“The PRL Full” Route Details (London)

Animated Route Map
Animated map provided by ZwiftHacks

The London course’s “PRL Full” route is meant to mimic the distance (but not the full course) of the real Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 event.

ZIMetrics

Rating: 100.0/100 🛈

Time Estimates 🛈
4 W/kg: 280 minutes
3 W/kg: 313 minutes
2 W/kg: 397 minutes

Start & Finish

The route begins at the standard London start/finish, but ends on the red asphalt of the Mall at the forward sprint.
Format: Point-to-Point

Ride Achievement Badge: 3460 XP

Run Achievement Badge: none

Leaderboard Segments

Box Hill KOM (3km, 4.4%)
London Loop (14.9km, 0%)
The Mall Sprint (0.2km, -1.4%)

Strava Segments

PRL Full

BestBikeSplit Model
Estimate ride time, IF and TSS, plan your power, and more!

Route Description

Route profile by ZwiftHub – the place to plan and track your route achievements!

This route takes you on eleven circuits of the “London Loop“, then turns around at the Surrey roundabout and heads towards the sprint and finish banner on The Mall.

Although we can’t seem to find numbers for the IRL course, it appears that Zwift’s version has significantly more elevation gain than the real-life course. (The 2013 course had a gain of 6,167′.)

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88 Comments
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MATHEW M ROSE
MATHEW M ROSE
6 years ago

Having just completed this ride for the badge, I can’t say I’d want to do it agian. The PRL Half is a perfect workout with four nice climbing intervals in it; the full version had me questioning my life choices as I hopped off the bike to change bibs in the roughly two minutes while my avatar was descending Box Hill for the 8th time. I made it in almost exactly 5 hours (one minute over). From now on, when London is on the calendar I’ll stick to the Half, thank you all the same.

Eric Mar
Eric Mar
6 years ago
Reply to  MATHEW M ROSE

Just did it yesterday and it was brutal and crazy. Don’t think I would want to do it again unless I want to beat the timing.

Stewart
Stewart
6 years ago
Reply to  MATHEW M ROSE

Never thought of changing that’s an interesting additional challenge! What did you do for nutrition energy etc for the ride?

Rein WAHOOLIGAN
Rein WAHOOLIGAN
1 year ago
Reply to  MATHEW M ROSE

I also finished it yday. It was really repetitive. But it seems that box hill came up faster each lap. Now im also agreeing with what you said. Whenever im in London doing workouts or just spinning around I’ll definitely pick and stick with PRL half.

Erik
Erik
1 year ago

Haha, i even had that in the PRL half: had the feeling that last two climbs came earlier. Big respect on finishing!

Dan
Dan
6 years ago

I’m preparing to do this on 16th August in place of the cancelled event. I’m working out what frame to get, I’m approaching level 20 now. I am considering the Trek Madone for this, but don’t know if I would be better placed to favour a frame for climbing? Will probably use the Enve SES 3.4 wheels either way. I already own the Spec Tarmac Pro and the Trek Emonda so they are options too, but there is a fair amount of flat on this course too. Thoughts welcome on this.

RLH
RLH
6 years ago
Reply to  Dan

I’m in the same boat: looking at this in the near future… I own a good number of frames, etc. and I’ leaning S-Works Venge (rated as 100% Flat, 71% Climb) over the Tarmac Pro (50% Flat, 100% Climb), same Enve 3.4s (63% Flat, 96% Climb), but the Zipp 454 are a solid choice (78% Flat, 85% Climb) . But, I’m just guessing here…
Another frame Option to note: is the Cann. Super Six EVO (60% Flat, 92% Climb).
Best of Luck.
 
 

Dan
Dan
6 years ago
Reply to  RLH

Thanks, although those frames mentioned will be out of reach for me at level 20/21.

iHH!
iHH!
4 years ago
Reply to  Dan

Focus + DTSwiss

mark wilson
mark wilson
6 years ago
Reply to  Dan

I’m aiming to do this on Saturday – with Matt Bottrill – would the Tron bike be a good choice? Also considering the Tarmac pro & light wheels to help with the climbs.

Stephen Davis
Stephen Davis
6 years ago
Reply to  mark wilson

I’ll see u there Mark! Not ridden for 2 days and been eating like a bear heading into hibernation! Can’t think of a better time to ride over a 100 miles 🤣

Sylvan Smyth
6 years ago
Reply to  mark wilson

Tron might be your best bet actually. If you check the gradients on Best Bike Split, only about 30% of the lap time is climbing at 4%+. So what you’ll gain on the climb with a lighter setup, you’ll probably lose doubly on the descent and flats.If non-Tron, the course is so balanced that I think you’re looking at only about 5 seconds per lap between aero/weight options like S5 vs. Tarmac Pro. I think I’d lean towards aero wheels though, like 454.

J Moore
J Moore
5 years ago
Reply to  Sylvan Smyth

Since there isn’t that much climbing relatively, wouldn’t a TT bike be the fastest? Downhill time plus the flats.

Jocelyn
Jocelyn
5 years ago
Reply to  Eric Schlange

Faster than the tron bike?

Mia Wallace
Mia Wallace
3 years ago
Reply to  Eric Schlange

Eric, I’m new to TT bikes and have only the default Zwift frame at present. Thinking of tacking the full PRL Saturday, but I’m torn after reading your two posts on fastest TT frames and best “climbing” TT frames. What would you recommend for a level 24 rider? I figure a 6 hour ride justifies burning some drops for a better setup. Thank you!

Nicola Jane Fisher
Nicola Jane Fisher
6 years ago

How do I get to complete this route ?

Rolf
Rolf
6 years ago

Hey Nicola, of you want to select a given route, its always the same procedure: log in and get your trainer connected. You will find yourself in the ‚ready-to-go‘ screen which gives you three world-choices in the upper part. Click on the one you want to ride in (e.g. London for the PLR-ride) and then select ‚Routes‘, where you can scroll the available Route-List with all basic data (length & elevation). Click the route of your choice and off you go.
Never change direction during a ride via Companion App or keyboard since you wont receive the route Badge then.

IAN ANDERSON
IAN ANDERSON
6 years ago

I was a bit disappointed TBH not to see any PRL events on this weekend and not to even have London on the options with both France maps dominating the choices. Not that I really fancy this route, but as I was supposed to be riding the event this year IRL would have enjoyed at least a nod from Zwift.

Mark Stovall
Mark Stovall
6 years ago
Reply to  IAN ANDERSON

this route is being offered tomorrow! 7:55am EST It is one of the HERD endurance rides. gl!

Dan
Dan
6 years ago
Reply to  IAN ANDERSON

I did my originally planned charity ride on this on the date originally planned this weekend just gone as I also had a place for the first time this year (gutted). I contacted Zwift quite early on to ask if they could make it available and their response was one of it being out of their hands somehow. I had to world hack, which did leave me with a lack of wheels to jump on sadly, but got it done.

Just a note on previous comments about what to use, I went with the Cervelo S5 with Zipp 454’s as I think that provided a good balance of weight vs aero. There is a lot of climbing, but hardly 11 goes up the Alpe and that seemed to work well for me.

James Metcalfe
James Metcalfe
5 years ago

I rode the PRL in 2016. Distance was 100 miles, and elevation gain as recorded by my garmin was 1482m. The zwift route goes way beyond that. A lot of the ride london course is quite flat, there are 3 notable climbs newlands corner, Leith hill and box hill and a small climb at wimbledon that is only noticeable because it is at the end. Something more representative could have been created using the flat roads, and taking in both surrey climbs

Peter Hancock
Peter Hancock
5 years ago

Completed November 2020 – Elevation was 7,508′.

Adrian Amos
Adrian Amos
5 years ago
Reply to  Peter Hancock

Came here to say the same: elevation on my ride was 7,497′.

Fabian
Fabian
5 years ago

Do I get the Route Badge for PRL Half if I directly do the PRL Full? I’m not a huge fan of going through the same course over and over again, so both in one go would be great. Anyone tried this or knows something? Thanks!

Dan McKenzie
Dan McKenzie
5 years ago
Reply to  Fabian

You don’t get the PRL Half badge for doing the PRL full sadly. I did it today with the DIRT badge hunt team. Good to have others doing it as it is seriously hard for an average rider like me!

Weiwen
Weiwen
5 years ago
Reply to  Dan McKenzie

Concur, I did the full PRL last week. I started with neither badge. I got the full PRL badge.

Now, you can get the 100km and the 100 mile achievement in one go. I know because I got both in the process.

Weiwen
Weiwen
5 years ago

A so-called friend of mine dragged me into a KISS race on this course on Sunday. “I can’t say I’d want to do it again” sounds right. I made it up Box Hill the last time, then I coasted down, then when I started pedaling I had 11km to go and I had finally cracked. Not bonked, I had enough sugar. I mean cracked, as in I could barely put out half my FTP. I had to count the distance down in miles and kilometers just to keep the pedals turning. That was nice at 5 km and 3 miles, but a bit more discouraging between 4 km and 2 miles. Yes, it was so bad that I could barely travel half a mile.

JenF
JenF
5 years ago

Did the route today. 108.8 miles and 7525′ of elevation (until I got the route achievement badge). I guess your mileage may vary!

JustinB
JustinB
5 years ago
Reply to  JenF

108.4 mi and 7487’ for me yesterday. I’ve found that most of the elevations on London routes are overstated for some reason.

CCOliver
CCOliver
5 years ago
Reply to  JenF

all routes have a “lead-in” prior to actual route start, this always makes ride slightly longer than route.

Jonashgs
Jonashgs
5 years ago

Just did this this yesterday and here are my thoughts:

– First 2 laps i did easy pace to warm up.
– Lap 3 i did a bit more effort, with my best time on the hill and lap.
– From lap 4 – 10 it was just survival, and each lap and hill time just got slower and slower.
– Lap 11 i gave it all i had, and did my best box hill time,´and my 2nd fastest lap time after lap 3

Problem is that after lap 11 done, there was still around 10k to the finish line on the london sprint for the badge.

Food and drink:
4 bottles of water (750 mL) 
(Peed on the downhill whenever i had to – think 4-5 times during the trip)
1 liter orange juice
1 whole pomegrane
2 bananas 
2 musli bars
2 buns with honey and peanutbutter
4 small cinnamon rolls

Expected time:
Two A category riders from my club this it in around 5h 15m,
so i expected myself using 6h – 6h 30m.
I did the Uber Pretzel in around 5h 30m in a group ride with about 7 riders,
but this one on a meetup just by myself, where the London world wasn’t openly available.

I spent just over 7h 35m, which was alot longer than expected.

Bottom line:
It’s 90% mentality.
It hurts big time, specially the day after.

Worth it?
If you are a badge hunter and want to impress your fellow club riders?
– Maybe 😀 

I expect never to do such a long ride on zwift ever again!

jim
jim
5 years ago

Elevation seems to be wrong, by about 200m too much

Chris
Chris
5 years ago

I did this today, 108.4 miles and 7,467 feet. the kicker just after box hill is evil.

Reriko
Reriko
5 years ago

same here. today (Feb. 2021) i did finished the Route in a Group-Event. had 2287m elevation gained after 175km. i watched some other riders in the end, everybody had 22xx Meters counting. so you might correct the data.

but i have to admit, the Route felt like >3000m though.

Tom
Tom
5 years ago

I did The PRL FULL last Saturday. Elevation shown after finishing was 2.294 m.

Terry
Terry
5 years ago

Did this today with two of my riding buddies in a meet up ride. Wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. We managed 28-29min laps, with 2 30min ones. Stopped for a 10min break after lap 7, changed kit, got some real food. I actually felt better on the last 6 laps. We PR’d Box Hill on the last lap. Finished up in 5:46. Would I do it again? Maybe next year.

Arlyne
Arlyne
2 years ago
Reply to  Terry

🔥

Pascal Kolkman
Pascal Kolkman
5 years ago

Completed today, Feb 20, 2021. Quite a distance and I got the badges for 100 Miles and The PRL Full. A lot of bread, bidons with water, cola and an apple pie fueled my internal motor. Just the route badge for The Über Pretzel to go. This PRL Full in London is not a route I would like to do again. Quite boring and hard to go up the same hill for 11 times.

Daniel Underwood
Daniel Underwood
5 years ago

Completed yesterday 28th Feb 2021. Got the badge but it isn’t the most fun of rides. Took around 7 hours with breaks for food, toilet etc.

Ann
Ann
5 years ago

Any tips for how to make this less boring? I want the badge but I didn’t realise it was 11 times (!) the same loop. I’m doing it with a group, so that will help, so we can talk to and encourage each other, but still. And then, 11 times up Box Hill and Leith Hill… eek. I’m also rather slow so am envisaging 8 hours in the saddle (with breaks). How do you deal with that?

Joseph Marden
Joseph Marden
5 years ago
Reply to  Ann

No need to worry about Leith Hll on this loop, I think

Mario N
Mario N
4 years ago
Reply to  Ann

I honestly just watch movies or TV when things get boring. Have a dual screen setup and switch Zwift to the small one when I need diversion. Just a single good movie can get you through a reasonable chunk of a long ride.

Quinn Dusenberry
Quinn Dusenberry
5 years ago

Do you get credit for the PRL Half along the way to completing the PRL full?

Whitney Stidham
Whitney Stidham
5 years ago

Completed this one on 5/15/21. London wasn’t on the schedule, so hubby and I did a meet up because we already had it planned thinking it was on the schedule. I wanted to finish in under 7 hours; hubby just wanted to finish. I had a conservative start and kept it that way. London Loop times were under 35min for each lap; Box Hill climbs were kept around the 12:30min or less mark. I used the descent on Box Hill for bathroom breaks, bottle refills, and eating, so my time off the bike was extremely minimal. I finished it 6:30:46, well under my initial goal. Pop tarts, stroopwaffles and gels were my go to snacks as I prefer easy to digest food. I also listened to music the whole time too. The route can be monotonous, but getting in a rhythm is key. Treating the ride as if you were actually on the road helps too. It’s really not that bad if you just pace yourself and know your limits. Hope this helps those who want to get his/her badge.

Paul
Paul
4 years ago

Completed this in the weekend just gone as an event. London was not on the schedule so everyone was aware that they may be on their own if there is a split. Had 17 to start but some wanted to take it super slow.

Some tips…we had a group of about a dozen riders and paced the climb each lap, regrouping between the banner and the kick before the descent. On the flat we tightened up and rolled around, saving energy while covering distance at a quick pace. We planned 5 minute breaks at the end of climbs 4 and 8 to change kit, stock up on food/water etc.

Everyone played ball staying together but at times it was like herding cats telling riders on the front to really ease off and come back in to let those behind catch up. Having a chat channel on Discord made time disappear! About 25-30 minutes per lap and getting the 100 mile badge at the 161 km mark. We did the Uber Pretzel the week before and the PRL Full was far easier and did not feel too bad at the end of it. A finish on the flat was a welcome site rather than the ADZ 🙂

Philip
Philip
4 years ago

Can anyone confirm that if you start the full but only get 6 laps in do you still get the half badge ?

Matt
Matt
4 years ago
Reply to  Philip

Sorry Philip, no. The Full and Half are different routes (albeit VERY similar bar the length) so you won’t get the half if you choose the full.

Me XMan
Member
Me XMan(@me_xman)
4 years ago

Got this done and I loved it. I would do this route over and over again. NOT! WTF!! 🤬🤬🤬😂😂😂

Fabio
Fabio
4 years ago

Can you do the route in two days ? wondering if I stop and continue next day it can be resumed.

Kerstin
Kerstin
1 year ago
Reply to  Eric Schlange

It didn’t work for me this weekend. On the second day I got the message “Your free 25 km trial has expired” (though I’m on a valid subscription). I was able to continue and finish the ride, but no route badge, no extra XP.

bart Verheijen
bart Verheijen
4 years ago

Will there be an event that joins a group to take on the PRL Full anytime soon? Would like to do it in the darker months before going more outside again.

Jono
Trusted Member
Jono(@jonovision_man)
4 years ago
Reply to  bart Verheijen

It’s pretty rare, and in my experience the group rides for this one aren’t great.. usually low numbers and you’re going at someone else’s pace, which for 6 hours can be not fun.
I’m trying it this Saturday, London on the schedule, lots of riders on weekends to draft off!

Frederic Audet
Frederic Audet
4 years ago
Reply to  bart Verheijen

Don’t know if you’ve done it yet, but I’m on this route for the badge tomorrow starting around 7h30 Eastern Time. Ride On !

Philippe
Philippe
4 years ago

Just completed it with a group. This has to be the best way to do it. Took 5:58 total, 217 W avg. If you’re a climber, you can definitely do this since it’s a « small » climb that you do 11 times, the rest is flat. Just have to fuel right. We took two breaks, changed clothes and ate steadily at the end of every climb. Don’t be afraid. Find the right group, pace yourself and start early! 🙂 Good luck!

Chloe B
Chloe B
4 years ago

I wonder if the new PRL – Essex 100 will be added?

Jim Stein
Jim Stein
4 years ago

@eric I want to ride the PRL full tomorrow with a friend but it is not a London day. Can I do a meetup set at 173.5 km to make sure we cover the lead in, or is that a big mistake and should I wait until Sunday which is a London day? Wouldn’t want to miss the bonus XP and badge. Thoughts? Thanks – Jim 

Last edited 4 years ago by Jim Stein
Jim Stein
Jim Stein
4 years ago

Last weekend I completed the PRL full. I am a 57 year old cat D non-racer (cat C wannabe) and did it just to see if I could. I wanted to complete it in 6 hours but it took slightly over 7 as I faded in the second half. My big tips are: (i) use the downhills to change bibs, jerseys, and to stretch out a bit, (ii) eat (PB&Js for) and drink an electrolyte solution (Gatorade Endurance for me) because you will sweat a lot and burn a lot of calories, and (iii) plan for the monotony of doing the same loop 11 times. I listened to podcasts and music because when I read or watch a movie I slow down too and did not want to increase saddle time. On that topic, my rear was very sore, despite changing bibs (I made the rookie error of forgetting to re-apply butt butter when I changed bibs). I used a gel seat cover for the last hour or two but am not sure if it helped or caused more rubbing.  **My main recommendation is to ride in a group for the comradery and drafting. I rode alone. Though I loved my set up (Cervelo P5 TT frame with DT Swiss Arc 1100 Dicut 62 wheels), I think the ordeal would have been easier and more fun with a group. My legs were sore for most of the next week.  

In retrospect, it was worth it, I look back on it with pride, and loved levelling up, but I am not planning on doing it again. Ride on!

 👍

C.T. Thongklin
C.T. Thongklin
4 years ago

I completed this course today (11 June 2022) and mentally, it was punishing if not the most punishing indoor ride I’ve ever attempted. This is way more of a mental challenge since you’re repeating the London Loop eleven times. I consider myself more of a serious enthusiast but not a racer and currently Zwift Level 18.

According to Strava, it took me exactly 7:00 at a distance of 107.87 mi (173.6 km) and 7,507 ft (2,288 m) with my average speed at 15.4 mph (24.8 kph), and average power of 123 Watts.

In the game, I rode this entirely on the Canyon Aeroad 2021 (3-aero, 3-weight) and the Zipp 404 (3-aero, 2-weight). I know there are far better frame+wheel combinations out there but I’m slowly working my way to the Tron bike!

It was extremely helpful reading some of the comments here ahead of time. Below was my approach, some observations, and experience. I chose to ride this solo and not draft off of anyone or do this in a group ride setting simply as a challenge to myself.

-If you want to do this ride or cross it off your list, just do it. Don’t overthink this ride and scare yourself away beforehand. Forget thinking about the 11 laps… just focus on earning the Century Kit if you don’t have it already! I mean, how many riders have you seen sporting that kit?!

-Have plenty of nutrition and hydration and don’t be bashful. Use a mix of sports nutrition and hydration with electrolytes but also have some real food mixed in. Dismount and refuel your cache if you need to. My cache consisted of Skratch hydration mix, their energy bars, and energy chews, and for other foods, white rice, and black & pinto beans.

-I’ve read that many refuel during the descents which is a great idea. I just eat whenever but yes, it’s a bit easier to refuel when you’re not focusing on managing an 8% climb.

-Have lots of distractions. Fill your queue on the DVR or YouTube, etc. Also, have your choice playlist running in the background to also add a layer of distraction.

-Pace yourself. There is no need to compete with others since this is an endurance ride unless you want to. Conserve your energy by keeping your HR zone as low as you can unless you want to sprint on climbs or do brief standing climbs in a higher gear.

-Just as IRL, keep a steady cadence by utilizing your gears efficiently like using the bigger chainring and a higher gear on flats and the smaller chainring and lower gear on climbs using the same effort. Pedal the complete revolution instead of only the downstroke; it’ll quickly improve your power efficiency.

-Purposely schedule a nature break somewhere in the middle (or schedule several) so you have something to look forward to. Use this time to also stretch and use a foam roller if you have one.

-The Box Hill or London Loop lap timer will help you maintain consistency. It helped me figure out how fatigued I was but I surprisingly was consistent for much of the ride within 1 minute of each lap. The 10-minute break in the middle for me did the trick to completely recharge my system and restored my lagging lap times!

-Don’t think about how many miles (or kilometers) you have since the start or the finish. Instead, focus your mind on the current lap or climb you’re on one hill at a time. Better yet, if you’re midway or later in the ride, just think of mentally starting on your current lap so that you only have 30, 20, etc. to go, and you’ve been warming up this entire time. Looking at the total distance from the beginning or to the end just adds to your misery.

-Use your power-ups with purpose. For example, I save the Featherweight to use on the up escalator from the Underground and do a standing sprint. That 15%+ climb is just downright awful the longer you’re there climbing on the escalator slope.

-Give Ride Ons to nearby riders. Some will reciprocate the gesture and every kudos helps mentally.

-I really wanted to give up several times by Mile 40, however, the thought of having to come back and redo the PRL Full later was enough self-motivation for me to finish.

-Lastly, stamina is 99% mental and 1% physical. You got this!!

Good luck to you if you’re reading this and congratulations on attempting one of the most challenging Zwift rides to date! 🙂👍

C.T. Thongklin
Kansas City, Missouri, USA

Jack-son
Jack-son
3 years ago

I am gonna do this soon, it seems so crazy to do it but that is why do it! Thanks for all the comments here-they help. I have done 100 miles numerous times on the road, but on a trainer – never, just did the 80 something mile ride on Zwift so we shall see! thanks

Trevor Holdsworth
Trevor Holdsworth
3 years ago

I completed this ten days ago. It has taken me that long to feel completely recovered, but I just smashed my Alpe du Zwift record by five minutes yesterday, so I can’t complain. Some tips:
Get off on the descent and loosen up, change clothes at halfway, watch youtube, swap to a climbing bike at Surrey Roundabout and a fast bike at the very to of the climb (quite a bit after after the banner). It’s an endurance effort just for the badge, otherwise I’d never have done it.
Next targets: 25xAlpe du Zwift (only three to go), 900 Watts sprint, then sometime this year: Everesting.

Roman
Roman
3 years ago

Congratulations and my sad story! 🙂 I believe that your improvement in Alpe du Zwift is due to the passage of this route. I definitely got stronger after the first PRL full, as shown by the FTP test. It was very difficult for me to go. Previously, the maximum route in Zwift was about 50km. Everything hurt, especially my knees. I changed 3 clothes. But my machine broke down, 5km to go, and I failed my badge. It was a strong psychological blow for me. After that, I rode a Pretzel Uber, without much suffering. And recently I rode PRL full again, it was much easier than the first time, and I did not feel pain anywhere.

Now I’m not afraid of anything. (except vEveresting:)

Why do you need 25 AdZ? 17 is enough before everesting.

Roman
Roman
3 years ago

For non-professionals (~190w, 2.6w/kg), my time experience and level of suffering 🙂 (in*****) with all the long routes in the game. In order of passing:

PRL Full (w/o 5km, trainer is broken): 5:50 ride + breaks 2 х 1 hour (food and shower) = 7:50(*****)

Uber Pretzel (+descent): 5:20 ride + breaks 2 х 1 hour (food and shower) = 7:20(****)
PRL Full (finally done!): 5:50 ride + breaks 2 х 1 hour (food and shower) = 7:50(****)
Mega Pretzel: 3:40 ride + break 40min (food and shower) = 4:20 (***)
Four Horsemen (in Zone2): 3:50 + break 1 hour = 4:50 (**)
Medium routes, completed in one run: 25*Volcano Circuit-2:45, Quatch Quest-2:15, PRL Half-2:10.

Others are faster than 2 hours and easy 🙂

Roman
Roman
3 years ago
Reply to  Roman

Oh, I forgot about the two “medium” routes:
The Pretzel – 2:24
Big Foot Hills (Z2) – 2:01

E C
E C
2 years ago

Yesterday’s elevation was 2621 meters, which is pretty close to Zwift’s official 2625.

I aimed for seven hours, and was a bit ahead of schedule for the first seven laps (for the first five laps, each lap was a new PR), but then it got a bit much, so I had three bad laps before a relatively strong finish. Pleased with 7:07, and it’s gonna be awhile until I do that again.

Luke
Luke
2 years ago
Reply to  E C

Congratulations on finishing E C. I’m trying to find the courage to give it a go, and you’ve given me some inspiration.

AndyW
AndyW
2 years ago
Reply to  Luke

Best advise is: look for a big social/group ride, makes it easier.

Luke
Luke
2 years ago
Reply to  AndyW

Thanks Andy, I will look out for one!

Harry Legs
Harry Legs
2 years ago
Reply to  AndyW

This is good advice in general…

As a potential counterpoint for the PRL Full specifically, though

I do this about once a summer and frequently the big ride ends up with a lot of people just doing a lap or a couple of laps or something and then leaving. I’m not sure why, although it sure seems like a couple of people like to push hard for a KOM or something against a group pacing themselves or maybe they just join from the screen on a whim before the reality hits, but of course with these distances/times you’re always going to have some people that have to drop out as life gets in the way. Not that I mind terribly, of course — it’s still more entertaining than staring at a wall.

So…

My advice instead if you want to have people to chase and talk to is to do it on a ‘London’ day ideally with some buddies and to -not- do it in an event that’s set not to show other riders. The route is busy enough on London days and actually having some variety in the people coming and going on the shorter rides is sort of constantly refreshing.

Cody
Cody
2 years ago

Planning on riding this tomorrow for the Zwift Insider Epic Ride at 7:30am CST. Any suggestions for bike choice? I’m planning on using the go-to all-around setup with the Scott Addict RC and ENVE 7.8 unless someone has insight on a better option.

Cody
Cody
2 years ago

Finished the route today during the ZI Epic Ride event. Went with the Scott Addict RC + ENVE 7.8 and have no regrets. Lots of people on Tron bikes, I think it’s probably a wash between the two. Finished just under 6 hours at 5:58. Unfortunately there weren’t a lot of people in the event, but I was able to ride with a group of 7-8 for the first several laps that slowly dwindled down to 3 of us for the last 3 laps or so. As others have said, it may not be a bad idea to do this route on a day when London is available and there are more riders around, but it’s super nice having some riding buddies with you the whole time. I shamelessly used as many coffee stops as I could. I just wanted the route badge, wasn’t really concerned with how I achieved it. Fueled with my homemade high-carb drink mix and a few snacks here and there that came out to 87g carbs/hour. Legs were pretty decent. Biggest issue was definitely the nether region. My setup is comfy but nothing is comfy about sitting on a trainer (and no rocker plate) for six hours. Really glad to have this done and have no plans of ever doing it again!

Johnnie Waffles
Johnnie Waffles
2 years ago

Finally got around to completing the PRL Full two days ago after having done the Half one evening last summer. After both researching the route and reading the comments here, I took the approach of keeping a conservative pace and dismounting every couple of laps to stretch the legs out, refuel, refill water bottles, etc. since this is a 107-mile route. For the first four laps, I felt strong, improving my time up Box Hill and completing the loop. But things became a grind from laps 5-10, despite taking the breaks every 2 laps. There came a point around lap 7 where I didn’t even want to get back on the bike. But soldier on I did, and ironically caught a second wind at the start of Lap 11 to the end of the route, completing it in 7 hours, 30 minutes.

Nutrition: food bursting with carbs: notably Pop Tarts, CLIF bars, PB on multigrain, and water, water, water.

Entertainment: Spotify playlists and binge-watching season 1 of Abbott Elementary…made the time pass more quickly.

I can’t say I’m in a rush to do this one again anytime soon, but would consider redoing the Half.

Last edited 2 years ago by Johnnie Waffles
Mark Anthony Morrell
Mark Anthony Morrell
1 year ago

WHERE IS THIS ROUTE LOCATED

Daniel Wnorowski
Daniel Wnorowski
1 year ago

Not bad overall, but gets a bit boring given redundancy of repeat sub-10 mile loops. The climb is <5% ave grade so not harsh, especially given abundant recovery time between repeats. Nutrition must not be overlooked given the distance. I felt Uber Pretzel was a greater challenge.

Adam
Adam
1 year ago

Don’t know if anyone has mentioned this yet but the link to the real PRL race now takes you to some spam site.

The link in this sentence: “The London course’s “PRL Full” route is meant to mimic the distance (but not the full course) of the real Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100.”

Mike
Mike
1 year ago

Does anybody know of there is an group ride or other similar Event planned on “the prl full london” in near future?
Thanks for comments

Mike
Mike
1 year ago
Reply to  Eric Schlange

Thank you for the fast reaction and Info!

Henry Ashman
Henry Ashman
1 year ago

I’ll probably get around to doing this eventually, but I can’t help feeling they missed a trick with only having it be laps of London loop, as I found the PRL Half really dull. You could do a superset of “London Loop + Greatest London Loop” to hit both hills. Do that 4 times plus a London Classique to get to about the same distance and only ~200m less elevation.

Mikey J
Mikey J
7 months ago

Completed this route today. Nutrition is absolutely everything. I found it to be just boring. I stayed in Z2 the entire route and rested only on the descent. Wouldn’t do it again but glad to join the elite.