Ride London Classics - womens' & mens' (Spoilers)

[HF2300]

Yup, lots to learn but I'm glad we're finally in the situation where we're talking about how to improve the technical side of things rather than wishing we had something, anything...

Absolutely, and you're right to point out the many positives. I just feel it's not as if this is the first Ride London - they've had several years to get it right. It's frustrating that they're committing to sophistications like live data feeds (for the men's race) and live on bike cameras but can't sort out the basics.

That doesn't mean I'm after perfection, nitpicking or moaning for the sake of it - poor coverage will turn people off. If TfL and co. are going to put so much into promoting women's (and men's) racing it deserves the best job possible; there is plenty of experience and best practice out there

 

[ozboz]

ive just watched the end of it , a Dutch Lady won , how many laps is this race ?

 

[vickster]

Thanks for the spoiler warning!

How about googling or looking in the related thread in the procycling forum

https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/ride-london-classics-womens-mens-spoilers.204734/post-4390694

 

[ozboz]

Thanks for the spoiler warning!

How about googling or looking in the related thread in the procycling forum

https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/ride-london-classics-womens-mens-spoilers.204734/post-4390694

Oops !! Sorry !

I did google it , just said it was 5.5 km laps , looked in the link you posted , no mention there either of distance/laps

 

[mjr]

The logistics of running on a larger circuit are very difficult, remember this is a Saturday in London. Absolutely no way an "open road" part, the risks at this level mean there has to be a closure to have a proper and safe "field of play".

Poor choice of words. Of course, I meant rolling road closures. The circuit was bigger than last year but still smaller than the Freecycle loop.

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

WOW!

I have just had an alert saying my post on here was quoted.

I am NOT Vickster, so what's going on?

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

WOW!

I have just had an alert saying my post on here was quoted.

I am NOT Vickster, so what's going on?

Well, obviously, you're ozboz!

 

[ozboz]

 

[S-Express]

I did google it , just said it was 5.5 km laps , looked in the link you posted , no mention there either of distance/laps

12 laps - and the 'Dutch lady' was Kirsten Wild.

 

[oldroadman]

Poor choice of words. Of course, I meant rolling road closures. The circuit was bigger than last year but still smaller than the Freecycle loop.

Thought that would be the case. However in any big city area, rolling closures simply don't work. As soon as the last escort vehicle passes, twonks start appearing from side roads, entrances, drives. The only way is a full barriered closure with security cover roadside. Which is a lot of logistics for a city. Sunday's race is 100% closure, and that goes out into the countryside. I think the organisers are achieving considerable progress, just consider TdF uses a similar length finishing circuit in Paris, in a country with relatively bike-race friendly laws, which is a far smaller and more easily accessed city than London, which is about 50km across in any direction.

 

[mjr]

TdF has a route onto the finishing circuit.

The women's race has improved from last year but it feels like we're still only on the same sort of loops as the London Grand Prix used years ago. This is meant to be the all new improved Women's World Tour and there are at least three of these capital city circuit races on the WWT calendar playing second fiddle to men's races that get better courses. I wish they could be at least as good courses.

 

[coffeejo]

TdF has a route onto the finishing circuit.

The women's race has improved from last year but it feels like we're still only on the same sort of loops as the London Grand Prix used years ago. This is meant to be the all new improved Women's World Tour and there are at least three of these capital city circuit races on the WWT calendar playing second fiddle to men's races that get better courses. I wish they could be at least as good courses.

Agreed. I want to watch a proper race with climbs and descents and where every corner is different.

 

[HF2300]

I am NOT Vickster, so what's going on?

Maybe you are, but haven't realised yet...

 

[smutchin]

I wish they could be at least as good courses.

On the plus side, at least they're getting paid properly.

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

Well, obviously, you're ozboz!

Maybe you are, but haven't realised yet...

I feel so so sorry for anyone that is me