RideLondon-Surrey 100 (2015) Anyone?

[beermonster]

It was in reference to where the timing chip is located

 

[srw]

It was in reference to where the timing chip is located

I know. Last year the timing chip was right at the start. It would have been there even if the event had been the full 100 miles.

 

[beermonster]

The timing chip for the first ride London was after 2 miles, the start was merely ceremonial giving the gang of cyclists time to warm up and find space before the clock started effectively making it 102 miles. I believe it would have been the same last year until the late decision to shorten the course.

 

[sleaver]

The route was also changed last year, around Esher/Cobham I think, making it a bit shorter so having a neutralised zone would have made the route less than 100 miles. Therefore as said, the start was the start, shortened course or not.

 

[w00hoo_kent]

You run over a big rubber 'cable tidy' type speed bumps. As mentioned for the London '86 this was at the start line, there was no evidence that it was moved there last minute (from memory this was lower, more of a big flat rubber mat. There are more big rubber cable tidy's on the route, be careful of these, I saw a guy taken off on one near Box Hill because he didn't give it the respect it deserved. Looked like it finished his ride because of all the bits of bike strewn down the road (he hit it fast) let alone any actual injuries (he was limping back to find his saddle bag).
There was an app last year that showed interval times and guessed where you were on the course because of them. It wasn't always that accurate and looped if you did something odd like stop at a feed station. It predicted your pace and then moved you on, if you got to the next timing point virtually but hadn't actually arrived physically it moved you backwards.
It was kind of handy although I had Glympse running, which I recommend (just remember to renew the 'invite' before 4 hours is up) giving real time positioning. I got a text congratulating me on my finish before I'd actually pulled over to check my goodie bag, my family had virtually cheered me up the Mall, which was nice.

 

[sleaver]

There are more big rubber cable tidy's on the route, be careful of these, I saw a guy taken off on one near Box Hill because he didn't give it the respect it deserved

I'll second that. Even more so if it is wet.

I think it may have been the first one after the start but I didn't hit it straight on. I didn't come off but let's say I made sure I went over all the rest straight on.

 

[thatname]

I saw someone stack it on one of these rubber humps at the finishing line a couple of years ago - bet that made for a great finish photo from the event photographers

 

[Alexvs]

I've pulled out from the event after reading the details a bit more with the requirement of attendance to the cycling show on the days leading up to the race. I'm not from London so had no intention of going there before the event and on the day again so have given up my charity place for Scope. Oh well I'm sure it would've been a great ride but will find something where you're able to just turn up on the day and ride.

Good luck for all those taking part

 

[ianrauk]

I've pulled out from the event after reading the details a bit more with the requirement of attendance to the cycling show on the days leading up to the race. I'm not from London so had no intention of going there before the event and on the day again so have given up my charity place for Scope. Oh well I'm sure it would've been a great ride but will find something where you're able to just turn up on the day and ride.

Good luck for all those taking part

Isn't it just to register and pick up your number and gubbins?
And even though you are not from London, Milton Keynes is a couple of hours away by bike.

 

[Deleted member 35268]

I've pulled out from the event after reading the details a bit more with the requirement of attendance to the cycling show on the days leading up to the race. I'm not from London so had no intention of going there before the event and on the day again so have given up my charity place for Scope. Oh well I'm sure it would've been a great ride but will find something where you're able to just turn up on the day and ride.

Good luck for all those taking part

Yes, it is a pain in the rear end, I had to do this twice. Lucky for me I live in Reading so its a couple of hours out of my rest day.
You can ask, very nicely, for them to post you your chip and numbers if you really cannot make it, or you can ask someone else to collect your stuff for you.
I really urge you not to throw in the towel, it is an epic event, and one which I shall remember for along long time.
P.S The info about attending the event to pick up your tag and number is clearly mentioned in the sign up email and Congrats magazine, plus the e newsletter. Every year I read posts on FB and blogs about people getting upset having to attend.

 

[Alexvs]

Isn't it just to register and pick up your number and gubbins?
And even though you are not from London, Milton Keynes is a couple of hours away by bike.

It is indeed but I'm not available any of those days before which is why the Sunday was a good day for the ride so I can't make it by bike or car.

Yes, it is a pain in the rear end, I had to do this twice. Lucky for me I live in Reading so its a couple of hours out of my rest day.
You can ask, very nicely, for them to post you your chip and numbers if you really cannot make it, or you can ask someone else to collect your stuff for you.
I really urge you not to throw in the towel, it is an epic event, and one which I shall remember for along long time.
P.S The info about attending the event to pick up your tag and number is clearly mentioned in the sign up email and Congrats magazine, plus the e newsletter. Every year I read posts on FB and blogs about people getting upset having to attend.

I emailed the charity first and they mentioned nominating someone but didn't have anyone and then emailed the helpdesk who straight out said if I can't attend myself then I can't take part. I registered off the back of an email from Cycling Bug on behalf of Scope which literally just asked me to click a link and join up which I did so it didn't give any of the information that the magazine or the newsletter gave. I was unsuccessful in the ballot so never paid any attention to the subsequent info that came from them so I have some form of excuse

 

[Deleted member 35268]

OK, Fair doos

 

[Sittingduck]

Has anybody here done the Club Challenge? After successfully getting a spot allocated to me by the club I signed up online, using the link provided and paid my reddies. Haven't received any email confirmation or anything though - should I be concerned? I Googled Start Times and found a PDF online yesterday that indicated Start times and colour coded paddocks were published in June, so maybe I just have to suck it up until then before being contacted?

 

[jefmcg]

All very reasonable @Alexvs - but you aren't going to be able to enter this sort of ride. With 24.000 entrants, and massively oversubscribed, they need to avoid scalping so have to verify identity. So it will always be the day before, it can't happen at the start line.

I'll mention again Audax: simple, cheap, fun. Ditchling Devil is £17 including 3 stops with hot food.

 

[zizou]

Has anybody here done the Club Challenge? After successfully getting a spot allocated to me by the club I signed up online, using the link provided and paid my reddies. Haven't received any email confirmation or anything though - should I be concerned? I Googled Start Times and found a PDF online yesterday that indicated Start times and colour coded paddocks were published in June, so maybe I just have to suck it up until then before being contacted?

I did the club challenge last year (and will be doing it this year) - didnt get a confirmation email however the team 'captain' should have a link they can click to make sure everyone has entered ok. In June there was then an email about confirming transport options, i cant remember when we found out about start time and colour.