21st June.  The big day...!!!!  

6am alarm to get to the start by 7am.  Finally off at 7.35am. The sky is blue and the atmosphere electric.  Steady start with congestion at traffic lights and first few hills.  As we head out of London the field start to spread out and we pick up some momentum.   We take our 1st official stop after 20 miles and stock up on energy food and drink.  We finally get to where we started our Redhill toBrightonride on the 9th May.  Lots of different people, costumes, and bikes on this ride and there is lots of encouragement and banter going on to keep spirits high .  2nd official stop at 32 miles for more food & drink before a climb up the 2nd major hill to Turners Hill where the locals were out in force with food and drinks and a brass band.  I made it all the way up this time as did Valerie, where I only made it 3/4 the way up on our practice ride.  Coasted along nicely after that until I got hit with cramp at 42 miles .   Our next stop was at 48 miles and before the dreaded Ditchling Beacon.  We cycled up the first part of the hill before the gradient really kicked in and push the bikes up the rest of the way.  Some really determined cyclist cycled all the way up and the really professional cyclists made it look easy.  A final rest at the top of Ditchling Beacon taking in the view then the easy downhill cycle intoBrighton.  The crowd lining the finishing straight were tremendous and we were both waving to the crowd although we knew no one there.  We crossed the line together and collected our medals and then the cramp kicked in for me again.  6 hours and 25 minutes to complete the course, much better than we expected.   A well deserved Burger and Chips on the beach before the coach ride back to London and finally home by 7.30pm.  All in all a fantastic day and a momentous achievement.  Even though my legs are hurting the day after, I will do this again and recommend it to others.  Thank you once again for your generosity and support for a worthy cause.

Love Andy & Valerie Harvey – London toBrighton Conquers 2009.