Ride London 2015

Just like last year, although some of our members managed to get places in this year's Ride London event, a lot of us didn't make the cut and are still looking for a place. British Cycling offer some places to clubs to enter four-person teams. Everyone in a team must be a paid-up member both of the club AND of British Cycling*. Also, oddly, the teams must be either all-male, or all-female, or 50/50, but you can't have a team which three men and one woman (or vice-versa).
The event is on Sunday 2nd August. If you get in, you will be starting early that morning from Stratford (maybe very, very early!), heading through central London on completely closed roads, then out into Surrey and doing the climbs of Leith Hill and Box Hill** before returning to The Mall to complete your 100 miles. Here's our report of last season's effort: http://leavalleycc.tumblr.com/post/94547­481748/prudential-ride-london-10th-augus­t-2014
Last year Harry co-ordinated our team entries and he is happy to do so again this year, although he isn't planning to ride himself this time round. If you want to try to get a place in a team, put your details into this spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1­Pl7YBeo4vY8pVoesNM1qXttbR1N7JsZuGnWLtBsd­vLg/edit#gid=1
Harry has to submit the teams by 23rd March, so you ony have a couple of weeks to sign up. Putting your name on the spreadsheet does not guarantee you a place - last year we had enough people to enter three teams, but we were only given places for two teams. We might only be given one team place - we have no way of knowing in advance. The people who were in the the team that missed out last time round have been given priority this time (assuming they still want to do it - we know that a couple of them can't, so their names have already been removed). Once Harry has submitted the details, you are committed to doing it if the team gets a place - you must pay the £58 entry fee and you can't transfer your place to somebody else if you change your mind.

*this is important - the entry is done through British Cycling and they need your membership number

**unless the weather is as ridiculously bad as last year when they had to shorten the route because of safety concerns

Hi, started another post about a meet up after the event if you're interested?...

Hi all, I know a lot of us are doing RideLondon. Fancy a club meet up afterwards. Green Park to watch to pros on the big screens perhaps? Or anyone know a good pub nearby? I know a lot of you are starting around 6am, I’ve got a lie-in until 7.30am so will be there a little later! Also, anyone fancy any week day training rides before then? 40 miles on Thurs night perhaps?

Not sure how easy it would be to bring bikes into a central London pub? I reckon I'd be up for meeting up with everyone in Green Park for a bit afterwards. Last year I was wet through and my phone was broken (by getting wet through) so I only managed to find Nestor and Dave McCarthy (having lost my team mates in the first five or six miles) and had no idea if people were in front of me or behind me or what. It would be good if we could all regroup afterwards. I suppose it depends on the weather, though (plus I've still got to ride about 12 miles home afterwards).

Hey All, meeting up after the ride sounds like a good idea specially if the weather gods give us a nice sunny day! there is secure bike parking by the mall, Dave and I left our bikes there last year while we went and got some free sandwiches. Also, i am planning to pick up my number on the saturday early afternoon. looking forward to it!

Ok Green Park is the winner (if weather holds).

Not able to go to the reunion but if you agree a spot in the park there and let us all know will see you there.

PS. Training ride tonight if anyone fancies - prob around 35 miles leaving Waltham Forest Town Hall 6.30pm