The OrchidCycle Essex 100
The Orchid 100 round Essex was a century ride on 8 June, organised by the Essex Roads club, in aid of the Orchid male cancer charity. Pockets stuffed with malt loaf and jam sandwiches, I crossed the start line at 8am and immediately met up with John, who I know from the Glendene club. With marshals and signposts to guide us, we settled in for a great day’s cycling.
After passing some slower groups, John and I joined another pair and the four of us maintained an excellent tempo for another 30 miles. John then developed a full blown case of the “Red Mist of Battle,” just as our number four man started to struggle up hills. The group split at the Finchingfield rest stop: John grabbed his musette and pushed on; I stayed and filled my bidons.
Shortly after we restarted, I kicked it up a gear and soloed to Saffron Walden, the furthest point in the Century. At some point, a chap in Caisse d’Epargne kit joined me, then a Liquigas, and so we rode, a regular pro peleton, until my cadence meter suddenly went blank. Being a bike nerd, I stopped to adjust the cadence sensor on the chain stay; the others pressed on.
I took stock: I was over half way, the sun had come out and the view over rolling Essex countryside was just lovely. I set myself a new goal: to eat and drink every 5 miles until the finish. Well motivated, well nourished, I set off again.
Somewhere near Stansted, I joined a group from the Essex Roads club and on we went, through Thaxted, then Moreton, then Kelvedon Hatch, keeping up a good pace and picking up a dozen more riders along the way. Working well together, we rolled into the finish at shortly after 2 o’clock.
My official time has yet to arrive in the post, but my computer showed a ride time (not counting stops) of just under five and a half hours, averaging 18.4mph, and a vast improvement on my previous 100-miler in March. With the round trip to Chadwell Heath thrown in, this is my longest ever ride: a tyrewidth shy of 140 miles.
This ride was organised by Essex Roads to raise funds for Orchid, the male cancer charity. Testicular cancer is the most common cancer for UK men aged 15-45 and prostate cancer claims one UK life every hour. Orchid is the only UK charity to focus entirely on male-specific cancers, raising awareness and funding medical research. Will you help me help Orchid?
Please make a donation. Thank you!
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