L2B(2L) - Saturday April 25th

[Gruffy]

This isn't the mass-participation event. I'm simply planning to ride the route as part of my training for PH TdF 1-3. It's 55 miles (~90km) from Clapham Common to Madeira Drive in Brighton. Fish & chips for lunch and then the train back to London. Or for those aiming for the TdF weekender, it may be more appropriate to pedal back to London. The round trip (from London Bridge, anyway) comes in at 200km|2,700m which is identical to Stage 1 Leeds-Harrogate.

It's a classic route with only one major climb (Ditchling Beacon) and will make a great PH ride, without the traffic jams of the official L2B.

Riders
1. Gruffy (LBL)
2. M3John (tbd)
3. JT (LB)
4. Tony Hetherington (LB)
5. Pete (tbd)
6.

[Gruffy]

No reason why you can't decide last minute for the ride. Same with the return leg. Expressing interest here is useful though as it encourages others to join in too.

I'll be riding this regardless of the weather. If the storm has a name then I may just reduce to one-way.

[Gruffy]

No such thing as bad weather, just difficulty getting a pass (© Gruffy)

[Gruffy]

We'll quite naturally break into smaller groups I'd expect. Some may want to aim for 30km/h and others are happy at 23km/h. I suspect we'll have a big enough group that you'll always find somebody of a similar pace to ride with. And of course we'll all regroup for fish and chips and cake and coffee in Brighton.

[Gruffy]

I don't know Clapham Common well but I understand the bandstand is the traditional meeting place for L2B. Happy to be led if there's a better meeting point though?

[Gruffy]

Early doors. Meeting at 7am at the bandstand. This takes the pressure off for those doing LBL and wanting/needing to be back at an acceptable time.

Tony, it makes sense for us to stay together given that we're riding the Tour two weeks later, get our teamwork dialled in for maximum efficiency. You'll be benefiting from your 'new bike tailwind' anyway so you'll probably be quick

[Gruffy]

Will the brakes be the right way around?

[Gruffy]

Can we get an update on this list so that we know who to wait for on the common.

Riders
1. Gruffy (LBL)
2. JT (LB)
3. Tony Hetherington (LBL)
4. Pete (TBC)
5. tobinen (LB - maybe LBL depends on how the legs feel)
6. richardxjr (BL)
7. cos18 (TBC)
8. Black Can Man (LBL)
9. Jorrocks (TBC)
10. j00pY (LBL)

ALawson?
neenaw?
TheLemming?

Edited by Gruffy on Thursday 16th April 18:31

[Gruffy]

7am on Saturday, I guess. I'll have one last look on the forum on the morning, just to double-check who and how many we should be waiting for. I can't believe a military man is scared of an early start though!?

Head wind out and tail wind home? I'd be happy with that.

[Gruffy]

Yeah, that's Jason. Spoke to him last week and he said he was still up for it.

I think 7:00 meet for a 7:15 start. It's an open space rather than a cafe so probably unwise to stand around for too long getting cold.

[Gruffy]

Bugger. If the start time is proving impossible for several people and an extra 30-60 minutes makes all the difference let me know.

[Gruffy]

https://www.strava.com/routes/1546844

[Gruffy]

Is the start time a problem? If it's causing ball ache for a few people we can shift it.

[Gruffy]

That's a different LBL. Kudos to your mate though. Love it.

[Gruffy]

yellowjack said:

Gruffy said:

https://www.strava.com/routes/1546844

I've copied that onto my Strava account.

Now it says I created it! I'm not trying to steal the credit, Gruffy, honest I'm not, but I can't see how to edit the ride title.

I'm also a little disappointed with Strava's route creator. The reason I copied the ride was to edit it, in the hope that I could figure out a way to use the Wey Navigation/Downs Link paths from Guildford to intercept the main PH L2B route. Fly in the ointment? Yup, you betcha life there is! Despite Strava's route builder having a "show bike paths" option, there is no way I can see to incorporate said cycle paths into a route, as I'm just directed onto the nearest roads.

Plan would have been to head for somewhere like Turners Hill or Haywards Heath and roll into Brighton with the main body, or possibly hit the Downs Link all the way to Shoreham and meet in Brighton. Although I am still pondering whether to attempt this at all. I don't want to request a delayed start unless I can fully commit to the ride, and I'm probably only about 30% sure I'd do it at the moment.

Edit: I am very nervous about riding in a large group, having very little experience of anything other than riding as a pair.

Group riding will be fine - nothing to be nervous about at all. We're very unlikely to be riding in a tight bunch. I'd have thought we'll naturally break into smaller groups without even trying, especially once we hit any gradients. And I doubt anybody will be riding THAT close anyway, unless they've ridden together before.

With the route, can you not add in extra waypoints? 'Pull' the route onto the tow path you want to ride? The Strava route planner isn't the best user interface but it can be hacked to work with some patience.

[Gruffy]

The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. Arsehole.

[Gruffy]

TonyHetherington said:

Spoke to JT; he's wavering I think (has been on the booze for 2 weeks...which is fair enough )

He uses that excuse a lot. Bloody pisshead.

[Gruffy]

We hadn't. If we're going to then we need to do it now.

I need to be back in London and presentable for an appointment at 5pm so if it does get pushed back to 8am then I may need to be a dick and crack on with the return leg as fast as I can manage. The weather is better earlier in the day too.

Aren't you in London Friday night for meat and beers anyway? Would it not make sense to crash over? I can't offer a bed as I have no spare room but you're welcome to a yoga mat, duvet and a bit of floor.

[Gruffy]

Sounds wise. Can you recommend a place by name so that everybody knows what to look for? I'll update the Strava route.

[Gruffy]

We should be away by 7:15 but I think 4 hours is more realistic for some of the group. Or longer if people plan to stop midway to Brighton(?).