Ride London 2019

[ukbabz]

Looks like the ballot is now open, who's putting their names in the hat this year?

Figured I'd give it a go as the closed roads looks fun (hopefully no rain next year!)

[Roastie ITR]

Yeah I'll be putting my name in the hat to see if I can get a place this year. I was lucky to be able get into the ballot in 2016 & 2017, but not so lucky this year.

[lufbramatt]

Ahh yes thanks for reminding me....

[RickRolled]

Didn't get this in this year, hopefully 2019 will be different.

[Daveyraveygravey]

Entered the ballot again as in every year so far. I did the first two years with charity places, and as much as I love the event, I can't keep asking friends and family to help me get in.

[yellowjack]

Aaaaaaafuggit!

I said I wouldn't bother again, didn't enter the last two ballots either. But this whole summer has been written off for me by a broken leg on May 19th. It'll be at least September before my surgeon will let me walk without crutches again.

So I've entered the ballot for a 2019 place. If I get in it'll be a good goal to have, something to build toward. If I'm not fit to ride it by next August/when it comes time to pay up, I'll hand my place back and just accept that I'm never going to officially ride this event. I've jumped onto the route a couple of times and ridden the bulk of it, but only after the roads re-opened to traffic after the pro race.

[Rich_W]

3 work friends were inspired to do it after seeing myself do it this year.

I've entered the ballot with an aim to going round with them. But if I don't get in, c'est la vie. I did it this year for Tommys so wouldn't do charity raising next year. Don't think its fair to keep asking

[R1gtr]

Put my name down for this, any way to guarantee a place without having to raise an huge amount of money? I have had plenty of sponsorship of friends and family for previous events so would feel cheeky asking again

[Benmac]

R1gtr said:

Put my name down for this, any way to guarantee a place without having to raise an huge amount of money? I have had plenty of sponsorship of friends and family for previous events so would feel cheeky asking again

Only via the "it's not what you know it's who you know" routes - i.e. if you can find someone involved in the organisation or one of the sponsoring organisations there are usually guaranteed places that can be had. It's how I've done it most times I've ridden it

[R1gtr]

Benmac said:

R1gtr said:

Put my name down for this, any way to guarantee a place without having to raise an huge amount of money? I have had plenty of sponsorship of friends and family for previous events so would feel cheeky asking again

Only via the "it's not what you know it's who you know" routes - i.e. if you can find someone involved in the organisation or one of the sponsoring organisations there are usually guaranteed places that can be had. It's how I've done it most times I've ridden it

Thanks for the reply, will have a look through the associated charities and see if I know anyone involved in any other them. Thanks for the tip, I think it would be great to ride round London on car free roads.

[bakerstreet]

I've just entered. Rode it this year under a very cheap charity space this year and got in on the ballot in 2016.

Unsure I will do it under charity space again. The Logistics are just such a headache and there are other 100 mile events out there.

Its a great ride if the weather is decent.

[lufbramatt]

I've entered the ballot. My sister lives in Bow, 5 min ride to the start which makes the logistics a bit easier. Her brother in law used her flat for the same thing last year

[Rich_W]

R1gtr said:

Put my name down for this, any way to guarantee a place without having to raise an huge amount of money? I have had plenty of sponsorship of friends and family for previous events so would feel cheeky asking again

Define a "huge amount"

Oxfam wanted £50 or so to help their employees help the sex workers in war torn countries! Red Cross was circa £100


Most charities wanted £350 or so, but some get jumpy a couple months out when they haven't filled places, so offer "no minimum" options. (As was the case with Tommy's for me)

bakerstreet said:

... The Logistics are just such a headache ....

I think the issue is partly down to them not explaining it properly.

Now I've done it once, it makes sense, but the instructions in the magazine were lacking a few details which could have made a difference.

[gl20]

Just entered ballot now. 2018 was my first year but went straight for a charity spot. £2.5k from friends and colleagues so can't do that again. What's the cheapest of the charity places if/when I don't get in through the ballot? I know Oxfam was cheap last year but I don't see them on there this year.

[flight147z]

I'm in the ballot

Never managed to get a spot before

[CooperS]

Ballot entries have failed each year.

Colleague went this year and he didn't rate it especially as he saw one or two accidents caused by public crossing roads colliding with riders.

I've only done closed road rides in Scotland and loved the events. But I think Scotland is better riding country than Surrey / Hampshire anyway.

[Dannbodge]

Not bothering this year.
Tried 4 times and had 4 rejections.

[bakerstreet]

Rich_W said:

I think the issue is partly down to them not explaining it properly.

Now I've done it once, it makes sense, but the instructions in the magazine were lacking a few details which could have made a difference.

I don't blame them for my logistical challenges in getting to the start line. I think they have some work

I live approximately 36 miles from the start line and 1.4 miles from a station. I commute into London every day, so that doesn't cause me stress and confusion, but to riders who don't I can see that being a factor. You also have riders cycling round central London who are clearly not commuters. They are a hazard to them selves and others!

Anyways

Trains were not running early enough, so that was out.
I could drive to where our ‘Team Captain’ office was and park up. Working back, I realised I was going to have to leave my house at around 0230 and I would be crossing several closed roads areas and I felt that this could get stressful very quickly as I didn’t want to miss my wave.
My wife kindly offered to drive me to a drop off point, but we have a 3 ½ yr old and 7 month old and I just felt that was unfair. Also, I was grateful she had let me even ride the event.
I decided on a shabby hotel 2 miles from the start line. This cost me £40 and netted me a couple more hours sleep, but it still involved an hour cycling through London the night before and two hours on the bike following the end of Ride London (To get my bag from the hotel)

After 6hrs on the bike in the rain that 1hr 50 retrun trip to the hotel was pretty uncomfortable. Bag weighed a lot too.

I’ve taken note of that Oxfam gig though and I might be tempted with that.

However, due to few errors on the part of team captain I rode the entire ride on my own in a supposed team of 19. It was a stark reality that I’m just not enjoying riding on my own anymore. I got home and joined a proper cycling club. My first ride with with them is the 19th and I hope that Sunday club rides will become and regular part of my life.

[Marcellus]

tbh i think unless you're a very tight team it's actually quite difficult to ride these sorts of events "as a team".

Last year the guys I usually ride with all rode ToC, Cardiff and London on our own and all were within 90seconds of each other so for Birmingham we decided to ride together and all the differences we see every week on the clubs rides were amplified on the flat/undulations they couldn't hold my wheel and on the climbs my elastic to them snapped, usually not an issue as the stronger one eases so the weaker can stay with them, but on a "closed road timed event" whilst the intent of "we'll ride together" was there as we were all trying to chase our personal goals I was inclined to push on on the flats/undulations knowing I would lose it on the climbs, they were quite happy not to push knowing they'd make it up on the climbs. after about 10 miles we agreed not to ride as a "team" and all went to our own pace....... net result we all finished within 2 minutes of each other!

[alfabadass]

Can't be arsed with a ballot, entered 3 ballots and have never got in that way...used a charity place in 2016 and was given a guaranteed place last year due to the disruption in 2016! Back pain this year meant it was best to sit it out.

Just registered for a Charity place with Tommys. Free entry and £400 target. Can't say fairer than that. Will probably throw in £100 so only have to raise £300