Ride London 2014

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  • chrisaonabike
    chrisaonabike Posts: 1,914
    sherer wrote:
    went to the show to register last night. Didn't think it was as good as last year but enjoyed the free non alcoholic beer which was surprisingly good.
    Yes, me too. I quite liked the beer too (Erdinger). I'd probably even buy it, in fact, maybe alternate with some proper stuff.

    I thought the show was pants, frankly. Not much in the way of freebies (High 5 and SiS in particular weren't giving anything away which I thought was pathetic, both because High 5 are sponsoring the ride and SiS aren't). Even the food samplers were very thin on the ground.

    There was the usual crop of blingy bikes and clothes if you wanted to flash the cash (and amusingly, Wiggle seemed to be attracting a lot of interest in their rain gear), but unless you were prepared to do a lot of ferreting about, there wasn't much in the way of obvious price incentive.
    Is the gorilla tired yet?
  • wallace_and_gromit
    wallace_and_gromit Posts: 3,696
    Dippydog2 wrote:
    It would be nice if they could tell us what these contingencies are.

    I guess this will be a lot of folk round the course with foil blankets to ward off hypothermia for riders who have stopped, and directions for short-cuts home!

    The conditions sound decidedly unpleasant, though manageable. I recall a "Reliability Ride" earlier this year where the temperature never got above 4C all day and horizontal rain was lashing throughout. As it was winter, we all set off togged up like extras from "The Day After Tomorrow" with neoprene gloves etc. and got round OK. A few people did have to bail out after mechanicals, as one had to be pedalling hard to keep warm.

    I guess the issue for Sunday is that folk will be expecting more summer-like conditions (and it doesn't sound too cold, thankfully) and there will be a lot of relatively inexperienced (in terms of dealing with dire weather) riders takin part.
  • Cartebleu
    Cartebleu Posts: 20
    Moral dilemma. Do I wear a waterproof over my shirt thus hiding the charity's name? You could argue this is a bit disrespectful to the charity and their supporters along the route, or do I just get wet?
  • sherer
    sherer Posts: 2,460
    m plan is more based on the temp I can cope with being wet but not great at being cold. Will possibly start with arm and leg warmers and have a rain cape as well.

    Was looking at getting a gilet too but didn't really like any of the ones they had at the show they were too baggy.

    Issue I have with my charity top is it doesn't fit so wearing Saxo Tinkoff instead as that fits me perfectly
  • deswahriff
    deswahriff Posts: 310
    ..I'm just taking a brolly....

    ...I reckon worst case scenario, if there's danger of branches or indeed trees coming down, they might have to re-route to avoid the more tree-covered parts - that's Surrey out, then!
    We had a blustery old day for the Kentish Killer back in Spring this year, though of course the trees were all bare back then, and it stayed dry, so was actually an ok ride...
    Don't suppose we'll have an accurate picture 'till tomorrow afternoon - fitted my 4 Seasons, not planning on the cruds, and taking lots of dry clothes in the kit bag, plus another load in the car when I get soaked again riding from Green park to London Bridge!
  • deswahriff
    deswahriff Posts: 310
    Cartebleu wrote:
    Moral dilemma. Do I wear a waterproof over my shirt thus hiding the charity's name? You could argue this is a bit disrespectful to the charity and their supporters along the route, or do I just get wet?

    ...if it rains, you'll want your waterproof (unless you're Geraint Thomas)...its not likely to rain for the whole day so you should be able to show off your charity top more often than not...
  • KnightOfTheLongTights
    KnightOfTheLongTights Posts: 1,415
    I never wear a waterproof outside of the colder months - just too warm and sweaty.
    Windproof, if anything at all IMHO. Or better still don't worry about it - it's midsummer. :wink:
    Looks like weather is OK earlier on - if you're out at 6.30 and in by 11.30, then you'll miss the worst, according to current forecast.
  • HertsG
    HertsG Posts: 129
    I'm returning my charity shirt to the charity's stand at the show this afternoon - it simply doesn't fit my, hem, larger frame.

    I figure that the good work comes from raising a stack of cash for the charity, not wearing their shirt around the lanes.

    I, too, have a wardrobe dilemma. I can't stand being too hot but the Surrey ambient is forecast to be 17-18C. If I'm also wet, there'd be a bit of wind-chill too. I might have to wear the woolly my Gran knitted.
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,334
    HertsG wrote:
    I'm returning my charity shirt to the charity's stand at the show this afternoon - it simply doesn't fit my, hem, larger frame.

    I figure that the good work comes from raising a stack of cash for the charity, not wearing their shirt around the lanes.

    If they were serious about chairty, they would cut the goodie bag and all that crap... but they are just interested in advertising themselves and be seen being charitable.

    Use it as a rag to wipe the chain clean
    left the forum March 2023
  • HertsG
    HertsG Posts: 129
    Update from the Met Office:


    "There is the potential for severe weather over much of the UK during Sunday as a depression tracks over, or close to, the UK. There continues to be a great deal of uncertainty in the forecast but the public should be aware of the risk of flooding due to heavy rain as well as very strong winds and large waves, particularly on the southern side of the depression. Given the unseasonable nature of the weather this could be sufficient to disrupt transport and make outdoor activities dangerous.

    This is a particularly volatile situation, and this alert is likely to be updated as the event approaches. The public are advised to keep up to date with the latest forecasts and alerts through the weekend. The remains of hurricane Bertha, over the mid-Atlantic on Friday morning, are now changing to a attain the characteristics of a mid-latitude depression, albeit with very warm air wrapped up within it. This feature looks to move towards the UK before deepening rapidly on Saturday night and Sunday morning. The transition from a tropical to an extra-tropical feature is a particularly hard one to forecast but there is increasing confidence that this feature will affect the UK, though with very large uncertainty remaining over the track and intensity.

    There is the potential for rainfall totals of more than 50 mm in places and coastal gusts of over 60 mph, along with large waves. The locations affected are very dependent on the track of the low but the heaviest rainfall is thought most likely around and to the northwest of the low centre whilst the strongest winds are most likely around the southern flank of the low.     "
  • birdie23
    birdie23 Posts: 457
    deswahriff wrote:
    Cartebleu wrote:
    Moral dilemma. Do I wear a waterproof over my shirt thus hiding the charity's name? You could argue this is a bit disrespectful to the charity and their supporters along the route, or do I just get wet?

    ...if it rains, you'll want your waterproof (unless you're Geraint Thomas)...its not likely to rain for the whole day so you should be able to show off your charity top more often than not...

    You will not want to wear a waterproof on Sunday. It's going to be mild temperature wise and you will get as wet in sweat as you would from the rain.
    2012 Cube Agree GTC
  • birdie23
    birdie23 Posts: 457
    HertsG wrote:
    Update from the Met Office:


    "There is the potential for severe weather over much of the UK during Sunday as a depression tracks over, or close to, the UK. There continues to be a great deal of uncertainty in the forecast but the public should be aware of the risk of flooding due to heavy rain as well as very strong winds and large waves, particularly on the southern side of the depression. Given the unseasonable nature of the weather this could be sufficient to disrupt transport and make outdoor activities dangerous.

    This is a particularly volatile situation, and this alert is likely to be updated as the event approaches. The public are advised to keep up to date with the latest forecasts and alerts through the weekend. The remains of hurricane Bertha, over the mid-Atlantic on Friday morning, are now changing to a attain the characteristics of a mid-latitude depression, albeit with very warm air wrapped up within it. This feature looks to move towards the UK before deepening rapidly on Saturday night and Sunday morning. The transition from a tropical to an extra-tropical feature is a particularly hard one to forecast but there is increasing confidence that this feature will affect the UK, though with very large uncertainty remaining over the track and intensity.

    There is the potential for rainfall totals of more than 50 mm in places and coastal gusts of over 60 mph, along with large waves. The locations affected are very dependent on the track of the low but the heaviest rainfall is thought most likely around and to the northwest of the low centre whilst the strongest winds are most likely around the southern flank of the low.     "

    And also from the Met, no gusts over 20mph forecast until after 4pm.

    In my opinion there's a lot of fuss being made here about a day that's going to be slightly breezy (certainly not windy in the early morning), a bit wet, reasonably humid and 16°C.

    At worst you'll want arm warmers and a gilet.
    2012 Cube Agree GTC
  • ContrelaMontre
    ContrelaMontre Posts: 3,027
    birdie23 wrote:
    And also from the Met, no gusts over 20mph forecast until after 4pm.

    In my opinion there's a lot of fuss being made here about a day that's going to be slightly breezy (certainly not windy in the early morning), a bit wet, reasonably humid and 16°C.

    At worst you'll want arm warmers and a gilet.

    Just happened to click on your Strava and noted your location. Do you mind me asking how you are getting to the start as I am just down the road from you and wondered about a lift share?
    Rule No.10 // It never gets easier, you just go faster
  • Cartebleu
    Cartebleu Posts: 20
    Thanks for the replies. I'll probably leave the waterproof at home.

    BTW, anyone watched stage 1 of the Tour of Poland? This could be similar :shock:
  • birdie23
    birdie23 Posts: 457
    Just happened to click on your Strava and noted your location. Do you mind me asking how you are getting to the start as I am just down the road from you and wondered about a lift share?

    I'm staying in the Finsbury Park area on Saturday night.

    I don't currently have a car so I was finding getting to the start a nightmare to organise!

    Sorry I can't be more helpful.
    2012 Cube Agree GTC
  • ContrelaMontre
    ContrelaMontre Posts: 3,027
    birdie23 wrote:
    Just happened to click on your Strava and noted your location. Do you mind me asking how you are getting to the start as I am just down the road from you and wondered about a lift share?

    I'm staying in the Finsbury Park area on Saturday night.

    I don't currently have a car so I was finding getting to the start a nightmare to organise!

    Sorry I can't be more helpful.

    Ah bummer! It's just such a fag. My organisation is a bit last minute as I may be riding as someone who has wussed out :roll:
    Rule No.10 // It never gets easier, you just go faster
  • stuart_c-2
    stuart_c-2 Posts: 805
    Hi all,

    Potentially odd question.

    My brother and I will be driving to the Barbican NCP car park and heading to the start from there. As it is a multi-storey, does anyone with experience know if there are any height restrictions in the car park? I'm just imagining a queue of people having to take their bikes off the roof last minute to get inside the carpark.

    Thanks

    Stuart
    "I ride to eat"
  • surrey_commuter
    surrey_commuter Posts: 18,867
    Stuart_C wrote:
    Hi all,

    Potentially odd question.

    My brother and I will be driving to the Barbican NCP car park and heading to the start from there. As it is a multi-storey, does anyone with experience know if there are any height restrictions in the car park? I'm just imagining a queue of people having to take their bikes off the roof last minute to get inside the carpark.

    Thanks

    Stuart

    max height 1.98 metres (6 foot in old money)
    http://www.ncp.co.uk/find-a-car-park/ca ... ldersgate/
  • DHA987S
    DHA987S Posts: 284
    Registration was very hassle free this morning. Even spotted Stephen Roche there.

    Question about the number. Should I stick it on my jersey even though my gillet will be covering it? Do you think that will be an issue?
  • hangeron
    hangeron Posts: 127
    These large waves in the Met Office forecast...I'm a bit concerned my tyres might not be able to cope...do i need a fatbike?
  • deswahriff
    deswahriff Posts: 310
    ..take it you've all got your "warning" email...? ....seem to be missing the point that its not actually going to be cold?..
  • narbs
    narbs Posts: 593
    deswahriff wrote:
    ..take it you've all got your "warning" email...? ....seem to be missing the point that its not actually going to be cold?..

    It's so over the top it's hilarious.

    Base layer, leg warmers and long fingered gloves. It'll be nearly 20 degrees not Flanders in February.
  • hangeron
    hangeron Posts: 127
    It's the remnants of a "tropical" storm..

    Mankini and a casquette to keep the rain our of your eyes
  • birdie23
    birdie23 Posts: 457
    deswahriff wrote:
    ..take it you've all got your "warning" email...? ....seem to be missing the point that its not actually going to be cold?..

    I had a good laugh.

    I've just been out for 25ish miles to loosen the legs. It was raining on and off but I was dripping with sweat anyway. So humid today. Garmin says average temp was 24C... Won't be wearing long fingered gloves if it's like that!
    2012 Cube Agree GTC
  • sherer
    sherer Posts: 2,460
    anyone record this with Strava on an iPhone last year ?

    Recorded half the route as didn't want the phone to run out and wanted some pics at the end of the race. Just wondering if anyone got the battery to last the full 100 miles
  • Rodu
    Rodu Posts: 16
    DHA987S wrote:
    Registration was very hassle free this morning. Even spotted Stephen Roche there.

    You mean the guy decked out in gear emblazened with 'Stephen Roche, Stephen Roche, Stephen Roche, Stephen Roche...' :D
  • Mikey23
    Mikey23 Posts: 5,306
    That would be old george the village idiot then...
  • wallace_and_gromit
    wallace_and_gromit Posts: 3,696
    So a headwarmer and neoprene overshoes might be a bit OTT then?
  • sherer
    sherer Posts: 2,460
    Wallace and Gromit wrote:
    So a headwarmer and neoprene overshoes might be a bit OTT then?


    im wearing full winter gear now :mrgreen:
  • surrey_commuter
    surrey_commuter Posts: 18,867
    birdie23 wrote:
    deswahriff wrote:
    ..take it you've all got your "warning" email...? ....seem to be missing the point that its not actually going to be cold?..

    I had a good laugh.

    I've just been out for 25ish miles to loosen the legs. It was raining on and off but I was dripping with sweat anyway. So humid today. Garmin says average temp was 24C... Won't be wearing long fingered gloves if it's like that!

    massive case of ass covering but all they are doing is scaring inexperienced riders who think they are going to get hit by a falling tree and die of hypothermia in the wilds of Surrey.

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