RideLondon-Essex 100 (2022) Anyone?

[Ming the Merciless]

How is it not flat? Maximum elevation is 400 feet with a few spots at 3-4%. Up here in Lancashire we regularly climb 1000 feet for every 10 miles ridden.

Surely that depends which parts of Lancashire? If you go up into the Pennines sure, but go west in Blackpool direction and Lancashire is also flat.

 

[ianrauk]

What are your thoughts on this statement from the FAQs section on the website. Dread to think what the chaos might be. Does this mean I’ll have to carry cash! I haven’t used cash for the last two years.

​

Will there be food and drink available along the event routes?​

https://www.ridelondon.co.uk/help/will-there-be-food-and-drink-available-along-the-event-routes​

“There are a number of stops along the routes with food and drinks. We will provide free sports drinks and bars for participants at Rider Hubs at 50 miles and 75 miles on the RideLondon-Essex 100 route. There will also be an opportunity to buy hot and cold food and drinks from local vendors.”​

They will probably be using handheld card readers. ie SumUp They are cheap to buy and use these days, especially if linked to a business.

 

[PaulSB]

Surely that depends which parts of Lancashire? If you go up into the Pennines sure, but go west in Blackpool direction and Lancashire is also flat.

If one draws a rough north/south line from Wigan to Lancaster everything west of this is relatively flat, go east which is the direction of the quieter and more enjoyable roads and the hills start. Saying this even heading west a 50 mile ride would include 1500/2000 feet, we have some routes which are 100 miles/5000 feet and consider these flat.

It's all very much about local experience. I well remember when I did PRL the general view from riders I spoke to was where are the hills so I do feel the RLE is going to be entirely flat.

 

[Dogtrousers]

What are your thoughts on this statement from the FAQs section on the website. Dread to think what the chaos might be. Does this mean I’ll have to carry cash! I haven’t used cash for the last two years.

​

Will there be food and drink available along the event routes?​

https://www.ridelondon.co.uk/help/will-there-be-food-and-drink-available-along-the-event-routes​

“There are a number of stops along the routes with food and drinks. We will provide free sports drinks and bars for participants at Rider Hubs at 50 miles and 75 miles on the RideLondon-Essex 100 route. There will also be an opportunity to buy hot and cold food and drinks from local vendors.”​

Sounds pretty standard for events like this. They'll have feed stops with a limited choice of food (just "bars" it seems ). But if you want to call in at a shop then do so. If you do then you will need to pay for it (cash or contactless).

The only time I've done anything similar to this was Velo Wales about 7 or 8 years ago. The feed stops were functional but uninspiring. I called into a shop somewhere near Pontypool for some food and drink and I also bought an ice cream somewhere else (Caerphilly?)

 

[mr_cellophane]

How is it not flat? Maximum elevation is 400 feet with a few spots at 3-4%. Up here in Lancashire we regularly climb 1000 feet for every 10 miles ridden.

I said "not flat AS SUCH". There are several bits with a continuous 3-4% climb for 3-4 miles. The Surrey route may have had steeper, but none so long. The steepest part is probably the road up to Lambourne End at around 80 miles, which is also one of the narrower roads.

 

[mr_cellophane]

Is the Women's pro race using part of the route or am I confused?

I think that is staying north east of Chelmsford up to Maldon.

 

[bikingdad90]

For me, it’s not the amount of climbing that makes me consider a ride flat or hilly but the gradient of the ascent. Those of us in the north would consider PRL flat as the gradient is 3/4% where as locally the gradient is likely nearer 8-10% with “the flats” on a undulating 1-3% gradient that feels flat in comparison.

 

[lazybloke]

I've had an occasional gel and don't mind a sports drink, but the best food on a previous edition was a bacon bap from Ripley Village Hall, and cake from the Leatherhead WI stall.

I'm won't expect much of the official food.
Unless it's flapjack obvs

 

[mr_cellophane]

I've had an occasional gel and don't mind a sports drink, but the best food on a previous edition was a bacon bap from Ripley Village Hall, and cake from the Leatherhead WI stall.

I'm won't expect much of the official food.
Unless it's flapjack obvs

There are quite a few cafes on route. Unfortunately the two I have been in only have one toilet each, so no a place for 20,000 cyclists. There is a Tesco at Epping which has toilets and the car park will be inaccessible to cars. There are also two pubs alter Ongar which will only be accessible by bike, or a very long walk.

 

[lazybloke]

There are quite a few cafes on route. Unfortunately the two I have been in only have one toilet each, so no a place for 20,000 cyclists. There is a Tesco at Epping which has toilets and the car park will be inaccessible to cars. There are also two pubs alter Ongar which will only be accessible by bike, or a very long walk.

I imagine the route will have chemi-khazis all over the place.

Might avoid pubs. My one and only BHF London to Brighton, 28 years ago, was something of a pub tour. Pints of bitter on a blazing hot day!

 

[mjr]

Might avoid pubs. My one and only BHF London to Brighton, 28 years ago, was something of a pub tour. Pints of bitter on a blazing hot day!

Golden ales or IPA for hot days!

 

[PaulSB]

I said "not flat AS SUCH". There are several bits with a continuous 3-4% climb for 3-4 miles. The Surrey route may have had steeper, but none so long. The steepest part is probably the road up to Lambourne End at around 80 miles, which is also one of the narrower roads.

Could I ask about this please as after a close look at the route I can't see any such sections. I am asking seriously as I can't find any sections at 3/4% for 3/4 miles. I like to plan and don't want to be caught out if a route is not what I expect. I have seen:

Mile 12-18 - 1/2%
Mile 20 - 21.5 - 2/3%
Mile 46.2 - 46.8 - 3/4%
Mile 48.5 - 48.9 - 3/4%
Mile 55.5 - 56 - 2.5/3%
Mile 64 - 70 - 1/2%
Mile 78.5 - 79.5 - 2/3%
Mile 86 - 87 - 3%

I'll be looking for a steady ride at miles 12-18 and 64-70 but this is really nothing more than a rolling/undulating route.

 

[DaveM77]

I was thinking of stopping for Steak and chips at a local pub on route 😬

 

[bladesman73]

Could I ask about this please as after a close look at the route I can't see any such sections. I am asking seriously as I can't find any sections at 3/4% for 3/4 miles. I like to plan and don't want to be caught out if a route is not what I expect. I have seen:

Mile 12-18 - 1/2%
Mile 20 - 21.5 - 2/3%
Mile 46.2 - 46.8 - 3/4%
Mile 48.5 - 48.9 - 3/4%
Mile 55.5 - 56 - 2.5/3%
Mile 64 - 70 - 1/2%
Mile 78.5 - 79.5 - 2/3%
Mile 86 - 87 - 3%

I'll be looking for a steady ride at miles 12-18 and 64-70 but this is really nothing more than a rolling/undulating route.

Mate stop over thinking things, get down there, enjoy the day and the ride. You'll be fine!

 

[mr_cellophane]

Could I ask about this please as after a close look at the route I can't see any such sections. I am asking seriously as I can't find any sections at 3/4% for 3/4 miles. I like to plan and don't want to be caught out if a route is not what I expect. I have seen:

Mile 12-18 - 1/2%
Mile 20 - 21.5 - 2/3%
Mile 46.2 - 46.8 - 3/4%
Mile 48.5 - 48.9 - 3/4%
Mile 55.5 - 56 - 2.5/3%
Mile 64 - 70 - 1/2%
Mile 78.5 - 79.5 - 2/3%
Mile 86 - 87 - 3%

I'll be looking for a steady ride at miles 12-18 and 64-70 but this is really nothing more than a rolling/undulating route.

The vagaries of route mapping software.
Of course according to Veloviewer Leith Hill is only 1.3 miles and an average of 6.4%. So why does everyone go on about that ?