London Ride 100

asprilla

Coopster the 1st wrote:

I rode in from Kew Bridge last year and I'll be doing it again this year.

There is something quite special about starting the ride on your own and other riders joining as you go along then arriving at the Olympic Park as part of a large peloton. And riding along Oxford street in a group of 20 at 5am was something unusual

I rode in form a mate's house in Stoke Newington last year. I had a vague idea of where I was going but after a couple of minutes I joined two others and then a couple more and so on. None of us knew where we were going really and eventually we turned onto the A11 and there were thousands of cyclists there. I felt a little sorry for the few cars stuck in the middle of it all as cyclists filtered through on all sides. They couldn't really go anywhere.

spasypaddy

Surrey Commuter wrote:

new question - does anybody know a forum for cycling slackers where I can repost my question and hope they can be bothered to reply

just book a cab

W12_Lad

Cat With No Tail wrote:

Name___________Wave________Start_______Expected Time
itboffin.....................Blue A..............6:00..............
tetm........................Orange A...........6:02.............Not as fast as willy b last year
turnstyle...................Orange A...........6:02............ 4hrs 31 last year, hopefully faster this year.
Cat With no Tail .........Orange D...........6:12 .............4hrs 45
Mpdouglas................Orange D...........6:12..............4hrs 49
Cyclingprop...............Orange D...........6.12.............. ~5 hours.... on no training... lol
Wrath Rob................Yellow A............6:15..............
Spasypaddy...............Orange C...........6.22.................. Sub 5 hours
Alansd1980................Blue G..............6:25..............5 Hours hopefully...
London-Red...............Blue G..............6.25...............5hrs 30
TheStone..................Blue G..............6.25...............5hrs 00 (aiming for sub-5, but unlikely)
Coopster 1st..............Orange E...........6:27................4h 50m, maybe 4h 45m
W12 Lad...................Black J.............6.37................sub 5.30
Asprilla.....................Black A.............6:42...............5hrs
Cycler00...................Black A.............6:42...............
Monkey Monster.........Blue L..............6:45............... 5hrs 15ish too (aiming for sub 5 but we'll see...)
FoldingJoe................Blue L...............6:45................ 5hrs 30ish
marcusjb..................Black B..............6:52................on the tandem to have a good time, not to do a good time
Rubertoe.................Green A ........... 7:00............ sub 6 Hours
Elbowloh.................Green A.............7.00..................5 hours 30ish
Veronese68..............Blue N...............7:15................6 hrs
PBo........................Black D.............7.17................ 6 h
Applespider.............Yellow F............7.30...............6.45
Leeefm...................Black G.............7:47................ 6hrs 30 (maybe less)

veronese68

London-Red wrote:

Surrey Commuter wrote:

Does anybody have experience of getting cabs (and or man with van) to drop them off? 2 of us setting off from Kingston and getting dropped at Rotherhithe tunnel looks a likely option. All thoughts/suggestions welcomed.

Probably not very helpful, but I'm planning on riding to the start from Kingston - might live to regret it, but it seems the least worst option.

I was thinking of jumping on a train to Waterloo and riding from there in a vague attempt to minimise the pain later. A friend of mine has a start time late enough to get one of the chartered trains from Richmond to Stratford. Unfortunately they don't get in until 6:53 so my wave would be shut by then.

surrey_commuter

Veronese68 wrote:

London-Red wrote:

Surrey Commuter wrote:

Does anybody have experience of getting cabs (and or man with van) to drop them off? 2 of us setting off from Kingston and getting dropped at Rotherhithe tunnel looks a likely option. All thoughts/suggestions welcomed.

Probably not very helpful, but I'm planning on riding to the start from Kingston - might live to regret it, but it seems the least worst option.

I was thinking of jumping on a train to Waterloo and riding from there in a vague attempt to minimise the pain later. A friend of mine has a start time late enough to get one of the chartered trains from Richmond to Stratford. Unfortunately they don't get in until 6:53 so my wave would be shut by then.

I would check train times as from Surbiton I can find nothing arriving in Waterloo between 01:04 and 07:25

asprilla

Yup, remember that it's on a Sunday so no early trains.

Also, for those planning on riding there, remember that all the most direct routes will be closed for the event.

bigmat

Name___________Wave________Start_______Expected Time
itboffin.....................Blue A..............6:00..............
tetm........................Orange A...........6:02.............Not as fast as willy b last year
BigMat......................Orange A...........6:02............3:59 (got to aim high!)
turnstyle...................Orange A...........6:02............ 4hrs 31 last year, hopefully faster this year.
Cat With no Tail .........Orange D...........6:12 .............4hrs 45
Mpdouglas................Orange D...........6:12..............4hrs 49
Cyclingprop...............Orange D...........6.12.............. ~5 hours.... on no training... lol
Wrath Rob................Yellow A............6:15..............
Spasypaddy...............Orange C...........6.22.................. Sub 5 hours
Alansd1980................Blue G..............6:25..............5 Hours hopefully...
London-Red...............Blue G..............6.25...............5hrs 30
TheStone..................Blue G..............6.25...............5hrs 00 (aiming for sub-5, but unlikely)
Coopster 1st..............Orange E...........6:27................4h 50m, maybe 4h 45m
W12 Lad...................Black J.............6.37................sub 5.30
Asprilla.....................Black A.............6:42...............5hrs
Cycler00...................Black A.............6:42...............
Monkey Monster.........Blue L..............6:45............... 5hrs 15ish too (aiming for sub 5 but we'll see...)
FoldingJoe................Blue L...............6:45................ 5hrs 30ish
marcusjb..................Black B..............6:52................on the tandem to have a good time, not to do a good time
Rubertoe.................Green A ........... 7:00............ sub 6 Hours
Elbowloh.................Green A.............7.00..................5 hours 30ish
Veronese68..............Blue N...............7:15................6 hrs
PBo........................Black D.............7.17................ 6 h
Applespider.............Yellow F............7.30...............6.45
Leeefm...................Black G.............7:47................ 6hrs 30

I'm basically going to have to ride like **** from the gun to try and catch my clubmates who are off at 6 - if I can do that and then hang on, it should be faaaaaaast!

veronese68

Surrey Commuter wrote:

Veronese68 wrote:

London-Red wrote:

Surrey Commuter wrote:

Does anybody have experience of getting cabs (and or man with van) to drop them off? 2 of us setting off from Kingston and getting dropped at Rotherhithe tunnel looks a likely option. All thoughts/suggestions welcomed.

Probably not very helpful, but I'm planning on riding to the start from Kingston - might live to regret it, but it seems the least worst option.

I was thinking of jumping on a train to Waterloo and riding from there in a vague attempt to minimise the pain later. A friend of mine has a start time late enough to get one of the chartered trains from Richmond to Stratford. Unfortunately they don't get in until 6:53 so my wave would be shut by then.

I would check train times as from Surbiton I can find nothing arriving in Waterloo between 01:04 and 07:25

Good point, tell me more about this cab you're booking...

surrey_commuter

Veronese68 wrote:

Surrey Commuter wrote:

Veronese68 wrote:

London-Red wrote:

Surrey Commuter wrote:

Does anybody have experience of getting cabs (and or man with van) to drop them off? 2 of us setting off from Kingston and getting dropped at Rotherhithe tunnel looks a likely option. All thoughts/suggestions welcomed.

Probably not very helpful, but I'm planning on riding to the start from Kingston - might live to regret it, but it seems the least worst option.

I was thinking of jumping on a train to Waterloo and riding from there in a vague attempt to minimise the pain later. A friend of mine has a start time late enough to get one of the chartered trains from Richmond to Stratford. Unfortunately they don't get in until 6:53 so my wave would be shut by then.

I would check train times as from Surbiton I can find nothing arriving in Waterloo between 01:04 and 07:25

Good point, tell me more about this cab you're booking...

Talking to cab firms is not a good way to spend an afternoon - is difficult to work out if two bikes would go in a Galaxy type vehicle (maybe I could ask Addison Lee next time they are cutting me up). I might ask a black cab on the rank as I reckon you would not need any dismantling.
Route wise the A3 must go under race route at Putney then down to drop-off at Rotherhithe tunnel

sketchley

Hopefully this will help. Last year my wife dropped me off at Rotherhithe tunnel, right by the tunnel. It was really easy to get there from Worcester Park which is near Kingston by simply going up the A3 all the way. For those of you in Surbiton / Kingston I'd suggest parking the car the night before on the side of the route near the A3 if you live on the other. The drop off at Rotherhithe worked really well and getting to the Stratford really easy. My only regret was not choosing the Blackwall Tunnel route so I could cycle through it as you cannot normally do this but that's minor. My wife then went home, went off to meet friends and headed to Hampton Court Bridge to wave as I went passed (in fact I stopped for a bit as I knew where they would be), then went home and got train in to see me at the Mall with Beer, hip flask, Trainers and few other things. We hung around in Green Park for a bit after the event then went to waterloo and got a train back home with no problem.

The A3 goes under the route twice first at Raynes Park then again at Tibbets Corner.

surrey_commuter

Sketchley wrote:

Hopefully this will help. Last year my wife dropped me off at Rotherhithe tunnel, right by the tunnel. It was really easy to get there from Worcester Park which is near Kingston by simply going up the A3 all the way. For those of you in Surbiton / Kingston I'd suggest parking the car the night before on the side of the route near the A3 if you live on the other. The drop off at Rotherhithe worked really well and getting to the Stratford really easy. My only regret was not choosing the Blackwall Tunnel route so I could cycle through it as you cannot normally do this but that's minor. My wife then went home, went off to meet friends and headed to Hampton Court Bridge to wave as I went passed (in fact I stopped for a bit as I knew where they would be), then went home and got train in to see me at the Mall with Beer, hip flask, Trainers and few other things. We hung around in Green Park for a bit after the event then went to waterloo and got a train back home with no problem.

The A3 goes under the route twice first at Raynes Park then again at Tibbets Corner.

sounds like I am barking up the right tree with the drop off - can't see the wife putting two young kids in the car at 05:00 on a Sunday

ShandyH

I rode to the start last year. Route from SW London was along CS7 then head up to cross over at London Bridge which is one of the only bridges you can cross at since it goes over the cycle route. From there I went right at Leadenhall Street and followed that past the one way system to the A11 (CS2) which goes all the way out to the Olympic Village. I just followed the other cyclists when we got close. It's not hard to find. Then for the ride home you could quickly cross the cycling traffic on the route at any bridge.

bigmat

London Bridge route should do me, but what's this, you can cycle through the Blackwall Tunnel?! That sounds intriguing!

elbowloh

I got a parking space at London Bridge....£15 for the day.

Still have to cycle to the start and back from finish.

drlodge

Just a word of warning...I was knackered at the end of the route last year, could hardly get off my bike. After a short rest I then had to cycle to Stratford and my legs were rigid. You won't want to be cycling a long way afterwards if you're going for a fast time!

cyclingprop

Yes I went through Blackwall (southbound tunnel) at <28mph last year. It were right fun. But theres been no comms about cycling routes this year that I can see (yet).

elbowloh

100 miles isn't that far...and the elevation is pretty minimal....

surrey_commuter

cyclingprop wrote:

Yes I went through Blackwall (southbound tunnel) at <28mph last year. It were right fun. But theres been no comms about cycling routes this year that I can see (yet).

Friday's e-mail had a map with car parks and drop off points. Head for one of them and pick up the signs.

cyclingprop

Surrey Commuter wrote:

cyclingprop wrote:

Yes I went through Blackwall (southbound tunnel) at <28mph last year. It were right fun. But theres been no comms about cycling routes this year that I can see (yet).

Friday's e-mail had a map with car parks and drop off points. Head for one of them and pick up the signs.

I don't need a car park.

Last year there were identified crossings, thats all I want.

rubertoe

anyone that is cycling down from Barnet or enfield or anywhere near by need any company. drop me a line.

spasypaddy

rubertoe wrote:

anyone that is cycling down from Barnet or enfield or anywhere near by need any company. drop me a line.

loads of my clubmates are meeting at the bald faced stag in east finchley. im sure you can tag on with them

rubertoe

I know it well,

How will they take to me in my ICC kit though....

itboffin

is there anyone NOT doing this ride?

asprilla

itboffin wrote:

is there anyone NOT doing this ride?

Sketchley.

cyclingprop

You if you don't heal up.

dhope

Asprilla wrote:

itboffin wrote:

is there anyone NOT doing this ride?

Sketchley.

Me :evil:

drlodge

and me.

spasypaddy

rubertoe wrote:

I know it well,

How will they take to me in my ICC kit though....

it wouldnt be a problem if you said you knew me and will (not that it should be a problem anyway).

however we're all starting way before you... i think the guys meeting there are all in my pen at 6.22

rubertoe

Its cool. I think i will just make my own way down and then i can just take it easy.

timothyw

Name___________Wave________Start_______Expected Time
itboffin.....................Blue A..............6:00..............
tetm........................Orange A...........6:02.............Not as fast as willy b last year
BigMat......................Orange A...........6:02............3:59 (got to aim high!)
turnstyle...................Orange A...........6:02............ 4hrs 31 last year, hopefully faster this year.
Cat With no Tail .........Orange D...........6:12 .............4hrs 45
Mpdouglas................Orange D...........6:12..............4hrs 49
Cyclingprop...............Orange D...........6.12.............. ~5 hours.... on no training... lol
Wrath Rob................Yellow A............6:15..............
Spasypaddy...............Orange C...........6.22.................. Sub 5 hours
Alansd1980................Blue G..............6:25..............5 Hours hopefully...
London-Red...............Blue G..............6.25...............5hrs 30
TheStone..................Blue G..............6.25...............5hrs 00 (aiming for sub-5, but unlikely)
Coopster 1st..............Orange E...........6:27................4h 50m, maybe 4h 45m
W12 Lad...................Black J.............6.37................sub 5.30
TimothyW.................Yellow C............6:40...............5:30 ish
Asprilla.....................Black A.............6:42...............5hrs
Cycler00...................Black A.............6:42...............
Monkey Monster.........Blue L..............6:45............... 5hrs 15ish too (aiming for sub 5 but we'll see...)
FoldingJoe................Blue L...............6:45................ 5hrs 30ish
marcusjb..................Black B..............6:52................on the tandem to have a good time, not to do a good time
Rubertoe.................Green A ........... 7:00............ sub 6 Hours
Elbowloh.................Green A.............7.00..................5 hours 30ish
Veronese68..............Blue N...............7:15................6 hrs
PBo........................Black D.............7.17................ 6 h
Applespider.............Yellow F............7.30...............6.45
Leeefm...................Black G.............7:47................ 6hrs 30

I certainly could come in via East Finchley - current plan is to ride in from Harrow, pending finding someone's couch that is a bit closer to the start line.