Discussion
All,
I am entering Ride London for the first time this year and was wondering what experience everyone has of the day. I am travelling up on Saturday and registering in the afternoon. I have a hotel booked for the Saturday night relatively close to the start and am looking to park somewhere close to the finish.
1. Are these reasonable plans?
2. When do you find out start time?
3. Any other help that can be given would be greatly appreciated
I am entering Ride London for the first time this year and was wondering what experience everyone has of the day. I am travelling up on Saturday and registering in the afternoon. I have a hotel booked for the Saturday night relatively close to the start and am looking to park somewhere close to the finish.
1. Are these reasonable plans?
2. When do you find out start time?
3. Any other help that can be given would be greatly appreciated
I did the first two years, including the torrential rain of 2014. One year I used one of the official car parks near the Rotherhithe tunnel, I live near Brighton so south was good for me. Getting to the start from there was easy both years, just pick up a stream of bikes heading the same way in the dark! Lights were necessary for me, I think I started the ride at half 6 but probably left the car at 5. Getting back to the car again was trickier, not the tiredness in my legs just not knowing where I was going that well. One year I had to get to Tower Bridge and then it was fairly easy on the south side of the river, the other year I ended up in the LimeHouse link (I think) which was fine during the ride as it was closed to traffic but in the afternoon it was open and you aren't allowed to ride in it. I realised it wasn't where I wanted to be so rode back out again!
I would have thought you would have an email by now stating your start time and reminding you to register etc.
I would have thought you would have an email by now stating your start time and reminding you to register etc.
I can never understand booking hotels near the start. That just means you've got to slog all the way back out there through the traffic after finishing, when you're already ridden 100 miles. I stay somewhere about 10 mins ride from the finish. It means I have to get up a little bit earlier but the 10 mile ride across a very, very quiet London at 04:30 is preferable and a nice warm up.
You should know your start time by now (05:52 here). They sent out emails last week where you confirmed your entry and that took you to a webpage where you could see your start time.
You should know your start time by now (05:52 here). They sent out emails last week where you confirmed your entry and that took you to a webpage where you could see your start time.
As above, you can park in the Hyde Park car park if you want 
https://www.q-park.co.uk/en-gb/cities/london/park-...
£41 for 24HRs.
On the subject of RL100. Did it last year. But was planning to support some friends this year. Recommendations for viewing location? Was thinking one of the climbs as they'll be going slower. But getting up to Leith Hill, Newlands or Box will be grief with the road closures. And I don't fancy riding there.
Kingston town centre? Sawyers Hill? Wimbledon Hill?
https://www.q-park.co.uk/en-gb/cities/london/park-...
£41 for 24HRs.
On the subject of RL100. Did it last year. But was planning to support some friends this year. Recommendations for viewing location? Was thinking one of the climbs as they'll be going slower. But getting up to Leith Hill, Newlands or Box will be grief with the road closures. And I don't fancy riding there.
Kingston town centre? Sawyers Hill? Wimbledon Hill?
S1KRR said:
As above, you can park in the Hyde Park car park if you want
https://www.q-park.co.uk/en-gb/cities/london/park-...
£41 for 24HRs.?
Smarter tip - try to park in one of the City of London car parks - there's one by Blackfriars station (Baynard House) - which charges £10 if you arrive after midday Saturday all the way through to Sunday. Tower Hill is OK too - and the roads are reopened by the time you'd want to get a car outhttps://www.q-park.co.uk/en-gb/cities/london/park-...
£41 for 24HRs.?
I'm parking at Q in Victoria - seems to avoid the road closures. Does anyone have any suggestions for secure bike parking afterwards? I'm leaving my bike at the office before, but that's in Shoreditch, so quite a long round trip any my car is going to be too full to be able to take it back with me. (Should've bought that roof rack I posted about a few weeks ago 
)
)Edited by ecs on Monday 29th July 14:34
S1KRR said:
As above, you can park in the Hyde Park car park if you want
https://www.q-park.co.uk/en-gb/cities/london/park-...
£41 for 24HRs.
On the subject of RL100. Did it last year. But was planning to support some friends this year. Recommendations for viewing location? Was thinking one of the climbs as they'll be going slower. But getting up to Leith Hill, Newlands or Box will be grief with the road closures. And I don't fancy riding there.
Kingston town centre? Sawyers Hill? Wimbledon Hill?
Getting around close to the course is carnage on the day, anywhere with proximity to a crossing of the course. Roads into Putney and around that area pretty much come to a standstill from what I've seen. https://www.q-park.co.uk/en-gb/cities/london/park-...
£41 for 24HRs.
On the subject of RL100. Did it last year. But was planning to support some friends this year. Recommendations for viewing location? Was thinking one of the climbs as they'll be going slower. But getting up to Leith Hill, Newlands or Box will be grief with the road closures. And I don't fancy riding there.
Kingston town centre? Sawyers Hill? Wimbledon Hill?
Depends where you're coming from too. If it was me I'd park up a few miles out from wherever you're going to watch and ride the rest in. You could park somewhere in Epsom or around there and get up towards Box with not too much distance. Most people will be at Sawyers hill very quickly after starting, and its not really a hill most people are going to be going up slowly in the bunch. Leith or Box will see riders spread out a bit more and going slowly.
Wimbledon might be ok, a good spot to watch the pro race too, as it seems to often be the final selection point.
whatleytom said:
Depends where you're coming from too. If it was me I'd park up a few miles out from wherever you're going to watch and ride the rest in. You could park somewhere in Epsom or around there and get up towards Box with not too much distance. Most people will be at Sawyers hill very quickly after starting, and its not really a hill most people are going to be going up slowly in the bunch. Leith or Box will see riders spread out a bit more and going slowly.
Wimbledon might be ok, a good spot to watch the pro race too, as it seems to often be the final selection point.
Yeah was thinking about park and ride. Wimbledon might be ok, a good spot to watch the pro race too, as it seems to often be the final selection point.
In an ideal world Box Hill would be perfect. Plenty of time to see them in the distance, and going sufficiently slowly that they can see and more importantly HEAR my encouragement
But I cant see any way of getting onto Box Hill itself. Or even parking somewhere nearby.
Zig Zag, and the road that runs through the village will be closed all day obviously and 1 way. I cant see the marshals (or participants) being too pleased with the idea of me riding up the pavement or against the flow of riders in the gutter. (To come from the East.) And I'm not really sure of the etiquette of getting on the route somewhere around Denbies and then riding up Box hill just to stop and start watching where that white line pattern is on the road. And of course how do I get back to my car somewhere in Dorking?
Planning to go to Sawyers Hill first thing and catch my friends (they aren't going to be smashing up it at 30Kmh
) Then move on to Wimbledon Hill later and catch them again. Where they will be going even slower I've downloaded the tracking app, so should be able to time it well.If they’re going to have a car I think the trick will be to get inside the route and then seeing how many times they can intercept you.
My daughter lives inside the route and has said that on ride London day it’s actually quite quiet.
I reckon your family could see you at Weybridge, East Horsley, Dorking, leatherhead and Esher, getting the the Mall might be tricky.
My daughter lives inside the route and has said that on ride London day it’s actually quite quiet.
I reckon your family could see you at Weybridge, East Horsley, Dorking, leatherhead and Esher, getting the the Mall might be tricky.
For parking option I use parkopedia a lot - has lots of options. Of course it does not know the local conditions on the race day, but good for finding options.
https://en.parkopedia.com/
https://en.parkopedia.com/
Bumping the old thread rather than starting a new one.
Is anyone else doing it this year? I got persuaded to sign up whilst drunk on Boxing Day. I’m quite looking forward to the experience since I’ve always fancied riding through London and I’ve also never done a closed road event before so it’ll be nice not to have to worry about traffic.
Unfortunately the weather isn’t looking great but at least it shouldn’t be too cold.
I’ve got an Airbnb in Bermondsey for Saturday and Sunday night with a couple of mates. I think I’m looking forward to the post-ride beers almost as much as the ride itself.
The guys I’m riding it with have done it several times before and we’re targeting getting round in five hours or so, so hope to be showered and in the pub by early afternoon.
Is anyone else doing it this year? I got persuaded to sign up whilst drunk on Boxing Day. I’m quite looking forward to the experience since I’ve always fancied riding through London and I’ve also never done a closed road event before so it’ll be nice not to have to worry about traffic.
Unfortunately the weather isn’t looking great but at least it shouldn’t be too cold.
I’ve got an Airbnb in Bermondsey for Saturday and Sunday night with a couple of mates. I think I’m looking forward to the post-ride beers almost as much as the ride itself.
The guys I’m riding it with have done it several times before and we’re targeting getting round in five hours or so, so hope to be showered and in the pub by early afternoon.
I'm doing it - did it last year as well, logistics for the start are a bit of a pain - but 100 miles not having to worry too much about traffic is good, even if the course isn't hugely inspiring.
Last year the start was a bit of a free for all and took ages, and the stops were a lot underwhelming, especially the half way (massive queues etc) - but apparently this year will be better as it's better sponsored - but we'll see. There's an m&s at about 52 miles which is much better / quicker for a snack.
The weather forecast doesn't look good - but I just took delivery of a new rain jacket - so I've done everything I can to ensure it's dry all day
Last year the start was a bit of a free for all and took ages, and the stops were a lot underwhelming, especially the half way (massive queues etc) - but apparently this year will be better as it's better sponsored - but we'll see. There's an m&s at about 52 miles which is much better / quicker for a snack.
The weather forecast doesn't look good - but I just took delivery of a new rain jacket - so I've done everything I can to ensure it's dry all day
On the 100 halfway round there was a massive deluge of stair-rods for 10 minutes, otherwise we got away with reasonable weather. I've even got tan lines on my legs
Not far from the beginning I passed a PH jersey chap and shouted "Pistonheads" - no idea who it was but I hope you did well.
Brutal final 10 miles into the wind, requiring much wheel-hopping. Great event.
Not far from the beginning I passed a PH jersey chap and shouted "Pistonheads" - no idea who it was but I hope you did well.
Brutal final 10 miles into the wind, requiring much wheel-hopping. Great event.
Got away with only a couple of showers before hitting the heavy downpour. The weather forecasts were very off, needed sun-cream more than my rain jacket.
Felt sorry for the chap taking out by a deer about 38 miles in, what are the odds on that!
The headwind coming back was a lovely touch, made it far harder than I thought it would be.
Felt sorry for the chap taking out by a deer about 38 miles in, what are the odds on that!
The headwind coming back was a lovely touch, made it far harder than I thought it would be.
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff