Ride London 100

What was it this year? 24k? It's hard to justify the price rise and such a dramatic increase in numbers, no? Not because of the cost, but because it will cease to be enjoyable if many more people are allowed to enter.

19k rode this year

I entered this for next year but sure as fuck do NOT want to ride with 36k others. Fingers crossed I don't get a place.

Is the ballot completely random?? I rode this year but thought about not mentioning that on next years application incase it reduced my chances of getting a place. I mentioned it though.

There's a closed road sportive in south Wales next year. To coincide with a race. There won't be 36k riders but there might be rain.

@Zed

You certainly won't see any pro triathletes eating eccles cake.

Nobody likes a soggy Eccles cake.

That sounds infinitely better. I prefer rain to other people. #misanthrope

I read somewhere they do game it to give the right spread of start times - it's not completely random.

Any get a place this year?

Third year of applying through the ballot and again nothing.

I just got a place confirmed through St Christopher's Hospice in Sydenham.

Our lass's mum died there a year or two ago, and while I am not one for dewy eyed sacharine sentiments, the drs, nurses and staff there are all fucking angels.
The kind of unfaltering warmth and compassion that I could only aspire to.

If I could raise enough to even part fund an hour of their care for someone else at the end of their life I would consider that a success.

I look forward to rattling my donations tin is alllllll yours faces over the coming months.

https://www.justgiving.com/WillisRidesAgain

Hey, if ballots don't go peoples way this year, do drop me a PM because the school charity I work for has 6 tickets available and we are struggling to move them on... If anyone is interested, do contact me!

It's been confirmed that a small number of unfaired recumbents and other HPVs will be allowed to ride this year.

Judging by some of the people showing an interest, there could be a lot of embaressed MAMILs getting killed on a sprint finish.

Never done the 100 miles before and thinking about taking part this year. It'll be silly for me not to, as it only costs me £10 via work (Charity).

My question: how do-able is it with a fixed? And how strict are they about having 'both' brakes installed on the bike?

It's doable fixed.
Box Hill is doable, Leith Hill is a bigger ask.

IRC the organiser allow fixed if you have two brakes.

also consider that fixed uphill is much harder when you've got 100 people wobbling around at different speeds around you...

Box is ok, and less crowded. I would definitely not manage Leith, and as blowfish says, it gets very, very crowded. Even if you can do it, often you are simply unable to because of the numbers of people walking or wobbling, unless you're somewhere near the front of the masses.

Didn't think fixed was allowed at all?

from their FAQ:

Single-speed (both fixed and freewheel) bicycles are allowed as long as they have suitable brakes

I don't remember any opportunity for someone to check in any great detail though... I mean if you really wanted and had a friend with the bib/bike numbers etc, you could easily knock up some fakes and join the ride without any problems whatsoever.

Am also doing this for the first time this year, and also fixed. I think training will be key, and going to drive out and do a few practices on the hills in question.

Thank youu helpful ppl! :)

If its 'do-able' then the next question is, what's peoples gear ratio of choice?

Link to map if anyones interested:
http://www.prudentialridelondon.co.uk/Assets/London+Marathon+Digital+Assets/2014+Routes/2014_Prudential_RideLondon-Surrey_100_and_Classic_Routes_Map.pdf

46/16 was just about doable for me on the hills.

Which is just the way I like it.

Handy, cos that's the gearing I'll be on. I'd better get training.

anyone have any spaces for the ride 100 that are available for a little sponsorship?