RideLondon - Surrey 100 anyone?

[SWSteve]

I am incredibly jealous of you guys, and cannot wait to enter the ballot next week. (searches for how to enter ballot), the only question I have is do I need to have a charity to back me, or can I do it off my own back? If I get in I have a couple of charities I may raise money for, but do not want to feel attached to one if there's another that I would rather help, if you catch my drift

 

[Kies]

Having done 107 hilly miles earlier this year in a time of 7:17 I will be entering the ballot for next year. My target being a sub 6 hour ride.
Not sure I will do it in that time (at 48 years young ) but it is something to aim for.

 

[benb]

Still really buzzing about the whole experience.
A couple of decent pics of me: http://www2.marathon-photos.com/scr...eLondon-Surrey 100&photo=RLBN1943&match=13321

What I particularly liked:
-blasting through the tunnels near the start
-the crowds cheering us on
-chatting to random people
-that Newlands Corner was a bit easier than I expected
-that I finished it!

What I didn't like:
-Leith Hill !
-a tiny minority of badly behaved riders overtaking dangerously
-the dropped gel packets everywhere

Can't wait for next year, really hope I get a place again.

 

[Spally]

Still really buzzing about the whole experience.
A couple of decent pics of me: http://www2.marathon-photos.com/scr...eLondon-Surrey 100&photo=RLBN1943&match=13321

What I particularly liked:
-blasting through the tunnels near the start
-the crowds cheering us on
-chatting to random people
-that Newlands Corner was a bit easier than I expected
-that I finished it!

What I didn't like:
-Leith Hill !
-a tiny minority of badly behaved riders overtaking dangerously
-the dropped gel packets everywhere

Can't wait for next year, really hope I get a place again.

Agreed with all the above. Like your last 2 dislikes, the rubbish wasn't good, all my empty packets went in my back pockets until the end.

 

[Nomadski]

I am incredibly jealous of you guys, and cannot wait to enter the ballot next week. (searches for how to enter ballot), the only question I have is do I need to have a charity to back me, or can I do it off my own back? If I get in I have a couple of charities I may raise money for, but do not want to feel attached to one if there's another that I would rather help, if you catch my drift

The way it worked first time out was you entered a ballot. If you got in, your in and you can do it for any charity you want, or just for a personal challenge. If you didn't get in through the ballot, you could choose any of the umpteen charities to ride for (they all have allocated places) or go for the ballot next year!

 

[Spally]

I am incredibly jealous of you guys, and cannot wait to enter the ballot next week. (searches for how to enter ballot), the only question I have is do I need to have a charity to back me, or can I do it off my own back? If I get in I have a couple of charities I may raise money for, but do not want to feel attached to one if there's another that I would rather help, if you catch my drift

If you get in via the ballot you don't have to ride for a specific charity. If you don't get in via the ballot then there are specific charities that will have spaces available.

 

[Nomadski]

Agreed with all the above. Like your last 2 dislikes, the rubbish wasn't good, all my empty packets went in my back pockets until the end.

When they were handing out gels near the end I grabbed one, ate it, held on to it until I saw a bin, stopped and put it in the bin and went again. Yes I stopped in the last 3 miles to save some litter, cos that's how I roll! And I don' t like empty gels in my back pocket!

The main thing i didn't like, and its nothing the organisers could do really, was that 80k signed up for the event, only 20k places available, yet by 5pm Saturday (when registration closed) there were only 16.7k places accounted for.

So nearly 3.5k cyclists took a place and didn't show up, I'm sure there were a lot of legitimate reasons, but I'm sure there were a few who signed up and didn't bother committing to the event.

Apparently they are increasing next years allocation by 6k.

 

[Spally]

Hey thats the same colour as my bike. Love the matching top where's it from ?

This is a shirt for the charity I was riding for. Bliss they can be purchased here: http://www.bliss.org.uk/get-involved/shop/

Or I have a large here I was going to return as it was a little to big for me. If you want to donate to my page I will check I can send this to you

 

[Spally]

When they were handing out gels near the end I grabbed one, ate it, held on to it until I saw a bin, stopped and put it in the bin and went again. Yes I stopped in the last 3 miles to save some litter, cos that's how I roll! And I don' t like empty gels in my back pocket!

The main thing i didn't like, and its nothing the organisers could do really, was that 80k signed up for the event, only 20k places available, yet by 5pm Saturday (when registration closed) there were only 16.7k places accounted for.

So nearly 3.5k cyclists took a place and didn't show up, I'm sure there were a lot of legitimate reasons, but I'm sure there were a few who signed up and didn't bother committing to the event.

Apparently they are increasing next years allocation by 6k.

That's a lot of no shows

 

[RWright]

I found a Youtube clip like I had been hoping to see. Leith Hill from a spectator view. You may see yourself Great job by everyone!

View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CG_XwXHoK_Q

 

[stu9000]

Still buzzing that I did the full course. Its amazing what can be done.
Thanks for all the info. It really helped.
Seeing my wife and kids at Raynes Park was a highlight.
The lack of noise! just the wind and the thrum of the wheels eating miles.
What an amazing experience.

 

[Phoenix Lincs]

This is a shirt for the charity I was riding for. Bliss they can be purchased here: http://www.bliss.org.uk/get-involved/shop/

Or I have a large here I was going to return as it was a little to big for me. If you want to donate to my page I will check I can send this to you

Really great price for the tops. Think I may have to raid my piggy bank

 

[EltonFrog]

The main thing i didn't like, and its nothing the organisers could do really, was that 80k signed up for the event, only 20k places available, yet by 5pm Saturday (when registration closed) there were only 16.7k places accounted for.

So nearly 3.5k cyclists took a place and didn't show up, I'm sure there were a lot of legitimate reasons, but I'm sure there were a few who signed up and didn't bother committing to the event....

I agree, my wife and I thought this too. We know three people that tried to get in on the ballot and did'nt. Three and a bit thousand people just not turning up is plain bad manners.

 

[EltonFrog]

I found a Youtube clip like I had been hoping to see. Leith Hill from a spectator view. You may see yourself Great job by everyone!

View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CG_XwXHoK_Q

Thanks for finding this video.

 

[Hill Wimp]

I found a Youtube clip like I had been hoping to see. Leith Hill from a spectator view. You may see yourself Great job by everyone!

View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CG_XwXHoK_Q

His verbal descriptions aren't helping my enthusiasm for next year you know. Think i will just watch with the sound off.