RideLondon - Surrey 100 anyone?

[Broadside]

What a great event and very well organised once you actually got there, I got round in 5:45.

We had booked one of the recommended car parks, it was a multi level served by a car lift so there was a massive queue and there was no way we could get parked and still ride. Shocking that they recommended it but there was abundant free on-street parking which is what we did in the end.

 

[EltonFrog]

Awesome watched it on bbc how many were there really??, Big congrats to all that completed it will have to look at next year's event and how to get there as i dont drive ,

So wished i was there

Simples.

Day before race, Train from Birmingham to Marylebone with bike, ride 8miles to hotel near QEOP, dinne then bed. Next day, ride 100 miles to The Mall, collect medal, walk through the park to Hyde Park Corner, cycle 2.5 miles back to Marylebone station, train back to Brum.

Sorted-bosh-Tuesday.

No...no...don't thank me.

 

[Snail Bait]

I was 7:48 as well. I may have seen you at the finish.

edit: just realised, we probably started at different times. Oops

I was looking out for you as I'd seen your picture. Saw lots of Bowel Cancer shirts but not you. I was in the Black Q batch but there were so many people. Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. Now got to remember the ballot next week so I can try and knock some time off. Not doing too well on the stairs this morning but off to work with my medal and my collection tin in my hand. Oh, and a MASSIVE smile.

We did it. Bloody well done us!

 

[EltonFrog]

I was looking out for @philinmerthyr too, I even caught up with bloke in Wimbledon and asked him if he was you, but it was a bloke called Paul.

 

[philinmerthyr]

I was looking out for @philinmerthyr too, I even caught up with bloke in Wimbledon and asked him if he was you, but it was a bloke called Paul.

I was in one of the last waves so finished around 3:45. I spoke to a few CC people. Maybe next year

 

[EltonFrog]

I was in one of the last waves so finished around 3:45. I spoke to a few CC people. Maybe next year

How did you get on with the hills?

 

[philinmerthyr]

How did you get on with the hills?

Newlands was straight forward and I was disappointed with Box Hill. Got to the top and thought "is that it".

Leith was more challenging. I was doing well (grinding up at 4mph) before a support van came through and made me stop in the steepest part. With so many walkers there as well I walked a bit in the middle but got back on and rode the top section. With fewer people I'm sure it would have been ok.

 

[EltonFrog]

Newlands was straight forward and I was disappointed with Box Hill. Got to the top and thought "is that it".

Leith was more challenging. I was doing well (grinding up at 4mph) before a support van came through and made me stop in the steepest part. With so many walkers there as well I walked a bit in the middle but got back on and rode the top section. With fewer people I'm sure it would have been ok.

That's a bugger, what was going on with the van? I saw a few walkers up Leith, but I got up it ok, there were some really fit blokes really going for it, passing everyone on the right as I was going up.

On the way down I was having a great time, then I hit a pot hole and had a blow out. I was thoroughly and abject pi$$ ed off about that.

Box Hill is a bit " is that it" I agree.

 

[Maylian]

So are we doing a CC team next year, would be happy to meet up and do it with some of you guys.

 

[Norry1]

I agree Box Hill wasn't much of a challenge - but it was nice to ride - I liked the alpine type switchbacks. Surface was great as well, have they just re-surfaced it?

 

[EltonFrog]

I agree Box Hill wasn't much of a challenge - but it was nice to ride - I liked the alpine type switchbacks. Surface was great as well, have they just re-surfaced it?

The surface was great. They resurfaced it last year for the Olympic Road Race.

 

[Speedball]

Will try and post more later but absolutely loved it yesterday. Some of the descents were amazing, such a buzz.

Massive thanks to @Nomadski for all his great advice. Felt I always knew what was coming. Like others said, found Newlands & Box Hill ok but Leith Hill made the heart pound and thighs burn.

Was hoping to do sub 7 hours and my official time was 6:23 and my Strava was 6:06 and I didn't bother pausing it for my last drinks stop. So well pleased with the time considering didn't start riding till mid Feb.

Saw the aftermath of a couple of nasty looking crashes, the one at Leith Hill looked nasty. Hope all were ok!

 

[philinmerthyr]

what was going on with the van?

There were 2 support vans. After riding with his engine revving on my shoulder for 200 yds I gave up and stopped.

 

[EltonFrog]

Saw the aftermath of a couple of nasty looking crashes, the one at Leith Hill looked nasty. Hope all were ok!

I saw that at Leith too, the ambulance whizzed past when I was fixing the flat.

 

[philinmerthyr]

The photographs are now online.

http://www3.marathon-photos.com/scr...RideLondon-Surrey 100&photo=RLAC3256&bib=3245