RideLondon-Surrey 100 (2014!!!) Anyone?

[Beebo]

Depends on what you are capable of just now but i wouldnt rule out 19mph

Alot of people (myself included) took huge amounts of time off even their most optimistic target.

Thanks,
I am hoping that the closed roads and group riding make a big difference? If I can get myself into a group of say 20 riders, then I can hopefully keep in the bunch and benefit that way.
I think it's quite a flat route with just a few big climbs.

 

[Nicola_104]

Hi

If anyone's looking for a space - my charity - The National Osteoporosis Society has some available at: http://www.nos.org.uk/page.aspx?pid=1335 - their going fast though!

Nic

 

[zizou]

Thanks,
I am hoping that the closed roads and group riding make a big difference? If I can get myself into a group of say 20 riders, then I can hopefully keep in the bunch and benefit that way.
I think it's quite a flat route with just a few big climbs.

Yeah it makes a huge difference. Generally the closed road and large groups at Ride London (andr events like the Etape Caledonia) add about 2mph on to what id expect to be able to manage on the same course on a fast club run and about 4-5mph more than i would do solo.

Although in saying that it is a bit of a balancing act as it is easy to get caught up with the atmosphere and try a bit too hard to keep up with a fast group. There are times when it will pay off digging in deep to stay with a good group but if you are having to dig deep to keep up on the flat then often it is best to ease up a bit and wait until another group comes along - there wont be a shortage of them.

It is all well and good saying dont get caught up in the excitment - it is easier said than done and I've not managed it yet

 

[Stedman]

Yeah it makes a huge difference. Generally the closed road and large groups at Ride London (andr events like the Etape Caledonia) add about 2mph on to what id expect to be able to manage on the same course on a fast club run and about 4-5mph more than i would do solo.

Although in saying that it is a bit of a balancing act as it is easy to get caught up with the atmosphere and try a bit too hard to keep up with a fast group. There are times when it will pay off digging in deep to stay with a good group but if you are having to dig deep to keep up on the flat then often it is best to ease up a bit and wait until another group comes along - there wont be a shortage of them.

It is all well and good saying dont get caught up in the excitment - it is easier said than done and I've not managed it yet

Last year I saw a lot of fast inexperienced riders and three bad crashes which arguably were down to riders without the necessary competence to ride tidy and fast within a group.


Two of the crashes were down to wheels being clipped on fast up-hill sections where riders have climbed onto their peddles, stalling their bike and allowing their back wheel to be dropped onto the front wheel of the following bike. The following rider also has also not anticipated the likelihood of this happening. The third accident happened on Wimbledon Hill where a rider simply moved six foot sideways to avoid a traffic island at the last moment and took out about 10 riders!


All of these accidents occurred due to the lack the necessary group riding experience and the necessary skills could easily been learnt in a handful of club chaingang rides.


Also if you are with a group which gets too big, the danger is that the speed of the group becomes more erratic making harder to keep up.

 

[Norry1]

Stedman, are you doing it this year?

 

[Longshot]

I did the RL100 much quicker than I expected last year despite the fact that I rode it pretty much solo.

 

[Common Rail]

Hi, from a near-newbie.

I've been away for a couple of weeks. Got home to find I didn't get through on the original ballot

........ but made it as one of "the lucky 1000 winners of the bequest draw". Bluff called.

First things first (with this weather): Turbo trainer and a new bike. Suggestons welcome!!

 

[Beebo]

First things first (with this weather): Turbo trainer and a new bike. Suggestons welcome!!

This weather wont last forever, forget the turbo, just get riding. Lighter days are not far away now.

 

[ianrauk]

This weather wont last forever, forget the turbo, just get riding. Lighter days are not far away now.

This ^^^^

 

[Stedman]

Stedman, are you doing it this year?

Yes, I have a special charity place again! Also going to do the Tommy Godwin 205 mile Challenge.

I have already started my training and I have now got my weight down to 10st 3lbs which is half a stone lighter than when I rode the event last year.

 

[SotonCyclist]

Charity Place sorted for BHF, managed to book the Travelodge in Walthamstow for £40. 4 miles from QEOP so a nice warm up.

Did many people have any issues with their bikes and storing them at the hotels they were staying in last year?

 

[Stedman]

Charity Place sorted for BHF, managed to book the Travelodge in Walthamstow for £40. 4 miles from QEOP so a nice warm up.

Did many people have any issues with their bikes and storing them at the hotels they were staying in last year?

No my hotel permitted bikes in the rooms and they also let us leave packed bags behind in the rooms for collection from reception later. They also gave us a packed breakfast and let us shower and get changed after the ride.

 

[SotonCyclist]

No my hotel permitted bikes in the rooms and they also let us leave packed bags behind in the rooms for collection from reception later. They also gave us a packed breakfast and let us shower and get changed after the ride.

Cheers mate, i'll contact the hotel but I didn think there would be an issue.

 

[User33236]

Planing a bit ahead here but as I am looking at new wheels at the moment my thoughts are now turning to what tyre I should fit for such an event?

 

[EltonFrog]

Planing a bit ahead here but as I am looking at new wheels at the moment my thoughts are now turning to what tyre I should fit for such an event?

I would imagine the same tyres that are on the bike already, as long as they are in good condition.