BHF London to Brighton 2008

Jamey

I've never done it (or anything like it) before but I've just filled out my application and will post it off tonight.

Realistically, what are my chances of getting a place? I'm all fired up for it and the idea that I might not get accepted is filling me with dread.

Harry B

I think you should be okay. There's still plenty of time before the deadline for applications, isn't there :?

I did it last year and it was good fun, although it was packed. I'm not sure what the numbers are for this year but I think that there are quite a few that turn up and ride anyway. it's on public roads so there's not a lot they can do. Don't tell anyone though

Jamey

Nyoho... Top tip

TheGreatGatsby

ah you should easily get a place. It is very popular but they stagger the starting times so there should be pleanty of space.

Gats

PostieJohn

I would deffo recommend it as a 'first' event.
Sure it's busy but there are loads of stops and help on the way.
You'll get a good buzz from the event as it's not that strenuous (sp).

overmars

TheGreatGatsby wrote:

ah you should easily get a place. It is very popular but they stagger the starting times so there should be pleanty of space.

Gats

Until you get to small hills!

Parkey

My girlfriend and I did the silly thing and applied in December 8)

PostieJohn

overmars wrote:

TheGreatGatsby wrote:

ah you should easily get a place. It is very popular but they stagger the starting times so there should be pleanty of space.

Gats

Until you get to small hills!

Yeah that can be a problem.
I did my first L2B and set off fairly early. On the 1st hill (lite) I managed to hook up with a couple of guys and the 3 of us successfully picked our way through, the funsters.

At one point, bloke 1 sees a gap and shoots through, we both quickly follow. I was just able to hear 1 of the 2 struggling blockers, say to the other, 'I don't know where they get it from'.
I caught a glance and these 2 old fellas were struggling up this incline on 2 of the biggest, heaviest, fatest tyred, double suspension, mountain bikes I'd ever seen.
Don't get me wrong, I think these guys were great for doing the ride on such steads but blimey, give yourself a break chaps. You will enjoy it so much more.

TheGreatGatsby

yeah totally agree. It is meant to be a fun thing so take your time and stop off. Conserve your energy for Ditchling!

Anyone doing London Brighton London this year?

gats

Clever Pun

I've just sent my application form in... 7am start... I really can't face anything earlier than that

Cycling back as I just can't be dealing with all that train nonsense

It's my first ride/event and I'm hoping to get there in 3 hours or under but I feel 'traffic' will slow us down

Richard_D

Hopefully doing it application is in but not had a response back yet. Going for the 6am made even more fun by the fact that we have a hour plus drive to get there. So we will be on the road by 4am

TheGreatGatsby

I think I'm starting at 6 - might be 7 can't remember - and I live in Cambridge so its gonna be a very early start! I'll be doing it both ways not stopping in Brighton just turning round and coming home so if anyone wants to join in a chain gang on the way back let me know!

Gats

hisoka

Sent off my application form late last week too. Still waiting for a response, doing it as part of a work team. So not competitiveness from the blokes at my work, honest. hehe Yeah right.

Looking forward to it alot though here.

thedktor

I'm doing it, 6am start again :?

Anyway, survived in 2006 and it was great fun.

No sign of discount vouchers for Halfords like in 2006, pity, anyone know of any benefits not mentioned?

TD

Clever Pun

TheGreatGatsby wrote:

I think I'm starting at 6 - might be 7 can't remember - and I live in Cambridge so its gonna be a very early start! I'll be doing it both ways not stopping in Brighton just turning round and coming home so if anyone wants to join in a chain gang on the way back let me know!

Gats

awesome work

I live in Addiscombe so it's going to be a lot easier for me... I'm cycling with a friend and not sure how fast he's going to be... hell, nor do I On the way back we'll probably stop in the odd pub and generally enjoy the ride back rather than push it.

TheGreatGatsby

I think my girlfriend will be waiting to give me a lift back to home either in London or Brighton so either way I'm not planning on hanging around for longer than I have to!

Gats

Jamey

Has anyone got their confirmation through yet?

My mate's received his. Still waiting for mine. Hope I get in.

Harry B

yep. I got mine a few weeks ago but I managed to get a priority application form

TheGreatGatsby

yup got mine the other day and have filed it with the stack of others I've yet to open. Probably should get round to it as I think there's one coming up pretty soon? Oxford classic maybe?

Gats

hammerite

Was planning on doing this with the OH, but didn't get organised. Going to do Oxford to Cambridge instead which goes within a few miles of where I live. I've promised to stay with the OH for the whole of the ride, so if anyone does this too listen out for my gf shouting "just bugger off at your own pace, your doing my head in!"

TheGreatGatsby

I'm doing the oxford to ca,bridge aswell!

I'll listen out for your hollaring

Gats

Jamey

Damn, still no sign of mine. Getting worried now.

hammerite

TheGreatGatsby wrote:

I'm doing the oxford to ca,bridge aswell!

I'll listen out for your hollaring

Gats

actually I just relasied that Oxford to Cambridge is the week after my first half Ironman tri, I'll still be knackered! so it may be me telling her to ride of at her own pace. Either that or I may have to bail out when we get to the badlands of Bedfordshire!!

Clever Pun

Nothing for me yet either

overmars

I was getting a bit worried to (as the event is now full). So I phoned BHF on 020 7935 0185 and got put through to the L2B section. My application has been accepted but a pack hasn't been made up yet (the check has not been processed either). Been told to wait 7 - 10 days.

The bad news is that though I requested a 6am start, my time has been knoked up to 9:30am! :shock: :shock:

hisoka

I think I will have to try them soon myself, still not heard a word myself other then "you're application has been recieved" email, not a tootle otherwise. I can but hope I'm accepted and all that.


EDIT.
Just managed to get through to them, and checked. I have been accepted, but I was pushed back to 8am from 7am start myself. I would think "yes lay in" but since I am part of a team and we are now split over two times I think we shall all leave the hotel at the same time, and just the 8am people have to mill around for an hour.
Glad to have been accepted, and really looking forward to it.
People have called me mad though, because I plan to come back (to Nottingham) via a cycle tour from Brighton over the week after the event. I don't think that is too mad, does anyone else?

Fab Foodie

overmars wrote:

I was getting a bit worried to (as the event is now full). So I phoned BHF on 020 7935 0185 and got put through to the L2B section. My application has been accepted but a pack hasn't been made up yet (the check has not been processed either). Been told to wait 7 - 10 days.

The bad news is that though I requested a 6am start, my time has been knoked up to 9:30am! :shock: :shock:

In that case...you might make Brighton by nightfall.
It does get very busy, I don't know when the peak-time is, but early is good or a relatively clear-run. Otherwise you can be stuck in a bike jam for 20 to 30 minutes at the tightest spots. The speed you can go will be up to the severall thousand in front of you.

Chill and enjoy!

Clever Pun

I'm in but starting at 9... well at least I can drink a bit more the night before

VerwoodAsh

If you have a late start - then don't take hard sole cyclign shoes - you will actually walk for the first hour befoer you can get on a bike - and there is no way to cycle the climbs as too many other people are off their bikes already in front.

Plus the organisers are quite strict about people trying to start earlier than the allocated times too.

Just don't go out for speed - treat it as a very gentle & slow run down and enjoy yourslef. If you wanted to do it in 2:30 and get the full speed down there, then you need to jump the start and get off at 6am.

btw, the fastest downhill I went was 58mph off the back of Ditchling Beacon into Brighton on the fully closed road several years ago. We were off in the start group and was pretty much in the bunch that went off the front. We were having breakfast in Brighton and back again (cycled back) for lunch.

Jamey

Sigh... Just called them... They couldn't find any record of my application form at all. Ho hum.

Jamey

The more I think about it the more annoyed I'm getting, actually.

My form was posted on the 19th March. If I didn't get a place then fair enough, but for them to not even have a record of my application is pretty poor. The event's been going for many years now. They know exactly how many staff they'll need to sift through everything.

I'm pretty angry tbh.