The Event
2009 would see the 10th anniversary of this popular event. Over 6,000 riders took to the road from Victoria Park in East London to Southend. As with the London to Brighton bike ride, this event is organised through the British Heart Foundation.
This years event was to take place on Sunday 19th July 2009.
My Event
So, just one week after my London to Bournemouth trip, I had just half of that distance to cover today - a mere 54 miles
(87 km) from London to Southend. I had seen this event advertised in previous years but had never felt a compelling need to participate
in it. However, with my impending move to Finland on the horizon, I felt
obliged to give this event a go, as this would probably be my last
opportunity to do so.
Andy had managed to put his injury woes from the previous week behind him and joined me again. We took the train to London this time and cycled the 5 miles
(8 km) or so from Charing Cross to the start in Victoria Park.
Although Andy wanted to take it easier this week, just in case he had any similar problems, it wasn't long before we were both comfortably settling into a firm pace. In fact, the route was fairly flat compared to the London to Brighton ride, with only a few hills that "warmed the legs up".
Our pace seemed to go from strength to strength the further into the event we went and eventually we passed the finishing line of the 54 mile (87 km) route in a time of 3 hours 5 minutes - an average speed of 17.5 mph (28.2 kph).
After the event, we found a pub and sat down for a couple of well earned beers. We later got the train back to Tunbridge Wells before joining "The Sunday Club" at The Bedford!