Photo: L-R Cliff, Andy, Colin and Jyde at The Fox and Hounds at Steeple Bumpstead.

I’m very fond of Islington Cycling Club’s The Great Escape 200km. It’s what got me into audaxing. After completing it in May 2016 in under 9 hours I wondered if I could ride 300km? If yes then why not 400km? And so on. The rest, as they say, is history.

I’ve ridden the route many times including a solo ride on a December 21st, the shortest day, just for the hell of it.

A few days in London on my way to the USA I was able to ride it once again thanks to Cliff and Nathalie for putting me up, Mike for lending me a bike and Nick for the pedals.

It was a glorious ride. Pleasantly warm for me, heatwave for everyone else.

Unfortunately it wasn’t as joyous for one of the fast groups ahead of us. We came across them not long into the ride directing traffic around one of their group lying on the road. They’d had a coming together and at least three riders had injuries but one guy looked in bad shape. Fortunately for him David in our group is a doctor so took over the first aid and the conversation with the ambulance service to get one to him as quickly as possible. I couldn’t do much medically so I helped direct traffic. Once the ambulance and police turned up then we continued our ride, a 40 minute or so delay. We later discovered the fallen rider had concussion, broken collar bone and ribs but was at home that evening, as well as another faller with a broken collar bone. That’s life on the road as a cyclist.

The joy of it was meeting David in person for the first time after years in a WhatsApp group.

The joy of it was riding at an easy pace and helping out other riders by taking a turn on the front or accompanying them at the rear during the climbs.

The joy of it was riding with my mates Andy, Cliff, David, David, Jyde, Mike from ICC and some new cycling friends including Myra and Zainab. Spare a thought for them as they rode in their hijabs and tights in over 30°. No wonder the heat and hills took their toll.

The joy of it was speaking English, catching up with my mates and making jokes.

The joy of it was discovering that half way round the Fox and Hounds offered thick shakes.

The joy of it was the brilliant organisation from the many ICC volunteers and the food at the Great Dunmow control which we visited twice. I’d mentioned to Katie that I would have one of the chilli flapjacks on the way back. She saved one for me. Thank you Katie and all the other volunteers.

The joy of it was the beers at the end.

It was the slowest 200km I’ve ever done but one of the most joyous.