This is my 3rd Ride London and, despite the rain, it was my favourite one so far. There are many reasons for this, and the weather definitely wasn't one of them! The last 2 times I've ridden, it's been beautiful, warm and sunny. Unfortunately, this year, right in the middle of the best heatwave we've had for a very long time we had the worst wind and rain for the whole event. However, it didn't effect my ride as much as I expected it to.

I was very lucky to win my entry via an Evans competition on Facebook which also gave me hospitality at the start and finish along with the full kit. My friend Lil had also won a Prudential competition which came with a hotel room and dinner the night before. Our hotel was right next to the ExCel so that registration was very straightforward (but in previous years, has been a faff to get to) and I met Louise Minchin at the show who signed a copy of her book for me.

On ride day, Prudential were guiding riders to the start in groups from our hotel so that we could get there on time and behind someone who knew where they were going! Kelly Holmes also wandered into the foyer while I was preparing to leave as she was the ambassador for the Pru Goals initiative to get young people to take part in the 46 route. Once at QEP, my hospitality let me into the velodrome for a tub of porridge and a bacon roll. I also found Kelly Holmes again and bothered her for a photo which she was very happy to do.

I got to stay indoors out of the rain until 15 minutes before my wave time where I was allowed to enter the front row of the start line as a VIP and ended up riding out alongside Olympic silver medallist, Gail Emms. For about 20 seconds, I was leading my wave out!

The route is brilliant and I love every second of it every year, including the hills. Unfortunately, due to some accidents this year, I was re-routed around the two main hills at Leith and Box. However, this was absolutely the right decision from the organisers to make sure that everyone else remained safe. The response times from the medical teams was second to none and all of the riders obeyed the safety announcements from marshals as these incidents were being dealt with.

The crowd support at many of the towns on the route was brilliant and completey uplifting when I was feeling tired. Dorking and Leatherhead stand out especially with live bands and huge crowds out in the pouring rain.

The food hubs and drinks stations were brilliantly stocked as usual, with Clif bars, shock bloxx, Nuun water tablets, bananas and lots of other treats. There was never a huge queue at the porta loos (which were always well stocked with loo paper) and every single marshal and volunteer had big smiles on their faces and words of encouragement for everyone.

At the finish, I was able to have a look in two different hospitality areas which had some incredible free food and drinks, including warm salmon and rice dishes and Pimms! I bumped into Gail Emms again here and asked for a photo before meeting up with a friend to head home.

Every year, I say that the hardest part of the weekend is before and after the event as you try to navigate around London to get to the right place and needs some very careful planning before you get there. I only eneded up doing 90 miles on the ride but by the time I'd pedalled around the city to get to where I needed be, I clocked up 100 miles. Last year, I took my bike on the Underground which is an experience I never want to do again!

I thoroughly recommend this event but less experienced riders should try the shorter routes first, as 25,000 cyclists could be rather daunting for some.