BHF London to Brighton 2008

2

Comments

  • overmars
    overmars Posts: 430
    Fab Foodie wrote:
    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!

    Damn. So I'll miss the last coach back to London? :shock: Best bring the lights then! 8)

    Top of Ditchling Beacon

    DitchlingBeaconIrodeit.jpg
  • Jamey
    Jamey Posts: 2,152
    Pffft... Just had an email to say they've received the form. Fat lot of good that'll be now.
    My photography // My helmet cam videos // My bike
  • overmars
    overmars Posts: 430
    Jamey wrote:
    Pffft... Just had an email to say they've received the form. Fat lot of good that'll be now.

    Surely that's proof that you deserve a place on the ride?
  • Jamey
    Jamey Posts: 2,152
    Don't think so.

    The woman I spoke to said they'd already chosen the 27,000 riders but she also said they still had some forms to put onto the system.

    I suppose it depends whether they're adding forms because people got a place or they're just adding them because they have to for some admin requirement.
    My photography // My helmet cam videos // My bike
  • hammerite
    hammerite Posts: 3,408
    Was there a closing date? If so then as long as your application has a post date before the closing date then they should accept your entry and basically draw out of a hat to see who got in, pretty much like the London Marathon.

    If there wasn't a closing date and they filled up on a first come first served basis then you've probably been unlucky and they're adding your info to their database to make it easier to spam you. Although that may also mean prior notice of L2B entries next year so may not be too bad a thing for next year.
  • Jamey
    Jamey Posts: 2,152
    Don't think there was a closing date so I think it was first come, first served.

    Moving on, then... Someone said because it's on public roads they can't stop you from just turning up and riding. But are the roads closed off with barriers? Will it take me half an hour to find a gap? And once on the course do I need a map or is it pretty obvious what the route is?
    My photography // My helmet cam videos // My bike
  • TheGreatGatsby
    TheGreatGatsby Posts: 818
    nah you'll be sweet if you wanna just hjoin the masses. There's plenty of places to join and there's generally too many riders/spectators for the marshalls to stop anyone.

    Gats
  • PostieJohn
    PostieJohn Posts: 1,105
    That picture makes it look like a stroll in the park!.
    http://www.bikeradar.com/road/forums/vi ... t=12792776
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    Done this one a few years ago now, nice route, rolling country roads, Ditchling beacon fun hill, only obstacle was the riders trying to get up Ditchling, if there were less entries it would be more fun. Getting too busy now.

    Best thing is to leave, earlier the better.
  • NWLondoner
    NWLondoner Posts: 2,047
    I would love to try riding L2B sometime, but what "standard" should i get upto before trying?

    I would try the route a few times by myself before i ever entered an event.
  • Jamey
    Jamey Posts: 2,152
    Wahey! I did get a place after all. And got my first choice start time too (6:30am).
    My photography // My helmet cam videos // My bike
  • Clever Pun
    Clever Pun Posts: 6,778
    NWLondoner wrote:
    I would love to try riding L2B sometime, but what "standard" should i get upto before trying?

    I would try the route a few times by myself before i ever entered an event.

    from what I can gather there will be a lot of 'tourist' cyclists there in fact thousands of them so if you can cycle 54 miles without doing yourself in I think it's fine
    Purveyor of sonic doom

    Very Hairy Roadie - FCN 4
    Fixed Pista- FCN 5
    Beared Bromptonite - FCN 14
  • Pete789uk
    Pete789uk Posts: 46
    I did the ride last year its ok I guess but just go along do all the stops and enjoy it its to busy with alot of people climbing off on hills which causes a problem.
    I did see some bad accidents as well seems to happen with fast people hitting slow ones we had a couple were people did some strange moves in front of us.
  • timoid.
    timoid. Posts: 3,133
    Dunno why people do this. Get a bunch of friends together and take the same route to Brighton on any other weekend. You get to go at your own pace, avoid the human road furniture on the climbs and (if you're taking public transprt back) get a seat on a train back to London.
    It's a little like wrestling a gorilla. You don't quit when you're tired. You quit when the gorilla is tired.
  • Clever Pun
    Clever Pun Posts: 6,778
    Timoid. wrote:
    Dunno why people do this. Get a bunch of friends together and take the same route to Brighton on any other weekend. You get to go at your own pace, avoid the human road furniture on the climbs and (if you're taking public transprt back) get a seat on a train back to London.

    I intend on raising money for charity
    Purveyor of sonic doom

    Very Hairy Roadie - FCN 4
    Fixed Pista- FCN 5
    Beared Bromptonite - FCN 14
  • Jamey
    Jamey Posts: 2,152
    So now that I know I've got a place, has anyone got any training advice? I want to try to put in a decent time, if possible, and definitely want to get up Ditchling without getting off the bike and pushing. Even if I only manage it in granny gear.

    I'm a big, fat bloke. My commute is 25 miles per day (round trip) but with no hills at all unless you count railway bridges. I usually average 15mph ish. Although I haven't been cycling to work for the last week and a half due to illness.
    My photography // My helmet cam videos // My bike
  • PostieJohn
    PostieJohn Posts: 1,105
    Your not going to believe this, but L2B is pretty much downhill all the way.
    There's a couple of rises going out of London, but if your early enough they won't be a problem.

    I loved Ditchling last year, being local(ish) I know it well.
    Just use the whole road, if it's empty enough, as the turns are tight and fall away so you can actually go downhill for a couple of seconds.
    As with any other hill it's all about, level pace, breathing and consistancy.
    Loads of people came thundering past me at the village, as the Beacon loomed, unsurprisingly I took them all and more, going up.
    Keep it steady at the start then give it some from 3/4ers onwards.
    http://www.bikeradar.com/road/forums/vi ... t=12792776
  • ds2005
    ds2005 Posts: 7
    Anyone have recommendations for a direct route back. I don't want to go back the same way as I'm setting off a 6:30 so will be heading back into crowds.

    Thanks.

    Dick
  • PostieJohn
    PostieJohn Posts: 1,105
    ds2005 wrote:
    Anyone have recommendations for a direct route back. I don't want to go back the same way as I'm setting off a 6:30 so will be heading back into crowds.

    Thanks.

    Dick

    Obviously it depends on what part of London you want to go back to.
    For Clapham, and missing the crowds, you'd probably want to go back up the A24, north of Worthing.
    Either 10 miles along the seafront, then up, or cross country a little, meeting up with the 24 at Washington.
    Up to Dorking, then cut back towards sarf london.
    http://www.bikeradar.com/road/forums/vi ... t=12792776
  • Jamey
    Jamey Posts: 2,152
    Turned my morning commute into a 2 x 20min interval session today. Got to work knackered but my muscles felt fine and I was beginning to think I must not have done the intervals hard enough.

    Fast forward a couple of hours and they've caught up. I'm not looking forward to the commute home again :)
    My photography // My helmet cam videos // My bike
  • overmars
    overmars Posts: 430
    09:30 start. Oh I do not like that.
  • Clever Pun
    Clever Pun Posts: 6,778
    overmars wrote:
    09:30 start. Oh I do not like that.

    Mine's at 9... gutted about that wanted a relatively clean road ahead of me

    What are the chances of getting out early? even if I have to sneak around the line to start?
    Purveyor of sonic doom

    Very Hairy Roadie - FCN 4
    Fixed Pista- FCN 5
    Beared Bromptonite - FCN 14
  • big_southern_jesse
    big_southern_jesse Posts: 729
    Yep, we're on a 9.00 o'clock start too. If I remember properly from a 2 years ago, the numbers link to start times and then check everyone through the start gates.

    There really is no point in trying to set a "good time" if you are starting anytime after the first couple of groups. There's far too many people and you'll get frustrated at everyone in your way and annoy everyone who is taking it easy.

    And most people do take it easy! If only the walkers would wander up the hills on the side of the road rather than the middle! :evil:
    Proved by testing to be faster than a badger.
    The world's ultimate marmite bike
  • Jamey
    Jamey Posts: 2,152
    Right then, only a few days to go... I'm currently making my checklist of things to do the day before the ride, so what might I have forgotten?
    My photography // My helmet cam videos // My bike
  • spen666
    spen666 Posts: 17,709
    Jamey wrote:
    Right then, only a few days to go... I'm currently making my checklist of things to do the day before the ride, so what might I have forgotten?
    Your bike?
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  • big_southern_jesse
    big_southern_jesse Posts: 729
    Plenty of food and drink, and something to keep the rain off! :(
    Proved by testing to be faster than a badger.
    The world's ultimate marmite bike
  • mikek55
    mikek55 Posts: 7
    got a 7 am start time, how busy will it be at this time keep hearing mixed reports on congestion and was wondering whether to just use my mtb if the if your unable to get any speed up
  • Jamey
    Jamey Posts: 2,152
    I was hoping to just do it in a T-Shirt but it looks like that's not gonna happen. Shame as I sweat buckets in my Gore-Tex but if it's the only way...
    My photography // My helmet cam videos // My bike
  • overmars
    overmars Posts: 430
    Does chamois creme go off? I've just looked at the exp date and it says 03 2007 :shock:

    Too late to get some now. Don't really need it. Anyway, Evans cycles at Clapham is open at 6am tomorrow.

    Looking at the weather forecasts, it looks like it's going to be a great day.:D
  • PostieJohn
    PostieJohn Posts: 1,105
    Was for me.

    I managed to get under the 3hr time target, I'd set myself.
    (Wifey loves the event, not me, hence the lack of 'ride' on my part)
    http://www.bikeradar.com/road/forums/vi ... t=12792776

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