BHF London to Brighton

[asl]

Hi all. I have been into cycling now for about 2 years but have only ever done one organised ride (Cape Town Argus) I signed up for the London to Brighton but have been warned off it by a friend as it is more of a fun ride. He said that you spend a lot of time walking, especially up hills, due to congestion. If I did it I would like to be semi-serious and aim for a quickish time. Am I better off giving it a miss and looking for a more serious ride or is it worth doing it once?

 

[Dayvo]

I haven't done it, but I get the impression (apologies if I'm wrong) that it's more of a fun event.

Keep your eye open for the regional CC rides: they tend to be on a Saturday and can cover major distances. Aperitif, ilovebikes, User1314 are but three of many long distant punters here (and in and around London).

That said, it might be a good experience to do the LtB ride just the once.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Hi all. I have been into cycling now for about 2 years but have only ever done one organised ride (Cape Town Argus) I signed up for the London to Brighton but have been warned off it by a friend as it is more of a fun ride. He said that you spend a lot of time walking, especially up hills, due to congestion. If I did it I would like to be semi-serious and aim for a quickish time. Am I better off giving it a miss and looking for a more serious ride or is it worth doing it once?

Yes.
It's a day for ordinary cylists/POB's to do an extrodinary (for them) distance, eat cake, have fun, it's chuffin' heaving. But if you want to enjoy a leisurely ride to Brighton with half the world and his bike, I'll see you there amongst the other 30,000.

 

[Kablinsky]

London to Southend is a similar distance (59 miles) but only attracts about 3500 riders so no congestion. Obviously there's one major drawback. . . . .you end up in Southend.

Good selection of charity rides and sportives here. . .

http://www.cyclosport.org/events2009.aspx

 

[Zoom]

It's been a while since I've done it; it's hardly a challenge for a regular cyclist but is a great atmosphere and I treated it as a social ride with a friend for whom it was his only ride of the year.

I've heard horror stories of having to walk up Ditchling due to the crowds but always had a clear-ish run up myself; there are certainly a lot of jams en route.

I can think of better ways to spend the entry fee these days and the bike ban to get both up to London or back from Brighton on the train has taken a lot of the fun out of it; Brighton is now heaving with cars on the day.

 

[johnnyh]

the bike ban to get both up to London or back from Brighton on the train has taken a lot of the fun out of it; Brighton is now heaving with cars on the day.

hehehe I am getting around that by cycling from home to London and then back again. Turns the 52 mile ride into 360 mile round trip B)

 

[stoatsngroats]

asl, the L2B has over 20000 riders during the day, during my 2006 ride, I was NEVER the only cyclist on the road!
That said, I really enjoyed it, managed to raise £600+ for the BHF, and completed it in under my 4 hour target. My start time was 7.30, and I managed to get through most of the congestion without it affecting me, except Turners Hill, and the Beacon.

My advise - Go for it, and take it as a challenge!

 

[dellzeqq]

do the FNRttC 'genteel' ride to Brighton on 3rd July instead. It won't be quick, but you'll dine out on it afterwards.

I wouldn't touch the BHF ride with a ten foot pole. Too many numpties, and lots of walking. And, no, unless you leave early you won't do it in a reasonable time.

 

[dudi]

I did it last year - it was mental but good fun.
I was riding with my brother and my brother in law - they both did really well as non-cyclists. but I can do that distance before work if I get up early enough... so it wasn't really a challenge.

Just looking to buy another bike, up the miles and tackle London - to - Paris or a coast to coast next year.

 

[Groovemachine86]

Man do they ban bikes for that whole weekend on the trains? Just booked my tix and had'nt thought of that

 

[bazzadigz C+]

im doing it for the first time this year, i think the bike ban is out of order. you do something for charity and the train companies try and milk it (with special bike/train tickets)!!

that said i wont let that bring me down, im looking forward to what should be a good laugh.