London to Brighton 2018
Discussion
I did this back in 2016 and loved the experience. The amount of support was amazing. I took a while, around six hours or so but I'm stupidly unfit.
I'm doing it again this year. I'm going to do a lot more training this time. Last time the furthest I cycled was 25 miles around a month before which was not enough. This year I want to do it in around four hours. Which I believe should be possible.
Going to get my bike serviced at the end of the month (not been on it since the last one...) and crack on with some training. I'm thinking Monday and Friday for longer rides (start work at 6pm so more time) with a shorter, hour or so on Wednesday before work. Plus maybe cycling into work on Thursdays and Saturdays (around 2.5 miles each way...nothing major but some nice (or horrible) hills there and back.
Is anyone else doing it this year? I know it gets a bit of a bad press.
I'm doing it again this year. I'm going to do a lot more training this time. Last time the furthest I cycled was 25 miles around a month before which was not enough. This year I want to do it in around four hours. Which I believe should be possible.
Going to get my bike serviced at the end of the month (not been on it since the last one...) and crack on with some training. I'm thinking Monday and Friday for longer rides (start work at 6pm so more time) with a shorter, hour or so on Wednesday before work. Plus maybe cycling into work on Thursdays and Saturdays (around 2.5 miles each way...nothing major but some nice (or horrible) hills there and back.
Is anyone else doing it this year? I know it gets a bit of a bad press.
I did it 3 times a few years ago and even as someone who doesn’t cycle on roads normally the whole thing was massively frustrating due to the lack of common sense, spatial awareness and dumbness of many of the riders.
I had to walk up almost every hill as the whole thing ground to a halt cos many people couldn’t cycle it, then watching people crash into others on the steep downhill bits, followed by shouting at the walkers going up the beacon at the end to get out the way cos some people want to attempt to cycle up it.
Only way I’d do it again is to get a mega early leaving slot but then you lose out on the support/crowds so it’s a lose-lose for me.
Rant over!
Oh, and good luck with the training, I found building up to a couple of 35milers was enough to get through on the day so your plan sounds fine!
I had to walk up almost every hill as the whole thing ground to a halt cos many people couldn’t cycle it, then watching people crash into others on the steep downhill bits, followed by shouting at the walkers going up the beacon at the end to get out the way cos some people want to attempt to cycle up it.
Only way I’d do it again is to get a mega early leaving slot but then you lose out on the support/crowds so it’s a lose-lose for me.
Rant over!
Oh, and good luck with the training, I found building up to a couple of 35milers was enough to get through on the day so your plan sounds fine!
ISTR There's normally a group of PHers who do it. So hopefully they'll post on this thread in due course. Garlick may have departed but I think it was him who helped organise it. Is he still here as a user?
I did it in'11.
Got a 630am start and spent the first miles out to the Chipstead area just passing loads and loads of people. And I wasn't hacking it, just rolling along. Also got frustrated with people just stopping on hills without any sort of indication. Also more than a few dicks who'll just sit in your draft for miles and miles.1 Guy was obviously matching my speed. I slowed, he slowed, I accelerated he bust a blood vessel to keep with me. I ended up stopping briefly in the end. He passed me. I took off my jacket. And passed him again and dropped him for good about a mile down the road.
I'll tow my mates or those who will share. But I ain't doing the work for randoms!
I few friends have asked over the years about doing it again. But I probably wouldn't unless I could guarantee a 6am start.
For reference I think at the time I'd not ridden more than about 50-60K in 1 go. It's 90K or so I think the whole route, so easily do-able if you ride 20K or so a couple times a week and do some hill work for strength.
I fear if I get into RideLondon this year I'm going to be getting just as irritated by numpties
I did it in'11.
Got a 630am start and spent the first miles out to the Chipstead area just passing loads and loads of people. And I wasn't hacking it, just rolling along. Also got frustrated with people just stopping on hills without any sort of indication. Also more than a few dicks who'll just sit in your draft for miles and miles.1 Guy was obviously matching my speed. I slowed, he slowed, I accelerated he bust a blood vessel to keep with me. I ended up stopping briefly in the end. He passed me. I took off my jacket. And passed him again and dropped him for good about a mile down the road.
I'll tow my mates or those who will share. But I ain't doing the work for randoms!I few friends have asked over the years about doing it again. But I probably wouldn't unless I could guarantee a 6am start.
For reference I think at the time I'd not ridden more than about 50-60K in 1 go. It's 90K or so I think the whole route, so easily do-able if you ride 20K or so a couple times a week and do some hill work for strength.
I fear if I get into RideLondon this year I'm going to be getting just as irritated by numpties
It's a laugh and not really difficult by any stretch of the imagination.
The frustrating thing, as mentioned above, is some of the feckin idiots doing it and just stopping.
But, a laugh none the less. Also, when else could you really feel ok with yourself for having a pint of cider at 9am on a Sunday?
The frustrating thing, as mentioned above, is some of the feckin idiots doing it and just stopping.
But, a laugh none the less. Also, when else could you really feel ok with yourself for having a pint of cider at 9am on a Sunday?
Signed up for this years, first time doing the road version & any road cycling event.
Taken part in the off road version past few years along with the SDW which are both enjoyable events by BHF. Wanted to do the off road one again this year but due to holiday clash thought I would give the road one a go.
Cant remember the start time I picked, was later than 6am so assume I will be among the numpties. Will strap the kids Nerf gun to the handlebars
Looking forward to it,Should be fun!
Taken part in the off road version past few years along with the SDW which are both enjoyable events by BHF. Wanted to do the off road one again this year but due to holiday clash thought I would give the road one a go.
Cant remember the start time I picked, was later than 6am so assume I will be among the numpties. Will strap the kids Nerf gun to the handlebars
Looking forward to it,Should be fun!
Did it last year (very hot day) and also about 5yrs ago. Could be tempted to do again in 2018, if I can round up a few to do it with. I really enjoyed it, don't go fast just the pace of others, have a couple of pints on route and nice pub lunch. Normally leave in the 9.00am or 9.30 group and simply aim to finish before dark. Certainly don't worry about getting stuck behind others, normally manage to cycle all but the very large hill at the end, which I did nearly make last year but as said it's hard to cycle around the many who are walking it. Don't think it requires any training before hand if you take a relaxed approach like I do as never really do more than about 10/12 miles without a break anyway.
I did it in 2015. Originally entered in a group of four and all dropped out, so I did it on my own as if you are keen on cycling, its something to do at least once.
I think my ride time was something daft like 7hrs and it cost a ridiculous amount of money. £110 for a cab to the start line and £20 in parking for my mum to come and get me at the end of the ride. I also had a record three punctures on that ride. I got fed up and paid for someone to fix the last one.
I crashed about half way through due to some idiot swerving all over the road and I had a choice of running over a chaps leg or rear mech. I chose his rear mech and it finished his event
We were stationary for about three hours due to serious crashes. You get a lot of people doing it who don't cycle much and thats where it can be a bit challenging.
The last 10 mile decent into Brighton is pretty awesome and like many other roadies, I went for it at that point. Deacons Hill is made harder by the amount of people who walk it and sheer volume of riders on a narrow road.
Friends have asked if I would ride with them on L2B. I said thats fine, but I'd like some help getting home
I think my ride time was something daft like 7hrs and it cost a ridiculous amount of money. £110 for a cab to the start line and £20 in parking for my mum to come and get me at the end of the ride. I also had a record three punctures on that ride. I got fed up and paid for someone to fix the last one.
I crashed about half way through due to some idiot swerving all over the road and I had a choice of running over a chaps leg or rear mech. I chose his rear mech and it finished his event
We were stationary for about three hours due to serious crashes. You get a lot of people doing it who don't cycle much and thats where it can be a bit challenging.
The last 10 mile decent into Brighton is pretty awesome and like many other roadies, I went for it at that point. Deacons Hill is made harder by the amount of people who walk it and sheer volume of riders on a narrow road.
Friends have asked if I would ride with them on L2B. I said thats fine, but I'd like some help getting home
bakerstreet said:
I think my ride time was something daft like 7hrs and it cost a ridiculous amount of money. £110 for a cab to the start line and £20 in parking for my mum to come and get me at the end of the ride. I also had a record three punctures on that ride. I got fed up and paid for someone to fix the last one.
When I did it I got collected from a predetermined spot further down the coast. I was waiting when my ride arrived so it was just a case of stopping briefly in a side road and chucking the bike in the car. And awayI have heard of people driving down the night before and leaving their car in a side street just outside Brighton (where its free)
Obviously many have their families meet them and have a nice day at the seaside
Did it in 4 hours exactly. Train for the hills and you'll be great. I rode it on my larry as all my buddies dropped out. Did the classic drafting other groups on the flat and just carried on if they stopped. Be assertive on the climbs. Go at your speed and don't get boxed in. Have fun. That's the main thing.
Master Bean said:
Did it in 4 hours exactly. Train for the hills and you'll be great. I rode it on my larry as all my buddies dropped out. Did the classic drafting other groups on the flat and just carried on if they stopped. Be assertive on the climbs. Go at your speed and don't get boxed in. Have fun. That's the main thing.
That's good advice and don't be scared to let other riders know the general rule of keep left. Some people are completely clueless to this. 'Its not a serious event' is a good summary of it I'm honest.
Done it the last two years (and 15/20 years ago) - definitely worth starting as early as you can if you want a decent ride. I got away around 6.30 last year and was done in 3 1/2 hours - the first few miles was a bit weird as it felt like I was the only one on the road.
I've never done a later start time but can see why it would be a more leisurely affair.
Depending on your age & overall fitness it's not the hardest of rides so no need to go over the top with training unless, of course, you want to ride up Ditching Beacon and buy yourself one of these:
I've never done a later start time but can see why it would be a more leisurely affair.
Depending on your age & overall fitness it's not the hardest of rides so no need to go over the top with training unless, of course, you want to ride up Ditching Beacon and buy yourself one of these:
I did the later London to Brighton sponsored ride last year (September 20th)
Only 4500 or so registered and we left the common at about 8am so probably a totally different experience the main cycle?
Not overloaded with riders on the entire journey with plenty of ‘fun riders’ to include several on Boris Bikes! Food, drink and mechanics supplied FOC on route and I managed 3:22 moving time which I was please with as a fun rider for the 54 mile journey (even managed that b
d of a hill without stopping 
)
I also managed over £1000 for my charity which was a great result.
Good memories
Only 4500 or so registered and we left the common at about 8am so probably a totally different experience the main cycle?
Not overloaded with riders on the entire journey with plenty of ‘fun riders’ to include several on Boris Bikes! Food, drink and mechanics supplied FOC on route and I managed 3:22 moving time which I was please with as a fun rider for the 54 mile journey (even managed that b
d of a hill without stopping )I also managed over £1000 for my charity which was a great result.
Good memories
Edited by HoHoHo on Sunday 21st January 14:29
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