RideLondon-Surrey 100 (2016) Anyone?

[JuanLobbe]

Just thinking about fuelling strategy. What do people eat? Not keen on energy bars. Soreen?

 

[jefmcg]

Conditions generally much better on the RideLondon route.

For about a week. They patch the roads, at least those used for the classic.

 

[EltonFrog]

Just thinking about fuelling strategy. What do people eat? Not keen on energy bars. Soreen?

I take Soreen , jelly babies, two large sausage rolls and two bottles of water, I don't stop at the feed stations , I did stop at the one in Leatherhead last year but in the Village Hall next to it where the WI were selling tea/coffee burgers and cakes, I was bursting for a cup of tea.

 

[rugby bloke]

For about a week. They patch the roads, at least those used for the classic.

That's fine by me, that's all I need. Makes a change to ride on flat roads ...

 

[rugby bloke]

Just thinking about fuelling strategy. What do people eat? Not keen on energy bars. Soreen?

I know what you mean, the energy bars tend to be too sickly sweet.
I've been taking Soreen on my long rides but I think I'll revert to my favorites - Jelly babies for sugar and home made flapjack for carbs, plus a couple of bananas and a jell for emergencies.
2 water bottles - one with water, the other with sports drink.

 

[rb58]

Just thinking about fuelling strategy. What do people eat? Not keen on energy bars. Soreen?

I stopped at the petrol station just before the turn onto the A24 at the far end of Dorking. I had a nice BLT sandwich, Coke and an ice cream. Just the job for Boxhill which comes shortly after. Other than that, I only stopped at the bottom of Leith Hill to fill up my water bottles. I didn't bother with any of the other feed stations as I prefer real food and there were only three or four other people stopped there, not the hundreds at the official stops. I shall be doing the same again this year. It's at about 60 mile mark, so ideal (for me).

 

[User482]

I'll put a little tri-bag on my top tube and pack it with some home made energy bars: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeand...hittingstall-honey-peanut-butter-bars-recipes

Much more palatable than the commercial products, and means I can avoid the scrum at the stops. I'll probably carry a couple of gels and some electrolyte tablets, but they slip easily into a jersey pocket.

 

[cliveyp]

I was planning;
-2x bottles - 1x water, 1x Torq
-Spare Torq powder for refill
-Couple of gels
-Jelly Babies/similar
-Banana
-Jam Sandwich
-Soreen

May be a little overkill, but i'll probably sink the banana when in the loading point just for something to do. Chances are i'll probably need to stop too, but was planning on having enough on me not to need to other than water. If I do, i'll fight the scrum and fill up with a few other bits.

 

[johngal]

A few thoughts for first timers having read through the last few posts:

1. You will probably find your average speed is higher than your training rides. Adrenaline, closed roads and especially for me - better road surfaces all make a difference. The road surfaces in my corner of Northants vary from bad to terrible and really take it out of you on a long ride. Conditions generally much better on the RideLondon route.

2. Last year I started at 8.50, so pretty late. It was pretty relaxed, no racers, just people spinning along at a sensible pace, so quicker than me, some slower. In terms of number of riders, its not like any other Sportive. There won't be any time when you are on your own and out of site of other riders. I mostly rode on my own, but when I wanted company or needed a lift it was very easy to find someone to team up with to get through the hard miles.

3. The hubs and feed stations are proper busy, carry your own food if you can.

4. Leave something in the tank for the kick up through Wimbledon. It's not a big hill, but after 90 miles you certainly feel it. The good thing is that once you are t the top then it is down hill all the way. The last 10 miles is an amazing experience, enjoy it !

Thanks for the information,

John

 

[BrianBroo]

Purely as an estimate, how long would I expect to wait at a stop for some food / drinks?

Are there lots of independent stores ie garages that we can stop at on the route easily?

 

[The Central Scrutinizer]

I second that john,thanks everyone for the info.

 

[rb58]

Purely as an estimate, how long would I expect to wait at a stop for some food / drinks?

Are there lots of independent stores ie garages that we can stop at on the route easily?

No idea on your first question, but there are several garage/shops on the route. Some may a bit early though. As I mentioned above, the one in Dorking is perfect for me at 60 miles and that will be my only stop other than a splash and dash to fill up my water bottles.

 

[steverob]

Purely as an estimate, how long would I expect to wait at a stop for some food / drinks?

Are there lots of independent stores ie garages that we can stop at on the route easily?

Last year I stopped at the Hampton Court hub (26 miles) and there was about a minute wait to use the loo, but no queue to fill up water bottles - probably spent about 10 minutes there all told. At the Leatherhead hub (75 miles) I queued around two minutes to get to the food/water, but was on my way fairly quickly afterwards. I did also use the stop at a village just outside Dorking, but didn't actually need any of the facilites - I had to phone my sister who was waiting to cheer me on at Box Hill to tell her I was an hour ahead of schedule (mainly due to Leith Hill being closed). But as far as I could see, the queues there were also fairly short. It's only Newlands Corner that you have to avoid like the plague.

 

[Beebo]

There are about 8 other wc and water stops, apart from the hubs. They are much less busy if you just want to have a wee and top up your bottles with fresh water. The hubs can be manic.
These are shown in the race magazine that we all received.
There are losds of garages and corner shops along the route which will be happy to sell you a mars bar or drink.

 

[JuanLobbe]

Thanks all, mega helpful!