As promised , here is my debrief of Sunday’s London Ride 100 cycle Ride (86 Mile Version). You will have had to have been out of the country this last week not to have known that the remnants of Hurricane Bertha was going to hit The UK. I (and probably 24,000 others) were particularly interested to discover just how rainy Sunday morning might be for our london Ride from the Olympic Park to the Surrey Hills and back to The Mall. I bought a cycling waterproof and decided that should be fine. In the end it was the right decision because any kind of waterproof except for a diving dry suit would have been useless. The rain at various points was described to me by my colleague Steve, as we rode nearby to his home- as ‘biblical’.

Actually as I rode with hundreds of others out to the start for my allocated time the weather was fine, quite calm and sparse clouds. Maybe this might have been the remnants of the eye of the storm. My start time was 7.07 am (yes I had to get up at 5 to be there on time) and off we went at  a nice speed, out through London past all the familiar sights on closed roads with smiles as we passed so many red lights and I managed to average over 20mph for the first 30 miles or so – Tremendous and very exhilarating and also a bit surprising that I was able to keep up with most. We had a slight head wind and weather became a bit showery as we left Knightsbridge but not a problem.  Out to Richmond and at last we had some spectators and charity cheerers and the marshals were getting somewhat serious about us slowing down for tight corners, a few riders were on the ground after coming off (drain covers, white lines and kerbs are treacherous in the wet) and not long later there were ambulance cases as well.

Then it started to rain and then it was like the sky taps were turned on to maximum and my fog free riding glasses started to clear because of the volume of rain falling down the insides. My damp socks were squelching and in a lull I was able to move my phone to a less drenched waterproof jacket pocket. Being a competitive sort and amongst others when we could get some pace going – no matter how wet or power shower the rain was, we did move as quick as we reasonably could. In one spot just after the Leith Hill diversion on a fast down-hill section, Strava says I did 36mph,believe me that was going some in ‘wall of water’ weather. & no big hills to contend with this year, the Met office said thunderstorms with a line of carbon and metal bikes on hills might not be a good idea. The mile markers increased and we were on the way back and that longed for tail wind actually became a new slight head wind (The effect of the centre of the low pressure moving I think). There were still dozens of riders repairing punctures, regular casualties and dropped items (bottles, jackets and saddle packs etc.) along the way but at least the rain had moved off. But to make the journey interesting we had some monster puddles and minor floods to contend with and a couple of places where shoes on pedals were underwater. And at last the cheerers came out, not just charity supporters but regular Sunday morning people, lots of noise and we all tried to be cheerful back – sometimes. A last hill at Wimbledon, a quick call to Matthew Jayne and Josh – just 8 miles to go and my last energy gel.

We crossed The Thames again and then onto familiar landscapes, I was feeling some adrenalin and after a nod to the Cenotaph an increase in speed and wow! The Mall looked great and plenty of space for a sprint finish. Arms aloft as I crossed the line – didn’t do the embarrassing fall and I eventually come to a halt, quick pic and reciprocate, medal and meet. It was possibly one of the most bonkers things I have ever done. If anyone had said “here’s a challenge Andrew, how about in the middle of a glorious summer you catch a long bike ride in the wettest 2 hours in years, let’s call it a Hurricane Bertha ride. It doesn’t matter what you wear because you will get drenched anyway and yes there is a good chance you will fall off – you up for it” I’d have said only if I get some worthy sponsorship. So if you haven’t already and feel ½ impressed with my 86 miles in 4 hrs 44 minutes (with about 20 minutes or so of replenishment etc. stops) then please do help me raise a bit more. Please excuse my Andrew-isms in this report.

Hello, thank you for visiting my Justgiving page -

You might know I try to raise an amount every year for The Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund  and I try to do something which is worthy of a few modest and generous amounts in support. This year I am doing the 100 mile cycle ride which leaves The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and through closed streets of London and out to the Surrey Hills with famous Leith Hill and Box Hills to contend with. It is soon, on Sunday the 10th August. I think I am about ready – I've done a few 30 milers with Josh - 100 miles is a long way!

The RMCTF helps serving and former Royal Marines who need financial assistance or other supportive help. So many guys, young Marines just like me (of many years ago)  who have suffered life changing injuries from Afghanistan and Iraq and who will need support for the rest of their lives. They tend to have an amazing positive outlook on life and it must be a comfort that The RMCTF fund is there to provide valuable support when needed. Back in 82’ it could so easily have been me. I lost friends to enemy action and was in the thick of combat like when our landing craft was close to The Antelope when she blasted and we were alongside The Galahad when the 1000lb bomb  hit. Action then, which helps motivate me to take action now.

I know you have probably done quite a bit of online giving, so I’ll understand if you can’t be incredibly generous. Anything you can do to help will be very much appreciated.

As you probably know, donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the RMCTF.

Plus, your support will help a wider campaign this 350th year of The Royal Marines, where we're behind an initiative called At Least 350 which is gaining momentum to increase occasional fundraisers like me.

And yes, I know I can expect a similar ask from you in the future 

All the very best

Andrew