London Nightrider - 9 June 2012

[eml1909]

I'm planning on doing this with some friends from work: http://www.nightrider.org.uk/

I'm hoping that it won't require too much training (I commute every day (16 mile round trip) and I do the occasional 50km ride at the weekend), so it shouldn't be too difficult...

Did anyone do the same ride last year and do you have any tips or advice? Is it a good event?

 

[eml1909]

It occurs to me that this might not be the best forum for this thread because it's not really "touring"... is there a way of moving it to a different forum (and which would be best?)?

 

[ianrauk]

I have moved it to Road Rides.

 

[LCDEvents]

Hi eml1909

Nightrider is a brilliant ride - I did it this year with little training (just a few long rides at the weekend) and found it challenging, but really enjoyable. With more training, I could have done it faster (finished in 7 hours). You see some amazing sights on the route, my highlight was taking a break at the rest stop at Potters Hill Fields overlooking Tower Bridge as the sun rose and knowing I only had 20km to go.

If you and your team fancy raising money for a good cause at the same time, you could sign up to take part with Leonard Cheshire Disability. We'll give you cycling training guides, T-shirts to ride in and loads of fundraising tips and advice. Have a look at our website: www.lcdisability.org/nightrider to find out more, or drop me an email: victoria.wray@lcdisability.org with any questions.

 

[Tynan]

looks like fun but the minimum sponsorship always irks me let alone a £39 personal payment

 

[LCDEvents]

There is an alternative option of a £99 personal payment and raise as much as you can for charity. The whole event is a fundraiser, so you may find that you're encouraged to raise money whichever option you choose!

That said, being no stranger to asking friends and family for donations to charity, I thought I'd struggle to raise the £175, but by changing tack slightly, I found it surprisingly easy to raise money. Rather than ask for money outright, I ran a sweepstake on my finish time and offered a bottle of champers for the person who was closest. This meant my sponsors had a incentive to give, and it made it more fun!

 

[MissTillyFlop]

I did it last year and I wasn't overly fond of the route to be honest. I'd do it again but not on a road bike (too many puncture hazards which are easily missed in the dark).

The raising money part is easier than you imagine - you can also do things like bake sales or car boot sales if you are struggling.

 

[LCDEvents]

MissTillyFlop - out of interest, did you start from Crystal Palace or Alexandra Palace? I did it on a road bike and was glad I did! Mountain bike would have been really slow and heavy on the up hill sections.

 

[stevevw]

I did this ride last year on a fixed, only hard part was soon after the start at Ali Paly going down the hill over the speed bumps. I did not like the bit through the West end with all the traffic, drunk peds and rickshaw passengers trying to push us off or asking the driver to race us. Other than that not a bad ride, would I do it again. No, many better charity rides out there and if you want to do night rides join the FNRttC and donate the money you raise to a charity of your choice.

 

[KtKat]

I did this ride last year on a hybrid starting from Crystal Palace and had a great time, my favourite moments was cycling around the Kenwood estate in North London when the sun had come up a little while ago and all was peaceful as well as cycling through Shoreditch on a Saturday night and getting cheers from revellers.
My boyfriend on the other hand didn't like it as much as he is a racer boy and all the traffic lights got to be annoying, then again, he normally does sportifs or London-Cambridge and back for fun.
All in all there were a lot of people who seemed to have never cycled on busy roads nor during the night and who seeme to be a bit scarred during some stretches. If you are commuting in London (or other city) and throughout the year then this should be no problem though. And rest stops every 25k make it quite easy, too.
I won't be cycling again this year as in hindsight I didn't like the high administration fee, but can only recommend it. have fun!