The Beacon Message Board

Posted: **04 Feb 2015 21:20**

Groundhog Day!

Some Beacon people got through the ballot for this closed road sportive to be held in London on Sunday 2nd August, and some failed again, including me for the second year running.

However, all is not lost - Clubs registered with British Cycling can register a team entry (four people per team, either all male, all female or mixed with the same price per person as for an individual entry) and we're likely to be guaranteed one team entry as we participated last year, and could register for more if there is sufficient interest. Hence, I'm posting again in an identical thread to last year to advertise a Plan B for Beacon members without a ride to gauge interest in getting together at least one Beacon Team place.

Obviously, I'm interested and would be happy to organise the Beacon entry again. Please post on this thread if you're keen to ride as part of a team...this is not a relay, all four people ride the full 100miles.

Note that there no details on the RideLondon100 website yet on how we enter a team, but they do confirm that team entry details will be released soon.

Post interest here.....

Posted: **04 Feb 2015 21:59**

I'm interested but as I was on the team last year, if we have more people interested than we have space for on one team, I'm happy to be put down on a second (third, fourth...) team.

Posted: **04 Feb 2015 22:10**

I;m interested, but if anyone got rejected in the ballot they should take precedence.

Posted: **05 Feb 2015 06:38**

I was rejected in ballot- but was on team last year.

would like to give it another go, but if anyone else was rejected and hasn't done it then its only fair they have a shot on the 'guaranteed' team.

as mentioned, we could apply for more teams if there is enough interest...

Posted: **05 Feb 2015 09:38**

Just had my rejection, I'd very much like to be on team Beacon this year, it has to bring me more luck than my **flat** fest last year.

Posted: **05 Feb 2015 18:56**

Not had an email either way yet. Whilst I would like to participate in the event at some point, at the pace that I go at i wouldn't want to take up a space that would spoil the occasion for others.
However, I am told (although not confirmed) that solihull cycle club entered 7 Teams last year. Is it possible that we could look at entering more than 1 team assuming there is sufficient demand?

Posted: **05 Feb 2015 21:28**

John - you get a magazine, not an email. Alternatively there is a 'cheat' out there where you can log in to your entry through a smart phone and look at your receipt. If your entry isn't cancelled, there's a good chance you've got in!

Posted: **06 Feb 2015 12:00**

Thanks for the early responses...yes, we can easily enter more than one team. There are reputedly 450 club spaces, yet there were only 330 entries last year, so suspect we are guaranteed one place, with a high probability of being accepted for more. The comment that Solihull entered 7 teams also points to the fact we could enter more than one.

Be good if the number of interested people is divisible by four, so I'm re-encouraging others to identify their interest...get onto your Beacon cycling buddies and post here.

Posted: **06 Feb 2015 12:26**

I got rejected but if we could enter a 'C' team I'd be interested.

Posted: **06 Feb 2015 12:31**

Hels147 wrote:John - you get a magazine, not an email. Alternatively there is a 'cheat' out there where you can log in to your entry through a smart phone and look at your receipt. If your entry isn't cancelled, there's a good chance you've got in!

Helen, thanks, now received my "commiserations" magazine

Phil, could you bear me in mind for an additional team that goes at c run pace and see if there are 3 other like minded indviduals. Helen? weathers got to be better than last year, great event to focus on and you get the chance to complete the full route

Posted: **06 Feb 2015 14:17**

John D wrote: see if there are 3 other like minded indviduals

see above

Posted: **06 Feb 2015 14:35**

Andy Terry wrote:
John D wrote: see if there are 3 other like minded indviduals
see above

Andy, missed that post, that will be "2 other like minded" now then!!

Posted: **06 Feb 2015 22:58**

John D wrote:Phil, could you bear me in mind for an additional team that goes at c run pace and see if there are 3 other like minded indviduals. Helen? weathers got to be better than last year, great event to focus on and you get the chance to complete the full route

Sorry john, I'm one of the smug ones that received a "congratulations" magazine! I'll let you have a look at it if you ask nicely!

If a "C" team enters, you never know, there is a slim chance we'd get the same start time and colour!

Posted: **07 Feb 2015 21:06**

Hi Phil, no luck this year but would like to put my name in the hat for a team place if available. After last years rain and shortened route would like another crack at it.

Plus, can't wait to stop at the Palm Tree Hotel again!!!.

Regards

Posted: **08 Feb 2015 08:28**

Hels147 wrote:
John D wrote:Phil, could you bear me in mind for an additional team that goes at c run pace and see if there are 3 other like minded indviduals. Helen? weathers got to be better than last year, great event to focus on and you get the chance to complete the full route
Sorry john, I'm one of the smug ones that received a "congratulations" magazine! I'll let you have a look at it if you ask nicely!

I'll show you mine if you show me yours

Posted: **08 Feb 2015 20:51**

Some good interest here. So we have 6 A-riders and 2 C-riders...let's get two more volunteers from each group if we can and I'll put us in for 3 Beacon teams when entries open in the next few weeks.

Three team entries are not guaranteed of course, but let's be hopeful rather than over-thinking it now.

Posted: **09 Feb 2015 21:43**

Yep, I would be up for this. I did the first event and it was a great to ride through London at full beans with the sun shining down on us...
Thankfully I didn't have to contend with the rain of last year!

I just added a little "copy and paste" list to make Phil's life a bit easier if we do get some team places. Hopefully I got the names in the right places and previous entry details correct if it comes down to first time participants getting first dibs!

A-Ride List (Completed RideLondon in 2013 / 2014)
1. Phil Richards (N)
2. Laurence Cooley (Y)
3. John Hunt (Y)
4. Alistair Hey (Y)
5. Stuart White (N)
6. Ian Simpson (N)
7. Chris Ashford (Y)

C-Ride List (Completed RideLondon in 2013 / 2014)
1. Andy Terry (N)
2. John Deeley (N)

Posted: **09 Feb 2015 22:05**

That's very helpful, Chris. Just on the previous entries - Phil, Stuart and (if I remember rightly) Ian did it last year, but I'm not sure that John H did (unless he kept it quiet).

Posted: **10 Feb 2015 13:35**

I didn't ride last year. And I think, having seen the weather, I was lucky.

Posted: **10 Feb 2015 13:38**

Thanks Lawrence, yes did it last year in all that rain.

Posted: **10 Feb 2015 20:46**

Charitable ticket tout....

https://www.compton-hospice.org.uk/fund ... urrey-100/

All we ask is that you raise a minimum sponsorship of £600. You will be required to pay a £50 registration fee...

Posted: **05 Mar 2015 11:29**

http://cmp.dotmailer.co.uk/BM6-383HW-0A8QEYHA1E/cr.aspx

The team entry is now open.

Posted: **05 Mar 2015 11:44**

Good spot, Stuart.

Official link is here:
http://www.prudentialridelondon.co.uk/T ... llenge.htm

So, from the above posts, we have 7 potential A-riders and 2 for a possible C-ride team, hence I am tempted to enter 3 teams and hope we can fill the spaces if our request for 3 is accepted. If we only receive the nod for one or two teams, then we can hold an arm-wrestling competition or something to decide what to do next.

I will submit the Beacon entry on Monday, so have a word on the Sunday club runs to ensure we do have sufficient interest (particularly for two more C-riders), and post any 'intelligence' here.

Thanks

Phil

Posted: **05 Mar 2015 13:23**

Phil

Thanks for sorting.

I'm still up for this and will mention it to all at Sundays c run café stop

John

Posted: **07 Mar 2015 10:04**

I 'd like to express interest for this year please.

Posted: **07 Mar 2015 13:35**

So that's eight A and two C riders. Just two more C riders and there's your three teams, Phil. Just a reminder that everyone in the team needs to be a British Cycling member (by the time of entry, I presume).

Posted: **07 Mar 2015 20:49**

I'd be up for this if we can 4 riders for a B run pace team. I'll see if there's any interest tomorrow.

Posted: **08 Mar 2015 21:17**

As mentioned at the cafe I would be interested in the c run pace team.

Posted: **09 Mar 2015 18:11**

There wasn't much interest from those on the B run and I've since noticed that the Kiddi Killer Audax is only the weekend before, I'll never get a pass to do both so I'll withdraw my interest in RideLondon.

Posted: **09 Mar 2015 21:05**

Ok - thanks for letting me know, Rob

So we have formally applied for three teams into the British Cycling Club Challenge ballot for RideLondon100, and they will inform me on March 30th whether we have been successful and how many teams they will allow us. Let's hope for the full complement, even though we're one person short at present.

I'll post here as soon as I know more.

Thanks

Phil

Posted: **09 Mar 2015 22:36**

Cheers Phil. I'm sure we can find one person!

Posted: **10 Mar 2015 23:16**

It's a shame about the rules on mixed teams, otherwise I would've given up my ballot place to make up the numbers for the C team.

Posted: **11 Mar 2015 08:10**

If you are one short for the 'C' team, I'm still interested.

Posted: **31 Mar 2015 19:29**

Update from RideLondon100 today...

"We have received over 1,000 applications for the 400 spaces. Due to the high demand, a ballot will be held and you will be informed by 17:00 on Thursday 2 April. Sorry for this delay."

So doesn't look great but I'll post on Thursday night how we've got on...here's hoping!

Posted: **02 Apr 2015 17:31**

Update....(partial) good news. Here's their message:

Beacon RCC

We are delighted to tell you that application for teams into the 2015 Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 Club Challenge on Sunday 2 August, has been successful.

You have been allocated:

2 Male team – please note this cannot be swapped for a different team type.

Each rider within the team must pay their own entry fee (£58) and complete their own online entry form; all 4 riders in the team must have completed and paid for their entry by 17:00 6 May or the team will lose its place. You will be sent an entry link for each team on the 13th of April.
Please note:

- A team comprises four riders.
- Every rider in a team must be a current British Cycling member.
- Riders who hold an Elite or Category 1 British Cycling Race Licence are not eligible to enter the Club Challenge.
- Riders who have already secured an individual place through the original entry ballot or a charity place are not eligible to enter the Club Challenge.

...so we have three or four weeks to decide what to do next in taking 11 willing riders down to 8. Suggestions have already been mooted earlier in this thread but happy to receive your thoughts here.

Posted: **02 Apr 2015 18:49**

good enough news! could have been 0....

Posted: **09 Apr 2015 21:39**

I don't mind dropping out to allow 2 'A' teams - sorry other 'C' team members.

Posted: **09 Apr 2015 22:20**

Andy Terry wrote:I don't mind dropping out to allow 2 'A' teams - sorry other 'C' team members.

ditto from me

Posted: **09 Apr 2015 22:36**

I rode on the Beacon team entry last year & thoroughly enjoyed it despite the weather. So much so that I entered the ballot this year for an individual place & was lucky enough to get a place that way.
Just to clarify from experience that a team starts together (& in an ideal world would stay together) but doesn't need to finish together. Last year I got seperated from the rest of the Beacon team due to a minor mechanical & carried on with ther massed ranks of riders, I believe similar happened to a rider struggling to keep up with the team the year before.
I don't believe the riders in a team entry necessarily need to be of equal abilities or to ride together & my opinion is that Beacon members of all abilities have an equal entitlement to enjoy the event - I see no need for anyone to step down to help field a team of equal ability.
I know having been lucky enough to ride the event on a team entry last year that with more interested parties than team places available this year I would stand aside to let someone have a go for the first time this year.

Posted: **09 Apr 2015 22:44**

Also forgot to say there probably wouldn't have been a Beacon team entry last year or this year without Phil Richards' efforts - surely he's deserving of one of the limited number of team places for this?

Posted: **09 Apr 2015 22:55**

I don't mind standing aside this year for other people to enter.

Posted: **12 Apr 2015 09:16**

Yes indeed, thanks for organising again Phil.

I missed the ballot last year and committed to a minimum raise charity place shortly afterwards, I totally overlooked the club entry. I'd really like to roll with the Beacon posse this year, but that said, I don't want to deny the chance for somebody that hasn't done it.

Is it worth all of those with registered interests meeting up to discuss?

Posted: **13 Apr 2015 08:40**

Whilst it is noble for three people to have 'fallen on their sword', Martin is right in that this is not automatically accepted. There is not a requirement to ride together, so this can still be easily accommodated, so I need to understand the sentiment of this noble gesture. This clearly leaves us with the 8 names, but please do not fell pressured into this decision, you have every right to ride.

Also, everyone should fully understand this weekend is not cheap, entry is £58, and then you have to go down on Saturday and stay over the night before, where accommodation is limited and will probably be £100 with travel at least...so once in, you need to be committed to this spend of £150-£200.

Of the 11 volunteers, the people who have NOT done this before are:

- Andy Clayton
- John Hunt
- Andy Terry, I think
- John Deeley
- Gareth Powley

This could mean that we could ballot for the remaining three spaces from the remaining six volunteers at an excited and tense club run venue...OR we go with what we have.

I know I haven't moved it on here, but I should receive our entry forms today, so we need a decision fast...any further thoughts welcome. Go with what we have or ballot?

Posted: **13 Apr 2015 22:13**

Dunno if this helps, but QM mile end campus still has ensuite rooms available for the Saturday night for £55.

Posted: **13 Apr 2015 22:30**

Phil, my reasoning for preparing to step aside is in no way a purely chivalrous gesture but based upon a mix of only 3 "c run"' potential participants, rightly or wrongly I think a team entry should ride as a team, I have a ride to Murcia planned at the end of May that has been my goal for some time so it's not as if I haven't got a marquee event for this year...and there's always next year either as an individual or as part of a team entry (if I can place my flag in the ground now).

Hope that helps the process

Posted: **14 Apr 2015 22:40**

Don't worry about it, i'm not feeling forced to drop out or anything.

Personally if don't spend 150 on a sportive and have a free weekend in august this year its ok - had a few unexpected expenses so while it would be nice to ride I don't have a strong desire to take part (certainly not as strong as when I originally signed up) and as such I thought I would let someone else have a spot.

Hope that's helpful.

Posted: **15 Apr 2015 12:48**

ok - thanks John, Gareth and Andy....you are straight into the 2016 team with no quibbles!

The 8 RideLondon100 people are therefore:

Team 1: The Cat Racers
Stuart White, Andy Clayton, John Hunt, Laurence Cooley

Team 2: The Dogs (no offence)
Phil Richards, Alistair Hey, Chris Ashford, Ian Simpson

Although I'm convinced that we'll give Team 1 a run for their money!

No actions for you yet, except one... please can the above 7 people PM me with your email address that you actually read, as I'll revert to email correspondence from now on to avoid boring the general forum readers.

Phil

Posted: **16 Apr 2015 23:19**

Hey cats and dogs...can John Hunt, Stuart White and Chris Ashford please PM me with your email addresses, there are actions for each of us now in terms of registering and accommodation booking.

If anyone is in contact with them, please can you encourage them to PM me asap.

Posted: **28 Jul 2015 13:57**

The RideLondon100 is this Sunday, and we'll feedback how the Beacon Teams and other independent Beacon entries have fared next week.

There are two official Beacon teams entered, namely:

Cats Team
Stuart White, Andy Clayton, John Hunt, Laurence Cooley

Dogs Team:
Phil Richards, Ian Simpson, Chris Ashford, Alistair Hey

Cats are obviously faster than dogs, but sometimes, as in the natural world, dogs can catch cats...the outcome may depend on bladder size.

Phil

Posted: **28 Jul 2015 20:44**

Good luck to everyone and I hope the weather is better than last year!

Just to let you know, I've deferred my entry till next year. I still haven't been back on a bike since my mtb crash back in June...

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RideLondon100 2015 Team Entry

RideLondon100 2015 Team Entry