RideLondon Guide and Info

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Nomadski

I Like Bikes
Location
LBS, Usually
Originally all this info I added to the RideLondon - Surrey 100 Anyone? Thread but thought all the info in one place would be beneficial to some people wandering into CycleChat.

Route
RideLondon / Garmin have already provided a "Training" GPX route HERE, however this is not what we will exactly follow on the day as the route takes in roads we cant usually ride (against traffic, or on roads like the A12 closed to cyclists normally). It is also shorter by some miles than the actual route because of it.​
Because some like having course points (and thus the distance to each one) on their Garmins (and other devices), I used the info from the training route, along with the spectator guide information (text and map) along with the previously released rough map to put together what I think is an accurate 100 mile (160.93km) route we will follow from start to finish.​
Things to note:

From the link you can select the Summary tab and download the file in tcx or gpx format to your computer. If you have a Garmin you can also send the route directly to a connected device.

Bike Route Toaster automatically fills in an expected time to complete of 6hrs 26 mins (an average of 15.9mph).

If you would like to change this, maybe you are using Garmins training partner feature for example, download the file and open in Notepad. Find (near the top)....​
<TotalTimeSeconds>22545.7</TotalTimeSeconds>
And change this to however many seconds you will complete the course​
(100 / *your expected average MPH* x60 x60)
then save! When uploaded, your Garmin will now compare you to your average speed progress on the day.​

Elevation??

This is a hotly debated topic, each and every single route planning website gives a completely different figure ranging from 2,000ft to over 4,000ft, Bike Route Toaster gives 980m / 3,215ft for example.

The official figure is just shy of 3,800ft, however Ive estimated it's actually around 4,660 ft for the 100 miles. I did a 78 mile portion of the ride (Kingston>Surrey Hills>Wimbledon), but didn't do the climb up Wimbledon Hill or Sawyers Hill and for my ride I got 4,543 via my Garmin, this figure is from Garmin Connects corrected elevation which is taken from professional land surveys.

There's a little discrepancy with the hills I didn't do, minus a little way I rode which wont be on the route, but IMO its around that mark.

My 78 Mile route (Garmin) - http://connect.garmin.com/activity/342580851
On Strava - http://app.strava.com/activities/67112725


Nomadski's RideLondon 100 Newbie Guide For Newbie Cyclists!

I thought I would share my experiences with others with this thread as there will be many not lucky enough to have had a go on the route before the big day, and I thought its useful to get some kind of heads up of what to expect. Most of the info is readily available from various sources, but these are collated for your perusal.

Disclaimer: I know I'm going to get a few replies from more hardened cyclists than myself that they could wheelie up Leith Hill, and some of the hills aren't hills, mere molehills etc etc but this quick guide is written by a newbie cyclist for any newbie cyclists doing this race to complete the distance, not to break the sound barrier. If your the latter there is probably little here for you and you wont agree with my little hill "marks" out of ten. I'm simply trying to get across the effort I had to put in to get up them. Maybe cyclists will read this and at least learn something about the layout of the route they weren't aware of before.

I will also say overall this route isn't particularly difficult save for 2 little bits, but for some the climbing combined with the distance will present a challenge to many.
You should use the participants map as context to places, and to the hills I refer to, this is the original published one, the later two are my amended ones to go with my points and with extra info.
1fmh.jpg



Some general pointers

Most of the outbound journey to the Surrey Hills is flat, save for the hill in Richmond Park (Sawyers Hill - http://app.strava.com/segments/1128062)

When you hit Ripley there is a 3 mile section which goes slightly uphill, its not hard and you will barely notice a hill at all until your legs start aching a bit more than they should. Keep up a high cadence here and don't mash the pedals, just keep spinning lightly. http://app.strava.com/segments/1162926

Keep something in the tank for the return loop to London, even after Box Hill there are 4 unwelcome climbs before Kingston, then once thru Kingston there is a fairly big rise to climb, again not hard but after 85 miles will probably be a little knackering.

Most important - at Wimbledon there is a short but NASTY climb up to Wimbledon village. This is after 90 miles and it will hurt a lot. Its average is 5% (same as Box Hill) but the climb itself is mostly 8%-10%. Keep something in your legs for it. http://app.strava.com/segments/653847


Heads Up For The Route
(mark/10 simply denotes my effort going up them) -

START

FLAT--->

1. Richmond Park - Sawyers Hill Climb (Short) (5/10) - http://app.strava.com/segments/3435424

FLAT--->

2. After Weybridge 3 short climbs, not difficult, and short, but there (2/10) - http://app.strava.com/activities/67112725#z1140|1310

FLAT--->

3. Ripley to West Horsley - Slight gradient for 3 miles, (go easy on gears and spin light). (2/10) - http://app.strava.com/segments/1162926

Rolling hills to....
4. NEWLANDS CORNER - (Short straight HARD hill) (8/10) - http://app.strava.com/segments/646938

5. Fast Descent!

6. Slow Incline between Abinger Hammer and Holmbury St Mary (1/10) - http://app.strava.com/segments/1113706

7. Downhill

8. End of Ockley Road - LEITH HILL - (1.5 Miles, grit your teeth and plough thru the worst the course has to offer. VERY HARD, about 3 false flats) 10/10 - http://app.strava.com/segments/615597

9. Fast Descent leading to a small climb before Guildford Road junction (4/10) - http://app.strava.com/segments/1217924

10. Rolling Hills. Use downhill to gain speed to take worst out of uphill parts (6/10)

Flattens near Dorking

11. BOX HILL - (After Leith Hill this is a pussycat, just get into a steady rhythm, enjoy the views to your right, then left, then right again!) 6/10 - http://app.strava.com/segments/627910

12. After the peak there really isn't a descent for a while, just a few more surprising climbs, nothing difficult though, just enough to swear at a little if your expecting a downhill break - 3/10

13. Just before Headley Common Road there is a small descent, but there is a VERY TIGHT left hairpin turn here so be aware (See below for photos).

14. Again a climb up the B0233, not hard (4/10) before you start going downhill, potentially very fast!

15. What I would say is there is a real nasty climb here - http://app.strava.com/segments/1875303 HOWEVER if you get enough speed on the straight downhill section just before (scary as you can get 40mph easy) you can coast about halfway up this road before you need to exert any energy!

16. Pretty flat with small incline leading to Leatherhead (3/10) - http://app.strava.com/segments/2745991

Road from Leatherhead to Cobham is pretty flat, nothing to worry about.

So, from Cobham - there are 3 sharp climbs that don't last very long so don't worry too much but be aware!

17. In Cobham after going round sharp roundabout you go on for a bit then sharp climb - 3/10 http://app.strava.com/activities/67112725#z6430|6503

18. After crossing A3 (major road) bridge slightly longer climb but again not bad - 4/10 - http://app.strava.com/activities/67112725#z6551|6610
Note: There is another climb straight after this, but get enough speed down the hill from 2 and you should roast it!

19. Just before Esher there is a 3rd climb, much like the second - 4/10 - http://app.strava.com/activities/67112725#z6665|6725

Once in Esher enjoy the downhill and FLAT!----->

20. Thru Kingston, when on Coombe Lane there is an unwelcome climb but is short and sharp - 5/10 - http://app.strava.com/activities/67112725#z7107|7175

FLAT------>

21. Wimbledon to Wimbledon Village - That nasty SOB - 7/10 - http://app.strava.com/segments/653847

FLAT------> TO FINISH!

So when you get to Wimbledon Village you can start humming the Rocky music to yourself as victory is near, within 10 flat miles actually!

Easy bullet point summary

* Outward is easier than back inward, by quite some way.
* 1 hill in Richmond Park - Urgh
* Short hills after Weybridge - Meh
* Go easy on the gears from Ripley to West Horsely
* 25 Mile section from Newlands to Box Hill - ARRGGH
* When you see a downhill and an uphill after, SLAM THE HAMMER DOWN!
* Cobham to Esher - 3 climbs, not bad just unwelcome!
* Kingston hill - Ouch
* Wimbledon Hill - OOF!
* Rest FLAT.
* REJOICE!

Other Notes:

5 times marked on the map below are cut off points. You MUST reach this point by the time shown or you will be withdrawn from the race.

1. Hampton Court Palace: 10.30
2. Newlands Corner 13.00
3. Leatherhead 15.00
4. Sandown Park 15.30
5. Wimbledon Common - 16.15

In addition there are 3 shortcuts made available at a certain time that will become mandatory at the times below.

1. West Horsley 12.00
2. Abinger Hammer 12.30
3. Burford Bridge 13.30

I honestly wouldn't worry too much about these cut off times, pace yourself and keep above 12mph average for the route and your sorted!




Participant Map with my bullet point locations

opnc.jpg


Information Overload Map

This has all the key point locations, withdrawal times and shortcut deadline times all on the map.

my24.jpg

For those who want all the timings and shortcuts without the numbered bullet markers
04tw.jpg



Boxhill Road / Headley Common Road Hairpin (!)
I can imagine there will be lots of signage or its a potential accident spot. Riders will be so happy to finally get another downhill bit they may let their guard down!​
Good idea previewing it on Streetview.​
From my guide it is point 13...​
70st.jpg
Far Approach​
mdbp.jpg
Medium Approach​
onzm.jpg
Near​
8md4.jpg
Reverse Corner View​
4tox.jpg
So yeah, be careful here!​
Other Useful Resources
RideLondon Contact: Tel: 0207 7902 0212 / Email: helpdesk@ridelondon.co.uk
Hope some will find this useful, enjoy the day people! :smile:
 

Hill Wimp

Fair weathered,fair minded but easily persuaded.
Nomadski thats an excellent thread . Not doing it myself, there in spirit with you all, but i have no doubt there will be some grateful readers out there. Well done and good luck.

Enjoy
 

Longshot

Senior Member
Location
Surrey
It's also worth pointing out that about 3/4 mile after that tight bend that Nomadski has pointed out, we turn left and head back towards Leatherhead. There's a very steep downhill there but there are a couple of really tight, narrow turns - watch out for those given the number of people around.

Headley_zps1c0439b9.jpg

Headley1_zps23855e43.jpg

Headley2_zpsca6add3b.jpg
 

Longshot

Senior Member
Location
Surrey
Oh, another one to watch for is just after you leave Pyrford and head towards Ripley. There'll be a short steepish downhill section (heading for St Nicholas Church) with a blind left turn followed by a TIGHT blind turn to the right. That has the potential to catch people out as well. Heads up for crashes, unexpected braking, etc there folks.
 

choddo

Well-Known Member
I think the 90degree left at the bottom of that little hill is even worse, deceptive, but probably ok with the roads closed as I always have to think ahead to stay on the left hand side of the road there.
 

Longshot

Senior Member
Location
Surrey
I think the 90degree left at the bottom of that little hill is even worse, deceptive, but probably ok with the roads closed as I always have to think ahead to stay on the left hand side of the road there.


Indeed. The only reason I mentioned the right hander before it was due to the fact it's blind. At least you can see the exit on the next one.
 
OP
OP
Nomadski

Nomadski

I Like Bikes
Location
LBS, Usually
All those corners are worth bearing in mind @Longshot! I'm sure there will be hazard signage where applicable, but accidents do happen and its good we at least highlight potential issues.
 
OP
OP
Nomadski

Nomadski

I Like Bikes
Location
LBS, Usually
Video detailing Leith Hill



Same Guy - Box Hill (He cheats and misses out the last part of the climb, which is a little steeper, but very short).



And a video including Box Hill ascent and the descent part too.



Please Note from third video:

20.05 coming up to the sharp left hander mentioned above
25.15 and onwards - the HAMMER part from my route description.
 
OP
OP
Nomadski

Nomadski

I Like Bikes
Location
LBS, Usually
Crikey! It looks different than reading it on paper.
Bloke in the third one was going fast.
But thank goodness we are doing it on closed roads.
Counting blessings!

Not long now!

The third guy was using an electronic bike (Pedelec) hence why he was quick going uphill. Going downhill he reached about 29mph, looks faster than it was - on a road bike you could easily hit 40mph and beyond. Think my limit of courage is 40 mph!.
 

Phoenix Lincs

Über Member
Location
Sleaford, Lincs
The third guy was using an electronic bike (Pedelec) hence why he was quick going uphill. Going downhill he reached about 29mph, looks faster than it was - on a road bike you could easily hit 40mph and beyond. Think my limit of courage is 40 mph!.

Oops. Silly me didn't realise about 3rd guy. Blonde - good job I had some of my grey replaced today!

:biggrin:
 

Speedball

Well-Known Member
Location
King's Lynn
Thanks for the video links @Nomadski, not living nearby means that not fortunate enough to know much of the route (I have walked down the Mall before) ;-)

At least I can see what's ahead now though I think I'd better stop watching the Leith Hill one, gets worse in my mind every time I watch it lol
 
OP
OP
Nomadski

Nomadski

I Like Bikes
Location
LBS, Usually
Thanks for the video links @Nomadski, not living nearby means that not fortunate enough to know much of the route (I have walked down the Mall before) ;-)

At least I can see what's ahead now though I think I'd better stop watching the Leith Hill one, gets worse in my mind every time I watch it lol

The thing you may spot in the video, and the thing to get in your mind, is your not at the top until you reach a little rural car park bit on the left with little wooden posts. Regardless of it seeming to get flat,regardless of a corner that "must be the top" it wont be until you reach that car park.

Silly hill has about 3 false flats, so don't be too disappointed when you round the corner and see ANOTHER uphill bit looming!

Best tip is to find @philinmerthyr and get on his back wheel so his well practiced mountaineering skills can drag you up the hill!
 
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