Great organisation at the start to get over 20,000 people off at exactly the allotted time. I was in the very last wave at 8.59 - our motivational music to set us off was London Calling. Good choice!
First 26 miles were fabulous. Big wide smooth roads with 4 to 6 lanes available for the cyclists. Could really build up the speed through the middle of London and nice areas like Richmond Park. Finished the first 26 miles in 1 hr 20. First holdup here for about 4 mins when the road narrowed and the supporters were congregating. The 6 am starters were already here on there way back and really belting through.
Another hold up about 20 minutes later for around 8 minutes for an accident with ambulance and another vehicle blocking half a narrow road.
The biggie though was at Pryford with a wait of 1 hr 43 minutes. A substantial part static and then bits walking over several kilometres. Didn't see any signs of the accident but news reports were of a serious collision with a tree. A lot of the delay was just sheer weight of traffic with tailbacks happening behind small rises.
Further 12 min delay going through Dorking and another 7 minute walk which seemed to be caused by a wee hill on narrow road.
With all these delays a diversion to miss Leith hill was imposed. I was fast enough to get up Box Hill - later riders had up to 30 miles cut off - I just lost 9.
When we weren't walking or standing the route was excellent, roads in great condition and if was easy to maintain pace at around 20 mph. Box Hill was a doddle as were all the climbs. Didn't stop at any of the feed or water stations. Felt very strong over the last 30 miles and completed the 91 miles feeling very fresh.
I estimate around 5 hrs 8 mins for the 91 miles if you take out the various stops.
Made up the full 100 afterwards on the ride back to the hotel. Back to awful traffic jammed roads. And got a puncture 2 miles from the hotel after hitting a big pothole.
Great day out in spite of the various delays.
