Entering the London to Brighton bike ride was the result of a rash, alcohol induced moment during last New Year Eve’s party …

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During the cold light of day it didn’t seem such a good idea, especially when I realised I’d only ridden my bike twice during the preceding 12 months! Having committed and been accepted for the event there was nothing for it but to buckle down and do some serious training … well three or four thirty mile rides with a good long lunch break after 15 to be precise!

I was certainly glad I’d done them as the ride turned out to be a sort of two wheeled whacky races! Almost entirely surrounded by other cyclists for most of the 54 miles we moved forward like a crowd of locusts slowly devouring suburbs, villages and country lanes leaving behind a trail of shattered reflectors, water bottles, clothing, other assorted bike bits and the odd casualty or two.

Any sort of speed was out of the question except for the down hill stretches as for much of the ride we were jammed together in huge packs waiting for traffic lights to change, accidents to clear or marshals to give the go ahead at junctions.

Cruelly, the hardest part of the ride was five miles from the end at Ditchling Beacon. This was a very, very steep accent which we were assured would give us great views of the weald when we reached the top. All I wanted when I staggered up to the summit was to be shot! Being the only woman in our team and by this time way behind the others, I would have liked to have been able to say I’d ridden all the way up, but sadly I had to admit defeat and walk from just past the 800 metre sign.

Ditchling Beacon - Nearly there! Most people were walking at this stage.

On the plus side there was a great carnival atmosphere with music playing at many of the feeding stations and spectators picnicking along the route giving us a wave and a cheer. The organisation was superb and the weather ideal. Would I do it again? Probably not, it was a great experience and nice to think we were supporting the British Heart Foundation, but it is a very urban ride and the sheer numbers of riders made the continual hold ups in towns frustrating.

You can't beat sipping a good strong cuppa and watching everyone else do the work!