IT WAS a cruel irony that after weeks of glorious sunshine the heavens should decide to open on the morning of cycling’s equivalent to the London marathon.

The rain is the enemy of the cyclist. Apart from the obvious discomfort, slippery roads and reduced visibility, sharp pieces of flint wash onto the Tarmac, causing punctures.

The rain also tends to dampen the mood. So when I rocked up to the Olympic Park for the start of the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100, I was not expecting the 24,000 riders to be in quite such good spirits. The consensus seemed to be that the stormy weather would confer additional bragging rights on those who went on to complete the course. 

Following the route of the 2012 Olympic road race, the riders departed east London in waves from 6am onwards, streaming out of the capital in giant pelotons towards the Surrey Hills before looping back through Wimbledon and Putney and onto a grandstand finish on The Mall.

From a technical and climbing perspective, this is one of the less challenging centuries in the sportive calendar. And with the organisers diverting the ride to miss out the flooded Box Hill and Leith Hill, the total mileage fell to just 86. 

What makes the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 special is that the route is closed to motor traffic, just like in a professional race. 

On this day, in sharp contrast to the rest of the year, the cyclist is king of the road.

As a media entrant, I set off in the celebrity wave at 7.40am alongside former Olympic gold medallist and one-hour world record holder Chris Boardman.

I had hoped to ask for ask Chris about his work in promoting cycling as an everyday means of transport. But as soon as the whistle blew he was off and that was the last I saw of him.

Earlier in the week, I talked with Donnachadh McCarthy from the campaigning group Stop Killing Cyclists.  He told me that cycling has been designed out of the road network.

“Where you have segregated roads, like in Holland, most people cycle,” he said.

“But spending on cycling is a derisory 1 per cent of Transport for London’s budget. We are calling for it to be raised to 10 per cent.”

It was fun riding with the celebrity chefs, presenters and reality show contestants, and even though I had no idea who any of them were until I looked them up on the Internet, I admired their resolve. 

But the day belonged to the ordinary cyclists who battled their way through almost impassable roads and deservedly soaked up the applause from clusters of wet spectators who lined the route. For some the challenge was just to finish. For others it was about achieving a fast time, or supporting their chosen charity. 

Fifty-two-year-old Debi Mace-Nelmes from Enfield told me that it was not the hardest ride she had ever done, but it was the most emotional.

“I am raising money for the British Lung Foundation in memory of my mother who recently passed away,” she said, adding that she hoped to finish in under six hours. She made it in five and a half.

Calvin is one of the Morning Star’s Heroes of Pain who will be cycling from London to Paris in September. To sponsor the ride, phone the Morning Star on (020) 8510-0815.