I cycled my first sportive last Sunday. I took part in Evans Cycles‘ excellent Ride It London from the National Trust‘s lovely Osterley Park and House near Brentford.

The ride was due to take place in January, but was postponed because of overnight snow.

Sunday dawned sunny and cold – without any snow. The ride was billed ‘Escape the city’: ironically I had to drive to London to escape it! I was soon cycling over the M4 on my way our of the city, although it was a bit of a trek through Southall and Drayton before we got to countryside. The route also went through Sipson, the village that will be destroyed if Heathrow gets its third runway. More positively, we cycled past my son’s birthplace, Wexham Park Hospital.

I was really impressed by Evans Cycles’ organisation of the sportive. We got free cakes, bananas and energy bars at the feeding station near Maidenhead and a free High5 pack of energy gels thanks to booking early. (And I now know where my nearest Evans branch is!)

It was lovely to cycle on dry roads, although I could have done without the strong headwind on the last 20 miles from Dorney past Windsor (above) to London. Hills come to an end – this headwind didn’t!

It was wonderful to finish the sportive and clock another decent ride. I’ve signed up for Ride It Windsor with Owen in April – this time for the fun ride. I can’t wait!

PS: I must go back to Osterley: this is the view as you approach the house from the car park.