Road Cycling Essentials

[Nexus]

BHF London2Brighton followed by cycling back? I want to do that this year. That's over 100mi.

You can sign up from March I think.

I've never done the London2Brighton, but the people I know who tend to do it are those who don't really cycle much or are Fixie riders, I hear it gets called a 'nodder' ride a lot as well because of this. I've also been told of accidents, largely because of so many people unfamiliar with riding. That said, I'd been talking with friends who are considering doing the night version of the ride, but they have the same train restrictions in place. It makes it a bit awkward as you probably want to just go to bed, when its morning that you arrive. As a couple of my friends will be on Fixies, I'm not sure they want to turnaround and go back to London again.

I've actually always wanted to do a Triathlon, so although I think that would be quite a bit of work, especially on the swimming side, that was another option I was looking at as a goal. Annoyingly I just noticed that the London Triathlon has finished taking entries now.

 

[Kimi]

I guess you could just turn up for ride london anyway, join in, heh

 

[ShiWarrior]

i did the London 2 Brighton years ago, on a mountain bike

 

[Shamrock]

I've never done the London2Brighton, but the people I know who tend to do it are those who don't really cycle much or are Fixie riders, I hear it gets called a 'nodder' ride a lot as well because of this. I've also been told of accidents, largely because of so many people unfamiliar with riding.

There is an element of truth to that I suppose.

Of course you can do an L2B anytime, but having the roads closed is nice....until you get to the big hills. All the people walking up and blocking the road make it impossible for those that want to power up the hills. I think I would fit flat pedals for the day as I saw many clip-less riders topple over on the hills last year due to the crowds.

 

[kiteloopy]

I think I would fit flat pedals for the day as I saw many clip-less riders topple over on the hills last year due to the crowds.

cycle harder and beat the crowds???

 

[[DOD]Asprilla]

My view of L2B, which based entirely on hearsay and Chinese whispers, is that it's complete noddergeddon.

 

[grudas]

i've registered on l2b ride looks quite fun might get some mates to go with me and get it done!

not a fan of huge crowds tho.. looks like a bunch of nubs slowing down unable to climb hills etc etc..

 

[Hamster]

A friend did the quieter L2B night ride last year and really enjoyed it.

 

[Shamrock]

27,000 riders on the same road will get bottlenecked and unless you were in the early starting groups you can't really beat the crowd.

It was enjoyable and fun to do with friends, but yeah it's not really a "serious" cyclist ride. There are lots of hilarious costumes and weird/wonderful bikes to see.

 

[Shamrock]

looks like a bunch of nubs slowing down unable to climb hills etc etc..

That's a bit rich from someone who hasn't done a proper hill yet!

 

[grudas]

27,000 riders on the same road will get bottlenecked and unless you were in the early starting groups you can't really beat the crowd.

It was enjoyable and fun to do with friends, but yeah it's not really a "serious" cyclist ride. There are lots of hilarious costumes and weird/wonderful bikes to see.

i would do the night one but country lanes + night doesnt sound that fun.. ?!

 

[[DOD]Asprilla]

i would do the night one but country lanes + night doesnt sound that fun.. ?!

Dunno, I've been told its a lot of fun. I've tried to get a pass from the EPO but no dice.

http://fnrttc.blogspot.co.uk/?m=0

 

[grudas]

Dunno, I've been told its a lot of fun. I've tried to get a pass from the EPO but no dice.

http://fnrttc.blogspot.co.uk/?m=0

it does look good! i wouldn't actually mind the night ride, i guess the riders are better on it too!

i guess ill see if i can get some mates to do it!

but it would be l2b and then b2l for me

and thats is over 100miles which for a first timer might be too much so i guess i would need to do some practice rides of 40-60miles to see how it feels.

 

[Nexus]

A friend did the quieter L2B night ride last year and really enjoyed it.

What did they do when they got to Brighton?

As this is the thing we have been trying to work out as to whether to do it. You can't go back by train on a bike. A friend did it once and used the service they provide with a coach and bike carriage, but he said he wouldn't use that again as they don't treat the bikes very well.

Obviously if it was a day ride, you could get there, have something to eat and drink and stay in a hotel.

Arriving in the morning and wanting to go to sleep, its a bit weird to then stay in a hotel.

So the only real option we could think of was as to whether somebody with a big enough car drives down the day before, find a place to park and then come back on the train.

 

[grudas]

What did they do when they got to Brighton?

As this is the thing we have been trying to work out as to whether to do it. You can't go back by train on a bike. A friend did it once and used the service they provide with a coach and bike carriage, but he said he wouldn't use that again as they don't treat the bikes very well.

Obviously if it was a day ride, you could get there, have something to eat and drink and stay in a hotel.

Arriving in the morning and wanting to go to sleep, its a bit weird to then stay in a hotel.

So the only real option we could think of was as to whether somebody with a big enough car drives down the day before, find a place to park and then come back on the train.

or cycle back

 

[Vonhelmet]

As per usual then...

Pete, find out where Wally's planning us going this weekend will you? He never replies to my texts

I can sneak out for a couple of hours tomorrow if it's somewhere local like the rake and back.

I spoke to him last night. He said something about Haigh Hall, then over Belmont, then up towards the M65, then up somewhere called Tockholes (sp?) where I've not been yet, and then back through Chorley, up that country lane under the motorway to the Yarrow, then back over the three hills to the Barn, if that makes any sense! If you look on Rob's Strava feed, there's a ride a few weeks back (the title is something to do with a vasectomy ) where he went up Tockholes. Perhaps you can do a bit of the ride and then head back early. You could probably join them as far as the top of Belmont and then head back?

Wally mentioned that there's some new guy going to start coming out with us. Can you guess what his name is? Yes, it's Paul. This one is "Scotch Paul" apparently. That's 5 Pauls. Ridiculous.

 

[Nexus]

or cycle back

As I said in my earlier post, as this is a ride with mates who don't take riding so seriously and ride fixies, its not an option.

 

[One More Solo]

or cycle back

This really, L2B is not a tough ride and coming back will be a breeze if you pace yourself. I remember riding the route for the first time and being worried about the hills - aside from Ditchling Beacon the others are bumps at best.

 

[Vonhelmet]

My view of L2B, which based entirely on hearsay and Chinese whispers, is that it's complete noddergeddon.

I've heard the same said about Manchester to Blackpool, but I'd like to do that one year. I did Liverpool to Chester last year, and I'm planning on doing their 90 mile ride this year, but that too was absolutely jammed full of noobs. Mind you, I was only 2 months into road cycling when I did it last year, so I can't really talk

 

[#Chri5#]

Says Cancelled on my RideLondon 100 too

Oh well, probably do the Liverpool Marathon instead.

Just to rub things in, the Liverpool Marathon got cancelled this morning

I have found the BHF Manchester to Blackpool night ride. Have family in Lytham St Annes so that would work.