keep eating, keep drinking, keep turning the pedals. And don’t forget to enjoy the views.
I did it in a day for the first time last year, and it was a brilliant day out. I didn’t know how I’d get on either, but was reasonably confident about coping with a slog.
After 30 miles I thought “I’m quite tired, 30 miles is a decent ride. If I’d come out to do 30 miles, I’d be quite happily tired.”
After 50 miles: “I’m quite tired, 50 miles is a bloody decent ride. If I’d come out to do 50 miles, I’d be quite happily bushed.”
After 70 miles: “I’m quite tired, 70 miles is a bloody long way on these hills. If I’d come out to do 70 miles, I’d be pretty chuffed and quite deservedly knackered.”
We kept on pedalling, kept on eating and drinking, the miles kept disappearing behind us, until we ended up at dusk at Eastbourne train station.
Knackered and happy, 7 miles bike ride to do when we got back to London. My arse hurt, so I did most of it standing up, but I cruised up the hills, and after I got myself in a tricky spot when some lights changed, had no problem sprinting away for a few hundred yards.
Absolutely amazed with myself.
Every now and then you find yourself way beyond lines in the sand you’ve drawn for yourself. Great feeling!
Good luck!