Challenge Report:-

“Let’s not forget that it’s not a race; our aim is to get round in one piece” murmured a fellow Nightrider. I looked up and with exaggerated contempt replied - “Of course it’s a race. It’s always a race and my aim is to beat as many of you lot in the process…”

And so began the long sprint around London town. A fast paced, yet nostalgic moonlit ride combined with adrenalin-filled downhill sections, lung-bursting hill climbs (yes there are hills in London and it would seem we went up most of them) and exciting dodging and weaving through the West-End and City-of-London traffic.

We started to the South of the river, the skyline becoming more familiar as we peddled northwards, dodging potholes and avoiding precarious looking fellow riders. Through the neon-lit gloom the London landmarks loomed large and for me they brought reminders of a previous life. A reminder too that the contrast between areas such as Canary Wharf, the cities of London and Westminster with Bow, Camden, the lower reaches of Highbury and other unruly boroughs is rarely more compelling than when seen at 1am from the moving saddle of a bicycle; all in a blur perhaps, yet the smells, images and hum of the city were unmistakably London, a universe away from my world in Suffolk but I sensed a friendly spirit, perhaps tipping a wink towards a past acquaintance.

At last I reached Alexandra Palace, the halfway milestone and waypoint for my return south, also the northerly start/finish point for half of Nightrider participants. A swift welcome cuppa and then back on the mule, head down towards Hampstead and the glow of the West-End. Cyclists were more spread out now, often out of sight of each other - a good time to reflect on our blessings, quietly praise the reliability of my trusty steed (unlike those who had already joined the growing list of roadside casualties) and enjoy the exhilaration of the mission.

It seemed no time before I was in familiar territory again; ghosts emerging from old haunts as I sped by. Memories of nights out and more specifically the trudges home vividly returned with each glimpse of the incumbent generation of London revellers spilling out onto the pavements in various states of high spirits and inebriation, bouncing off walls and occasionally each other.

The miles ticked by. Very few Nightriders from my original start were now in sight, only the increasing number of backmarkers from the other start position wearily pressing on into the freshness of the early hours. But they were no match against the mighty ‘Specialized Allez’ and with slightly shameful smugness were soon left in my wake. As I pushed south over Chelsea Bridge the first rays of the dawn sun reflected off the Thames…

After 5 hours and 60 miles the finish came into striking distance; one last long climb up to Crystal Palace. By now running on vapour and adrenalin but the thoughts of cooked food and hot tea were enough to steer the mind from burning, aching muscles.

The final result: start 11.30pm, finished 4.45am with 20 mins stop at Alexandra Palace. Not bad. Not quite the 4hrs I was aiming for but now I have a personal best to beat next time. Did I beat my team mates? Of course I did. Not a race? Oh I think it is!

Camille’s Appeal is specifically focused on the support and welfare of children under the age of five who are suffering from a brain tumour. The main focus of Camille’s Appeal is to look at ways to ensure that the long-term effects of treatment are minimised to allow the child to lead a normal life.

For more information please check out www.camillesappeal.co.uk

For info about the challenge go to www.nightrider.org.uk