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[Closed] 2014 Prudential Ride London

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I always knew it would be the case but the logistics are a pain in the ****.

I don't mean to be disrespectful as I'm sure all involved I the organising are working hard - but holy **** they are aren't they? If I was newbie and had just been landed with my 30 page Instruction manual for the event I'd probably never enter a sportive again.


 
Posted : 10/07/2014 9:36 pm
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SO you also have to register in pereson at the Excel centre, in London, on one of the three preceding days.

How on earth are people living outside the home counties going to make that work? Come to think of it, even living in the home counties doens't mean that isn't going to be a major faff.


 
Posted : 11/07/2014 10:49 am
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Start time 07:32 Black gate. Anybody else?


 
Posted : 11/07/2014 11:01 am
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07:25 Blue so I guess you may be the rider I crash into when the two waves merge 🙂


 
Posted : 11/07/2014 11:05 am
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I keep thinking we should all be wearing "STW" stickers or something...


 
Posted : 11/07/2014 11:08 am
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SO you also have to register in pereson at the Excel centre, in London, on one of the three preceding days.

How on earth are people living outside the home counties going to make that work? Come to think of it, even living in the home counties doens't mean that isn't going to be a major faff.

Is this not the same arrangement as per London marathon? Doesn't seem to put people off doing that.

Pretty sure it would be impossible for the organisers getting everyone registered on the day.


 
Posted : 11/07/2014 11:09 am
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**** my start time is 6.40am!

Whoppit just how fast did you say you would do it in?


 
Posted : 11/07/2014 11:11 am
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Hoping for less than 8 hours. Final training ride Sunday week, 90 miles-ish. I'll have a better idea after that!


 
Posted : 11/07/2014 11:16 am
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Odd; I'm aiming for five hours and have a much earlier start time! I would have thought the longer you said the earlier you would start.


 
Posted : 11/07/2014 11:22 am
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Well, that target will get me home in the evening so, er, ..... don't quite get your reasoning.

Actually, I'll have already been home once, the route goes past my cave!


 
Posted : 11/07/2014 11:25 am
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Faster time, earlier start, otherwise you'd have the fasties spending all day trying to get past slower riders.


 
Posted : 11/07/2014 11:27 am
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That's sensible.


 
Posted : 11/07/2014 11:29 am
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Makes sense now.

Ride comes close to where I live as well Whoppit; The Parrot in Forest Green is the close point. Hoping my family can be there to cheer me on!

It will be surreal riding in London on closed roads. Can't wait. Very excited now.


 
Posted : 11/07/2014 11:31 am
 Sui
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this is my start

•Start Area: Blue
•Wave: M
•Wave Load opening time: 05:55
•Wave Load closing time:06:25
•Start Time:06:55

There's a group of us spread out by an hour which is frustrating. I'm yet to sit on a road bike this year. I'm yet to find a road bike for the event as well... hmmm


 
Posted : 11/07/2014 11:37 am
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Sui I have one you could borrow if logistics could be made to work and it fit you.

It's a size 56cm Genesis Equilibrium. I live in Horsham. Could it work?


 
Posted : 11/07/2014 11:45 am
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Sui, we are off at the same time/gate. When you get a bike let me know what it is and will keep an eye out for you at the start.

Misread your time, I start 6.25 and your wave closed then.


 
Posted : 11/07/2014 12:02 pm
 Sui
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cheers Gee, I'm hoping my man in head for Hills pulls another blinder as I didn't do anything bad to him on his stag do. What size is 56 anyway, not a clue on road bikes, I'm bang on 6' if that makes any difference..


 
Posted : 11/07/2014 12:24 pm
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If you're a mate of Roger's then it might be even easier to use my bike as I can just leave it with them for you to collect. 56cm means the top tube measures up 55.5cm long. In truth it would likely be a bit too small for you; you'd be better on a 58cm.

I'm sure Roger will sort you out. Ask if you can borrow Dan's Trek Boone. Again might be a bit small but it's a nice bike!


 
Posted : 11/07/2014 1:55 pm
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There's a group of us spread out by an hour which is frustrating. I'm yet to sit on a road bike this year. I'm yet to find a road bike for the event as well... hmmm

Apparently the timing mats aren't until about two miles after the start so you can pull over and wait for friends.


 
Posted : 11/07/2014 2:00 pm
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I have just had a corporate hospitality type invite from the Pru to come and .....watch!

In solidarity with all those on here who didn't get a place, I shall not be going! 🙂


 
Posted : 11/07/2014 2:14 pm
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so you can pull over and wait for friends.

I did this last year - at 6/7am in the morning, standing around for 20 minutes gets a little nippy...


 
Posted : 11/07/2014 2:18 pm
 Sui
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Gee thanks for that, ill see what Rog comes back with, I appreciate the offer!

brakes - or anyone els - if you see a weirdo doing some star jumps at the side of the road, that will be me keeping warm! 🙂


 
Posted : 11/07/2014 2:26 pm
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Yup, I'm doing this too!!

A bit of a logistical 'challenge' as I only fly in from my weeks hols mtbing in Spain on Saturday afternoon, but hey ho...!

Wave B
Green
0620-0650
Start: 0720

I know i'm staying at London City airport with m local club on the Sat night, and I'm really hoping that's close enough to the start to ride there without too much hassle??!


 
Posted : 11/07/2014 4:46 pm
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You're very close Missnotax however registration at the Excel centre closes at 5pm so make sure you don't miss it.


 
Posted : 11/07/2014 7:14 pm
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7:05 start time for me, riding around 300k/week at the moment, 5 hours would be nice but can't see it really.


 
Posted : 11/07/2014 8:09 pm
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Did this last year, was really great, fab support from the crowds apart from the funny man on Box Hill cursing everyone. Food stops can get a bit crowded which is annoying if you are in it for a time, try and carry your own food, if you don't want to get held up.

The last bit into the Mall is awesome, everyone banging the hoardings and cheering, you are going to love it. I did it for a charity and they asked me to so a blog following the ride with tips for first time cyclists as it was the first road ride for me. Here is the link, bit cringeworthy but you might find some of it of use. [url= http://www.mstrust.org.uk/interactive/mstrust/2014/ridelondon-surrey-100-as-a-lone-rider/ ]Blog link[/url]


 
Posted : 11/07/2014 9:53 pm
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When you've done it, you know finished it and all that.
A) don't bore the pants off your mates nor anyone else you happen to bump into by narrating a mile by mile account of your "epic" day out.
B) don't wear your free "I did the Prudential 100" cycling top ever again, nope not even on your bike.
C) proclaim that now you've done 100 miles on yer bike that you are elite and worthy of higher social standing.
&
D) don't write about it on here.


 
Posted : 12/07/2014 9:48 am
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Quite opinionated aren't you bikebouy, I am sure you are lovely in real life.


 
Posted : 12/07/2014 10:55 pm
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Hoping for less than 8 hours.

A friend who suffers from various physical issues, as well as an eyesight problem meaning her depth perception is realy ****ed up, did it in less than 8 hours, so unless your really old/have health issues, then you should be able to do that no problem! No worries if you can't though, it's a long way.

don't wear your free "I did the Prudential 100" cycling top ever again, nope not even on your bike.

I gree. Ditto with any event t-shirt. They always remind me of those mebarrassing 'I ran the world' t-shirts in the 80s.

proclaim that now you've done 100 miles on yer bike that you are elite and worthy of higher social standing.

Can't agree there though. 100 miles is a bloody long way, and most cyclists will never ride as far in one single day. Why not brag bit? 😀


 
Posted : 12/07/2014 11:14 pm
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Hoping for less than 8 hours.
A friend who suffers from various physical issues, as well as an eyesight problem meaning her depth perception is realy **** up, did it in less than 8 hours, so unless your really old/have health issues, then you should be able to do that no problem! No worries if you can't though, it's a long way.

Taking into account the lack of slowing down and accelerating at traffic lights (I've been using my commute times as a yardstick) and no dealing with buses,cars and pedestrians, I've revised my ambition to 7.5 hours...

I'm 63 years old and not quite recovered from a broken back.

90 mile final training ride on Sunday.

Heck.


 
Posted : 18/07/2014 4:37 pm
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So - did 87.09 miles yesterday on my last long-distance trainer ride for Aug 10th. Feel OK today if a wee bit tired...

How's everybody else doing?


 
Posted : 21/07/2014 9:09 am
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How's everybody else doing?

raced an enduro DH yesterday, haven't done more than 20m on the road bike for weeks....


 
Posted : 21/07/2014 9:15 am
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Pah, all you unworthy types getting in, I'm not bitter at all.

I'm spannering up on Newlands Corner, so a long day fixing punctures. Fun fun.


 
Posted : 21/07/2014 9:26 am
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We were supposed to be doing the Leith Hill Octopus yesterday but were cut short after my riding buddy had a serious accident.

There were gazillions of people out yesterday, and the roads looked very smooth with remaining potholes marked out for repair - and good thing to as there are some big holes in downhill lanes with overhanging trees that were both low light and damp.


 
Posted : 21/07/2014 9:31 am
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I'm in. Start time 0627.

Was half tempted to bin it due to the epic faff of getting to Olympic Park for 0530ish from Surrey, plus having to go to Excel the day before.

But it's only once in a lifetime. I'm in. Aiming to roll around at leisure, no rush.

Have done no on-road training but I'll get around, if not in comfort.

May well stop for a picnic with the family at the Nower, bottom of Coldharbour Lane, we live close nearby. Should anyone be looking for somewhere, it's a beautiful spot.


 
Posted : 21/07/2014 9:33 am
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I have sorted out somewhere to stay so I will be able to register on the Saturday and will get a few hours extra sleep the on Sunday morning.

Need to give the bike a once over but I think I am pretty much there, also met my sponsorship target earlier this week.


 
Posted : 30/07/2014 12:58 pm
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Well 5 months ago I posted on here to say that my official application had been rejected but then the other day I won a place through a ballot at work - apparently work had put in a bid for 3 Team places and I got a spot in one of those! 🙂

Still don't know my start time though.


 
Posted : 30/07/2014 1:38 pm
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Probably my last ride of any length on Sunday and it went well, 65 miles solo at an average of 18.4 mph so my hope of sub 5 hours may be possible. Will commute a few more days but have started to taper already.

Also starting to set alarm earlier than normal to hopefully be a bit more prepared for the 3am wake up. Will try getting up at 4.30/5 for a few days before!


 
Posted : 30/07/2014 1:40 pm
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7.07 start time for me.

most rides round here have about 3x the climbing of the ride london route so I have no idea what sort of speed I'll be comfortable with on the flat. going to try to work on HR zones and stick with an effort I know I can maintain.


 
Posted : 30/07/2014 1:47 pm
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Got out for 90 odd miles at the weekend down in Kent. A friend wanted to check out the Hever Gauntlet (half ironman) course for later in the year. 56 miles of that, with about the same ascent as the R100. Plus bits either end, trains and a barbeque. 16mph average, mostly me out front, some recording blips, so don't know if that's right, or how it's going to translate to the course. Sub 6 would be nice, but who knows?

With that in mind, my just-devised, highly scientific strategy will be to "clip along" until the hills, suffer through them, and hang on for the finish. I've got nothing to do after this, so hurting myself a bit won't be the end of the world! We shall see...


 
Posted : 30/07/2014 3:19 pm
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BOL all, I'm sure you've all underestimated your efforts to date and will be fine hacking along. Wave as you go past Canary Wharf, I'll be watching you lot hack along the Highway 8)

Don't be tempted to wear your new purchased top to work the next day will you 😆

Hope the weather holds out, should be a cracker.


 
Posted : 30/07/2014 3:25 pm
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cheers BB!

njee20 - I'll see if I can get myself a puncture round Newlands Corner and come and say hello! Have fun, hope for your sake as much as mine that the weather's decent.

Event T-shirts - about half my t-shirts are free event t shirts! Mainly get worn on the cycle to work. Except for the Trailplus Duathlon + Splashing one that is a bit cringeworthy - "I WAS PART OF IT!" Annoyingly it's the nicest one. Really nice heavyweight cotton, dark blue. That one just gets worn under jumpers!


 
Posted : 30/07/2014 3:28 pm
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Event T-shirts - about half my t-shirts are free event t shirts! Mainly get worn on the cycle to work. Except for the Trailplus Duathlon + Splashing one that is a bit cringeworthy - "I WAS PART OF IT!" Annoyingly it's the nicest one. Really nice heavyweight cotton, dark blue. That one just gets worn under jumpers!

Most event T-shirts I've had over the years have gone to bike cleaning duties!
The worst one I ever got had written on it:

[i]There are only two ways to get this T-shirt
Finish the [WHATEVER THE EVENT WAS IN BIG CAPITALS]
Murder a finisher and steal theirs.

Which did I do...?[/i]

/cringe
So I got a XXL cos it gave me more material to clean the bike with...


 
Posted : 30/07/2014 6:20 pm
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Is there a GPX does anyone know? ( I assume it'll be easy to find the way anyway but I thought I'd ask...)


 
Posted : 07/08/2014 2:54 pm
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Looks like [url= http://road.cc/content/news/126076-bradley-wiggins-race-sundays-ridelondon-surrey-classic ]Wiggins is in[/url], you could try asking him 🙂


 
Posted : 07/08/2014 3:24 pm
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