[Closed] Ride London 100: what do I need to know?

When I did it I parked at the O2 and rode to the start. Was pretty cool riding through the Blackwall Tunnel (closed to cars).

Had looked at hotels and Airbnb but they were either booked or expensive. Also would have needed special arrangements to leave the car after the official checkout time.

I think there were other set parking areas, but not 100% sure. One thing to watch, from the O2 to the start it was nicely signposted. But from the finish on the Mall you're on your own!

You should get a 'confirm your travel arrangements' email from the organisers shortly. As part of this you should be able to pre-book and pay for a parking space (we have done it twice and had a place in a NCP). Depending on which direction you're coming from there should be a suitable car park. Don't underestimate the amount of time it will take to ride to the start, loads of people trying to do the same, plenty of roads still open to traffic and many numties on two wheels that don't have a clue. Many numties during the event too, don't expect anyone to actually look over their shoulder before deciding to swerve across the road.

Make sure you plan your way back to where you parked the car, you last saw it at silly-o'clock in the morning and you probably won't have any real idea of where you left it. And you're back on open roads too which will come as a bit of a shock.

Enjoy!

I stayed at a lovely air bnb near Victoria park which had free on Street parking at weekends. 2 mile ride to the start. Ride back from the finish would have been another 7 but we did it in the tube which was a mistake.

Didn't feel much like driving afterwards to be honest but it was my first 100 and we'd been out all day. You spend a lot of time waiting for your start slot so the day is much longer than your average 100.

Some other points - ride safely, expect the unexpected (weaving and swerving) and don't be a dick yourself - it isn't a race and there are a lot of riders out there who don't regularly ride in groups / at speed. You don't get a prize for a fast time, and you certainly don't get one in A&E at the Royal Surrey County. There are ride marshalls out there (some guys from my club do it, among others) and they are experienced riders trying to get a lot of people round safely, if they ask you to modify your behaviour, don't tell them to **** off.

And also a lot of residents will have their day disrupted by your road closures, Most 'don't mind' and will turn out to wave and cheer, give them something back by thanking some of them for turning out - and please don't use their front garden/our local roads as a bin for your empty gel wrappers.

A mate did it a couple of times. Once in the rain, there were so many punctures the bike shops on route ran out.

If it rains take a couple of tubes and co2.

first 50 miles are rapid. don't blow up. second 50 miles are just quick (there's 5 real hills and only 2 of those are any length really. it's good fun though blasting through London on closed roads but as above people (especially at feed stations) tend to just turn across the road at the last minute so watch out for that. some of the descents are super fast but again be aware of people who aren't so confident.

best to stay in London the night before as the start is early and its a bit awkward to get to. takes a while to start (you'll be in the queue for ages) so bring a layer to wear.

have fun

If you book one of the NCP car parks, make sure you check out google street view to find out _exactly_ where it is.

After getting up at 3am, I ended up in Whitechapel driving round the block a few times until I saw the NCP car park was through an archway in a terrace of shops with a tiny sign inside the arch!

Also, I drove in through the west end, they were closing the roads off pretty much after I drove through.

Once you get going, enjoy the closed roads and remember to keep eating. Road biking is less effort than mountain biking but if you don't eat you'll bonk after 2 hours. You'll be fine 🙂

If you’re coming from the south parking at the o2 is a good option, well organised and as mentioned you get to cycle the Blackwall Tunnel which is fun. I think if you book early enough there is a river boat option to get back; I cycled to the cable car station (Airline) and took that back over the river which was also quite cool.

And also a lot of residents will have their day disrupted by your road closures, Most ‘don’t mind’ and will turn out to wave and cheer, give them something back by thanking some of them for turning out

Having done it twice, the support from the public and the interraction/banter with them is one of the things that makes the day. It gives it a really nice feel. The more this can be encouraged by the riders the better. Kids especially like it if you high five them as you're riding along 🙂

Also expect not to be able to power up some of the hills and to be very cautious on the way down some of the higher speed descents.

Really enjoyed it when I did it.

Finding the start is pretty easy, it's all well signed and there'll be thousands of riders going up there. Once at the lorries (to drop your kit bag off) you'll be waiting a LONG time to get to your start pen, be held there, briefed etc before actually starting. Its worth buying a cheap jumper or jacket from a charity shop and wearing that, then just ditching it on the start line. I did it last year - best £2 I'd ever spent as it was bloody cold at 5am sitting around! Everyone in their best racy lycra and me in a big knitted jumper! I was much warmer.  🙂

Take some cash - there's plenty of vans & kiosks serving coffee and various breakfast options. It's also worth taking some loo roll. There are a lot of portaloos dotted around the place and you'll invariably need one 10 minutes before the start so again, half a roll of toilet paper that you just leave in there afterwards.

Getting back - the sudden shock of being on open roads (often with some massively pissed off cab drivers as they can't access half of town...) takes a bit of getting used to. Put a map of the Cycle Superhighways or an A-Z in your kit bag to refer to afterwards and if you don't know London make sure you've got a route plotted back to wherever you stayed / parked. Try riding it if at all possible; public transport with a bike is horrendous.

You need to pick up all your registration stuff on the Friday or Saturday before the event, you cannot do it on the day so factor in a trip up to Excel (Docklands) to do that. It's actually not bad, there's the opportunity to buy various last-minute bits and pieces, have a massage and it's an easy enough journey on DLR or the tube & cable car.

It's a VERY fast course - the early starters will usually do it in sub 4hrs so whatever time you've done 100 miles in before (normal Sportive, open roads), drop at least an hour off it. Last time I did just over 4hrs with no stops at all, the year before was slightly longer as I had to stop for a toilet break and lost the group I was in.

Stayed here:  https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/7929089 looks like it's still available for the weekend too.

If you do book with her tell her that Mags and Martin who did Ride London last year recommended it. There's local restaurants for a nice meal the evening before too.

Also done it twice, 2014 and 2016.

It is awesome, but can be carnage toward the middle/back end - combination of nobbers in low-rent bike club chain gangs thinking they are doing a Grand Tour team time trial, nervous/inexperienced riders not used to riding in groups at speed/etc.

32 people were taken to hospital during the 2016 event, and two died as a result. a couple i saw who had either hit street furniture and/or come off at speed were a right mess.

However, the first 40-50 miles are awesome, the middle bit through Surrey Hills can be a bit stop-start as riders bunch up behind people crashing/stopping to walk/etc. The last 10 miles (from the top of Wimbledon hill) back into London is also awesome.

I live fairly close - Bromley borough - so parked at the O2 and rode through the Blackwall tunnel to the start. There is a lot of hanging about at the beginning so the advice above re - toilet rolls etc is all good.

If you take the attitude that everyone else is a muppet with no spacial awareness, who is likely to cut in front of you at any time with no warning then you'll be fine.

I got a place through the ballot this year but blew it out as got a lot else on - i'll apply again as i loved it and will do it again.

I found the first 50 miles fun until some idiot thought cutting into a line and hooking his bars round mine was a good idea and we both wiped out.

Knackered my helmet, saddle and left shifter so I phoned a friend.

As people have said, it’s fast and there is a huge mix of abilities. Lots of guys who think they are Chris Froome but don’t have a clue what they are up to weaving in and out at a moments notice. It’s like they’ve never even seen a road before never mind cycled in a group. Bizarre.

I stayed over in London Air BnB. Made it much easier.

Road biking is less effort than mountain biking?!? Eh? What??

Must not bite...must not bite......

This is also my first time.  Fortunately I live a mile from the Olympic park so logistics will be easy .  I put 5:30 for estimated time (hoping to go faster!).  Will be wearing HSBC kit and riding a red Arkose - say hi in the unlikely event you see me!

I will do a recce ride soon if anyone fancies joining! (Despite living in London 5 years I've done very little road riding down there)

Don’t do what most people do - book an NCP, stick the bikes on the roof and then cause a huge tailback while you remove them at the height restriction.

The ride itself is good fun and fast, there’s always a train to latch on to if you want to catch a tow. The peloton effect is huge at the start, you’ll fly through central London. Just keep your wits about you as other people don’t and if the Marshalls tell you something take heed, it’s for your own good.

Did it last year.  Learned a lot from the experience:

- Box Hill isn’t a real hill (I’m Scottish, we have real hills)

- Leith Hill is a real hill, but unless you get there early it’s a bit mental with people jumping off bikes right in front of you to walk and everyone shouting at everyone else.

- if you’re not a club riding roadie, its a good idea to learn the signals before hand.  There were a lot of club riding groups chainganging.  Newer, more nervous riders tended to stick to the left, particularly on descents.  Club riders chain ganged everywhere, so if you got stuck in between, it got hard to pull out without getting taken out by them.  They wouldn’t give way.

- many of the participants were not fast descenders, if you are stay to the right

- kill as much of it as you can before stopping

- fuel it properly

Last year was my first time, I loved it mostly but it did remind me how much you need (should) concentrate in a road race. My top tips:

1. Lots of people out there with varying levels of skill/ awareness.

2. Plan ahead, know where your staying, where your parking, what food you're taking etc a few days before.

3. Take loo roll with you for start line poo

4. Run tubelss or get inner tubes with removable valve cores and stick some sealant in (works for me)

5. Don't drink half a bottle of wine, two beers and two do me whiskeys the night before. I did and it's embarssing puking charging through London at 30mph

6. Enjoy it. Ridjng through London with no traffic is a joy, the sights are great and everyone is really friendly and supportive