For as long as I've been audaxing, it seems the default start time for a 200 has always been 8am. I can't off the top of my head think of a 200 I've done that started at any other time. Looking at the current calendar, there are a few events starting earlier - there's even one starting at 6am - but 8am is very much the default. There's also one starting at 23.59.
For my own event, I've gone with an 8am start time for each of the three times I've run it. Now I'm in the early stages of planning to put it on again next year, I'm contemplating moving to an earlier start time (7am) - main reason being so I can close the finish control earlier (which would be better for the venue). It would also mean that more riders would finish in daylight. Sunrise would be around 6am.
Current timetables mean it's impossible to get to the start by train for 8am anyway, so it doesn't make any difference from that point of view. (Though an earlier start would mean later finishers could get the last train back to London.)
Anything else I should be considering that I haven't thought of? What's the general view on this?
In normal times, here in .NL, 200's start at 0900. Which means for all bar the most remote of rides, can be reached by public transport. And unless you're exceptionally full value on the Heerlen 200's, you can get home again after.
But that's in a country with a functional pubic transport network.
8am is early, 7am is approaching inhumane.
But, I'm unlikely to be in a position to partake in your rides (taking the bike on the Eurostar is too much faff
), so this is perhaps not the most useful info. If I was, it would be really useful if I could have a proper breakfast at Beano's, then ride to the start. (I think they open at 0600 on a Saturday, so 0800 start that's plausible).
J