RideLondon makes a successful return after a two-year absence

After more than 1,000 days away, the mass cycling event billed as the London Marathon on two wheels returned on Sunday 29 May with a new destination.

After more than 1,000 days away, the mass cycling event billed as the London Marathon on two wheels returned on Sunday 29 May with a new destination. Approximately 22,600 riders took on a 30-, 60- or 100-mile ride on traffic-free routes out of the capital and into the Essex countryside. With the usual finishing point on the Mall inaccessible due to platinum jubilee celebrations, cyclists finished on Tower Bridge instead.

Eleven riders signed-up to take on this 100-mile sportive in aid of Kingston Hospital Charity, including hospital CEO, Jo Farrar, who had to withdraw a couple of days before the event, having contracted COVID-19. Jo is planning to make-up for his disappointment by taking on RideLondon100 in 2023. The team also included Kingston Hospital’s Director of Operations, Tracey Moore, who took on the challenge with her husband, Simon, having never done anything like this before. The team was also represented by consultant gastroenterologist Markus Gess and diabetic consultant, Matthew Oldfield.

John Keys whose daughter, Naoise spent over 50 nights in the paediatric department, also took part to show his thanks, as he acknowledged:

“The care we received from the amazing staff made a huge difference to us coping through a challenging time.”

Dr Gess explained his reason for taking part:

“I wanted to ride like the wind to raise funds for our hospital to help enhance the care we are able to offer our local community. As a consultant gastroenterologist, I have seen the benefit charitable monies has had on our endoscopy service, helping it to become a national leader in the use of cutting-edge transnasal endoscopy which has made gastroscopy so much more comfortable for our patients.”

All our riders who started the 100-mile sportive successfully completed it, raising nearly £18,000 in support of patient care at Kingston Hospital.

The date for the 2023 RideLondon100 has not yet been confirmed but if you are interested in taking on this challenge, please call or email Tracey Shaw on 020 8973 5041 or at tracey.shaw17@nhs.net to register your interest.