Ford RideLondon-Essex 2024 is just around the corner with only 30 days to go, and we’re excited to welcome back thousands of cyclists ready to explore the Essex countryside via closed roads, whilst being cheered on by supporters and local communities across the county.
This year in the build up to Ford RideLondon-Essex, we want to shine a spotlight on the Active Essex team members taking part! At Active Essex, we have a team of six who enjoy a wide range of movement and activities, but for this event they’re all taking to two wheels. Training is well underway and there’s even been the opportunity to ride together!
Funds raised by the team will contribute to the ongoing work of The Active Essex Foundation (AEF). The AEF is a registered charity that has been set up to increase the use of physical activity and sport to engage and support the most inactive communities and tackle the inequalities that exist across Essex. Fundraising for AEF will ensure that young people have increased opportunities to experience a range of activities as well as life skills, training and mentoring.
The first Active Essex team member we’d like to introduce is Rachel Lewis, who represented Great Britain at the London 2012 Olympics in the volleyball squad. Rachel was inspired when watching the 2022 RideLondon event and has been using the quiet lanes of the Hanningfield’s in Chelmsford to train and get the miles in!
Neil Coggins is our resident RideLondon expert, as this will be his third year taking part. Neil challenges himself to a different physical activity endurance test every year, and his past achievements have included Ultraman, Swimrun Coniston 2024 and cycling London-Edinburgh-London, which is a massive cycling accomplishment! To prepare, Neil has been using his indoor bike and even completed his longest ride this year inside by cycling 80km!
Another rider who’s been making the most of indoor cycling technology is Jack Berry, who will be taking on the mass participation event for the first time. Jack told us;
“I’ve spent a lot of time on Zwift indoors and have been doing virtual rides around London, Scotland and Yorkshire!”
Being new to a cycling challenge is something Danielle Warnes has in common with Jack, but she has found the commitment to training really motivating. Danielle has been utilising Strava to track her training rides and uses preplanned routes, which has saved her time when scheduling her weekly training.
Danielle also told us;
“The biggest surprise from for me has been the transition from a hybrid to a road bike, which was a revelation. The effort required plummeted, while the enjoyment soared, underscoring the profound impact that the right equipment can have on the cycling experience.”
Having the correct equipment and set up is essential for a long ride such as this, and the whole team have ensured that their bikes and kit are ready for the day! Getting used to a new bike and completing longer rides is something the whole team is experiencing. Jack mentioned;
“It’s taking some time to get my backside used to the saddle, which is causing me some discomfort whilst riding!”
Endurance cycling at this level is a new experience for many of the team, but it’s great to hear that this hasn’t dissuaded them and they’re excited to take on the challenges that come with the event.
Jamie Rhodes, who works for The Active Essex Foundation, has used a previous injury to motivate and inspire him to take part and told us;
“After having surgery on my knee, it unfortunately meant that completing a marathon would be near impossible but I still wanted to challenge myself, and what’s better than cycling 100 miles around London and Essex. I took up cycling during lockdown and being out on the roads kept me physically active and was a saviour in terms of exercising for my mental health. I’m really looking forward to crossing that finish line on Tower Bridge!”
Finally, we have Hollie Wood who has previously completed Tour de Broads in Norfolk some years ago, and this year she wanted to use Ford RideLondon-Essex as a chance to get back on the bike and set a new goal. Hollie has also managed to rope her husband into signing up for RideLondon and together they have been taking to Suffolk’s roads to train and get the miles in, but she hasn’t been impressed with the wind and bad weather so far!
Looking forward to completing the challenge and experiencing the buzzing atmosphere on route is something the whole team have in common. Supporting crowds lining the closed roads will help spur our team on and they all can’t wait to enjoy the ride.
Riding as a team has not only helped with their training, but has been another element to look forward to as taking on the event together means it’s a day of being active in good company. The team have already taken to the lanes of Chelmsford together to train and have plans to fit in more groups rides before 26th May, the day of the big event!
Using a training plan and having an end goal has encouraged the team to increase their weekly activity levels and endurance, which in turn has made each ride become a little easier and more enjoyable!
Jamie told us;
“The rate of progression has surprised me. Before I would average around 10-12 miles, now I am regularly cycling 20+ miles.”
Hearing each riders individual goals and stories was a great insight into the hard work and dedication needed to complete a challenge like Ford RideLondon-Essex. We want to wish everyone taking part in the mass participation event the best of luck for the day!
If you would like to show your support for these amazing cyclists then why not have a look at the route and plan a spot to watch, and start your own cheer squad; https://www.activeessex.org/ridelondon-essex/ridelondon-essex-spots-to-watch-and-local-events/
Additionally, if you would like to find out more and donate to the Active Essex Foundation, you can do so here: https://www.activeessexfoundation.org/
