Back in summer 2023 Clare Midgley became the first cyclist in the world to complete the Chase the Sun 4 Sunsets challenge, completing multiple mid-summer rides across all four countries and Chase the Sun routes – to achieve a ‘Grand Slam’ of reaching sunset on every event !
Obviously this was a quest undertaken over several years of effort and inspiration. We asked Clare to share with you her story of Chasing the Sun…
Clare with the Kent Velo Girls arriving to sunset at the UK South finishline
THE IDEA – A GROUP CHALLENGE
I first happened upon CTS whilst idly browsing the internet looking for sportives in the autumn of 2013. Instantly bewitched by Olly’s story and the romance of the ride, I knew I couldn’t resist. A conversation with three friends in Kent Velo Girls and the recruitment of an unsuspecting husband to drive a van meant a plan for mid summer 2014 was quickly hatched and the training began.
Descending Cheddar Gorge – a highlight of the UK South Route.
UK SOUTH ROUTE
In the end, that first year, we were to be just 3 riders due to illness. Setting off to ride the Chase the Sun South route from near home in Kent across to Somerset, it was really only when Cass, Sheila and I crested Cheddar Gorge with the view of the sun sinking ahead and time in hand (a moment definitely in my top three cycling experinces ever!) that we truly believed we could complete the challenge. And we did – but that was just the start of it …
Clare and the Kent Velo Girls enjoying the sunset finish back in 2017.
BACK ONCE AGAIN…
Our adventure inspired others, and I revisited UK South route with a larger group of 6 more Kent Velo Girls in 2017 (Bee, Kary, Linda, Carolyn & Kyla). We’ve been lucky to have great support crews on all the rides in England. It’s a real luxury to have all my favourite cycling foods available as you’re never quite sure what you’ll feel like eating at any given time.
Clare, Brian and Chris with the Isle of Arran sunset, UK North 2019.
UK NORTH ROUTE
I then decided to venture North to join in the first CTS UK North route in 2019, where I chased the wheels of a couple of cycling friends, Brian & Chris, across the national parks and forests of Northumberland and Scotland.
Clare and Jonathan at the sunrise startlines in Italy and Ireland.
A MOTHER-AND-SON ADVENTURE
In 2021, my CTS adventure took an unexpected turn and morphed into a mother-son challenge which has been very special. Jonny asked if I would ride South with him initially and we then just kept going for the following three years – Italy, Ireland, North.
The moral support when we have had a driver and crew along the route is amazing. Having said that, in Italy & Ireland we were on our own and we managed pretty well. We’ve always planned our stops in advance – a nice way of breaking the ride down into manageable and motivating sections.
CHASE THE SUN ITALY and IRELAND
The road to sunset – Clare heading for the hills in the Italian sunshine
THE TRICKY BITS!
Most years there are always curve balls of course but they are part of the challenge! Sometimes it is the weather (Italy = HOT, Ireland = WINDY), or the odd puncture, perhaps not quite getting our nutrition right in Ireland… and also a particularly bleak moment this last year when at 3.45 am in Newcastle, 9 miles from Whitley Bay and the North route startline, we realised our car was locked in a car park!! Suffice to say, we were the last riders to leave at sunrise…
At the finishline in Ireland completing the 4 routes Grand Slam in 2023.
MY TOP TRAINING TIPS TO SUNSET
I’m a great planner and don’t like to leave much to chance – I definitely can’t “wing it” in terms of fitness. So for each ride I’ve diligently followed a training plan from a cycling coach which has always worked brilliantly. My top tip is a month or so before CTS event day, do back to back long training rides across two days. For me, I like to try to cover the whole distance – I usually do 70 miles one day then 130 the next!
BUT…THE WHY?!
I’ve been reflecting on why I and others keep going back – after all, Chase the Sun is a pretty mad ride. I guess there’s something about reaching the absolute limits of one’s physical and emotional capabilities – which I do every time – and then there’s the romance of crossing a whole country in a day. But mostly it’s just really really good fun – the best day on a bike!
Chase the Sun is a pretty mad ride. There’s the romance of crossing a whole country in a day. But mostly it’s just really really good fun – the best day on a bike! ”
Clare Midgley holder of the world-first Chase the Sun ‘Grand Slam’ of reaching all 4 Sunsets!
