Hello everyone! 🙂
The route I chose was inspired by the London “Gladiators,” to whom I send my warmest greetings!
I left home a few minutes after eight, loaded with clothes to change into, spare tubes, keys, and various snacks. The weather was perfect for cycling.
After 30 km, the first climb arrived, and according to Garmin, there were supposed to be 19 on the route, although I would personally add a few more to that list. I planned my first stop at 100 km to buy water for my bottles and replenish my snack supplies. I knew I had to eat and drink a lot to have the strength for the rest of the journey. Discovering new flavours during my breaks was a real joy – nuts, dried fruits, and sometimes even chocolate or ready-made sandwiches that gave me energy.
The kilometres passed, and my spirits were still high. The cherry on top was meeting the PGR group in Shoreham. I ate a delicious hamburger there. I shared my idea with them, which only a handful of people knew about until then – I didn’t want to jinx it or put any extra pressure on myself. The PGR group encouraged me with their words of support and good luck wishes. I said goodbye to them, and their enthusiasm motivated me even more for the next kilometres. I set off to admire the sunset on the Seven Sisters cliffs. I arrived at the perfect moment, just as the sun was setting. With such a beautiful view, I ate my “dinner” of sandwiches and drank a bottle of juice, feeling that every minute of this journey was priceless. It was also time to put on warmer clothes because I had an all-night ride along the coast ahead of me.
Just 15 minutes after setting off, my instincts didn’t fail me – fog rolled in, accompanying me until morning. I passed kilometres, and the noise of cars became less and less noticeable with each minute. Around midnight, I took a break at McDonald’s. Oh, how the Wraps and Coke gave me energy – it was incredible! With every bite, I felt my strength returning and my desire to continue riding growing.
My next stop was around 2:30 am in some roadside town. There I met a group of people returning from a party. We exchanged a few words, and their joyful laughter made me feel a momentary longing for nightlife. When they found out what I was doing in the middle of the night, they started urging me to accept their invitation to their house and get some sleep. The offer was tempting, but I declined and continued on, feeling that every minute spent on the road brought me closer to my goal.
The ride was going great. I had interesting podcasts on my headphones, telling stories of people overcoming their own limitations. At times, I was truly moved that I was able to push past my limits and achieve what I set out to do. I realized that it’s not just about the kilometres, but about pushing your boundaries. It’s about stepping out of your comfort zone and doing things that have immense meaning to you.
The sun started to rise around 5:30 am, and my luck didn’t leave me again – I stumbled upon a picturesque meadow with a view of the cliffs and the rising sun. I took a short break, ate another portion of sandwiches, and drank some coke, then continued on, feeling that every kilometre was a small triumph.
After 24 hours of riding, I had 350 km on the clock. To celebrate, I stopped in Ramsgate and ordered fresh coffee and a large omelette. Unfortunately, at that moment, fatigue started to catch up with me. I lost my appetite, and the sun started to get hotter, which didn’t make things easier. From that point on, the fight for every kilometre became even more intense.
The last 150 km of the ride was a true test of character. I was pushing through both mentally and physically, covering sections of 10-15 km at a time before taking necessary breaks. Unfortunately, the chafing was making itself felt, and I also experienced discomfort in my toes, which started to blister due to the heat (+30 degrees). The breaks were quite frequent, usually stopping at gas stations, and drinking various beverages – coke, juices, mineral water. English sausage rolls, which became my favourite treat in difficult moments, gave me a lot of energy.
It was a real battle with pain and with thoughts that said, “Give up,” but my heart shouted, “Keep going, keep going!” I felt that every kilometre was a challenge but also a personal victory. When I finally reached home, I couldn’t hold back tears of joy. Despite such a huge crisis, I managed to complete my challenge, and every drop of sweat was worth it.
These 500 km were my great journey into myself, another crossing of my pain threshold. Once, my way to “reset” was a weekend party, but now I’ve discovered something else – cycling! This journey taught me that true strength lies not only in the body but above all in the mind and determination.
Will I repeat this route someday? Of course! The most beautiful one I’ve ever ridden in my life!
Route length: 502 km
Riding time: 23 hours
Riding time + breaks: 35 hours.
English (UK) 
Polski