Gauged Solutions eight member Peloton took part in the London Nightrider 100km cycle ride to raise money for Breakthrough Breast Cancer.
The ride started at Lee Valley Velodrome in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park at 11pm. Team members were in high spirits and eager to experience the delights of London from a very different perspective.
A steady pace was set riding through Stoke Newington and Finsbury Park. A long hard climb up to Alexander Palace separated the men from the boys and was the first real test for the Peloton, but all the training had paid off! The reward was a long downward freewheel through Hampstead Heath and on to Camden
A change of pace and traffic then ensued through Piccadilly Circus and Chinatown. Tricky negotiation of taxis, buses, rickshaws and one or two people, who wanted to bring their party onto the road, was the theme of this section. This coupled with traffic lights every 50 metres which were always on RED meant for a slow if not eventful section!!
The route took us over the River Thames past Westminster and down through Dulwich and Crystal Palace. By this time it was 4am with only a couple of quick breaks and the team were feeling the strain of the last 60km. A huge amount of team spirit and comradery was required for the next 20km with much encouragement and good humoured banter between team members.
A very tired peloton cycled up through Greenwich as the sun was rising and across Tower Bridge and along the side of the magnificent Tower of London. The sight-seeing and warmth of daylight lifted our spirits again for the last 20km.
We crossed the River Thames twice more and we were serenaded by Big Ben at 6am. St Paul’s Cathedral was a gleaming spectacle and heralded the start of the last 10km and the end was in sight!
With a massive sense of achievement and the certainty of the peloton completing the challenge the pace was quickened. We stormed the last 10km, which could have had something to do with the promise of a bacon sandwich and a cup of coffee.
The finish line was crossed as a team at 7.12am with a sense of elation and pride. A fantastic night for a tremendous cause!! Our final total of sponsorship has not been confirmed yet as money still coming in but we estimate around £5,000, which is outstanding.