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its flat with a little bump in the middle, you should fly round 🙂
so... GPX - anyone? I'm thinking they don't offer it as I can't find one after a bit of searching, but I would prefer to have one if possible. Anyone know if it's the same route as last year?
Yeah that is what I'm looking at.
My normal road rides are at 13.5-14mph (yes - I know) and everyone says you go a bit quicker on Ride London due to closed roads etc, so 15mph looks like a good (realistic) target.
I normally average 14-15mph round Devon. Did the shortened 86m last year in 4hr26, a shade under 20mph. It really is a fast course.
I like the sound of that... I'm hoping to get sub-5h30m...
[b]For the GPX[/b], I went to [url= http://www.prudentialridelondon.co.uk/The_Events/100/Route.htm ]the official route page[/url], clicked the blue button to open in Google Maps...
Where it has the title in top left, drop this list down, and at the end of the "share" buttons, the last button will let you export a KML file.
Garmin Connect will read this and let you export a GPX (other conversion tools are available, and I think a Garmin might even be able to understand a KML file).
I did the very first London 100 in 2013 , I had the last starting time and spent most of the time trying to get past the sight seers
I found the first 25 miles real fast and was going a good pace till I got to the turning into. Boxhill then I got the dreaded CRAMP!!.....I carried on like a trouper ...but was then starting to get taken over by everyone. Finish it in 6hrs 21mins
This year I got a 06:15 start........now do I go crazy for the first half?????......it should be fun what ever happens.....and if you see a guy with cramp near boxhill....the chances are its me....and I went off too fast again
Feel free to shout abuse!!......ha hah
gareth, cheers - I'll give that a go.
8.21 here. Given the drop-off is 5 miles away, it's only another 5 to ride straight from home so I'll probably do that.
Woefully unfit after baby arrived in the winter, haven't managed more than a few hours in one go since, but I do have a sacrilegious 11-32 & compact on my road bike so at least I can sit and spin slowly up the hills.
6.20 start time. Got to ride there from Kingston before hand but an going to attempt a fast-ish time. Ambitious time is sub 5 but doubt I'll achieve that.
Im Sure there is a special train service just for 100 riders leaving from Richmond you can take!!
You'll need your energy to the times......I'm hoping too.......ha ha ha....you'll never know.
gareth - if you wouldn't mind, that would be much appreciated. I have downloaded it but it just seems to generate a few sections of the route rather than 1 continuous ride when I try to convert it. My email is username at gmail. Thanks. 🙂
I'm starting at 7:18 in the Yellow section -any veterans have any hints for meeting other riders en route? My mate is starting at 7.30 and we'd like to ride together(aahh). I guess the first few miles have a load of people waiting for friends?
I'm starting at 7:18 in the Yellow section -any veterans have any hints for meeting other riders en route? My mate is starting at 7.30 and we'd like to ride together(aahh). I guess the first few miles have a load of people waiting for friends?
Yep, just pick a spot, pull over and wait. Loads of people doing it last year.
The actual start is 2 miles from where we set off in the waves......so you can just hang back on the flyover....and you can meet up with your mates and go over the starting line at the same time!
I'm in too, got a 6:18 start and riding in from redhill... Some simple maths suggests it's gonna be a night ride to start with! Do you need to be there an hour before as instructed in the book?
The book says you have to be there between 30-60 minutes before the start, and the way they word it is pretty militant about getting in before the half hour cut-off... I am going to make sure I'm there in plenty of time, it would be a little frustrating to fall at that final hurdle!
That reminds me, must book campsite in Swanage that weekend.
just a bump for gareth, if yuo wouldn't mind the GPX would be much appreciated. 🙂
theflatboy
I've got it on my ridewithgps.com [url= http://ridewithgps.com/routes/7524853 ]here[/url].
Can't remember where I acquired it from to be honest, but comparing it to the route on their site, I think its right.
You can download a GPX of it from there, look in the right hand column for export.
excellent, thanks very much.
I guess most will have seen it but the route and elevation profile is here:
Really looking forward to it but still feel under prepared. Lets hope it is dry at least!
I'm trying to decide how far to head on a final long training ride tomorrow - I'm not worried about the distance, more about what would be most use tomorrow (and potentially early next week) for speed and preparation.
Any thoughts anyone?
Well I don't know about anyone else ...but my prep was a 35 mile ride last night, a 70 mile sportive on Sunday ( sigma Tour de France ) and then another 30miler on Wednesday ....
Looking forward to the 100...... Now I've just got to beat my mates times!!
I'm trying to decide how far to head on a final long training ride tomorrow - I'm not worried about the distance, more about what would be most use tomorrow (and potentially early next week) for speed and preparation.
If you've got miles in the bank then you want to cut back the distance in the last couple of weeks and focus more on short sharp efforts, 1-2 min intervals and out-of-the-saddle kicks.
Because (a) tapering (b) it'll sharpen up your anaerobic system on top of the aerobic mileage and (c) if you want a quick time then RideLondon is about getting into groups and *staying* with them, which is a lot easier if you can dip into the red zone when necessary without exploding 🙂
A few weeks ago I managed a 70 mile ride & then 85 miles a week later. Although I had covered the distances previously, on these occasions I had significantly improved times and still felt good at the end - albeit 30 & 15 miles short of the 100 respectively.
Last week I could only do a short ride, 60 miles at an average speed of 16.3mph when I've usually pottered around the 14mph mark.
The plan was to do something similar this weekend, but yesterday, a text from my mate saying he managed a 90mile ride in 6 hrs has got me thinking......
I've been scuppered by a mixture of work, other things going on and apathy!
Was planning to do a 50 after work, but the forecast today is biblical.
Gotta work tomorrow morning, but might try to do something in the afternoon - again, forecast isn't great.
I'm sure it will be OK on the day, probably!
Oh, long range forecast currently predicting 12 - 21 degrees temp, so a cool start for the early departers. Light wind from SSE (6mph gusting to 13mph)and sunny intervals. Slight chance of rain from 1pm.
Obviously, that's all going to change and will no doubt either be like last year or a proper scorchio heatwave!
interesting, i might do a couple of hours of swains lane ascents then for some final strength/power practice... 🙂
Sorry flatboy - just sent it - been away (actually mountain biking in the Lakes by way of preparation for Ride London... ???!!!!)
I'll be doing 80 miles tomorrow, then nothing all next week. So far the furthest has been 55, and quite a few 20ish. I want to get a longer one in the bag more for the psychological benefit of knowing I can...
How did it go IHN?
I did a solo 70 in some rubbish winds, apart from my knackered knees aching it was OK. I did learn that my Jelly Babies to Miles to Insulin Pump settings were bang on, which was a relief. This that's me ready. Probably....
I'm in the 8:15 start.
I'm doing it on my Gryphon with slicks fitted and 1x10 (36 x 11-36)!
Not exactly the tool for the job, but it's what I'm used to.
Anyone else doing it on a suitably inappropriate bike?
[I]How did it go IHN?[/i]
Alright ta. Took a while, just went really steady, averaged about 14.5mph, wanted to get round rather than set a time. Pretty sure now that 100 will be fine, and at a quicker pace.
No jelly babies though, just cheese sandwiches, wine gums and a slice of Friday night's pizza 🙂
I've only rode it once in 2013 but despite all the warnings in the literature, the start is very informal. Just roll up and find a queue, the marshals are relaxed about people joining when they can though they will expect yellow numbers in the yellow start area etc they are not fussy about whether you are in the allotted start wave, just whether you are in the right area. Its a lot less formal than the documents suggest.
I've got a 7:27 start time, really looking forward to it although must admit I'm a bit nervous. Oh well what's the worse thing that can happen?
Forgot to add, if you are really concerned, just hide in the middle of the starting pen and squash up to the other riders so no one can see your number. You honestly dont need to be there 30 minutes in advance and if you miss your wave, you can join the next one. Its worth getting there early and joining an earlier wave though.
As others have said, the first 25 miles is super quick and we covered it in little over an hour and a quarter despite not really pushing it. Find a big group and hold their wheels, jump onto any groups that pass. Leith Hill is narrow and busy but its short so batter it and push past the plodders. Box Hill was narrow too but the field had massively spread out by this point. Then its flat to the finish bar the short, sharp climb in Wimbledon. The finish is ace, the left turn under Admirality Arch is great. I filmed the finish rather than choosing to sprint my mate (he would have beaten me!) but it was nice as the crowds were forming for the elite race behind us.
Anyone else doing it on a suitably inappropriate bike?
Hmmm maybe! I don't own a road bike and have never really ridden road - all my kit is likewise decidedly unsuitable for skinny tyres! My option is to borrow a cheap road bike off a neighbour (some kind of BTwin type) or use my rigid Niner with slicks (36 x 11-36).
I like my own bike and it could be a novelty, but the wind resistance and low gearing could make the whole thing miserable... In a later wave start anyway, so won't be holding others up at least!
Oh well what's the worse that can happen?
Probably a puncture. If you can do 50 miles on a bike you can do a 100, all you need to remember is "food/fuel". Always take enough with you and never run out, whatever it is, gels, biscuits, bananas, sweets, etc.
On a long distance ride always aim to finish it with at least one item of food left over. I did Croydon to Brighton and back yesterday, 98 miles, I've got one energy gel left over from the ride.
Personally I also like to take caffeine pills with me in case I feel I need the sort of boost a cup of coffee gives, but obviously that's not necessary and some gels/bars contain caffeine anyway.
Poor bike fit over many hours can show up problems which shorter rides don't, so get that right - fore-aft adjustments to the saddle, change stem, etc.
The Twickenham CC blue train will be out in force again this year. I'm in the fast team at about 6:00, but I don't think I'll last to Newlands Corner in that group! 4:20 was be my target time, but I'll be at least 20 minutes slower based on current fitness and (lack of) training.
I like my own bike and it could be a novelty, but the wind resistanc
36-11 isn't that low at all. Hands either side of the stem, bend your elbows and get on with it.
Of my 24 rides up Box Hill the one on my mtb (with 2.25" Rons at 25psi) is the fastest! People over estimate the difference.
I'll be there at Newlands Corner fixing punctures again!
BP - that's really useful about the start times, ta. I would be happy getting there and underway sooner rather than later so hopefully I can do that.
Any idea of what the weather will be doing?
Currently forecasting:
5:00-6:00am
12 degrees, sun/clouds, no rain, 2mph wind from the south gusting to 7mph
12:00 - 13:00
21 degrees, sun/clouds, no rain, 6mph wind from SSW gusting to 14mph
16:00 - 17:00
21 degrees, sun/clouds, no rain, 6mph wind from SSW gusting to 15mph
So, looking like a nice day as things stand at the moment
Thanks piedi di formaggio, most helpful. 🙂
Back to dig out my thread on viewing places.