Just a quick note to say thank you to everyone who has donated my give.net page. I have managed to raise over £500 (including Gift Aid) for Mary's Meals.

It's good to know that I didn't cycle 86 miles through a hurricane in vain.

Truth be told, despite the appalling weather on that Sunday last month, the ride was great fun. I've cycled Sportives before, but never on closed roads.

As I swung past the Palace of Westminster and headed down Whitehall, the pain in my legs evaporated as euphoria flooded through me at the prospect of nearing the end of the race in a good time (I managed to do it in 4hrs30mins).

At Trafalgar Square I turned left into the Mall, and looking to my right saw my family there waving...I was beaming from ear to ear (as you can see from the picture above of me seconds later at the finish line).

It was definitely worth it. Even more so when I received this message from Mary's Meals founder Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow which gives a flavour of the way your money will be spent.

If you haven't donated, there's still time - I won't be shutting the page down until October 12th. Just go to my.give.net/ridelondon.

Thanks, and God Bless.

Proudly wearing my Mary's Meals t-shirt and RideLondon medal at a well-earned post-ride lunch with my family

Check out my ride on Strava.