energy boost and I was soon riding at the front as we pedalled along familiar roads. I honestly think that without the support I would have struggled to complete the final stage of the ride. In the toughest moments ahead thinking of them gave me the slight edge I needed. Arriving in Coxhoe there were just 26 miles to the finish line in Newcastle.
Before this ride I never thought it would be possible to fall asleep while riding a bike, but by the time we reached Durham, I was starting to wonder if I could stay awake at all!
The following miles through Gateshead and Newcastle was a painful blur, and the finish line was almost within touching distance.
As we turned up the road towards the finish at Heaton Manor School, I began to get a lump in my throat. Am I really about to finish the biggest challenge of my life? All of those hours of training, the pain and fatigue during the previous day of riding. All I could think of was my loved ones waiting at the finish and all the kind words of support and donations – some from people I’ve never even met.
Then finally, I had finished – relief that I didn’t have to turn the pedals again after the longest and toughest night I have experienced. I could relax and enjoy a few well needed hugs!
I had cycled from London to Newcastle, a total of 311 miles in 22 hours 8 minutes.
To date I have raised around £1,450 for Teenage Cancer Trust and I really hope I have done Mark and my Grandad proud. I’m not sure if I will ever achieve something like this again, but I am sure that if you put your mind to something and work hard enough, then most things are possible!
