RideLondon-Surrey 100 (2018) Anyone?

[rugby bloke]

Well I've entered the ballot but in the meantime, I have decided to ride this for charity - I have signed up to ride for Crohn's and Colitis UK - a charity that means something to me and my family.

I now need to start researching travel and hotels - haven't got a clue where's best to stay / commuting from train station to hotel etc.

I normally stay at the Holiday Inn Express on Old Street. From there it is an easy 30 min ride to the start, along a sign posted route and about 20 mins from the finish if you are going back afterwards. If you are bringing your car there is an NCP car park under Finsbury Square, about 10 mins walk away.

Having said that, I know lots of others have their favorite hotels, if you look in the threads from previous years there is normally plenty of chat about places to stay.

 

[sleaver]

Also if they stopped giving the same clubs complementary entry year after year then surely it would be safer.

Hmm, so club riders who most likely ride in a group week in week out are less safe than riders who don't know how to ride in a group and who end up all over the road rather than following the basic "stay to the left" rule?

 

[groundy74]

Well I've entered the ballot but in the meantime, I have decided to ride this for charity - I have signed up to ride for Crohn's and Colitis UK - a charity that means something to me and my family.

I now need to start researching travel and hotels - haven't got a clue where's best to stay / commuting from train station to hotel etc.

This will be my first time riding and was going to enter the ballot when I saw the chance to ride for the Charlies Chance Foundation which is a new charity which helps kids with cancer were they cant receive the treatment they need with the NHS.

Just booked Premier Inn London City old street, decent price and looks like a short ride to start and finish.

 

[mjr]

Hmm, so club riders who most likely ride in a group week in week out are less safe than riders who don't know how to ride in a group and who end up all over the road rather than following the basic "stay to the left" rule?

I suspect the thinking is that if it's someone's third time then they're more likely to start racing to beat their previous best time, rather than enjoying the ride like a first-timer, plus club riders may be more likely to try to form a club chaingang through central London before riders have naturally sorted themselves out by speed a bit more.

Also, from what I've seen at my various spectating points the last two years, club jerseys are definitely no guarantee of generally keeping left and overtaking on the right - although the worst language I've heard has come from a club rider attempting to overtake on the left as a rider with a problem tried to pull over.

 

[PaulSB]

I was surprised to receive an email asking me to “inspire a friend” to enter the ballot. This is my sixth ballot entry** and I don’t recall receiving an email like this before. I’m wondering if ballot entries are down on previous years?

** Got in this year at the fifth attempt. I had such a good time I’ll buy a charity place if I don’t I’m not successful in the ballot.

 

[Buck]

I’ve not had one of those emails (yet) but I am in as I’m riding /fundraising for a charity close to my heart: -

www.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk

 

[steverob]

I was surprised to receive an email asking me to “inspire a friend” to enter the ballot. This is my sixth ballot entry** and I don’t recall receiving an email like this before. I’m wondering if ballot entries are down on previous years?

Can't remember where I heard it, but I recall someone saying that 2017 was the first time they didn't come close to filling all the ballot entry spaces (I think there's meant to be 80,000?). In previous years they had either filled all the entry places or at least come pretty close, but last year it seems there wasn't quite as much demand as usual.

Of course, that's all anecdotal and could well be a load of rubbish, but I do remember that in January last year RideLondon were constantly plugging away with reminders about the ballot on social media in the weeks/days/hours before the entries were set to close, way more than I can ever recall them doing in years before.

 

[mjr]

So, they're not filling all the places and yet they've still seen fit to reject me every single year? The rotters. I knew it was personal.

They fill the ride. Presumably they keep letting you in the ballot?

 

[Ming the Merciless]

So, they're not filling all the places and yet they've still seen fit to reject me every single year? The rotters. I knew it was personal.

They don't allow dogs on the ride

 

[PaulSB]

Received another email yesterday encouraging me to enter the ballot as entries close today - that’s three now. From a purely selfish perspective I’m hoping interest is down and my chances, and my friends, therefore increase as we all badly want to repeat the fantastic 2017 experience.

 

[lazybloke]

Received another email yesterday encouraging me to enter the ballot as entries close today - that’s three now. From a purely selfish perspective I’m hoping interest is down and my chances, and my friends, therefore increase as we all badly want to repeat the fantastic 2017 experience.

Dear organisers, Stop spamming me, I've already applied!

Almost as annoying as BT (and similar) failing to use caller-id.

 

[sleaver]

The ballot has been closed as it received 80,000 applicants:

https://www.prudentialridelondon.co.uk/events/100/entries/

 

[Milkfloat]

The ballot has been closed as it received 80,000 applicants:

https://www.prudentialridelondon.co.uk/events/100/entries/

I bet they and BC keep sending me emails telling me to apply.

 

[Freds Dad]

I've been given the chance to make the day even better for only £250 if I can find someone else to spend £250. Bargain!

Dear Ballot Registrant

MAKE A GREAT DAY EVEN MORE SPECIAL!

Thank you for entering the ballot for the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100.

We are delighted to offer 200 ballot registrants the opportunity to experience one of the world’s greatest sportives with a friend in a unique way by signing up for the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey Club 200.

The Prudential RideLondon-Surrey Club 200 package includes:

• The chance to ride with a friend, starting in the same Start Wave from Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
• Pre-ride hospitality with celebrities and VIPs in the famous Velodrome in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, with a hot breakfast including porridge, bacon rolls, sausages, vegan sausages, bananas, tea, coffee and juices
• A bag drop service and a mechanic for last minute adjustments at the Velodrome
• Fast-track loading at the start as you and your companion rider are escorted to the front of your Start Wave ten minutes before you start (no queuing!)
• VIP hospitality adjacent to the Finish where your kit bag will be waiting for you. Changing facilities will be available as well as plenty of food and drink and the chance to watch the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey Classic on TV and then cheer the riders on the final sprint down The Mall.

The price of the Prudential Ride London-Surrey Club 200 package is £500 for each pair of riders. This includes two guaranteed entries for the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 and all the benefits outlined above.

This offer is only open to people who have registered in the ballot for the 2018 Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100. It is limited to 200 pairs of riders and will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note that these places are separate from the ballot draw and will not affect anybody’s chances of gaining a place in the event through the ballot.

Please email prlsclub200@ridelondon.co.uk to reserve your Prudential RideLondon-Surrey Club 200 package. Please note that the full cost must be paid as soon as your package is confirmed, payment will be taken over the phone so please ensure the correct contact number is provided in your acceptance email.

Yours sincerely

Hugh Brasher
Event Director

 

[Buck]

A bargain !!

Seems a decent hospitality package but certainly not cheap!