RideLondon-Surrey 100 (2015) Anyone?

[Supersuperleeds]

It's weighted. Whatever that means.
http://www.prudentialridelondon.co.uk/About/FAQs.htm


This gives us the chance to speculate endlessly about what possible inputs would give us the best chance. And what on earth do they mean by drawn randomly utilising the answers provided? And what's the capital of Pizzaland?

Capital of Pizzaland is P

 

[sleaver]

This gives us the chance to speculate endlessly about what possible inputs would give us the best chance. And what on earth do they mean by drawn randomly utilising the answers provided?

Exactly. You could give yourself no chance by asking the questions. For example, my occupation wasn't listed so as I had to put 'Other', does that mean that I possibly go in with a big pot of people of that question is used. No body knows.

 

[Zcapp96]

And what on earth do they mean by drawn randomly utilising the answers provided? And what's the capital of Pizzaland?

I imagine they will use a sort of stratified sample, where they want 50% of the riders to be sub 6 hours, 10% to be 8 hours etc so they will put all the sub 6hrs into a hat and draw out 50% of the ballot, for example. Means its impossible to tell exactly what your chances are. You could be competing against 70,000 others for 12,000 places or against 5,000 for 3,000 places. This is just my guess of course! They would also want to be able to tell if you are likely to turn up so an occupation of airline pilot may mean you are unable to make the start. I would hope that all of us that turned up at the start this year would get some brownie points as they can be pretty certain that we will turn up whatever the weather next year as well!

My view on the charity second ballot thing is if you had one place between two people, one who had donated their fee no matter what and one who would only pay you if they got in the temptation might be to give it to the non donator, that way you get both fees!

 

[Peteaud]

Entered. and have conf email.

 

[Andy500]

3 of us applied last year - my mate and I donated our fee to charity, but the other mate didn't - he got in and we didn't! This year I have applied without donating my fee.

I've been fortunate to get in both years and donated my fee each time.

 

[Lisat]

Well I entered the ballot and who knows how quick I'll be next year as I only started serious cycling this year.
What will be will be.

 

[buttonnine]

I've taken my chances, will let you know the outcome, if I remember!.

 

[srw]

That's my hopeful plan!

From the results page, I think 55 machines finished. Unclear how many started.

Edit - I should read the results better. 55 machines listed. Not all of those finished. Your number of 44 looks right. Not sure if that 55 is the number of machines that registered, or the number that crossed the actual start line (I believe there were a large number of riders who registered at excel, but didn't cross the start line due to the weather)

And, of course, if it's the same system as this year (one ballot place can be converted to a tandem place) gives a tandem pair double dibs in the ballot. Only one of us needs to succeed.

 

[srw]

I imagine they will use a sort of stratified sample, where they want 50% of the riders to be sub 6 hours, 10% to be 8 hours etc so they will put all the sub 6hrs into a hat and draw out 50% of the ballot, for example. Means its impossible to tell exactly what your chances are. You could be competing against 70,000 others for 12,000 places or against 5,000 for 3,000 places. This is just my guess of course! They would also want to be able to tell if you are likely to turn up so an occupation of airline pilot may mean you are unable to make the start. I would hope that all of us that turned up at the start this year would get some brownie points as they can be pretty certain that we will turn up whatever the weather next year as well!

My view on the charity second ballot thing is if you had one place between two people, one who had donated their fee no matter what and one who would only pay you if they got in the temptation might be to give it to the non donator, that way you get both fees!

I suspect you're right on the stratified sampling, but the other information is almost certainly only going to be used for demographic analysis, and ultimately probably for marketing - in the sense that advertisers and potential advertisers (and potential charity partners) want to know who they are advertising to. The ballot is probably independently audited - I can't be bothered to look it up, but it's probably covered in the organisation's annual report.

I suspect your conspiracy theory is incorrect too, as the commitment to put donators into a second ballot is effectively a commitment - there would be a large collective claim for damages if it was revealed to be a lie.

 

[Gareth C]

I'm in having enjoyed this year immensely. Haven't donated the fee - not too worried if I don't get a place, as they wouldn't be able to arrange such nice weather two years in a row...

 

[w00hoo_kent]

And, of course, if it's the same system as this year (one ballot place can be converted to a tandem place) gives a tandem pair double dibs in the ballot. Only one of us needs to succeed.

If you get two, can one of you medical out and then ride the tandem so you have a definite place for 2016 too?

 

[Ollie W]

Beginning to wish I hadn't guessed at 7.5 hours now (I've only done 30 miles, how am I meant to know?!). Have a feeling I have less chance of getting in if I'm less likely to finish early!

 

[vickster]

No shame in the broom wagon

No point worrying about it, even if you get in, you have a year to train, go hard through the winter and you'll be fine...try to do a few tons before then

 

[jefmcg]

@vickster wants me to ride with her - I was accompanying on training rides when she still hoped to ride this year - so I'm registered.

 

[srw]

Do the extend that to unicyclists, giving them only half a chance?

The following bicycles are permitted:

• Standard road and hybrid bicycles

• Single-speed (both fixed and freewheel) bicycles are allowed as long as they have suitable brakes

I suspect the restriction to bicycles rules them out. I wonder what would happen if you turned up on something that was basically a unicycle but with a trailing freely moving wheel (no idea what they're called)? Or, for that matter, a trike.