Ride London 2015
Comments
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is there parking at the O2 arena this year? I haven't heard anything yet.1998 Kona Cindercone in singlespeed commute spec
2013 Cannondale Caadx 1x10
2004 Giant TCR0 -
Leith Hill and Box Hill
How "tough" are they? Local comparators for me are the Chilterns!
They're a lot like the climbs in the chilterns, just with about 50% more overall elevation, so they go on longer.
Box is easier, with the caveat that if it is hot and sunny on the day you are exposed, so keeping a cool head is part of the challenge - the first time I rode up box hill, it was a hot summers day and I decided for some reason it was very important to change the display on my bike computer (probably to break up the grind of the long steady incline) and ended up falling onto the grass bank, which was embarrassing more than anything else. Focus on the road, keep the pedals turning and you'll get there!
Leith is a lot more like what you find in the chilterns, narrow tree lined lane, steep elevation in places, slightly dodgy surface, lots of risk from walking riders if you're later in the ride - I was glad of my triple on the Evans KOTD sportive as it meant I could navigate around them in the granny ring, cadence would have been very uncomfortable otherwise.
Neither of them are killer in terms of gradient, so long as you've got your training in you'll be just fine. I've been on several much more ridiculous slopes in the Chilterns.
agree with this. I'm not the strongest rider in the world and Box is an easy hill to do. It goes on for a bit but you set a rhythm and stick to it. Newlands and Leith were harder but again you can manage them as neither are particularly long. Got out the saddle on Newlands and Leith, Box is just sit down and keep turning the pedals.0 -
Leith Hill and Box Hill
How "tough" are they? Local comparators for me are the Chilterns!
They're a lot like the climbs in the chilterns, just with about 50% more overall elevation, so they go on longer.
Box is easier, with the caveat that if it is hot and sunny on the day you are exposed, so keeping a cool head is part of the challenge - the first time I rode up box hill, it was a hot summers day and I decided for some reason it was very important to change the display on my bike computer (probably to break up the grind of the long steady incline) and ended up falling onto the grass bank, which was embarrassing more than anything else. Focus on the road, keep the pedals turning and you'll get there!
Leith is a lot more like what you find in the chilterns, narrow tree lined lane, steep elevation in places, slightly dodgy surface, lots of risk from walking riders if you're later in the ride - I was glad of my triple on the Evans KOTD sportive as it meant I could navigate around them in the granny ring, cadence would have been very uncomfortable otherwise.
Neither of them are killer in terms of gradient, so long as you've got your training in you'll be just fine. I've been on several much more ridiculous slopes in the Chilterns.
agree with this. I'm not the strongest rider in the world and Box is an easy hill to do. It goes on for a bit but you set a rhythm and stick to it. Newlands and Leith were harder but again you can manage them as neither are particularly long. Got out the saddle on Newlands and Leith, Box is just sit down and keep turning the pedals.
Newlands may surprise you as it immediately ramps up and then flattens down after you have changed down your gears. Leith ramps up after 60% and then another two times to the top. Box Hill is very steady (and smooth). The Hill to watch is Wimbledon Hill towards the end when your legs are full of lactic acid!0 -
yes I did find Wimbledon to be the toughest but that is prob more the mileage already in the legs than anything else, think I was out of the saddle the whole way on that one.0
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yes I did find Wimbledon to be the toughest but that is prob more the mileage already in the legs than anything else, think I was out of the saddle the whole way on that one.
that has to be between the ears as it really is not that long or steep. If you know it is there then it is not a problem.0 -
On a fresh set of legs on a club run, I would totally agree with you, however in 2013, this was the hill that surprised many riders and received many comments. Last year I managed to big ring this hill on a 52 ring, however we were excused both Leith and Box Hills and my legs were much fresher![url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19623866#p19623866]Surrey Commuter[/url] wrote:yes I did find Wimbledon to be the toughest but that is prob more the mileage already in the legs than anything else, think I was out of the saddle the whole way on that one.
that has to be between the ears as it really is not that long or steep. If you know it is there then it is not a problem.
If you look at the profile on; http://www.prudentialridelondon.co.uk/Assets/London+Marathon+Digital+Assets/Prudential+RideLondon-Surrey+100+2015+Route+Profile+Map.pdf This has Richmond Park Sawers Hill as a more physically demanding hill and puts this in the same catagree as Newlands, Leith and Box Hill, however I have not found that to be the case.0 -
Leith Hill and Box Hill
How "tough" are they? Local comparators for me are the Chilterns!
They're a lot like the climbs in the chilterns, just with about 50% more overall elevation, so they go on longer....
Neither of them are killer in terms of gradient, so long as you've got your training in you'll be just fine. I've been on several much more ridiculous slopes in the Chilterns.
I'm hoping the ridiculous Chiltern climbs include my nemesis, Whiteleaf; I can cope with The Crong (which is stupidly steep but short). Dunsmore Hill is nasty single track and long; if it's like that then I'm dooooooomed!!!!
There's another one (can't recall name) on the IRHH Chiltern Challenge which is just a loony 25-33% thing which is hard even to walk up: literally, one in ten makes it up (and then collapses/spews/both). I'm guessing neither Leith nor Box are that bad.
It's just a hill. Get over it.0 -
Box Hill is very steady (and smooth). The Hill to watch is Wimbledon Hill towards the end when your legs are full of lactic acid!
I last did it in 2013 on the first RL, I was caught out by the fact they added the speed bumps compared to when I rode it post-Olympics in 2012; it just put you off your rhythm a little. It's not hard compared to going to Wales really.
Leith on the day will be about managing traffic on it; in 2013, it was about people cramming the road and having to go slower than you would have liked.
Has anyone had any notification about car parks yet?0 -
I rode in 2013 too. I found Wimbledon hill to be the hardest just as its towards the end on the route.
I emailed the organisers last week and we should get an email about parking by the end of June. Planning to park at the O2 if possible.
Looking forward to riding this year.1998 Kona Cindercone in singlespeed commute spec
2013 Cannondale Caadx 1x10
2004 Giant TCR0 -
I'm hoping the ridiculous Chiltern climbs include my nemesis, Whiteleaf; I can cope with The Crong (which is stupidly steep but short). Dunsmore Hill is nasty single track and long; if it's like that then I'm dooooooomed!!!!
There's another one (can't recall name) on the IRHH Chiltern Challenge which is just a loony 25-33% thing which is hard even to walk up: literally, one in ten makes it up (and then collapses/spews/both). I'm guessing neither Leith nor Box are that bad.
Chiltern local and recce'd the Surrey Hills part of the course yesterday.
It was easier than expected. Newlands is like any number of modest hills around the Chilterns, Holmbury's a false flat, we went up at nearly 19's without really pushing as we weren't sure if there'd be a kick up, there wasn't. Leith is a decent hill, there are a couple of steep sections but they're short, Kop from PR, Whiteleaf and Kingston Hill are all tougher IMO and Box as people have already indicated is a just a steady rise. Box did surprise though as it's longer than expected.
If you're comfortable riding around in the Chiltern Hills you'll have nothing to worry about (unless you go hell for leather and are done by the time you get to Ripley!)
Good luck on the day0 -
I'm hoping the ridiculous Chiltern climbs include my nemesis, Whiteleaf; I can cope with The Crong (which is stupidly steep but short). Dunsmore Hill is nasty single track and long; if it's like that then I'm dooooooomed!!!!
There's another one (can't recall name) on the IRHH Chiltern Challenge which is just a loony 25-33% thing which is hard even to walk up: literally, one in ten makes it up (and then collapses/spews/both). I'm guessing neither Leith nor Box are that bad.
Chiltern local and recce'd the Surrey Hills part of the course yesterday.
It was easier than expected. Newlands is like any number of modest hills around the Chilterns, Holmbury's a false flat, we went up at nearly 19's without really pushing as we weren't sure if there'd be a kick up, there wasn't. Leith is a decent hill, there are a couple of steep sections but they're short, Kop from PR, Whiteleaf and Kingston Hill are all tougher IMO and Box as people have already indicated is a just a steady rise. Box did surprise though as it's longer than expected.
If you're comfortable riding around in the Chiltern Hills you'll have nothing to worry about (unless you go hell for leather and are done by the time you get to Ripley!)
Good luck on the day
Thanks - Kingston Hill - probably know it but not by that name? The Kop and Whiteleaf are on my "to do" list, currently gravity defeats me on those two!
It's just a hill. Get over it.0 -
Thanks - Kingston Hill - probably know it but not by that name? The Kop and Whiteleaf are on my "to do" list, currently gravity defeats me on those two!
If you head from Chinnor along the Chinnor Rd toward the M40 you go through Kingston Blout, there's a left as you leave the village, take that and there's a half mile straight to the base of the climb. Once it begins to kick up it does so steeply and stays steep for quiet a way finally joining the A40 where you can go left for Stokenchurch straight for Christmas Common or right to head back down Aston Hill and back to the Chinnor Rd.0 -
Thanks - Kingston Hill - probably know it but not by that name? The Kop and Whiteleaf are on my "to do" list, currently gravity defeats me on those two!
If you head from Chinnor along the Chinnor Rd toward the M40 you go through Kingston Blout, there's a left as you leave the village, take that and there's a half mile straight to the base of the climb. Once it begins to kick up it does so steeply and stays steep for quiet a way finally joining the A40 where you can go left for Stokenchurch straight for Christmas Common or right to head back down Aston Hill and back to the Chinnor Rd.
Oh, THAT hill.
Been there, done it :twisted:. Big bu99er, isn't it?
It's just a hill. Get over it.0 -
When did the start times get announced last year?0
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When did the start times get announced last year?
Been emailing to update my address and got the below:
"Start and travel information will be sent to you by the end of June. Final information will be sent in July"0 -
If you head from Chinnor along the Chinnor Rd toward the M40 you go through Kingston Blout, there's a left as you leave the village, take that and there's a half mile straight to the base of the climb. Once it begins to kick up it does so steeply and stays steep for quiet a way finally joining the A40 where you can go left for Stokenchurch straight for Christmas Common or right to head back down Aston Hill and back to the Chinnor Rd.
Yet Simon Warren gives it a rather ungenerous 2/10...
KIngston Blount is not overly difficult per se... it becomes hard when it's preceded by another dozen similar climbs in the Chiltern 100 sportiveleft the forum March 20230 -
If you head from Chinnor along the Chinnor Rd toward the M40 you go through Kingston Blout, there's a left as you leave the village, take that and there's a half mile straight to the base of the climb. Once it begins to kick up it does so steeply and stays steep for quiet a way finally joining the A40 where you can go left for Stokenchurch straight for Christmas Common or right to head back down Aston Hill and back to the Chinnor Rd.
Yet Simon Warren gives it a rather ungenerous 2/10...
KIngston Blount is not overly difficult per se... it becomes hard when it's preceded by another dozen similar climbs in the Chiltern 100 sportive
2/10, that'll set some a false sense of security!
While it's an easy enough hill to get over and not that long it's not the easiest to ride hard as there's no let up. Even the likes of Whiteleaf and Kop ease off and let you recover at times, once it gets going Kingston's got you until the top. Also, like you say, around here it's usually preceded by one or two other stiff tests.
I thought Leith pretty comfortable compared to it. Perhaps SW was on a good day!0 -
I know this is quickly turning into the worlds longest thread so apologies for asking another question, but is there anywhere I can download the actual route, featuring the road names, for the ride?
I have found this:
http://www.prudentialridelondon.co.uk/Assets/London+Marathon+Digital+Assets/Prudential+RideLondon-Surrey+100+2015+Route+Profile+Map.pdf
And while it gives village names etc, I'd like the actual road name info.
I live local enough to be able to practice on some of the route so wouldn't mind attempting bits of it before the ride and I'd prefer to head out on the roads we'll be using on the day..
If someone did it last year and has it on Strava that would be ideal so I could use that info to plot my own route..thanks in advance,0 -
On their site, on the 'Route' page they also have a google map with the route outlined:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?ll=51.376924,-0.255432&t=p&source=embed&ie=UTF8&msa=0&spn=0.822916,1.757813&z=9&mid=zcTqpX-KiqzY.k-gITiZ5mV4E0 -
On their site, on the 'Route' page they also have a google map with the route outlined:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?ll=51.376924,-0.255432&t=p&source=embed&ie=UTF8&msa=0&spn=0.822916,1.757813&z=9&mid=zcTqpX-KiqzY.k-gITiZ5mV4E
Aha, thanks! That looks just the job!0 -
Expo is not at all near the start.
What rubbish! It's about 4 miles, so a 15 minute ride. Loads of riders stop at Excel, even the pro's! You can also take your bike on the DLR to get back after the finish if needed.
If 4 miles is too far, I think some one has entered the wrong event ;-)0 -
Expo is not at all near the start.
What rubbish! It's about 4 miles, so a 15 minute ride. Loads of riders stop at Excel, even the pro's! You can also take your bike on the DLR to get back after the finish if needed.
If 4 miles is too far, I think some one has entered the wrong event ;-)
I did not say 4 miles was too far, I said that the Expo was not near the start, which it isn't.
Its not at all 'rubbish'. 4 miles is many, many times further from the start than QEOP. and I think most people would imagine the Expo for an event to be nearer than 4 miles.
On reflection I guess the OP knows that though as he specified it as a separate location.
Do not see what location of stay has to do with being able to do the event.
Sure you could get up 15-20 min earlier and cycle over, but its a ball ache compared to popping over the road.
There are other reasons that its better to stay closer too, but won't mention them as guessing from your comments that you are going down the 'ball ache' route and I do not want to add to your woes.
Make sure your official time is well under 5 hours before you start mentioning people entering the wrong event
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Yep, both years were well under 5 hours. Thanks for asking but I don't think any one gives a sh1te about that. The guy asked for recommendations and IMHO excel was unfairly rejected. I'd bet that most participants will ride much further than 4 miles to get to the start. A lot of the parking is in central London for example. Funny you mention ball ache given your delight in bigging yourself up on accommodation and times - Pull your trousers up dude!0
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The route map shows a Gel Station about 5 miles from the finish. Can someone explain what the point of this is? A gel may help you over the line if you're bonking around then, but I would have thought having it around 10-15 miles from the finish would help a little more.0
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It's just people standing by the side of the road that you can grab as you ride past. Made me feel very pro anywayThe route map shows a Gel Station about 5 miles from the finish. Can someone explain what the point of this is? A gel may help you over the line if you're bonking around then, but I would have thought having it around 10-15 miles from the finish would help a little more.0 -
10 minutes for a gel to kick in, means you can sprint down the Mall with a boost.The route map shows a Gel Station about 5 miles from the finish. Can someone explain what the point of this is? A gel may help you over the line if you're bonking around then, but I would have thought having it around 10-15 miles from the finish would help a little more.
Or something.
Really looking forward to the wrong way around roundabouts and the breaking the speed limit down Putney High St. And then a gel.
Paul0 -
It's just people standing by the side of the road that you can grab as you ride past. Made me feel very pro anywayThe route map shows a Gel Station about 5 miles from the finish. Can someone explain what the point of this is? A gel may help you over the line if you're bonking around then, but I would have thought having it around 10-15 miles from the finish would help a little more.
Yeh the last 10 miles or so are really like being in a Pro race, the adrenaline kicks in with the crowd cheering but I found by this stage my stomach couldn't take any more food, especially sweet stuff. I tried sprinting up the Mall but there was nothing left in the tank. Still got under 5 hours though (just!). May take it easier this year and just enjoy it.WyndyMilla Massive Attack | Rourke 953 | Condor Italia 531 Pro | Boardman CX Pro | DT Swiss RR440 Tubeless Wheels
Find me on Strava0 -
Paul 2718, if it is the same as 2013, don't get too excited about all of the roundabouts. I was really looking forward to going the wrong way round Tibbets Corner, but the "wrong side" was closed off...and be careful with the gels near the end. I saw 2 guys trying to be so pro in grabbing gels at speed they lost control and ended up making inelegant and painful dismounts...0
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I didnt see anyone manage to grab a gel without then dropping it, so if you feel you are really needing it for the final few miles then probably better to stop.0
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I remember grabbing a gel going up Wimbledon Hill last year, it was particularly useful! Not sure why they've moved it to the other side of Putney Bridge.0
