Hi everyone,

I'm taking on the challenge of the Prudential Ride 100 London this August.

http://www.prudentialridelondon.co.uk

The challenge involves cycling 100 miles (160km) around the streets of London and the countryside of Surrey in one day (hopefully about 6 hours!). It takes in some pretty serious climbs around Box Hill and the South Downs and follows the Course from the London Olympic road race in 2012.

I'm cycling to raise money for SANDS. 

https://www.uk-sands.org

They are a charity that help families who lose their babies in stillbirth or neonatal death, to cope and rebuild their lives.

This is in memory of our beautiful son Theo who was tragically stillborn in February 2012.

I know we live in austere times but any donation is greatly appreciated and will go towards helping families in the most difficult time in their lives.

UPDATE--------------------------------------------------

The cycle race was on Sunday and as you may have heard it was slightly more challenging than expected!

The great summer we've had was suspended for a day and the end of hurricane Bertha came along instead..

At the start at 0630 in the Olympic park we were informed they had altered the route to avoid 2 steep (& now too dangerous) descents in Surrey. It was cloudy but dry at the time and the general consensus was it was over cautious and there was disappointment the route was a few miles shorter. How wrong we were! They made a good call.

After 2 or 3 miles there were already many people with punctures at the side of the road, & I was glad it wasn't me.. After 30 mins the rain came and the rain jacket that nearly got discarded at the start was earning it's keep. By Richmond park at the hour mark the rain was almost horizontal and those without eyewear were in trouble.

At around 35 miles puddles were joining from each side of the road to make ponds and the spray was like being in a car wash.. Shortly after Pyrford there was a few minor contacts and I felt my rear tyre deflating, the fact I was negotiating a windy steep hill at the time was not ideal! I slid rally style to the bottom, past one accident, through a small lake and off the road to change my inner tube. A fun feat with basic tools, a gale and everything soaked. My riding buddies thoughtfully waited for me (thanks chaps)and about 8 mins later we were off again.

I made it up the steep ascent of Newlands corner with what I now know was 60psi in my rear tyre (not the 110psi ideal, so much for the portable pump!) and we had a pit stop at the top for a pump and refuel. The 'view ' was reduced to 20m and grey cloud.


After a kamikaze run down the far side of Newlands we settled in for the run back up to London. The rain was relentless and the roads small streams. We qued through Esher underpass to go along the footpath, though a tandem risked the foot deep lake to cheers from the masses!

I'd now officially got not a single dry spot left and my gear had formed a poor mans wetsuit. A quick hello to Becky and Gracie in Leatherhead gave me a welcome boost and 25 miles to the Mall for the finish. 5hrs 27 (5:09 moving) excellent for 100 miles, ok for 86! Retired to the pub for beer and medals!

It was as much a psychological test as it was a physical one, and the great support from you guys for a special cause really helped.

Thanks again, I'll send a drowned rat photo or two when there published!

Will xx