London to Brighton off-road 2017
Discussion
Morning
I've never done this before: https://www.bhf.org.uk/get-involved/events/bike-ri...
I was thinking of doing this ride on my CX bike, am I mad to even consider it?
I've never done this before: https://www.bhf.org.uk/get-involved/events/bike-ri...
I was thinking of doing this ride on my CX bike, am I mad to even consider it?
You'll be fine on a CX bike.
I've rode it before on a CX bike with no issues, it's probably actually the best bike for the job for the sections along the river and especially along the Downs Link.
I'm not sure if I followed the same route that the BHF event uses but I did find that the climb at Steyning Bostal (I think) was bloody hard going on a CX bike with a 1x11 set up the day after some heavy rain. Other than that it was pretty good.
I've rode it before on a CX bike with no issues, it's probably actually the best bike for the job for the sections along the river and especially along the Downs Link.
I'm not sure if I followed the same route that the BHF event uses but I did find that the climb at Steyning Bostal (I think) was bloody hard going on a CX bike with a 1x11 set up the day after some heavy rain. Other than that it was pretty good.
There was a long thread about this event last year I think.
I don't the route north of Guildford, just the Guildford south part. CX will be fine for most of it, a big chunk is the Downslink which is fairly easy most of the way. There is a downhill south of Guildford somewhere - the railway went through a tunnel but the DL goes over it because of rare bats or something living in the tunnel - use a bit of caution here.
Take it steady in a couple of places and you'll be ok, the surface does get a little broken up and there can be large potholes/chunks of flint around.
The last climb is actually Beeding Bostal - https://www.strava.com/segments/1248229
I think you'll get UP it on a cx, but if you plan to go down be vary cautious. It's a very mixed surface, it's local to me and it is one of the more technical ascents in the area. There's a gully down the middle of it, with some manhole covers and exposed water pipes/mains; some parts there isn't really an easy route you have to in and out of the gully or over the rocky bits. If it has rained it will be slippy too. When I say you'll get up it I mean you'll get up it without breaking the bike, as you won't be going fast. I think you may regret not having a proper drive system (1x?! Pah!) and tyres could be a deal breaker.
(In last year's thread I said I'd take photos of this climb, but never got round to it! Always chasing my time...)
I don't the route north of Guildford, just the Guildford south part. CX will be fine for most of it, a big chunk is the Downslink which is fairly easy most of the way. There is a downhill south of Guildford somewhere - the railway went through a tunnel but the DL goes over it because of rare bats or something living in the tunnel - use a bit of caution here.
Take it steady in a couple of places and you'll be ok, the surface does get a little broken up and there can be large potholes/chunks of flint around.
The last climb is actually Beeding Bostal - https://www.strava.com/segments/1248229
I think you'll get UP it on a cx, but if you plan to go down be vary cautious. It's a very mixed surface, it's local to me and it is one of the more technical ascents in the area. There's a gully down the middle of it, with some manhole covers and exposed water pipes/mains; some parts there isn't really an easy route you have to in and out of the gully or over the rocky bits. If it has rained it will be slippy too. When I say you'll get up it I mean you'll get up it without breaking the bike, as you won't be going fast. I think you may regret not having a proper drive system (1x?! Pah!) and tyres could be a deal breaker.
(In last year's thread I said I'd take photos of this climb, but never got round to it! Always chasing my time...)
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