Event – TCS London Marathon
Date – 21st April 2024

Boarding the train at Surbiton it felt as if the event had already begun, with the train heaving with supporters and runners, everyone in a relaxed mood.

Arriving at Blackheath and the scale of the event really unfolded. This is a huge park and it was overwhelmed by a sea of runners.

The advice from the expo was to join a queue for the portaloo and by the time you reach the front, you’ll need it, good advice.

At 10:28 my wave started and despite all the advice, I went off harder than I’d planned. After 10km I settled into a rhythm and maintained a consistent pace until about 32km, then it drifted slightly for the last 10km.

The event itself is truly magnificent, having spectated many many times, I had no idea how inspiring the crowd would be. Tower Bridge is just jaw-droppingly incredible. It’s hard to express how overwhelming the sounds and sights that confront you as you turn onto the bridge are. I wanted to stop and take it all in, but I also wanted to break 4 hours…

Between miles 17 and 20 was the first time I began to really feel the fatigue and for the first time was concerned that my pace was dipping and that breaking 4 hours would now be a struggle. In reality, although my pace did drop, it wasn’t by nearly as much as I thought and there had been nothing to worry about.

Running down the embankment and scanning for Big Ben, knowing that it would be a right turn followed by a left turn then 380 yards to the finish. To my surprise, the famous clock didn’t really come into view until quite late, about mile 25. That last right turn was a turning point, finishing was guaranteed and sub 4 hours seemed extremely likely. Again the noise was like nothing I’d ever experienced, and the energy from the crowd carried me through to the finish. However my first question upon receiving my medal, and what a magnificent medal it is, was to ask how to withdraw my ballot entry for next year!

Reflecting on this race, it is unquestionably an unforgettable experience, if you were there and cheered on random strangers then thank you, it means the world to us.

Event – Paris-Roubaix Challenge
Date – 6th April 2024

Riders – 4500 riders
Bike – Road/Gravel/MTB

This is a sportive event the day before the pro riders take on the “Hell of the North!” There are 3 route options – 70km / 145km / 170km. The 170km route requires a 4am bus to the start so I sensibly opted for the 145km route which starts and finishes in the same place.

I rode to the event from Calais – bike on the ferry was easy and the riding was very flat and scenic in northern France! The day of the event was great – first 50km were flat and was easy group riding on good roads until you then hit the first cobbles – the Arenberg Forest. This is the first of 19 cobbles sections varying in difficulty. When you get on it – it hurts!!! And it is hard to even keep hold of the handlebars. It gives you a true appreciation for how hard it is which really cannot be explained until you experience it yourself. On the Arenberg you can ride down the side and skip the cobbles if it is too much – but not on many of the other sections. This really is a baptism of fire because it is definitely the hardest sector. I used my gravel bike but many were on road bikes or on MTBs for the event.

As the day goes on and you hit more cobbles you start to ease your grip and find your technique, so in some ways it gets a bit easier as you go on but it is still hard going. The tarmac between the cobbles is essentially rest time for the next cobbles.

After 163km and just over 6 hours of riding I arrived in the famous Velodrome. It is a huge sense of achievement when you get there and a great atmosphere. Most of the Belgians heading straight to the beer and chips stands!

One of the best things about the event is then having the pleasure of watching the pro riders on the Sunday. The atmosphere is fantastic. I saw them from 2 locations and rode between them quickly – in Cysoing just as they hit the cobbles there and then at the end of the Carrefour de l’Abre which is the last 5* section. The Carrefour de l’Abre had a big screen up to watch but it was packed so arguably I got a better view in Cysoing where it was much quieter.

All in all a fantastic event and if you make a weekend out of it – you really will love it! Can’t recommend it enough.

Ps. If you wanted a longer trip you could also combine with some of the classic Flanders climbs too. Koppenberg, Pattenberg and Oude de Kwaremont are all close by.

Event – The Spring Onion 
Date – 14th April 2024

A group of Viceroys gathered on Sunday, April 14th to ride one of the staple events on the Pink’s calendar: the Spring Onion sportive.

This early season event is in its 15th year and didn’t disappoint. We rode 106.95 kms across Surrey and Sussex roads under blue skies and tackled over 1000m of climbing.

Most roads were lovely and quiet but a few smaller ones were better suited to the gravel bike! A couple of punctures, free orange halves (interesting half orange techniques observed) and a good few wees in fields. Happy days!

Entries to the 2025 event are already live, click here.

Event – The New Forest Classic
Date – 14th April 2024

A unique ride through the beautiful New Forest National Park. The ride starts in Fawley and traverses some of the most stunning countryside in the UK.

Your choice of 4 distances; Rook 17km, Short 53km, middle 92km or long 127km. We decided on the middle distance.

We arrived early and found ample parking onsite. Registration was simple and once we had gathered all our kit we headed to the small event village before making our way to the start line. Each distance had its own starting wave and ours was 08:45 to 09:30. Just after 08:45 we started our ride and headed into the National Park.

The ride really does have it all. You descend to Lepe and ride a short distance along the coast with spectacular views over The Solent and the Isle of Wight. Following on from this you then head into the heart of the New Forest traversing villages and country roads.

It’s a great atmosphere as you are joined by riders of all abilities and ages. Some riders will stop to take in the ambience of their surroundings while others will push on to beat their PBs.

What really makes this ride special is the abundance of wildlife. From beautiful bird song to pigs, cows, ponies and donkeys. The animals roam free across the park and will often be in or close to the road so you will need to keep your eyes open. We all know what being stuck behind a cyclist is like but try being stuck behind a donkey. I must say though the animals have more road sense than me and as long as you pass wide and slow they are not a problem.

During our ride we had one feed station which was sponsored by High-Five. Providing drinks, cake, crisps, gels and bars. Toilets were also available.

This is a brilliant event for all ages and abilities. It’s a rolling course with 3 main climbs. Nothing too challenging. Alongside the climbs are some fairly fast downhill sections. Just keep your eye out for potholes. Some of the roads are narrow with blind bends so be aware of your positioning.

We returned to the finish line content after a lovely morning ride and were greeted by a beer and medal, which rounded the morning off nicely. Would definitely do this event again.

Event – La Saint Antoninoise
Date – 10th March 2024

First ever MTB event and what a location for it, beautiful French countryside in the Saint-Antonion-Noble-Val. Was I nervous, for sure! Especially after realising the town is in the gorge of Aveyron and seeing the cliffs that surround it and apparently I’m supposed to cycle up 😂

3 distances to choose from 30, 41 and 60km. Thought I could do 60km, changed my mind very quickly and did 41. Well just under as I had a mechanical and couldn’t do the last climb but never the less it was EPIC.

The scenery was breathtaking, sometimes I had enough of looking up so decided to take a closer look at the mud (you will see in the photos) and one time I decided that I needed a little dip so when crossing the water I laid down for a few seconds 🤣

Got to the end thanks to friends waiting for me, swapping bikes at times and laughing with me and at times at me 😄

The most important word I learnt that weekend was ravitos (feed station), and they were amazing, bread/pate and all sorts of other snacks… so good and welcomed with big smiles!

In the end, organisers put together a meal and you enjoy it with your fellow cyclists (and hikers). Perfect day spent in nature!

Merci Beaucoup to @ussa.vtt.saintantonin for organising such a great event!