I have to say from the outset this is a great event all round. I got through the ballot but the other half wasn't riding so we came down and made a weekend of it. 

We booked a hotel in Canary Wharf so weren't too far from the start. It was only about a 15 minute ride in the morning and my concerns over getting lost were soon diminished when I came down for breakfast in the morning, which the hotel had laid on from 0400, there were heaps of people. We all set off for our waves in groups of about 20 odd and it was a good fun ride to the start. 

The event itself is really well staffed. The volunteers were brilliant and the crowds of supporters deserve a special mention for being a great laugh despite pretty awful conditions. I live in North Yorkshire so the rain and wind are nothing new but it was really lashing down at times! 

I was fully stocked with my nutrition and only stopped once to refill a bottle but the aid stations looked very well staffed and planned out. 

The ride itself was great fun and everyone was in good spirits. I got 4 punctures in quick succession after box hill which was a pain. I think numbers 2 & 3 were my fault for not checking my tyre properly in eagerness to get going. When number 4 came along I did have a little chuckle to myself as there was no point getting grumpy about it. 

All in all it was a great day I would highly recommend. The atmosphere is brill and cycling through London on closed roads and finishing on the Mall was brilliant!