After two years of cancellations, Ride London came back for 2022 with a brand new route - 100 miles of traffic-free roads through the heart of London and neighbouring Essex. And I couldn’t resist doing it again…
Starting at Victoria Embankment very early on a Sunday morning, this route took more than 20,000 riders up through Epping Forest to Braintree then back to finish at Tower Bridge via Chelmsford, Chigwell and the Olympic Park in Stratford.
This was the fourth time I’ve done Ride London, and even though this route was much flatter (no more Surrey Hills), I found it a massive challenge this year. Maybe because I didn’t get in as much training as I hoped - or just that I’m getting older!
Still, the closed roads made the early start and tough bits worthwhile. Racing on the wrong side of the road and through some of the tunnels as you head out of London is always fun when you don’t have to worry about cars.
For anyone who fancies doing it next year, I highly recommend it for the unique experience of riding with thousands of others on closed roads. And if committing to 100 miles doesn’t appeal there are shorter 30 and 60 mile routes available too.
Many thanks to everyone who sponsored me and the TotalEnergies Gas & Power Charity Committee for helping me raise more than £600 for Water Aid – a fantastic charity that brings clean water to communities in more than 28 countries around the world.
