Forum menu
Hi,
Anyone else in?
I totally forgot I'd even entered, the YES magazine came this morning.
Anyone ridden it before? Is it any good? Do you spend the whole time in a massive traffic jam of bikes?
I got my nope magazine in today's post.
Yep. Also forgotten that I entered.
Did it in 2015 (year of new baby and moving house, so not a lot of riding) and was diverted away from Leith Hill so I do quite fancy getting the whole thing done just to tick it off. It was fun, just went to my pace. Only had a couple of slowdowns to squeeze past accidents, even up the big hills there's plenty of road space for all speeds to get along fine.
there's hills???
Isn't it all flat and just the odd Latte puddle to avoid?
A record 7 from 7 rejections now. Not even sure it's statistically possible.
Anyone ridden it before? Is it any good? Do you spend the whole time in a massive traffic jam of bikes?
What's your start time? Early start = faster time overall, later start icnreases the risk of being stuck going nowhere while they clear the course in front of you of an accident.
It is a good event - in spite of all the logistical hoop jumping - but you do need to keep your wits about you as many of the people there won't be used to riding in groups that big. It's also probably the fastest 100 miles you'll ever do, it's a very quick course. 4hrs is easily doable up the sharp end of it all.
A record 7 from 7 rejections now. Not even sure it’s statistically possible.
You are not alone in this...
I did this in 2015 as well. Start time was 06:40. Managed to get over Leith hill before the diversion was in place. It's great doing it over closed roads. Did it in 5hours 1 minute.
cheers for the info, I've not had my start time yet. That comes in July.
I've received a Yes ... that's a 100% success rate, 2 out of 2!
I did it last year and got absolutely drenched. Got diverted around Leith Hill too. I'll check to see if any of my friends have got in before I commit. I did it pretty much on my own last year, it was an expensive weekend all in too.
Rode it 2017. Or was it 16? Really sunny one anyway. I'm not a roadie but it was one if the best days out ever. Nice early start, got carried around really, 4.40 on my London Road with 40s.
There are some places available via LymeDiseaseAction charity, please see link:
https://www.lymediseaseaction.org.uk/
No Government money available for research so it's been left to the charities to campaign.
Thanks.
Just got home and have seen an envelope on the doormat for my partner. Looks like she got in which I expect will come as a shock as I doubt she remembers entering.
Interestingly the envelope has a deliberate looking tear in it just where the entry/rejection text is. Looks like someone (Ridelondon/ Publisher office, or maybe postman) wants to check who has a place. Very strange, or maybe i'm overthinking it.
Anyone else had this done to their envelope?
A record 7 from 7 rejections now. Not even sure it’s statistically possible.
Same here, keeping up my 100% rejection record!
Its a no for me...i could see the first word of the letter was 'commiserations' through the plastic wrapper so no tear necessary!
Rode it 2017. Or was it 16? Really sunny one anyway. I’m not a roadie but it was one if the best days out ever. Nice early start, got carried around really, 4.40 on my London Road with 40s.
21.5mph average? I've got some super-fit roady friends who would be pleased with that and I think I could probably only dream of it!
21.5mph average? I’ve got some super-fit roady friends who would be pleased with that and I think I could probably only dream of it!
It's a very fast course. I did sub 5 hours without completely ruining myself, and I'm not super fit by any means.
I'm a good wheelsucker! Thundering along Limehouse Link in a massive group at high speed was intense. The noise!
Early start is vital though.
It’s a very fast course. I did sub 5 hours without completely ruining myself, and I’m not super fit by any means.
Fair enough. I'm used to Yorkshire sportives with, like, hills and stuff. 20mph+ average would be considered pretty strong going on them!
Quite jealous - would love to have a go. Maybe next year!
Got in this year, having applied every year previously & been rejected! Had forgotten about it & Semi-over it now tbh, especially as I’m doing Velo Birmingham in May with a couple of mates, I guess I’ll do it though!
Did it last year. Was super lucky to get a free place through work. Great atmosphere despite the rain. I slept through my alarm and needed to sprint to the start then beg to be let into my wave (fortunately I only live 10 mins away and had everything ready the night before).
As others said it's a fast course. I had puncture/toilet/refreshment stops and still did 5:17 on a stock Arkose (apart from tyres)- moving time ~5hrs. Started with a work colleague then worked with a group of ~4 for around 40 miles then solo'd or hopped between groups. I took it easy after puncturing towards the end when it became obvious <5hrs was impossible.
My usual training ride (solo) was 100km, 1000m climbing around 29km/hr.
100% record for me like others. Applied every year since it began and not got in once !.
Dudes, have just heard back from LymeDiseaseAction charity and they've informed me that they do not require a minimum amount of sponsorship, riders would have to pay the normal entry cost. As a small charity they would obviously be grateful for any money raised through sponsorship.
80000 entries for 25000 spaces (source: https://www.prudentialridelondon.co.uk/news-media/latest-news/ballot-results-announced-for-2018-prudential-ridelondon-surrey-100/). I don't know if there are different quotas for the various distances and anyway the breakdown is not given in the link. However, even if we suppose the actual 100 miles category is only 1 in 5 and this has been roughly the same over the years then assuming the draws are independent probability of getting 7 consecutive rejections is 0.2^7 = 0.0013%. So not statistically impossible but actually around 200 times more likely than winning the lottery jackpot! LOL (this is supposed to be a joke, you've been really unlucky). Stupid questions but is it possible you've put something on the form to exclude yourself? (I haven't seen it but maybe there is a question like "Are you here for terrorism?" on those border control computery things)
Edit: my calculation was of course wrong - it's 0.8^7 = 21%. Actually not that unlikely.
Hmm edits aren't working. My calculation was of course stupidly wrong- it is 0.8^7 = 21%, so not that unlikely. How embarrassing.
Obviously, I didn't get in.
And even taking the 25000/80000 at face value it's still 7%, not even statistically significant by the usual standards 🙂
Didn’t even apply this year after 6 rejections!
Did it as a ride safety captain last year and aside from my mediocre fitness and the disastrous weather it was bloody good fun. Have put in again this year but not sure what the club uptake will be.
21.5mph average? I’ve got some super-fit roady friends who would be pleased with that and I think I could probably only dream of it!
As mentioned, it is a VERY fast course, even considering the lumps of Box & Leith Hill. If you get an early start and you're out in the first couple of waves of riders, 4hrs is easily doable. The speed that a big group will be going on the initial wide roads of Limehouse Link is insane - I remember doing >30mph average for the first 5 miles one year. The rumble of carbon wheels and the echo off the tunnel walls is incredible and you just get sucked along in the peloton. If you can stay with that front group, expect to do it in <4hrs. I know @TiRed has a phenomenally good time on it. I've managed <4hrs once, the rest of the times it's been about 4.05ish.
Closed roads make a huge difference to it, it's unlike any other Sportive you'll do.
100% record for me like others. Applied every year since it began and not got in once !.
I never once got in via the official ballot, it was always a free entry through work. Didn't even bother entering this year.
got in for the first time - after 5 (or 6) rejections.
Will give it a go. Not the biggest fan of cycling in big groups, but it'll be good on the closed roads.
4hrs is easily doable [...] I’ve managed <4hrs once
tbh ~4hrs is extremely impressive. I scraped the results last year with a Python script and only around the top 0.2% cracked 4hrs on the 100m route (as indicated by the results website). I can't imagine it's easy at all and I suspect you're quite fit to do that. For bimbler keyboard jockeys that commute by bike and do a longer ride at weekends I'd put the "easily doable" threshold at 5hrs. The 10th percentile is around 5hrs11m.
Sub 4hrs is very fast!
I did a sub 5hrs last year in monsoon rain and gale force winds and I’m frickin awesome 😎
Ok, to add a bit of perspective, I did it last year in 6.5 hours on a 1 x Inbred with 42c tyres! I found it dull, but I'd imagine being on a superlight road bike riding in groups in perfect weather would be a completely different experience.
never tried for a place myself but did it as a safety captain last year. The variability of others in groups put me off, but in fairness it was pretty good, the only people really pushing that were the faster riders weaving in and out of traffic, and some ****s from London Dynamo after the death on Leith Hill, but I've said that before on here so not doing that again.
The ballot is I believe seeded, to spread participation and increase the ratio of female riders. IDK if this is a good thing or not but was also apparently used in the London Marathon.
I did it in August 2014 when it was cut short to 86 miles due to biblical rain. And biblical it was too; I was surprised not to drown. It's an easy ride anyway; my average speed was 18.43 mph without trying very hard.
been following a similar discussion on a club site and want to clarify my earlier comment..,seeded is the wrong term. Quota is better... organisers can legitimately set #spaces for male and female participants, the fact the ratio of spaces to applicants is far higher for women because there are fewer applications but similar spaces means the chance of success in the ballot is skewed.
Based on the club discussion, I think 3/5 women have got in Vs 2/9 of the men at current count
I've done it twice - 2015 + 2017.
I had a fairly late start time both times - and clocked around 6.5 hours moving time on my Garmin each time (Fat middle aged man stuck in traffic at the back of the event)
my overall times were + at least 90 mins as got stuck behind some horrendous crashes in the Surrey Hills.
The speeds at the front are crazy - as said above a good amateur will do it in 5 hours if they don't get caught up.
I believe i might have a charity place through a friend for this year - i'm keen to do it again because despite the carnage at the back end, and the appalling behaviour of some 'cycle club heroes' it is a fantastic event.
My only advice would be to pace yourself at the start - and keep your wits about you - especially in the Surrey Hills - the standard of some of the riding is truly shocking.
I'm in. Forgot I'd entered until the "congratulations" magazine arrived. Hoping that I can blag it on running fitness alone as I will have no time to train for either this, Velo Birmingham or London to Manchester.
Got in this year after being rejected every year to date.
Great, except I’d forgotten I’d entered and it’s the same weekend as Ard Rock and I managed to get through that lottery as well.
I will defer my place to 2020 so there’s at least one place going back in the mix.
Didn't make the ballot. Got a place through PACE Charity - £50 entrance fee and no minimum sponsorship. Looking forward to it - will be my 5th go
2015 5.00
2016 4.44
2017 5 punctures in first 20 miles - retired at Kingston
2018 5.10
Was on the first row of the first wave last year. Burned myself out trying to keep up. Ended up soloing the ride after kingston. Exhausted, very wet, very cold.
Finally got a Congratulations magazine after 6 years of failing
I think I’m 😃 pleased but it does mean I’ll have to up my road miles significantly between now and August 🤞🤔
Failed to get through the ballot but I’d already signed up to ride it for water aid, it’s our company charity and I’m already planning some other rides later in the year with others from work.
Will be my first time, as we’ve a second baby due next month training time will be limited, I’ll be happy with sub 6 hours on the day!
Did it last year. You have to trek up to the excel to register the day before and then get the start very early, massive faff. The course is ok but it’s flat, fast and dangerous because there are so many people not used to riding with other humans. Baffles me why people want to do it.
didnt even attempt an entry, I'm still drying out from last year.
Has anyone else had trouble paying the entry fee?
Computer says no when I try and there doesn’t appear to be any contact details anywhere.
maybe it’s fate telling me not to bother