Discussion
Start Area: Blue
Wave: C
Wave Load opening time: 04:40:00
Wave Load closing time: 05:20:00
Start Time 6:00:00
I signed up and didn't really take much notice of the particulars. Anyway had my details through this week and its hardly worth the effort! Right pain in the arse having to drive up from the South West, going across to Excel etc etc...
Then gonna have to get on the bike at 4.30 to cycle across London for my Wave loading time!
Wave: C
Wave Load opening time: 04:40:00
Wave Load closing time: 05:20:00
Start Time 6:00:00
I signed up and didn't really take much notice of the particulars. Anyway had my details through this week and its hardly worth the effort! Right pain in the arse having to drive up from the South West, going across to Excel etc etc...
Then gonna have to get on the bike at 4.30 to cycle across London for my Wave loading time!
Marcellus said:
Don't forget you all need to be at the Excel between Thursday and Saturday to get your race pack too!
Annoys me that people enter the ballot without actually knowing what they're signing up for or thinking of the implications of taking someone else's place!
Why do we have to pick the pack up? Every other event i've entered, be it running or cycling, the necessary info is sent out via post.Annoys me that people enter the ballot without actually knowing what they're signing up for or thinking of the implications of taking someone else's place!
Seems like an unnecessary pain in the ass.
Marcellus said:
Don't forget you all need to be at the Excel between Thursday and Saturday to get your race pack too!
Annoys me that people enter the ballot without actually knowing what they're signing up for or thinking of the implications of taking someone else's place!
Absolutely! I didn't get through the ballot so am riding for Tommys.Annoys me that people enter the ballot without actually knowing what they're signing up for or thinking of the implications of taking someone else's place!
But I get the same feelings with the London marathon (obviously same organising team) People sign up, don't train for it, then walk round, or give up half way (or worse cut the course!) And genuine people who WANT to do these events, can't.
Injuries or illness is fine to stop or postpone till next year. But to sign up, accept the place and not give it back early, is unbelievably selfish imo
Dr Murdoch said:
Why do we have to pick the pack up? Every other event i've entered, be it running or cycling, the necessary info is sent out via post.
Seems like an unnecessary pain in the ass.
You may think it's a pita bit that's the way they do it and have done since it started and are completly open about it also the same as Velothon have done it in previous years so really poor effort to say "too much faff to get there"Seems like an unnecessary pain in the ass.
Dr Murdoch said:
But why do they do it?
Their event, their rules, they can....... end of!(Possibly also to give their sponsors some payback by getting the 10,000 or so entrants to the Expo, staying locally etc etc etc after all these events have to deliver an ROI to the Sponsors etc etc(
Marcellus said:
Their event, their rules, they can....... end of!
In that case I stand by the my opinion that its a royal pain in the ass. Having a young family its an ask just to get clearance for the ride, let alone an unnecessary trip into London and back.(and I was aware of it when I signed up, thought it was a pain in the ass then as well....
)However, I had assumed that the trains laid on would get me there for the start.....
Dr Murdoch said:
In that case I stand by the my opinion that its a royal pain in the ass. Having a young family its an ask just to get clearance for the ride, let alone an unnecessary trip into London and back.
(and I was aware of it when I signed up, thought it was a pain in the ass then as well....)
However, I had assumed that the trains laid on would get me there for the start.....
Why did you assume that? Travel with bikes on trains back from L2B have been banned for years. Can you imagine the chaos is the major train companies added a couple of trains at 4am that allowed people to take full size bikes? It would be absolute chaos. Even Euston post Ride London got pretty busy. There were half a dozen bikes in the carridge I was in. Don't thiunk the tourists were impressed. Most of the riders hadn't showered either! (and I was aware of it when I signed up, thought it was a pain in the ass then as well....
)However, I had assumed that the trains laid on would get me there for the start.....
Why can't you put you and your bike in an Uber and head off to the start line that way. Thats exactly how I got to the start line of the L2B a few years ago. The drop off area was fuill of people getting out of cabs at L2B.
Also, why can't your family drop you off at one of the designated drop off zones. My OH did that and our then 15 month old just slept all the way there and back.
I don't mind people complaining about doing the event when they are coming from further afield (Manchester and similar), but when you are coming from Richmond its really not that difficult.
Sounds like you would be better doing a more traditional 100 mile sportive where the start/finish are the same place .
bakerstreet said:
Why did you assume that? Travel with bikes on trains back from L2B have been banned for years. Can you imagine the chaos is the major train companies added a couple of trains at 4am that allowed people to take full size bikes? It would be absolute chaos. Even Euston post Ride London got pretty busy. There were half a dozen bikes in the carridge I was in. Don't thiunk the tourists were impressed. Most of the riders hadn't showered either!
Why can't you put you and your bike in an Uber and head off to the start line that way. Thats exactly how I got to the start line of the L2B a few years ago. The drop off area was fuill of people getting out of cabs at L2B.
Also, why can't your family drop you off at one of the designated drop off zones. My OH did that and our then 15 month old just slept all the way there and back.
I don't mind people complaining about doing the event when they are coming from further afield (Manchester and similar), but when you are coming from Richmond its really not that difficult.
Sounds like you would be better doing a more traditional 100 mile sportive where the start/finish are the same place .
Oh dear..Why can't you put you and your bike in an Uber and head off to the start line that way. Thats exactly how I got to the start line of the L2B a few years ago. The drop off area was fuill of people getting out of cabs at L2B.
Also, why can't your family drop you off at one of the designated drop off zones. My OH did that and our then 15 month old just slept all the way there and back.
I don't mind people complaining about doing the event when they are coming from further afield (Manchester and similar), but when you are coming from Richmond its really not that difficult.
Sounds like you would be better doing a more traditional 100 mile sportive where the start/finish are the same place .
Ride London have specifically chartered some trains to enable cyclists to get to the start, I had assumed that this would enable me to get to the start. Note that they are chartered, not a normal service. So therefore, and when I signed up, I had assumed I could catch a train to the ride. I don't think thats unreasonable.
L2B do not offer this service, if they did then I would expect it to allow all riders to reach the start.
I don't live in Richmond, its just the closest station that will run chartered trains.
15month old? Well done, now try swapping that 15month of old with two 6 and 5 year boys, they won't be quite so easy to get up and out at 4.30am. And I wouldn't ask them to.
I could use an Uber yes, from one side of London right across to the other, but that doesn't make my irritation invalid.
upsidedownmark said:
If you can get to richmond, just ride over. Seriously, it's not that big a deal..
Apparently, its all a big deal and too difficult. Maybe Ride London, should produce a MayBach and collect him from his house. NCP are also offering car parks at a reduced price for Ride London. Loads of options there. Probably a PITA though...Probably shouldn't have entered in the first place.
bakerstreet said:
Apparently, its all a big deal and too difficult. Maybe Ride London, should produce a MayBach and collect him from his house. NCP are also offering car parks at a reduced price for Ride London. Loads of options there. Probably a PITA though...
Probably shouldn't have entered in the first place.
Not sure if you a deliberately missing the point?Probably shouldn't have entered in the first place.
Anyway (again), my gripe is when I entered the website stated that there would be a chartered train. Great I thought, I can get there, so I will enter.....
I find out with two weeks to go + 70 notes lighter that the goal posts have shifted somewhat, and i'm either going to have to cycle an extra 28miles, or pay for an Uber. If I had know this back when I entered at least I could of weighed up the options. This change just added to my initial gripe that we have to lose a day to get the numbers etc.
Great that NCP do reduced rates at their car parks, its just that I won't have access to a car...
Sorry that this bothers you.
Anyway, think I'm going to opt to arrive late (via the chartered train) and do my best to talk my way in.
Edited by Dr Murdoch on Thursday 12th July 14:50
I did it a few years back, drove up in the early hours of Saturday morning and parked in Queensgate next to the Natural History Museum before the A4 was closed. Free parking Sundays. Rode the 12 miles to the start, quite funny riding up Oxford street at 5 am as all the clubbers kick out. Even the ride to the start was fun and a bit mad!
Then you are only a mile from the finish to get back to the car, handy when if like me you can hardly walk
bit of an arse to get out of town but I was home by 3pm - Live in the New Forest.
Getting the start pack I drove to Hampton Thursday before, parked for free in a side street ( I am a right cheapskate ) and rode to the Excel. 20 miles each way - also a bit of a novelty for someone that's never cycled in London before.
I'd do it all again, fun fast event if you have an early start time.
Then you are only a mile from the finish to get back to the car, handy when if like me you can hardly walk
bit of an arse to get out of town but I was home by 3pm - Live in the New Forest.Getting the start pack I drove to Hampton Thursday before, parked for free in a side street ( I am a right cheapskate ) and rode to the Excel. 20 miles each way - also a bit of a novelty for someone that's never cycled in London before.
I'd do it all again, fun fast event if you have an early start time.
Sk00p said:
I did it a few years back, drove up in the early hours of Saturday morning and parked in Queensgate next to the Natural History Museum before the A4 was closed. Free parking Sundays. Rode the 12 miles to the start, quite funny riding up Oxford street at 5 am as all the clubbers kick out. Even the ride to the start was fun and a bit mad!
Then you are only a mile from the finish to get back to the car, handy when if like me you can hardly walk bit of an arse to get out of town but I was home by 3pm - Live in the New Forest.
Getting the start pack I drove to Hampton Thursday before, parked for free in a side street ( I am a right cheapskate ) and rode to the Excel. 20 miles each way - also a bit of a novelty for someone that's never cycled in London before.
I'd do it all again, fun fast event if you have an early start time.
Sounds great, especially seeing the clubbers spilling out! So often been the one doing that!Then you are only a mile from the finish to get back to the car, handy when if like me you can hardly walk
bit of an arse to get out of town but I was home by 3pm - Live in the New Forest.Getting the start pack I drove to Hampton Thursday before, parked for free in a side street ( I am a right cheapskate ) and rode to the Excel. 20 miles each way - also a bit of a novelty for someone that's never cycled in London before.
I'd do it all again, fun fast event if you have an early start time.
At least I now know you're one of the commuters who ditches their car down my street!
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