What Is RideLondon REALLY Like?

In this video I review the RideLondon Essex 100 closed road sportive, which I rode in 2022. I compare the event to my experience riding the RideLondon Surrey 100 events in 2013 and 2018. I give my thoughts on the routes, the climbs of RideLondon and the facilities and riding conditions.
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[@Tailspin80]

I did my first RideLondon yesterday. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Friendly and very sociable at the stops, most of the riders behaved well although nearly came off when a phone dropped off a bike in front of me and she slammed on the brakes and swerved across me. Echo your comments about marshals. Aren’t they supposed to run ahead of an incident and wave their yellow flags as in motor racing? Many were just waving them to show support! I finished in 6:28 which I was very happy with, but I’m probably twice your age! It gives me a target to beat next year.

[@zijiji]

Cracking sense of humor - and also a great informative video. Had to watch some bits more than once as got distracted (genuinely) from the subtle jokes!

[@naniv]

Im doing it this year..not a beginner to cycling but a beginner to marathons, long distance rides and rubbing shoulders with aggressive cyclists

[@Sportivecyclist]

Oh don’t worry about the aggressive cyclists. If they’re there (I didnt see any), they’re setting off at 5am so they can do it in less than 4 hours. Everyone else is more chilled.

[@grahamo22]

Handy hint - theres a large underground car park under Hyde park. So stay out of Central London and drive in early to park the car safely underground. A couple of minutes from there to the start area. When you are finished, back to Hyde Park and your car - easy to get out onto the M40, M4 or North to the A1. If you like cars, you can drool at all the seriously expensive cars kept underground by the denizens of Mayfair, plus the Dorchester hotel.

[@Tailspin80]

I pre booked the ParkBee in Kendal street less than 2 miles from Victoria Memorial. Secure, barrier operated from your phone. £18 all day on a Sunday. Can’t fault it.

[@mikegreen2298]

Excellent video. That comprehensively and entertainingly covers, and confirms, the great majority of reasons why I have no inclination whatsoever to ride a sportive, and especially not a pan flat one. Thanks :-)

[@RoadCyclingAdam]

Great recap of the event. Really enjoyed that video. Thanks Monty. My 3rd RL100. Being part of the Essex cycling fraternity, I can definitely confirm there are more scenic roads, but always a job to find a climb.

[@simplygregsterev]

Great recap and glad I watched it. I’ll be doing the 2023 ride

[@igorpilot]

Great commentary and overview!

[@n22pdf]

This is the first of your vids I’ve watched as I completed ride London yesterday.. and your overview is excellent and just how I felt I’m glad I did it but it’s pretty boring and a lot of a faff, I wouldn’t do it again I don’t think.. will check out some more of your vids👍👍🚴🏻😃

[@brerhare9118]

informative, and super funny too. How could I not subscribe

[@mvp_kryptonite]

I get the impression they should stick to including most of London or at least covering one side to the next. That guy that got hit by a deer was unfortunate too

[@indyworm]

Just found this video, loving your work. My 10p on this year’s Ride London - having done RL Surrey 3 times I was very disappointed this time around. V long walk to the start with little organisation. Also, because the start wasn’t staggered as previously there was a lot of bunching, at my start time anyway, which became a bit scary at times and led to me being brought down when some riders fell right in front of me. I also saw more than the usual number of crashes. Looking at your video it seems a bit calmer so maybe a later start time? Feed stops were c**p! Having said all that it was OK but kind of ‘meh’. Don’t think I’d do it again on this route.

[@TheWeightliftingTriathlete]

This was my first Ride London event. I was really underwhelmed. I found it such an awkward journey into London then a huge shuffling queue for about an hour as thousands were ushered into the start area. The route wasn't that great either. It was too flat and just a bit dull. Those massive dual carriageways were a bit miserable - particularly on the way back. Not sure I'll do it again unless it goes back to Surrey which appears better

[@krisbowditch827]

Sounds like they’ve ruined a good event.. with a crap course

[@chrisb.288]

Try the Tour de Manc next year Monty, there should be plenty of scope for your use of analogies on that one…

[@chrisshea4582]

Great review, I enjoyed the event but, as you said, the route was a bit pants. You didn't mention the sightseeing opportunity towards the end, the grotesque houses in 'Chigwell Row' at about 80 miles in, they were a particular highlight for me!

[@adamcoatham]

I always enjoy the Tour of Cambridgeshire as a closed road sportive - flat route (which isn’t for everyone but I’m ok with it!) but nice small roads around the Fens, just having to battle the wind mainly!

[@johnsenior478]

I have always been bemused that given the vast number of UK sportives - anyone would do Ride London. It looks hugely overcrowded, massively over priced for what you get - and about as inspiring as a bowl of washing up. On the plus side the organisers must be well on their way to buying their second super yacht and a helicopter complete with pilot for the school run. I guess it would make some sense ifI lived in London or I-had an aversion to any kind of gradient or quiet roads in the countryside. Great video- Ihave subscribed based on the mixture of sarcasm irony and cycling enthusiasm.

[@Enna1791]

Very useful video, thank you. How many cyclists did you spot doing the ride on a hybrid?

[@Sportivecyclist]

There were definitely a few hybrids. As long as you have smooth tyres, this sort of flattish route feels very doable on a hybrid.

[@Enna1791]

@@Sportivecyclist Thank you

[@figjamuk]

Sorry for getting in your way at 11:28 :D

[@Sportivecyclist]

Ha! Are you the ONCE chap Mark?

[@figjamuk]

​@Sportivecyclist yep that was me 😂 are you riding this year?

[@robkennedy79]

Please could you tell me where you get the rider numbers, do you still have to go to get them the day before (used to be at the Excel Centre) thanks

[@Sportivecyclist]

No, you don’t have to go pick them up any more. I am 99.999% they get sent to you in the post (I can’t imagine how else I got them!!)

[@MosherMike]

Despite the uninspiring sights around the course (bar the posh houses around Ongar), I enjoyed it. But what says it all is I literally hadn't ridden at all for 8 months and done a ride longer than 5 miles for 2 years. And I finished it. Albeit having to stop at every pit stop and every incline above 3% in the last 10 miles. No way would I have finished the Surrey version in that condition. L2B best sportive for now.

[@gavinmksmith]

😂 great video

[@mikebeattie976]

Don’t want to do this sportive, the course looks good but the expense and hassle makes it not worth doing .

[@Sportivecyclist]

You make a fair argument Mike, so just this once I will not force you to do this sportive. Please don’t consider this a precedent though.

[@solefreak2]

Glad I didn't pay to ride such a crap route!!

[@dominicbritt]

Ride London is a waste of time - being forced to walk up the only climbs… where to stay…lottery style entry (theft)…