Wanted to do this for a few years, now the opportunity with no real work on Monday. But didn't approach it right - not on bike for weeks since the London Revolution, big parties the weekend before, up to Norfolk for Patrick's 60th meal on Thursday then up at 5am to drive back, take Granny & Nigel to Birmingham on the trains on Saturday, got back at 5:45 and grabbed bike and rushed down to catch 6 something train back into London. Multiple met line train re-assignments, so finally got off at Moorgate to find my way to London Fields. Got lost but there were enough likely looking bikers to follow, and met Lulu & Char at 7:45pm. Massive crowds.
We decided to head off straight away which meant a mind numbing slow bike ride with '00s navigating buses and car queues. It opened up on the straight road through Epping Forest and went smoothly after that. Darkness fell around 10pm (there was almost a full moon). Weather good but because sweated felt cold at the stops.
Didn't hit any wall or fall asleep, but we stopped every 20 miles to refuel (own supplies plus pop up cafe coffee and tea). Roads good condition and very little traffic. Saw Lizzie and her parents at Finchingfield, bizarre having just seen her at the party last week. Started to see light around 3am, switched off headlight 4pm.
Arrived Dunwich 6:30.
Crashed on beach, queued for tickets for coach, to put bikes on transport, for a bacon roll and beer, to get onto coach. Well, actually Lulu did most of the queuing for me.
Slept on coach back to Surrey Quays. Cycled to Aldgate and caught various Met Line trains back to CW by 3pm. Hot tub!
Phew. A big night and day. Longest single ride I have done - 113miles, average speed 13.6mph.
But I don't think I'll do it again!
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