The 'Ride London 100' accepted/rejected thread
Discussion
tty bikes up Box & Leith will really boil my piss.
WRT the charity places.
Is it not the case that, as the event draws near, and charities which have overbought places still haven't filled them, that the target amount you 'commit' to comes down anyway? This in the hope that the charity concerned can at least fill the place and raise some money over and above the cost of the place, rather than having spent charity funds buying places that go unfilled, thereby effectively flushing donations they've already received down the pan.
For an organisation that makes such a big deal out of raising money itself, it seems odd that they charge so much to other charities for guaranteed places. But I'm just a miserable old git who's utterly browned off with the "industry" that charity has become. I currently can't commit to direct debits to charities, and probably wouldn't, even if finances allowed. But I like to give (and generously too) to street collectors for charities close to my heart. One such was the local Air Ambulance, what's services I'd had cause to require two years ago. So when I spotted their table outside a local supermarket, I went up to make a donation. Sadly, my note was politely knocked back, and instead, I was offered a sign-up form for direct debits. No bucket available for extemporary donations. Sad to say, but I really didn't feel like donating after that. I want to give, as and when I can afford to, but I'm not prepared to give up any more of my personal data to organisations who seemingly routinely exploit that data beyond it's intended use.
Is it not the case that, as the event draws near, and charities which have overbought places still haven't filled them, that the target amount you 'commit' to comes down anyway? This in the hope that the charity concerned can at least fill the place and raise some money over and above the cost of the place, rather than having spent charity funds buying places that go unfilled, thereby effectively flushing donations they've already received down the pan.
For an organisation that makes such a big deal out of raising money itself, it seems odd that they charge so much to other charities for guaranteed places. But I'm just a miserable old git who's utterly browned off with the "industry" that charity has become. I currently can't commit to direct debits to charities, and probably wouldn't, even if finances allowed. But I like to give (and generously too) to street collectors for charities close to my heart. One such was the local Air Ambulance, what's services I'd had cause to require two years ago. So when I spotted their table outside a local supermarket, I went up to make a donation. Sadly, my note was politely knocked back, and instead, I was offered a sign-up form for direct debits. No bucket available for extemporary donations. Sad to say, but I really didn't feel like donating after that. I want to give, as and when I can afford to, but I'm not prepared to give up any more of my personal data to organisations who seemingly routinely exploit that data beyond it's intended use.
I'm in 
I'm pretty chuffed as this was the third time I had entered and I was not hopeful. I've been clocking 100-150 miles a month on a Brompton since March of last year, so I'm not in bad shape, but I haven't done much more than 8 miles on a road bike since then. Bit concerned as I only have 5 months to get some serious miles in on the road bike.
Might have to start adding miles to the Brompton commute and going on the club runs again.The road bike is also covered and dust and will certainly need a service.
Did anyone stay in a hotel the night before last year? If so which hotel did you stay in?
I live in Watford, which is only 25 minutes on the train from Euston, but when I did L2B a few years ago, there wasn't a train early enough and I ended up having to get a cab to Clapham Common and that was pretty stressful. Not sure I would want to do that again.
I'm pretty chuffed as this was the third time I had entered and I was not hopeful. I've been clocking 100-150 miles a month on a Brompton since March of last year, so I'm not in bad shape, but I haven't done much more than 8 miles on a road bike since then. Bit concerned as I only have 5 months to get some serious miles in on the road bike. Might have to start adding miles to the Brompton commute and going on the club runs again.The road bike is also covered and dust and will certainly need a service.
Did anyone stay in a hotel the night before last year? If so which hotel did you stay in?
I live in Watford, which is only 25 minutes on the train from Euston, but when I did L2B a few years ago, there wasn't a train early enough and I ended up having to get a cab to Clapham Common and that was pretty stressful. Not sure I would want to do that again.
bakerstreet said:
I'm in I'm pretty chuffed as this was the third time I had entered and I was not hopeful. I've been clocking 100-150 miles a month on a Brompton since March of last year, so I'm not in bad shape, but I haven't done much more than 8 miles on a road bike since then. Bit concerned as I only have 5 months to get some serious miles in on the road bike.
Might have to start adding miles to the Brompton commute and going on the club runs again.The road bike is also covered and dust and will certainly need a service.
Did anyone stay in a hotel the night before last year? If so which hotel did you stay in?
I live in Watford, which is only 25 minutes on the train from Euston, but when I did L2B a few years ago, there wasn't a train early enough and I ended up having to get a cab to Clapham Common and that was pretty stressful. Not sure I would want to do that again.
£50 to the charity of your choice if you do it on the Brompton..... I'm pretty chuffed as this was the third time I had entered and I was not hopeful. I've been clocking 100-150 miles a month on a Brompton since March of last year, so I'm not in bad shape, but I haven't done much more than 8 miles on a road bike since then. Bit concerned as I only have 5 months to get some serious miles in on the road bike. Might have to start adding miles to the Brompton commute and going on the club runs again.The road bike is also covered and dust and will certainly need a service.
Did anyone stay in a hotel the night before last year? If so which hotel did you stay in?
I live in Watford, which is only 25 minutes on the train from Euston, but when I did L2B a few years ago, there wasn't a train early enough and I ended up having to get a cab to Clapham Common and that was pretty stressful. Not sure I would want to do that again.
pablo said:
bakerstreet said:
I'm in I'm pretty chuffed as this was the third time I had entered and I was not hopeful. I've been clocking 100-150 miles a month on a Brompton since March of last year, so I'm not in bad shape, but I haven't done much more than 8 miles on a road bike since then. Bit concerned as I only have 5 months to get some serious miles in on the road bike.
Might have to start adding miles to the Brompton commute and going on the club runs again.The road bike is also covered and dust and will certainly need a service.
Did anyone stay in a hotel the night before last year? If so which hotel did you stay in?
I live in Watford, which is only 25 minutes on the train from Euston, but when I did L2B a few years ago, there wasn't a train early enough and I ended up having to get a cab to Clapham Common and that was pretty stressful. Not sure I would want to do that again.
£50 to the charity of your choice if you do it on the Brompton..... I'm pretty chuffed as this was the third time I had entered and I was not hopeful. I've been clocking 100-150 miles a month on a Brompton since March of last year, so I'm not in bad shape, but I haven't done much more than 8 miles on a road bike since then. Bit concerned as I only have 5 months to get some serious miles in on the road bike. Might have to start adding miles to the Brompton commute and going on the club runs again.The road bike is also covered and dust and will certainly need a service.
Did anyone stay in a hotel the night before last year? If so which hotel did you stay in?
I live in Watford, which is only 25 minutes on the train from Euston, but when I did L2B a few years ago, there wasn't a train early enough and I ended up having to get a cab to Clapham Common and that was pretty stressful. Not sure I would want to do that again.
yellowjack said:
WRT the charity places.
Is it not the case that, as the event draws near, and charities which have overbought places still haven't filled them, that the target amount you 'commit' to comes down anyway? This in the hope that the charity concerned can at least fill the place and raise some money over and above the cost of the place, rather than having spent charity funds buying places that go unfilled, thereby effectively flushing donations they've already received down the pan.
Yes, this is very much the case. I did feel a little sorry last year for some of the smaller charities who were offering places with a few weeks to go and reduced sponsorship expectations on the basis they'd probably bought the places on the promise of making a mint.Is it not the case that, as the event draws near, and charities which have overbought places still haven't filled them, that the target amount you 'commit' to comes down anyway? This in the hope that the charity concerned can at least fill the place and raise some money over and above the cost of the place, rather than having spent charity funds buying places that go unfilled, thereby effectively flushing donations they've already received down the pan.
Benmac said:
Yes, this is very much the case. I did feel a little sorry last year for some of the smaller charities who were offering places with a few weeks to go and reduced sponsorship expectations on the basis they'd probably bought the places on the promise of making a mint.
I hadn't noticed that before. I get the feeling the event may have passed it's peak of demand - the first three years I think the ballot filled up almost over night, but it took longer this year, unless I misunderstood?I've been short of my pledge total both times and not heard a thing from either charity.
I'm in, now 2 for 4, second year in a row.
Was good experience last year enjoyed the day, did it on my own need see if rest of my cycling group are in.
Be good to do it a second year knowing what to expect now.
Parking was ok left car in London for the day getting out was a nightmare after though with roadworks and roads closed for some reason ;-)
Those not in, can always do as Yellowjack did on the day last year, and chase round the hills of Guildford behind the clearing guys to enjoy the still quiet roads.
Was good experience last year enjoyed the day, did it on my own need see if rest of my cycling group are in.
Be good to do it a second year knowing what to expect now.
Parking was ok left car in London for the day getting out was a nightmare after though with roadworks and roads closed for some reason ;-)
Those not in, can always do as Yellowjack did on the day last year, and chase round the hills of Guildford behind the clearing guys to enjoy the still quiet roads.
G0ldfysh said:
...those not in, can always do as Yellowjack did on the day last year, and chase round the hills of Guildford behind the clearing guys to enjoy the still quiet roads.
You have to be prepared to take a wee bit of stick from oafs in cars who are grumpy about the roads being closed all day (despite my having been in the same boat, so to speak), and to get abused up Box Hill by a group of 'promising footballers' and 'lovable rogues' on scooters/mopeds, who try to run you off the road. I bet there was none of that on the event itself... 
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