It’s a long way, cycling from London to Wales. Especially if you go via Tewkesbury, where Shakespeare’s Avon meets the Severn, and cycle all the way back, through the night.

That’s London Wales London, the 407km annual ride organised by Liam FitzPatrick, and a firm favourite in the audax (long distance cycling) calendar. Its current popularity was helped by a rebranding from the old Severn Across name to echo the likes of London Edinburgh London, and Paris Brest Paris.

I’ve been dreaming of doing London Wales London for several years. It starts just down the road in Chalfont St Peter – not exactly London, but the M25 London orbital motorway goes through the parish. And being Welsh, the idea of cycling to Cymru and back in a day inspires a certain patriotic pride.