If you think it is hard on the l2b try the Puncheur Sportive. Starts in Ditchling heads up into the Ashdown with several short but punchy climbs and loops back down and finishes at the top of the beacon. 65 miles 4200 feet. The L2B is a diddle in comparison.
Ditchling beacon single speed?
- Thread starter Tankengine
- Start date
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If you think it is hard on the l2b try the Puncheur Sportive. Starts in Ditchling heads up into the Ashdown with several short but punchy climbs and loops back down and finishes at the top of the beacon. 65 miles 4200 feet. The L2B is a diddle in comparison.
rb58
Enigma
- Location
- Bexley, Kent
Indeed. And i remember one occasion when a single speed rider got to the top, turned round and went back down to do it again. Chapeau!
Fab Foodie
hanging-on in quiet desperation ...
- Location
- Kirton, Devon.
My 2 pennies worth. I've ridden it about 15 times on L2B runs and once on a FNRttC
There are no down bits on the climb. It does undulate with alternate steeper and less steep bits which can help to gauge effort. It's a worthy climb.
In my younger days (20s to late 30s) from around 1984 as a skinny whippet I rode it on a fixed 42x15 (73"?) with a fully loaded saddle-bag and enjoyed a roll-up at the top (I was a 20 roll-up per day guy then). The major obstacle on a L2B day being the crowds, there was a very narrow moving groove on the RHS and if somebody stopped (as they often did) it could be game-over. A lot of shouting was required to keep moving. It was a hard grunt, but doable.
Roll on to my late 40s and post heart Op and notably overweight I rode it at night in the pouring rain with the Fridays on a triple with 30x25 bottom gear. I was surprised at how benign it is without a zillion other cyclists.
It's a good climb, with great views, it's readily doable on fixed or Single-Speed especially with a sub 70" gear. Report back.
There are no down bits on the climb. It does undulate with alternate steeper and less steep bits which can help to gauge effort. It's a worthy climb.
In my younger days (20s to late 30s) from around 1984 as a skinny whippet I rode it on a fixed 42x15 (73"?) with a fully loaded saddle-bag and enjoyed a roll-up at the top (I was a 20 roll-up per day guy then). The major obstacle on a L2B day being the crowds, there was a very narrow moving groove on the RHS and if somebody stopped (as they often did) it could be game-over. A lot of shouting was required to keep moving. It was a hard grunt, but doable.
Roll on to my late 40s and post heart Op and notably overweight I rode it at night in the pouring rain with the Fridays on a triple with 30x25 bottom gear. I was surprised at how benign it is without a zillion other cyclists.
It's a good climb, with great views, it's readily doable on fixed or Single-Speed especially with a sub 70" gear. Report back.
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Dogtrousers
Kilometre nibbler
The unevenness of DB is most striking when descending it. A series of sharp drops and bends.
Yep! Nice little tester that one. I led a ctc ride there a few weeks ago.
OP
OP
Tankengine
Active Member
Thanks for the info guys. I'll be sure to look out for the horses sign ! (If I'm not already walking by then..!)
Sounds like overall it would be possible at least to try. The fact that there are lower gradient linking parts makes it sound more probable - at least mentally, esp trying to thinking of it as 7 climbs broken down rather then one impossible killer climb.
The other option would be to use my MTB which has gears a plenty...but stupid as it sounds, I'm fairly new to it and still getting used to using gears and remembering to change them
having only ridden SS since I started cycling as an adult. I don't know that I'd find it easier to use in the ride overall yet, and whether the heavier bike/chunkier wheels would cancel out the difference anyway?
Sounds like overall it would be possible at least to try. The fact that there are lower gradient linking parts makes it sound more probable - at least mentally, esp trying to thinking of it as 7 climbs broken down rather then one impossible killer climb.
The other option would be to use my MTB which has gears a plenty...but stupid as it sounds, I'm fairly new to it and still getting used to using gears and remembering to change them
having only ridden SS since I started cycling as an adult. I don't know that I'd find it easier to use in the ride overall yet, and whether the heavier bike/chunkier wheels would cancel out the difference anyway?
^^ This.
Ditchling's bark is worse then it's bite. Just take it easy on the way up, rest the thighs on the flat bits (there are certainly no downs on the way up) and just keep going. On a nice day it's a very pleasant climb and try take in the view from the left 2 3rds of the way up.
Listen to the people above who have ridden the ride not those that haven't.
JoeyB
Go on, tilt your head!
- Location
- Fareham, Hampshire
Is it really THAT bad?
Are we hitting it on the FNRttC (ish) on the 5th Sept? Can't wait!
Are we hitting it on the FNRttC (ish) on the 5th Sept? Can't wait!
rb58
Enigma
- Location
- Bexley, Kent
Hopefully!
I have gears
To be honest, you're more famous for self-deprecation about your cycling abilities. The rest of us are confident about your ability to get up hills when you feel so inclined (no pun intended),
To be honest, you're more famous for self-deprecation about your cycling abilities. The rest of us are confident about your ability to get up hills when you feel so inclined (no pun intended),
Dogtrousers
Kilometre nibbler
At least it's over quickly, and if necessary isn't far to walk. Riding back that way out of Brighton is really horrible. Last time I did that I was scalped by several decrepit old ladies out walking their short legged dogs.
Anyway, you are putting too much unnecessary thought into it which is giving you undue worry.
Worry about it when you get there. Try ride up it, if you can't then hey ho...there's no shame in walking it. Everyone's cycling climbing ability is different. I have seen lardy arsed types and cyclists on bso's fly up there and also seen racing whippets on the lightest of bling bike struggle and walking.
Worry about it when you get there. Try ride up it, if you can't then hey ho...there's no shame in walking it. Everyone's cycling climbing ability is different. I have seen lardy arsed types and cyclists on bso's fly up there and also seen racing whippets on the lightest of bling bike struggle and walking.
slowmotion
Quite dreadful
- Location
- lost somewhere
I apologise if I upset you. That was not my intention. I have walked parts of it more times than I have ridden it but it is not impossible once you get the measure of it and know what to expect. As others have said, the bends don't help because you are constantly being surprised by a new challenge. BTW, it's almost impossible to ride on the L2B because the road gets so crowded. On a smaller ride you don't have that problem. If you get in your lowest gear at the very bottom and just turn the pedals, you don't have to worry about gear selection. Give it a go. If you have to stop and rest, no matter. I went up without stopping on my sixth attempt.
If I can do it at my advanced age and lack of fitness so can you. Good luck.
w00hoo_kent
One of the 64K
- Location
- Maidstone or Greenwich
A friend did the night version of the L2B last year and as he got to Ditchling decided to do a little bit and then walk. On the first bend a woman pushing cheered him on so much that he figured he couldn't just get off and walk so he ended up climbing it all.
I'll see how I do in a week or so :-)
I'll see how I do in a week or so :-)
