RideLondon 2024
Discussion
I've only ever done the original route, and I enjoyed it BUT I got myself into an early wave so I didn't get affected by too much congestion, and so got a good pace on and made the most of the closed roads. I know too many people that can normally ride at a decent pace but were well over 5 hours due to congestion, thats frustrating to say nothing of increasing the danger.
I've not bothered for a few years as it difficult to get a place unless you pay Brewsters for a charity place, and thus it becomes poor value for money.
As for the difficulty, obviously 100 miles is a chunk more difficult than 60, but if you can do the 60 easily, you won't struggle with the 100.
I've done several one-day events of over 300km, some unto 370km - I've never cycled more than 200km aside from on those specifics events As long as you know your body, your performance and fuel/drink well, anything is possible.
I've not bothered for a few years as it difficult to get a place unless you pay Brewsters for a charity place, and thus it becomes poor value for money.
As for the difficulty, obviously 100 miles is a chunk more difficult than 60, but if you can do the 60 easily, you won't struggle with the 100.
I've done several one-day events of over 300km, some unto 370km - I've never cycled more than 200km aside from on those specifics events As long as you know your body, your performance and fuel/drink well, anything is possible.
I’ve entered having done the original route in 2018 and the new route the first time it ran which was last year.
Yes, the old route was more interesting. I’d also note that the whole thing feels a bit more low key now in terms of level of organisation and what’s provided (e.g. where in the pre-covid event you were started in one of around 60 start groups with each one leaving the exact minute it was scheduled, last year it was about 8 groups and the day before the event they announced you could choose to leave at any time from or after your allotted time, leading to a lot of congestion at the back apparently. Similarly, what was provided at the stops was less than before. Various things like that.
But it’s still a closed road event that’s well attended and supported. When else will you get to go hurtling down a 3 lane motorway in the fast lane on a bike?! I’d not have rebooked if I’d not enjoyed it last time.
Re 60 v 100. You’ve done 60 in an event, now start working toward 60 on your own. If you can do that, then you can do 100 in an event. The new course doesn’t have anything particularly steep, more rolling hills, where old course had lots of flat and then some steep bits. Total overall climb is very similar.
Yes, the old route was more interesting. I’d also note that the whole thing feels a bit more low key now in terms of level of organisation and what’s provided (e.g. where in the pre-covid event you were started in one of around 60 start groups with each one leaving the exact minute it was scheduled, last year it was about 8 groups and the day before the event they announced you could choose to leave at any time from or after your allotted time, leading to a lot of congestion at the back apparently. Similarly, what was provided at the stops was less than before. Various things like that.
But it’s still a closed road event that’s well attended and supported. When else will you get to go hurtling down a 3 lane motorway in the fast lane on a bike?! I’d not have rebooked if I’d not enjoyed it last time.
Re 60 v 100. You’ve done 60 in an event, now start working toward 60 on your own. If you can do that, then you can do 100 in an event. The new course doesn’t have anything particularly steep, more rolling hills, where old course had lots of flat and then some steep bits. Total overall climb is very similar.
Did it this year for the first time, and my first 100 miler.
Loved it, and easier than I expected, there's not really any major hills though.
Considered it for next year, but work is already looking busy that weekend, and I'd like to do something slightly different cycling related. Will hopefully be back in 2025!
Loved it, and easier than I expected, there's not really any major hills though.
Considered it for next year, but work is already looking busy that weekend, and I'd like to do something slightly different cycling related. Will hopefully be back in 2025!
I did the London to Brighton last year and have managed to get a place for the London100 next year.
Question for those who have either done the route or done a 100 mile event...how far did you ride in training before the event? I.e. will I need to be able to do say 85 miles in training to be OK on the day or is it more like 60-70?
Question for those who have either done the route or done a 100 mile event...how far did you ride in training before the event? I.e. will I need to be able to do say 85 miles in training to be OK on the day or is it more like 60-70?
Alex/Tom
If you can do 70+, you should be fine doing 100 - route is reasonably flat with few very steep climbs
I did 80 last week along north wales coast(mainly flat), my only issue is my speed, or lack of it. Hopefully the event vibe will add a few extra mph…..
I think the reason it’s not as difficult to get a place is that it’s not seen as being as hard as the previous Surrey route, which included a couple of stiff climbs I think.
If you can do 70+, you should be fine doing 100 - route is reasonably flat with few very steep climbs
I did 80 last week along north wales coast(mainly flat), my only issue is my speed, or lack of it. Hopefully the event vibe will add a few extra mph…..
I think the reason it’s not as difficult to get a place is that it’s not seen as being as hard as the previous Surrey route, which included a couple of stiff climbs I think.
Damp Logs said:
And another reason is that the organisation wasn’t great last year - feed stations, marshals, finish line etc.
Biggest complaint was wooden medal, which was same regardless of distance - didn’t bother me
I’ve done it 2 years running and thought it was great. Fastest 100 miles you’ll ever do as it’s relatively flat, great fun jumping onto peletons and trying to hold on. I averaged 21.6 mph but usually can only do just over 18 on a 50 mile club run these days. I did it non stop as assumed feed stations would be too busy with such a large number of riders. 2x water bottles and a packet of fig rolls in my back pocket was enough to see me through.Biggest complaint was wooden medal, which was same regardless of distance - didn’t bother me
AlexHat said:
I did the London to Brighton last year and have managed to get a place for the London100 next year.
Question for those who have either done the route or done a 100 mile event...how far did you ride in training before the event? I.e. will I need to be able to do say 85 miles in training to be OK on the day or is it more like 60-70?
My longest ride ever prior to Ride London was 75 miles, and that was back in Spring 2020 when I found myself with a lot of free time...Question for those who have either done the route or done a 100 mile event...how far did you ride in training before the event? I.e. will I need to be able to do say 85 miles in training to be OK on the day or is it more like 60-70?
I was doing more like 40-50 mile rides in the build up to the event, but had no issues on the day. As previously said, it's pretty fast.
Usual rule of thumb is if you can do 60 solo you’re good for a century event like this.
As others have said you’ll be amazed at how much quicker you are. Last year, my fastest solo 60 miler a month before the event was 17mph average . On the day I managed my first sub 5 hour / 20 average (just! 4:59:55 at 100 mile point. Course was around 103miles). Lots of things contribute to this difference.
- Closed roads so you keep your momentum.
- Constant drafting effect without even trying.
- Probably much better tarmac than whatever you’re used to.
- the things you do for an event like this which you wouldn’t do on a Sunday run ie tapering ahead of the event and copious use of energy drinks and gels on the day.
- spectator encouragement.
As others have said you’ll be amazed at how much quicker you are. Last year, my fastest solo 60 miler a month before the event was 17mph average . On the day I managed my first sub 5 hour / 20 average (just! 4:59:55 at 100 mile point. Course was around 103miles). Lots of things contribute to this difference.
- Closed roads so you keep your momentum.
- Constant drafting effect without even trying.
- Probably much better tarmac than whatever you’re used to.
- the things you do for an event like this which you wouldn’t do on a Sunday run ie tapering ahead of the event and copious use of energy drinks and gels on the day.
- spectator encouragement.
It’s mostly the draft effect of all that really.
I’ve done it twice and averaged over 25mph both times on the Surrey course, the first event I did the run in to London from the top of Box Hill as a 3 up and the watts required to average a similar speed for that final 80-90 minutes were almost the exact amount more that drafting well in a big group saves (30-40%).
The second event I was far less fit and basically just sat in front group the whole event, basically no effort required. 250w for 4 hours.
I’ve done it twice and averaged over 25mph both times on the Surrey course, the first event I did the run in to London from the top of Box Hill as a 3 up and the watts required to average a similar speed for that final 80-90 minutes were almost the exact amount more that drafting well in a big group saves (30-40%).
The second event I was far less fit and basically just sat in front group the whole event, basically no effort required. 250w for 4 hours.
I’ve signed up through Alzheimer’s Society as we lost my Grandmother earlier this year following a long battle with dementia.
I’ve ridden 50-60 miles solo quite regularly and completed a charity ride from Leicester to Skegness last year which was 92 miles. Did it in 2021 as well, solo, took a different route which was 88 miles. So this will be my biggest ride ever. No idea what to expect, and currently no plan on how to get home as I have nobody who could come and get me from the finish line. I’ll figure it out somehow!
I’ve ridden 50-60 miles solo quite regularly and completed a charity ride from Leicester to Skegness last year which was 92 miles. Did it in 2021 as well, solo, took a different route which was 88 miles. So this will be my biggest ride ever. No idea what to expect, and currently no plan on how to get home as I have nobody who could come and get me from the finish line. I’ll figure it out somehow!
I did it this year - it's not the most inspiring course, but it's flat (and therefore an easy way to do the distance) and closed roads - so all good.
My top tip would be not to stop at the feed station at half way, the queues were silly, the food offerings poor / non exiatant and it just took a very long time - there's a bp petrol station with an M&S a few miles afterwards which is a way better option (a petrol station open on a closed road - so they knew what they were doing)
My top tip would be not to stop at the feed station at half way, the queues were silly, the food offerings poor / non exiatant and it just took a very long time - there's a bp petrol station with an M&S a few miles afterwards which is a way better option (a petrol station open on a closed road - so they knew what they were doing)
esuuv said:
I did it this year - it's not the most inspiring course, but it's flat (and therefore an easy way to do the distance) and closed roads - so all good.
My top tip would be not to stop at the feed station at half way, the queues were silly, the food offerings poor / non exiatant and it just took a very long time - there's a bp petrol station with an M&S a few miles afterwards which is a way better option (a petrol station open on a closed road - so they knew what they were doing)
I tend to do that with all big events. The Mallorca 312 is the worst for it. The feed stations are an abortion. I just about managed the first 2, then started stopping at air-conditioned cafes instead.My top tip would be not to stop at the feed station at half way, the queues were silly, the food offerings poor / non exiatant and it just took a very long time - there's a bp petrol station with an M&S a few miles afterwards which is a way better option (a petrol station open on a closed road - so they knew what they were doing)
The guys I went with got nothing. Queued then found the water had run out!
esuuv said:
I did it this year - it's not the most inspiring course, but it's flat (and therefore an easy way to do the distance) and closed roads - so all good.
My top tip would be not to stop at the feed station at half way, the queues were silly, the food offerings poor / non exiatant and it just took a very long time - there's a bp petrol station with an M&S a few miles afterwards which is a way better option (a petrol station open on a closed road - so they knew what they were doing)
Second that, I stopped at the one at the big school just after halfway, all I wanted to do was a quick toilet stop and fill up my water bottles. Took the best part of half an hour, not that I was in any particular rush. My top tip would be not to stop at the feed station at half way, the queues were silly, the food offerings poor / non exiatant and it just took a very long time - there's a bp petrol station with an M&S a few miles afterwards which is a way better option (a petrol station open on a closed road - so they knew what they were doing)
I just carried my own food, didn't need to get any extra.
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