Prudential Ride London

Vivienne23

Has any one ever done this event ?

I entered the ballot back in August and even though I haven't received an official place in the ballot there is a mistake on the website that lets you log on to check if you have been successful and it "seems" I have ,

Having never done a cycle outside of Ireland just wondering how to handle logistics etc,

It's a weird one as it starts and finishes in 2 different places , then there is bike shipping , where to stay , how to get from a-z , my sense of direction is hopeless then to top it all off

If anyone has done this and could shed some light it would be great before I take the leap when I get official confirmation and start booking stuff

Marou

I did it last year. Unfortunately the weather was terrible which made cycling conditions very difficult. Nevertheless I still enjoyed the day and would highly recommend it. It's a great experience to cycle on closed roads through the centre of London and there's a great atmosphere. Everything is very well organised and it all runs very smoothly despite the numbers involved.

If you look up the final instructions issued for last year it will help you with logistics and explain how everything is organised. I can't post the link myself.

brianomc

Looks like i'm in myself based on my registration not being cancelled. Here's the link to last years guide

http://www.prudentialridelondon.co.uk/Assets/London+Marathon+Digital+Assets/Prudential+RideLondon/Downloadable/Prudential-RideLondon-Surrey-100-Final-Instructions-2014.pdf

Haven't figured out how i'm getting there myself yet but I have friends in london I can hopefully stay with or family just outside london if that falls through

Gallant_JJ

I did it last year. Despite the horrendous weather thoroughly enjoyed it. No real banter amongst the cyclists as you would have on a sportive over here, but the atmosphere in towns along the route was fantastic. Well worth doing, highly recommended.

Vivienne23

I just booked a hotel with free cancellation just incase 397 for premier inn Stratford , fly over Friday morning with ryanair and home Sunday I was thinking ,london is an expensive city to hang around in , would ye ship the bike over or fly with it ?

Thanks for the info

Gallant_JJ

Vivienne23 wrote: »

I just booked a hotel with free cancellation just incase 397 for premier inn Stratford , fly over Friday morning with ryanair and home Sunday I was thinking ,london is an expensive city to hang around in , would ye ship the bike over or fly with it ?

Thanks for the info

I drove over, IMO the most stress free option. Have a brother over there so was fortunate enough to be able to stay with him. Cycled the 30k or so from his house in to Olympic park on the morning of the cycle. Pretty cool cycling through the heart of London with hardly a sinner about.

rainbow kirby

Vivienne23 wrote: »

I just booked a hotel with free cancellation just incase 397 for premier inn Stratford , fly over Friday morning with ryanair and home Sunday I was thinking ,london is an expensive city to hang around in , would ye ship the bike over or fly with it ?

Thanks for the info

Should be around 40 quid each way to take a bike on Aer Lingus, not sure about Ryanair. I'd book sooner rather than later if you're going to fly with it because they can only take a certain number on each flight.

Marou

Vivienne23 wrote: »

I just booked a hotel with free cancellation just incase 397 for premier inn Stratford , fly over Friday morning with ryanair and home Sunday I was thinking ,london is an expensive city to hang around in , would ye ship the bike over or fly with it ?

Thanks for the info

I flew over with Ryanair to Stansted and got the National Express coach directly to Stratford. It was an extra €50 each way for the bike with Ryanair. Was a bit concerned that it would arrive in one piece but no problems at all with it. You will need to have it in a bike bag/box. If you don't have one yourself, I believe they can be rented out. You could also rent out a bike over there at the Excel Arena at registration but it's far better to have your own bike and know that it's set up correctly etc.

The cycle is on the Sunday so make sure you leave yourself enough time after the cycle to get back to the airport. You won't know your start time until closer to the event and it also does take a bit of time to get back to Stratford afterwards if you need to go back to the hotel. I stayed Saturday-Monday myself.

Vivienne23

Thanks lads going to look up the final instructions tonight ,

I'm fierce indecisive at the moment ,

I have a camper I was half thinking of maybe heading over and make a week out of it but I dunno would I get a site close enough to the event , it might be as easy fly over and rent that's a great point ,

Do the hotels allow the bikes in hotels over there ?

I will need somewhere close to the start line anyway coz my sense of direction is cat Id get lost 10 miles from home it would be a terror to miss the start point , the task of the logistics is daunting to me

Just out of interest did anyone get an actual confirmation email yet ?

How tough is the actual cycle in comparison to the ring of Kerry ? Have done it the last 2 years and have started training for this years but think if London is happening I'll be giving it a miss

Vivienne23

brianomc wrote: »

Looks like i'm in myself based on my registration not being cancelled. Here's the link to last years guide

http://www.prudentialridelondon.co.uk/Assets/London+Marathon+Digital+Assets/Prudential+RideLondon/Downloadable/Prudential-RideLondon-Surrey-100-Final-Instructions-2014.pdf

Haven't figured out how i'm getting there myself yet but I have friends in london I can hopefully stay with or family just outside london if that falls through

Just to let you know I rechecked that link for registration and my status has changed to approved ,

I also messaged ride London they said overseas entrants wouldn't get a confirmation email until the end of the month , not sure what they are waiting for !!
Payment opens tomorrow so if we get that we should be sorted

brianomc

Vivienne23 wrote: »

Just to let you know I rechecked that link for registration and my status has changed to approved ,

Same as me. Looks good

monkeyslayer

Half tempted to do this, got my approval today... 367 euros for ride, flights and bike transported at moment, probably stay with friends, would it be worth it?

rainbow kirby

Didn't get in. Boo-urns.

Doc07

Got in on the ballot, paid and got my confirmation email today.
Would happily consider teaming up with any other Boardsies heading over.

What do you reckon the odds are of renting a bike in London that weekend?
Reason for asking is transporting an 18 month old as well as a bike on Ryanair might be all a bit too much. Suppose I could drive the family and bike over if I can swing Friday-Monday.

sbs2010

Doc07 wrote: »

Got in on the ballot, paid and got my confirmation email today.
Would happily consider teaming up with any other Boardsies heading over.

What do you reckon the odds are of renting a bike in London that weekend?
Reason for asking is transporting an 18 month old as well as a bike on Ryanair might be all a bit too much. Suppose I could drive the family and bike over if I can swing Friday-Monday.

I got in. Might drive over but lots to consider.

It's our bank holiday weekend - I think - so that's good.

Vivienne23

I have hired a full carbon bike from British bike hire and helmet for 80 pounds , also the beauty is they take it off you at the finish line so you don't have to worry about carrying it when ur finished to where ur staying , I emailed them though and they said book as soon as possible as the events sell out quickly,

I have entry paid , hotel booked , bike hired so only flights left , booked into premier inn stratford , 500 euros for 3 nights but I'm only planning on doing this the once so might as well splash out ,

5 people from my locality got in looks like the overseas entrants got on well this year ,

My credit card is getting a fair hammering though ! It will be worth it

rainbow kirby

Overseas entrants getting on well at the expense of people who actually live here :mad:

AmberGold

I'm in also..

pazza

In too :-)

pazza

Any advice on logistics:
1. I have booked a hotel in Straford (Staybridge suites) from Saturday to Monday. I presume all hotels etc. will be fine with a bike in them? Just big luggage!
2. I am looking to see best way to get there (me & bike), and think that early flight on the Saturday to City airport with CityJet and early return flight on the Monday would work. I presume this would leave me enough time to register????
3. Transporting a bike - never done this, but looking at the airline website, it seems that you contact them after your booking and IF they have room they will take the bike. Wrong way round as far as this trip is concerned, I need to be sure that the bike is coming! Am I reading this correctly? Any advice on how to fly with bike?
4. I don't havce a box or bag - any advice on how best to pack my bike for flying?
Thanks in advance :-)

Yarisbob

Got in as well ....! Dont know where it starts or where the route is.. Or how to get there and back.

I can get a bike box from a friend.

Bike, Bus , Plane, Bus , Hotel and start.

Disorganised as usual !!

sbs2010

If you're flying aerligus what I suggest is phone the customer service and ask if there are Bike spaces On the flights you want. Have your browser open and Be ready to book.

Ask the operator to wait a minute on the line while you book yourself in. Then give them your booking refs and book the bike.

That's what I did a couple of years ago and worked fine. Don't know how Ryanair do it.

Overall though it's hassle - worrying about the bike, maybe extra weight charges etc. Worth it for a good event though.

gaffmaster

Hi All,

I live on the route now, and didn't get in. Despite entering twice; once with my name in English and once with my name in Irish. The speculative side of me feels as though they prefer to give places to people who will inject tourism cash into the economy.

So I'm wondering if any successful ballot winners who don't want their place would be willing to pass it on to me. A friend of mine will be coming over for it, so I'd be very grateful if I could join him instead of just being hugely jealous of him.

Watched the event whizz past last year. It looked great despite the rain. I hope you all really enjoy it. I cycled some of the Olympic route on another sportive last summer and it was great.

Marou

gaffmaster wrote: »

Hi All,

I live on the route now, and didn't get in. Despite entering twice; once with my name in English and once with my name in Irish. The speculative side of me feels as though they prefer to give places to people who will inject tourism cash into the economy.

So I'm wondering if any successful ballot winners who don't want their place would be willing to pass it on to me. A friend of mine will be coming over for it, so I'd be very grateful if I could join him instead of just being hugely jealous of him.

Watched the event whizz past last year. It looked great despite the rain. I hope you all really enjoy it. I cycled some of the Olympic route on another sportive last summer and it was great.

You should put down an Irish address next year and see how you get on. I've applied twice and have been successful twice. They don't post anything to overseas entrants, everything is handled through email so you won't miss anything in the post.

pazza

gaffmaster wrote: »

Hi All,

I live on the route now, and didn't get in. Despite entering twice; once with my name in English and once with my name in Irish. The speculative side of me feels as though they prefer to give places to people who will inject tourism cash into the economy.

So I'm wondering if any successful ballot winners who don't want their place would be willing to pass it on to me. A friend of mine will be coming over for it, so I'd be very grateful if I could join him instead of just being hugely jealous of him.

Watched the event whizz past last year. It looked great despite the rain. I hope you all really enjoy it. I cycled some of the Olympic route on another sportive last summer and it was great.

Email today from the Prudential RideLondon team - if any use you could look to ride for one of the charities....content as follows:

PS. If you have family and friends who didn’t secure a ballot place, there are still ways they can ride the sportive. Hundreds of charities have guaranteed entries in the event and are looking for riders to tackle the sportive and fundraise for them. Visit our charity listings to find out more. Teams of four can also tackle the 100-mile challenge in our Peloton Relay – find out more here

sbs2010

Hi all

Can anyone who's paid up tell me how much the entry fee was?

It looks like it's gone from £58 to £85 for me. That sound right?

ckeego

sbs2010 wrote: »

Hi all

Can anyone who's paid up tell me how much the entry fee was?

It looks like it's gone from £58 to £85 for me. That sound right?

The same thing seems to have happened to my application..

It seems like a mandatory "donation"..

Marty13

Hi folks, new to this but trying to solve a problem common to us all. Did the Pru last year, travelling over by car with the bikes in the boot. Shocking weather but didn't dampen the experience. Loved every minute of it, two punctures and all!

Anyway, it was quite the pain having to do the drive over and back so this year I've looked into getting a guy to bring it over in a van. I should also mention that there are 8 of us going in our group but there is likely to be space in the van for a few more bikes if this is something that interests any of you. The big benefit for us is the more bikes we get into the van, the cheaper it is per bike. The van would also bring gear bags etc. All going to plan, we will fly over and meet the van at an agreed point in London (probably registration in the ExCel). Same plan for after the cycle, meet at an agreed point and the van will bring the bikes home.

Also can highly recommend the Marriott on West India Quay for accommodation. Stayed there last year and it was remarkable the effort they went to for the cyclists. Special breakfast, bike parking, bike mechanic on duty the day before and morning of, jellies and bottled water in the rooms. All very slick. Doing it again this year.

Anyway, if the transport option is something that might solve a problem for a few, let me know! Happy training!

pazza

Marty13 wrote: »

Hi folks, new to this but trying to solve a problem common to us all. Did the Pru last year, travelling over by car with the bikes in the boot. Shocking weather but didn't dampen the experience. Loved every minute of it, two punctures and all!

Anyway, it was quite the pain having to do the drive over and back so this year I've looked into getting a guy to bring it over in a van. I should also mention that there are 8 of us going in our group but there is likely to be space in the van for a few more bikes if this is something that interests any of you. The big benefit for us is the more bikes we get into the van, the cheaper it is per bike. The van would also bring gear bags etc. All going to plan, we will fly over and meet the van at an agreed point in London (probably registration in the ExCel). Same plan for after the cycle, meet at an agreed point and the van will bring the bikes home.

Also can highly recommend the Marriott on West India Quay for accommodation. Stayed there last year and it was remarkable the effort they went to for the cyclists. Special breakfast, bike parking, bike mechanic on duty the day before and morning of, jellies and bottled water in the rooms. All very slick. Doing it again this year.

Anyway, if the transport option is something that might solve a problem for a few, let me know! Happy training!

Marty - this sounds like a brillain idea? I would be interested in this, as I have not solved my travel dilema yet (have accom booked, but split between attmepting to fly/hire or ferry/train). Can you PM me to provide contact to review this option. thanks

Geoff_Rooney

Hi all. I'm doing this event and will be travelling over from Dublin. Hope to travel on the Thursday evening. Is there still a group looking to get a van to go over?

pazza

Hi Geoff - I didn't hear anything abck on this, I have since booked flight and bike hire there!

Doc07

Marty13 wrote: »

Hi folks, new to this but trying to solve a problem common to us all. Did the Pru last year, travelling over by car with the bikes in the boot. Shocking weather but didn't dampen the experience. Loved every minute of it, two punctures and all!

Anyway, it was quite the pain having to do the drive over and back so this year I've looked into getting a guy to bring it over in a van. I should also mention that there are 8 of us going in our group but there is likely to be space in the van for a few more bikes if this is something that interests any of you. The big benefit for us is the more bikes we get into the van, the cheaper it is per bike. The van would also bring gear bags etc. All going to plan, we will fly over and meet the van at an agreed point in London (probably registration in the ExCel). Same plan for after the cycle, meet at an agreed point and the van will bring the bikes home.

Also can highly recommend the Marriott on West India Quay for accommodation. Stayed there last year and it was remarkable the effort they went to for the cyclists. Special breakfast, bike parking, bike mechanic on duty the day before and morning of, jellies and bottled water in the rooms. All very slick. Doing it again this year.

Anyway, if the transport option is something that might solve a problem for a few, let me know! Happy training!

Any room left in the van?

Marty13

Doc07 wrote: »

Any room left in the van?

Hey Doc07, yeah, there is room in the van. Do you want to PM me with your details?

gaffmaster

Anyone else take part in this yesterday?

It was a very enjoyable sportive. Weather was brilliant. Route was well marshalled. I especially enjoyed riding through the closed roads of London city.

I started late, and the food stops had run out of food. There were plenty of gels to go around, but they're nauseating after a while. This is the only real negative about it. Nothing beats the Ring of Kerry for tae and sangwidges.

On a serious and very sad note. A participant suffered a heart attack near the bottom of Leith Hill and passed away despite the best efforts of medics. Article here. May he rest in peace.

christy02

Sounds great. Anyone know when the entries open for next year?

Mercian Pro

It does sound great and very well organised. It would be nice to think that those involved with the Great Dublin Bike Ride and the ROK were over in London picking up tips such as the staged start times.

gaffmaster

"The public ballot entry system for the 2016 RideLondon-Surrey 100 will open to all applicants at www.RideLondon.co.uk on Monday 10 August 2015. The ballot will close on Monday 8 January 2016 or when 100,000 registrations have been received – whichever is earlier."

The date for next year's Ride London is July 31st 2016.

Doc07

Very enjoyable. Excellent logistics from the organisers. Definitely recommend it. It's not as much of a physical challenge like WW200 but very memorable from the huge numbers , closed roads and crowds cheering. Also very fast if you want it to be. I was an hour faster than what I would do at an Irish Sportive and that's even allowing for an extra stop for Icecream after Box hill.

I was a little worried about the massive crowds but in general people were well behaved apart from a few 'hero' descenders.

pazza

Yea, was a super event. Was also held up on Leith Hill - the poor man, after doing the free cycle with his wife and children the day before - very sad.

Logistically - it was amazing, although in the "pen" like sheet for almost an hour before was not ideal, but I suppose with the numbers they had was probably unavoidable.

The crowds that turned out were brilliant - their support was really great - although I was very tempted a few times to stop and ask for a burger with the constant smells of bbq's - especially as I was a late starter and all the food was gone.

In terms of progress, as I was a late starter the roads were all very busy (especially the hills) and had to slow (I know it wasn't a race, but it was timed, so wanted a nice time).

The main highs for me were 1) Quality of roads - would love to get some of them over here, I could climb Box Hill all day on that surface, 2) The weather, 'nuff said and 3) The support all along the route, and lastly 4) what about that finish - to cycle up the mall was cool.

vektarman

Ballot entries are now open for next years event, bit of a difference in entry fee though, £58 for UK residents as opposed to £85 for overseas entries.

The Buster

Dragging up a old thread but looking for feedback who did this previously

Four of us heading over to do 100 mile. One of our group was sick a few weeks and is back into training tomorrow. She is worried about not having legs for the distance and hills! Looking at the map there appear to to be one or two places where you can take 10 miles out and/or avoid the larger climbs.

My question is are any alternative routes signposted to cut out small sections. I think she will manage it but would be nice to know there is alternative if she is struggling

Thanks

gaffmaster

Doing it again myself this year.

Last year, I didn't notice any signed shortcuts. To be honest, once you get down to the Surrey hills, it's fairly lumpy whichever way you go. I think Leith hill is probably the toughest section of the whole route. It's also the most skippable part. I haven't been on this road or anything, so I've no idea what this its like, but you could go from Abinger Hammer to Westcott, and skip Leith Hill. https://goo.gl/maps/5GBJSzxAsmG2

Box Hill is harder to skip because of the lay of the land.

Tell your friend not to worry, she'll be grand. It's a busy sportive on entirely closed roads, which should generate enough buzz get her through the full route. A whole month away too! Loads of time to train. Or get a motor shoved into the downtube.