Prudential RideLondon-Surrey Classic 2017 **Spoilers**

bobmcstuff

Would be a reasonable watch in an hour long highlights show, but it was a bit long live - I missed the start so ended up watching quite a bit of it on 2x speed...

Still enjoyed it though.

bobmcstuff

Matthews actually seemed like he was genuinely keen to win today. Whereas Kristoff didn't seem that arsed.

Lanterne_Rogue

Mad_Malx wrote:

MM junior just went past window riding a unicycle for first time. Lidl rebellion purchase by me several years back (mrs mm - "you do not need a unicycle!!!"

In this case the correct answer is n+0.5

I missed this to watch about 20,000 vintage tractors drive in a circle, with tractor Rain Man describing every single one, including starting routine, in exquisite yet understandably torturous detail*. By the fact that this thread is still only two pages long though, i take it there's not much point finding the highlights?

*There were some nice cows though, if you're into that sort of thing. Also the previous day had some grass track cycling, which is great if you enjoy slow-motion sprinting.

Mad_Malx

^i think you got more entertainment

larkim

underlayunderlay wrote:

Mad_Malx wrote:

MM junior just went past window riding a unicycle for first time. Lidl rebellion purchase by me several years back (mrs mm - "you do not need a unicycle!!!"

In this case the correct answer is n+0.5

I missed this to watch about 20,000 vintage tractors drive in a circle, with tractor Rain Man describing every single one, including starting routine, in exquisite yet understandably torturous detail*. By the fact that this thread is still only two pages long though, i take it there's not much point finding the highlights?

*There were some nice cows though, if you're into that sort of thing. Also the previous day had some grass track cycling, which is great if you enjoy slow-motion sprinting.

Ah, I see you were at Heckington too. That tractor guy is a legend, every year its the same dialogue, but he knows his stuff.

Enjoyed the grass track stuff, shame the fields aren't a bit more competitive, and had to leave early on the Saturday so missed the 8km and the Devil race. Have family down there, so travel down from oop north for a couple of days sat around the track, plus running the 10 mile race first thing.

Muddy.

On_What

turned it off for the BTCC

kingstongraham

Blazing Saddles wrote:

The most disappointing aspect for me are the crowds, or rather lack of them.
Not that the race was ever fashionable among the Surrey set, but it's as if the novelty has worn off.
Looking at the stage of Poland, today and there significantly more spectators there, then here.
I find that surprising.


Or maybe I am harshly judging the S of E against Yorkshire?

Half the people who might have gone to watch were probably riding the route in the morning, the other half were trapped in their homes unable to escape.

I'd have gone to take a look if I'd been home.

Vino'sGhost

better racing at castlecoome weekly in the thirdcats and its about as selective.

Richmond Racer 2

KingstonGraham wrote:

Blazing Saddles wrote:

The most disappointing aspect for me are the crowds, or rather lack of them.
Not that the race was ever fashionable among the Surrey set, but it's as if the novelty has worn off.
Looking at the stage of Poland, today and there significantly more spectators there, then here.
I find that surprising.


Or maybe I am harshly judging the S of E against Yorkshire?

Half the people who might have gone to watch were probably riding the route in the morning, the other half were trapped in their homes unable to escape.

I'd have gone to take a look if I'd been home.

There's something of the above. But to be honest, this race doesnt usually attract the same number of roadside peeps as when the ToB hits the same roads

kingstongraham

Richmond Racer 2 wrote:

KingstonGraham wrote:

Blazing Saddles wrote:

The most disappointing aspect for me are the crowds, or rather lack of them.
Not that the race was ever fashionable among the Surrey set, but it's as if the novelty has worn off.
Looking at the stage of Poland, today and there significantly more spectators there, then here.
I find that surprising.


Or maybe I am harshly judging the S of E against Yorkshire?

Half the people who might have gone to watch were probably riding the route in the morning, the other half were trapped in their homes unable to escape.

I'd have gone to take a look if I'd been home.

There's something of the above. But to be honest, this race doesnt usually attract the same number of roadside peeps when the ToB hits the same roads

I think the ease of riding/driving to view this makes a difference. Basically, if you are in the area, you are encouraged not to drive anywhere near the route from about 4am. That makes it difficult to go and watch in the Surrey hills.

Richmond Racer 2

KingstonGraham wrote:

Richmond Racer 2 wrote:

KingstonGraham wrote:

Blazing Saddles wrote:

The most disappointing aspect for me are the crowds, or rather lack of them.
Not that the race was ever fashionable among the Surrey set, but it's as if the novelty has worn off.
Looking at the stage of Poland, today and there significantly more spectators there, then here.
I find that surprising.


Or maybe I am harshly judging the S of E against Yorkshire?

Half the people who might have gone to watch were probably riding the route in the morning, the other half were trapped in their homes unable to escape.

I'd have gone to take a look if I'd been home.

There's something of the above. But to be honest, this race doesnt usually attract the same number of roadside peeps when the ToB hits the same roads

I think the ease of riding/driving to view this makes a difference. Basically, if you are in the area, you are encouraged not to drive anywhere near the route from about 4am. That makes it difficult to go and watch in the Surrey hills.

You could still get around by car till the afternoon (at least in some places - I was in Wimbledon Village in the morning). You just had to be patient at junctions till the stewards waved you through between gaps in the Ride London cyclists.

This 'trapped in their homes, will they have starve to death or have to eat their own arms' trope does get a bit tired (not aimed at you, KG)

kingstongraham

But you have to really want it to venture out to try and watch at Box Hill rather than Dorking, Kingston or Wimbledon.

rick_chasey

Missed it; busy getting a massage.

Shame it's not capturing the imagination. It's a WT one dayer in London!!

bobmcstuff

It wasn't the most exciting one dayer but then plenty of one day races aren't that great, at least there were a few attacks.

I think if the weather had been as bad as it was for the women's race it could have been pretty entertaining. One thing that would really have made a difference is crosswinds rather than tailwinds on the run back into London; although I assume given the roughly north-easterly direction of the run in, a south-westerly tailwind is much more likely.

Richmond Racer 2

KingstonGraham wrote:

But you have to really want it to venture out to try and watch at Box Hill rather than Dorking, Kingston or Wimbledon.

Yeah, well I've watched it up on Ranmore Common eg last year

Richmond Racer 2

Rick Chasey wrote:

Missed it; busy getting a massage.

Shame it's not capturing the imagination. It's a WT one dayer in London!!

#filth

Richmond Racer 2

Richmond Racer 2 wrote:

KingstonGraham wrote:

But you have to really want it to venture out to try and watch at Box Hill rather than Dorking, Kingston or Wimbledon.

Yeah, well I've watched it up on Ranmore Common eg last year

Point is that its not getting the crowds out. And as I said, ToB over the same roads gets a much better turnout

rick_chasey

Richmond Racer 2 wrote:

Richmond Racer 2 wrote:

KingstonGraham wrote:

But you have to really want it to venture out to try and watch at Box Hill rather than Dorking, Kingston or Wimbledon.

Yeah, well I've watched it up on Ranmore Common eg last year

Point is that its not getting the crowds out. And as I said, ToB over the same roads gets a much better turnout

TBH it's the same spectacle ever year...

ToB divies it up, so there is novelty factor. Don't underestimate the fickleness of Londoners.

Richmond Racer 2

how very dare you!

rick_chasey

Richmond Racer 2 wrote:

how very dare you!

S'alright; I have plans to leave so i'm quite relaxed about slagging the place off :P.

Ben6899

It's a nice route for a ride out with your mates, but it's not a great route for racing.

Ranmore, Leith Hill and Box Hill... well yes they're hills, but barely. And they're certainly not significant enough to produce exciting racing and gaps in the bunch.

bobmcstuff

Ben6899 wrote:

Ranmore, Leith Hill and Box Hill... well yes they're hills, but barely. And they're certainly not significant enough to produce exciting racing and gaps in the bunch.

They are, if they were closer to the finish. Most hills in Belgian classics are no bigger and still produce exciting racing (might help if they were cobbled though!).

As it is there's such a long ride in there's no incentive for the puncheurs to make a go of it.

Although the breakaway has made it home a few times on that course so it's clearly not impossible for something other than a bunch sprint.

okgo

Yes.

Finishing it in London is the issue, as its a 1 hour run in that even chopper amateurs can do at nearly 30mph, it just kills most of the racing.

Frank Wilson

Maybe it is the word Prudential that puts people off.

ridgerider

How about a finish in Richmond Park to make the hills more relevant?

kingstongraham

Ridgerider wrote:

How about a finish in Richmond Park to make the hills more relevant?

Or Wimbledon Village.

Richmond Racer 2

KingstonGraham wrote:

Ridgerider wrote:

How about a finish in Richmond Park to make the hills more relevant?

Or Wimbledon Village.

Summit finish outside Gail's Bakery

okgo

Apres in Hemmingways.

Garry H

It's got a rubbish name as well.

gsk82

Could just move it up to Yorkshire. Have it in February or March and destroy the souls of the cobbled specialists by making them ride around council estates with multiple reps of 25% cobbled climbs.