RideLondon-Surrey 100 (2016) Anyone?

[Racing roadkill]

Coming along nicely, longest ride so far has been 60 miles. Going to ride 70 on Sunday then just keep it bubbling along after that. Will soon be starting my genuflections to the weather gods for dry weather and no wind on the big day.

Relax, I'm riding it, the weather never lets me down.

 

[JuanLobbe]

Racing roadkill that is a lovely bike!

 

[123456789]

Longest ride has been a smidge under 55miles.

I am struggling to go longer due to time constraints at the weekend but I have been putting in some harder effort (tempo to threshold) road rides with hills in at the weekend. Saturday about 37 miles and on a Sunday around 45-50. I have got up to 87 this way.

I also Turbo on a Monday and TT on a Wednesday for some speed work

If I can get a couple of 75-85 mile rides maybe even sneak in a slow ton prior to the event I think that will give me a big psychological boost but time is running out a bit now.

 

[rugby bloke]

Don't worry too much about riding a 100 before the event. The furthest I rode in practice last year was 75 miles and I was comfortable riding the ton. The adrenaline, crowds, closed roads, relatively flat course etc all carry you along. Just get out on your bike as much as you can before hand.

 

[ska1903]

Has anyone had any experience of British Bike Hire?

Coming down from Dundee for the ride and needing a bike as don't fancy trusting my bike with EasyJet. So looking to hire a bike and they are the recommended option from the organisers.

 

[vickster]

Not heard of them...
On your bike at London Bridge do cycle hire...at least they are in London

http://www.onyourbike.com/london-bike-rental.php

Or Action Bikes

http://actionbikes.co.uk/bike-hire-online.html

Or do it properly on a Boris bike

 

[mjr]

Or do it properly on a Boris bike

Extra hire charges so I'd go for a Brompton Dock (Peckham, Archway and Walthamstow probably the nearest to the start, but still not that close.)

 

[vickster]

Extra hire charges .)

Still cheaper than £75 for a road-bike

 

[srw]

I wouldn't do a ton on someone else's bike.

From Dundee there's a decent train service, onto which you can happily book bikes.

 

[rugby bloke]

Or do it properly on a Boris bike

Last year I saw someone starting on a shopper, complete with wicker basket on the front ... I would love to know how they got on.

 

[mjr]

Last year I saw someone starting on a shopper, complete with wicker basket on the front ... I would love to know how they got on.

That wasn't a basket - that was a wicker aero fairing and should have be disqualified as listed in the rules

 

[zizou]

Has anyone had any experience of British Bike Hire?

Coming down from Dundee for the ride and needing a bike as don't fancy trusting my bike with EasyJet. So looking to hire a bike and they are the recommended option from the organisers.

The first year of Ride London there was an 'official courier' where they would transport your bike to the excel for sign up and then would collect it after the finish and send it home. I looked into it before deciding to take the train instead and it was about £80 or so. I dont know if this still runs but might be a better option than hiring a bike and not knowing if you will be comfortable on it.

 

[ska1903]

Riding an unfamiliar bike was something i had thought about and was wavering on but all your comments have helped me make my mind up about hiring so I think I have decided on the courier option, Flights already booked so no train (plus the train is pricey!).

Looking at quotes for couriers now for sending the bike down to our accommodation, just need to get onto the LBS's around here and see if can blag an old bike box.

Thanks for the replies

 

[vickster]

Riding an unfamiliar bike was something i had thought about and was wavering on but all your comments have helped me make my mind up about hiring so I think I have decided on the courier option, Flights already booked so no train (plus the train is pricey!).

Looking at quotes for couriers now for sending the bike down to our accommodation, just need to get onto the LBS's around here and see if can blag an old bike box.

Thanks for the replies

If it's a hotel do check they are willing to accept a large parcel and have somewhere safe to store if needed

 

[ska1903]

I am using AirBnB and checked with the Host beforehand that they are OK with the bike being delivered so all's good on that front. LBS also happy to provide a box for the shipping so looks like it is all coming together nicely now. Thanks for the advice