2014-04-06 The London Classic

Just remembered the flags. They were great!
I agree with you completely wingnuts.

^^^ I think the signage this year was affected by the weather. most years it's really pretty good. this year I hardly used them north of the river, relying on the map and stopping every few turns to memorise the next ones. doing some of it from memory helped too. and a couple of times seeing double white cable ties that used to hold a sign!

That was totally a bad navigation issue on my part and we did the proper route I promise! (that part anyway, even if we didn't ride all the way up....)

ah we wouldn't have known either way - by that point we were on our own trail...

Yes I know it was weather affected, and that wasted the herculean effort that the team must have put in. I just think that the method I'm describing might be cheaper (no laminating and cable ties) and actually quicker to put in place. I don't want to take anything away from an event that does good and is enjoyable!

there were a couple of places where the fallen arrow was on the ground and roughly pointing the right way :) but I wonder whether it's just harder to see? because you have to be almost on it, especially in heavy traffic. and you can't do that thing of spotting a pink arrow in the distance from a junction.
also might be rather harder to take down. just some thoughts.

I think a chalked line along the route would be best. In yellow?
Or chevrons at one meter intervals.

glitter... trails of glitter....

This was definitely one of the best classic imo, sure the weather wasn't great but it eventually did get better as the day went on! Its been a year and my opinion about cobbles remains the same...still hate them with a passion!

But I think the best part was seeing so many forum guys and gals today! It lovely to see you all doing so well and smiling after a hard long day in the saddle! =)

what is it you hate Ho?

Edited! Sorry very sleepy!

scented glitter!

Anyways here are the usual photos to remember such a wonderful day:

Also big rep for Branwen for being our tour guild, even though from our 6 riders somehow turned into a 40 man chain beggars belief but still great fun! and Bernie, always a joy to ride with your sir!

Ha great photos HoKe... What a day in London..
As I watch highlights of The Ronde, epic carnage..

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Thanks to Poots, Poots plus one, Cafewanda, Hats, Mands and Gus for putting up direction signs. Also congratulations to Poots and Mands for winning in the lottery

Also put up some of my pictures from the day here https://www.flickr.com/photos/funny_cyclist/sets/72157643541308323/

Was good riding with the group, happy to lead. I think I might actually be smiling in Ho's first pic o_O
Glad the ironic sunglasses didn't end up being too ironic

What an awesome ride. I started early was already regretting it riding up Streatham Common in the drizzle, especially when JahTim whizzes by me on his fixie. Pretty much set the tone for the rest of the day, thank good the weather improved. I set off alone at about 8.40 hoping for the rain to stop soon, but no such luck. Joined a small group of riders from from Bath Cycle Club in to Central, unfortunately we got separated by a light going into Theobalds Road, so I was on my own again. Missed a couple of turns, but doubled back to ensure I hit all the cobbled sections. Still made it to LMNH just a tad over an hour.

Luckily I ran into everyone else at LMNH, first Holly and Pete, then Simon, Ho and everyone else. Figured I would just wait so we can set off together. What followed was some great riding all round, probably my the most fun non-forum forum ride. Big Thanks to Holly and Tim that kept sticking back with me.

London Classic on flickr

we also DNF. after Friendly St we decided to go a bit off-piste and take in some of the sights of SE London on our own itinerary. did see O Schick and Seraphinx going the other way around Honor Oak :)

That was totally a bad navigation issue on my part and we did the proper route I promise! (that part anyway, even if we didn't ride all the way up....)
We were on the right route, though. :)

When you passed us, I thought you'd finished.

What a great day! Got absolutely soaked on the way to the start, but once we got going it was fine. By Blackheath it was positively warm!
Did the ride with a few guys who'd never done a ride longer than 10miles before, all wearing jeans, all on single speeds or fixed. They had the most fun ever, and were absolutely gushing about it, conquered a couple of the hills which they never thought they would, and have plans to build up a geared bike for similar rides soon.
Big thanks to all that organised, and the pub for getting me stupendously drunk

Lovely time...one thing I really like about it is friendly attitude of everyone participating. Was more than happy to do my own thing knowing there'll be friendly faces to ride along with and swap stories. Long may it continue. Can only echo the view, thanks to everyone (organisers, helps, participants) who made it happen...

Everything everyone else said + JellyBelly beans at the start / finish. Heaven.

Excellent ride, well done all the organisers and everyone who assisted me finding my way round.

Feeling dehydrated this morning, clearly I need to drink more.

I drank so much water and nuun yesterday and last night, I've been drinking water all morning and still feel a bit dehydrated, I blame the 3 tasty Guinness. It was worth it.

Nice to meet you Hoke and great fotos... I promise your foto in full Sky Kit will never go anywhere :)

Thanks to Poots, Poots plus one, Cafewanda, Hats, Mands and Gus for putting up direction signs.
Also congratulations to Poots and Mands for winning in the lottery

Pure coincidence we won, really! :)

Great day! Thanks to the organisers and everyone who turned up making it what it was.