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• 28 000 cyclists all with the same goal but with different reasons for taking part
• the sheer number of people can be intimidating but it is also exhilarating
• you never see most of the other cyclists
• you do chat to a few who seem responsive
• there is an element of competition though it is not a race
• some pace themselves, others go flat out
• some walk up Ditchling Beacon, others are fit enough to cycle
• ...but either way they get there
• some fall by the wayside (literally!)
• there is lots of support on the way