Ride London 2017

milemuncher1 · June 2017

I'm off in Yellow A at 06:16. Early start, should miss the crowds and crashes.

ugo.santalucia · June 2017

Milemuncher1 wrote:

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Here's the route of the Ride London 100, with the relative elevation plot. Leith Hill is the big sharp spike at about 60 miles. It's the climb I like least of all of them, just because of the way it goes up. Relatively gentle as you turn left onto Etherly Hill road, from the B2126, followed by a sharp left turn onto Leith Hill Road, which suddenly becomes a tarmac wall, as you see Leith Hill place on your left, then another nasty step after the following left hand bend, then it levels out a bit as you reach the top. You've then got hardly any time to recover, before the descent past Abinger Common, and down to the right hand turn, that takes you to Westcott. You need your concentration on that descent, because the road surface isn't great, and there are always people 'stopping to wait for their mate' invariably in the shaded bits, or on the corners. Mind you, in previous years, there has been a little village fete at Westcott, with a barbecue, which is a nice place to check out the bike, before the climb up to Box Hill.

Wow, Stretching the Y axis to the point where you can see the individual meters one can make anything look hilly...

milemuncher1 · June 2017

ugo.santalucia wrote:

Milemuncher1 wrote:

[/url]

Here's the route of the Ride London 100, with the relative elevation plot. Leith Hill is the big sharp spike at about 60 miles. It's the climb I like least of all of them, just because of the way it goes up. Relatively gentle as you turn left onto Etherly Hill road, from the B2126, followed by a sharp left turn onto Leith Hill Road, which suddenly becomes a tarmac wall, as you see Leith Hill place on your left, then another nasty step after the following left hand bend, then it levels out a bit as you reach the top. You've then got hardly any time to recover, before the descent past Abinger Common, and down to the right hand turn, that takes you to Westcott. You need your concentration on that descent, because the road surface isn't great, and there are always people 'stopping to wait for their mate' invariably in the shaded bits, or on the corners. Mind you, in previous years, there has been a little village fete at Westcott, with a barbecue, which is a nice place to check out the bike, before the climb up to Box Hill.

Wow, Stretching the Y axis to the point where you can see the individual meters one can make anything look hilly...

That's British Cycling's 'Lets Ride' site for you

.
As I said, you can only really tell how harsh the climbs are relative to each other. To be fair, they do put the actual elevation on the Y axis as well.

rick_chasey · June 2017

Stupid question - how do you receive your start times?

capt_slog · June 2017

Rick Chasey wrote:

Stupid question - how do you receive your start times?

I thought it was through the post, but I then I thought I'd better check my emails to see what happened last year. So I did a search, and there is an email I received last night with my start times in it!

• Start Area: Green
• Wave: F
• Wave Load opening time: 05:44
• Wave Load closing time: 06:24
• Start Time: 07:36

rick_chasey · June 2017

Capt Slog wrote:

Rick Chasey wrote:

Stupid question - how do you receive your start times?

I thought it was through the post, but I then I thought I'd better check my emails to see what happened last year. So I did a search, and there is an email I received last night with my start times in it!

• Start Area: Green
• Wave: F
• Wave Load opening time: 05:44
• Wave Load closing time: 06:24
• Start Time: 07:36

Quite right.

Dug it out of my junk.

Wave A...load opening time 4.44....closing time 5.24.. start time 5.48.....

Bahahaha

Me thinks someone is going to be spat out the back end of that group fairly sharpish.

london-red · June 2017

Not sure how far back this start time is, but it's still an early start from Kingston. Anyone riding to the start? I did when I last did it, but don't want to have to take lights...

Start Area: Green
Wave: A
Wave Load opening time: 05:28
Wave Load closing time: 06:08
Start Time: 06:56

sherer · June 2017

Rick Chasey wrote:

Capt Slog wrote:

Rick Chasey wrote:

Stupid question - how do you receive your start times?

I thought it was through the post, but I then I thought I'd better check my emails to see what happened last year. So I did a search, and there is an email I received last night with my start times in it!

• Start Area: Green
• Wave: F
• Wave Load opening time: 05:44
• Wave Load closing time: 06:24
• Start Time: 07:36

Quite right.

Dug it out of my junk.

Wave A...load opening time 4.44....closing time 5.24.. start time 5.48.....

Bahahaha

Me thinks someone is going to be spat out the back end of that group fairly sharpish.

That's a brutal start time. Not much the organiser can do with this one, due to the pro race, but wish sometimes these started later in the day then you can sleep properly and fuel correctly before you start.

I'm 7:24 start wave loading at 06:00 although last time I did it the wave loading time seemed a bit flexible

capt_slog · June 2017

London-Red wrote:

Not sure how far back this start time is, but it's still an early start from Kingston. Anyone riding to the start? I did when I last did it, but don't want to have to take lights...

Start Area: Green
Wave: A
Wave Load opening time: 05:28
Wave Load closing time: 06:08
Start Time: 06:56

Sunrise 05:21, you should be fine. Just.

The logistics must be hell, but some of the times defy logic.

My Son...
Start Area: Orange
Wave: J
Wave Load opening time: 06:36
Wave Load closing time: 07:16
Start Time: 07:48

me..
• Start Area: Green
• Wave: F
• Wave Load opening time: 05:44
• Wave Load closing time: 06:24
• Start Time: 07:36

So I wait 72 mins to start, son waits just 32 mins.

j_mcd · June 2017

Rick Chasey wrote:

Quite right.

Dug it out of my junk.

Wave A...load opening time 4.44....closing time 5.24.. start time 5.48.....

Bahahaha

Me thinks someone is going to be spat out the back end of that group fairly sharpish.

I went off at that time last year. The average speed was...fast...

Going off a bit later this year which should be less depressing. Your motivation does get sapped a bit when you spend the first hour and a half being overtaken by people

rick_chasey · June 2017

What was your time in the end?

Anonymous · June 2017

Thanks guys, mine was in junk too.

06:08 start time :twisted:

Bazzerdad · July 2017

Received final instruction magazine and an option after the ride is to drop off bike to return it to the Olympic park and collect later (I am staying nearby) is this a good option or is it easier to cycle back (it's about 7 miles)

rick_chasey · July 2017

Cycle back...

milemuncher1 · July 2017

Bazzerdad wrote:

Received final instruction magazine and an option after the ride is to drop off bike to return it to the Olympic park and collect later (I am staying nearby) is this a good option or is it easier to cycle back (it's about 7 miles)

Easier to ride back.

Anonymous · July 2017

Bazzerdad wrote:

Received final instruction magazine and an option after the ride is to drop off bike to return it to the Olympic park and collect later (I am staying nearby) is this a good option or is it easier to cycle back (it's about 7 miles)

Easier to ride back but nice if you want to hang around at the finish area for any reason.

Route from finish to drop off point is a pain and it was not that well organized when I did it.
Kiddies at pick up point tried to give me wrong bike, but luckily ours were still there.

Think I want to hang around this year so will probably use it.

capt_slog · July 2017

Carbonator wrote:

Bazzerdad wrote:

Received final instruction magazine and an option after the ride is to drop off bike to return it to the Olympic park and collect later (I am staying nearby) is this a good option or is it easier to cycle back (it's about 7 miles)

Easier to ride back but nice if you want to hang around at the finish area for any reason.

Route from finish to drop off point is a pain and it was not that well organized when I did it.
Kiddies at pick up point tried to give me wrong bike, but luckily ours were still there.

Think I want to hang around this year so will probably use it.

:shock:

Ye Gods! No way I'm letting go of mine.

Last year No2 son came to watch with Mrs Slog, I rode with No1 son. No2 son felt a bit left out, obviously, but wasn't up to the ride, nor would he put in the work to train.

On the Mall, we watched the pro race come in, and then I took off my shoes and gave them to No2 Son, saying "Get these on, and give me yours".

He was delighted to ride the bike back across London to the hotel with his brother. I cut quite a dash on the various tubes wearing full lycra and a pair of brogues.

kingstongraham · July 2017

The road surface on the way down off Leith Hill is really quite bad this year - I'd be careful down there. Especially on the bit where you go through that cutting, and at that left hand turn after the fast straight. It's really sketchy, and people will be changing their lines at the last second.

pollys_bott · July 2017

When I did it a few years ago there wasn't anyone checking whether you were early or late for your wave load, I just joined the back of the queue at my colour area and shuffled towards the start line. Is that still the case?

Thigh_burn · July 2017

KingstonGraham wrote:

The road surface on the way down off Leith Hill is really quite bad this year - I'd be careful down there. Especially on the bit where you go through that cutting, and at that left hand turn after the fast straight. It's really sketchy, and people will be changing their lines at the last second.

This. I rode it a couple of weeks ago and it felt lethal. Brought back some bad memories from RL last year when some twunt shoulder barged me. Road surface certainly felt more tricky this year.

capt_slog · July 2017

Pollys Bott wrote:

When I did it a few years ago there wasn't anyone checking whether you were early or late for your wave load, I just joined the back of the queue at my colour area and shuffled towards the start line. Is that still the case?

It was like that last year. I had a start time of something like 8:40 if I recall correctly. I turned up just as my wave was closing but officials didn't seem bothered. There were a few people in the wrong wave colours and certainly in the wrong time slots. It was quite organised but also a bit lax

Having said that though, you only need ONE jobsworth to make an issue of what you're doing if you're in the wrong place and suddenly you could find your day over. And I would say that is more likely to be the case early in the day when they are keen, or late in the day when they've had a bit of cyclist's chelp.

sherer · July 2017

Thigh_burn wrote:

KingstonGraham wrote:

The road surface on the way down off Leith Hill is really quite bad this year - I'd be careful down there. Especially on the bit where you go through that cutting, and at that left hand turn after the fast straight. It's really sketchy, and people will be changing their lines at the last second.

This. I rode it a couple of weeks ago and it felt lethal. Brought back some bad memories from RL last year when some twunt shoulder barged me. Road surface certainly felt more tricky this year.

I've already warned my mate about this too. Some very bad potholes in the area and I found it dangerous both times I rode it. best to stick to the left and go slow.. rather that than have an accident

RideOnTime · July 2017

RideOnTime wrote:

We are bringing a trailer of bikes down to Ilford for this event just up the line from Stratford. This had been to help some US friends struggling to find a hire bike. Now they're cancelled and we're committed, hotel etc. The mods might want to ban me yet again for posting. However a lot of people may find this service very helpful so please don't cut off your nose etc...

http://d2ride.co.uk/Bike-Trials-and-Events-2017.php

New Planet-X and Pinarello Dogma 2 (on 2012 new frame) still available...

rich_e · July 2017

Carbonator wrote:

Bazzerdad wrote:

Received final instruction magazine and an option after the ride is to drop off bike to return it to the Olympic park and collect later (I am staying nearby) is this a good option or is it easier to cycle back (it's about 7 miles)

Easier to ride back but nice if you want to hang around at the finish area for any reason.

Route from finish to drop off point is a pain and it was not that well organized when I did it.
Kiddies at pick up point tried to give me wrong bike, but luckily ours were still there.

Think I want to hang around this year so will probably use it.

You could just use the free cycle parking that they have in Green Park, which is close to where you finish and pickup your finishers goody bag.

I did that the first year when I wanted to hang around to watch the pro race finish. It was manned by military and cadets, so certainly seemed pretty secure.

I'd certainly take that over having my bike put into a truck with no idea what is going to happen to it.

ugo.santalucia · July 2017

sherer wrote:

Thigh_burn wrote:

KingstonGraham wrote:

The road surface on the way down off Leith Hill is really quite bad this year - I'd be careful down there. Especially on the bit where you go through that cutting, and at that left hand turn after the fast straight. It's really sketchy, and people will be changing their lines at the last second.

This. I rode it a couple of weeks ago and it felt lethal. Brought back some bad memories from RL last year when some twunt shoulder barged me. Road surface certainly felt more tricky this year.

I've already warned my mate about this too. Some very bad potholes in the area and I found it dangerous both times I rode it. best to stick to the left and go slow.. rather that than have an accident

I find it a bit ridiculous that they want to route > 20,000 cyclists on a bunch of lanes they can't even be bothered to maintain properly.
I would guess the total revenue for this event to be close to 8 figures and they cant find the resources to fix a few holes?

capt_slog · July 2017

ugo.santalucia wrote:

sherer wrote:

Thigh_burn wrote:

KingstonGraham wrote:

The road surface on the way down off Leith Hill is really quite bad this year - I'd be careful down there. Especially on the bit where you go through that cutting, and at that left hand turn after the fast straight. It's really sketchy, and people will be changing their lines at the last second.

This. I rode it a couple of weeks ago and it felt lethal. Brought back some bad memories from RL last year when some twunt shoulder barged me. Road surface certainly felt more tricky this year.

I've already warned my mate about this too. Some very bad potholes in the area and I found it dangerous both times I rode it. best to stick to the left and go slow.. rather that than have an accident

I find it a bit ridiculous that they want to route > 20,000 cyclists on a bunch of lanes they can't even be bothered to maintain properly.
I would guess the total revenue for this event to be close to 8 figures and they cant find the resources to fix a few holes?

I'd have thought that they'd at least send a sweeper through before the day.

Potholes though, I know they didn't fix all of those last year. I think a crash in the Limehouse link tunnel was caused by a pothole, you can find a video on Youtube of the aftermath and it looked nasty. I recall going through there later and either hitting a hole or just avoiding it. I think it was in the centre of a lane, and so not likely to get noticed or reported if cars don't hit it that often.

phreak · July 2017

ugo.santalucia wrote:

sherer wrote:

Thigh_burn wrote:

KingstonGraham wrote:

The road surface on the way down off Leith Hill is really quite bad this year - I'd be careful down there. Especially on the bit where you go through that cutting, and at that left hand turn after the fast straight. It's really sketchy, and people will be changing their lines at the last second.

This. I rode it a couple of weeks ago and it felt lethal. Brought back some bad memories from RL last year when some twunt shoulder barged me. Road surface certainly felt more tricky this year.

I've already warned my mate about this too. Some very bad potholes in the area and I found it dangerous both times I rode it. best to stick to the left and go slow.. rather that than have an accident

I find it a bit ridiculous that they want to route > 20,000 cyclists on a bunch of lanes they can't even be bothered to maintain properly.
I would guess the total revenue for this event to be close to 8 figures and they cant find the resources to fix a few holes?

Not just the amateurs, but presumably the pro race will go down it too? On the continent a pro race coming through is usually enough to warrant a fresh lick of tarmac, but it doesn't sound as though much of the route has had any of that despite being used since 2012.

sherer · July 2017

id assume it's down to the vagaries of budgets. The money probably goes through the organising committee, TFL etc, not sure how much would filter down to Surrey council who would need to repair the road.

Think new roads are an ASO stipulation for hosting the event.

deswahriff · July 2017

..anyone planning to use the Greenwich foot tunnel to get across the river to the start?
I don't see any reference to it in the official blurb but as far as I know, its open 24/7 though you're supposed to wheel your bike through....

shazzz · July 2017

Hi
Any views on the best time to go to the Excel to avoid the crowds?
I'm thinking Thurs pm, but grateful to hear the voice of experience...
Thanks

Ride London 2017

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