Ride London 2015
Comments
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Can anyone help? I have a place on the ride but am away on holiday the week before and was relying on my brother to pick up my ride pack. He's now got to go abroad with work at the same time and wondered if there is anyone who is London/St Albans based who might be able to pick it up for me. Would happily make a donation to anyone you're riding for and would be able to hopefully arrange to meet evening before to collect? Feel free to contact me direct by email on timdennis@btinternet.com.0
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Lmao at the queue jumping bloke. Bet you're class fun down the pub.
Also sawyers hill? It's not even a hill ffs. No way people will be walking up there...[urlhttp://veloviewer.com/SigImage.php?a=f3252&r=3&c=5&u=I&g=s&f=abcdefghij&z=a.png]Veloviewer[/url]0 -
Does anyone have a place they want to sell to me? Esp if it's the 6:03am pen? :-D
6:40 start time £1000
Well on that basis my 6:26 must be worth £2,500
So my 6:00 start time must be worth £250,000!!!
I will sell my 6:00 start time for the knock down price of £100,0000 -
Maybe Rotherhithe Tunnel and East India Dock Road ...Getting to the start from central London:
Guys/Gals - ignore everything I have previously said! The route through central London does NOT follow the Victoria Embankment as it has in previous years!
From the Tower, this year's route heads along Eastcheap, Cannon Street, up New Change (at the back of St Paul's), Newgate Street, Fetter Lane, Fleet Street, the Strand, Trafalgar Square and back onto last year's route on Pall Mall.
Getting across the route/closed roads needs a rethink .....0 -
I would sell mine for £50k. seriously, I wouldn't. 6am start should be fun. Can't wait.Does anyone have a place they want to sell to me? Esp if it's the 6:03am pen? :-D
6:40 start time £1000
Well on that basis my 6:26 must be worth £2,500
So my 6:00 start time must be worth £250,000!!!
I will sell my 6:00 start time for the knock down price of £100,0000 -
does anyone know if the descents are ok this year, there were a few potholes on leith hill the other year when I did it that caught a few people out.0
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There are still holes on the Leith Hill descent and if it's sunny, visibility makes them difficult to spot. The left turn at the bottom has gravel that I hope they sweep away and the right turn shortly after could create a few Barguil/Thomas moments. I hope people are sensible going down Leith!0
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Yeah, the long straight section isn't too bad, it's the left hand bend at the end of it that you need to watch out for, then the right after that sometimes has debris. You'll then come to a nice resurfaced patch, but then there's potholes as you go into the bit near the bottom where you're riding through the "hollow". All in all, I'd say take it very easy if you don't know this descent, particularly as there'll be idiots flying down it right next to you. You're not going to make up much time here. There are also some nasty bumps and holes on the "fast" flat bit at the top of Box Hill after the village, and a couple of nasty manhole covers on the sharp bends.
Anyone want to sell me a place for this great info?0 -
There are still holes on the Leith Hill descent and if it's sunny, visibility makes them difficult to spot. The left turn at the bottom has gravel that I hope they sweep away and the right turn shortly after could create a few Barguil/Thomas moments. I hope people are sensible going down Leith!
It hasn't been resurfaced, or certainly hadn't when I went down it a couple of weeks ago.
I won't be tanking down there, visibility is never great and the road surface doesn't lend itself to high-speed descents, especially when there will be loads of other cyclists around who don't know the roads0 -
Does anyone have a place they want to sell to me? Esp if it's the 6:03am pen? :-D
6:40 start time £1000
Well on that basis my 6:26 must be worth £2,500
So my 6:00 start time must be worth £250,000!!!
I will sell my 6:00 start time for the knock down price of £100,000
Guys, Guys - Don't be offering price reductions until we've found the market price of the product0 -
There are still holes on the Leith Hill descent and if it's sunny, visibility makes them difficult to spot. The left turn at the bottom has gravel that I hope they sweep away and the right turn shortly after could create a few Barguil/Thomas moments. I hope people are sensible going down Leith!
It hasn't been resurfaced, or certainly hadn't when I went down it a couple of weeks ago.
I won't be tanking down there, visibility is never great and the road surface doesn't lend itself to high-speed descents, especially when there will be loads of other cyclists around who don't know the roads
Thanks for the advice, i'll take it easy if it's anything like it was the first year. Closed roads doesn't give you a licence to take every descent at 40 mph plus0 -
Totally agree with this, having said that there will be the odd idiot that will try to hammer along at breakneck speed along all the descents.There are still holes on the Leith Hill descent and if it's sunny, visibility makes them difficult to spot. The left turn at the bottom has gravel that I hope they sweep away and the right turn shortly after could create a few Barguil/Thomas moments. I hope people are sensible going down Leith!
It hasn't been resurfaced, or certainly hadn't when I went down it a couple of weeks ago.
I won't be tanking down there, visibility is never great and the road surface doesn't lend itself to high-speed descents, especially when there will be loads of other cyclists around who don't know the roads
Thanks for the advice, i'll take it easy if it's anything like it was the first year. Closed roads doesn't give you a licence to take every descent at 40 mph plus
Just looked at the weather forecasts for it. looks to be relatively still but not too warm.0 -
yes I've been checking the weather too. Would be great if we had one of them weeks where it was warm all night long. I'm def a rider that prefers riding in the heat so 20c plus is fine with me. Starting at 11 and going up to 18 isn't great.
Still a bit of a way off so may change.0 -
There are still holes on the Leith Hill descent and if it's sunny, visibility makes them difficult to spot. The left turn at the bottom has gravel that I hope they sweep away and the right turn shortly after could create a few Barguil/Thomas moments. I hope people are sensible going down Leith!
It hasn't been resurfaced, or certainly hadn't when I went down it a couple of weeks ago.
I won't be tanking down there, visibility is never great and the road surface doesn't lend itself to high-speed descents, especially when there will be loads of other cyclists around who don't know the roads
Thanks for the advice, i'll take it easy if it's anything like it was the first year. Closed roads doesn't give you a licence to take every descent at 40 mph plus
Update........I did the route this morning (well, out from Kingston and back).
The rain over the past day has washed a load of crap over the road on the Leith Hill descent. That, plus crap road surface and it being in the shade, makes it a daft place to welly it. There are a few other places where the roads are sound and well sighted which lend themselves to a blast - but Leith isn't it.
As I was going up Leith I saw a girl coming the other way fly off the road and go down the banking. She was in a group of 20+ riders so plenty of help on hand. She didn't seem too badly injured, bash on the lip and probably dented pride too but just shows how wet, shady downhills need to be shown respect.0 -
If anyone needs somewhere to stay the night before, I've just this second cancelled my reservation at the Ibis Stratford, which I don't need since I'm not doing the ride this year.
If someone's quick, there's a free room there on the Saturday night!Is the gorilla tired yet?0 -
Update........I did the route this morning (well, out from Kingston and back).
The rain over the past day has washed a load of crap over the road on the Leith Hill descent. That, plus crap road surface and it being in the shade, makes it a daft place to welly it. There are a few other places where the roads are sound and well sighted which lend themselves to a blast - but Leith isn't it.
Going to have to mainly agree with this, I did it this morning and while some of the weekends rain might have washed the roads a bit, it's still not great. You're fine to be hitting 30 down there but anything else would be a bit silly really.
Still yet to go up Leith Hill via the actual route which is probably a mistake. Did it this way this morning:
https://www.strava.com/activities/355025623 (it's the route out of Dorking, through Cold Harbour)
and found it fairly taxing but not too bad so hopefully I should be OK!Giant Defy Advanced 0 - Best
Planet X London Road - Wet
Montague Fit - Foldy thing that rarely gets used these days0 -
There are still holes on the Leith Hill descent and if it's sunny, visibility makes them difficult to spot. The left turn at the bottom has gravel that I hope they sweep away and the right turn shortly after could create a few Barguil/Thomas moments. I hope people are sensible going down Leith!
It hasn't been resurfaced, or certainly hadn't when I went down it a couple of weeks ago.
I won't be tanking down there, visibility is never great and the road surface doesn't lend itself to high-speed descents, especially when there will be loads of other cyclists around who don't know the roads
Thanks for the advice, i'll take it easy if it's anything like it was the first year. Closed roads doesn't give you a licence to take every descent at 40 mph plus
Update........I did the route this morning (well, out from Kingston and back).
The rain over the past day has washed a load of crap over the road on the Leith Hill descent. That, plus crap road surface and it being in the shade, makes it a daft place to welly it. There are a few other places where the roads are sound and well sighted which lend themselves to a blast - but Leith isn't it.
The road down from Newlands Corner towards Abinger Hammer should be good for that.Shut up, knees!
Various Boardmans, a Focus, a Cannondale and an ancient Trek.0 -
not managed to fit in a 100 mile ride yet this year but have done 3 60 milers and a 50 last Sat. Done the course both years so should be ok with getting round.
Going for the modest target of under 6 hours, was 6:15 the first year.
Main thing is to enjoy the day out and have a good time.0 -
Thanks for the advice, i'll take it easy if it's anything like it was the first year. Closed roads doesn't give you a licence to take every descent at 40 mph plus
Bu99er. Downhill is the only place I'm fast
It's just a hill. Get over it.0 -
...anyone know if there were queues for the O2 parking last year?....took me 40mins to get into the London Bridge multi-storey last year, but hoping the O2 is better at coping with high volume traffic!0
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I used O2 last year and doing the same this year. Worked fine and no queue at all, think I was 2 cars back as I pulled up and got through straight away with no hassle....anyone know if there were queues for the O2 parking last year?....took me 40mins to get into the London Bridge multi-storey last year, but hoping the O2 is better at coping with high volume traffic!
Heard from people on here about the queue to get into London Bridge, so even though the location is good for start \ finish I've stuck with the O2.
Depending on where you come from the last mile for me took me by the drop off place for cars, so be careful for cyclists as you get closer to the car park.0 -
There are still holes on the Leith Hill descent and if it's sunny, visibility makes them difficult to spot. The left turn at the bottom has gravel that I hope they sweep away and the right turn shortly after could create a few Barguil/Thomas moments. I hope people are sensible going down Leith!
It hasn't been resurfaced, or certainly hadn't when I went down it a couple of weeks ago.
I won't be tanking down there, visibility is never great and the road surface doesn't lend itself to high-speed descents, especially when there will be loads of other cyclists around who don't know the roads
Thanks for the advice, i'll take it easy if it's anything like it was the first year. Closed roads doesn't give you a licence to take every descent at 40 mph plus
Update........I did the route this morning (well, out from Kingston and back).
The rain over the past day has washed a load of crap over the road on the Leith Hill descent. That, plus crap road surface and it being in the shade, makes it a daft place to welly it. There are a few other places where the roads are sound and well sighted which lend themselves to a blast - but Leith isn't it.
The road down from Newlands Corner towards Abinger Hammer should be good for that.
Yep, agreed0 -
I used O2 last year and doing the same this year. Worked fine and no queue at all, think I was 2 cars back as I pulled up and got through straight away with no hassle....anyone know if there were queues for the O2 parking last year?....took me 40mins to get into the London Bridge multi-storey last year, but hoping the O2 is better at coping with high volume traffic!
Heard from people on here about the queue to get into London Bridge, so even though the location is good for start \ finish I've stuck with the O2.
Depending on where you come from the last mile for me took me by the drop off place for cars, so be careful for cyclists as you get closer to the car park.
I've parked at the London Bridge multi storey for the last 2 years, 1st year was fine, last year was a complete joke. Won't be risking that again.
Only downside I can see with O2 parking is that the blackwall tunnel will have opened for traffic by the time it comes to cycle back.......how are you looking at getting back?0 -
I used O2 last year and doing the same this year. Worked fine and no queue at all, think I was 2 cars back as I pulled up and got through straight away with no hassle....anyone know if there were queues for the O2 parking last year?....took me 40mins to get into the London Bridge multi-storey last year, but hoping the O2 is better at coping with high volume traffic!
Heard from people on here about the queue to get into London Bridge, so even though the location is good for start \ finish I've stuck with the O2.
Depending on where you come from the last mile for me took me by the drop off place for cars, so be careful for cyclists as you get closer to the car park.
I've parked at the London Bridge multi storey for the last 2 years, 1st year was fine, last year was a complete joke. Won't be risking that again.
Only downside I can see with O2 parking is that the blackwall tunnel will have opened for traffic by the time it comes to cycle back.......how are you looking at getting back?
...cheers for info, guys....was thinking of taking a train from Charing Cross to Charlton...one every half hour...not sure how strict they are on the trains though, with potentially so many bikes?..0 -
The A200 and A206 take you along a fairly direct route through Southwark, Deptford and Greenwich. How you get to those is the question. If you finish well ahead of the pro race start, you should be able to ride back along the closed roads (we did last year anyway) and turn off across London Bridge or Tower Bridge to pick up Tooley St/Jamaica Rd and the A200. Otherwise you might have to cut through back streets or cross the route at Lambeth or Vauxhall Bridge and towards Elephant & Castle. Once among the traffic it's not a particularly pleasant ride, of course, but you'll see the Shard and the Greenwich maritime quarter close up.I've parked at the London Bridge multi storey for the last 2 years, 1st year was fine, last year was a complete joke. Won't be risking that again.
Only downside I can see with O2 parking is that the blackwall tunnel will have opened for traffic by the time it comes to cycle back.......how are you looking at getting back?0 -
this is what annoys me a little bit. I can understand the roads not being closed back to the car park but it would be nice to have an official route back.
I crossed over London Bridge last time did a left and then just sort of made my way down there. I had planned a route in advance but ended up taking a wrong turning !0 -
...I see the pro race starts in Horseguards Parade this time, so all the roads heading back the way will be open at 10.30-ish...0
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...anyone know if there were queues for the O2 parking last year?....took me 40mins to get into the London Bridge multi-storey last year, but hoping the O2 is better at coping with high volume traffic!
London Bridge multi-storey???? Don't know where that is but nice to know I'm not the only one based at LB!
It's just a hill. Get over it.0 -
Continuing my theme of asking questions, I've read on a different thread on this site that the blackwall tunnel shuts at 6am for cyclists to get through? The official information pack states 7.30am - does anyone have an insight into this? I am going to ask tonight at the Excel when I pick the riders pack up, hopefully it is 7.30am because I won't be going through at 6am.
Secondly, this is my first sportive ride and as I am quite slow, I have a late start time. After a bit advice, should I start out quite hard in order to hit the initial checkpoints within the allotted time and hope the crowd and fellow riders can help me over the finish line if I start to flag or, should I just pace myself at my normal pace throughout the ride? I did 101 miles two weekends ago and my av speed was 14mph so I am quietly confident of completing it on Sunday - just not sure how to pace it so I don't get diverted off? Any advice from more seasoned riders would be welcome. (oh, I am fully aware that to many people 14 mph is very slow - I'm just not a very good cyclist is all!)
All the best to everyone riding on Sunday!0 -
I saw the same thing about the blackwall tunnel. Hopefully it's 07:30 if there is no one to ask tonight I will check with the helpdesk.
My advice will be stick to your current pace and save yourself for if you need it at the end. If your current average is 14 then you will find that should increase on this ride due to not slowing down for lights, junctions etc.0
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