Ride London 2016

chrisaonabike

Well I didn't get in - that's the fourth time out of four I haven't got in on the ballot. From a complete noob estimating 8 hours, to slightly less of a noob estimating 6.5, no go every time.

The OH failed to get in last year when she applied for the first time, but has got in this year on her second.

hoohaar

I'm in. Did the 85 miles in 2014 (didn't get in for 2015), hopefully there won't be a hurricane this time and they'll let let us complete all of the route!

fat_cat

Blimey I'm in too after not getting in for the last 3 years.

Could use some advice on getting to the start. I live in Harrow and have in mind jumping on a train to Central London and the riding to the start. Assuming I'm not in the first couple of waves which would make it too early for this option.

Riding home from the finish will be fine.

Does this sound workable to those that have ridden in the past?

buckmulligan

Fat Cat wrote:

Blimey I'm in too after not getting in for the last 3 years.

Could use some advice on getting to the start. I live in Harrow and have in mind jumping on a train to Central London and the riding to the start. Assuming I'm not in the first couple of waves which would make it too early for this option.

Riding home from the finish will be fine.

Does this sound workable to those that have ridden in the past?

Totally doable.

I guess that train comes in to Euston? As long as you can manage to point yourself East and start cycling in vaguely the right direction you'll soon find yourself in a peloton of other cyclists heading out to Stratford for the start.

itboffin

I've had a place every year but couldn't make last year because of injury so deferred then forgot to sign up in time and lost my place, entered again anyway and would you know I got a place again. Hate me much ?

Anyway I've been in the 4 Hr range and would really like a sub 4 this year that said I broke my wrist today and can't even open a beer let alone shift gears.

I'm using the Marmotte, Flanders and my local Windshire sportive as training for RL100 :-)

rich_e

This is the third rejection out of four for me.

I got rejected the first year, but managed to get a place thanks to a draw that Wiggle had as a sponsor.

Rejected again the second year... donated the entry fee to charity.

I got in last year, but then deferred as I came down with illness a few days before and there was just no way I could do it.
I then had a guaranteed place for this year, but I missed the e-mail where I needed to pay for the place. This said there was strictly no exceptions to keeping your place if you missed this cut off to pay. I then didn't even attempt to challenge this as it then turned out I was going to be moving to the other side of the world, so I was unlikely to be in the UK for it.

It's now turned out that I'm not relocating, so I applied for the ballot for this year and I've just got the commiserations magazine again.

So it feels a bit annoying that I could have been doing it this year, but am now not.

peteb0

I'm in so that's 2 out of 4 for me on the ballot + a charity place in the first year

Looking forward to it even if there is a repeat of the 2014 SwimLondon86

fat_cat

BuckMulligan wrote:

Fat Cat wrote:

Blimey I'm in too after not getting in for the last 3 years.

Could use some advice on getting to the start. I live in Harrow and have in mind jumping on a train to Central London and the riding to the start. Assuming I'm not in the first couple of waves which would make it too early for this option.

Riding home from the finish will be fine.

Does this sound workable to those that have ridden in the past?

Totally doable.

I guess that train comes in to Euston? As long as you can manage to point yourself East and start cycling in vaguely the right direction you'll soon find yourself in a peloton of other cyclists heading out to Stratford for the start.

Thanks Buck, yep Euston or Marylebone - whichever one starts running earliest really, as you say turn left out of the station and follow everyone else!

paul2718

The route to the start is signposted from all over.

I got in on the ballot in 2013, not since. I'm pretty sure in 2013 there was automatic success if you could show finishing one of the qualifying events in a reasonable time. And of course many people didn't realise that it would be a pretty cool event, and most importantly a very fast 100, so there was a much better chance of entry. I rode with a club last year, which is probably the best way since the club challenge seemed to be the early waves. So no traffic, nobody walking anywhere, all done by 10.30. The feed-stations desperately touting for business were amusing, very few were stopping... 100 miles without putting a foot down, there aren't many opportunities for that experience. Will be endeavouring to do this again. But the demand is rising.

Paul

Der Kaiser

I feel that if you have ridden it in the previous year it should count against you in the ballot.

I only want to get in once do it and tick it off my list.

Cliveyp

My hopes were confirmed last night as I got the Congrats magazine waiting when I got home last night. My mate (who was registered at my address as he was in the process of moving during the ballot) wasn't successful. Only difference in us is age. I'll be 38 come the even, he is more around 43. We both submitted a circa 7.5hr time based on me not having done a century when we registered so not really having too much of a clue.....obviously it appears that faster times are more normal with it being much flatter than round these parts. First attempt at the ballot for both of us.

Now looking forward to it! Have already booked me and the family into a Premier Inn on Tower Hill before rooms start disappearing too quickly, hoping that its a fairly easy trip up the A11 to get to the start....

chrisaonabike

peteb0 wrote:

Looking forward to it even if there is a repeat of the 2014 SwimLondon86

God no. Never again like that.

It was amazing, for sure, and afterwards I did learn how to dry boots out with newspaper.

But fcuk that right off for a game of soldiers next time if it's like that.

capt_slog

BuckMulligan wrote:

Milemuncher1 wrote:

The questions they ask you when you apply are nothing to do with 'selection criteria' it's completely random, as was nicely demonstrated last year, a guy who I go on club rides with, applied twice ( not strictly on, but so what ) , the only difference in the two applications was that his middle name was different on each application, no other differences. He received both magazines, he both got in, and didn't get in, simultaneously I have to laugh about all the bullshit I hear about 'quotas' and 'selection' every year. The information you supply when you apply, is used in the risk assessment ( a pre requisite of the events insurance) after the ballot has finished, to enable the organisers to attempt to put people in 'Waves' which should ensure a steady flow ( at least on the non hilly bits ) and prevent 'pinch points', and hopefully ensure everyone ( who isn't in the back of a broom wagon ) gets to the finish, before the Pro race finish has to be set up.

Are you basing this on any actual knowledge of the ballot procedure or just wild speculation? If it's the latter then I don't see why your speculation is any more valid than anyone else's.

As I said before, Ride London is run by the same organisation as the London Marathon and if you browse the running forums you can find first hand accounts of how the ballot for that is run. I would say that's a much better indication of how entrants are picked for Ride London than any of the speculation here.

This is from the FAQs on the Ride London website...

How is the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 ballot drawn?
The ballot is drawn randomly using the answers provided by registrants on their entry forms. It is weighted for Health and Safety purposes to help the maximum number of people get safely around the route within the eight-and-a-half-hour time limit.


So, it appears that whilst it is drawn randomly, they draw randomly from categories based on the answers they receive.



I haven't got in, and I'm really feeling gutted today

I wanted to ride round with my son who did get in. I started cycling a few years ago (just before the Wiggin Effect BTW!) and although I've improved since those early years, I'm now just holding even. At 57 I feel there's not many years left where I can safely do this.

chrisaonabike

Capt Slog wrote:

I haven't got in, and I'm really feeling gutted today

I wanted to ride round with my son who did get in. I started cycling a few years ago (just before the Wiggin Effect BTW!) and although I've improved since those early years, I'm now just holding even. At 57 I feel there's not many years left where I can safely do this.

Do it for charity.

I've now failed to get a ballot place four years in a row - the first two years I did it for Cancer Research UK.

slowbike

Capt Slog wrote:

I wanted to ride round with my son who did get in. I started cycling a few years ago (just before the Wiggin Effect BTW!) and although I've improved since those early years, I'm now just holding even. At 57 I feel there's not many years left where I can safely do this.

Depends on your definition of Not Many Years

I know people who are 10 years older that are more than capable of doing the ton in a reasonable time.

grenw

Capt Slog wrote:

[

So, it appears that whilst it is drawn randomly, they draw randomly from categories based on the answers they receive.

If you think about it, the one area they should have quotas for is estimated finish time. They don't want 100,000 riders all riding along at the same speed otherwise you'd get huge pelotons with not much either side. What thy should be looking for is a fairly even spread of riders throughout the course.

Anything else would just be about 'inclusiveness'.

Maybe next year I'll just swallow my pride and estimate 8.5 hours

capt_slog

Slowbike wrote:

Capt Slog wrote:

I wanted to ride round with my son who did get in. I started cycling a few years ago (just before the Wiggin Effect BTW!) and although I've improved since those early years, I'm now just holding even. At 57 I feel there's not many years left where I can safely do this.

Depends on your definition of Not Many Years

I know people who are 10 years older that are more than capable of doing the ton in a reasonable time.

Wouldn't be my first 100, I've managed it before, solo and on mainly flat, even if it was a total of 8.5 hours including a nice lunch halfway. I felt I could manage the London 100 + hills when accompanied by my son, my usual riding partner.

Another problem is, how many years is he going to want to go? He rode it last year.


The charity way does look like an option, but I've no idea how i could raise that much, (eg £750 for Macmillan) or how you proceed if you fail to reach the minimum target.

bigmat

I'm in again, had a place every year now. My brother has just received his third rejection! Still debating whether to bother with it again this year, although it would be nice to arrive with decent form this year (I felt terrible last year) and see if I could smash the 4 hour mark.

peteb0

ChrisAOnABike wrote:

It was amazing, for sure, and afterwards I did learn how to dry boots out with newspaper.

I'm still a bit damp around the edges...

Anonymous

Am not sure how you get the clothing.
It's not on Evans website and the local store manager does not even know they are the official retail partner.

There is nothing about it on their website either.

Bit odd.

buckmulligan

GrenW wrote:

Maybe next year I'll just swallow my pride and estimate 8.5 hours

I think you'd be better off going for sub-4

shooter999

Didn't get in

prhymeate

My friend and I have tried for the last 4 years, both got commiserations magazines again this year. Frustrating to say the least.

mallorcajeff

Tried every year and got a place this year. Better learn how to ride a bike again.

milemuncher1

BuckMulligan wrote:

Milemuncher1 wrote:

The questions they ask you when you apply are nothing to do with 'selection criteria' it's completely random, as was nicely demonstrated last year, a guy who I go on club rides with, applied twice ( not strictly on, but so what ) , the only difference in the two applications was that his middle name was different on each application, no other differences. He received both magazines, he both got in, and didn't get in, simultaneously I have to laugh about all the bullshit I hear about 'quotas' and 'selection' every year. The information you supply when you apply, is used in the risk assessment ( a pre requisite of the events insurance) after the ballot has finished, to enable the organisers to attempt to put people in 'Waves' which should ensure a steady flow ( at least on the non hilly bits ) and prevent 'pinch points', and hopefully ensure everyone ( who isn't in the back of a broom wagon ) gets to the finish, before the Pro race finish has to be set up.

Are you basing this on any actual knowledge of the ballot procedure or just wild speculation? If it's the latter then I don't see why your speculation is any more valid than anyone else's.

As I said before, Ride London is run by the same organisation as the London Marathon and if you browse the running forums you can find first hand accounts of how the ballot for that is run. I would say that's a much better indication of how entrants are picked for Ride London than any of the speculation here.

This is from someone who works on the organising arm of the company. It's no big secret. The London Marathon is a very different affair, it's dealt with very differently. ( at present ). If the PRLS evolves as the London Marathon has, it may need to be reviewed.

dov2711

4 attempts and 4 rejections add in my wife's 4 attempts and 4 rejections and there is clearly an agenda to keep us out. :twisted:
We actually couldn't do it this year due to a 10 day charity ride we have but thought it worth trying then deferring the place. Not to be.

NMFB

Got in on the ballot this year and last year. Can't believe my luck. But then I've applied for the London Marathon on and off about 7 times and never got in.

moscowflyer

I'm in, first time in the ballot since it started although did the first one through a charity place. Each of the first three times I put a finish time of between 4 hours and 4:30. Not expecting to get in this time I put something like 6 and a half hours and got the congrats magazine.

I do think a lot of people fabricate their estimated times thinking they have a better chance of getting in, as if those that are likely to finish quicker will get in so the roads are clear earlier. On the flip side those that go the other way may have a better chance after all as they try to balance it all out.

capt_slog

Questions about the charity aplication route...

How many can you apply for, or is there no limit? If there is no limit, what would happen if two or more charities decide to take you on? Are you then free to choose between any that ask?

Clem

MoscowFlyer wrote:

I'm in, first time in the ballot since it started although did the first one through a charity place. Each of the first three times I put a finish time of between 4 hours and 4:30. Not expecting to get in this time I put something like 6 and a half hours and got the congrats magazine.

I do think a lot of people fabricate their estimated times thinking they have a better chance of getting in, as if those that are likely to finish quicker will get in so the roads are clear earlier. On the flip side those that go the other way may have a better chance after all as they try to balance it all out.

I estimated 6.5 hours and didn't get in but my mate has a place, which he's deferring. I'm going to ride for the British Lung Foundation and am happy with that - I haven't tapped my colleagues for sponsorship since 2008!