Dragon Ride 2011

[Abe Froman]

Did anybody do this yesterday?

4th and probably last year for me. Unfortunately they have messed with something brilliant and it just didn't work out this year.

I rode well, but the queues at the start were just a joke, we ended up just skipping the first starting mat rather than stand in the cold for over an hour, I've heard the feedstations ran out for some of the later riders (we were ok fortunately) and the route didn't have enough climbs compared to previous years. Shame as I've always looked forward to this one.

[itsnotarace]

Was there taking photos, didn't see too many unhappy riders (maybe a few on the 200km route) when it started raining. It was also well marshalled - but with 3980 odd riders to get across a timing mat, it's not something that can happen straight away

[Abe Froman]

Agreed it did sound like a bit of a moan. Which it wasn't...really. It's always very well marshalled and friendly. But I think for a UCI Gold standard event some lessons will need to be learned.

Maybe wanting more climbing is a sign that I'm getting fitter, so I'll take that as a positive!

[Dick Seaman]

Looks like most of the timing chips didn't work, that's going to upset plenty of people.

Enjoyed the ride (120k), and thought the event had a relaxed and friendly atmosphere which was great, but I also felt that some aspects of the organisation were too 'amateurish' for an event that attracts 4000 riders.