London to Brighton 2012

Musty Pie

Musty Pie

Musty Pie

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Ok I did a search and could not find any information on this for 2012.

Let me start with a little back story.

Last year (in the summer) I broke my leg and ankle. 2 lots of surgery later and about 7 months on I am slowly getting back into some of the exersize I used to love doing before my injury. Its slow progress, but its progress none the less. My leg strength is not anywhere near where it used to be, and my range of movement is restricted and will never get back to 100%.

However, depressing factors aside, I decided to give myself a challenge.

After sitting down with some friends (all quite keen summer XC/mountain bikers) we have decided that as a group we will do the L2B bike ride.

Again this might not sound like a lot for some of you seasoned riders, but after my leg and ankle break, not only has my pysical ability taken a knock, but also my fitness levels have declined as a result.

so my main reasons for this?:

1. To help me get back on the saddle again after my injury and get fit again
2. To raise money for the BHF
3. To complete the ride for the first time as a group

The reason I am starting this thread? well, I think it would be nice to see who else is doing it this year and have a place where we like me can discuss the event before hand.

The website for those interested is here:

http://www.bhf.org.uk/get-involved/events/bike-rides/london-to-brighton.aspx?TestGet=Y

Info on the ride:
Date: 17th June 2012
Distance: 54 miles

If you have not done this before (like me) I suggest signing up and trying to raise a little cash for the BHF in the process, its a good cause, and from what I can tell a fun day out for people of all abilities.

So guys, who's doing it this year? Who's already done it in the past? Who has good stories and advice etc etc?

:D
 
I'll probably do it again this year. Start early and you'll miss all the traffic jams on the hills.
 
That would be Awesome 5UB! Rally the OCUK staff to do the same :)

Someone has already made a donation but I dont know who it is on the forums, I am shocked as its a V generous ammount and I really want to thank them!!
 
George Hincapie said:
What's the parcours like?
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LondonToBrighton.jpg
 
You can have some charity love me :) I'm coming back from a couple of years of knee trouble and know how long a road getting back to fitness can be.

A related event I recently saw on these forums is a London to Brighton Walk. I want to do both. Maybe next year.

I've only ever done the L2B on my inline skates so my perceptions may vary from cyclists. I have done a similar route and gone over Ditchling on a bicycle.

First thing others have mentioned is leave early or every hill you come to will look like this and you'll be walking.

Both times I did it the first half (up to Turners Hill) felt like a bit of a slog after getting out of London.

Turners Hill to Ditchling feels lovely and all downhill till you see the South Downs rising before you.

Getting up Ditchling while hard work I never actually found too bad. Think I was in one of the lowest gears on my bike and the equivalent stance on my skates recounting one, two, three, four over and over in time with my cadence. My goals were always to get to the top without stopping and I never did so I have no idea how hard it is to get going again if you do stop!

The bends on the hill can be a little deceptive as you think you may be reaching the top before another whole stretch is revealed.

Once you reach the top you're treated to beautiful views over southern England and a well stocked ice cream van (along with normal refreshments).

From here it's just a glorious cruise across the downs, a pretty steep drop into Brighton then most likely a big queue all the way to the sea and the finish line.

One thing to discuss if you haven't already is how your group will work. If you are still half broken and quite slow while they are keen cyclists and speedy are they happy to keep your pace the whole way? Maybe pack some string so you can get a tow :p
 
Thanks for all of the info above mate! its all helpful!

Did you donate on my page? (I got a random donation and I am trying to find out who it is to thank them!)

Doing it on in-lines sounds like a great idea! Used to love a bit of skating back in the day!
 
Musty Pie said:
Not looking forward to that hill at the end :(
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Last time I rode up there, there was an ice cream van at the top, it's a great incentive.

Strava shows me taking 20 minutes to make the climb, but it also shows 13 minutes of that was stationary. I think that was me waiting of my mate to psych himself up at the bottom and then eating ice cream whilst waiting for him at the top.
 
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[DOD]Asprilla;21576886 said:
Last time I rode up there, there was an ice cream van at the top, it's a great incentive.

Strava shows me taking 20 minutes to make the climb, but it also shows 13 minutes of that was stationary. I think that was me waiting of my mate to psych himself up at the bottom and then eating ice cream whilst waiting for him at the top.
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Psych himself up for a 400 ft climb? Really?

What flavour ice cream did you have? ;)
 
George Hincapie said:
Psych himself up for a 400 ft climb? Really?

What flavour ice cream did you have? ;)
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He doesn't ride very often at all. In his own words he was 'in a very dark place' when we got to the bottom of Ditchling Beacon. We were 65 miles in and we'd managed to miss the feed station in Ditchling. Consequently we stopped in the car park at the bottom whilst he had a rest, some water and I gave him a cliff bar.

Oh and he was on an old steel frame with a double whilst I was on carbon compact.

He's since moved job and now he cycles over the Beacon twice a week. He'll probably destroy me over it next time.

I had a plain 99.
 
Musty Pie said:
Did you donate on my page? (I got a random donation and I am trying to find out who it is to thank them!)
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I donated as Anon with the comment "Best of luck :)". The mystery of your hidden donor continues.

Doing it on in-lines sounds like a great idea! Used to love a bit of skating back in the day!
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When the road surfaces are good skating through the countryside is lovely. Soon as the surfaces get rough it becomes pure hell. From what I hear the surfaces on L2B aren't so good these days (not that it makes any difference to a bicycle).

London to Cambridge is supposed to be fairly smooth and less hilly to boot.
 
Just to piggy back onto this topic if i may:

Im also doing this, though doing the non-bike one(ie the more manly one :P )

Going to be interesting to see how it goes as i havnt run a marathon though i hope my fitness levels wont let me down, otherwise it will be a 100k crawl, but with the team we got going im sure we will all make it

now for the shameless plug for our running club (though its for a very good cause)
http://www.justgiving.com/broxbourne-runners
 
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