Marathon 2011 -alert-alert-alert-

last year was SO big I knew before we even finished that it could never happen again. It was pretty much a perfect moment when just enough enthusiasm met the right amount of apathy

last year was SO big I knew before we even finished that it could never happen again. It was pretty much a perfect moment when just enough enthusiasm met the right amount of apathy and whilst they weren't looking I crossed the line first ; p

fixed.

(I was 8th - woohooO!)

1. Velocio
   
2. superjoe
   
3. HatBeard
   
4. wibble
   
5. marcom
   
6. JAMIE
   
7. pt
   
8. atticus
   
9. Jaitch
   
   

Yeah baby! top ten!

Im not in london but im as my sister was planning on coming on this ride with me and she lives in Herne Hill guess ill try and convince her to come out the night before and back to hers after!

1. Velocio
   
2. superjoe
   
3. HatBeard
   
4. wibble
   
5. marcom
   
6. JAMIE
   
7. pt
   
8. tiswas
   
9. almac68
   
10. skydancer
    
11. Pistaboy
    
12. atticus
    
13. Jaitch
    
    

balls. list fail. fixed but im now im back out the top ten. must try harder...

This is fucked. It was always going to happen with the original thread being posted so early in the public domain.

Annoyed, Brockley.

It was going to get squashed, whenever the opening post was lodged.

There was much fun and cameraderie in 2010, but some seriously hariy moments as well. The people setting up the stands, and first aid stations, were not expecting cyclist to be flying down roads at speed, and I spotted more than one near miss, with volunteers and marshals walking out in front of cyclists, they were not expecting to be there.

Night ride is by far, the best way forward.

1. Velocio
   
2. superjoe
   
3. HatBeard
   
4. wibble
   
5. marcom
   
6. JAMIE
   
7. pt
   
8. tiswas
   
9. almac68
   
10. skydancer
    
11. Pistaboy
    
12. atticus
    
13. Jaitch
    
14. Louis ∆
    

is it naive of me to think that if you suggested that a future marathon could incorporate a cycled section as part of their schedule and therefore be organised.
say for example as they say they are a supporter of cycling in London, maybe a LFGSS ride of the route during the set up in the morning, but all workers were aware of a cycling group coming through as an organised event and therefore it could be made safer accordingly in the same way that someone suggested there is a childs marathon before the main marathon. possibly a cycle marathon before the childs one. it would be really early, but it is done above board and through the organisers.

LFGSS sponsers would be happy as it could get coverage, marathon organisers could be happy as it shows that they have supported it, and we would be happy as we got to ride the route and promote safer cycling in london.

just a thought.

if you make it official and public -it will turn into skyride overnight

F that S in the A

ive been won over by the night before idea

is it naive of me to think that if you suggested that a future marathon could incorporate a cycled section as part of their schedule and therefore be organised.

I think that would be doable. The set up seems to be finished at least half an hour before the first runners come through. If the workers/police are aware and the ride is marshalled/escorted/limited in number I don't see why it would be unsafe. It would be less fun though (where fun=slightly anarchic/dangerous).

A lovely thought, but I think we can too easily forget the logistical nightmare of having two hours to turn inner city roads into an internationally acclaimed venue for 40.000 runners, with all the H&S issues.

Those that have run the race,might be irked by the level of control and organisation, but it does result in possibly the best mass entrance road race on the face of the planet

if it's official it won't be a forum ride anymore. that's not to say it won't be any good, it just won't be 'forumish'

1 . Velocio
2 . superjoe
3 . HatBeard
4 . wibble
5 . marcom
6 . JAMIE
7 . pt
8 . tiswas
9 . almac68

1. skydancer
   
2. Pistaboy
   
3. atticus
   
4. Jaitch
   
5. Louis ∆
   
6. ian (conker)
   

only if we tell people how to sign up for it...

I was at the front group when we arrived at the finish. There was no work being done, the finish was set up and the only problem was a grumpy old jobsworth of a woman who took umbrage at what she saw as our audacity (her in the red coat).

With our group it was that strutting bald cunt.

I'd say "look, we want to do this ride. We hurt nobody, and we inconvenience nobody, so how about just making us official. We will be your official advanced guard to make sure the route is clear and safe. We're not a race, we're a procession, like the Lord Mayor's show."
If they won't countenance it then threaten to do the ride anyway, at race pace, with maximum numbers.

With our group it was that strutting bald cunt.

I'd say "look, we want to do this ride. We hurt nobody, and we inconvenience nobody, so how about just making us official. We will be your official advanced guard to make sure the route is clear and safe. We're not a race, we're a procession, like the Lord Mayor's show."
If they won't countenance it then threaten to do the ride anyway, at race pace, with maximum numbers.

Joke?

Go ahead, get arrested and cause a massive precedent against cyclists on the marathon route for years to come. What's to say that 5 years down the line a small group of fixxie-skidderz couldn't sneak onto the route again when all this has blown over.

if it's official it won't be a forum ride anymore. that's not to say it won't be any good, it just won't be 'forumish'
like the tweed run

Joke?

Go ahead, get arrested and cause a massive precedent against cyclists on the marathon route for years to come. What's to say that 5 years down the line a small group of fixxie-skidderz couldn't sneak onto the route again when all this has blown over.

yes, joke.

If it was official I don't think it would turn into skyride, because let's face it, who the fuck gets up at 5 in the morning just to go on a 24 mile bike ride? Only us nutters.

I would press for it not to be "official" with all that entails, but "permitted" or something. We organise it, we limit numbers, they allow it.
But thinking about it, why don't they do a cycle marathon. All proper, with entries, sponsorship, elites and leisure cyclists?

I think a night ride the night before would lose all the magic, but it's got me wondering how early we would have to set out to do the ride and finish on the Mall just before they start to close the roads and set it up? Also, are any of the road closures necessary to allow the ride to take the marathon route because of one way streets, banned turns, and that sort of thing?

what would be great, would be if there was some sort of closed-road, mass participation cycling event in central London, taking in some of the major landmarks, does such a thing exist?

Not one that is also a race.

yes, joke.

But thinking about it, why don't they do a cycle marathon. All proper, with entries, sponsorship, elites and leisure cyclists?

They could do it with laps around smithfield market, early evening till late, in June, have a skid competition, riders in suits on bromtons n'all

Or not of a completely limited scope and branded to death.

Or only held once in a blue moon

Joke?

Go ahead, get arrested and cause a massive precedent against cyclists on the marathon route for years to come. What's to say that 5 years down the line a small group of fixxie-skidderz couldn't sneak onto the route again when all this has blown over.

good to see that our marathon planner has got the 'long-game' in mind. We wouldn't want to rush into anything and promote cycling, say, in the present.

IT'S GONNA HAPPEN

Whatever happens between now and the day will have no influence whatsoever on any decision to allow us to ride on the route after the road closures this year. They simply will not allow it. Last time, the second group were stopped and booted off course at Cannon Street by the police due to safety issues. This instruction will already be in place and agreed at a far higher level than we will reach at this time. It's also unfair to blame Billy for posting the thread early, as this will have been discussed after last years ride.

Night ride or nothing I'm afraid.

feel that the ride as presently envisaged is not a good idea

Is this the key? Is there scope to cap it at a smaller number (better than nothing?) and I really think we need to get the point across that it's not a race so people really aren't in danger.
How about if we pledge money (£5 entrants fee?) to their charity?

Or simply ask him under what circumstances the ride could be 'a good idea'.

My bloody birthday ride! I had a party hat and everything.

Well, I had plans for a party hat, that's close enough.