London To Brighton

[Stange]

I last did it in 1990 and I didn't really enjoy it, apart from the downhill stretch into Brighton. Same comments as everyone else really too many walkers! I used to live quite near to Ditchling and myself and my fellow L2B rider practised the Beacon every Sunday for a month before hand, we got quite good, then come the actual day we were stuffed by the "walkers". The best bit was my friend an I racing to the finish with the bloke on the PA telling up to slow down .."It's not the Tour you know!" I am doing it this year though, now I've got a proper bike again (and as a warm up for riding up a moutain in France in July)

 

[Fab Foodie]

I recognise what Tynan, Ianrauk and strange say.
Whether you enjoy the L2B depends on your expectation. I love-it for all the reasons probably that others hate. I love seeing so many bikes on the road, so many wheezing, overweight, under-excercised POB's, I love the whole carnival of the day. Love chatting to many people, and encouraging the strugglers.
There are however some downsides, I've been doing this since 1984 there are some bad attitudes which have crept into the day, there are those that seem to think it's a race and there are those who fail to heed caution. There are some really nasty accidents and a few deaths over the years. But it is still an amazing day-out! Be prepared to amble along, chat to people have lots of cake-stops and chill out. It raises a shoot-load of money for a good cause too.
There's nothing to stop you doing the route another day for setting PB's.
I can understand why it's not to everybodies taste.

 

[hackbike 666]

I last did it in 1990 and I didn't really enjoy it, apart from the downhill stretch into Brighton. Same comments as everyone else really too many walkers! I used to live quite near to Ditchling and myself and my fellow L2B rider practiced the Beacon every Sunday for a month before hand, we got quite good, then come the actual day we were stuffed by the "walkers". The best bit was my friend an I racing to the finish with the bloke on the PA telling up to slow down .."It's not the Tour you know!" I am doing it this year though, now I've got a proper bike again (and as a warm up for riding up a moutain in France in July)

But that's a hell of an advantage to climb it when you feel like it.I remember about ten years ago me and a work colleague cycled to Brighton but on the way I failed the hill while he got up it.I was so disappointed that I was determined to have it "out" with this hill.So two days later I made it,then on the next Sunday on the London-Brighton I completed it again.I doubt that I could do it now without some "practice".

I wouldn't do it now,nothing against newcomers and posers but there are too many of them.

On the Cambridge I saw too many accidents and some bloke in front of us dropped his keys then slammed his brakes on.

If you want a challenge though,ride to Brighton and back again.That's what I did.(Also did the same on the Southend/Cambridge rides)

 

[dellzeqq]

There's nothing to stop you doing the route another day .

or night

 

[hackbike 666]

Did LLB get his account deleted?

 

[Mortiroloboy]

Whatever you end up doing, a few weeks of training will pay dividends. Sounds like you can do 20 miles without any hassle. So just do little and often, making sure you add in a few hills because L2B is hilly, and maybe do at least a 35 miler in training.

Must have changed the route then, when did it in 2007 there weren't any 'hills' to speak of , apart from Ditchling at the end, which really only presents a problem because it comes at the end of the ride, and virtually everyone is walking up the bl**dy thing.

 

[Fab Foodie]

The other thing to remember is that for many this will be the first ride of any distance that they'll do... maybe the last! It was certainly my first ever long bike ride and it gave me the bug to do more. The L2B just has that cache that few other charity rides have, it's probably one of the oldest, and starting in the capital and finishishing with a beer at the coast is kinda cool. There's a load of corporate teams involved also.

 

[hackbike 666]

It isn't really that hilly is it.Saying that I still think I would struggle up Ditchling.

I first did L2B in 1993 and the last one in 1999.

 

[Lazy-Commuter]

I'm half tempted to have a shot at this for a laugh. I understand all the frustrated comments but as I'm not totally sure I won't be one of the walkers - despite being comfortable I can do the distance - I don't think I'll be getting very frustrated.

This would be my first organised event of any distance and is reasonably local to me so seems like a winner in that respect. Plus it's a good charity.

The only downside is I'm not sure Mrs-LC will be delirious about her and the Little-LCs having to haul me up to London and then try to fight their way down to Brighton through the inevitable huge crowds and parking chaos in order to see my triumphant arrival at the finish line.

Does anyone have any top tips for the supporters, in terms of parking in Brighton and so on? I notice there's a shuttle bus service to the start from Haywards Heath (amongst other places) early on the Sunday morning so that might be a goer to get me to the start, I still need to work out what the family will do while I puff my way down the A23.

 

[slinky malinky]

I did 4 L2B and thought it was great ,the Post Office team riding there work bikes were great, I stopped after a very nasty accident on Turners Hill a guy fell in front of me struck his head against the dry stone wall, found out later he died of a heart attack, it is very very busy and I felt it was getting to dangerous, my best run was when I started at about 6am. London to Southend is another good one not so busy.

 

[Smokin Joe]

If you treat L2B for what it is - a mass ride for non cyclists - you will probably enjoy the day. But if you are expecting a 27000 up chain gang of riders who know what they are doing you will be disappointed.

 

[Fab Foodie]

If you treat L2B for what it is - a mass ride for non cyclists - you will probably enjoy the day. But if you are expecting a 27000 up chain gang of riders who know what they are doing you will be disappointed.

Succinctly put.