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A rookie's tale of the London to Brighton

1. What made you first think about doing the London to Brighton?

My husband, Dave, has been doing the London to Brighton for the last 8 years or so and as he bought me a new bike for my birthday last year, I thought it would be a good idea to do it with him. Two months after he bought me the bike, I did a bike ride around London but cycled up there which was a little scary but a real achievement and I thought, if I can do that, why not the London to Brighton!

2. Were you already a confident and experienced cyclist?

Far from it, and I'm still not very confident or experienced. Even doing the London to Brighton has not conquered that but it has certainly made me a little more determined to master riding my bike a bit more. I have considered getting a qualified cycling instructor to come out with me and give me a few tips!! It's the roads that worry me, especially during busy times when there is a lot of traffic.
3. What training did you do for the event?

Myself and Dave went out early on Sunday mornings and cycled, we only got up to about 25 miles but it got me used to the bike, changing gears etc. I also do a spinning class at the gym which is on a stationary bike. I truly believed that I could finish the ride, I was just nervous of the volume of people, so I wasn't too worried about training every day, as long as we did it fairly regularly, that was fine.

4. What were your biggest concerns?

As I mentioned previously, the volume of other cyclists and the risk of going into them and falling off your bike or causing them to fall off theirs!! I was also worried about going down steep hills, more so that going up them, in case my breaks went and I went hurtling over the handlebars!! You also have to be very careful of potholes and bumps on the road - you have to have your eyes everywhere.

5. Tell us a little bit about the actual ride? Was it as scary as you thought? And how hard were the hills?
It was actually a fantastic day. Once you have cycled up How Lane, the cyclists seem to space themselves out a little more so you start to feel a little bit more relaxed and confident. It actually wasn't as scary as I thought (I hardly slept the night before because of worrying!!)
The hills were quite hard - I would have got up How Lane but I had my bike in the wrong gear and someone in front of me started wobbling and came to a halt. I then had to stop and could not get the momentum going again. I have to be honest, I could not get all the way up the other hills but had a damn good try and got up half way or more. Ditchling Beacon is something else and I'm afraid I really couldn't manage it but there is always next year!

6. What bike did you ride?

It is a Hybrid bike - sorry can't remember the make!!

7. What was the best thing about doing it?
The wonderful sense of achievement - I felt quite emotional by the time I got to Brighton. Having my two children cheering me on as I crossed the line was great - they can do it with me next year! Also, you ride through some beautiful villages and the atmosphere is wonderful, people are outside their houses cheering you on and offering you biscuits and jelly babies!!

8. What advice could you give to women who might be thinking about doing it next year?

Go for it girls! You're never too old or unfit. People of all ages, shapes, sizes and abilities do it, it's just having the confidence and belief in yourself. If I can do it, anyone can because I'm a real panicker and then realised that I had nothing to panic about.