The 'Ride London 100' accepted/rejected thread
Discussion
Hmmm, not so sure!
I did the L2B last year, 7:30 start time and the entire route was chock-a-block, crowds started thinning at the Beacon, and in the run into Brighton for the last 4 or 5 miles I was more or less on my own, but I had managed to catch up with a lot of the guy's who set off with the 06.00 batch....
Regardless of the crowds it was fun, but you have to be so careful - very few people hold their line, people simply stop and jump off their bikes in the middle of the road, pull from one side of the road to the other when they spot their mates, pull away from the kerb without looking! I saw a good dozen 'offs' - tbh only one was serious where a chap was simply going too fast on a downhill stretch, lost control and went over a very steep embankment - poor bloke was fooked and his bike was in half.
I found the best way to get through the crowds reasonably unscathed was to keep right (people have a natural tendency to ride on the left) and shout at the top of your voice 'passing right/left' when overtaking - made a few people jump but also avoided a number of potential 'whoops apocalypse' moments!
I did the L2B last year, 7:30 start time and the entire route was chock-a-block, crowds started thinning at the Beacon, and in the run into Brighton for the last 4 or 5 miles I was more or less on my own, but I had managed to catch up with a lot of the guy's who set off with the 06.00 batch....
Regardless of the crowds it was fun, but you have to be so careful - very few people hold their line, people simply stop and jump off their bikes in the middle of the road, pull from one side of the road to the other when they spot their mates, pull away from the kerb without looking! I saw a good dozen 'offs' - tbh only one was serious where a chap was simply going too fast on a downhill stretch, lost control and went over a very steep embankment - poor bloke was fooked and his bike was in half.
I found the best way to get through the crowds reasonably unscathed was to keep right (people have a natural tendency to ride on the left) and shout at the top of your voice 'passing right/left' when overtaking - made a few people jump but also avoided a number of potential 'whoops apocalypse' moments!
Edited by MadDad on Friday 8th February 13:50
For those with an entry but not on the doorstep of the Olympic Park, or with trepidations about getting there early given the likelihood of an uncooperative transport policy on the rail system that weekend, the Travelodge in Stratford is currently £34/night. Premier Inn is £89 for comparison.
I don't think RL and L2B can be compared. L2B is a "get there when you can" event and racing bikes are very much in the minority. 100 miles in a set time will have put off the vast majority of 10mph wobblers and the vast, vast majority of entrants will be in the intermediate to racer category.
I rode the Vattenfall Cyclassics last year in Hamburg and it's a very similar event to RL. 22,000 riders, fully closed roads and a pro event later in the day. They had a strict broom wagon which swept up people under 15mph.
Your start block was dictated by your estimated finishing time (or by your team). It was a very fast flowing ride (I managed 21mph av) and I would estimate the number of non-lycra/non-racing bikers to be less than 5%.
No carnage or hold ups caused by slow riders. There were apparently some crashes but that's to be expected just with the sheer volume and I didn't see any personally.
I rode the Vattenfall Cyclassics last year in Hamburg and it's a very similar event to RL. 22,000 riders, fully closed roads and a pro event later in the day. They had a strict broom wagon which swept up people under 15mph.
Your start block was dictated by your estimated finishing time (or by your team). It was a very fast flowing ride (I managed 21mph av) and I would estimate the number of non-lycra/non-racing bikers to be less than 5%.
No carnage or hold ups caused by slow riders. There were apparently some crashes but that's to be expected just with the sheer volume and I didn't see any personally.
Hmmmm, wonder what I would average......Type R Tom said:
Without sounding paranoid I think there may be something about the way the form was filled in. Was talking to a mate who says in his office (not a partially large one) 5 people applied and all got a place. Turns out this bunch are all cycle holiday types and ride up the Alps etc. If they filled in the application saying that whereas I and my 3 friends admitted to being relative beginners I wonder if our application didn’t carry as much weight?
I know it sounds like sour grapes but also it’s a massive coincidence!
Personally, I made out that Wiggins has got nothing on me. And I didn't get a place. I know it sounds like sour grapes but also it’s a massive coincidence!
So let's be honest and say that reports like this are anecdotal!
So I've decided (since being 'cancelled') that I really wanted to be a part of this, and the fact that I'm going to help raise money for Mind in the process makes it all the better 
I really don't see this as having friends/family/colleagues paying for me to partake in my hobby, since at least £650 will be going straight to a very worthwhile charity, and one that I imagine struggles to get the same level of participation as other health charities because of the stigma.
I also got my Ride 100 jersey through the post today with my 'Commiserations' magazine. Not a patch on the PH one...
I really don't see this as having friends/family/colleagues paying for me to partake in my hobby, since at least £650 will be going straight to a very worthwhile charity, and one that I imagine struggles to get the same level of participation as other health charities because of the stigma.
I also got my Ride 100 jersey through the post today with my 'Commiserations' magazine. Not a patch on the PH one...
What ca people recommend for accomodation? Within a ten mile radius of Hackney? Or should I try and be closer? Not expecting many places will have parking so think ill travel down on the Friday by train and stay until Monday. I'm into photography and like London so might as well make a long weekend of it.
croftsj said:
Cancelled, rejected whatever. I bet 6 weeks beforehand there will be 'golden circle' 'corporate' 'more money than sense' places available.
Why more money than sense? 
First ever London Marathon I did was via a golden bond place, I still had to raise over a grand for the charity offering the place. London424 said:
You get a jersey? I was looking forward to wearing the PH one for the ride!
You had to pay more for the jersey.My pack arrived today. It confirms that the minimum speed is 12mph average, that you'll be given a start time between 6 and 8, that quicker people go first and that there will be feed stations and mechanical support.
Benmac said:
London424 said:
You get a jersey? I was looking forward to wearing the PH one for the ride!
You had to pay more for the jersey.My pack arrived today. It confirms that the minimum speed is 12mph average, that you'll be given a start time between 6 and 8, that quicker people go first and that there will be feed stations and mechanical support.
I think I put in a pretty slow time hoping that they'd want people on the route. I can do it faster than what I submitted without any training from now.
I would recommend the travel lodge docklands, next to East India DLR so easy access, there is also cycle parking outside slightly away from the hotel. It's my office and there area is dead at the weekend but security walking round, not ideal to store bike outside but doubt most hotels would let you take it up to your room.
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