Smile once more, turn thy wheel (King Lear 2:2)

[Shake-and-run]

I'll not bore you with the complicated logistics of getting to and from a linear event, other than to say the addition of bicycles adds to the levels of stress and frustration. That said Mr Shakes and I arrived at Clapham Common in time for our 7.30am start of the BHF London to Brighton Cycle Event. A little more time to settle and eat my protein bar would have been nice, but we made it. Although early, it was not cold. The weather was dry, but not the roads as there had been storms during the night, so we were expecting debris as well as potholes.

I must say the organisers of the event have road safety and management down to a tee. There were marshals at every junction and although not completely on closed roads, every effort had been made to manage the route so that bikes and cars were going in the same direction and had separate lanes. The 'joining live traffic' signs were well placed and there were marshals with stop/go boards to help prevent congestion. There were 10 refreshments stops between mile 8 and mile 46, all run by charity and/or community groups. This prevented long queues for toilets or sustenance and there were hot drinks and bacon rolls (not something you see on a sportive feed station usually).

I was prepared for the 54 miles and for the 'mountain' that is Ditchling Beacon just 8 miles from the finish line. However no one talks about how undulating the route is and although  TailChaser had said there were 'other lumps', I was not mentally prepared for the other 5 significant climbs. They may be 'small' in comparison to Ditchling and within my capability, but they do make you puff and a lot of people were walking up them.

The other thing about an iconic ride like this one is that 14,000 people take part. Not all of them are regular cyclists and quite a few have no idea about road etiquette. So you not only have to ride carefully, keep to your line and not move sideways before you have checked you are not cutting across someone else's path, but you also have to keep an eye on everyone else who may not be quite so attentive. I love to look at scenery when I am out on my bike, but I saw nothing on Sunday, my focus was completely on the road and the people around me. Quite exhausting in itself !

Mr Shakes was riding with me and could often be found at my side, he descends faster than me ('cos he is heavier) and climbs faster (because he is stronger) so would wait for me if we got separated. Approaching the half way point I was in pain from the hamstring/sciatic nerve issue I have in my left leg. I had just reached the top of Turner's Hill and the place was rammed (the refreshment station here is a pub), I was hurting and puffing and got carried over the junction onto the descent, thankfully Mr Shakes spotted me and was soon passing me at speed. I had hoped he would wait once the ground levelled out, but he was not to be seen so I stopped in a lay-by. A kind man, who was cutting his hedge, checked I was ok and then told me there was feed station just two miles on. Thankfully, I quickly re-connected with hubby and was soon sat with my feet up, listening to a Brass Band and drinking a wonderful cup of tea. Fortunately Mr Shakes had some pain killers and after a suitable rest of about 45 mins we were back on the road. I felt a lot better and no longer just wanted it all to stop.

Coming into the foot of the 'Beacon', I was going well, I rode past people who were pushing their bikes and some who were cycling slowly. I did wonder if I was going a bit too quick but I was not feeling stressed or tired. The Beacon has an elevation of 248m. As a climb it is 2.7km long with 169 vertical metres and an average gradient of 6.2%. It is a series of bends, starts with a steady incline and gradually gets steeper, up to a 20% gradient at the top. At one point I felt I should put my feet down but I was between walkers on my left and faster riders on my right and I could not stop for fear of obstructing someone's progress. I kept peddling. Round another corner I was finally next to the verge. I thought the top must be around the next bend. But no, it kept on going. I stopped and hopped off to push, only to find I was about 150 metres from the top. How frustrating!

From the top of the South Downs it was all down hill to Brighton. Some nice descents, some less so. Some busy traffic in the town to negotiate before reaching the seafront, the finish line and a hard earned medal. We had been lucky with the weather, but it started to rain as we entered Brighton and was persistent by the time we crossed the finish line. We decided not to hang about and get cold so were quickly back on our bikes and riding the 3 miles to the hotel (more bloomin' ups!).

An amazing event! I can see why it is iconic, but for me, it's a once in a lifetime experience. I have some fantastic memories of the day, some bling and Mr Shakes and I have raised over £700 for the British Heart Foundation. On the whole, not a bad day in the saddle.

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

Very well done Shake-and-run , the London to Brighton is Iconic but famously tough. When I lived in Hove I was always happy to meet friends and family with a picnic at the end of their race but I never took part.

But you did it and it looks like you’ve got yourself a new medal and buff.

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

thanks Dexy, you would have been a very welcome sight at Brighton , but I think the picnic might have got a little soggy. Xx

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Shake-and-run]

yes it poured down here on Sunday too. Great for my garden. 😂

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Well done Shakes and Mr Shakes, that is indeed an iconic event. Mr Cheeky and I did it yonks ago back in the mid 80s - and I’m not sure I’ve cycled since. We didn’t get medals back then so maybe that’s why! Denied! 😩

All the cycling you do most do wonders for your running legs. Amazing! 👏👏👏👏

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

thank you Cheeky, I’m not sure running and cycling complement each other in a fitness programme, but getting out there is what is important, however you do it. Xx

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

Amazing ride Shake-and-run. Keeping out of trouble with other riders seems to be a major part of achieving success. Well done for getting home in one piece, charitable donation secured.

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

thank you BC, it is very exhausting having to concentrate on staying out of trouble, but so many people having a great day and hopefully raising lots of money for a great cause is a wonderful thing to be part of. Xx

[nowster Metric Marathon]

KENT:

All weary and o'er-watch'd,

Take vantage, heavy eyes, not to behold

This shameful lodging.

Fortune, good night: smile once more; turn thy wheel!

[Sleeps.]

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon in reply to nowster]

There are many references to the wheel of fortune in King Lear and poor old Kent demonstrates how a turning wheel, like fortune, goes down as well as up. I’m just glad my wheels kept turning!

[AlMorr Half Marathon]

Well done Shake-and-run on your London to Brighton bike ride. 😊 ✅✅👍

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles]

I have total respect for you both and all the other cyclists, my son in law and youngest grandson did it last year. You are amazing

[misswobble Marathon]

fantastic! What a great thing to do, and with Mr Shakes 💪😀👍👊✊💥

I hope you’re both fully rested after those challenging hills etc 🙂

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Thank you Miss W. Things have been a bit hectic since the ride as we have been traveling down to southwest France. Going to be busy for a while as we get settled in, but did manage a wee trot out this morning! Xx

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Shake-and-run]

enjoy yourselves 🙂👍

[Time_Lord Half Marathon]

Congratulations Shake-and-run to you & Mr Shakes x

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon in reply to Time_Lord]

thank you TL. Xx

[Instructor57]

Fantastic!Well done both 🙂👍

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon in reply to Instructor57]

Thank you xx

[Kevin41 Half Marathon]

This write up had me gripped!! Well done, what a fantastic achievement.

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon in reply to Kevin41]

Thank you Kevin41, glad you enjoyed my (rather long) report. Xx

[Cmoi Marathon]

Many congratulations Shake-and-run , that's a great achievement! Your revels now are ended.

We are such stuff As dreams are made on, and our little life Is rounded with a sleep. RIP David Cooper and Gino Mäder.

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon in reply to Cmoi]

Thank you Cmoi. The world of professional cycling lost a bright young star in Gino, and a loving family lost a caring man in David Cooper. Those lines of Prospero’s suggest that life is but an illusion and a fleeting one at that. A great way to remind us all to make the most of what time we have.

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to Shake-and-run]

We were watching the Tour de Suisse on French TV. As you know I'm a bit of a Bardet fangirl, and his Strava gives 100.8kph max speed on that descent. I was literally shouting at him slow down, it's not worth it, you've got a wife and kid.

Heartbreaking, especially if you've heard Gino's Mäder's interview at the start of the week's racing, and read David Cooper's fundraising page.

Will you be following Le Tour? Once again it isn't far from us. Might go to watch, maybe Stage 10 as not worth trying for the Stage 9 Puy de Dôme finish, it'll be closed off to public.

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon in reply to Cmoi]

stage 8 comes reasonably close to us, so I think we will be there somewhere on the route. We are not planning to go to the Pyrenees for tour stages this year (it is all getting a bit expensive) but I may go down for the Tour de Femmes

[Oldfloss Administrator]

"The wheel is, ( indeed), come full circle... King Lear Act 5: Sc 3..

Well, yours certainly did! An amazing ride and a great cause...one close to my own heart ! A huge well done to you ! x

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon]

thank you Floss. An iconic event, glad I did it but once was enough for me. X

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Well done! It sounds a bit of a mare with all that two wheeled traffic. An amazing experience to bank though 😊

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

thank you Linda. Mr Shakes has done a few of these mega big Sportives, he says it is less intimidating once you have done a few. I’ve done local ones with smaller numbers and open roads. ‘Normal’ traffic does tend to help folk remember basic road safety.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

Sorry I’m so late with my well done but WELL DONE!!! Brilliant report, fab photos and great looking bling 🥰

I honestly don’t know how you sat in a saddle for so many miles 😩 but hats off to you and Mr Shakes for doing so. I hope you had plush soft cushions for afterwards 😂

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon]

thank you IP. I do have a very comfortable saddle and some mega expensive padded shorts. It took a while to find the right ones for me but well worth it. My moving time was 4 and a half hours, so not too bad on the bottom.

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon]

Thank you to everyone for taking the time to read my post and being so supportive. I was nervous about sharing a non-running event with you, but you have been amazing. Thanks xxx

[Katnap Marathon]

With so many (inexperienced) cyclists there's always a few prangs so it's good you made it all the way without incident!

🐱 Katnap 🐱