Ride London 100

oh btw, Dammit, Tommy and anyone else setting off in the first half hour has my full approval to go for their PBs. you're welcome.

I'm hoping that Tommy will catch up and we can then take turns in the wind to be honest.

50 miles of chewing the stem is better than 100.

My main goal is to not get taken out by someone else, which I imagine will take quite a lot of mental energy. I can imagine that there will be loads of not shoulder checking before pulling out to overtake someone else. There was enough of that on the Dun Run, let alone on something that's going to be even more packed.

I think the first 40 minutes of the ride is going to be carnage, lots of people unused to riding in groups and worried about over doing it will be wobbling all over the road. I'd quite like to find a group of 5 or more and try for an average speed of c.16-18mph.

Hopefully will be able to manage it. The thought of some idiot wiping me out as ^ is a problem.....

yes I imagine we'll have to have our wits about us.

I'll be trying to counter my natural instinct which is when I find myself surrounded by other cyclists, to drop back until I am no longer surrounded. I might find myself ushered off the course rather quickly if I do that. hopefully the unusual surroundings will help, getting swept along etc.

I've never done the LtoB, but stupidly got caught up in it this year and it was proper carnage.

I think maybe first hour will be slow but hopefully with closed roads and some big A roads as well there should be some space after that, Ill need to go like stink to catch a nice time after that though :(

I say that like I'm a century pro, furthest i've ever done is 60!! got to aim high though :)

simonm, dbr, Doctor Cake and Styleovercontent or anyone else with a similar start time to me?

Is it worth trying to hook up in the ride or is this an impossible task, i'm riding alone and it would be good to have some company for the ride.

I'm happy to try to ride together jazzy. I've sent you a PM.

REGISTRATION

Bit confused about registration. Checked through all the emails and it doesn't mention anything, but some people here have been talking about going somewhere with your passport etc to get sorted out? Any help here please? Can I do it today? Thanks in advance.

Just had a look at my last "long ride at speed" with was ROTFL last year, I only average 17mph for that, I'm starting to think I may have been a bit excitable with my predicted time.

^^ Excel centre until 8pm today or 9-5 tomorrow. Take passport if you don't have your letter.

Jazzy, I'm going to be a bit ahead but not going fast, only problem is all of the people. If I'm right, there will be c. 650 people per 4 minute wave so that puts about 2600 people between my group and yours.....but I will be in a small group of 3 guys, all wearing Bone Cancer Research jerseys (Light Blue). Certainly not out to break any records pace wise, would be great if you and Doctor Cake can catch up.....

6:00 - Dammit - That Cannondale - Brixton Cycles jersey
6:04 - Tommy - Trek Domane - <-- the Cannondale jersey!
6:38 - mjs110 - Dove Bike jersey + forum cap
6:42 - ChrisMGS - This bike - Salsa jersey with skull & cross bones on the arms and back (or possibly a plain black Assos) - Say hi!
6:42 - TTM - black Storck - no idea, probably Wapha
6:42- LHL (Stephen)- red and black merckx, red and black lycra.
6:46 - Dan W - All black crabon di2 chinese bike with matching black/white nicey-but-pricey (inspired) attire. With Sidney Deane colnago hat
6:54 - simonm - red Focus - blue and red bone cancer jersey
7:04 - dbr - burgendy Look - Rapha pro jersey (grey & pink)
7:06 - jazzythumper - 80's blue Pinarello - red Shelter jersey
7:10 - Doctor Cake - ti omega - Ladies LFGSS jersey
7:14 - Styleovercontent - Black Hoy Sa Calobra - Blue JDRF jersey - multiple sweat patches - panting heavily while trying to eat energy gels for 6 hours straight.
7.26 - h-j - red/white/black cinelli - black and green Anthony Nolan Trust jersey
7:48 - HoKe - Silver BMC streetracer - Hopefully a LMNH kit/ if not full rapha
7:56 - hoefla - pink Flanders - Ladies LFGSS jersey
7:56 - HMS - white cinelli - Great Ormond Street Jersey (Forum Cap)
XX:XX - AirTime - on-one blue pompino fixed - no idea for clothing (don't have start time yet as i'm riding in a mates place (don't tell anyone!))

^^ Excel centre until 8pm today or 9-5 tomorrow. Take passport if you don't have your letter.

Thanks! Will head over there now.

PS: What time do we have to finish by?

do get there before 8 though, there was a chap there yesterday arguing to no avail with a steward to let him in to register, at bang on 8pm...

I was very impressed with how fast I was given my rider gubbins, literally just walked up to the booth and showed my letter+passport, done.

Just done some maths here, 100miles is 160,934.4m which divided by 20,000 is just over 8 metres space per bicycle, if everyone was to do this single file stretched from start to finish!

jazzy thumper - if I can spot anyone in the throng I'm defo game for teaming up. Having said that, I can't see me looking at anything other than elbows and back wheels for the first stretch.

I'm happy to try to ride together jazzy. I've sent you a PM.

Thanks Doctor Cake

Jazzy, I'm going to be a bit ahead but not going fast, only problem is all of the people. If I'm right, there will be c. 650 people per 4 minute wave so that puts about 2600 people between my group and yours.....but I will be in a small group of 3 guys, all wearing Bone Cancer Research jerseys (Light Blue). Certainly not out to break any records pace wise, would be great if you and Doctor Cake can catch up.....

Will try and log that info in my mind and look out for you 3 too!

Just had a look at my last "long ride at speed" with was ROTFL last year, I only average 17mph for that, I'm starting to think I may have been a bit excitable with my predicted time.

A bit of a difference in terms of elevation though, no? Also, we all know cold air makes you slow. It's like soup.

Plus no banking Herne Hill to cause initial confusion

I'll clean my bike tonight because aerodynamics.

Picked up Dr. C's entry gumpf from the Excel Center - alcohol free beer was actually rather good. Recovery drink ahoy!

Just done some maths here, 100miles is 160,934.4m which divided by 20,000 is just over 8 metres space per bicycle, if everyone was to do this single file stretched from start to finish!

At the Etape there were 11,500 riders. The 'peloton' was estimated at 50km long by the local paper.

I set off with 15 people and after around 10k we were all split up. Briefly saw two other people I knew over the rest of the 6 hours.
Best to make new friends!

Anyone got any plans for 'after' the race.

I was gonna hang around and try to catch the peter sagan show coming down the mall.

Is there any kind of secure bike parking available to competitors ?

Ive read the booklet and it seems pretty much once you've finished you get your bagback and your left to your own devices.