London Freewheel

il_principe

I think I might attend. Not sure if I did register or not. Didn't go last year, if I haven't registered I assume I can just slip along anyway? I live in Pimlico so v close to the actual route anyway!

itboffin

The wife is doing a 10k charity run on the same day, it would be very bad form if I missed it, perhaps next time. I'm sure you'll all have a blast.

m0scs

Has anyone heard anything from London Freewheel after registering?

I assume the purpose is so they can get an idea of the numbers of people coming or are we to be given some sort of registration number to produce on the day?

Any ideas?

biondino

I got an email from them - hang on, let me cut and paste...

More details released for Sky Sports London Freewheel

Dear Freewheeler

Well, we're nearing the final turn now before the big day, and the event is shaping up to be even more exciting than last year. Registrations are already up on last year so we're all going to be in good company once again.

In the past few days, we've been adding more information to the site about the start points and times for the led rides and the locations and activity at each of the hubs to help you cycle in to the central route from wherever you are in London.
Details of led rides

In conjunction with the London Cycling Campaign, the Sky Sports London Freewheel will once again have marshalled cycle rides coming in from boroughs all across London. These rides will fully support participants and are particularly designed for those who are new to cycling or are not used to riding on London's roads and would like the additional support that riding in a group offers.

Marshalled Rides will also be available in the afternoon to travel back to your local borough from the central route.

Get your friends and family along to join the British Cycling stars

Come along and join Sky Sports to celebrate the British Cycling Team's success in Beijing. There will be a host of cycling entertainment on the day with the chance to meet World and Olympic Gold medallists including Victoria Pendleton and Ed Clancy. Win signed Great Britain cycling team jerseys in the Sky Sports sprint challenge. Plus we have some exciting mountain bike demonstrations, cycling activities and lots of competitions to ensure you and your family have a great day out.

Register your friends and family at www.londonfreewheel.com

Sign up for your nearest ride

Each borough has it's own start point (apart from a few central boroughs where it's quicker to cycle directly to the route) and a timetable of start times. You can search for the nearest point to you by browsing around an interactive map, by searching by the borough you live in or looking at the alphabetical list.

Depending upon where you start from, some rides will go to a hub first and then onto the central route, others will go directly to the main route.

Once you've had a look around and found the best ride for you, please register to join that ride. You'll be asked for your name and email address just so we can get an idea of the numbers that will be turning up on the day and ensure we have enough marshals at each location.

Or use Journey Planner

If you'd prefer to make your own way to your nearest hub or directly to the central route, please visit TfL's journeyplanner for assistance.

We'll be adding the final details about the event itself over the next week, and will email you at the end of next week with a final preparation checklist for the big day.

Best wishes

The Sky Sports London Freewheel Team

m0scs

Thanks for that BD.

Hope the weather stays nice.

Not sure how many Game players are going, but would be nice to meet up.

Sewinman

I would like to meet near Streatham. I live near Streatham Common. I am well down the food chain however, so don't want to hold people back.

Mr_Cellophane

These rides will fully support participants and are particularly designed for those who are new to cycling or are not used to riding on London's roads and would like the additional support that riding in a group offers.

I am helping marshall the ride from Gidea Park. I don't have the route, but did a direct route to Victoria Park on Sunday just to see what it might be like. I went Romford, Ilford, Forest Gate, Stratford then the Greenway to VP. The traffic around Forest Gate was terrible. I got stuck behind a Hovis artic I just could not get around safely. I hate to think how a group of cyclists inexperienced in that sort of traffic wil manage. Perhaps we will just head due south to the A13 and then take the Greenway from Beckton. Either way it will be 13+ miles which is a long way for people not used to those distances.

the_hundredth_idiot

I'm also an SE London (Dulwich) dweller. I've registered for the Freewheel but am not a dead cert to make it yet (toddler, pregnant wife, dog to walk, why aren't I helping out rather than going out on a jolly on my bike, yada, yada, yada ).

I'll keep an eye on this thread where you other SE guys/gals might be meeting and I'll come along and join you if I'm allowed. :? Be a good excuse to take my new wheels for a spin - it's been a while since I've been on a "racer" so apologies in advance if I'm a little wobbly. 8)

Bassjunkieuk

Mr_Cellophane wrote:

OK
I will say hello three times.

HEHE, I'm not sure if I'm planning on doing 3 laps yet but I'll ding my bell of your in my way :-)

DDD and SMan (and poss 100th Idiot) how does outside Streatham rail station strike you as a meeting point? I guess it's not to far for anyone to backtrack to and put's us on the main road to get there! I was gonna suggest De Ver's cycles but I think they might have their own meetup for their shop team so we might get lost in with them!

If that's a good place I'm open for suggestions to times, I could be there in about 10 minutes so don't mind an early start - 9 or 9:30?

snooks

Anyone coming in from the west?... Twickenham - Ravenscourt park hub??

biondino

If I come in with my gf, I'll probably just hang around with her I suspect - she hasn't ridden in over two years (she had a bad skiing accident - after 30 seconds of her first attempt at skiing - and had to have reconstructive knee surgery and it's still far from right), so we're going to see if she feels comfortable on a bike before she commits to it.

If she decides not to come, I'll certainly be up for meeting up with people, and could met at the Ravenscourt Park hub (though as a regular commuter it sort of seems to make sense just to head into town).

However - my Focus's rear wheel is significantly out of true now, and if you ping the spokes there is a big difference in the relative tautness. I had a little tweak this morning which has made it rideable but obviously I don't want to ride on it buckled too much. So I'm not 100% sure I'll make it at all.

Mr_Cellophane

A few more routes have been posted

http://www.bikely.com/listpaths/by/LCC-London-Rides

Sewinman

Bassjunkieuk wrote:

Mr_Cellophane wrote:

OK
I will say hello three times.

HEHE, I'm not sure if I'm planning on doing 3 laps yet but I'll ding my bell of your in my way :-)

DDD and SMan (and poss 100th Idiot) how does outside Streatham rail station strike you as a meeting point? I guess it's not to far for anyone to backtrack to and put's us on the main road to get there! I was gonna suggest De Ver's cycles but I think they might have their own meetup for their shop team so we might get lost in with them!

If that's a good place I'm open for suggestions to times, I could be there in about 10 minutes so don't mind an early start - 9 or 9:30?

I would be happy to meet at 9.30 at Streatham station.

cjcp

I'm going along with the family, probably early.

OldSkoolKona

snooks wrote:

Anyone coming in from the west?... Twickenham - Ravenscourt park hub??

Snooks, I was planning on coming in from Richmond - was looking at the Ravenscourt Hub. Are you planning on going? Any others from the SW??

Bassjunkieuk

Sewinman wrote:

Bassjunkieuk wrote:

Mr_Cellophane wrote:

OK
I will say hello three times.

HEHE, I'm not sure if I'm planning on doing 3 laps yet but I'll ding my bell of your in my way :-)

DDD and SMan (and poss 100th Idiot) how does outside Streatham rail station strike you as a meeting point? I guess it's not to far for anyone to backtrack to and put's us on the main road to get there! I was gonna suggest De Ver's cycles but I think they might have their own meetup for their shop team so we might get lost in with them!

If that's a good place I'm open for suggestions to times, I could be there in about 10 minutes so don't mind an early start - 9 or 9:30?

I would be happy to meet at 9.30 at Streatham station.

Sounds good! Look like we have at least one confirmed Bikeradar meetup at least!
Not to sure what we're gonna do about finding each other up in town tho!

As it was stupid busy last year I'd suggest meeting up around midday (assuming most people will be in the area by then of course) somewhere in St Jame's Park?

biondino

biondino wrote:

If I come in with my gf, I'll probably just hang around with her I suspect - she hasn't ridden in over two years (she had a bad skiing accident - after 30 seconds of her first attempt at skiing - and had to have reconstructive knee surgery and it's still far from right), so we're going to see if she feels comfortable on a bike before she commits to it.

However - my Focus's rear wheel is significantly out of true now, and if you ping the spokes there is a big difference in the relative tautness. I had a little tweak this morning which has made it rideable but obviously I don't want to ride on it buckled too much. So I'm not 100% sure I'll make it at all.

The gf has decided against it, so I'll probably be on my own unless I can persuade my regular cycling mates to come. And, astonishingly, my rear wheel is now true to within about 1mm after I had another inker!

Bassjunkieuk

biondino wrote:

The gf has decided against it, so I'll probably be on my own unless I can persuade my regular cycling mates to come. And, astonishingly, my rear wheel is now true to within about 1mm after I had another inker!

More the merrier! When you find out let us know your plans and we can get the central meet up sorted!

DonDaddyD

Bassjunkieuk wrote:

Mr_Cellophane wrote:

OK
I will say hello three times.

HEHE, I'm not sure if I'm planning on doing 3 laps yet but I'll ding my bell of your in my way :-)

DDD and SMan (and poss 100th Idiot) how does outside Streatham rail station strike you as a meeting point? I guess it's not to far for anyone to backtrack to and put's us on the main road to get there! I was gonna suggest De Ver's cycles but I think they might have their own meetup for their shop team so we might get lost in with them!

If that's a good place I'm open for suggestions to times, I could be there in about 10 minutes so don't mind an early start - 9 or 9:30?

9.30 Streatham Staion (the one by the Ice rink) sure I'll see you there.

Bassjunkieuk

DonDaddyD wrote:

9.30 Streatham Staion (the one by the Ice rink) sure I'll see you there.

That's the one! Well that's 3 of us now ready for the assault on the streets :-)

m0scs

Received this today from Freewheel.

Celebrate Cycling and Meet Olympic GB Cyclists
Dear Freewheeler

We're into the final preparations now and are able to provide the first details of the entertainment that you can enjoy in the breaks from the main cycling action on the day.

Sky Sports has arranged some great entertainment throughout the course plus you will have the chance to meet some World and Olympic Cyclists including Chris Hoy and Victoria Pendleton. So get all your friends and family along to join in the fun...

Check out the Sky Sports Experiences along the Mall
Sky Sports Mountain Bike Demonstrations
See extraordinary outdoor mountain bike demonstrations performed by professionals in the Sky Sports Experience along the Mall.


British Cycling Go-Ride
Can you do the limbo on your bike? Go-Ride introduces young people to cycling disciplines such as mountain biking, BMX and track riding. Whatever your ability, you will have a great time! (For under 18's of all abilities).

Get Involved in St James Park
Meet our British Olympic Cycling heroes
World and Olympic Gold medallists including Chris Hoy, Victoria Pendleton and Ed Clancy will be answering questions, plus you can ask some of Sky's presenters what inspired them to get back on the saddle.

Sky Sports Sprint Challenge
Are you the next cycling star? Test your speed against the GB Cycling Team in the Sky Sports Sprint Challenge and you could be in with the chance to win a signed Great Britain Cycling Team jersey.
Great Britain Cycling Team Bike Display
See some of the bicycles that won gold at the Beijing Olympics.

Sky Sports Bandstand
Chill out with some great music entertainment from the Sky Sports Band in St James's Park.

Enjoy the moment along the route
Sky Sports Photo Points

Catch your cycling moment and have your photo taken cycling the course. Look out for the 3 Sky Sports photo towers positioned around the course - simply smile, remember the tower colour and your time (mobile phone "notes" applications are quite good for this if your memory is bad!), then just visit the website when you get home in the evening to download your free photo.

Sky Sports Wacky Cyclists
Look out for the Sky Sports wacky cyclists on their Raleigh choppers, Cruiser and Tandem bikes, who will be cruising the course throughout the day.

‘Hidden Heroes Competition'
Find all the British cycling ‘Hidden Heroes' throughout the course for your chance to win a trip to the Cycling World Cup in Manchester and Sky+ for 12 months with a TV worth £300.

All this and cycling advice from LCC and Transport for London, free cranberry juice from Ocean Spray, and live DJs from the Capital Radio tour bus on the Mall.. and the best day's cycling money can't buy in central London!

If you haven't already, do forward this on to your friends and family and ask them to register

We will be in touch before the day with last minute reminders!

Best wishes,

The Sky Sports London Freewheel Team

Ive highlighted Sky SPorts Sprint Challenge that may be of interest to Game players.

Anyone fancy their chances?

Bassjunkieuk

Now that sounds fun! I fear that us game players will now just spend the day busting a nut on that machine - once we drag ourselves away from VP of course :-)

overmars

Not been paying too much attention to this lately. But I'm assuming that this is like last year and you get a bib and a bag of goodies through the post?!? If so I've received nothing so far!

Has anyone got anything yet? :?:

Bassjunkieuk

Ditto here! Last year we got bib's, bell and some cycle base top trump cards :-)

stuaff

They're not sending out anything in the post this time out- instead there will be marquees at the hubs where they'll hand bibs out. I won't be bothering with that- thanks to train engineering work around Petersfield, I'll have to come up from Pompey via Winchester (replacement buses don't take cycles, and I won't assume they'll take a folder, else I might not make it!). First train of the day that way round gets into Waterloo 9.42 (!), so I'll go straight to the route. I should be hi-vis enough- I'll probably wear my Metallica jersey (what else, 'Ride The Lightning'). Hopefully this time they'll try and police the idiots weaving all over the place at high speed, and not stop the flow every minute so a single pedestrian can cross over.....that must have caused a lot of the jams last time.

andrewc3142

If you see a silver tandem with an 8 year old on the back with a green plaster on his arm accompanied by a 6 year old on a red Scott and a woman either on a Spesh road bike or mountain bike, that would be us so give us a wave!

We're training it into Waterloo and joining straight in rather than going to one of the hubs - easier for us that way from Woking.

snooks

OldSkoolKona wrote:

snooks wrote:

Anyone coming in from the west?... Twickenham - Ravenscourt park hub??

Snooks, I was planning on coming in from Richmond - was looking at the Ravenscourt Hub. Are you planning on going? Any others from the SW??

OldSkoolKonaWell I'm down the road in Twickenham...and I have two old school Konas to choose from....so we might have got ourselves a kona convoy..Abeit a very small one

PM me if you would like to finalise details

greg66_tri_v2.0

Right. Just registered myself & the 66 family. However...

- do we have to head for one of the hubs, and then ride in, or can we make our own way to Central London?
- are there time slots or a cut off for arriving at a hub? How well policed/protected are the routes from the hub to Central London?

cjcp

Greg66 wrote:

Right. Just registered myself & the 66 family. However...

- do we have to head for one of the hubs, and then ride in, or can we make our own way to Central London?
- are there time slots or a cut off for arriving at a hub? How well policed/protected are the routes from the hub to Central London?

Think you can make your own way in. The hubs are intended as rest points or meet-up points I think.

Hubs open from 8.30 till 5.30.

There are led rides in. Think I might go by train though. 15 miles from Kingston is a bit much for the monster squad.

greg66_tri_v2.0

cjcp wrote:

Greg66 wrote:

Right. Just registered myself & the 66 family. However...

- do we have to head for one of the hubs, and then ride in, or can we make our own way to Central London?
- are there time slots or a cut off for arriving at a hub? How well policed/protected are the routes from the hub to Central London?

Think you can make your own way in. The hubs are intended as rest points or meet-up points I think.

Hubs open from 8.30 till 5.30.

There are led rides in. Think I might go by train though. 15 miles from Kingston is a bit much for the monster squad.

The attraction of an escort in is (a) we're not far from a hub and (b) having the nippers in the middle of a large pack would be preferable to me shepherding (and then deciding to abandon them in favour of some Gaming :twisted: ).

Think we'll probably aim to get into the car-free zone around 11.30.