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+1 for what njee20 said.
Got to the baggage trucks at the finish and they were still unloading. One right stroppy cow there started mouthing off to the poor volunteers unloading and organising the bags, shouting out her number.
She was cold and wet and this wasn't good enough and she deserved better. Eventually she barged her way round the barriers and got onto the truck, flinging aside bags til she found hers.
Not offering to help, or to give a hand unloading. Just rummaging through everything til she was sorted. I was really hoping she'd slip off the ladder on the way back down...
Good work Njee - I stopped for a quick stop and Newlands, it was lashing it down and the queue for the workshop was long.
I think I enjoyed it - saw two horrific crashes, one at the bottom of newlands where a chap ploughed into the back of a group and a lady wandering across the road for no reason and wiping out two chaps at the top of Wimbledon hill.
Annoyingly I never really found a group to get a decent time. Almost all of it was solo.
Oh and did I say, carbon rim braking in the wet is useless.
The stories sounded horrendous, some massive crashes out there by the sounds of it, and I imagine some bad ones on Newlands, although at least with closed roads it's not a bad descent.
5:17, acceptable for a middle aged mincer on his first road ride of the year IMO. Issues with jackets on/off, fogged up glasses etc etc but no mechanicals or stacks thankfully. But I saw a few riders looking pale and clutching their shoulders, GWS you folks.
Many people out there taking it much too seriously IMO, and the descent from Newlands was sheet water with people haring down like they were alone.
The Hubs did a good job, thank you.
Reasonable decision to take out Box Hil and Leith Hill IMO, for the event as it is. The Box Hill climb's not hard but the descent through Headley is a bit twisty.
Back in Dorking by train in time to see the tail of the ride going through, respect to those folks. & for good measure they got a snap storm too.
Now enjoying watching the pros tearing through my manor "there's a good trail there. and there. and there".
no BC points awarded.
Like BC points are the only thing worth racing for eh : )
+1 for the very nice bike comments.
S works were ten a penny and I saw at least 2 mclaren s works
What's a 'nodder'?
And why is MrSmith so down on people enjoying themselves?
Flew around the first 60 miles or so then got a puncture, rather annoying....sort that out then get going again then a group with Marianne Vos passes (and presumably crazy legs too) and latch on. Wooooo this is great i no longer care about the missed time im flying along with a world champ and cycling legend. Get to Embankment and the thought crossed my mind that i was lucky to get a puncture to get to experience the run in with Vos....no sooner had i thought that than i go through a huge puddle and get another puncture with some debris under the water. Arse!
Literally happened within about 20 seconds of thinking id been fortunate with the first one. Didnt know whether to laugh or cry!
i’ll leave the “pretend your beating everyone” to the sportive pseudo-racers.
Ian is actually a former pro and has won some real road races
he mainly did it to raise the profile of a diabetic charity.
And why is MrSmith so down on people enjoying themselves?
It's his schtick. It's kind of endearing after a while.
Looks like Ian Rees from Bristol crossed the line first (although i believe he's getting some stick from local roadies on his FB page about it being a sportiveExpect he will be suitably embarrassed come tomorrow morning
god forbid someone should enjoy themselves pretending they are a pro. are you supposed to ride round with a grumpy face like a lot of the posters on this thread seem to sport
...are you supposed to ride round with a grumpy face like a lot of the posters on this thread seem to sport
Rapha men don't smile, they grimace!
And why is MrSmith so down on people enjoying themselves?
I don't really see the fun in mixing it up with a load of faux- racers who haven't really grasped group riding en-masse, i appreciate some people enjoy the danger and the thought of being taken out by a chopper on a pinarello spices it up a little if you are going for a gold medal.
I finished in 4:17 having started at 7:05 and then having to pass lots of people, rode solo all the way round - my slot was due to Virgin Active getting a group all starting together. Laura Trott and her Dad started with us - her Dad put his hand on my back as made their way through a bunch of us.
I used winter tyres and a rear mud guard which I couldn't stop rubbing but glad I didn't get any punctures or crash - took it steady on the numerous tight bends and down from Newlands.
More or less happy with my decision to use a gilet and arm warmers but reckon a jacket would have been best really 🙂
And why is MrSmith so down on people enjoying themselves?I don't really see the fun in mixing it up with a load of faux- racers who haven't really grasped group riding en-masse, i appreciate some people enjoy the danger and the thought of being taken out by a chopper on a pinarello spices it up a little if you are going for a gold medal.
You epitomize everything that is wrong with this forum - trashing threads with your miserable judgmental nonsense.
It's not my kind of event either, doesn't mean I have a downer on the event or the people in it.
I'm guessing MrSmith is Surrey dweller, maybe on a Cervelo, BMW car, hating people doing 'his' sport on 'his' roads.
You're the one mostly whinging about it. Perhaps give us a run down of your racing credentials.
You epitomize everything that is wrong with this forum - trashing threads with your miserable judgmental nonsense.
Just a contrary view and comments on real events, yes there were joyous moments but as was pointed out there was plenty of shonky riding, accidents bad preparation and narcissist behaviour from people who think they deserve preferential treatment.
Just because you don't agree with that opinion doesn't mean it's wrong, deal with it.
You're the one mostly whinging about it. Perhaps give us a run down of your racing credentials.
Never entered a race in my life, but then I'm not under the illusion entering a sportive will somehow count as a race. (Never done a sportive in the U.K. either) also why should entering a race and having 'credentials' allow me to comment on a sportive? What are your credentials? Do wins allow you post in this thread? Elites and cat 1's get to post pics too?
Or we could all stop rising to it and avoid an argument which would spoil what has been a fantastic days riding for most and some great news for the charities.
Next time I might take my racing bike rather than the winter clunker though 😉 😀
.More or less happy with my decision to use a gilet and arm warmers but reckon a jacket would have been best really
I was happy to replicate you with the exception of swapping your gilet for a race cape. 😀
Good result gor Blythe.
My good mate was riding hard for Blythe today, great result for a home team.
some of you lot are quite quick
what's the fix for excessively sore sit bones after 50 miles or so? it's enough to spoil the fun somewhat
he mainly did it to raise the profile of a diabetic charity.
Great effort and a good cause. Not so sure about the "post race" caption under his photo!
Oh dear MrSmith is off on one. Bless.
Go polish your Cervelo while muttering about people having a crack at a biking event.
Off on one? Just cracking another beer, great finish from Blythe
Mrs PP and I were at the hub at Newlands Corner. If you got there early ish she was the one on the hairpin with the loud hailer!
We were giving out food and having banter with the riders which was ace until I was soaked to the skin. I think it would have been warmer to ride to be honest! I went to the car to get a cup of tea from our flask and discovered a line of riders at the Geared up Cycles mechanic station next to the car. Three trashed mechs all in a line! I then volunteered my services as spanner monkey and spent the rest of the day fixing trashed bikes and punctures..... With mainly my Leatherman and multi tool!
Had they brought mechs, out of interest? We (in the red EZ-Ups) didn't bother, but would consider it next year, as so many got trashed. That said, most I saw had taken out their hangers too, so it seemed pretty futile.
8:15. For my sister on 26 miles of training. Myself, 3:48 with a 12 minute stop to tend to a clubmate taken out when an anonymous rider thought he'd barge into our disciplined through and off. Finished strongly pulling 10 riders along Kings Road and the Embankment, stole photo honours at Big Ben, then sprinted the mall. NP was 260 Watts, so about 4th Cat race pace. Skinsuit and armwarmers. Saved the race cape for post finish downpour and subsequent dry clothes.
Organisers were absolutely right not to take on Leith Hill descent.
And nick is the hero here. So many sideways slips, myself included, i'm not surprised it was a bad day for mech hangers.
4:21 for me. not bad for a unfit devon yokel.
strava said it was epic so must have been.
Well I think you all did exceptionally well considering both the weather conditions, your condition 😆 and other riders attitudes.
I know some of you, like me, like to crack on so well done for pacing and not getting angry at those who were, in all regards, probably out for a Grand Pootle.
Eat well, drink well and relax happy 8)
Don't wear the bloody t'shirt tomorrow on your commute though eh 😆
yep, big up to nick.
as for mrsmith, I think he is just jealous of all the nice kit and cars he saw on tele. should have tried harder at school! his dream would be to own a cervelo and a BMW!
My dream is winning a sportive riding a sky pinarello and getting on the telly, an aspirational scenario that I seem to share with many.
As for the nice kit on the telly? That was all in the peleton and the fully loaded support vehicles behind, I wonder how hard those riders tried in their GCSE's?
My dream is winning a sportive riding a sky pinarello and getting on the telly, an aspirational scenario that I seem to share with many.
...he said while twirling his moustache.
Lots of fun, gutted they took the hills out but it would have been carnage. Helped one guy fix a puncture but karma gods were looking the other way and the wife got a puncture later on. Good show all who did it.
Felt sorry for the guy who binned it into the barriers on the finish line.
Njee, maybe. I'm not sure. But like you say, it would have been pointless in all 3 cases I saw.
I guess I was next door to you then? 🙂 Didn't realise!
The comments about it not being a race seem odd given last year the winners were celebrated with their excellent times and were shown in the Metro newspaper. I don't see why this year should be any different?
Any closed road event of this scale is going to have quick people, and most of those would be well out of the way early enough to cause no hassle at all to the majority of riders. Yes, there are some people who think they are quick who start later, and cause a few issues but realistically you get that type of buffoon in all sports and many walks of life.
I met some really friendly nice people despite it being really grim weather! At hub 2 Newlands corner, I did pick up a right hand glove pearl izumi large I think it is a ladies glove nobody owned it when I went round near the end. Let me know if it is yours and I will send it to you. Also some YJ yellow lens glasses. They would have been binned if I left them there, so maybe I can reunite these with their owners?
Njee, maybe. I'm not sure. But like you say, it would have been pointless in all 3 cases I saw.
I guess I was next door to you then? Didn't realise!
Likewise! Was so busy I'm not surprised though! Interesting how rarely it seemed to just be the hanger that survived - I had two where a hanger fixed it, all the others the mech was wrecked too!
Wow... sounds like some bizarre behavior out there and some weird views in here.
As huge fan of the London Marathon... both as spectator and runner.... there are NOTHING but positives for that event.
Oh ... and why do so many mechs bite the dust?
Oh ... and why do so many mechs bite the dust?
I assume from people landing on them when they slide off.
I fitted a hanger to one bloke's bike, retrieved the remnants of his chain from the various orifices it was wedged into, rejoined, removed his cassette to take off the now broken spoke protector, completely tuned his gears and sorted his brake pads. The parts entailed a mech hanger and a PowerLink, it took me getting on for an hour all in. He said "I'm part of London Cycling Campaign, so I'm due a discount". He didn't receive one.
That sounds like the bike you were working on when I popped in? From what I could hear he'd dropped it whilst on a pee break.. Hope he paid full retail if he was as ride as he appeared 😉
Newlands descent was sketchy in places, particularly one of the bends when a guy on a Colnago came honing past me & ended up straight lining the corner then off up a bank 🙂
The crowds were fantastic apart from one old boy at the end of Westcott who was shouting "fp@#* off and find somewhere else next time". To which one rider responded "why? You'll be deAd by next year by the look of it!"
Class!!!
80,000 applicants (last year)
a couple of complaints
I think the figures speak for themselves
The 'Dorking, Leatherhead, Ashtead & All Surrounding Villages' group on Facebook has attracted some lovely comments including:
Gary Lee Coleman: I'm selling sticks to poke in there wheels as they ride past and drawing pins to throw at them as confetti have fun
Emily's the best:
Emily Dean: They ought to pass a mandatory road test to be able to ride on roads, then you wouldn't have them riding three abreast on winding country roads, so that drivers have to risk their lives getting round them. Have some patience, I hear you say, cyclists? If any other road user was as slow as you they would be fined.
Emily Dean: I will concede that, as cyclists clog our roads up more and more, that there should be more about them in the driving theory test too. "Question 4. If some yuppie is wearing a lot of Lycra and is chatting to his equally ridiculously dressed friend (riding side by side), is it better to A) Pootle along at 10 miles an hour until they turn off or realise they're not Sir Bradley Wiggins, more Lance Armstrong after the shame and leave the road? or B) Risk the lives of you and your passengers to try and get round them in order to get on with your day.
Also, I'm rather into football, can we shut down the roads for a kick about next weekend?