London 2 Brighton: Thru Nutfield at around 11:00

Anonymous · June 2007

To those who passed through Nutfield (up the big hill with the Church on it before the main road) - Did you hear the bells ringing - I was one of the bellringers who were ringing for 50 minutes non stop. There was another guy ringing who cycled from Redhill on a folder and we agreed that we should have been riding the L2B. Maybe next year! (That's what I said last year!)

A Baby Elephant is for life, Not just for Christmas

2191flint · June 2007

I was 15 minutes away from Madeira drive at that time (3h 53m 51s) not a good time, but the numbers of riders taking part were horrendous, good for the BHF but not pleasant if you were on the road, I got pushed off my bike going up towards Chipstead, narrow lane, not too steep,packed hedge to hedge, but some were struggling to get up, so , just stopped in the lane! crash resulted, some buffoon pushed me over, couldn't unclip fully, so snapped my left cleat, which meant I was trying to pedal the rest of the way only clipped in one side, with a rather unpleasant and painful chainring injury on my right calf. Glad to say I took part, but I'll NEVER do it again, too many participants, not safe, IMHO.

However, I'm sure your bell ringing was very uplifting!

A turkey is just for Christmas, not for life.

Me and my bike- http://aolpictures.aol.co.uk/galleries/flintosaur9/

giant_man · June 2007

Yes I done it once. lol

SIZE IS EVERYTHING! or at least that's what my LBS tells me.

jay_clock · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">the numbers of riders taking part were horrendous, good for the BHF but not pleasant if you were on the road,<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

never fails to amaze me, serious cyclists keen to achieve a fast time, then choose the busiest cycling event of the year to try and achieve it, then moan about too many people on the road.

my trip round Corsica: http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/corsica

overmars · June 2007

My time was 4hrs. But I never took it as being a race. I was just doing my best to stay clear of trouble and have a really good laugh.[:D]

Ok I beat the guy on a Condor bike to the finish line. But that was just blood lust![:p]

________________________
The obstacle is the path

overmars · June 2007

I also clocked 43mph on the final descent into Brighton which is unusual for me because I usually hate descents!
[8D]

________________________
The obstacle is the path

Guyzie · June 2007

Yes, certainly not an event to try and post a time (I did 4h 25m btw).
I think next year I'll look for a slightly less busy charity ride.

We saw three nasty crashes which led to much standing and waiting:-(

To the two guys who drafted me from Turners hill to Ditchling, I hope you enjoyed the free ride you lazy b'stards! Still, you didn't beat me up Ditchling did you;-)

G

2191flint · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Jay Clock

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">the numbers of riders taking part were horrendous, good for the BHF but not pleasant if you were on the road,<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

never fails to amaze me, serious cyclists keen to achieve a fast time, then choose the busiest cycling event of the year to try and achieve it, then moan about too many people on the road.

my trip round Corsica: http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/corsica
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Jay,

I wasn't in it for a PB time, I can do that anytime on a normal run without fighting for road space with 26,999 other cyclists , as you point out no serious cyclist, and I like to consider myself as such, would enter such an event with that in mind.

However, I'm glad I did it, apart from the broken cleat and injury[:0] I along with the other team members, raised a substantial amount for the BHF which at the end of the day is what it was all about.

A turkey is just for Christmas, not for life.

Me and my bike- http://aolpictures.aol.co.uk/galleries/flintosaur9/

stephenb · June 2007

did L2B 2 years ago & loved it. But last year hated it, too many people without any clue how to cycle safely in groups and genuinely felt terrified of getting wiped out. Doing London2Oxford on 1 July instead - will be interested to see if it's any calmer.

2191flint · June 2007

I did last years O2C only 1,330 riders, very pleasant experience. Like you stephenb, I felt very tense, people unsure how to ride in groups,making manouevers without checking to see if anyone was coming along behind them, I got sick to death of calling out "coming thru on your Right" or "look out" on in-numerable occasions as people either tired or just not with it, suddenly swerved across as you got near to them. lots of crashes too, as said before, I can say I have done it now (God only knows why tho') because aside from the money raised for charity, the whole thing was a very stressful day, the only relief came as I approached Madeira Drive to the adulation!!! of the masses, and just bl**dy glad to have made it without further mishap...Never, ever, again![;)]

A turkey is just for Christmas, not for life.

Me and my bike- http://aolpictures.aol.co.uk/galleries/flintosaur9/

PostieJohn · June 2007

I have a foot in both camps, as I'd never done it before.
I was keen to do a reasonable time, 3hrs 12mins ride time. (I was the poor b@st@rd who got a puncture just North of the Pavilion). But also mindful of all the horror stories that I'd been told/read, in the build up.
As it turned out I had a bit of help from 2 other guys and the 3 of us were able to pick our way through the fun riders of the 6am starters, over the first few rises.
Then it cleared nicely, shame it rained going up Ditchling.

But the highlight of the day, was cycling home, along the coast, I found myself in a 20 strong chain gang, from London Dynamo CC. When I'm accepted I will thank them on their forum, because it was quite something to be hacking along at high(ish) speed after 60+ miles. Only as I'd never done such a thing before & was concentrating so hard I must has seemed like the most miserable git in the world.

Hot dang, it's the soggy bottom boys

thesaintv12 · June 2007

I had a great day, and yes I heard the bells.

First few hills were really busy, but only saw one accident (guy on a Giant who missed a gear and had to stop mid stroke)

I did it in 3hrs 52mins. I wasn't treating it as a race, but it was fun trying to keep up with some of the really fast guys now and again. I didn't make it all the way up ditchling, so that's the aim for next time.

Best bit was the crowd at the finish, I felt like I was winning the TDF!

PostieJohn · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by thesaintv12

I had a great day, and yes I heard the bells.

Best bit was the crowd at the finish, I felt like I was winning the TDF!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

As did the photographers crouching down in the middle of the road, as you went past.

Hot dang, it's the soggy bottom boys

2191flint · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by PostieJohn

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by thesaintv12

I had a great day, and yes I heard the bells.

Best bit was the crowd at the finish, I felt like I was winning the TDF!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

As did the photographers crouching down in the middle of the road, as you went past.

Hot dang, it's the soggy bottom boys

Yes, I had my best cheesy grin on for them[:D] wonder when the pics will be available? Also managed a kissed raised hand as I crossed the line, that'd be cool if it was captured on film[8D]
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

A turkey is just for Christmas, not for life.

Me and my bike- http://aolpictures.aol.co.uk/galleries/flintosaur9/

onurbike · June 2007

yes, I was just passing and heard the bells.

This year was much better organised than previous years and the bottle necks were much less too.

I agree with everyone that when you do the ride once or twice, you strart to get bored and think about different challenge, but the atmosphere of this ride is "must do" at least once in your lifetime.

Baby elephants are faster than some riders from.... http://www.spokesgroup.com/

Fab Foodie · June 2007

I'm always surprised by those who moan about the number of people on the L2B...it's 27,000+ cyclist and POBs trying to get down a single road FFS, how do you expect it to be?
To complain abouut how long it took is churlish, go do the route on a normal day if you want to go quicker...but why?

And yes, most of them don't club ride or understand road etiquette, they're just enjoying the simple pleasures of rolling along with their mates having a chat and experiencing a new challenge.
Yes, within that population 27,000+ there are some complete gimps, and errors will happen...after 14 L2Bs I can tell you where the main incidents occur, they're the same each year for the same reasons. I saw the 3 mentioned, one after the other. It's always unpleasant to see.

Most get to Brighton unscathed, I was knocked-off on my first L2B in 1983, not so many cyclist back then. Other years no probs, I had a couple of small incidents this year though:
I had one guy atop Turners Hill who could not un-clip quick enough fell in the crowd in slow motion towards me and nearly bent my precious new front wheel.
Some bloke pulled out of the RHS of the road at the top of DB, I swerved to avoid him, causing a lass behind too take avoiding action, as I checked behind to apologise, somebody in-front stopped and over I went into the gravel just at the entrance to the summit car-park[:(]. The nice St Johns guys and girls cleaned my wounds.

It's a great event and I'll do it again next year, the L2B IS The Daddy.
Other rides seem somewhat tame...

The pessimists of this world are rarely disappointed....
Fab's TCR1

sithebike · June 2007

This was my first L2B, I thought it was a fun event, Unfortunately it is very clear that the 'non' cyclists do not do any training towards the event. For a regular cyclists the ride is not that difficult, but for anyone that rides a bike once a year at the L2B it is going to be tough going. I couldn't believe when I saw people walking up the first hill out of London!! I saw 4 accidents yesterday and unfortunately 2 of the riders where taken away in ambulance's so if they read this I hope there injuries where not too bad.
I found Ditchling quite frustrating as there were people walking all over the place, I did ride to the top but very slowly because I could not get any clear road infront of me.
I will be there next year but going to try and start at 6am

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa11 ... C01488.jpg
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa11 ... C01487.jpg

Anonymous · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by giantscr2.0

I saw 4 accidents yesterday and unfortunately 2 of the riders where taken away in ambulance's so if they read this I hope there injuries where not too bad.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I saw two ambulance's go through Nutfield - there is an "Accident Blackspot" as the organisers called it and that would seem to have been the scene of two accidents - I didn't walk down to see though.

A Baby Elephant is for life, Not just for Christmas

itsaghostcar · June 2007

Thanks nutfieldnutter! It was great hear the bells as you arrived at the top. Better half used to ring bells and it brought back memories [:D]

Rode the L2B for the first time and thoroughly enjoyed it, but most probably won't do it again (was nice to do once). Got to Clapham around 6:30, not realising just how many people were keen to get up even earlier. Had one close call on an early hill where the speed of the people going up meant that we'd slowed to almost a standstill. Girl in front wobbled and stepped off her bike, apologised to all behind her and set off again. Unfortunately she promptly fell off straight away. Somehow I managed to unclip and let my bike drop with her as part of her landed on my front wheel. No damage done and we were back onto the bikes quickly and away up the hill.

Thought the whole thing was well organised and the majority of people were considerate enough to stay to the left and give you enough room to cycle up the hill. Much better experience for me than I'd expected. Finish in the sunshine cheered on by the crowds was brilliant.

Tynancp · June 2007

it was brill barring the having to walk up hills because people weren't prepared to leave part of the road clear, stoopid, some bickering on Ditchling between those walking and trying to ride, heaven knows I crawled up it, just as well

passed the serious crash on the long downhill on the narrow bendy lane, someone was very badly hurt from the noises he was making, mates passing ten minutes earlier and before the ambulance arrived said two blokes had collided, I had a short instructive lesson in not locking the back up when clattering down hills on little roads

had a whale of a time but the crowds and holdups were frustrating

6h and very happy with that on two weeks commuting after a six year and untold beers break

kevinh · June 2007

I didn't hear the bells at Nutfield but do have some comments about the lack of consideration shown on the hills. The first hill (can't remember the name) everybody had to walk apart from one oldish guy who insisted on staying on two wheels and moaned about the walking all the way up. The fact that there were much fitter people than he walking because it wasn't safe or practical didn't seem to enter his head. At Turners Hill a guy on a mountain bike at the right hand side of the road slowed such that I had no alternative but to go on his inside. He finally wobbled to a stop and caught his handlebars in mine. I managed to stay up but gave the guy one of my best glares. "That was your fault mate" he said.
Finally on Ditchling Beacon a tandem, barely in control, pulled across everybody with the pilot shouting "Go right" to the poor guy that he was cutting across. I had to go up the bank to avoid that mess. I saw some very tooled up guys (super bikes and all the gear) walking 4 a breast up Ditchling. L2B got me back into cycling and I'm very grateful but I probably won't do it again.

overmars · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by kevinh

L2B got me back into cycling and I'm very grateful but I probably won't do it again.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Yeah, yeah. Those that complete their first marathon say "I won't do that again." Lo and behold... they do it again!

Look, if you do it again take pics of the œœœgrand machines being wheeled up Ditchling.[}:)]

________________________
The obstacle is the path

PostieJohn · June 2007

Yeah, name & shame Kev, do you have any idea of the total value, being walked?

Hot dang, it's the soggy bottom boys

beckenham · June 2007

I'd never cycled any further than to my local pub before Sunday. Did the L2B and really enjoyed it. Great atmosphere. Okay there were load of people but this event is about raising funds for the BHF (I raised just over œ1k!).

It took me ages and I had to walk up Ditchling. I've decided to take up cycling as a sport now and am on the look out for more of a road bike than my Carerra Kraken.

I'll get Ditchling next year...

DB

Fab Foodie · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by beckenham

I'd never cycled any further than to my local pub before Sunday. Did the L2B and really enjoyed it. Great atmosphere. Okay there were load of people but this event is about raising funds for the BHF (I raised just over œ1k!).

It took me ages and I had to walk up Ditchling. I've decided to take up cycling as a sport now and am on the look out for more of a road bike than my Carerra Kraken.

I'll get Ditchling next year...

DB
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Congrats on your first big ride and in particular the sum raised, fantastic result!
I hope the ride inspired others others too to ride their bikes more frequently rather than put them off.

Welcome to the forum beckenham, and enjoy your new addiction.
Ask lots of questions and you'll get plenty of help.

The pessimists of this world are rarely disappointed....
Fab's TCR1

jorhys · June 2007

The key for L2B is to start with the first rush at 6am. Leave it too late and it's complete Bedlam. And by the way - even the Ditchling walkers are likely to be raising money for good causes, so all this sneering is just a tad out of order.

2191flint · June 2007

FWIW, I had to walk the last bit of DB, mainly because I was not able to maintain any momentum, due to only being clipped in one side and the injury sustained in the Chipstead debacle[:(], and because I wanted to avoid being taken out on my nice new bike, by the bloke on the 27 geared MTB with a plastic chicken stuck to his helmet, who was weaving all over the road! Ah the joys of L2B[:0]

I have been on the BHF website to look at the photo's (93)! Does anyone know how to find out if you have a picture taken of yourself, presumably that's why we had the silly number sticker on our lid and had ticked the 'I'd like an action picture please' box on the application form.[8D]

A turkey is just for Christmas, not for life.

Me and my bike- http://aolpictures.aol.co.uk/galleries/flintosaur9/

overmars · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by 2191flint

I have been on the BHF website to look at the photo's (93)! Does anyone know how to find out if you have a picture taken of yourself, presumably that's why we had the silly number sticker on our lid and had ticked the 'I'd like an action picture please' box on the application form.[8D]

A turkey is just for Christmas, not for life.

Me and my bike- http://aolpictures.aol.co.uk/galleries/flintosaur9/
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Go here... http://www.actionphoto.net/ap.aspx

________________________
The obstacle is the path

Anonymous · June 2007

From another forum (someone who did the L2B - obviously a non-cyclist):

I raised over œ2,500 for the British Heart Foundation cos they saved my Dad (appropriate it was on Father's Day) and they might save any of us one day.

Took 8 and a half hours and only realised at the end of it that my back brake had been on all the way round, so I effectively did 50 miles with the handbrake on.

[:o)][:D]

A Baby Elephant is for life, Not just for Christmas

2191flint · June 2007

Thanks for the link, I have input my rider number, which the system didn't recognise[:(] then I searched all the unidentified images without seeing mine, there were however plenty of duplicates[:(!]
Do you know if they will be adding further images, or is that the lot? I have saved it to my favourites, and will revisit the site at a later time.

A turkey is just for Christmas, not for life.

Me and my bike- http://aolpictures.aol.co.uk/galleries/flintosaur9/

Fab Foodie · June 2007

nutfieldnutter and jorhys
You have nailed it really, it's about raising money for a damn good cause, it's about challenge and for many it's doing something they've never done before. There will have been thousands of people who at the end of Sunday will have been be tired, sore and very satisfied with their achievement. Their friends and colleagues will have been amazed by their endeavours.

The pessimists of this world are rarely disappointed....
Fab's TCR1

London 2 Brighton: Thru Nutfield at around 11:00

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