RideLondon-Surrey 100 (2014!!!) Anyone?

[EltonFrog]

The whole getting to the start thing does seem a bit of a logistical nightmare. I'm booked in at the Stratford Travelodge for the Friday and Saturday nights - anyone else? I'm assuming I can just bike to my start area as the hotel website says it's just minutes from Olympic Park?

We stayed at this hotel last year and we are staying there again this year, let's than a mile to the start line.

 

[EltonFrog]

I worry easily :-)

I don't feel I've done enough prep and that date is starting to loom. It's my first sportive.

If you can ride 60 to 80 miles you'll be fine, if you get chance to ride the three main hills, Newlands Corner, Leith Hill and Box Hill before hand it would be worth doing. Leith is hard, take it easy at the beginning and get Ian low gear and just pedal you'll get up it no bother.

 

[PK99]

If you can ride 60 to 80 miles you'll be fine, if you get chance to ride the three main hills, Newlands Corner, Leith Hill and Box Hill before hand it would be worth doing. Leith is hard, take it easy at the beginning and get Ian low gear and just pedal you'll get up it no bother.

There is only one short section of Leith Hill that is "hard" the rest is pretty straightforward in terms of gradient and surface, but it does go on a bit - as you say, take it steady from the bottom to avoid blowing before the top.

The real tester for many will be wimbledon hill, short but steep, at 90 miles in. The temptation will be roar along the preceding flat and easy 20 miles from box hill come round the bend from Worple Road and see a wall with dead legs, when psychologically looking forward to a cruise to the finish.

 

[EltonFrog]

There is only one short section of Leith Hill that is "hard" the rest is pretty straightforward in terms of gradient and surface, but it does go on a bit - as you say, take it steady from the bottom to avoid blowing before the top.

The real tester for many will be wimbledon hill, short but steep, at 90 miles in. The temptation will be roar along the preceding flat and easy 20 miles from box hill come round the bend from Worple Road and see a wall with dead legs, when psychologically looking forward to a cruise to the finish.

Ah! Yes watch out for Wimbledon hill that little sod took me by surprise last year.

 

[jifdave]

two of my mates got in via the ballot and got 6:22 and 6:27. i got a charity place and got 7:42. what a ball ache

 

[PK99]

Ah! Yes watch out for Wimbledon hill that little sod took me by surprise last year.

we live in wimbledon, south of the hill, and i am making MrsPK ride up the hill at the end of training rides - anyone know a good divorce lawyer?

 

[rvw]

Email received - 8.00 start (must be one of the latest!)

 

[w00hoo_kent]

We'll have to run a sweepstake on when you'll come past me then :-)

 

[Bike_Me]

Finalised and registered - seems I got 'lucky' and got an earlier start.

• Start Area: Blue
• Wave:N
• Wave Load opening time: 06:15
• Wave Load closing time:06:45
• Start Time:07:15

 

[Beebo]

Can someone who's done this ride before tell us what to expect once the wave load opens, closes and the ride starts?
It seems we could be sitting around for up to an hour in a waiting pen, is that the case?

 

[sleaver]

Seems like most people are faster than me and I was a bit optimistic with my time

On the training front, I did 135km yesterday with a moving time of just over 6 hours. Total time was about 6h45. Leith Hill (a different approach) was involved and I found 95 - 110km hard as the profile was uphill with some short and sharp inclines but once the legs had recovered 110 - 135km was easier and I felt I could have carried on.

I can do Box Hill with no problem although that may be another matter after Newlands and Leith Hill Leith Hill just breaks me though because my mind gives up to easily. Yesterday I got to a steep part but then had a choice of an even steeper corner or a small residential road to the side for a rest and you can guess what one I took I think I just need to man up

 

[w00hoo_kent]

I'm definitely not so sure about my time as I was last autumn when I estimated it. After a summer of riding, and hoping the group ride and closed roads would up my pace by an mph or so, 6 hours 20 seemed like a genuine time for me. I'm currently working on the theory that a finish will count as a win and 6:20 will be cause for serious celebration.

 

[zizou]

Assuming no mechanicals etc then i think most riders who havent done the event before will be pleasantly surprised by the time they take, certainly that was the case last year

 

[w00hoo_kent]

Assuming no mechanicals etc then i think most riders who havent done the event before will be pleasantly surprised by the time they take, certainly that was the case last year

I have heard this. I am willing to believe this some time late afternoon on the 10th August, until then... :-)

 

[PK99]

Assuming no mechanicals etc then i think most riders who havent done the event before will be pleasantly surprised by the time they take, certainly that was the case last year

i ride the Kingston walton weybridge section regularly as part of my normal riding 16/20 is easily achieved but my average is rarely over 12 because of traffic, junctions, lights etc. being able to take the whole stretch at speed will make a huge difference.

the first 50 miles are essentially flat with a few rolls. then 25 miles of slow uphill but fast traffic free descents then flat/rolling to the finish (wimbledon hill excepted)