When Big Ben came into view, and I knew I was on the home straight, I cannot deny I was a relieved man.

But at the same time, I was disappointed that the adventure was coming to an end – and what an adventure.

After six hours in the saddle, cycling the open roads of London and Surrey with 25,000 like-minded nutters, I have a host of memories I will cherish for a long time.

I savoured those last few miles along the Thames, through Parliament Square and on to the Mall – crossing the finish line with a lump in my throat.

But there had been some 95 miles before that...

It was an early start and cycling down a traffic-free A12 at 7.30am is quite eerie.

The support from gathered crowds was sparse in the early stages, but going through Weybridge, Kingston, Dorking and Leatherhead, the support was fantastic.

I managed to stop and get some encouragement from my wife in Kingston, but I flew through the opening 40 miles – all the time concerned I had gone off too fast.

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At Abinger Hammer (50 miles) I was seriously worried, but conquering Leith Hill and Box Hill gave me the confidence to carry on, and I was swept along by those around me.

I told the Thames it was good to see her again as we returned into London over Putney Bridge, and the sight of Big Ben brought those mixed emotions.

It is difficult to impart to the uninitiated the sense of achievement at crossing a finishing line.

There’s satisfaction and emotion – but above all, there is pride in the knowledge that, on a Sunday morning in August, it was your time, and the world was watching.

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