Riding Experiences¶
Notable cycling events ridden by Johnny Rocket over the last few decades.
Dragon Ride¶
The Dragon ride is considered one of the most challenging 'sportives' in the United Kingdom. Not surprisingly as even the least challenging route climbs 2 mountain passes.
Tuesday I organised my kit and necessities for the Dragon Ride trip.
Saturday I was picked up at 3pm from my house and we wired up my bike to the bike rack.
I tactically used protective tubing (from the delivery of the Fulcrum wheels) to wrap points on the bike that might touch or rub together. There is something about wrapping a bike that I enjoy!
Around 7.30pm we arrived at the Red Rock Wild Camping site and unloaded my bike from the rack. It was still in excellent condition.
It was gloriously sunny at the camp and I found a nice spot to pitch my tent by the lake. It only took a few minutes and I was up and running.
The camp was full of other people doing the Dragon Ride.
Sunday morning I fitted the front wheel on my bike (removed to I could sleep with it in the tent). Unfortunately the brake disc were catching the rotor even when pushing the bike.
I had woken up quite early, so I headed to the Dragon Ride event village early to see if the mechanics can work some magic. I had to wait about 20 minutes, but they fixed the issue and the bike was running very smoothly.
The ride was tough although the first climb up the Bwlch was not quite as challenging as I thought. The ascent was hard, but by the time I reached the top I was feeling more confident about the ride.
The decent down the other side of the Bwlch was exhilarating, as was the decent down the Rhegos.
The hardest part was the Devils Elbow. I ascended at 4km/h, barely going faster than those walking up the climb. I just focused on putting peddle after another and the next thing I know I am at the top.
I stopped just before the top to take a few photos, so my timed climb was nearly 20 minutes.
Sunday evening and the Dragon Ride was slayed. I managed a total time of 7 hours and 41 minutes (including feed stops and camera ops).
Moving time on Strava was 7 hours 16 minutes.
Hydrate or die¶
Electrolyte tablets are an important additive to water when riding. I add one table for each water bottle on every ride.
On longer trips I take extra tables. They come in a large tube which can rattles on a ride when the tube isnt full. The tablets need to be kept in some kind of protection, otherwise the tablets would dissolve.
By cutting a depleted tube to a smaller size I can carry only the needed amount of tablets, reducing rattling and a little weight.
Cycling Kit¶
The weather for the dragon ride looks positive, dry with temperatures between 15-24 Celsius.
The temperature will decrease the higher the elevation, so at the top of each mountain it should be no more than 20 Celsius.
I decided to take Spatzwear kit for almost everything, except mittens and merino short socks.
I have a Spatzwear base layer, jersey (with extra pockets), cargo bib shorts with extra pockets, gilet and arm & leg warmers for extra warmth.
In case of rain, I'm also taking the Gore Shakedry waterproof jacket that packs away and fits in the pocket of my jersey or gilet.
The Spetzwear cycling kit is very high quality and very comfortable to wear. Its also very aero which will help on a very long ride.
The Spatzwear kit also packs down to a very small size.
The kit and camping equipment packs nicely in the same rucksack that I bought for the Lands End to John O'Groats ride back in 2019.
The tent is strapped to the side of the rucksack.
Charity Rides¶
My enthusiasm for long distance cycling started with charity rides. Raising money for charity helped shape my motivation and ensured I actually turned up for the rides.
Initially I would get the organised transport back to London. As my endurance grew I rode back home from the events to really push myself.
London to Oxford¶
A charity ride from West London to central Oxford.
The first time on this ride I took the official transport back. The second time I rode back to London.
London to Cambridge¶
A charity ride from North London to central Cambridge.
On 28 July 2019 my friend and I rode to Cambridge and back in the same day. We had lunch at Doppleganger Burger, a lovely vegan restraint that let us put our bikes inside the shop as we muched on our burgers and curly fries.
Ride of the falling leaves¶
A very hilly and challenging ride up and down the Kent Alps. The route climbs 8 large hills including Woldingham switchback,
The ride started with one lap of the Herne Hill velodrome (an outside banked oval track) which often tripped people up by not going fast enough around the banked corners.
There is no gentle start to this ride as the route climbs to the top of Crystal Palace (via College Road, Fountain Drive), with a little rest as you speed down Anerley Hill (carefully) and head over to West Wickham.
Over Addington Road roundabout and starting the long ascent to the top of the North Kent Downs along Layham Road.
Heading over to Woldingham via a steep s-bend decent down Hallidoo Valley road which if timed well can give a nice run up to a short steep climb right after the decent. and then a lumpy road to the edge of Woldinghame. after which the routes split. The shorter route descends directly towards Westerham, whereas the longer route takes in a Kentish loop featuring Edenbridge and the less-than-playful Toys Hill. From Westerham (where you’ll find the feed station) the routes re-combine, and then tackle the steep slopes of Sundridge Hill before the (mostly) downhill run to home.
Kent Tour De France Sportive¶
The 2007 Tour de France featured a major stage through Kent on July 8, travelling from London to a finish in Canterbury. This historic event included a, now-historic, 117-mile sportive, held on July 1, 2007, allowing cyclists to ride the same route as professionals. Key towns included Dartford, Medway, Maidstone, and Ashford.
Key Details of the 2007 Tour de France in Kent:
- Stage Route: The 2007 Tour entered Kent via London, passing through Greenwich, Dartford, Medway, Maidstone, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells, Tenterden, and Ashford before finishing in Canterbury.
- Sportive Details: British Cycling organized a cyclo-sportive one week prior to the main event, allowing roughly 5,000 riders to experience the 117-mile route.
- Historic Context: This was the second time the Tour passed through Kent, following the 1994, 127-mile stage from Dover to Brighton.
- Legacy: The event aimed to create a cycling legacy in Kent, often referred to as the "Year of the Cycle".
2007 Tour de France
The 2007 Tour de France famously featured a 203 km (126-mile) Stage 1 from London to Canterbury, marking the first time the race finished in that city. The route passed through Kentish towns like Tonbridge, Maidstone, and Ashford, with the stage won by Robbie McEwen.
Key Details of the 2007 London-Canterbury Stage:
- Route: Started in London (after a prologue), passed through Dartford, Gravesham, Medway, Maidstone, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells, and Ashford, finishing in Canterbury.
- Distance: Approximately 203 km (126 miles).
- Terrain: Included three Category 4 climbs, with a notable one at Quarry Hill, Tonbridge.
- Sportive: A public "Kent Tour de France sportive" was held in 2007, allowing amateur cyclists to ride the same 117-mile route.
The 2007 stage was a major moment for British cycling, with Mark Cavendish making his Tour debut, as noted by Walk Tonbridge and YouTube.
Lands End to John O'Groats¶
September 2019 I completed a 9 day ride across Britain, from Lands End in the South West of England to John O'Groats in the North East of Scotland.
The route totalled 1,600 Km distance and climbed 18,000 Meters.
The "Ride Across Britain" was an organised event that provides tents each night, showers, massages and lots of delicious food each evening and at pit stops along the route each day.
Day 1¶
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Audax¶
Audax rides are organised in many countries across the world where riders attempt to complete long-distance cycling events. It reminds me of orienteering on a bicycle.
The shortest rides are 50 km long, although many rides are 100km to 600km long.
In the United Kingdom adopted the 'Randonneuring' style (allure libre) of Audax where participants are free to cycle at their own pace, stop and sleep wherever they wish and form groups randomly. The only constraints are to visit checkpoints on the route and stay within the event time limit.
Evidence of checkpoints are recorded on a brevet card. This can be a stamp when visiting a location, or information available at a specific place on the route (e.g. a road sign with the distance to a village from the current point).
Anyone can join a ride organised via the Audax.uk website. Rides charge a small fee (typically 5 GBP to 25 GBP) to cover admin costs. Participants should have either an Audax UK membership or a free account. Non-members may need to pay extra to cover insurance for the ride organisers. Riders should be 18 or over.
Kent Invicta Grimpeur 100¶
The Kent Invicta Grimpeur 100 is a popular early-season event organized by West Kent CTC.
The route traverses 6 climbs, up some of the largest and steepest hills in Kent. It is a circular 50km route, with the second half cycled in reverse.
As it is early in the season it is used to prepare for greater challenges later in the year.
- Location: Starts and finishes in Otford, Sevenoaks, Kent.
- Distance/Type: 100 km (Grimpeur/hilly).
- Timing: Usually held in early March.
- Terrain: Known for packing in significant hills around the Sevenoaks area.
- Entry: Often features on-the-line entries and includes food/drink at the start and finish.
- Context: It is part of the Audax Altitude Award (AAA) series, designed for those who enjoy climbing.
This event is held in conjunction with the "Kent Invicta Hilly 50," which is the same route but only one way round.
I have done the 100km event several times. The last attempt was in 2020 but I was only able to manage the 50km route.
The Shark¶
Oasts and Coasts 300¶
I had planned to set off at 01:00 but it was just after 02:00 before I departed, so I was running behind in reaching the start and missed all the other riders. I tried to play catch up, hoping I would meet some people who stopped for a banana break.
Unfortunately I got a little confused at one roundabout and it took 20 minutes for me to figure out the right direction.
Once I got back on track I continued to try catch up to other riders. I forgot the chase as I rode along the sea wall from Herne Bay to Birchington-on-Sea, joining at Reculver Towers and Roman Fort. There was a beautiful view of the sea along the North Kent coast, although the surface of the sea wall was a little bumpy.
By the time I got to Hythe I was resigned to the fact I would not be able to catch up. I decided to head straight for home (London) but I didnt have a map (or a cycling computer) so straight probably wasnt that straight 🤣
Heading in a northerly direction and wishing for a train station, I eventually made it to Westerham after many hours and from there I had a better idea of where I needed to go to get home thanks to riding with the Dulwich Paragon club social ride.
At this point I was running very low on energy, but a stop at a couple of service stations and wolfing down several chocolate bars helped me get back home.
Overall I rode for around 17 hours and covered approximately 420 km.