Dirty Wknd Ride London Training Series 2018
Ride London is one of the biggest sportives in the world and a fantastic and challenging ride through London's closed streets and famous Surrey lanes. It's a tough ride, but one that is easily conquerable with a bit of training. Which is why we've put together a comprehensive programme of training rides that will help you to not only complete the ride, but perform to the best of your potential and, most importantly, enjoy the day!
All of the rides are free for members. Membership is just £9.99 a month (the same price as one ride!) and you get loads of other perks too (10-50% off our partner brands). To find out more and become a member - Click Here.
The series consists of 12 rides, starting in early June and running through to the event itself. They are a mix of mid-week and weekend rides, progressing in distance and intensity up to the big day. All rides will have mutiple speed groups and no-drop policies, so all levels are catered for. You do not have to be signed up to Ride London to take part in the events, they are open to all.
Dirty Wknd Ride London Training Ride Series:
Ride #1 - Saturday 2nd June: 30-50km in Surrey
Putney Dynamo start, riding 30-50km out to Giro in multiple groups to get things started - nice and gentle. Extra group riding practise in Richmond Park on the way. Ride London chat & pizza at Dynamo afterwards (optional).
Full Ride Details - Click Here
Ride #2 - Wednesday 6th June: Richmond Park Hill Reps
Hill rep practise in Richmond Park (Broomfield & Dark Hill). Great way to learn about best hill climbing technique and to practise. Post ride beers at The Dynamo.
Full Ride Details - Click Here
Ride #3 - Sunday 10th June: 50-70km in Surrey
A slightly longer Surrey ride, starting with parts of the early route from Hampton Court. Coffee and cake at the Medicine Garden followed by Pizza after the ride (10% off for members).
Full Ride Details - Click Here
Ride #4 - Wednesday 13th June: Wimbledon Hill Reps
The oft-forgotten 4th hill! Practising Wimbledon Hill is key to succeeding at Ride London. Reps of the other 'Wimblebergs' will get you in great shape for the big day.
Full Ride Details - Click Here
Ride #5 - Saturday 16th June: 70-80km to Windsor
Extending the distance again on a flat ride out to Widndsor for coffee and cinnamon buns. This is a good chance to practise the flat beginning of the Ride London route.
Full Ride Details - Click Here
Ride #6 - Weds 21st June: Box Hill Summer Solstice Hill Reps
Box Hill is the most iconic climb on the route, so practising it as much as possible will get you in great shape. As it's the longest night of the year, why not ride out to Box for some reps and cheeky sundowner!
Full Ride Details - Click Here
Rides #7 - Weds 27th June - Chertsey Chain Gang
This short ride out to Chertsey on flat roads is a perfect chance to practise advanced group riding techniques. We'll split into pace groups and chain gang our way back to The Dynamo for pizza.
Full Ride Details - Click Here
Ride #8 - Sunday 1st July: Newlands Corner 70-90km
Halfway to the big day! Newlands Corner is the first hill on the route and one that gets very little practise. Our route does much of the first 80km of the actual route itself
Full Ride Details - Click Here
Ride #9 - Weds 4th July: Box Hill Reps
Another ride out to practise Box Hill - it's that important! 2-3 reps of Box, followed by a fast run back to SW London before dark.
Full Ride Details - Click Here
Ride #10 - Sat 7th July: 110-140km around Leith & Box Hill
Starting in Putney, this is the first chance to put all the hard work into practise. Over 100km with all 4 main hills, and lots of the route. Pizza and beer at the Dynamo afterwards.
Full Ride Details - Click Here
Ride #11 - Weds 11th July: Wimbledon hill reps 7-8pm
Last chance to practise Wimbledon hill in a group before the big day. Also a chance to push yourself before starting to taper
Full Ride Details - Click Here
Ride #12 - Sunday 15th: 140-150km in Surrey Hills
The final ride of the series - almost the full distance, lots of the route and all 4 hills. The perfect end to get you in the best shape before 2 weeks rest and easy spinning. You're ready to go!
Full Ride Details - Click Here
Tips, Training and advice:
Throughout the series we will be providing all tips and training to all riders that want it. This will be given both on the rides, at the Dynamo over pizza and in training blogs. We will cover hill climbing, nutrition and 'off the bike' training. Blogs and articles will be posted on our website, Twitter and Instagram.
Here's a blog we wrote before last year's Ride London on how to prepare for the event to get you started - Ride London Prep Blog
Become a member - As a full member of the club you get all of the training rides free, as well as all of our other group rides. Not only that, but you get 10-50% off our partners, including bike servicing, kit and nutrition. All vital things to complete Ride London. Check out all of the details and become a member here.
Ride Social:
Training for and taking part in Ride London on your own is really hard. Not only is it mentally tough motivating yourself to train, but you miss out on the things you learn riding with other people. Plus it's way more fun meeting people, riding together and making new friends. The mates you make on the ride series are also perfect partners for the big day itself - because 100 miles on your own is really tough.
We will also be holding a picnic in Green Park after the ride. This is a place to congregate afterwards to meet up with other riders, share ride times and stories, and of course enjoy a celebratory beer or glass of prosecco! Friends and family very welcome too - we will release more location details nearer the event.
If you can make some or all of the rides we'd love to have you join us. Whether it's your first time or you're a veteran, we'll have a ride or group for you. If you have any specific questions for any of us - social media is a great way to get in touch (@dirtywknd). You can also comment on the blog post below, or you can also Email Us.
The Ride London Training Series is free to all members. For more info about becoming a member and the awesome benefits you get, please Click Here