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I arrived shortly after 8 o'clock and already the volunteers were there, setting everything up and ensuring that everything would be ready for the race . .

Hyde Park's lovely . . very green but lots of splashes of colour . . the statue with red boots - well it is Wellington after all!! . . and there's plenty to see . .

it's not long before everyone starts to arrive from all directions . . bumping into friends . . warming up . . chaining bikes to the railings . .

before making their way to the start . .