Teachers take tips from Olympic gold medalist for 100-mile ride

Sophie Ainge and Sharon Boccaccini, who teach at Brockhurst and Marlston House Schools near Hermitage, completed the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100, following the 100-mile London 2012 route.
Miss Ainge said: “We had the pleasure of meeting the gold medal Olympian Laura Trott when we collected our numbers the Friday before.
“She was lovely and although completely shocked that Sharon and I – amateur cyclists – were competing in the 100-mile ride, she gave us some good tips and kind encouraging words.”
Following a route through London after setting off from the Olympic Stadium, the pair set off with thousands of other cyclists through the city before winding through the Surrey countryside and tackling the challenges of Leith Hill and Box Hill.
Despite each falling off once, the pair returned triumphant up the Mall in seven hours and 15 minutes.
“The crowds cheering us all along the route was magnificent,” Miss Ainge added. “When we saw the end was nigh, when we reached the 1km to go marker, we could see the incredible sight of Buckingham Palace and the crowds lining the Mall.
“Sharon and I were grinning from ear to ear and became emotional wrecks, but the satisfaction passing the line was so overwhelming. It was such an experience”.
The money raised will go to Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research and Heads Up, a charity that raises money for head and neck cancer research.