What’s the Bikeathon like?

SANDRA WATTS looks back at how her family did with last year’s family ride

IT’S SUNDAY morning, and the Watts family are up early checking the tyres, deciding what attire to wear for the weather conditions, and how much water we can manage to carry with us.

The three kids are already cycling around the block impatient to get going.

The neighbours are also on the drive raring to go. The phones are pinging messages – “Are you there yet?“text our friends. So many of the acquaintances we know from Wokingham through school, nursery, nights out and walking around town are all joining in the fun.

The excitement is building. So many people of all different ages excited and slightly apprehensive are all lining up at the start.

The flexible starts mean that participants can set off when suits them – our kids are always up at the crack of dawn so we’re out there early!

We are joining the 15-miles trip around Wokingham, Waltham St Lawrence and Hurst. Have the kids cycled that far before? No, but will they? Of course they will! The adrenaline fuelled by their desire to overtake the people in front plus their desire to succeed takes over.

The elite and more seasoned riders are itching to get started as they set off on their 35-mile ride.

We enter the town ring road passing by M&Co as we suddenly see hundreds of cyclists all going the same way. Suddenly it no longer feels like only us. As we enter into Broad Street – last year’s starting point – all the barriers are ready and waiting for the finishing funnel.

There are all sorts here! Some people have all the gear including the whizzy super-fast racing bikes.

Then there’s us and most of the rest – in our running trousers or joggers for the kids, shorts if we’re brave enough to show our legs and a few layers in case we’re cold with our everyday trainers.

We’re in the queue for those who have pre-registered – (best to do this as it’s time consuming on the morning). Our Wokingham Bikeathon tags are in situ and we are given the safety talk with the group who are next ready to leave. And we’re off…

The traffic has been stopped and the road is our oyster as we power round and up through Wiltshire Road and suddenly we are on the open roads and we can feel the wind in our hair.

The cars are passing us by now, some leaving good width, some not so much. The kids are loving it but still in the frame of mind to try to beat all as our long term friends kids go steaming past us. Can they keep that pace up all the way? Who knows?

We continue on our way passing along some roads that I have never ventured along before, exploring our local area and noticing a gorgeous thatched country pub – another mental note to self; must come here sometime for Sunday lunch.

We pass some amazing country pads that we might revisit when we have the lottery win, and before long we are at a T-junction. Quite difficult to see out so we all come to a dead stop and who pulls up alongside, a friend and his son – so between us we form a safety plan for entering the busy road with the children.

After we cross, the kids are suddenly tired and legs are aching, they climb off their bikes on the grassy triangle and lie exhaustedly down on the floor.

We’re soon off again and the busy road is forgotten as we enter a narrow off-beaten track and there all of a sudden, there are bikes everywhere. A well-earned break, and a lovely chance to catch up. No evidence of any competition, just a lovely fun day out in the countryside on a dry but not particularly sunny day.

Suddenly the downhill back into Wokingham is visible, and the end is nigh. We enter the ring road watching carefully as we join the traffic and other cyclists.

We pass The Ship and turn the corner and enter into the fenced funnel for the finish! Suddenly there are spectators cheering and calling our names- it feels good. We have achieved!

A lovely day out with the kids and lots of others, to be thoroughly recommended. As we walk through the finish line, we are greeted with congratulations and our goody bag. We spot the team of massage therapists available for post race help.

We see Rodger Duckworth and family having finished too. A buzz of excitement and achievement is surrounding us all!

A huge thank you to all the team and volunteers who make the event happen.