Adam's page Cycling 100 miles for the RNLI in under 7 hours.
Adam Dark is raising money for RNLI - Royal National Lifeboat Institution
Story
Hello, on the 29th of May I will stand on the start line with 25,000 other cycling fanatics and set off on the 100 gruelling miles in the 2022 Ride London-Essex 100. https://www.ridelondon.co.uk "The iconic 100-mile distance is the longest challenge ride in the RideLondon programme. It has been part of RideLondon since it was first held in 2013, with the first seven editions starting and finishing in London with a loop of Surrey in between. Participants set off from Victoria Embankment in central London and into Essex via the historic Epping Forest. Once in Essex, riders will glide past some of the county’s most picturesque towns and villages, including Ongar, Fyfield, the Rodings and Great Dunmow, before joining a section of the 2014 Stage Three Tour de France route.
That part of the course will guide riders through Felsted and around the county town of Chelmsford before heading through Writtle and back towards Ongar and central London. Once in central London, participants will then complete their ride to rapturous applause at Tower Bridge – a stunning Finish Line for the 100-mile challenge. " -Ride London-Essex 100
After a few years sitting behind a desk or in front of a blackboard I had piled on the pounds. 12 hour days and bad eating took their toll, so I decided to do something about it. So I got on my bike, I started with an electric folding bike which was fun and could fit in the boit of the car but soon i needed to step up a gear. I got the college cycle to work scheme brochure and ordered a hybrid mountain bike. I loved it and put the miles in. Day after day fot 2 hours or more every day, rain or shine I went out on the bike. The weight dropped off and I bought a cheap road bike, suddenly I was covering huge distances, 20 miles then 30 miles. The first time I did 50 miles in one ride I was astounded. Cycling is such fun as well, you are not in a metal box whooshing past, the scenery a blur but outside going relatively slowly, you can hear everything and if you see something interesting you can stop. Not spend 20 minutes trying to find somewhere to park and pay for parking, but just stop. I lost 7 stone in weight by cycling and got so much fitter. I started racing on zwift and worked up to B cat but that is my limit I think. Those guys are fast! So after all that I tried to enter a local sportive and did well but my time didn't register due to me wrapping the timing chip around the steerer tube trying to be aero. I blame Oliver Bridgewood for that. Now I have put myself up for 100 miles which is further than I have ever ridden. My furthest in real life is 88 miles and on Zwift 108 miles, with many breaks changes of kit and toast. I am a bit worried about the 100 miles as it is a long freaking way but my training is going well, the bike is working well, I have new wheels, tyres, inner tubes, brake blocks, chain, bar tape, gels, and cables. I think I am ready but we shall see.
I am trying to raise some money for the RNLI, and would appreciate any support you could give. I know money is tight and everything is getting more expensive so don't worry if you can't, but if you are in a position where you can spare a pound then the money goes directly to the RNLI through Just Giving even if I fall off the bike in the first mile. Don't worry if not as I don't have to raise money to get a place, I was lucky enough to win a place in the ballot so I am just raising money for a good cause.
Thanks for your help and I'll let you know how the training goes.
Too many people are still drowning. More than ever we need the RNLI’s help. As a charity, the RNLI depends on our donations so it can go on saving lives and keeping us and our loved ones safe. RNLI lifesavers are our lifeline. They’re the lifeboat crews who provide 24-hour search and rescue right around the UK and Ireland. The lifeguards keeping watch on 240 of the busiest beaches in the UK and Channel Islands. And the RNLI safety teams and educators working tirelessly to stop people getting into trouble in the first place.Thank you.