Impressions of a tired cyclist
One Thursday back in February, I wondered into a local Princess Alice Hospice shop and picked up a leaflet all about the Nightrider challenge. Two weeks’ later, I signed up to participate in it, and at 5.30 this morning I completed it after six and a half hours of chilly cycling. It was exhilarating, exhausting and emotional all in one. My sponsors, who raised over £3000 between them, were so generous, and I am grateful to every single one of them. As you ride through London at night, from the distant hills, to the docklands, to the City and the sights, the impressions are almost too many to record. Below are some ‘snatches and impressions’ of the night.
- A border collie, whining with anxiety when seeing its owner off last night, and beside itself with glee at welcoming him this morning.
- The beauty of London from Alexandra Palace at night – like the opening scenes of E.T, with the city set out below.
- St Paul’s Cathedral, rearing up like some magnificent leviathan, bathed in floodlight, as we sped round a corner.
- Tower Bridge twinkling and sparkling like an elderly lady dressed up in pearls for a night out.
- The inestimable value of encouragement, as marshals at the rest stops cheered everybody on their way.
- A touching moment on the last hill, where a very serious cyclist who could have sped off to glory, slowed down and coaxed the inexperienced one at his side to keep going one turn of the pedals at a time.
- The relief of a hot cup of styrofoam tea!
- The novelty of conducting a live BBC interview from behind the portaloos at Crystal Palace (You an hear it here, 14 minutes’ in)
- The recognition that your body can probably do more than you think it can.
- The joy of wearing the attached round my neck.
As I reflect I feel tired, exhilarated, and overall privileged, to have helped the work of a hospice who touches lives every second of every day. Thank you, Princess Alice Hospice, for giving me a reason to ride. Don’t forget you can STILL sponsor here.
