CHASE THE SUN 2025

The alarm goes off at 3am. It didn't need to, I was already awake. Some of you will know what I'm talking about. Trying to get to sleep the night before an event is hard, nay impossible sometimes, for a variety of reasons. An unfamiliar bed. A camp site. Nerves. Too much to drink. Whatever it is, the event then takes on a surreal feeling to it. Just what you need before 330kms on a very hot weekend!

Chase the Sun is an annual cycling event that challenges participants to ride their bikes from sunrise to sunset on the longest day of the year, typically the summer solstice. It's a coast-to-coast, east-to-west ride covering 330kms and 3000m of climbing, within daylight hours. 

THE FULL CTS 2025 - 33OKM ROUTE

3 of us made it to the start line in MInster-on-Sea, Kent. We decided to ride 100kms to the start the day before. It was nice weather after all.

THE RIDE TO CTS 2025 THE DAY BEFORE

2 of us had trained for this event. 1 hadn't. The kudos goes to him for making it the finish line 2 minutes before sunset. Amazing grit and determination.

For me personally, I made it in 13 hours. I was hoping for a slightly quicker time, but things crop up on a such a long distance ride. Hot feet. Boy did they hurt. This meant a couple of additional stops to let the feet breath. A couple of extra water stops. (shout out to the girls on a small climb outside their house with cold bottles of water they were handing out for free). Nevertheless, super proud to have made it with an hour or so to spare before the sun set! and then somehow waddled for a curry after a shower.

For some reason Paul and I rode home the next day. Only 230kms this time! Potentially a daft idea. But actually took in some amazing roads and views. That's me done for a while!

THE RIDE HOME FROM WESTON-SUPER-MARE

There's so much, probably too much, that can be writen about these kind of rides. Emotions, interactions, sensations, smells, determination, awe.

I suppose unless you have done something similiar to this, it's hard to get your head around, and I am no Ned Boulting. So these few words and a couple of pictures is what I can offer. However, what I would say is, it's a fantastic event, with amazing staff, volunteers, people supporting in villages and glorious British countryside (and climbs). I would 100% recommend it - if you were thinking about it this year, if you're looking for the next challenge or if you have a small team of you and want to sign up for the relay (less miles per person). Do it!

@chasethesuncycle