RideLondon - Surrey 100 anyone?

[sleaver]

Although I wasn't taking part, I went to the QEOP for the Classic race. I have to admit that the so called festival there was a bit of a let down, but then it is the first year. However, I got the opportunity to walk around the team cars and get quite close to the pro riders. At one point Sky were putting up their barriers and I was stuck inside them

After that I went across to Green Park with the aim to see the finish but I had about 3 hours to kill which for me is a long time. After walking around to see what's there I just sat down and listened to the live bands they had and watched the race on the big screen until they started going up Box Hill. At which point I started to make my way down to The Mall

I got a place right by the barriers about 80 meters past the finish and then listened to the commentator for about 45 minutes and just saw the winner (just in case there's still someone who doesn't know the winner yet) cross the line and then saw the podium about 20 meters in the other direction. Although it was at a distance, I also saw Laura Trott.

I've got some photos of the pro race so if I get a chance i'll put them up. I videoed the finish though as I didn't fancy trying to take photos of riders sprinting at those speeds.

I must admit though, sitting in Green Park, I was blooming jealous of all the people who took part, so come the 12th August, I'll be entering the ballot for next year.

 

[Hill Wimp]

Although I wasn't taking part, I went to the QEOP for the Classic race. I have to admit that the so called festival there was a bit of a let down, but then it is the first year. However, I got the opportunity to walk around the team cars and get quite close to the pro riders. At one point Sky were putting up their barriers and I was stuck inside them

After that I went across to Green Park with the aim to see the finish but I had about 3 hours to kill which for me is a long time. After walking around to see what's there I just sat down and listened to the live bands they had and watched the race on the big screen until they started going up Box Hill. At which point I started to make my way down to The Mall

I got a place right by the barriers about 80 meters past the finish and then listened to the commentator for about 45 minutes and just saw the winner (just in case there's still someone who doesn't know the winner yet) cross the line and then saw the podium about 20 meters in the other direction. Although it was at a distance, I also saw Laura Trott.

I've got some photos of the pro race so if I get a chance i'll put them up. I videoed the finish though as I didn't fancy trying to take photos of riders sprinting at those speeds.

I must admit though, sitting in Green Park, I was blooming jealous of all the people who took part, so come the 12th August, I'll be entering the ballot for next year.

Sounds like Team CC will be huge in next years event.

 

[SquareDaff]

In the main though, most people were great, and there was a FAB atmosphere.

I agree. Loved the whole atmosphere. The crowd support was fantastic. Just the minority of selfish idiots who were trying their best to spoil the day. In my eyes these aren't proper cyclists as they've lost sight of the fact its supposed to be fun!!

 

[EltonFrog]

Pleased to say that I enjoyed it much more than I expected - made it up Newlands Corner AND Box Hill - and I know some of you 'pooh pooh' Box Hill as a 'is that it?' hill, but to me it was a mountain. Had to get off and push up Leith Hill (no surprise there) and also, disappointingly, the Wimbledon one after 90 miles. I thought I might make it up, but no power left. Never mind. I only bloomin' did it!

That little bugger almost caught me out, that was harder than I thought it was going to be. Normally it'd be no bother, but after 90 miles it was a cow.

How about the bit coming after though going down the hill into and through Putney? That was ACE.

 

[EltonFrog]

Here are some photos taken between 5am and 5.30am.

As you can see I was quite near the front in the very first wave too set off. Quite how I got there I have no idea.

 

[NicciT]

What an amazing day! I was hoping for a sub-8 hr finish and my official time was 6:42 so I'm over the moon.

I thought I'd climbed Leith Hill and shed a tear in happiness (ridiculously sh*te on hills) only to be told it was Newlands. Pure grit and determination then got me up Leith at 5mph.

BTW What's with the salad cream in the goodie bag?

 

[Hill Wimp]

Here are some photos taken between 5am and 5.30am.

As you can see I was quite near the front in the very first wave too set off. Quite how I got there I have no idea.

Great photos and what memories for you all. I have to say the pelaton there looked the business.

 

[Longshot]

Will do a proper write up when I get home (still in premier inn for a second night) but had an amazing time, just as expected. Met @Phoenix Lincs and hubby day before and after race and had a plain awesome time.

Won't go into here but only downer on the day was my garmin ran out of juice at Kingston (i had left brightness on max from a previous ride) so had to record last 15 miles on phone so will have incomplete HR and cadence data for the ride.

Will also have to look how to combine multiple tcx or gpx together so I can have 1 complete ride.

So annoyed bout that

Anyway official time 6 hrs 31 mins 51 secs. Hoped for sub 8 hours so very happy.

Btw @Longshot were you right at the front of our wave? Like right in front of the tape? On left side? Think I spotted you but couldn't get over to you and the rider built up too much of a gap going down the a12.

I was in the black load so not me. I tried to look over into the blue zone at the start but couldn't see you. You passed me somewhere, given the times!

My official time was 7.21

 

[EltonFrog]

What an amazing day! I was hoping for a sub-8 hr finish and my official time was 6:42 so I'm over the moon.

I thought I'd climbed Leith Hill and shed a tear in happiness (ridiculously sh*te on hills) only to be told it was Newlands. Pure grit and determination then got me up Leith at 5mph.

BTW What's with the salad cream in the goodie bag?

Yeah what is with that? Wierd.

 

[raindog]

Congratulations to everyone who completed the circuit. I would've loved to have been there.
Did any of you see Boris?
http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/aug/04/ride-london-boris-johnson-cycling-event

 

[Longshot]

Oh and if anyone saw the crash victim on the floor on Coombe Hill just after Kingston Hospital, that was my mate who ended up with a broken collar bone. Gutted for you Dave.

 

[zizou]

In terms of elevation my garmin has a shade under 1200 metres from the olympic stadium so an extra 2 miles to the timed route.

I think it will vary depending on if the elevation is taken from a barometric sensor or from a satellite signal but in terms of how it felt in my legs (which isn't scientific obviously!) i'd say 1200 seems to be in the ballpark.

 

[EltonFrog]

Oh and if anyone saw the crash victim on the floor on Coombe Hill just after Kingston Hospital, that was my mate who ended up with a broken collar bone. Gutted for you Dave.

Poor fella, I hope he gets well soon.

 

[ColinJ]

What's with the salad cream in the goodie bag?

At least it wasn't chain lube ...




(The goody bag after one event a few years ago contained sachets of lube which looked just like gels. Several energy-depleted riders gulped them down and ended up in hospital! )

 

[goody]

Yeah what is with that? Wierd.

The salad cream was meant to be chamois cream but the person who ordered it thought chamois was french for salad.