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!

interesting, i might do a couple of hours of swains lane ascents then for some final strength/power practice… 🙂

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…

I’m in the 8:15 start.
I’m doing it on my Gryphon with slicks fitted and 1×10 (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’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.

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.

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.

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!

Any idea of what the weather will be doing?

Thanks piedi di formaggio, most helpful. 🙂

Back to dig out my thread on viewing places.

In fact, come to think of it, why don’t we ALL pop in and say hi to njee?

Newlands…

about the 50 mile mark.

Can we encourage njee to meet us at the 40ish mile mark and do uplifts?

Anyone else absolutely bricking it?

I’ve not done enough training, due to work/family commitments. I’ve tried to get out 3 times a week, but it hasn’t always happened.
The longest ride I’ve done this year is approx. 68 miles, with quite a few 20/30/40 mile rides.
I’ve just got this creeping sense of foreboding, and can see myself doubled up with cramp somewhere in the Surrey hills.

The only good thing I have noticed is the weather forecast – high teens/low 20’s is perfect for me. I did a 35 miler a few weeks back when it was 34 degrees and it made me quite ill.

I’ll just be glad to complete it.

watch out for the short sharp nasty in wimbledon. after that its a 10 mile TT into the finish.

Thanks folks – I’m sure I’ll be fine, I’m more nervous about this than any previous ride.
I think it is because I’ve never done 100 before (longest ride I’ve ever done is a flat 86 miles last September) and never done this much climbing in one go (most was 3300ft last month on a 65 mile ride)

I normally ride at 13-14mph when I’m out on my own, am planning to complete this at 14-15mph – 15mph is around 6hrs 40…

, am planning to complete this at 14-15mph – 15mph is around 6hrs 40…

Can’t see me being massively faster, that was the pace of the 80 at the weekend.

I’ve got to do it though, I didn’t get a ballot place so got a charity one, so I’ve got the best part of a grand’s worth of sponsorship for Shelter riding on it…

Did 90 miles on Sunday before last and have just been doing quick-ish 20 milers in Richmond park since then. Feeling pretty good for it.

It’s going to work out at around 130 miles all in on the day though, so I could well be struggling by the end. If I didn’t have to get there and back is be confident of a good time.

I’ll probably puncture to pieces though 🙁

So… Anyone else lost their registration form? The one that they tell you NOT TO LOSE in the magazine, and without it you cannot register at excel?

Just me then. 🙁