RideLondon-Surrey 100 (2015) Anyone?

[EltonFrog]

Then I guess it's not a ballot.

No it's not,I'm not certain its a better system, but for us, at least we knew we were in as soon as we were able to register, though it was a bit of a free for all as soon as the site was open cos it had trouble coping with the traffic.

Edit, The NYFB bike ride is the largest cycling event in the US, 36000 place sold out in 12 hours

 

[w00hoo_kent]

Entered the ballot and have confirmation email. I've agreed the charity donation again (apparently I got my place in the second chance draw last year) the top looks OK and I could see myself wearing it if I don't get in, not adverse to donating the extra to charity.

 

[EltonFrog]

I am not adverse to donating money in principle but the naked manipulation of the ballot is galling.

I'm inclined to agree with you. Correction I do agree with you, its a feckin liberty.

 

[Ollie W]

Yeah, can't say I agree with the second chance ballot but never mind. I've entered, whether I get in or not remains be seen. Didn't realise we had to wait best part of six months for the outcome!

 

[w00hoo_kent]

Considering you could just choose to pay out of your own wallet for a charity place and you get a thing as a consolation if you're still not successful I'm happy to 'buy a raffle ticket' for the second chance, although I agree it's not the greatest feeling. You do get the 'donor card' sensation of 'what if it loads me as being less likely to get through first time round because I have expressed a willingness to give stuff...

 

[w00hoo_kent]

Yeah, can't say I agree with the second chance ballot but never mind. I've entered, whether I get in or not remains be seen. Didn't realise we had to wait best part of six months for the outcome!

February I think. It is a bit of a bind and you do wonder quite why it takes them that long to work it out. They ought to just allocate spaces when they hit 100,000 on the ballot.

 

[Longshot]

Entered.

 

[rvw]

I've put myself in the ballot again - @srw and I both missed out last year but rode on a charity ticket (and have raised nearly £1,500) on the tandem. But I don't think we can do that a second year running, as we'd be asking all the same people to donate again.

Incidentally, it appears that not all the 150 tandem places were taken up - I heard that around 80 were registered, and only 44 finished, so if (and it's a big "if") we get ballot places, there would be a good chance of being able to ride the tandem again.

 

[marcusjb]

Incidentally, it appears that not all the 150 tandem places were taken up - I heard that around 80 were registered, and only 44 finished, so if (and it's a big "if") we get ballot places, there would be a good chance of being able to ride the tandem again.

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)

 

[Speedball]

Registered for 2015 and hoping to make it three out of three after being fortunate enough to get into 2013 & 2014.

Missed out in the ballot for this year's but took the charity route (Bowel Cancer UK). Will have to consider whether to go that way again if I miss out again. Raised about £2,500 for BCUK this year through various events. Blown away by people's support but you can't keep asking all the time.

 

[sleaver]

No it's not,I'm not certain its a better system, but for us, at least we knew we were in as soon as we were able to register, though it was a bit of a free for all as soon as the site was open cos it had trouble coping with the traffic.

Edit, The NYFB bike ride is the largest cycling event in the US, 36000 place sold out in 12 hours

The last year before the Berlin Marathon went to a ballot from being a first come first served system, all they asked for was your name and email address. Then a week later, they asked for all details. That way the system coped very easily.

However, that means the organisers can't try and generate a steady stream through the finish or cover H&S reasons.

 

[w00hoo_kent]

Registered for 2015 and hoping to make it three out of three after being fortunate enough to get into 2013 & 2014.

Missed out in the ballot for this year's but took the charity route (Bowel Cancer UK). Will have to consider whether to go that way again if I miss out again. Raised about £2,500 for BCUK this year through various events. Blown away by people's support but you can't keep asking all the time.

I'm afraid and this might be the gamer in me, I'd be very tempted to 'do Pru at their own game' and cap my sponsorship, so if I needed £500 for the charity place and was pledged £1000 then that's this year done and next year pretty much a cert too. I'd be open with my donators about why I was asking for money and how if was going to work though.

Then again I'm no fan of this style of raising money for charity.

 

[kipster]

Entered for 2015, wasn't lucky enough to get through the ballot in 2014. The experience of the club showed that 95% of women who entered got in, against about 20% of men. The club put in for five teams (four people in each team) and was given four. The club then ran its own ballot to fill the team places. Hoping my luck changes.

 

[Elybazza61]

Entered and have entry conformation;first time trying so we'll see what happens.

 

[Dogtrousers]

I just entered for a couple of friends who are away for a while and have no net access. They'd given me as much in the way of details as possible, which covered pretty much everything.

THis was a bit odd: "Have you taken part in the following events: London to Brighton". Well I've cycled from London to Brighton (and back) with both of these guys several times, so I said yes, but it wasn't exactly an "event". Did they mean the BHF event? If so, why didn't they say so?

While I was at it I also entered for myself, but I'm not particularly bothered as it's not really my kind of thing. Which means, by sod's law, I'll probably get a place and they won't!