Ride London 2017 Ballot

[Black can man]

R1gtr said:

I must admit I quite fancy doing it just to see the sights of London, would be quote happy bimbling around! I have only done one sportive- the Loch Ness Etape (closed roads) and despite costing about 75 pounds it was well worth it, organised perfectly and the route and scenery is stunning, fast with a hell of a climb to test the legs. Will definitely do it every year I can.

I did for the first time last year & I loved it.


Living in the London area as I do I found the best thing was the run from Stratford to Walton absolutely fantastic with roads that I am really familiar with closed & a dream to cycle on.

It's so hard not to get caught up in all the testosterone in the first 20 miles or so.

If you can get a cheap enough charity spot it's so worth it.

You do get some real two wheeled Rambo's but that's a small price to pay for such a terrific day.

[kiethton]

Black can man said:

It's so hard not to get caught up in all the testosterone in the first 20 miles or so.

Yep, when I did it for charity a few years back I averaged 25mph to Richmond Park and killed myself - had cramp in both legs form 40 miles onwards ruining everything from there

[richardxjr]

Not really into road riding these days, but my one time doing this (2015) was certainly one of my best rides ever.
The noise of 100+ tyres tanking it through Limehouse link tunnel in a big early group was amazing!

I got dragged around in a good time (for me), the weather and everything was spot on; so good I'll not better it so won't enter again.

[donfisher]

richardxjr said:

Not really into road riding these days, but my one time doing this (2015) was certainly one of my best rides ever.
The noise of 100+ tyres tanking it through Limehouse link tunnel in a big early group was amazing!

I got dragged around in a good time (for me), the weather and everything was spot on; so good I'll not better it so won't enter again.

That perfectly sums up my experience in 2015.

It was great to speed through the bits of London I do regularly on my commute. That first 20 miles was the fastest 20 miles I've ever done despite instinctively slowing for the reds in the bits I knew..

I'd recommend it to anyone but don't have any interest in doing again any time soon. Maybe in 5 or 10 years or if i suddenly find some more time or form to get in better shape for it.

[dreamer75]

I got in and am quite suspicious about the fact all my male friends failed, but female members of the club were successful (I'm a girl too). I'm not fit enough this year due to injury and will defer the entry, especially as otherwise I'd be without my usual riding partners and other half, who all failed and I don't fancy doing it on my own! I've also heard the horror stories of last year and think other sportives and rides sound more fun and less risky !

[j00pY]

I've been rejected again - 100% fail rate. Most of my friends got in again despite them having ridden it numerous times in the past...

I got to ride it last year under someone elses name who had to pull out and was lucky enough to be in one of the first waves. The start and the ride back into central London was the best bit for me. It just gets faster and faster towards the finish and it felt like a computer game riding on the empty roads!

I was so impressed with how quickly I got my bottles refilled at one of the drink stops (felt like an F1 pitstop) that I think I may have a look at volunteering at one of those places if I can get to it via the closed roads.

Best of luck to all who got in.

[bakerstreet]

G321 said:

5 years of entering the ballot and 5 years of failure getting in!
I did it last year through a club place and it was probably the most dangerous ride I've ever done. So not too bothered about not getting in this time

Don't do the London to Brighton then as that is far worse. At lest ride London is limited to road bikes only.

[bakerstreet]

richardxjr said:

Not really into road riding these days, but my one time doing this (2015) was certainly one of my best rides ever.
The noise of 100+ tyres tanking it through Limehouse link tunnel in a big early group was amazing!

I got dragged around in a good time (for me), the weather and everything was spot on; so good I'll not better it so won't enter again.

Agreed. Also tanking it along the bank of the Thames for the last few miles and onto the mall were great.

I still rate it as the best event I've ridden. The atmosphere is amazing. People cheering you along nearly all the way.

Gutted I didn't get in again. I shall probably ride the Chiltern 100 instead, but I'm not expecting it to be anywhere near as good.

[Magic919]

bakerstreet said:

At lest ride London is limited to road bikes only.

You might wish that, but it isn't.

[SixtySpeedTwin]

5th attempt and 5th commiseration. Certainly females get places. They should give a weighting to riders that have previously failed.
Winge over

[Timothy Claypole]

I didn't get in, third time in a row. There were some females in our club who had places...

Good job I didn't get in this year, it's over the weekend of my 10th wedding anniversary and I would have been gutted not to have been able to take up the place!

[Cookie338]

Just had an email from the charity about registration... I've said I think it'll take 5hrs for me to get round.. probably optimistic but I like a good target

[z4RRSchris]

We got a team spot of 4! Woo

[47p2]

Sounds like a bucket load of fun scrambling with 24,999 other cyclists fighting for road space.

[Stupeo]

Well, I forgot to pay my fee by 5pm yesterday - so looks like I've lost my place for this year.

I was debilitating whether to do it - I'm in Vegas the week before, get back on 28th then 29th is the wifes birthday - which I'd be spending travelling down to London. Probably a blessing I forgot

[bakerstreet]

Cookie338 said:

Just had an email from the charity about registration... I've said I think it'll take 5hrs for me to get round.. probably optimistic but I like a good target

You will get many e-mails from charities saying they have a guaranteed place....if you raise £500.

Never going to go down that route. I ride 160 miles a month and that's just getting to work. Not going to go and ask people for money for me to cycle 100 miles.

[kiethton]

Good mate's GF registered him and accidentally put him down as a 27 Y.O female, not male = offered a place (guess they'd rather see that in lycra, that or demographics/sexism)

He's paid it up and is currently trying to reassign his gender via the system