The 'Ride London 100' accepted/rejected thread

[richardxjr]

They have parking near the start and even bike shuttles back from the Mall. It's incredibly well organised and you get full details around the end of June

Download PDF of last year's final instructions

[MEVILAZY]

Successful (3rd year running)! :-)

[Jonnny]

Ah excellent, that sounds good. Thanks!

Training starting this weekend!

[z4RRSchris99]

a no for me

[Teddingtonian]

richardxjr said:

^ thanks for that link. Travel republic seem to have plenty availability and only £1 down. It looks like you have to pay £40 if you cancel even more than 3 days though.

Parking is unclear at that hotel for those of us driving in. I think ExCel charges a flat £15/day so be aware of that. The cheaper Travelodge is a bit further out and has a free car park.

I stayed at the Excel one last year (and now staying there this year as I've booked it myself). Hotel parking wasn't available as it was taken over by the teams, but there's plenty of on street parking at the back of the hotel and down the side (Ethel and Freemasons Road if you look at googlemaps)

[Dowks]

Jonnny said:

I'm in Guildford so it's not too far from me, just not sure how easy it is to park in London as I'll usually get the train.

I drive up in the morning from Guildford park around Battersea area, cycle to the start, ride and then back to car. Its an early start but its early start even if you're in a hotel right by the start line!

[Johnny]

I'm not sure what to do this time, might well get a hotel, maybe for the Sunday night too. Seem to be a few about for ok money...

[Johnny]

I've just booked the last double room at The Westbridge in Stratford. £109 for the night, so not sure why Dizzee is having so much trouble.

Looks nice enough, and pretty close to the start from what I can see. Reading reviews on Tripadvisor it seems they tried to cater for people last year by opening up for breakfast early... Didn't work as the chef couldn't get in on time due to the road closures, but it's the thought that counts

Via TravelRepublic btw.

ETA - despite the proclamations of Last Chance! 1 room left! there still seems to be rooms at £109 available...

Edited by Johnny on Friday 6th February 01:58

[richardxjr]

Teddingtonian said:

I stayed at the Excel one last year (and now staying there this year as I've booked it myself). Hotel parking wasn't available as it was taken over by the teams, but there's plenty of on street parking at the back of the hotel and down the side (Ethel and Freemasons Road if you look at googlemaps)

[Dizeee]

I want two nights so maybe that's why it is causing issues. I have now booked at a budget B and B for £110, but form the days I have spent trying to do this it seems many places are already fully booked.

[Neil G60]

In you're after hotels and don't mind basic try Tune: http://www.tunehotels.com/gb/en/

[richardxjr]

You can borrow my van to sleep in Dizzee! (I did consider that, and would actually prefer it to some dump with a shared bathroom *shudder*)

[option click]

Jonnny said:

Am I a crack head for thinking about driving in and parking for the day somewhere?

Nope, I did the same in 2013. The traffic is fine at that time in the morning.
I found a great spot in the City and just nipped down and joined the route on Lower Thames St at London Bridge.

[Fourmotion]

Dowks said:

Jonnny said:

I'm in Guildford so it's not too far from me, just not sure how easy it is to park in London as I'll usually get the train.

I drive up in the morning from Guildford park around Battersea area, cycle to the start, ride and then back to car. Its an early start but its early start even if you're in a hotel right by the start line!

I'm Guildford, first year I did exactly what Dowks did last year, but last year I paid for the NCP at London Bridge. Booked the day before knowing the weather was going to be st and I didn't fancy riding back too far after.

Drive took about 50 minutes in, 1 hour back. So quicker than the train door to door, and a heap cheaper than a hotel. Ate some Weetabix from tupperware in the car park to solve the breakfast issue.

[aspender]

ALawson said:

I have a hunch that if you tick the box to donate to charity in the event of not getting a place, you a more likely to not get one!

In previous years at least, the opposite was true. If you missed out in the ballot but had paid upfront then you got into a secondary ballot for 1000 held back places. That's how I got in for 2013.

[Black can man]

Just reading the 1000's of places still available if you can pledge £500-£1000, i seem to be looking for the cheapest charity rather than what the charity is about which is crazy,





I find the charity system absolutely obscene at times.

[MiloD]

Another reject here, would love to do it so might sign up for a charity place.

[Teddingtonian]

aspender said:

In previous years at least, the opposite was true. If you missed out in the ballot but had paid upfront then you got into a secondary ballot for 1000 held back places. That's how I got in for 2013.

Hunches don't count in stats. I ticked the box and got in. I didn't tick the box first two years and didn't get in. Maybe they discriminate against people who won't donate to charity. Or maybe, just maybe we should believe what they say: it's an entirely random ballot and one person not getting in 3 years on the trot and another getting in every year for 3 years is just the natural variation you;d find in a sample of 20-30 friends/internet contacts.

[walm]

I see you are yet to receive your PH Smiley embroidered tin foil hat.
Just give it time.

[Johnny]

Anyone remember how early last year that RegOnline link for checking entry was up and working?