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London to Brighton Bike ride 2010 - Page 2

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shaunmadmax	06 Mar 07:20
Joined: 06 Mar 2010 Posts: 1 Bike: My Profile	Im doing the London to Brighton bike ride....is there any good advise people can give! Im cycling for fun and not for speed!
My Latest Route: Mar 2010 Lullingstone 12 Mile Training Route

Bikegeek	07 Jun 11:34
Joined: 07 Jun 2010 Posts: 2 Bike:	I did the ride officially last year and from what I remember there were a few people who were trying to do the route unregistered. They didn't get a very good reception from the genuine cyclists as it is a charity event which you alsio have to pay for to ride in. A lot of people put a lot of effort into raising sponsorship (the whole point of the ride) and don't look kindly on people just joining the race who aren't meant to be there. Also the marshalls on every few hundred yards of the route would stop you straight away if you didn't have a number displayed. The insurance for the race is probably quite strict about unregistered participants. Next year try registering the moment the web page is active, then as long as you raise over 200 pounds (I think) you get priority booking for next year as well and usually your desired start time. I can understand your frustration, it took me 2 years to get a place.

Bikegeek

07 Jun 11:34

Joined: 07 Jun 2010

Posts: 2

Bike:

I did the ride officially last year and from what I remember there were a few people who were trying to do the route unregistered. They didn't get a very good reception from the genuine cyclists as it is a charity event which you alsio have to pay for to ride in. A lot of people put a lot of effort into raising sponsorship (the whole point of the ride) and don't look kindly on people just joining the race who aren't meant to be there.
Also the marshalls on every few hundred yards of the route would stop you straight away if you didn't have a number displayed. The insurance for the race is probably quite strict about unregistered participants.

Next year try registering the moment the web page is active, then as long as you raise over 200 pounds (I think) you get priority booking for next year as well and usually your desired start time. I can understand your frustration, it took me 2 years to get a place.

hlf30	08 Jun 15:25
Joined: 08 Jun 2010 Posts: 1 Bike:	I'm doing it a L2B virgin as well! I've been practicing at the gym at least once a week for the last couple of months & going out on my bike whenever I can (not that often TBH - life seems to keep taking over). An average evening ride would be about 15 - 20 miles which is no problem, a little tired at the end but not sore. Does that sound like enough? I'm really worried I'm going to flake out on the day. Also - is there any way to start before your official time? I've been given a 9.30 start which sounds like it will be an absolute nightmare based on the reports I've read. I requested a 8 am start as I really don't want to be the last one across the finish line! I live in London so I can get to Clapham quite easily - is there any point in me showing up early or should I just wait it out? I'm not an overly confident cyclist and the idea of the massive holdups is putting me off a bit! H

hlf30

08 Jun 15:25

Joined: 08 Jun 2010

Posts: 1

Bike:

I'm doing it a L2B virgin as well! I've been practicing at the gym at least once a week for the last couple of months & going out on my bike whenever I can (not that often TBH - life seems to keep taking over). An average evening ride would be about 15 - 20 miles which is no problem, a little tired at the end but not sore. Does that sound like enough? I'm really worried I'm going to flake out on the day.

Also - is there any way to start before your official time? I've been given a 9.30 start which sounds like it will be an absolute nightmare based on the reports I've read. I requested a 8 am start as I really don't want to be the last one across the finish line! I live in London so I can get to Clapham quite easily - is there any point in me showing up early or should I just wait it out? I'm not an overly confident cyclist and the idea of the massive holdups is putting me off a bit!

H

cyclegal	15 Jun 22:16
Joined: 15 Jun 2010 Posts: 1 Bike:	I think they are pretty strict on start times, you can start later but not earlier than your slot. I get the feeling it's going to be busy all day, Im doing it for the first time, this year, I did the London to southend last year, it's much less busy, a bit longer and very hilly, Im hoping this will be as much fun. I really enjoyed that one and I have a great new bike this time, For saddle sore ness, my advice get a good gel saddle, make sure its the correct style for your bike, or your legs will chaf. If you have a mountain saddle on a racer or vice versa, its puts your legs in wrong position. If your seat bones are hurting, your saddle may be positioned wrong, try sliding it forward just a cm or two, and stand over the bumps, give your bum a fighting chance, To be honest on the day the adrenalin rushes and most thoughts of pain go. Its the next week at work when you notice. Good luck everyone, see you all there

cyclegal

15 Jun 22:16

Joined: 15 Jun 2010

Posts: 1

Bike:

I think they are pretty strict on start times, you can start later but not earlier than your slot.

I get the feeling it's going to be busy all day,

Im doing it for the first time, this year, I did the London to southend last year, it's much less busy, a bit longer and very hilly, Im hoping this will be as much fun. I really enjoyed that one and I have a great new bike this time,

For saddle sore ness, my advice get a good gel saddle, make sure its the correct style for your bike, or your legs will chaf.

If you have a mountain saddle on a racer or vice versa, its puts your legs in wrong position.

If your seat bones are hurting, your saddle may be positioned wrong,
try sliding it forward just a cm or two, and stand over the bumps, give your bum a fighting chance,

To be honest on the day the adrenalin rushes and most thoughts of pain go.

Its the next week at work when you notice.

Good luck everyone,

see you all there

dudley	16 Jun 10:55
Joined: 16 Jan 2009 Posts: 498 Bike: My Profile	i'd a void a gel saddle like the plague, but that's just me. big comfy wide saddles often lead to more chafing. you are solving one pain to start another. Best option is to get your backside 'worn in' Only way to do this is time on the bike. however good a cyclist you are, if you spend a few weeks out of the saddle the first few rides are going to hurt your backside. If you ride a few times a week, there really isn't any pain - it's all 'bedded in' nicely! get cycling shorts. even cheapo ones make life a whole lot more comfortable. 30 minutes a ride is on the short side, but if you are doing it regualarly, and covering some gym miles, the adrenalin will get you through. Early crowds in the race will stop you going too hard in the first hour or so, so you'll not over-exert too early. take advantage of the crowd and 'tuck in' behind a group of riders. slipstreaming will save you a remarkable amount of energy, particularly if you are unlucky enough to hit a headwind. good luck! ....and for those that didn't enter, better luck next time... it's not free, and lots of people have given up considerable amounts of time to do this. There are plenty of other rides
My Latest Route: Nov 2009 Forth Estuary Circular

dudley

16 Jun 10:55

Joined: 16 Jan 2009

Posts: 498

Bike:

My Profile

i'd a void a gel saddle like the plague, but that's just me.

big comfy wide saddles often lead to more chafing.
you are solving one pain to start another.

Best option is to get your backside 'worn in'
Only way to do this is time on the bike.

however good a cyclist you are, if you spend a few weeks out of the saddle the first few rides are going to hurt your backside.

If you ride a few times a week, there really isn't any pain - it's all 'bedded in' nicely!

get cycling shorts. even cheapo ones make life a whole lot more comfortable.

30 minutes a ride is on the short side, but if you are doing it regualarly, and covering some gym miles, the adrenalin will get you through.

Early crowds in the race will stop you going too hard in the first hour or so, so you'll not over-exert too early.

take advantage of the crowd and 'tuck in' behind a group of riders.
slipstreaming will save you a remarkable amount of energy, particularly if you are unlucky enough to hit a headwind.

good luck!

....and for those that didn't enter, better luck next time...
it's not free, and lots of people have given up considerable amounts of time to do this.
There are plenty of other rides

My Latest Route: Nov 2009 Forth Estuary Circular

Bikegeek	16 Jun 16:48
Joined: 07 Jun 2010 Posts: 2 Bike:	I did it last year with almost no training at all apart from general fitness and it was an easyish ride apart from the hills. So if you have been out for a few short rides and are generally fit I think - like the others have said - the adrenalin on the day and other cyclists will keep you going. If you leave at 9.30 like I did last year you will probably be fine with crowding apart from the traffic jams on hills - which I had to walk up because everyone in front of me was walking as well. Take advantage of the opportunity to rest. The starts are the best bit because you are sent off in groups of ten or so all through the day I didn't feel crowded at all on the roads out of London even at 9.30

Bikegeek

16 Jun 16:48

Joined: 07 Jun 2010

Posts: 2

Bike:

I did it last year with almost no training at all apart from general fitness and it was an easyish ride apart from the hills. So if you have been out for a few short rides and are generally fit I think - like the others have said - the adrenalin on the day and other cyclists will keep you going. If you leave at 9.30 like I did last year you will probably be fine with crowding apart from the traffic jams on hills - which I had to walk up because everyone in front of me was walking as well. Take advantage of the opportunity to rest.

The starts are the best bit because you are sent off in groups of ten or so all through the day I didn't feel crowded at all on the roads out of London even at 9.30

jeremybeer	18 Jun 07:26
Joined: 18 Jun 2010 Posts: 1 Bike:	Remember to get a map at the start as this shows all the stops. Breakfast- good stop is Fanny's Farm just outside of the M25. It will be on your map. A good pub for lunch to avoid the crowds is the Red Lion in Turners Hill. As you come into Tuners Hill shoot off up the right hand road and you'll see it. Remember to drink some sport drink or water at Ditchling town in time for the Beacon. You can then chill at the top of the Beacon and wait for people - great views - and relax for the easy ride down hill all the way to Brighton. Go easy on the speed on the down hill to Brighton.

jeremybeer

18 Jun 07:26

Joined: 18 Jun 2010

Posts: 1

Bike:

Remember to get a map at the start as this shows all the stops.

Breakfast- good stop is Fanny's Farm just outside of the M25. It will be on your map.

A good pub for lunch to avoid the crowds is the Red Lion in Turners Hill. As you come into Tuners Hill shoot off up the right hand road and you'll see it.
Remember to drink some sport drink or water at Ditchling town in time for the Beacon.

You can then chill at the top of the Beacon and wait for people - great views - and relax for the easy ride down hill all the way to Brighton.

Go easy on the speed on the down hill to Brighton.

firefox4999	18 Jun 17:07
Joined: 09 May 2010 Posts: 6 Bike:	This is my first time too, 40 years old 17 stone but I have done plenty of training 64 miles last weekend so I should find it easy and so looking forward to it 8:00 am start time with 6 mates, :)

TheBikePunk	17 Feb 13:12
Joined: 17 Feb 2011 Posts: 2 Bike:	Where Are the main hills located? road names ect? ditchling beacon is the only one i know of

JessHessing1989	17 Feb 19:42
Joined: 17 Feb 2011 Posts: 1 Bike:	Does anyone know the name of the village which is (from memory) somewhere between halfway to 2/3rd through, and has a large village green with various stalls selling fruit etc, and a pub which lots of people seem to stop in? roomba 562 - well i was wondering about that too

Wickerman	18 Jun 18:08
Joined: 18 Jun 2011 Posts: 1 Bike:	The village described sounds like Lindfield, located approximately 14 miles north of Brighton. The High Street runs downhill from the Church to the pond and the L2B route then takes you past Lindfield Common which I suppose is a large village green. The locals normally get behind events that come to the village and regularly set up stalls. Also, if L2B coincides with Village Day (always held in June), there will be loads going on in the village.

Wickerman

18 Jun 18:08

Joined: 18 Jun 2011

Posts: 1

Bike:

The village described sounds like Lindfield, located approximately 14 miles north of Brighton. The High Street runs downhill from the Church to the pond and the L2B route then takes you past Lindfield Common which I suppose is a large village green. The locals normally get behind events that come to the village and regularly set up stalls. Also, if L2B coincides with Village Day (always held in June), there will be loads going on in the village.

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