RIdeLondon 2018 - start times

cruff
cruff Posts: 1,518
edited July 2018 in Sportives/audaxes/training rides
Has anybody had a start time through yet? I didn't bother with the ballot, but my club applied for (and got) four club spaces. Nobody wanted to go, so I entered - put my expected finish time down as 4 hours... and have been allocated a 7:52 start time :evil: :evil: :evil:

Not bothering now, going to do the DD and ride back instead
Fat chopper. Some racing. Some testing. Some crashing.
Specialising in Git Daaahns and Cafs. Norvern Munkey/Transplanted Laaandoner.
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Comments

  • Ben6899
    Ben6899 Posts: 9,686
    0648

    Pretty easy going about the whole thing, it's just a few hours out on the bike.
    Ben

    Bikes: Donhou DSS4 Custom | Condor Italia RC | Gios Megalite | Dolan Preffisio | Giant Bowery '76
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  • Thigh_burn
    Thigh_burn Posts: 489
    0620
    In previous years I've heard people found it relatively straightforward to get into earlier waves as long as you were in the right colour.
  • Mpercy
    Mpercy Posts: 7
    0604 and put 5hrs down (ha!), but hey, booked the earliest chartered train from Richmond which will get to the start after the wave has left...
  • cruff
    cruff Posts: 1,518
    Ben6899 wrote:
    0648

    Pretty easy going about the whole thing, it's just a few hours out on the bike.
    True... But I've already done it once, and that was at 6:20, and it was still a chopfest even then. Was hoping to get out early and do it quick, relatively safely. I won't bother now - no way I'm doing it that late. I may as well do the DD that weekend instead
    Fat chopper. Some racing. Some testing. Some crashing.
    Specialising in Git Daaahns and Cafs. Norvern Munkey/Transplanted Laaandoner.
  • Cliveyp
    Cliveyp Posts: 173
    Green Wave E for me; 07:04 start time.

    Much later than a couple of years ago (08:54) when I was worrying about making the first time cutoff at Hampton Court (which we breezed through) only to get caught up in the tailback at Pyrford, which meant having to miss Leith Hill out. Hoping to get round it all this time.
    2015 Ridley Fenix 105
    2012 Cube Ltd SL
    2011 Trek 1.2 - Sold
    2001 Giant Boulder - Sold
  • homers_double
    homers_double Posts: 8,318
    Wave load @ 05:44, start time @ 07:28.

    I've read somewhere on here that it's a good idea to take an old fleece or a hoody to dispose of as you get very cold at that time in the morning.
    Advocate of disc brakes.
  • mrfpb
    mrfpb Posts: 4,569
    homers double wrote:
    Wave load @ 05:44, start time @ 07:28.

    I've read somewhere on here that it's a good idea to take an old fleece or a hoody to dispose of as you get very cold at that time in the morning.
    "Disposing" of clothing is a pet peeve of mine. Arm warmers and gilet should do the trick on a summer morning. Anything warmer can be stuffed in your day bag to be transported to the finish. It's only half hour or so from starting pen to start line, I'm sure most people can manage without a sweater for that long in August.
  • homers_double
    homers_double Posts: 8,318
    There's a bag drop in place? I didn't know that...

    I'll have a gander at the internets now.
    Advocate of disc brakes.
  • mrfpb
    mrfpb Posts: 4,569
    When I did it they gave me a big drawstring bag (at registration) that I could fit a decent size rucksack in. I packed a flask of coffee to have near the start line and clean clothes for the finish.
  • fenix
    fenix Posts: 5,437
    mrfpb wrote:
    homers double wrote:
    Wave load @ 05:44, start time @ 07:28.

    I've read somewhere on here that it's a good idea to take an old fleece or a hoody to dispose of as you get very cold at that time in the morning.
    "Disposing" of clothing is a pet peeve of mine. Arm warmers and gilet should do the trick on a summer morning. Anything warmer can be stuffed in your day bag to be transported to the finish. It's only half hour or so from starting pen to start line, I'm sure most people can manage without a sweater for that long in August.

    August should be fine. I'd think about a full rain jacket for warmth - you know it will fold away when you start.
  • bjornoswede
    bjornoswede Posts: 12
    07.36 is my start time, nice & excited now I’ve had all the info thru, my first time. Quite the logistical arrangements needed as I fly back to the UK from France at 5.30pm Saturday night!
  • alanp23
    alanp23 Posts: 696
    7.36 for me too. Never done it before so looking forward to it.
    Top Ten finisher - PTP Tour of Britain 2016
  • bjornoswede
    bjornoswede Posts: 12
    alanp23 wrote:
    7.36 for me too. Never done it before so looking forward to it.

    What colour? I’m green
  • paul2718
    paul2718 Posts: 471
    IME the organisers have little regard for participant safety. I wouldn't ride it again after the last time when we ended up with a 7 something start, horrible experience.

    I guess one of your team-mates put down an unreasonably long time and you all get shuffled back.
  • shazzz
    shazzz Posts: 1,077
    Anyone have experience of how far in advance of the 'wave close' time you need to arrive? I'm happy to be at the back of my wave pack (6am start... ) Is it OK to plan to get to QE Park ~10 mins before the close time, or is it a nightmare moving around the place with so many cyclists trying to get to their start point?
  • timothyw
    timothyw Posts: 2,482
    If you aren't familiar with the park then I'd suggest 10 minutes before wave close is cutting it fine, although you won't have a problem getting in a later wave (or even your own, realistically).

    Taking something warm and putting it in the bag drop isn't really much of a solution - you don't get cold on the ride to the start, you get cold standing around in the pen for an hour before you start (by which point you have already dropped your bag)

    I'd suggest bringing arm warmers/gilet if you suffer from the cold, or that old standby of a binbag - poke some holes in it and wear it as a gilet, then bin it before you start.

    Personally I'm rock hard (or, to put it another way, a fat bastard) so just tough it out in my summer jersey in the pen.
  • homers_double
    homers_double Posts: 8,318
    bjornoswede wrote:
    07.36 is my start time, nice & excited now I’ve had all the info thru, my first time. Quite the logistical arrangements needed as I fly back to the UK from France at 5.30pm Saturday night!

    How are you picking up your number and pack? The event reception closes at 5 on the Saturday.

    All participants must register and collect their rider documents before Ride Day. Registration is at the Prudential RideLondon Cycling Show, which takes place at ExCeL, 1 Western Gateway, Royal Victoria Dock, London E16 1XL.

    Participants must print out and complete their registration form, which was emailed to everyone on Monday 9 July 2018.

    You can register at the Prudential RideLondon Cycling Show at the following times:

    Thursday 26 July: 10:00-20:00
    Friday 27 July: 10:00-20:00
    Saturday 28 July: 09:00-17:00

    Registration closes at 17:00 on Saturday 28 July. No rider numbers will be issued after 17:00 and you will not be able to take part if you have not registered by this time.
    Advocate of disc brakes.
  • alanp23
    alanp23 Posts: 696
    bjornoswede wrote:
    alanp23 wrote:
    7.36 for me too. Never done it before so looking forward to it.

    What colour? I’m green

    Me too!
    Top Ten finisher - PTP Tour of Britain 2016
  • bjornoswede
    bjornoswede Posts: 12
    alanp23 wrote:
    bjornoswede wrote:
    alanp23 wrote:
    7.36 for me too. Never done it before so looking forward to it.

    What colour? I’m green

    Me too!

    Oh sound! I’ll be wearing a purple stroke association. Jersey!
  • milemuncher1
    milemuncher1 Posts: 1,472
    This is my fourth time, all but my first one have involved 6 a.m. starts. I’ve got a 6:04 start time again this year. Although that involves getting up at about 4:00 am, I’d rather that, than have a later start, and get wedged in by hill walkers in Surrey. I usually get back to London, back to the hotel, showered / changed and back to the Mall, in time to see the end of the pro race. Then I can go out on the lash.
  • milemuncher1
    milemuncher1 Posts: 1,472
    Don’t forget to avoid the cycle lanes on the way up to the Olympic park, if you’re leaving in the dark, or if it’s raining, or has been raining, there were loads of punctures on the way to the start last year, mostly picked up in the cycle lanes.
  • bigmat
    bigmat Posts: 5,134
    5:48 for me, which is crazy early but sets it up perfectly for a nice fast time. Going out at 6 on Sunday, need to get used to riding at a time earlier than I normally wake up!
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/41991871@N ... otostream/
  • vpnikolov
    vpnikolov Posts: 568
    Blue C

    Wave load: 04:40.
    Start: 06:00.

    Won't even have to jump pens with such an early start. Sweet. :twisted:
  • milemuncher1
    milemuncher1 Posts: 1,472
    vpnikolov wrote:
    Blue C

    Wave load: 04:40.
    Start: 06:00.

    Won't even have to jump pens with such an early start. Sweet. :twisted:

    You’ll be in with the clubbies though.
  • j_mcd
    j_mcd Posts: 473
    Milemuncher1 wrote:
    vpnikolov wrote:
    Blue C

    Wave load: 04:40.
    Start: 06:00.

    Won't even have to jump pens with such an early start. Sweet. :twisted:

    You’ll be in with the clubbies though.

    I'm out just after 6 as well. I actually prefer going out an hour later as you miss out on the demoralising sight of chain gangs sweeping past at 35mph. I'm going to be aiming to get round in about 5 hours, so I'd much rather be off with like minded people!
    Giant Defy Advanced 0 - Best
    Planet X London Road - Wet
    Montague Fit - Foldy thing that rarely gets used these days
  • 33davies
    33davies Posts: 13
    Blue E
    06:08 start time

    Riding on my own but hoping for close to 5hrs (ish)
  • milemuncher1
    milemuncher1 Posts: 1,472
    33Davies wrote:
    Blue E
    06:08 start time

    Riding on my own but hoping for close to 5hrs (ish)

    6:08 will be orange, not blue.
  • ex-pat scot
    ex-pat scot Posts: 939
    Orange 05:48 for me. Best start training, I suppose.
    Commute: Langster -Singlecross - Brompton S2-LX

    Road: 95 Trek 5500 -Look 695 Aerolight eTap - Boardman TTe eTap

    Offroad: Pace RC200 - Dawes Kickback 2 tandem - Tricross - Boardman CXR9.8 - Ridley x-fire
  • milemuncher1
    milemuncher1 Posts: 1,472
    ex-pat scot wrote:
    Orange 05:48 for me. Best start training, I suppose.

    Too late now. You’ll get absolutely annihilated by the people around you / following you, if you haven’t bothered. try not to cause an accident though eh?
  • surrey_commuter
    surrey_commuter Posts: 18,867
    Milemuncher1 wrote:
    ex-pat scot wrote:
    Orange 05:48 for me. Best start training, I suppose.

    Too late now. You’ll get absolutely annihilated by the people around you / following you, if you haven’t bothered. try not to cause an accident though eh?

    He could wait twenty mins and grind along with you - with your own three devices you could count it as a 400 miler

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