Ride London 2016

ugo.santalucia

bikergirl17 wrote:

and FWIW i wouldn't do the fred as i am not likely getting up those hills on a 34-29 so it really wouldn't be very satisfying to be walking (I just attempted zocolon on that and it was ... not pretty).

Jeez, defeated attitude... of course you can, with the mileage you do!... Zoncolan has similar gradients but they go on for miles... you can't compare it with a handful of ramps at 25-30%
Besides, they sell cassettes with a 32T sprocket these days...

dandrew

Carbonator wrote:

mallorcajeff wrote:

Carbonator.

Call me a liar if you like fella i know what i saw with my own eyes, clearly a guy who went out way too hard with all his probable bonus money blown on expensive kit to struggle up leith hill. I glided past as i paced myself simple as that. I already pushed hard enough riding back into london from the top of box pretty swiftly as and where it was approriate.

But saying you dont believe it thats fine but i have no reason to lie about something so trivial as to why would i mention it? Still you must know best i suppose because you was there?

Soz mj,

my comment was more the disbelief of the picture you painted, and desire for clarification of the enormity of such a sight than an assault on your credibility.

I did think it was possibly a little embellished though.

Maybe the guy did it for a bet?

I know (and there is nothing wrong with) people have nice bikes but are not great at hills, and may even resort to walking. but was it actually a 9k bike, TT helmet and skin suit etc?

I saw a group of young, kitted out, wannabe's walking on the summit of Leith Hill. Didn't look too carefully at the kit/bikes but they looked the part. Tongue in cheek I should out, "Shouldn't you be running like Froome" Got a few smiles but really! Still walking after the gradient had flattened out!

paul2718

defride wrote:

RideLondon Club Challenge is also a race, the front wave was ridden in exactly the same manner as ToC. I'd imagine the front of the first two or three waves were similar.

I was in a Club Challenge team. Start time 7.38. We weren't the only team in that wave.

ToC wasn't much more of a race than RL, they produced a result for the first three in each age group but beyond that it was a sportive. In the sprint for the line you may have beaten the guy next to you for fourth but if he started over the start line a couple of seconds behind you he beat you in the 'official result'.

They had 'gun time' for each race, and chip time, the latter is the level playing field for worlds qualification. The difference is that at ToC you enter a race, nobody has any excuse for not realising and they cannot complain about being overtaken by groups. Or being shouted at if they wobble. If they want to enter the sportive then that is their choice. At RL the organisers give you a start time that (in our case) mixed us up with all sorts who aren't expecting to be overtaken, and it seems that after 4 hours of being overtaken on all sides still were surprised by it happening.

I think there are broadly three groups, there are those who more or less know what they are doing and may be quite fast. There are those who don't know what they are doing and may be quite fast, and there are the 'beginners'. ISTM that the safety problems with traffic are mostly between the latter.

Paul

capt_slog

People mentioning walkers on Leith and other hills, I can beat that.

The first "hill walker" I saw was in London! I think he was on one of the exits from an under-pass/tunnel or on a railway bridge. A chap in green with a Boardman. Son and I were in disbelief.

We stopped at Trafalgar to have a chat with Mrs Slog and have our photos taken and he must have passed us, because I'm sure I saw him again on the next short incline.

Cliveyp

And the gel wrappers......as bad as it was to see them on the floor at any point on the course, seeing them on the floor at less than 10 miles from the start was a worry! :shock:

I'm still amazed I made the journey on a light breakfast, 5 fig rolls, 1.5 flapjacks and a few jelly babies!

capt_slog

Can anyone else see their photographs on the official website?

I followed the link from the rider times page, and I can see the 'place holders' for the photos but no images as previews. Too early?

Anonymous

At least anyone in a TT helmet would probably have it at the correct angle when doing the walk of shame.

I think walkers are violating my human rights.
I actually feel guilty for witnessing their shame sometimes.
Its like when my dog is doing a poo and I catch his eye.

kingstongraham

bikergirl17 wrote:

the irony is that if you do the route -- or the surrey hills -- after 2 pm on a sunday it is effectively a closed road course

No it isn't. There are lots of roads where you don't see many cars, but how many roads do you ride down where you know there won't be a car coming the other way. Or when you come to any junction, you have right of way.

I understand it's not your thing, but that doesn't make it the stupidest sportive ever. It's more different to a normal day out in Surrey than most sportives there.

Closed roads really does make a difference - but I don't think I'd do the RideLondon again. I'd do the Velothon Wales again though.

slowbike

dandrew wrote:

I saw a group of young, kitted out, wannabe's walking on the summit of Leith Hill. Didn't look too carefully at the kit/bikes but they looked the part. Tongue in cheek I should out, "Shouldn't you be running like Froome" Got a few smiles but really! Still walking after the gradient had flattened out!

I caught a rider at the bottom of Leith hill - nodding away - and thought to myself that although I wasn't going very well - I'll soon get past this one .... well - I didn't, we arrived at the top together and I saw them several times afterwards - appearances can be deceptive

Anonymous

Cliveyp wrote:

And the gel wrappers......as bad as it was to see them on the floor at any point on the course, seeing them on the floor at less than 10 miles from the start was a worry! :shock:

I'm still amazed I made the journey on a light breakfast, 5 fig rolls, 1.5 flapjacks and a few jelly babies!

Why? I had one before the start.

Breakfast at Holiday Inn express is rubbish and did not have anything hot out in time for a lot of riders.
Not sure I would bother doing this again if I cannot find a hotel that made the effort to do an early breakfast.

Premiere Inn Stratford said they were not doing early breakfast last year (but someone said they did).
Think they did this year (had a note in the lift saying it was from 5am I think).

They charge a fortune for a weekend stay (2 night minimum) because of this event, so why not have breakfast officially ready from 4am?

The Exel was cheaper, but they must know you have to cycle further to the start from there.

specialized_nick

Capt Slog wrote:

Can anyone else see their photographs on the official website?

I followed the link from the rider times page, and I can see the 'place holders' for the photos but no images as previews. Too early?

Just had a look and mine's the same.

slowbike

bikergirl17 wrote:

the irony is that if you do the route -- or the surrey hills -- after 2 pm on a sunday it is effectively a closed road course -- i usually see a few cars if i go through shere (check out the ye olde sandwich shop -- great baked goods!) and one or two on box hill (which i usually get to around 7 pm). i can easily say i go more than 65 miles without putting a foot down other than to pick up a peanut and chocolate flap jack (seriously they are awesome).

i personally think it is the stupidest sportive ever -- a pretty unattractive route on poor pavement with too many dangerous cyclists. and if you want the novelty of cycling in london, you are welcome to join me on my daily commute. yet it still attracts 20,000 people - so clearly i am wrong.

and FWIW i wouldn't do the fred as i am not likely getting up those hills on a 34-29 so it really wouldn't be very satisfying to be walking (I just attempted zocolon on that and it was ... not pretty).

Ok - well you can't do the route - after 2pm or after 2am for that matter - there are places where you're not allowed to ride - oneway the route goes the wrong way down etc etc - ok, you can do most of the ride ... but
there are traffic lights to be obeyed but not during the sportive
even if traffic is light you can't rely on there not being a vehicle coming towards you
you have to navigate it yourself - following the route during the sportive was easy

I've done plenty of long rides (just not this year) and never have I been able to go so long without having to put a foot down - or even slow up - every junction requires care and attention - something you don't need to worry about on a closed road sportive - it really is liberating to be able to keep the pace up.

Hills? No I wouldn't do Ride London for the hills - boxhill was "nice" in that it was constant gradient and smooth smooth tarmac - the others weren't unpleasant, but never did I think I wouldn't be able to get up them - that's not the challenge - the challenge (for me) was to do it in a reasonable time.

Pavement, on the whole, wasn't poor - sure there were some bad bits - iirc central London being the worst - most of it was as good as I get normally.

Commuting in London - no thanks - stop start stop start stop start & prats in cars on their mobiles - the ride through London on the sportive was nice though.

Haven't looked at the Fred - I'd probably change the cassette for one more suitable if I were to do something hillier ... 34-29 saw me on a 8500 foot 100 mile sportive - I'd do that again - or as Ugo says - 32 tooth cassettes are available!

I don't see why the descenters feel like they have to complain about a ride they don't want to do - don't do it - it's not for everyone - same as triathlons, jumping mountain bikes or BMX riding aren't for me- but hey - if they want to do it they are more than welcome.

Don't like peanuts so won't be trying that flapjack thanks.

slowbike

Carbonator wrote:

Cliveyp wrote:

And the gel wrappers......as bad as it was to see them on the floor at any point on the course, seeing them on the floor at less than 10 miles from the start was a worry! :shock:

Why? I had one before the start.

yer - but what did you do with the wrapper?!

there were loads of wrappers on the course - I'm rather hoping the organisers will have had a broom wagon out to clear up most of it..

Carbonator wrote:

Breakfast at Holiday Inn express is rubbish and did not have anything hot out in time for a lot of riders.
Not sure I would bother doing this again if I cannot find a hotel that made the effort to do an early breakfast.

Mine did porridge for breakfast ... once I'd boiled the kettle ... could've got up earlier and had a full english if I could've been bothered to get the frying pan out ...
cheap stay as well - about 5 gallons plus a bit of gas? ok had 9 miles to ride into the start - but only 4 back afterwards and then could put the gas on and get a shower & cup of tea before driving home!
Pretty small place to stay though - 6m by <2.5m but still room for the bike inside!

ugo.santalucia

Slowbike wrote:

I don't see why the descenters feel like they have to complain about a ride they don't want to do - don't do it - it's not for everyone - .

Because it's a forum... people talk... every now and again someone chips in with the "if you don't own a Venge/ride RL 100/use Di2 then you shouldn't talk about it"... I was not allowed to vote in the Referendum, am I not allowed to talk about it then? C'mon, we're better than that... surely anyone can discriminate between the advice they want to take on board and that they want to disregard

slowbike

ugo.santalucia wrote:

Slowbike wrote:

I don't see why the descenters feel like they have to complain about a ride they don't want to do - don't do it - it's not for everyone - .

Because it's a forum... people talk... every now and again someone chips in with the "if you don't own a Venge/ride RL 100/use Di2 then you shouldn't talk about it"... I was not allowed to vote in the Referendum, am I not allowed to talk about it then? C'mon, we're better than that... surely anyone can discriminate between the advice they want to take on board and that they want to disregard

but it's a forum - can't I complain about the people who moan about a sportive I enjoyed?

defride

paul2718 wrote:

defride wrote:

RideLondon Club Challenge is also a race, the front wave was ridden in exactly the same manner as ToC. I'd imagine the front of the first two or three waves were similar.

I was in a Club Challenge team. Start time 7.38. We weren't the only team in that wave.

ToC wasn't much more of a race than RL, they produced a result for the first three in each age group but beyond that it was a sportive. In the sprint for the line you may have beaten the guy next to you for fourth but if he started over the start line a couple of seconds behind you he beat you in the 'official result'.

They had 'gun time' for each race, and chip time, the latter is the level playing field for worlds qualification. The difference is that at ToC you enter a race, nobody has any excuse for not realising and they cannot complain about being overtaken by groups. Or being shouted at if they wobble. If they want to enter the sportive then that is their choice. At RL the organisers give you a start time that (in our case) mixed us up with all sorts who aren't expecting to be overtaken, and it seems that after 4 hours of being overtaken on all sides still were surprised by it happening.

I think there are broadly three groups, there are those who more or less know what they are doing and may be quite fast. There are those who don't know what they are doing and may be quite fast, and there are the 'beginners'. ISTM that the safety problems with traffic are mostly between the latter.

Paul

Can only imagine your Team entered a relatively modest predicted time? I very much doubt that teams that predicted times lower than about 4.30 started in anything other than the front few waves? It was mostly club riders at the front and as they asked for race licence details in the entry I would guess that was a factor in allocating waves.

Whether a team started toward the front or further back the times for the teams are still collated and last year were presented in order of finish time. Presume at some point the clubs will be sent an official result for this year also.

I don't think anyone who entered RL with the intention of riding from the first couple of waves expected the event to be ridden in anything other than race like conditions (of course, there was no requirement to 'race' if you chose not to). No prizes of course but no different from any number of other UK sportives.

People do these events for all sorts of reasons, race/challenge/charity all are valid. I've no experience of riding RL along with the masses and would concur that racing in that environment is just stupid and a recipe for disaster.

The 'gun time' at the ToC only covered the first three finishers, all other times were chip time, just like any other UK sportive. It was sold as a race and raced in that manner but it was only a race to the top three spots.

All said, we're really just talking semantics, hope you enjoyed your day Paul

Dan

drlodge

ugo.santalucia wrote:

Ibaz wrote:

I'll be entering the ballot for next year just to do Leith hill.

It really is just an insignificant hill with nothing to go for... not worth to bother

Indeed, much nicer ways up Leith. Tanhurst Lane is quite nice now that its been resurfaced. Try the Octopus and do them all!

Listerine8

I did the Ride London Freecycle on 30 July and the 100 mile ride on 31 July.

Loads of of fun all round, with the Sunday ride my first century (both metric and imperial) and first proper group ride - it was surprisingly fast, as I tried to keep up with the big boys.

It was a learning experience as well - I learnt about half way through that (unlike for the Freecycle) the expectation on the 100 mile route was to keep towards the left hand side of the road, to let faster riders pass on the right, and, in retrospect, I probably over cooked it a bit at the beginning, leaving my legs a little sore for the remainder.

The descents were absolutely exhilarating - screaming downhill at 50km, centimetres away from other riders, and hoping not to slip on gel packets. The supporters were amazing too.

I saw a few serious looking crashes, which was sad and sobering, and narrowly avoided the same a couple of times, due to marshals trying to direct race traffic and not quite anticipating how fast we were going. I got held up by what turned out to be a very sad incident just before Pyrford, and, being told that the queues looked like they would take a couple of hours to clear, managed to skip the queues with a few others by taking a few side roads and bridle ways.

7 hours start to finish, and very pleased with the result.

capt_slog

Listerine8 wrote:

managed to skip the queues with a few others by taking a few side roads and bridle ways.

7 hours start to finish, and very pleased with the result.

I wish I'd known how to do that.

I'm trying to find out what time the diversion from mile 44 took place, does anyone know? It went from mile 44 to mile 70, hence missing out Leith and Box. I feel fortunate to have got past that cut-off.

Der Kaiser

I was also disappointed to see so many gel wrappers just thrown on the road.

Equally far to many bottles dropped. Learn when to drink and how to ride single handed.

Cliveyp

Capt Slog wrote:

Listerine8 wrote:

managed to skip the queues with a few others by taking a few side roads and bridle ways.

7 hours start to finish, and very pleased with the result.

I wish I'd known how to do that.

I'm trying to find out what time the diversion from mile 44 took place, does anyone know? It went from mile 44 to mile 70, hence missing out Leith and Box. I feel fortunate to have got past that cut-off.

I'm not sure what time it kicked in, but we were in one of the last starts (08:52) and despite this still missed the apparent diversion that was put in place to avoid the queueing at Pyrford, causing us to miss the cut off time and having to divert away from Leith. We hit that around 20mins after its mandatory divert time yet still managed to get up Box OK. Rolling in about 15:50 put our overall time at 7hrs, so I can[t imagine we were too far off that point.

Update: The Ride London Facebook page announced the diversion coming into place at 14:04, so I think I missed it by a matter of less than 30 minutes!

bearman3784

Capt Slog wrote:

Listerine8 wrote:

managed to skip the queues with a few others by taking a few side roads and bridle ways.

7 hours start to finish, and very pleased with the result.

I wish I'd known how to do that.

I'm trying to find out what time the diversion from mile 44 took place, does anyone know? It went from mile 44 to mile 70, hence missing out Leith and Box. I feel fortunate to have got past that cut-off.

I'd guess it was around 1pm we got screwed over, after standing/walking around for almost 2 hours. Missed Newlands, Leith and Box :evil: Even then they didnt tell us the route we were on was still an open roads with cars, held up behind a pace car at 20mph. Seems like the diversions either side of us at least got to see 1 hill, shame as there were alot of faster riders in the big diversion who could have easily made the cut off times and got round it all.

Wasn't angry at the time based on the circumstance of the delay but felt shit about it considering we were doing the ride for charity

drlodge

Its this kind of experience that really puts me off big sportives that cost a lot in time and money. There are so many things that can go wrong and make the whole even a wipe out (bad weather, blocked roads etc) and then you've lost a weekend or more, and quite a few £££s too. At least with the Wiggle Dragon I cold abandon the event and have a nice day in Wales if the weather was foul.

I'd much rather spend my time and money visiting nice places and ride nice roads in my own time without the hassle.

therealthing

Just checked my photos online, and they cost £45 to download! That is absolutely outrageous in my opinion: how can they charge so much merely for the privilege of downloading a picture? Certainly won't be buying them. Would have to charge at least half that to even consider buying.

That wasn't even the cheapest option!

Cliveyp

bearman3784 wrote:

Capt Slog wrote:

Listerine8 wrote:

managed to skip the queues with a few others by taking a few side roads and bridle ways.

7 hours start to finish, and very pleased with the result.

I wish I'd known how to do that.

I'm trying to find out what time the diversion from mile 44 took place, does anyone know? It went from mile 44 to mile 70, hence missing out Leith and Box. I feel fortunate to have got past that cut-off.

I'd guess it was around 1pm we got screwed over, after standing/walking around for almost 2 hours. Missed Newlands, Leith and Box :evil: Even then they didnt tell us the route we were on was still an open roads with cars, held up behind a pace car at 20mph. Seems like the diversions either side of us at least got to see 1 hill, shame as there were alot of faster riders in the big diversion who could have easily made the cut off times and got round it all.

Wasn't angry at the time based on the circumstance of the delay but felt shoot about it considering we were doing the ride for charity

What time did you get caught at Pyrford? Looking at my text messages and call logs we hit that about 11:05 and were still in it at 12:39. After that we had the shuffle along for the bridge at Ripley. IIRC the Leith Hill cut off was about 13:15 (?), and I think we got to that point at about 13:45-13:50 or something like, yet will still managed Box.

As you say, based on the circumstances, its hard to be angry, but it is frustrating. The bit I found worse was the diversion that was put in place to avoid Pyrford.....at what point was that put into action, as I thought we should have taken it considering our times, yet we had to sit it out with the many other thousands in front of us - and behind - with the 'official vehicles' parked up just before the drinks stop in the village seemingly knowing nothing....

iPete

It's not voluntary being a professional photographer and certainly not cheap. Equipment + fuel + accommodation and then you need to get paid for that time on top, the day itself and then processing. I'll agree it seems high (well, I've not looked at other events) but between two options 1) charge per rider or 2) add to the event cost for everyone, I'll take the 1st.

capt_slog

According to Strava, I set off at 08:43 and I went past the cutoff point (mile 44) at 4:34 into the ride. I make that 13:17

Der Kaiser

therealthing wrote:

Just checked my photos online, and they cost £45 to download! That is absolutely outrageous in my opinion: how can they charge so much merely for the privilege of downloading a picture? Certainly won't be buying them. Would have to charge at least half that to even consider buying.

That wasn't even the cheapest option!

The photos of me en route were ok but my wife took a brilliant one of me just past the finish line.

carbonclem

Its a shame to read such down beat accounts of the weekend. We stayed at the Excel Premier Inn, dead handy for the sign on and close enough to the start. Scored some Oakleys on Saturday arvo reduced from £130 to £55. Also meant staying right amongst the pro teams on Saturday, and met Froome amongst many others No breakfast laid on at 5 am, but the room had a kettle so I had an instant porridge pot - easy.
Had a great ride on Sunday, completed in 4h45m with no incidents. I rode for Marie Curie (not an actual charity place) so was able to use the Carlton Club afterwards for a shower and meal and snacks for the family and secure bike room - excellent.
Worse part was the end of day ride back, but that was just inconvenient.

I did it in 2014 when it rained and the route was cut, hence my return to do it properly. Its done now so I doubt i'll be back soon but I'd encourage anyone else to do so. Superb atmosphere and event. Loved it.

Such sad news to hear about the accidents and fatality, but huge events will always incure such like on balance of probability.

ugo.santalucia

therealthing wrote:

Just checked my photos online, and they cost £45 to download! That is absolutely outrageous in my opinion: how can they charge so much merely for the privilege of downloading a picture? Certainly won't be buying them. Would have to charge at least half that to even consider buying.

That wasn't even the cheapest option!

Prices of these things have gone up steeply... I suspect it's because sales are down... people are fed up of photos of them cycling and looking fat/shoot... I don't even look at event photos anymore as you can be sure they will be crap