Entries for the Etape Mercia opened on the 29th Jan 2013. I booked a ‘free’ place, with the intention of riding on behalf of and raising funds for Marie Curie Cancer Care.

Over the previous few years, I had lost my father, my sister and my mother-in-law all to cancer, and in 2012 lost one of my oldest friends to cancer, who had been greatly helped with the nurses from Marie Curie.

I organised a Fund Raising Page at Virgin Money Giving and set my target to £650.00 (as I was 65 in July 2013). And decided that I would keep sponsors informed by adding a monthly update.

I also did a few Public Relations events for Marie Curie and managed to get my picture in the paper!

My report of the day, comes out like this:

At 4:20am on Sunday 18th August I went for a shower to prepare for the Etape Mercia. With a start time of 7:04am, I needed to be at the Oulton Park race track by 6:15am

Driving along the deserted roads, the sky started to lighten and blue skies appear amongst the clouds. The weather forecast was for a mixed day of sunshine and clouds, but with a strong wind.

Approaching Oulton Park, there was a steady stream of cars and vans converging on the East Gate. Many of the cars had 2 or 3 bikes attached to them.

Parking in one of the many outer car parks, the riders were all starting to get ready. Pulling on all manner of assorted kit… from full replica pro kit to local cycling clubs.

Chatting to the chap parked next to me – he had driven up from Telford that morning – so riders were coming from far and wide.

Having picked up the timing chip from the registration point at Chester University the day before (Saturday) the bike was already to go.. Just a check on the tyre pressures and warming up in a fleece, I was off to the start area.

Out of the 1,200 who had registered 870 actually turned up to ride. All the riders were grouped into ability, I was with group C – about 100 riders in each group; we were walked down to the race track starting grid.

Using the starting lights – each group were set off at 2 minute intervals. My group got away at 7:18am… straight down the racing circuit. A complete lap of the track and then out on to the roads. The surface of the track was the best we would encounter all day.

The race was split into 3 sections with Feed Stations at 25kms (15.6mls), 55kms (34.4mls) and 85kms (53.1mls), with the first two sections, as far as the second feed station, on rolling countryside. This was taken at a fast pace – averaging 17.5mph.

The last 20km – although on fairly even terrain, was ‘hard’. The sky had clouded over, the wind had got up and we had a few sharp showers of rain to contend with.

Riding back into Oulton Park it was a final lap of the race track – this time in the opposite direction. The final straight was difficult into the teeth of a very strong wind and uphill.

But we finished together in good spirits, and enjoyed a great days cycling on closed roads.

The organisation was brilliant, the staff all friendly and helpful and it was great to see the local residents coming out to cheer on the riders.