RideLondon-Surrey 100 (2016) Anyone?

[vickster]

IIRC four unsuccessful attempts in the London Marathon ballot means a guaranteed entry next time. Do they do that with Ride London? Not that I'm bothered as I have a 100% success rate. Just sayin'

Maybe there should be a limit on the number of times someone can get a ballot place

 

[User33236]

IIRC four unsuccessful attempts in the London Marathon ballot means a guaranteed entry next time. Do they do that with Ride London? Not that I'm bothered as I have a 100% success rate. Just sayin'

London Marathon stopped that a few years ago. Mrs SG has entered the last six ballots and is yet to get a place which is contrary to her three in a row for RideLondon.

 

[mjr]

Well excuse me for not remembering what was said on a thread that is over three years old

You're excused

Berlin changed their system to be ballot based. You know, all those comments about ballot systems, similar to here I'm sure you will be able to find lots of negative comments about the change is system as well

I didn't know that. I don't follow running as closely as cycling because I don't run (knackered joints) so my interest is only in stealing any great ideas running club organisers have - Unless you have enough space to accept all entries, I'm sure it's a choice of which type of "unfair" system you want to use, but I feel a ballot is less unfair than fastest-internet-first.

 

[User33236]

You're excused

I didn't know that. I don't follow running as closely as cycling because I don't run (knackered joints) so my interest is only in stealing any great ideas running club organisers have - Unless you have enough space to accept all entries, I'm sure it's a choice of which type of "unfair" system you want to use, but I feel a ballot is less unfair than fastest-internet-first.

Tend to agree but does the ballot entry window need to be for so long, as in RL?

 

[sleaver]

but I feel a ballot is less unfair than fastest-internet-first.

Even when Berlin was first come, first served, it still took a couple of hours to fill 40,000 places. If your internet is slow enough to take that long to fill in three text boxes in this day and age, you need to upgrade your PC

Tend to agree but does the ballot entry window need to be for so long, as in RL?

Its the same for the London Marathon where it is x number of people or by x date, which ever comes first. However, the ballot for the marathon does fill up quickly. They don't draw the ballot any earlier though.

I guess they want to say to charities that the rejection magazines will be sent to x amount of people and therefore charge for advertising accordingly. By keeping it open for longer, they will get more addresses for their list.

 

[Dogtrousers]

It's our own fault for wanting to do it, and turning our noses up at similar events that are easier to enter like the Velothon Wales.

When I was a runner, I chose the New Forest marathon, which was lovely. No London Marathon angst at all.

To relieve my frustration at the commiserations mag I devised a 100 mile route, that I have yet to ride, called NTRL (nuts to Ride London)

 

[rugby bloke]

I'll be riding for a charity that is very close to my heart, supportive and appreciative of our efforts. Last year It did not feel like I was buying a place and they did not put any pressure on us to raise a set amount.
A few other observations for people who will be riding for the first time:
Sort your accommodation early, I left it to the last minute and was scrabbling around. Having said that I ended up in the Holiday Inn Express on Old Street. Great location, easy, well sign posted 20 min ride to the Olympic Park and a great pasta restaurant across the road for carbs loading the night before.
Its easy to over estimate your finish time - I went very conservative with 8 hours and ended up starting right at the back. In the end I finished in 6 and could pushed harder if I wanted to. Starting at the back gives you a sensible alarm clock time but means you have half an eye on the time right up to the first cut off point.
I used the bike courier service to get my bike home, for various logistical reasons it just seemed the best option. It was very straight forward and the bike arrived back at my house undamaged on the following Tuesday. Having to dismantle and bubble wrap your bike after riding on it for a day did feel like something off the Krypton Factor though ! This year I'm hoping to be able to sling on the roof of the car and take it home on the day.

 

[Rustybucket]

I didn't get in again this year - Just as well as my back is still screwed!
I have entered every year through the ballot & have never been successful!
Work has sponsored me twice to do it thou - so cant complain too much!

 

[jefmcg]

Yes I am serious, it works very well for the two events I mentioned above both much bigger and running longer than the RLS 100.

I just had a look at the 5 boros website. I don't think that approach would make people here any happier. First in, first served, OR pay a premium (around an extra $200) as a "VIP" and you can still enter now. I doubt many people would think it was fair for an express lane for the rich.

RideLondon must make some money from the disappointed riders. Why keep the website open for months, until the ride is oversubscribed 4 or 5 times, giving them a logistical headache if there isn't a reason? The could keep registrations open for a week or a month, and hold the draw if needed, and it would be just as fair, but for some reason they don't do it.

The draw looks pretty fair. You'd expect 1 in 4 or 5 to get in, and those who have entered every year to have - on average - got in once. Of course, the keen cyclists here are competing in equal terms with those who prevaricated for months and finally signed up the day before the ballot closed after being nagged and aren't even sure where their bike is - so that feels unfair.

 

[Louch]

Anyone annoyed at missing out , head up to Scotland and do the highland Perthshire challenge. 30 quid entry, 25 of which goes to charity. And you get scenic countryside around Perthshire. The fresh air might be a shock to the system, but it's a great day

 

[wahla21]

Can't believe I didn't get in this year either, 4th year trying. The missus got in for the second year in a row.

I will do it for Athma UK Charity though.

 

[rugby bloke]

So that's it - on-line form completed, no turning back. Its amazing what a difference a year makes; a full 2 hours shaved off me expected time, based on last year's ride. Going to have to live up to the hype now, plus I guess I might not get such a civilized start time as last year. Not too sure about some of the questions though - does it really matter is I'm a member of a health club ? The answer is no by the way.

 

[srw]

It appears that I'm being invited to be the front half of a tandem. Which makes up somewhat for not being able to make a prat of myself in a fancy-dress folding-bike race.

Placeholder for appropriately celebratory image.

 

[lazybloke]

The local rag for Dorking and Leatherhead had a story at the end of last week about Road Closures for this years London-Surrey events in Mole Valley.

This is to appease businesses and residents who are inconvenienced. The Mole Valley roads will reopen some 30-45 minutes earlier (hardly seems worth it) by redirecting "slower or struggling" cyclists onto a new shorter route.

I recall there have always been shortcuts for the slower riders, but what's new is this new shorter route is also to be used for a brand new event in the Ride London 2016 schedule. If it becomes a regular feature, then just maybe it will reduce future demand for the '100'.

It's not a done deal - organisers are 'seeking permission' for the new event and hope to formally announce it in March.

 

[sleaver]

The local rag for Dorking and Leatherhead had a story at the end of last week about Road Closures for this years London-Surrey events in Mole Valley.

For the benefits of others, is it this? - http://www.dorkingandleatherheadadv...oad-closures/story-28753305-detail/story.html

A proposal for this year's event submitted by organisers London Marathon Events states: "From feedback received from residents, places of worship and businesses within Surrey, the county council have asked that the London and Surrey Cycling Partnership [LSCP] explores all possible options to minimise the road closure period around the Ride London event from the learnings identified from the 2015 event.

"Providing an earlier optional route to those riders that feel unable to complete the current minimum distance of 86 miles gives a viable and managed option.

"It can be assumed that the majority of riders experiencing 'fitness' difficulties on the 100- mile ride after 26 miles will take the Short Route option by choice and not feel compelled to 'ride on' regardless."