- News
- Reviews
- Bikes
- Accessories
- Accessories - misc
- Computer mounts
- Bags
- Bar ends
- Bike bags & cases
- Bottle cages
- Bottles
- Cameras
- Car racks
- Child seats
- Computers
- Glasses
- GPS units
- Helmets
- Lights - front
- Lights - rear
- Lights - sets
- Locks
- Mirrors
- Mudguards
- Racks
- Pumps & CO2 inflators
- Puncture kits
- Reflectives
- Smart watches
- Stands and racks
- Trailers
- Clothing
- Components
- Bar tape & grips
- Bottom brackets
- Brake & gear cables
- Brake & STI levers
- Brake pads & spares
- Brakes
- Cassettes & freewheels
- Chains
- Chainsets & chainrings
- Derailleurs - front
- Derailleurs - rear
- Forks
- Gear levers & shifters
- Groupsets
- Handlebars & extensions
- Headsets
- Hubs
- Inner tubes
- Pedals
- Quick releases & skewers
- Saddles
- Seatposts
- Stems
- Wheels
- Tyres
- Health, fitness and nutrition
- Tools and workshop
- Miscellaneous
- Cross country mountain bikes
- Tubeless valves
- Buyers Guides
- Features
- Forum
- Recommends
- Podcast
Add new comment
66 comments
Everyone I know who said they could send the money to charity if they didn't get in, didn't get in. 2 years running. This could still happen randomly, and I don't doubt there's a random component. I looks bad though, and it does seem increasingly likely, to me, that donating money from missed ballot places excludes you from getting in.
I think that's pretty cheeky, and I'm really glad I didn't apply this year.
If you just turned up and rode the route, what could they do?
I know of 11 men and 7 women entered from my club. 4 Men got in and only 1 woman. So I’d say it was a random ballot.
Just reading this makes me laugh.
Anyone who deals with public complaints (and that used to be my job) knows that satisfied customers rarely comment. 99%+ of comments are from people that didn't get what they wanted.
The fundamental issue is that there are way more people wanting to ride than they can deal with. They'll be full up whatever happens. So why on earth would they want to create a headache for themselves by creating a labyrinthine selection process to pick certain people out for special treatment.
What's in it for them?
about riding along with the Ride.
My son and I wanted to watch the proper race at the top of Leith Hill as well as cheer on the Ride London charity event. We cycled out to Forest Green. We asked a cop about going on the road. He said fine. So we joined in for a couple of miles to get to to the top of Leith.
A couple of points.
1 I would not have even dreamed of taking advantage of any water or refreshments provided for the competitors.
2 We were fairly fresh we'd only done 20 or so miles that day and we are experienced cyclists. Zipping up Leith Hill is no big deal for us. My son was 17 and he was tempted to blast it but, bearing in mind we were interlopers, I said we'd just ride it nice and calmly and not get in anyone's way or make any one feel demoralized by having us just shoot by up the hill.
These were not rules imposed on us. We imposed them on ourselves out of respect. Then we stood at the top and cheered them all up and over. Older ladies on shoppingb style bikes and all. All kinds of bikes and all kinds of people.
If you can't respect that then start asking yourself a few questions.
2nd rejection for me too
On the subject of it being a public road, I'm pretty sure there's a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) for the event. This is what allows the roads to be closed. If you contravene a TRO you can get a Penalty Charge Notice and a fine. Although I think the law around this is mainly aimed at motor vehicles the wording mentions 'vehicles' and in the eyes of the law bicycles are vehicles. A TRO cannot block pedestrian access.
The thing that annoys me the most is that last year there were allegedly 20,000 places but the number of people actually taking part were much, much lower (15,833 according to http://www.prudentialridelondon.co.uk/News/Newsroom/2013_Remembered__s1_...). That means 1 in 5 places was not filled, which is scandalous considering how over subscribed the ballot was. When you understand how the places are allocated it seems a bit unfair. First of all only about half the places are actually available through the ballot. The other half are reservered for charities, sponsors, VIPs and corporate partners.
Quite a lot i suspect, not that i'd be really bothered but I suspect a lot would... ; )
I was unemployed for a while until April 13, so couldn't donate to charity when I signed up. I won a place in the ballot and landed a job in time to confirm my slot. Having heard all the comments about donations and charity slots (and the jerseys received for an event you don't get to ride) I didn't donate again this year, and I have got another slot. I've paid now so the money ends up in the right place, but it does see a bit odd you can keep paying and loosing out. Third time lucky.
I doubt there is much they could or would do about it when you're on wheels but you might generally be considered a knob.
Laminate a wee card up saying PRESS and stick that on your handlebars, that's bound to make the 1 day stewards think twice about questioning you.
I've done a few of these things that were full up with friends who couldn't get in joining the course a few miles in, and peeling away before the end.
Interesting.
And whats your thinking behind deciding that someone who wants to join in a group ride on public roads is a knob?
Its not a 'public' road, it is a closed road event with an entry fee to provide marshaling, mechanical support, timing, food and water stations and baggage transfers. If you want to ride 100 miles on an open road with traffic you can do that any time. Will said 'knobs' be stopping for free water and gels?
It requires explanation? I had intended to leave it as the witty one-liner it is and move on, but ok I'll bite...(briefly) IMHO people should respect the ride, the effort that goes into organising events like this and that fellow cyclists have paid hard earned cash to pay the fee to get in. I saw plenty of people who joined the course without bar numbers last year - left them to it because I am not generally a spoilsport but I reserve the right to believe they are knobs. Don't disrespect the ride! *Dismounts soapbox*
Unless Prudential paid for the building, maintenance and upkeep of the roads then used surely they are still public roads, paid for by all of us proles regardless of a temporary restriction on motor vehicles?
I've no idea what other people are doing, I don't really care, but I'd imagine if you turn up unregistered you probably wont be using the timing chips, baggage transfers or mechanical support. I'd also wager that stopping for water and gels would probably cause you more mither than they were worth.
Really? Calling someone a knob is now considered a witty one liner? What a wibbly wobbly world we live in nowadays.
Indeed. How will those delicate flowers at Prudential be able to focus on making money out of investing in Earth raping oil and chemical companies and arms dealers if we don't all bow down and respect their ride.
Every woman I know who applied got a place and most of the guys didnt.
Someone suggested getting a colour photocopy of someones race number and riding with that as they know someone who did that on last years one!
Quick poll undertaken at the weekend, 5 male entries and 3 female entries, all around the same age group (25-35) and time (5 hours ish).....
All three women got a ballot place, all 5 male entries didn't.
Does not sound like a random and unbiased ballot to me.....
Think they were open last year about being selective to the extent they are trying to get as much of a balance as they can across genders, age groups and target times. There were probably a lot more men entering the ballot putting that sort of time down on paper than women. That won't make you feel any better about losing out but my point is I don't think they ever have said it's a completely random ballot.
I understand the theory but the balance doesn't seem to represent the demographic of road cycling from what I have seen local to me. Its seems apparent that women and slightly more mature cyclists seem to have got a priority this time round which I think is wrong - I asked RideLondon that question directly and they refused to answer.
All this does is invite people to lie in the hope it gives them more of a chance in getting a place, which negates the point of a ballot.
Out, sadly. I have a very nice waterproof in compensation though as I paid up front with an agreement the fee went to charity if unsuccessful.
Not interested in buying a charity place this year, although Christian Aid who I've done London to Paris for twice (2008, 2012) have places.
The 10th August is the second anniversary of my mom's death in Walsall St Giles' Hospice. I'd have done sponsorship for them if I was in. Without that the 10th will be a day for family to be together.
It's strange - I entered the ballot without being all that fussed about the result as I'm still not sure I like these mass participation events, but I'm a bit pissed off I didn't get in, particularly as most of my local peloton did.
Ho hum. I love the way they let me know by the cheap and immediate and eco friendly medium of an email and didn't go to the expense of printing a glossy magazine to tell me I was unsuccessful, wrap it in plastic film and post it to me - that would just be stupid.
Yes - a ludicrous waste of money and resources.
A further idea for the future on this... Folks that perhaps have entered and find that they no longer wish to ride (as perhaps they are the only rider) should be able to 'hand back' their ticket for redistribution.
Nuff said - i will stop now. Good luck to those that are in, it will be a fabulous event.
I think you can
You can do it two ways
1) Pay for your entry when you go into the ballot. If you get in and can't do the ride your entry is deferred to the next year and your entry for this year goes back into the pot
2) Don't pay up front and if you're successful and can't make it - just don't pay. That way your entry is cancelled and your place goes back in the pot. You don't get a deferral to next year though.
I'm assuming there will be a second draw once all everyone who got in has decided whether to ride or not?
Me and Mrs VeloPeo have both had to decline our places as we can't make it.
Yes - 2 rejections in a row for me too. I would be interested to know if the allocation of places process took into account folks that had applied again this year having not got in last time... Am i right in thinking in the London marathon they have applied the rule 2 previous failures to get a run will mean guarantee next time?
I will apply again next year (and happily donate my entry fee once more) but feel a more sophisticated approach needs to be applied to selection. My second magazine was delivered into the recycling in short order and agree an email for those not in would be money better saved.
Two rejections in a row...
I'm in, and the website says approved.
Not even a charity place for me, just pay and go.
Got the unsuccessful magazine this morning too.. Straight in the recycling bin it goes.
Got the patronising commiserations magazine this morning.
+1 though the free hiviz (or Dayglo as it was called in the olden days) jacket was a nice softner. I'll try to get a charity place though already am doing a few charity rides this year aready.
Well done to those that got in... Commiserations to those who weren't lucky
I got my acceptance magazine yesterday too, after breaking in and seeing I was approved.
I'm very excited now.
Pages