RideLondon-Essex 100 (2024) Anyone?

[gavgav]

@gavgav do you have giving page link ?

Yes, this is the link to my fundraising page, it’s the Enthuse site which is linked directly to Ride London

https://2024fordridelondon.enthuse.com/pf/gavin-taylor

 

[ColinJ]

I also saw a guy who'd stopped and gone back to fetch something he'd dropped in the road. As I approached he picked it up and held it up for his friend to see. It was his left crank .

By coincidence, I have just converted my DIY 6-speed bike to Hollowtech II and one of the warnings was to make sure to tighten the 2 left crank retaining bolts correctly or the crank might fall off! (The instructions also warned to check the bolts again after 100 km of riding, and regularly after that.)

PS Having a crank fall off could cause a very nasty crash. It sounds like that rider (and those near him) were lucky not to be injured.

 

[steverob]

Other things that have since come to mind post-ride - some because I'd forgotten, others have been prompted by reading about other's experiences on here.

As mentioned by @gavgav, the pen system seemed to work really well. My pen opened at 6am and not being desperate to be right at the very front, that is also the time I left my hotel, assuming about a 15 minute ride to The Mall. Despite the documentation saying you had to go via Hyde Park Corner and Constitution Hill if you were in Pink, I found you could cut through Buckingham Gate with the Blue pen riders and get through to Pink that way as well, saving a good 5 minutes. Ended up riding freely down The Mall and eventually only came to a stop on Northumberland Avenue about 100 yards from the Embankment junction. We were held there for only 20 minutes while the first Blue wave was still departing and after a bit of a slow crawl forward, finally got riding properly at about 6:45, which was 15 minutes before our earliest listed start time.

Cocked-up slightly at the first Welfare Hub at Epping. Had no intention of stopping there and was staying to the right as instructed past all the traffic islands, but had to move off line to avoid something (can't remember what) and went to the left hand side of one island, only to find that was the last one before the barriers started and there were no gaps to get back out, meaning I had to ride straight through at barely above walking pace!

Was tempted to stop at Great Dunmow as well but thought it was a little too early, so held on until the official stop at Felsted. Even then I didn't really use the facilities except for the loos (of which there were plenty - quite impressed compared to some sportives I've done in the past). Didn't need a top up on my water and I've never been a fan of flapjacks or gels, so ate some of the snacks I'd brought with me, texted updates to the family and hit the road again.

As mentioned previously, I managed to find a large group to draft/shelter with from 63-75 miles; basically it was a group of about 7 riders from one cycling club that I've now found out (having had a chance to look up their jerseys) were Tottenham Cycling and they all looked like they were out for a leisurely ride (probably their normal relaxed Sunday club jaunt pace), to which another 8-10 riders including myself had attached themselves to the back of - I found the pace quite enjoyable however a few were looking like they were having to put in a little bit more effort to keep up! Got chatting to one of the other hangers-on and we were both a bit gutted when they pulled off, which was only just before the big deluge.

Post-storm (hail when in a headwind really stings the face!) I took a quick breather at the 80 mile marker and for the first time on the ride undid my jacket - only finally took it off coming through Stratford. I found the A12 to be really draining - might have been the constant ups and downs, or could have been just overall fatigue setting in. It was enlivened though by someone crashing in front of me as we passed the Olympic Park - no-one anywhere near him, he just suddenly went down. Everyone stopped and checked he was alright and he said "I'm fine, I wasn't concentrating" so can only assume he'd hit a pothole or something. The only other crash I saw was after the finish line where someone overcooked it coming round the right hand bend where they were asking you to slow and dismount - imagine doing 100 miles safely and then falling there!

 

[gavgav]

Just in case any of you saw this and have any footage. Utter scumbag lowlife who needs permanently removing from the right to drive a car and some time behind bars. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2eevmlz0yeo

 

[java]

I completed my first ever century ride, by finishing the 103 miles in 7 hours 20 mins (Strava time, so ignoring stops) averaging 14.1mph.

It was an absolutely brilliant experience and my first ever closed roads mass cycling event, probably a once in a lifetime though.

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Congratulations on completing your first century @gavgav .
I couldn't help but notice from your photos that you had your bikes in your hotel room. Were the proprietors OK with this? I ask because I have signed up for the 2025 event and I have been searching for cycle friendly accommodation in London.
All the central’ish hotels I have contacted have been pretty unhelpful thus far. Some even suggested I keep my bike in their car park!
I will be an early pen/start so I am on the look out for any recommendations for accommodation that is reasonably close to the start and can cater to the needs of a travelling cyclist.

 

[steverob]

Premier Inns (but not Premier Inn Hubs) have a guarantee that you can keep your bike in your room. It’s a corporate thing, so not down to the whims of the manager on the day.

I stayed at the one near Southwark Underground station the night before and after this year’s ride and saw plenty of other riders there as well.

 

[gavgav]

Congratulations on completing your first century @gavgav .
I couldn't help but notice from your photos that you had your bikes in your hotel room. Were the proprietors OK with this? I ask because I have signed up for the 2025 event and I have been searching for cycle friendly accommodation in London.
All the central’ish hotels I have contacted have been pretty unhelpful thus far. Some even suggested I keep my bike in their car park!
I will be an early pen/start so I am on the look out for any recommendations for accommodation that is reasonably close to the start and can cater to the needs of a travelling cyclist.

Yes we stayed at a Premier inn (Waterloo) as all Premier Inns allow bikes in the rooms and ours were really helpful, even bringing one of the bikes up with us, whilst we carried luggage in as well.

Would recommend that one, car park 2 mins walk away, although you need to remove bikes from your roof, if you have them mounted there, as it’s a very low ceiling and a nice 15 minute ride to the start (pink route for us)

 

[grldtnr]

Despite being a cyclist, I don't think these events are helpful towards promoting cycling, if that is the aim of Ride London, apart from some nerks making a packet out of it in fee's.
Sorry if this is a downer, but I think it does more harm than good! I do see the attraction of many to ride on closed roads, but it affects people like me ,who live in the area, as roads are closed to me, even if I am on a cycle??
Nope , not in favour of them at all, some seem to ride as a penance to raise money for 'charity' , I don't do it, neither will I ride charity rides .
Signed A. Grinch.

 

[gavgav]

Despite being a cyclist, I don't think these events are helpful towards promoting cycling, if that is the aim of Ride London, apart from some nerks making a packet out of it in fee's.
Sorry if this is a downer, but I think it does more harm than good! I do see the attraction of many to ride on closed roads, but it affects people like me ,who live in the area, as roads are closed to me, even if I am on a cycle??
Nope , not in favour of them at all, some seem to ride as a penance to raise money for 'charity' , I don't do it, neither will I ride charity rides .
Signed A. Grinch.

Penance 🤣 I bet you’re fun at parties!

 

[lazybloke]

Despite being a cyclist, I don't think these events are helpful towards promoting cycling, if that is the aim of Ride London, apart from some nerks making a packet out of it in fee's.
Sorry if this is a downer, but I think it does more harm than good! I do see the attraction of many to ride on closed roads, but it affects people like me ,who live in the area, as roads are closed to me, even if I am on a cycle??
Nope , not in favour of them at all, some seem to ride as a penance to raise money for 'charity' , I don't do it, neither will I ride charity rides .
Signed A. Grinch.

There is the issue that the occasional person who falls off or has a heart attack will cost the emergency services massively more cash than the rider raised for charitable causes...

For everyone else, there's a personal challenge and all that boll malarkey, i loved it but haven't been too bothered to do it again.
It's an event, there are plenty of ways to enjoy it and not be a Grinch.

 

[grldtnr]

Penance 🤣 I bet you’re fun at parties!

Don't do parties either! I sit and pick my toe nails instead..
I'm not one for social niceties it, having never worked in an office environment, so don't feel compelled to do what everybody is 'forced' to by convention.

 

[Dogtrousers]

I enjoy it because it's very different to my usual riding. It makes a nice change. I also enjoy audaxes, solo riding, going out with friends, FNRttCs, even the occasional bit of touring. Nice to have a bit of variety. If I didn't enjoy it I wouldn't do it - I'd head off out and do something else.

If it is supposed to promote cycling I doubt it makes any difference anyway.

I also don't care if someone makes a profit. They're providing a product. I don't go do down the shops and refuse to buy anything because someone might make a profit.

There are always lots of people enjoying themselves. I'm guessing that for a lot of people it's their first century. Even the people doing penance wearing charity jerseys seem to be enjoying themselves.

Of course it's not for everyone. For a couple of years I used to do weekend club rides but I came to the conclusion that they weren't for me so I stopped. That doesn't mean the club riders who do them and enjoy them are wrong. Just not for me.

So @grldtnr don't feel bad about not wanting to do it. It's not compulsory.

 

[gavgav]

Don't do parties either! I sit and pick my toe nails instead..
I'm not one for social niceties it, having never worked in an office environment, so don't feel compelled to do what everybody is 'forced' to by convention.

No one is forced to do anything, it’s a choice and one I’m glad I did. 👍🏻

 

[lazybloke]

I enjoy it because it's very different to my usual riding. It makes a nice change. I also enjoy audaxes, solo riding, going out with friends, FNRttCs, even the occasional bit of touring. Nice to have a bit of variety. If I didn't enjoy it I wouldn't do it - I'd head off out and do something else.

If it is supposed to promote cycling I doubt it makes any difference anyway.

I also don't care if someone makes a profit. They're providing a product. I don't go do down the shops and refuse to buy anything because someone might make a profit.

There are always lots of people enjoying themselves. I'm guessing that for a lot of people it's their first century. Even the people doing penance wearing charity jerseys seem to be enjoying themselves.

Of course it's not for everyone. For a couple of years I used to do weekend club rides but I came to the conclusion that they weren't for me so I stopped. That doesn't mean the club riders who do them and enjoy them are wrong. Just not for me.

So @grldtnr don't feel bad about not wanting to do it. It's not compulsory.

There are many different styles of cycling. The ones i enjoy now are quite different to those i enjoyed 10 years ago.

Like many things, there's an evolution over time.

 

[The Central Scrutinizer]

There is the issue that the occasional person who falls off or has a heart attack will cost the emergency services massively more cash than the rider raised for charitable causes...

For everyone else, there's a personal challenge and all that boll malarkey, i loved it but haven't been too bothered to do it again.
It's an event, there are plenty of ways to enjoy it and not be a Grinch.

Same as you.
I enjoyed riding it in 2022 and 2023 what with the closed roads etc but the route just didn't give me any incentive to repeat it.