So Who is Riding London To Brighton This Summer?

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That's me last year riding on it. I made it up Ditchling Beacon without stopping and that thing only has two gears. I'll be signing up this year too.
 
uvarvu said:
http://www.uvarvu.com/misc/bikeRide.jpg[IMG]

That's me last year riding on it. I made it up Ditchling Beacon without stopping and that thing only has two gears. I'll be signing up this year too.[/QUOTE]

This made me chuckle.
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I've done it last couple years. I get going about 7am so i can whiz to Brighton without being held up by 27,000 riders who get on the route later. The problem with starting after about 9am is that it gets too busy and you end up walking if someone decides to stop and dismount a mile down the road. Great fun otherwise. Possible to get over 50mph when you drop down into Brighton after Ditchling Beacon.

I think a lot of people get the train back, or at least cycle to Gatwick and get the train back from there. Personally i cycle there and back home which is about 80+ miles. Much easier going to Brighton than back because its mostly downhill and the roads are closed on both sides.
 
[DOD]Asprilla;18459072 said:
Ah no, that was me. Sorry, I've just not got round to replying yet. You had better not walk up Ditchling, or I'm coming for my money back...
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I got half way last time with no training, will get back on the road next month for some decent rides, have no fear your money has gone for good ;)

BlackDragon said:
Hmm it's certainly tempting to do something like this. Although I'll have to really crank up the weekly mileage in preparation as I only do 8 miles a day!
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Go for it, you've got enough time to crank it up!
 
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Anyone got any tips for preparing for this?

I don't want to be stopping at any point due to difficulty, particularly that final hill. My fitness is fairly good as I used to do a lot of cross country running, but now I need to gear myself towards cycling.
 
BlackDragon said:
Anyone got any tips for preparing for this?

I don't want to be stopping at any point due to difficulty, particularly that final hill. My fitness is fairly good as I used to do a lot of cross country running, but now I need to gear myself towards cycling.
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Do you cycle much now?

The most obvious thing is that it's about cardio vascular condition rather than strength, spin in a lower gear rather than mash away in a high one. Also, getting out of the saddle is less biomechanically efficient than staying seated, so try and avoid it.
 
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i'd try and do a couple of longer jaunts before tackling the "big" event - I did 3-4 rides working up to 35 miles before the capital-coast (pretty much the same thing with less people) which really helped shake out the niggles of riding longer distances - getting comfy in the saddle, working out my fuelling (main thing is found was getting enough salt - torq energy drink being the solution)

I also did a 10 mile commute (each way) 3 times a week working upto the event.

In the end I was very over-prepped but really enjoyed the event because of it - the hill was still evil though, made it up in one though :)
 
I might actually do this after all. A few people I know are doing it.

BlackDragon - if you're not used to cycling then it's a good idea to get some saddle time even if you're already fit enough to do it without much training, otherwise you're going to get very saddle sore if you're not used to it :)
 
If anyone is still thinking about it, I have a slot or two left on a team entry, to start at 6.30am (wanted to avoid the crowds).

Message my email in trust if you're interested.
 
I'm signed up with my team. The Cyclomaniacs or something :D

Assuming I have sorted my knee out by then I shouls be good to go. I've decided to do it on my 30 year old singlespeed :D
 
Im aiming to do this.

A friend of mine is doing it for the BHF. Another friend of mine is also doing it, although just for fun - he's a photographer with a cycling magazine and a cycling nut. He's also very fit. Last weekend he completed the 85 miles Paris-Roubaix. Starting this weekend, he's doing a 12 day Lands End -John O'Groats tour. Needless to say, 54 miles should be a doddle to him.

Anyway, they both asked if I wanted to join them for the L2B. I said yes.

Considering that a month ago was the first time I'd sat on a bike since I was about 15, and the fact I've put a lot of weight on in the last year, I've definitely got a lot of training ahead of me to catch up to their level. Agreeing to join them on the ride was more of a motivation to exercise for me, something to galvanise me, and something I think would feel amazing to achieve. So my friend has leant me a 10 speed Raleigh and we've been heading out each weekend on long rides in training.

So far, I don't think I'm doing too badly. Two weeks ago, after getting the bike off my friend, I went out after work, intending only really to ride around the block - I ended up doing 9.5 miles. The following Saturday, we went out and did 22 miles, got home and both felt good, like we could carry on.

Tonight, I went out again, and did nearly 11 miles with no problem. Hopefully if I can keep up a routine of doing 10 miles every few evenings after work followed by long rides at the weekend, the weight should come down, my endurance should rise and I'll be ready to tackle the L2B.

At first, I was dubious, but after reading about the route, I'm in high spirits, and actually looking forward to the challenge. The biggest problem I have at the moment is getting saddle sore; just need to find some padded shorts...
 
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