RideLondon-Surrey 100 (2017) Anyone?

[mjr]

Let's get this out of the way fairly early on: nobody here knows how the ballot questions influence your probability of getting a place, or even if they do. There are various suspicions, but I don't think any have been confirmed officially, have they?

Your estimated time seems to influence your start wave, with faster riders setting off earliest to reduce overtaking on the early crowded faster roads, but even that doesn't seem completely deterministic. The only certainty is that 46s set off after 100s.

 

[jefmcg]

For maximum effect, 'fully laden' bikes (at least in appearance)- so panniers, bar bags, rack bags...full on touring/bikepacking/audaxing look.

I saw a couple of riders on Sunday with front and rear panniers and a rack bag, all apparently full. They had notes explaining what they were doing, but I couldn't read them.

 

[jefmcg]

Do we know if your occupation on Thei rm makes a difference? I.e if they're over subscribed with people from financial services industry they may accept a nurse?

I'm almost certain those questions are for marketing. They can tell advertisers exactly who the magazines are going to, which would increase the value of the ads.

 

[Joffey]

What do rider numbers have to do with someone dying from a heart attack?

None. But I saw a fair few people with their faces smashed in following falls and was nearly taken out on 4 or so occasions by riders not paying attention. The roads were really congested due to all the stops. I have never felt so unsafe and this is on closed roads.

 

[User482]

None. But I saw a fair few people with their faces smashed in following falls and was nearly taken out on 4 or so occasions by riders not paying attention. The roads were really congested due to all the stops. I have never felt so unsafe and this is on closed roads.

Sounds like it isn't for you, then.

 

[philk56]

I saw a couple of riders on Sunday with front and rear panniers and a rack bag, all apparently full. They had notes explaining what they were doing, but I couldn't read them.

If they were the same people I walked next to around Pyrford they had cycled from South Africa to London. I think it was Bikes to Africa or some similar charity. The panniers certainly looked like they were well travelled!

 

[mjr]

Someone does, the people who wrote the algorithm and they won't want people manipulating it too much.

Quite right but I don't think they're here so post edited.

 

[mjr]

I expect they stick a head round the door every so often, and smile to themselves.

And any time anyone guesses something correct about the algorithm, they tweak it to make the guess wrong again. They're devious, aren't they?

So please, everyone: once you figure out how the ballot works, keep it to yourself because if you post it here, we're all going to have to figure out what they've changed!

 

[Joffey]

Sounds like it isn't for you, then.

Did it last year and it was fantastic. This year was a shambles. You are right, it's not for me anymore - I won't be going back. It's a bad job when you feel safer on open roads with cars travelling at 70mph that with fellow cyclists on closed roads. Unfortunately the attitude and awareness of a good number of cyclists who enter really spoil it.

 

[Nomadski]

I'm in.

 

[EltonFrog]

I'm in.

Me too, I already have a place.

It's a brilliant event.

If you don't like riding with a plastic hat or Lycra, don't like getting up early, queuing, other cyclists, hills, gels, don't enter, those that have ridden the RLS100, the best part of 25000 cyclists don't agree with your negative BS.

 

[Ollie W]

I'll apply, 2/2 for failed 100 entries so far but i've got a 46 place already that I deferred this year. That said, I wonder if the 46 place will stop me being allowed to apply for the 100... or am I just being greedy anyway?!

 

[jefmcg]

I'll apply, 2/2 for failed 100 entries so far but i've got a 46 place already that I deferred this year. That said, I wonder if the 46 place will stop me being allowed to apply for the 100... or am I just being greedy anyway?!

you have to pay for the deferred place in October, months before you know if you get in the 100. I doubt they'd stop you entering both, as they'd get your money twice if you got into the 100 after paying for the 46. Would make it an expensive day, though.

 

[rb58]

Did it last year and it was fantastic. This year was a shambles. You are right, it's not for me anymore - I won't be going back. It's a bad job when you feel safer on open roads with cars travelling at 70mph that with fellow cyclists on closed roads. Unfortunately the attitude and awareness of a good number of cyclists who enter really spoil it.

You must have been unlucky as that wasn't my experience. I'll be throwing my hat in the ring again for 2017. 2/2 acceptances this far, so hoping for the hat trick.

 

[mjr]

with your negative BS

Preferring other types of cycling doesn't make them BS. They're not trying to stop you doing this AFAIK, so why be mean to them?