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

[sleaver]

What is the District line for bike like on a Saturday afternoon to a big shopping centre through a busy part of London like though?

Or I could just get a taxi.

At this rate, the 100 miles will be the easiest bit

 

[ianrauk]

Why not just cycle to the start? From anywhere in London it's flat as a pancake. Easy peasy additional warm up miles.

 

[sleaver]

For me, I'm going on the Saturday so it will be a long time between the warmup and ride

I've also never ridden in London so I'm not sure if I want to be dealing with that the day before.

 

[derrick]

Why not just cycle to the start? From anywhere in London it's flat as a pancake. Easy peasy additional warm up miles.

That's what we are doing, it's only 9 miles

 

[w00hoo_kent]

For me, I'm going on the Saturday so it will be a long time between the warmup and ride

I've also never ridden in London so I'm not sure if I want to be dealing with that the day before.

Saturday is Freecycle day, most of the middle will be closed to cars and everywhere will be full of cyclists, potentially the best day ever to cycle through London unless the rain puts everyone off.

Work out your route in advance knowing the main spots to aim for (and the indicators that you've gone wrong) London isn't that bad to navigate through unless you are in a hurry.

 

[User33236]

Why not just cycle to the start? From anywhere in London it's flat as a pancake. Easy peasy additional warm up miles.

Me and Mrs SG will be cycling to the start from our hotel.... near the finish

 

[EltonFrog]

For what it's worth this may be helpful for future reference. We booked the hotel last year for Friday & Saturday night making a weekend of it. I'm driving up on Friday with the bikes and parking in an NCP for £42 this is cheaper than two return train tickets , we will cycle from MA to the hotel which is less than 1 mile from the start. After the ride my car is only about mile from the finish. then a one hour drive home.

Not the cheapest solution but the least hassle for us.

 

[Nick Stone]

I've booked a car park space, 5 miles from start, 3.5 from finish so should be ok, just got to get to the car park and the start, counting backwards now.

Stupid as well forgot to book day off so need to drive back up to manchester once I'm done, would have loved to taken it easy and spent a day in the smoke as well.

 

[srw]

I
I've got my own dilemma. I can either go to London Bridge or Victoria. From Victoria I could get the District line and change or ride from London Bridge. The later probably being the less preferred as I would have no idea where I'm going and I don't fancy riding for the first time in London the day before 100 miles.

Where are you trying to get to?

The DLR does now allow bikes, but I wouldn't fancy using it on the Sunday morning of a big ride - several hundred other riders will have exactly the same idea.

@ianrauk is right - if you're anywhere near the centre of London just ride (gently) to the start. Aim to arrive at least an hour before your start time to give yourself time to unwind and have a second breakfast.

 

[anyuser]

Weather looking a tad worrying:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/topics/w...ertha-could-end-Britains-sizzling-summer.html

 

[sleaver]

@srw I'm going to the Premier Inn at Stratford but on the Saturday rather than the Sunday. If I do ride there I could go down Whitechapel Road (A11 I think) or is there a more bike friendly way?

@anyuser I looked at the forecast this morning and it said rain, but then it said rain for the Saturday just gone and apart from once early morning, it didn't rain.

 

[EltonFrog]

@srw I'm going to the Premier Inn at Stratford but on the Saturday rather than the Sunday. If I do ride there I could go down Whitechapel Road (A11 I think) or is there a more bike friendly way?

The A11 is an ok road to ride, very wide,lots of room but busy, keep your wits about you and you'll be fine.

 

[Beebo]

I'll watch the forecasts with interest. A bit a rain and wind would give me an advantage, as I commute 12 months of the year, so am used to rain and wind, where as I expect the majority of the others won't be.
The only thing I dont want to be doing is standing around at the start in pouring rain. Maybe pack a couple of black bin bags to wear, like they do at the marathon.

 

[EltonFrog]

I'll watch the forecasts with interest. A bit a rain and wind would give me an advantage, as I commute 12 months of the year, so am used to rain and wind, where as I expect the majority of the others won't be.
The only thing I dont want to be doing is standing around at the start in pouring rain. Maybe pack a couple of black bin bags to wear, like they do at the marathon.

Good call.

 

[Deleted member 35268]

Good call.

My tyres are terrible in the wet. Anyways, Unlike the Dragon Ride, where at the start I decided I would not need my ultra light rain jacket, for the Ride 100 I will definitely pack my jacket as I got a proper soaking.