MITIE London Revolution last weekend
Discussion
Hi chaps,
Anyone take part in the London Revolution last weekend? Two day Sportive, 100 miles first day, starting in Enfield, down through London, looping towards Surrey Hills and up to Ascot, camping over night at Ascot Racecourse followed by 89 miles on Sunday back up to Princess Risborough over the top of London back into Enfield. 2000 riders over the weekend.
Was really epic riding, London was interesting, fist time I've ridden there, stop start was frustrating but good to tick off. Rest of the route was fantastic, some great climbs and really good views. Organisation from the London Revolution team was fantastic, as was the support from Halfords mechanics along the route. Weather couldn't have been better and have some interesting tan lines to prove it.
First time I've done 100 miler let alone getting back on for 89 miles the second day. Took it relatively easy and enjoyed it rather than kill myself to get round. Backside was feeling it on Sunday though.
Anyone else take part?
Cheers
Graham
Anyone take part in the London Revolution last weekend? Two day Sportive, 100 miles first day, starting in Enfield, down through London, looping towards Surrey Hills and up to Ascot, camping over night at Ascot Racecourse followed by 89 miles on Sunday back up to Princess Risborough over the top of London back into Enfield. 2000 riders over the weekend.
Was really epic riding, London was interesting, fist time I've ridden there, stop start was frustrating but good to tick off. Rest of the route was fantastic, some great climbs and really good views. Organisation from the London Revolution team was fantastic, as was the support from Halfords mechanics along the route. Weather couldn't have been better and have some interesting tan lines to prove it.
First time I've done 100 miler let alone getting back on for 89 miles the second day. Took it relatively easy and enjoyed it rather than kill myself to get round. Backside was feeling it on Sunday though.
Anyone else take part?
Cheers
Graham
Yes I did it. Was riding as part of Team Dulux.
Really well organised event, however not sure I'd do it again. The first section through London was awful. The rest of the day in Surrey was ok - I live there so all very familiar.
Terrible night's sleep but I guess that was the same for everyone.
Best for me was day two after the first pit stop - lovely rolling and fast routes. Last few miles back through town took the edge off though.
I thought some of the descents were very dodgy - narrow and tight with loads of loose gravel and potholes. Got held up at the big Oxted crash and was surprised I didn't see more.
Really well organised event, however not sure I'd do it again. The first section through London was awful. The rest of the day in Surrey was ok - I live there so all very familiar.
Terrible night's sleep but I guess that was the same for everyone.
Best for me was day two after the first pit stop - lovely rolling and fast routes. Last few miles back through town took the edge off though.
I thought some of the descents were very dodgy - narrow and tight with loads of loose gravel and potholes. Got held up at the big Oxted crash and was surprised I didn't see more.
Edited by option click on Tuesday 19th May 19:50
I really enjoyed it although other than a Wiggle New Forest Sportive I've not really got anything to compare it against. Agree London was a bit of a pain although I kind of expected that, was a bit disappointed the route didn't wind around some of the other sites. Other than that quite enjoyed the rest of it but can understand if it's familiar cycling territory then it wouldn't be the same. As you say second day after the first food stop was excellent.
I must have started later than you, didn't see the crash but was warned to take it easy by the police bikes and noticed the ambulance near the bottom. Assume someone went over at speed, nasty.
Like you didn't get any sleep in the tent. I was so knackered I thought i'd crash straight out but we were in the Yellow section near the road and the Ascot boy racers had other ideas! That and I was full of man flu. Think I got about 4 hours kip in the end.
Still all in, definitely enjoyed it. Some roads I've marked to return to as well as looked to be great cycling to be had.
Any other sportive's you prefer? Would be great to get some recommendations?
Cheers
Graham
I must have started later than you, didn't see the crash but was warned to take it easy by the police bikes and noticed the ambulance near the bottom. Assume someone went over at speed, nasty.
Like you didn't get any sleep in the tent. I was so knackered I thought i'd crash straight out but we were in the Yellow section near the road and the Ascot boy racers had other ideas! That and I was full of man flu. Think I got about 4 hours kip in the end.
Still all in, definitely enjoyed it. Some roads I've marked to return to as well as looked to be great cycling to be had.
Any other sportive's you prefer? Would be great to get some recommendations?
Cheers
Graham
In terms of good sportives, the best ones I've ridden have been over in France/Belgium.
Paris > Roubaix and the Ronde Van Vlaanderen both excellent - well organised with a great atmosphere.
RideLondon worth doing for the experience of riding London on closed roads, but you have to put up with some atrocious riding - I'll be doing it for the third and final time this year.
Paris > Roubaix and the Ronde Van Vlaanderen both excellent - well organised with a great atmosphere.
RideLondon worth doing for the experience of riding London on closed roads, but you have to put up with some atrocious riding - I'll be doing it for the third and final time this year.
I rode as one of the official Chaperones. You do get a huge mix of abilities on this event which can lead to 'interesting' riding standards, but one of the main points of us being there is to guide some of the less experienced riders in to better habits. Getting out of London was a bit of a pain, but trust me (and if you've ridden it before you'll know) it was far easier than the old reverse route, getting through the city on a Sunday afternoon.
As for camping, it's one of those things - ear plugs and an eye mask work wonders!
As for camping, it's one of those things - ear plugs and an eye mask work wonders!
Only rode with one chaperone briefly on the Sunday before pulling away from the group we were with. He was excellent, making sure everyone was okay and trying to keep us working together as a group. Would have been nice to see a few more along the way, not sure how many there were?
As it's only my second Sportive when you say 'interesting' riding, what do you mean? Good to learn what I should/shouldn't be doing!!
As it's only my second Sportive when you say 'interesting' riding, what do you mean? Good to learn what I should/shouldn't be doing!!
Me and the other half did it for the second time, enjoyed it, although I don't think the atmosphere was as friendly as last year. Very well organised though.
There seemed to be more pro riders there, I found some of them a bit of a pain in the arse as when they pass they cut you up, forcing me over the pot holes at times.
I saw the chap on the road on tanridge hill, the air ambulance had just landed, anyone know how he is?
There seemed to be more pro riders there, I found some of them a bit of a pain in the arse as when they pass they cut you up, forcing me over the pot holes at times.
I saw the chap on the road on tanridge hill, the air ambulance had just landed, anyone know how he is?
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