On the longest day of the year, eight of us from Girls That Ride Bikes set off at sunrise to ride coast-to-coast — 205 miles from the east to the west of England — as part of Chase the Sun 2025.
It was a ride that tested everything: our legs, our patience, our gear, and even our ability to communicate. But it was also a day of teamwork, support, and shared achievement that we’ll never forget.
The day began at 4:30am in the still, cool morning air. Two support drivers travelled with us throughout the route, leapfrogging stops and providing everything from snacks and hydration to spare kit and mechanical help. With many hours ahead of us, the goal was simple: keep moving, keep each other going, and finish before sunset.
When Things Don’t Go to Plan
The ride wasn’t without its challenges. Electric gear issues cropped up early on, followed by a broken cleat that required not one, but two bike shop stops, and eventually a new pair of shoes and cleats. All of this took time, and as we approached London later than planned, the traffic had built up, as had the rising heat on what turned out to be one of the hottest days of the year.
Once we left the city, there was a huge sense of relief, but we knew we were behind on our timing. This is where the strength of the team really came through.
Riding As One
Despite the delays, no one was dropped. We rode as a team the entire way, adjusting pace when needed and supporting each other through every low point and breakthrough. We rotated support, kept spirits high, shared suncream, painkillers, energy chews, and encouragement. Everyone had their moment to dig deep, and everyone did.
All eight of us completed the full 205 miles. For most, it was the longest day spent on a bike (14.5 hours in the saddle). And we did it together.
Radio Comms
We hired six Motorola TLK100 radios from Chat-Com, with earpieces for hands-free use. Some of us were sceptical at first — would they really make that much of a difference?
The answer was a resounding yes.
The radios became vital from the outset. We used them for everything: requesting water and food at stops, flagging injuries and kit changes, adjusting meeting points on the fly, and calling out road hazards like gravel or narrow bridges. At one point, both support vehicles got stuck on the M25 and the riders were heading into central London. We could coordinate in real time and meet elsewhere without losing momentum. The 5G roaming SIMs kept us connected almost the entire day, even in more rural patches.
“I’m not sure I could do another event like this without the radios — absolute godsend.” Nada Omran
Proud Ambassadors
We’re incredibly proud to have participated in this iconic event and even prouder to be official Chase the Sun Ambassadors. This ride showed us what we’re capable of when we work together — and how much can be achieved with a mix of preparation, grit, friendship, and a few emergency ice lollies along the way.