Post Ride London 100 - time, thoughts & experience?

davep1

Carbonator wrote:

DaveP1 wrote:

As for the total v moving time debate, both times are useful. My ambition was to get in under 6 hrs, I did 5 hrs 43. Moving time was 5.15 which is inspiring me to a time starting with a 4 for next year...

Total or moving?

The word 'total' makes it sound like its normal to break the 'finish' time into bits and conveniently knock some off lol

If you want a fast moving time just carry no water/food and stop off a lot for big breaks.
Doing that is not much better than doing a 10 mile sprint/tt every day for 10 days or once a week for 10 weeks and adding them all together.

That would be about 4:16 for me but my RLS100 certificate still says 5:03

If you do a running event, you start, run/walk/wee/drink/rest, finish and get a time.
Have not heard of people stopping off for a massage and iced tea, then talking about their 'running time' lol
Should be viewed in the same way for cycling IMO

My point was, to me, both times are interesting. We can all "What if" I didn't puncture, pee, etc, etc, I know that, but I am encouraged by the potential. If the course remains roughly the same, sub 5 hours )total) is realistic for me, I'll planmy stops better and go a little harder.

davep1

make mine a triple wrote:

I am not sure why some people feel the need to use the hubs to load up on provisions, Apart from water (which could be very quickly accessed from any of the smaller
water stops) at only 4000ft gain, it wasn't that long a ride that you couldn't carry your own food. I had bag of mini cheddars 8 flapjack 'bites' a few jelly babies and 2 gels Clearly slower riders need more food, due to the time in the saddle and less ability to metabolise fat so the hubs were / are important to have. I am not saying I didn't enjoy some pretzels someone had dropped though .

We're all different though. I got through something like 6-8 litres of fluid (water and lucazade isotonic) one monster and one smaller flap jack, 3 gels, the little bag of pretzels and the funky crisp-type things they gave away and some energy chews. Would have taken more but my jersey pockets were overflowing (also had a phone & money pouch) and a second tube). My saddle bag had tools another tube and car keys.

davep1

urban_winter wrote:

I had one of my best cycling days ever. Not because it was fast but because my previously non-cycling wife has fallen in love with cycling and it's the first event we've done together.

It's a good story - she was taken out by a jaywalker in Kingston at mile 20 and trashed her front tyre. I gave her my wheel so she could continue but eventually managed to borrow a replacement wheel from an electric bike shop just off the route. Caught her up at Newlands Corner and we finished together.

Full story on her blog: http://www.zest.co.uk/zest-blog/ridelondon-100-the-big-event/6486.html

U.

Great story! Wish I could get my wife interested, then I would't have to make do with custom £500 specials off Ebay!

GiantMike

If you enjoyed the ride please consider signing this e-petition requesting Surrey County Council continues to support this event in future years.

http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/s ... -each-year

Just 9 more signatures needed for it to get to Surrey County Council

Boleynboy

Gazzaputt wrote:

Boleynboy wrote:

I have ridden most of the big sportives in the UK and many on the continent and this has to be one of the best organised events I have ever entered.
I parked at the O2 and rode in through the Blackwall Tunnel, after that the signs to the start seemed to disappear, so I followed some other riders along the closed North Circular until we came to the roundabout that was obviously the right turn to get to the start.
Thought the start procedure was very slick, not enough toilets but there never is when 16500 riders need to sort themselves out before they set off!
Thought the standard of riding (considering how many riders were on the road) was very good, a few idiots on the climbs and decents but nothing new there, and I did not see any accidents.
I went round in 5.35 (not sure why some on here are quoting their moving time, it is irrevalent, your time includes any stops, if you stop you incur a time penalty, simple as), which as i started in wave T (I predicted 6 hours so not sure why I ended up there?) I was quite pleased with. To be honest though, I was never really held up anywhere, including Leith Hill, which was busy, but not to the extent that it held me up for any significant amount of time.
I only stopped twice for water and once for food, and compared to other events the hubs were great. I stopped at the Boxhill water stop and did not have a problem because I went and filled my bottles up myself at the taps that had been laid on but no one seemed to be using. Most riders seemed to be happy to wait for someone to fill their bottle for them, odd?
I counted at least ten riders I passed who had bunked onto the course, which I thought was a bit naughty for a closed road event, but for total brazen cheekiness the award goes to a guy who had no numbers showing anywhere on himself or his bike, but finished close to me and collected a medal!
I had planned to ride back to the O2 but the que for the free clipper was not too bad when I got to Blackfriers, so a nice cruise on the Thames back to my van was a great way to finish the day, chatting to fellow tired but happy riders.
For the first one I cannot commend the organises high enough, would love to do it again next yeat but I fear that the ballot will be even bigger with all the positive press the event has rightfully attracted.
Oh, and the BBC coverage of the actual Ride 100 was woeful, the usual banal celebrity interviews and that was about it, very disappointing.

Ah! You were one of those we encountered riding up the A102 into us. Very clever. People doing this nearly caused 2 big wipeouts.

I rode through the Blackwall tunnel and found the signs to the start easy enough to see and so did 100s of others even at 4.30am.

Certainly not me my friend, not one bike went pass me as it must have been a blue wave that had gone off as the other carriage way was packed with bikes, and I hugged the kerb for the whole 5 min that I was on the road, so i would not have got in any one's way anyhow. I did not deliberatley take that route, as I am sure the group of riders in front of me did not either, maybe the brain was not working properly after the 4am start, but once we came out of the tunnel the steward directed us through the traffic lights and everyone I was riding with went the way I did, so many others made the same mistake.
If I had seen any bikes coming toward me I would have hopped off and got off the road, no why would I have continued riding into oncoming riders.
Be careful with your accusations without knowing the full facts.

Boleynboy

Gazzaputt wrote:

5.03.

I was in the first group to leave the park. We had a pace car in front. Very Pro! Was a rapid rate down the A102 and as we passed the A13 turn off i mentioned to the guy with me why was we going into the Blackwall tunnel. Of course we shouldn't have been! There were cars travelling through in one lane! What a fool up!

Turned around once and went back through for the 3rd time that day.

Luckily picked up a good chaingang all the way to Newlands. Saddle came loose so stop to tighten this up.

After there was a lonely ride until Holmbury where I picked another group up.

Leith looked like carnage! Anyway the run up to the A25 up the short climb cramp struck.

And that was it from there rode with cramp the whole way back. Again saddle worked loose so stop at the last hub for a mechanic to torque it up.

Picked a very very rapid chaingaing from there and clawed sometime back for all the stops and detour.

Brilliant event a big thanks to all the marshals and those that manned the feed and drink stops.

So you have a dig at me for losing the signs to the start from the Blackwall tunnel, but you managed to leave the actual route altogether, and re-enter the tunnel, kettle being called a certain shade of grey me thinks?

Gazzaputt

Boleynboy wrote:

Gazzaputt wrote:

5.03.

I was in the first group to leave the park. We had a pace car in front. Very Pro! Was a rapid rate down the A102 and as we passed the A13 turn off i mentioned to the guy with me why was we going into the Blackwall tunnel. Of course we shouldn't have been! There were cars travelling through in one lane! What a fool up!

Turned around once and went back through for the 3rd time that day.

Luckily picked up a good chaingang all the way to Newlands. Saddle came loose so stop to tighten this up.

After there was a lonely ride until Holmbury where I picked another group up.

Leith looked like carnage! Anyway the run up to the A25 up the short climb cramp struck.

And that was it from there rode with cramp the whole way back. Again saddle worked loose so stop at the last hub for a mechanic to torque it up.

Picked a very very rapid chaingaing from there and clawed sometime back for all the stops and detour.

Brilliant event a big thanks to all the marshals and those that manned the feed and drink stops.

So you have a dig at me for losing the signs to the start from the Blackwall tunnel, but you managed to leave the actual route altogether, and re-enter the tunnel, kettle being called a certain shade of grey me thinks?

We was lead into the tunnel by the route car as i was in the first wave to leave at 6.00am. For my troubles I have a free entry for next year in the way of an apology.

Sorry I apologise didn't mean to cast blame directly at you that was wrong. There were a few who riding against an oncoming group who didn't think it wise to get over.

dave milne

no need to stop at all for sub 5 hours I reckon.
I have 3 energy bars, 2 gels and 3 bottles. I kept the 3rd in my back pocket.

Didn't stop for a pee so rode completely non-stop from start to finish

drlodge

dave milne wrote:

no need to stop at all for sub 5 hours I reckon.
I have 3 energy bars, 2 gels and 3 bottles. I kept the 3rd in my back pocket.

Didn't stop for a pee so rode completely non-stop from start to finish

Indeed. I didn't stop - had 2 litres isotonic, flapjack, jelly babies and gels, and managed 4h 59m 15s. JUST managed sub 5 hours! I would have needed more fluids if it had been hotter though.

charlie_potatoes

Maybe Tena will step in and sponsor next year :shock:

Slo Mo Jones

Seeing as how the thread is mainly now discussing urine...

I stopped twice for a pee - once near the start, because I'd drunk a shedload of fluids beforehand to make sure I was fully hydrated, and could have made it to the finish from there. But stopped for a second pee at Wimbledon village so that I could fully enjoy what I knew would be a lovely ride through Putney and into central London. meant I wasn't busting for a pee and just gave the legs two minutes to refresh, allowing a big strong push all the way in. Needed to as both legs were paralysed by cramp.

antfly

I don't know why people queued for horrible loos when there was all that lovely space with trees to pee in. Peeing alfresco is one of life's great pleasures.

chrisaonabike

Slo Mo Jones wrote:

I'd drunk a shedload of fluids beforehand to make sure I was fully hydrated

I specifically avoided this. Didn't see the point - if you drink more than you need, the excess just goes into your bladder where does you no good, and is just weight to carry.

I had a cup of coffee and some water with breakfast at 6am, and a final pee before leaving for the QEOP at 6.30. I then didn't pee till about 5.30.

I got through about 3.5 litres of fluid during the ride. I just had a couple of mouthfuls every mile or so.

Anonymous

Slo Mo Jones wrote:

Seeing as how the thread is mainly now discussing urine...

I stopped twice for a pee - once near the start, because I'd drunk a shedload of fluids beforehand to make sure I was fully hydrated, and could have made it to the finish from there. But stopped for a second pee at Wimbledon village so that I could fully enjoy what I knew would be a lovely ride through Putney and into central London. meant I wasn't busting for a pee and just gave the legs two minutes to refresh, allowing a big strong push all the way in. Needed to as both legs were paralysed by cramp.

You cannot be fully hydrated no matter how much you drink on the day. It takes days for your body to absorb the water so you needed to start Thursday.

Over drinking on the day just adds weight and means you need to wee.

pease

Anybody else get a 'free photo' email from marathon photos ? The link to the pics doesn't give and free picture option ?

antfly

Yeah, it's just the certificate that's free.

Anonymous

You get one for the FreeCycle, but Sundays event was just a certificate I think.

If I had known they were video'ing sections I would have done a few sprints and generally made more of an effort to look good, then bought some.

As it is I am saving up for next years event in case the ballot goes pear shaped again.

Slo Mo Jones

Carbonator wrote:

Slo Mo Jones wrote:

Seeing as how the thread is mainly now discussing urine...

I stopped twice for a pee - once near the start, because I'd drunk a shedload of fluids beforehand to make sure I was fully hydrated, and could have made it to the finish from there. But stopped for a second pee at Wimbledon village so that I could fully enjoy what I knew would be a lovely ride through Putney and into central London. meant I wasn't busting for a pee and just gave the legs two minutes to refresh, allowing a big strong push all the way in. Needed to as both legs were paralysed by cramp.

You cannot be fully hydrated no matter how much you drink on the day. It takes days for your body to absorb the water so you needed to start Thursday.

Over drinking on the day just adds weight and means you need to wee.

Thanks for that, Professor.

I didn't say "only immediately beforehand".

Anonymous

Slo Mo Jones wrote:

Carbonator wrote:

Slo Mo Jones wrote:

Seeing as how the thread is mainly now discussing urine...

I stopped twice for a pee - once near the start, because I'd drunk a shedload of fluids beforehand to make sure I was fully hydrated, and could have made it to the finish from there. But stopped for a second pee at Wimbledon village so that I could fully enjoy what I knew would be a lovely ride through Putney and into central London. meant I wasn't busting for a pee and just gave the legs two minutes to refresh, allowing a big strong push all the way in. Needed to as both legs were paralysed by cramp.

You cannot be fully hydrated no matter how much you drink on the day. It takes days for your body to absorb the water so you needed to start Thursday.

Over drinking on the day just adds weight and means you need to wee.

Thanks for that, Professor.

I didn't say "only immediately beforehand".

Only trying to help :roll:

You still had to stop twice for a wee though so some tuition seems to be required

Boleynboy

Gazzaputt wrote:

Boleynboy wrote:

Gazzaputt wrote:

5.03.

I was in the first group to leave the park. We had a pace car in front. Very Pro! Was a rapid rate down the A102 and as we passed the A13 turn off i mentioned to the guy with me why was we going into the Blackwall tunnel. Of course we shouldn't have been! There were cars travelling through in one lane! What a fool up!

Turned around once and went back through for the 3rd time that day.

Luckily picked up a good chaingang all the way to Newlands. Saddle came loose so stop to tighten this up.

After there was a lonely ride until Holmbury where I picked another group up.

Leith looked like carnage! Anyway the run up to the A25 up the short climb cramp struck.

And that was it from there rode with cramp the whole way back. Again saddle worked loose so stop at the last hub for a mechanic to torque it up.

Picked a very very rapid chaingaing from there and clawed sometime back for all the stops and detour.

Brilliant event a big thanks to all the marshals and those that manned the feed and drink stops.

So you have a dig at me for losing the signs to the start from the Blackwall tunnel, but you managed to leave the actual route altogether, and re-enter the tunnel, kettle being called a certain shade of grey me thinks?

We was lead into the tunnel by the route car as i was in the first wave to leave at 6.00am. For my troubles I have a free entry for next year in the way of an apology.

Sorry I apologise didn't mean to cast blame directly at you that was wrong. There were a few who riding against an oncoming group who didn't think it wise to get over.

No worries, thank you for the apology (a rare thing on any forum!) Why anyone would have carried on riding into a huge peloton coming towards them is beyond me, madness! And you do not have to worry about the ballot for next year, happy days for you!

soveda

I enjoyed it, happy with 7:10 as I was aiming for 8 hrs. I really want to echo the disappointment at the littering of gel packets- looked dreadful. I was in wave P and found that the majority of people rode courteously and safely. Some wheel sucking but never mind. I thought the stops would be quicker for water so I used smaller bottles and foolishly stopped at newlands which really was ridiculously slow.
Leith wasn't as bad as I expected and Box Hill was quite pleasant really.
Saw one chap doing the ride fixed with standard road fixed ratio :shock:

IanREmery

Not as much a "story of my day", more a major brain dump of all my memories of the day. I wrote this on the Monday morning, before I started to forget everything:

The inaugural RideLondon100, my first century ride.

3:45am alarm call. Needn't have bothered, I was wide awake half hour beforehand.
Found a couple wheeling roadbikes out of the hotel "are you heading to Olympic Park or just out for a jolly?!"
Between My Garmin and their map reading skills we found our way to the Olympic Park whilst it was still pretty dark.

What a place, utterly incredible, the stadium looks stunning, the orbital is beautiful and watching the sun rise over the Velodrome will live with me forever.

Slightly overcome with the excitement and inspiration of it all, not helped when the first song blasted out over the tannoy was One Day Like This by Elbow, which we played at the end of our wedding last November.

The Logistics, loading of cyclists into the bays and everything was absolutely seamless. After a bit of a wait we were off, cycling into the EMPTY ROADS of London.
That was bloody surreal, for the first 20 miles I had to resist the urge to touch the brakes when approaching red lights...

Canary Wharf, Billingsgate Fish Market (smelt funny), on dual carriageways, it was like something out of a zombie movie. Surreal. The whole road to ourselves, the only sound was that of wheels turning at speed, echoing beautifully in the ridiculously long tunnels we were wizzing through at about 20mph. Into central London, along the Thames, past Harrods, through Trafalgar Square. People cheering us even before 7am on a Sunday morning. Mind officially blown. I love human beings!

Into Richmond Park, my god that's a beautiful place. No wonder all the London cyclists love it so much. Gorgeous gentle hills, smooth roads and gentle inclines. Through the exit far too quickly. Quick stop at the amazing Hampton Court Palace for a wee, to think that Sir Bradley Wiggins sat on his gold throne (fnar) barely a year ago.

We hit the 40 mile mark before we knew it, averaged almost 19mph at that point without really pushing myself too hard. Country roads and long gentle inclines slow the pace a little. Half way point is hit, then the first climb at Newlands Corner. Not a gentle hill, but not a particularly steep one either. Left the bike in first or second gear and just kept the pedals turning, concentrating on steady breathing and was at Hub 2 at the top in no time. Stunning views, quick munchies and fluid and the most wonderful smooth and fast descent.

Before too long, we hit Leith Hill. Or rather, it hit us. Never seemed to end, in and out of the trees, temperature rising 20 degrees (well it felt like it anyway) each time the sun hit us. Most surreal of all, the helicoptor hovering overhead for the whole climb. Felt like I was in the Tour of Britain. The climb really hurt, ramped up about 3 times and went on forever. At one point I looked at my Garmin and my heart rate was 177bpm. I've never seen it that high before. I stopped looking at my Garmin at that point and just looked at the road. Still don't quite know how I managed it, but I conquered the climb.

Leith Hill descent, particularly the second half through the trees and rocks, was terrifying. Averaged 22mph down that, amazed I had any brakes left to be honest. A lovely section between Leith and Box Hill saw me hit 40mph (a very rare occurance for me!), and the ride up Box Hill was simply fantastic. Gentle incline, wonderful views and the smoothest road I've ever seen in my entire life. Just about managed to avoid a collision when some bloke rammed another up the rear at 5mph, surreal. Wonderful views from the top, gorgeous sunshine, incredible support from hundreds lining the route, can this day get any better?!

Fast section followed, through Dorking and Cobham, before I stopped at a water stop at Sandown Park in Esher, with less than 20 miles left. Decided to wait for my best man Ade, who had a start time nearly 2 hours ahead of me. He arrived about an hour later, obviously he had been pushing it! We were both feeling rather sore by this point (I think everyone was to be honest) so initial plan was to cruise in and take it easy. I think we still averaged about 18mph all the way in. So much for taking it easy...

Crowds lining the road were getting bigger the closer we got into London. Putney was incredible, probably thousands of people cheering us, bands playing, DJs blaring music, the works. Unbelievable. Playing up to the crowd was hilarious. A quick blast along the Thames again, quick photo of Battersea Power Station (we're both Pink Floyd fans), through Parliament Square, turn left at the Houses of Parliament, and then the most incredible finish along the Mall, finished about three minutes behind Boris Johnson apparently. Never ever forgotten.

antfly

Did anyone else suffer from existential angst during the ride ? After about 70 miles, on the flat bit coming back in to London, I got a bit bored and wondered what the hell I was doing there.

b4ssy

Just a quick question:

There was a sweet milk-like recovery drink in the goodie bag. Could someone tell me please the brand name of this drink.

Thanks

Stedman

I observed three crashes occurring which were all on uphill sections of the course, two of them occurred due to wheel touching incidents and the third occurred on Wimbledon Hill when one cyclist simply moved directly across into a whole group just to avoid a traffic island.

Someone even told me about an incident where one rider came off when they clipped their peddle on a curb after doing a high five with a pedestrian!

My concern is how do we develop the necessary group riding competence for the new generation of fast cyclists taking part in events like the RL 100 if they are not being specifically coached in these skills at club level?

drlodge

antfly wrote:

Did anyone else suffer from existential angst during the ride ? After about 70 miles, on the flat bit coming back in to London, I got a bit bored and wondered what the hell I was doing there.

No...I got a litle emotional.

chrisaonabike

antfly wrote:

Did anyone else suffer from existential angst during the ride ? After about 70 miles, on the flat bit coming back in to London, I got a bit bored and wondered what the hell I was doing there.

Are you nuts??

I loved the last 30 miles. Loads of people shouting encouragement, a tail wind, all the dangerous bits behind (well, more or less).

I'd taken it fairly easy round the first 70 miles, since I hadn't known what to expect - so I had quite a bit left in the tank. By my standards, I was absolutely flying for that last section, it was marvellous - I almost didn't want it to end.

And as I saw Admiralty Arch in front of me, I got a little bit choked up - I couldn't quite believe it all.

IanREmery

drlodge wrote:

antfly wrote:

Did anyone else suffer from existential angst during the ride ? After about 70 miles, on the flat bit coming back in to London, I got a bit bored and wondered what the hell I was doing there.

No...I got a litle emotional.

Glad it wasn't just me who got a smidge emotional. I was shaking when I crossed the finish line. Partly adrenaline and massive endorphin rush, partly stopping the tears from flowing.

antfly

The feeling of angst was only fleeting. I really enjoyed coming in to London with the cheering crowds but I can't say I got emotional.

Shackster

IanREmery wrote:

drlodge wrote:

antfly wrote:

Did anyone else suffer from existential angst during the ride ? After about 70 miles, on the flat bit coming back in to London, I got a bit bored and wondered what the hell I was doing there.

No...I got a litle emotional.

Glad it wasn't just me who got a smidge emotional. I was shaking when I crossed the finish line. Partly adrenaline and massive endorphin rush, partly stopping the tears from flowing.

Huge +1 to that. I realised after Leith Hill that I was going to comfortably beat my target of 6 hours (5:42), which meant that one of my sponsors had to cough up another £100. That, together with the sheer experience of seemingly flying the last 20 miles, was just overwhelming. In those last miles I just kept getting waves of something flooding through me, adrenaline I guess, like a huge rush. Very shaky with emotion as I raced up The Mall and over the line, with a slightly over-exuberant air-punching as I finished. Bit embarrassing looking at the photo now, but what the hell.

This was a little different to your average sportive.