So Who is Riding London To Brighton This Summer?

Smitho3

Smitho3

Smitho3

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As above really, Who is signing up? What time are you aiming for? Etc...

I managed the ride last year (Apart from Ditchling Beacon, walked that!) in 5hr 45 minutes. This year my Wife is joinging me so will probably slow to about 7 hour completion time, Damn her!! :)
 
I considered it, but it's just too busy. It's a mass participation charity ride so unless you are first away you are going to be riding at the pace of the group as a whole.
 
Some more information for those who haven't done this before:

It took me 5hr 45min to complete at an average of around 10mph. I would get in some long distance 20+ miles practice on a fairly hilly course, you will need a fairly basic riding computer to give you an average speed (Such as this for £10.99.) 5hr 45 min is my riding time, including walking in traffic jams (A lot of these unless you head out really early!) this does not take into consideration the 4 or 5 pit stops to pee and re-fuel.

As this is a fairly long distance endurance ride you won't simply be able to get up one morning, ride it and go home unless you have either prepped for the ride or are a seasoned cyclist. It took me 6 months to lose weight and get fit to complete this in the time above. Other riders completed it in my group in under 5 hours!

I rode my Giant Talon 3 bike for this event which is a fairly basic and relativly inexpensive bike that can be had for around £500. I did swap out my chunky all terrain tires for high PSI 1 1/2 inch slicks which make a very big difference to the ride speed, and of course the ride quality, a padded pair of shorts are a must on high PSI!

Fuel is important, you will need to load up on carbs for several days (2-3 should suffice) prior to the event and then eat some simple carbs on the route, a banana or 3 is always good! Lucazade energy drinks can be useful. I has 2 attached to me bike along with a bladder (camel back like this) containing 1.5l of water that was plenty for the ride. There are tonnes of people who support you along the way giving out and selling water on the cheap, as well as designated pit stops every 5 or so miles.

To give you an idea of what the course is like this page has a good hill map. there are 3 main hills but by far the hardest is Ditchling Beacon, which as I mentioned before I failed to ride. I will say that many riders do not ride the hills and it can get very congested.

Nipple and leg chaffing can also be a problem so appropriate riding wear is essential. I sported the all lycra look last year to show off my man goods and keep me cool in the summer sun!

Sign up is on March 12th more information can be found here


Hope this helps and for god's sake, wear a helmet, the amount of silly accidents on this ride due to inexperienced riders is phenomenal. :)
 
Cool, cheers for the extra info. I'm wanting to do a few 50+ mile rides this year but I'm not keen on the congestion. I did Skyride and while it was slow fun with my girlfriend taking in some sights around London I don't think I'd be able to keep that slow pace up for 50 miles. I'm going to have a look at some of the road ones organised by Evans. Sounds sado, but I quite like hills :D
 
I did "Cycle the Wight" last year which (on the longest route) is 70 miles around the Isle of Wight. The route is well marked and there were no problems with congestion at all as you cant start from multiple points on the island and you can start whenever you like.
 
I might do this if it doesn't clash with my other races. Might even cycle back to London - 54 miles is a bit short.
 
[DOD]Asprilla;18134893 said:
Don't think of it as a race, if you aren't at the front it's a traffic jam.
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I must admit there were times of frustration however the vast majority of the ride was clear enough for you to ride at the pace you are accustomed to. You do have to be very wary of other riders though. Particularly the newbie plebs ;)

I would say about 2 miles of the 54 were spent walking, 5 miles riding slowly (less than 10mph) and the remainder at your own pace.
 
I'll be doing it with a couple of friends on our Pashley's dressed in tweed and flat caps! got my brooks brick lane paniers to keep a change of clothes as we will be going out in Brighton when we arrive.

been cycling 12 miles a day plus 20-25 at weekends in preperation lost 6 inches from my waist too as a side line.

once I have nailed this and the isle of wight i want to travel overseas by bicycle!
 
i did the capital to coast last year and I'm very tempted to do it again this. Its not the same as the London to Brighton route wise but very well organised and not so crowded that you can't ride at a decent rate.
We started as late as we could have done (a couple of people turned up a little worse for wear and very late) and hit a bit of traffic around box hill but apart from that no congestion to speak of, just a nice sunny ride to the coast :)
 
Hmm, would be tempted if it wasn't for the crowds that people are talking about. Did one of the cycle rides in Bristol last year and that was similar on certain stretches - just stuck in single file doing the speed of a 13 year old at the front.

Edit: Just noticed this is the first weekend after getting back from cycling to France to watch the tour. Don't think I'll have it in me to do this 3 days after :p.
 
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How hilly are we talking about here. Might do it on a fixie if its not too bad.
 
[DOD]Asprilla;18124020 said:
I considered it, but it's just too busy. It's a mass participation charity ride so unless you are first away you are going to be riding at the pace of the group as a whole.
Click to expand...

You could always put a plough at the front of your bike.
 
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