London 2 Corkers

As you may have noticed, I was in a rather wet and busy London a couple of weekends ago (the weekend of the Jubilee in fact) to join these guys on the first day of their ride.  The London to Corkers planned to cycle the 750km between the 2 cities in memory of a dear friend, Sarah Boland.  They managed it, aided by curry, a shed-load of spare tubes (for the way was puncture strewn) and lots of beer.  By the time they got off the ferry home they had hit their £10,000 target and the donations continue to flood in.

Arriving in Windsor

An amazing lunch, well deserved and well tasty

It was with a sense of trepidation that I arrived in Richmond Costa, exhausted after a night on the train.  I know Rob of old, and he's a competitive bugger so I had visions of a band of super fit lycra clad roadies flying along at 50kmph leaving poor old solo tourist me behind.  I need not have worried.  A slightly stressed Robin directed other riders to me and we cycled gently to Richmond park.  After last minute checks (tyre pressure included - didn't like to admit that I usually go with hmmm...seems ok...) and stretches (useful tips to be gathered there too - tennis balls, who knew?) we were off.  The ride out of the city proved slightly terrifying.  Stupid drivers playing chicken with buses and learning to ride in a group meant that 10 minutes in, it was the most stressful ride of my life. But soon things calmed down - we got left behind at a roundabout after being cut off from the group, and shortly after we had to stop for the first puncture.  There was time to regroup, learn the calls and signs and generally, relax into it.

A well oiled cycling machine hit Windsor for a quick sandwich stop before cycling on to the Boardman residence for the best cyclist lunch ever.  A quick puncture stop and then on (at one heck of a pace) to Newbury where we spent the night.  I was glad to see the next morning that many round of the cyclist's breakfast of choice-Beans of Toast- were served.  Food eaten, bag packed and with more than a twinge of regret I said goodbye and headed off, solo tourist once again, to London.

If you would like to support the charity please donate at http://www.justgiving.com/london2corkcycle

To find out more about the amazing Sarah Boland visit her blog at http://www.sazbol.co.uk/