Ride London 2016
Comments
-
I thought much the same thing about slower riders joining up with faster ones. On the 100 the faster riders will be done in 4 hours (so averaging 25 mph) and hence, with a 6am start will be hitting the final 17 (where the short course feeds in) at about 9:20 -9:30. With the short course starting at 9:00 even the fastest won't get 27 miles until say 10:10 and those fastest would be riding at the same speed as the 100 mile riders so no great shakes
I reckon the issue will come around 11:00 when the short course riders who are averaging say 12mph will merge with the long course riders who are averaging 20 mph and that situation will continue for at least an hour or 2, until the full course faster riders have finished and it is mainly the slower full course riders on the same piece of road as the slower short course riders.
I didn't get into ballot for the 100, but wife did and as I'll be going up to support I figured I may as well enter the short course ballot on the hope of having a couple of hours spin while I'm waiting for her. I doubt we would be able to cycle the last bit together as she is slower than me and I suspect she wouldn't get to final 17 miles of full course much before mid day (assuming she gets a 7:30ish start time)0 -
I'm considering entering the shorter route ballot given I didn't get in the 100. While it's not a huge distance sportive, you still get the benefit of riding on those completely closed roads, which is what really makes it.
Technically though, if you are quick enough, what is there to stop you riding the full 100? Obviously your timings are probably going to be iffy as you would be going through time checks not designed for your chip and you don't get the full 100 medal, but you could probably do it.0 -
Rich_E wrote:I'm considering entering the shorter route ballot given I didn't get in the 100. While it's not a huge distance sportive, you still get the benefit of riding on those completely closed roads, which is what really makes it.
Technically though, if you are quick enough, what is there to stop you riding the full 100? Obviously your timings are probably going to be iffy as you would be going through time checks not designed for your chip and you don't get the full 100 medal, but you could probably do it.
The stickers and badges will be different on the short ride. If the marshals spot anyone on the wrong bit, they will bring the riders to a halt ( using the pedestrian crossing routes ) then instruct the hooky rider(s) to join the correct route.0 -
MattPillinger wrote:I thought much the same thing about slower riders joining up with faster ones. On the 100 the faster riders will be done in 4 hours (so averaging 25 mph) and hence, with a 6am start will be hitting the final 17 (where the short course feeds in) at about 9:20 -9:30. With the short course starting at 9:00 even the fastest won't get 27 miles until say 10:10 and those fastest would be riding at the same speed as the 100 mile riders so no great shakes
I reckon the issue will come around 11:00 when the short course riders who are averaging say 12mph will merge with the long course riders who are averaging 20 mph and that situation will continue for at least an hour or 2, until the full course faster riders have finished and it is mainly the slower full course riders on the same piece of road as the slower short course riders.
I didn't get into ballot for the 100, but wife did and as I'll be going up to support I figured I may as well enter the short course ballot on the hope of having a couple of hours spin while I'm waiting for her. I doubt we would be able to cycle the last bit together as she is slower than me and I suspect she wouldn't get to final 17 miles of full course much before mid day (assuming she gets a 7:30ish start time)
I doubt too many of the 100 riders will be averaging 25 mph, not over 100 miles, including the Surrey hills bit. That is firmly into the the pro peloton pace. A 'brisk' pace will probably be about 20 - 22 mph, I'd expect the majority of 100 riders to be between 15 - 20 mph range, with a fair few in the 11-15 mph bracket, if past years are anything to go on. I know there have been a few 100 riders claiming to have completed the course in 4 hours, but I also know many who have done so 'shorted' the route. It's not really 'cricket', but if you know the rat runs in Surrey, and you make sure you hit the en route timing strips, it looks kosher.0 -
Milemuncher1 wrote:MattPillinger wrote:I thought much the same thing about slower riders joining up with faster ones. On the 100 the faster riders will be done in 4 hours (so averaging 25 mph) and hence, with a 6am start will be hitting the final 17 (where the short course feeds in) at about 9:20 -9:30. With the short course starting at 9:00 even the fastest won't get 27 miles until say 10:10 and those fastest would be riding at the same speed as the 100 mile riders so no great shakes
I reckon the issue will come around 11:00 when the short course riders who are averaging say 12mph will merge with the long course riders who are averaging 20 mph and that situation will continue for at least an hour or 2, until the full course faster riders have finished and it is mainly the slower full course riders on the same piece of road as the slower short course riders.
I didn't get into ballot for the 100, but wife did and as I'll be going up to support I figured I may as well enter the short course ballot on the hope of having a couple of hours spin while I'm waiting for her. I doubt we would be able to cycle the last bit together as she is slower than me and I suspect she wouldn't get to final 17 miles of full course much before mid day (assuming she gets a 7:30ish start time)
I doubt too many of the 100 riders will be averaging 25 mph, not over 100 miles, including the Surrey hills bit. That is firmly into the the pro peloton pace. A 'brisk' pace will probably be about 20 - 22 mph, I'd expect the majority of 100 riders to be between 15 - 20 mph range, with a fair few in the 11-15 mph bracket, if past years are anything to go on. I know there have been a few 100 riders claiming to have completed the course in 4 hours, but I also know many who have done so 'shorted' the route. It's not really 'cricket', but if you know the rat runs in Surrey, and you make sure you hit the en route timing strips, it looks kosher.
Its not that hard for a decent club cyclist to do it in around 4 hours. I did 4hrs 15 last year and I was in dreadful shape (woke up with abdominal pain and breathing difficulties - but that's a whole other story!). Anyway, it sounds like the faster riders should be finished before it all merges so hopefully it will all work out OK.0 -
Milemuncher1 wrote:Rich_E wrote:I'm considering entering the shorter route ballot given I didn't get in the 100. While it's not a huge distance sportive, you still get the benefit of riding on those completely closed roads, which is what really makes it.
Technically though, if you are quick enough, what is there to stop you riding the full 100? Obviously your timings are probably going to be iffy as you would be going through time checks not designed for your chip and you don't get the full 100 medal, but you could probably do it.
The stickers and badges will be different on the short ride. If the marshals spot anyone on the wrong bit, they will bring the riders to a halt ( using the pedestrian crossing routes ) then instruct the hooky rider(s) to join the correct route.
Will they though?
I've only ridden the first year and there were people on the 2013 ride who were poaching with no stickers/sportive numbers and I didn't see anyone get pulled off the course.0 -
Rich_E wrote:Milemuncher1 wrote:Rich_E wrote:I'm considering entering the shorter route ballot given I didn't get in the 100. While it's not a huge distance sportive, you still get the benefit of riding on those completely closed roads, which is what really makes it.
Technically though, if you are quick enough, what is there to stop you riding the full 100? Obviously your timings are probably going to be iffy as you would be going through time checks not designed for your chip and you don't get the full 100 medal, but you could probably do it.
The stickers and badges will be different on the short ride. If the marshals spot anyone on the wrong bit, they will bring the riders to a halt ( using the pedestrian crossing routes ) then instruct the hooky rider(s) to join the correct route.
Will they though?
I've only ridden the first year and there were people on the 2013 ride who were poaching with no stickers/sportive numbers and I didn't see anyone get pulled off the course.
On the flip side, a couple of poachers appeared in the group I was with, about 5 miles into the route last year . They were pulled up at a crossing point, and asked to stop. One did stop, one carried on, then caused us all to get stopped at the next crossing point. When he realised we weren't impressed, he decided to stop as well.0 -
Last year's results seem to show 18 riders under 4 hours, 283 under 4h15, 940 under 4h30, 2087 under 4h45, 3630 under 5h.
So that's well over 10% at more than 20mph.
I don't believe any of them cheated. What would be the point? It's not like there's anything to win. And I think it's unlikely that the riders on the short course will cause (or experience) significant problems with the traffic after they merge. At least in comparison to the problems the 100 milers create for themselves...
Paul0 -
paul2718 wrote:Last year's results seem to show 18 riders under 4 hours, 283 under 4h15, 940 under 4h30, 2087 under 4h45, 3630 under 5h.
So that's well over 10% at more than 20mph.
I don't believe any of them cheated. What would be the point? It's not like there's anything to win. And I think it's unlikely that the riders on the short course will cause (or experience) significant problems with the traffic after they merge. At least in comparison to the problems the 100 milers create for themselves...
Paul
That's about what I've had thought. There were some 100 riders, who could well have kept up with the peloton. I also caught one guy, who I was damned sure was no where near a 4 hour rider (more like a 7 hr), because I've led some social rides where the guy had ridden. I got hold of his Garmin, lol and behold, the route he took was missing 45 miles. He did take it in good humour though. At the end of the day, it's just another large group social ride, and if people want to 'short' it, meh. They're only cheating themselves.0 -
If it's not on Strava, it didn't happen.
Paul0 -
paul2718 wrote:If it's not on Strava, it didn't happen.
Paul
Quite.0 -
What the hell would be the point of shorten it? It's a single distance event if you don't want to ride the distance or have a bad day then its a DNF
As I was told when I joined the army if you don't want this place there are literally 1000s more who's dream would be to in your shoes.Rule #5 // Harden The Feck Up.
Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.0 -
itboffin wrote:What the hell would be the point of shorten it? It's a single distance event if you don't want to ride the distance or have a bad day then its a DNF
As I was told when I joined the army if you don't want this place there are literally 1000s more who's dream would be to in your shoes.
My sentiments exactly.0 -
paul2718 wrote:Last year's results seem to show 18 riders under 4 hours, 283 under 4h15, 940 under 4h30, 2087 under 4h45, 3630 under 5h.
So that's well over 10% at more than 20mph.
I don't believe any of them cheated. What would be the point? It's not like there's anything to win. And I think it's unlikely that the riders on the short course will cause (or experience) significant problems with the traffic after they merge. At least in comparison to the problems the 100 milers create for themselves...
Paul
The first waves are mainly club teams (any club can apply for club team places, teams of 4 slowest time counts). I was in the second lot out. We tracked the pace car all the way to Newlands corner and that peleton was massive and we caught the first wave up. You can mostly draft at 20 miles+ an hour all the way until there. I think I rode past the first feed station at Hampton in 50 minutes (try that on a normal work day!) Then Newlands, Leith and Box one by one split the field into those that can really drive the pace.
I'd probably struggle in any Cat4 race these days and gave that game up years ago. I am no slouch, but at 49 things are not getting quicker. I hit 4:09. It is a flat course, you have huge peletons to drag you all the way and you never have to pause. The biggest issue is making sure you stay in a peleton and don't get squeezed out on corners/narrow sections. Oh and also staying up-right there were a lot of crashes, some pretty serious in those first waves.
Cut it short? I'd wish they'd make it longer it's an absolute adrenaline rush to be spinning around the closed lanes and towns of Surrey at that pace. One day though I will actually go round, enjoy the view and enjoy the feeling of not being right on the edge hoping an accident won't happen. However 9 minutes I have to find this year, the training has begun.0 -
I am in serious envy of the sub 4:00 -4:15 guys. As noted above these are essentially pro peloton pace and no doubt they were in bunches, but then so are most of the pro-peloton.
I did 4:56, without being in a formed group, but equally there are lots of other riders around. For me the thing that makes it blisteringly quick is that the road surfaces are very good and not having to slow down for roundabouts, traffic lights etc and then speed up again.
On a normal 100 I reckon I would go under 6:00, but not by much, so the effect of closed roads is worth somewhere between 15 & 20% I think0 -
MattPillinger wrote:I am in serious envy of the sub 4:00 -4:15 guys. As noted above these are essentially pro peloton pace and no doubt they were in bunches, but then so are most of the pro-peloton.
I did 4:56, without being in a formed group, but equally there are lots of other riders around. For me the thing that makes it blisteringly quick is that the road surfaces are very good and not having to slow down for roundabouts, traffic lights etc and then speed up again.
On a normal 100 I reckon I would go under 6:00, but not by much, so the effect of closed roads is worth somewhere between 15 & 20% I think
You're quite right, the closed roads are an absolute blessing. I wouldn't call it mountainous, but it's not "a flat course" by any stretch of anyone's imagination. As with any 'sportive' you always get the wannabe pro racers. I tend to treat it like any other 100 mile ride, make sure I get to see some sights, have a chat with anyone who wants to, along the way, take in the atmosphere of the bits that go through the towns. Last year I even stopped in the little village before box hill, and sampled the barbecue they had, on the village green. It sorted me out a treat for the last bit of the ride. That's the thing with 'Sportives' it's not a race, there is a time limit ( sort of ) but it's very generous, so different people get different things out of it. This event is even quite a good way to raise some money for charity.0 -
Milemuncher1 wrote:I wouldn't call it mountainous, but it's not "a flat course" by any stretch of anyone's imagination.
Think thats a bit OTT.
I would say it was a fairly flat sportive. Much nearer flat than mountainous anyway.
Cannot think of a sportive I have ever done that had less steep\long hills.
Leith hill is steep and short, Box is not that steep, but longer.
I guess I live in an area with quite a few hills, but Ditchling Beacon on L2B is steeper/longer, as is a climb on our local BHF charity ride.
Always good to be over prepared for hills though.
Anyone want to say if they found it less or more hilly than they perceived after doing it for the first time in years 1 or 3.0 -
3 years on the bounce and I'm officially in again with a club spot.
The price is getting unpalatable but fancy one more crack at sub 4 hours.
Although I believe the key to this is being in the 6:03 pen.
Thankfully whilst it is 'flat' the hills that are there do whittle the bunches down.0 -
20% increase in 3 years 'unpalitable'?
Raised/raising any money for charities in those 300 fast miles?
On a friendlier note
Am hoping to leave on the 6.03 train this year too. Not sure we will have the same arrival time though
0 -
Would you spend that to ride on your doorstep?
It's a lot for me, especially when I'll sit out 2-3 road races to pay for it.0 -
Well don't do it then.
I used to live around Putney/Wimbledon so part of the fun is coming back to London for me, but guess I would still pay for the closed roads and atmosphere.
It costs a lot more to visit than if I was still a local.0 -
Try reading back to where I said why I'm back but hey this is a BR sportive thread, let's have a pissing match
0 -
To do it fast? Whats that got to do with anything?
Why knock sportives? just don't do it and do 2 road races instead.0 -
Keep fishing for that holier-than-thou angle. I'm out before this thread gets completely ruined.0
-
Carbonator wrote:Milemuncher1 wrote:I wouldn't call it mountainous, but it's not "a flat course" by any stretch of anyone's imagination.
Think thats a bit OTT.
I would say it was a fairly flat sportive. Much nearer flat than mountainous anyway.
Cannot think of a sportive I have ever done that had less steep\long hills.
Leith hill is steep and short, Box is not that steep, but longer.
I guess I live in an area with quite a few hills, but Ditchling Beacon on L2B is steeper/longer, as is a climb on our local BHF charity ride.
Always good to be over prepared for hills though.
Anyone want to say if they found it less or more hilly than they perceived after doing it for the first time in years 1 or 3.
It was as hilly as I thought it would be, I've ridden Leith / and Box hill, in isolation, but never one after the other. The bit I wasn't expecting was the kicker up to the feed station at Newlands corner, no one really mentioned it, that was surprisingly steep at the top. Leith hill is going to be a surprise for anyone who's not used to hills. Although Box hill meanders up, it's still quite a way up to the top. Obviously 99.9 percent of all the riders in this event are super pro, pro bro, bro dog bro's, but in the real world, I think the majority of the riders, in the PRLS, will find the Surrey section, challenging enough. Judging by the amount of riders who were getting off their bikes and walking up the steeper sections ( particularly Leith hill ), I think a lot the 'pffffft, those aren't hills' brigade, may be spouting a little bit of hot air.
0 -
iPete wrote:Keep fishing for that holier-than-thou angle. I'm out before this thread gets completely ruined.
I'm not.
Just seems that you came on this thread to show off.
Not a sin in itself, but I think moaning about the price when you are just using a charity event to do it is a bit off IMO.
Nothing wrong with not raising money either, but just don't moan about the cost. It seems good value to me, but just don't do it if it does not to you.
Its effectively subsidized by the charity element isn't it? £58 is a bargain for what it is.0 -
Milemuncher1 wrote:Carbonator wrote:Milemuncher1 wrote:I wouldn't call it mountainous, but it's not "a flat course" by any stretch of anyone's imagination.
Think thats a bit OTT.
I would say it was a fairly flat sportive. Much nearer flat than mountainous anyway.
Cannot think of a sportive I have ever done that had less steep\long hills.
Leith hill is steep and short, Box is not that steep, but longer.
I guess I live in an area with quite a few hills, but Ditchling Beacon on L2B is steeper/longer, as is a climb on our local BHF charity ride.
Always good to be over prepared for hills though.
Anyone want to say if they found it less or more hilly than they perceived after doing it for the first time in years 1 or 3.
It was as hilly as I thought it would be, I've ridden Leith / and Box hill, in isolation, but never one after the other. The bit I wasn't expecting was the kicker up to the feed station at Newlands corner, no one really mentioned it, that was surprisingly steep at the top. Leith hill is going to be a surprise for anyone who's not used to hills. Although Box hill meanders up, it's still quite a way up to the top. Obviously 99.9 percent of all the riders in this event are super pro, pro bro, bro dog bro's, but in the real world, I think the majority of the riders, in the PRLS, will find the Surrey section, challenging enough. Judging by the amount of riders who were getting off their bikes and walking up the steeper sections ( particularly Leith hill ), I think a lot the 'pffffft, those aren't hills' brigade, may be spouting a little bit of hot air.
Thats not at all what I am saying.
I don't look down on other cyclists ability, and hope no one looks down on me.
I do raise an eyebrow at people who enter events and then do not train for them
Bottom line is that everyone entering will know the gradient of the course, and has more than enough time to train for them.
Its up to the individual if they do the training, or choose to find it tougher than it needs to be on the day.
The gradient is what it is. Entrants perception of it aside, its not that hilly. It is a fairly flat course compared to similar events.0 -
Carbonator wrote:iPete wrote:Keep fishing for that holier-than-thou angle. I'm out before this thread gets completely ruined.
I'm not.
Just seems that you came on this thread to show off.
Not a sin in itself, but I think moaning about the price when you are just using a charity event to do it is a bit off IMO.
Nothing wrong with not raising money either, but just don't moan about the cost. It seems good value to me, but just don't do it if it does not to you.
Its effectively subsidized by the charity element isn't it? £58 is a bargain for what it is.
Fair, my comment is more in line with my own finances and most of all having to get this past the other half
Overall it's a well run event and the closed roads are a hoot.
You can't enter any closed road event without a charity element, takes me back to running when you couldn't enter any event without someone at the water cooler asking 'what charity are you running for?' I can imagine if running is just your thing and not a 'challenge' that gets tedious.
I'll stick with donating to other riders for R100, having done my own 'challenges' in recent years nobody is going to sponsor me to do a club run on steroids.Milemuncher1 wrote:Carbonator wrote:Milemuncher1 wrote:I wouldn't call it mountainous, but it's not "a flat course" by any stretch of anyone's imagination.
Think thats a bit OTT.
I would say it was a fairly flat sportive. Much nearer flat than mountainous anyway.
Cannot think of a sportive I have ever done that had less steep\long hills.
Leith hill is steep and short, Box is not that steep, but longer.
I guess I live in an area with quite a few hills, but Ditchling Beacon on L2B is steeper/longer, as is a climb on our local BHF charity ride.
Always good to be over prepared for hills though.
Anyone want to say if they found it less or more hilly than they perceived after doing it for the first time in years 1 or 3.
It was as hilly as I thought it would be, I've ridden Leith / and Box hill, in isolation, but never one after the other. The bit I wasn't expecting was the kicker up to the feed station at Newlands corner, no one really mentioned it, that was surprisingly steep at the top. Leith hill is going to be a surprise for anyone who's not used to hills. Although Box hill meanders up, it's still quite a way up to the top. Obviously 99.9 percent of all the riders in this event are super pro, pro bro, bro dog bro's, but in the real world, I think the majority of the riders, in the PRLS, will find the Surrey section, challenging enough. Judging by the amount of riders who were getting off their bikes and walking up the steeper sections ( particularly Leith hill ), I think a lot the 'pffffft, those aren't hills' brigade, may be spouting a little bit of hot air.
I have to ask, are you doing this on your big geared single speed?0 -
iPete wrote:Carbonator wrote:iPete wrote:.Milemuncher1 wrote:Carbonator wrote:Milemuncher1 wrote:I wouldn't call it mountainous, but it's not "a flat course" by any stretch of anyone's imagination.
It was as hilly as I thought it would be, I've ridden Leith / and Box hill, in isolation, but never one after the other. The bit I wasn't expecting was the kicker up to the feed station at Newlands corner, no one really mentioned it, that was surprisingly steep at the top. Leith hill is going to be a surprise for anyone who's not used to hills. Although Box hill meanders up, it's still quite a way up to the top. Obviously 99.9 percent of all the riders in this event are super pro, pro bro, bro dog bro's, but in the real world, I think the majority of the riders, in the PRLS, will find the Surrey section, challenging enough. Judging by the amount of riders who were getting off their bikes and walking up the steeper sections ( particularly Leith hill ), I think a lot the 'pffffft, those aren't hills' brigade, may be spouting a little bit of hot air.
I have to ask, are you doing this on your big geared single speed?
I'm certainly considering using the SS.0 -
Milemuncher1 wrote:MattPillinger wrote:I am in serious envy of the sub 4:00 -4:15 guys. As noted above these are essentially pro peloton pace and no doubt they were in bunches, but then so are most of the pro-peloton.
I did 4:56, without being in a formed group, but equally there are lots of other riders around. For me the thing that makes it blisteringly quick is that the road surfaces are very good and not having to slow down for roundabouts, traffic lights etc and then speed up again.
On a normal 100 I reckon I would go under 6:00, but not by much, so the effect of closed roads is worth somewhere between 15 & 20% I think
You're quite right, the closed roads are an absolute blessing. I wouldn't call it mountainous, but it's not "a flat course" by any stretch of anyone's imagination. As with any 'sportive' you always get the wannabe pro racers. I tend to treat it like any other 100 mile ride, make sure I get to see some sights, have a chat with anyone who wants to, along the way, take in the atmosphere of the bits that go through the towns. Last year I even stopped in the little village before box hill, and sampled the barbecue they had, on the village green. It sorted me out a treat for the last bit of the ride. That's the thing with 'Sportives' it's not a race, there is a time limit ( sort of ) but it's very generous, so different people get different things out of it. This event is even quite a good way to raise some money for charity.
I must admit that I have never really understood the appeal of signing up to do a ride like this and then being effectively dragged around by a large group in a time that you would not ever be capable of reaching under your own power. I have heard people talking proudly about how quickly they have ridden a certain ride when they have spent minimal time at the front of the group. It might just be me but sitting drafting and looking at the rear end of the rider in front of you for the duration of the ride has no appeal whatsoever. And what ever time I get I know that I earned it rather than managing to hang on to a group that were better riders than me. I used to note this when i did triathlons - people boasting about their new personal records achieved after buying all the aero speed assistance they could afford. Put them back on their old equipment and they probably wouldn't be any quicker... As I said though, it might just be me...0
