London 100 - toilets and bike security?

[Globalti]

I've got a nice early start, 07:10 so I hope I'll be ahead of the bimblers and hill-walkers. I'm not too bothered about the prospect of the ride itself, I'm more worried about the, er, bathroom aspects of it because i'm pretty sure I will need to use a loo at the start or on the road. I plan to take a café lock to deter opportunists and I guess that at that time in the morning there won't be many non-cyclists around, especially in the start area.

Did anybody do the ride last year? How good was the security at the start and en route?

 

[SquareDaff]

I did it last year. No worries with the toilet breaks - in fact if you're after a decent time I'd suggest avoiding the main feed stations. There are loads of "opportunity" stops with portaloos and water for topping up the bottles (and some even have refreshments - but without the queues).

I didn't have a problem with security either and I was a lone rider. There are toilets in the "loading" area at the start (so your bike is lined up and ready to go) and at the other end the bike storage area is monitored. I did pack a lock in my gear that I had transported to the finish, and used that to lock up the bike when it was out of sight at the finish.

 

[Deleted member 35268]

BOGS - Did it last year - At the Queen Elizabeth Park, Black and/or Blue starts there are lots of toilets and also coffee and food. Then, when it is your load time, there are more toilets within the loading lanes - I used one for a pee just before I set off and strangely did not go for the next 5 hrs despite drinking three bottles of water - ha ha!I Loads of toilet stops on the way round.

SECURITY = If you have an expensive and desirable bike, I would not leave it out of site for a moment unless it is locked, ( there are people now paying to enter events and turning up without a bike and taking them). I would ask another cyclist (who has a bike in hand, to keep an eye on your bike at least. I might take a cheap lock and leave it, though my bike is not worth much to anyone else, it is still my pride and joy.

 

[Globalti]

I don't ever let the bike out of my sight; the only time it's out of my sight is when it's in a triple-locked, alarmed garage integral with my house. I guess leaving it with another cyclist is the safest option.