L2B

Harry B

It's this Sunday Anyone else taking part? I've got a 6.30 start time so will hopefully miss some of the traffic I started at about 8 last year and it was packed :roll:

il_principe

I did it last year, never again. It almost put me off organised rides for good, far too many people, many riding bikes in a total state of disrepair, people walking up the hills in the middle of the road etc. Did L2B2L last sat with 2 friends and it was far more enjoyable.

overmars

I'm doing it (for the umpteenth time ) But i have a 9:30 start and I am seriously thinking of starting around 6am. I'll just have more fun if the road is relatively clear.

Hope everyone has a good day!

Clever Pun

My start time is 9 and I really don't want to be stuck in traffic the entire way... I might sneak off early... as my mate starts at 7

PostieJohn

Off at 6:30, Wifey enjoys it more than myself, but it's a cracking day if you can miss the hufters on double suspended wrought iron jobbies.

Jamey

I'm starting at 6:30.

Assuming I finish, it will be my longest ride to date (fat bloke losing weight).

PostieJohn

You'll finish, no worries, it's pretty straight forward, until you hit Ditchling Beacon

Jamey

So I hear.

I have two goals:

1) Get up Ditchling without having to get off and push.
2) Finish in under four hours.

I'm sure those goals are fairly laughable for most of you guys but for me they'll be a challenge.

I did 45 miles in three hours yesterday (my longest ever ride) but it was on a pretty flat loop so I think I'll have to go some in the earlier parts of the L2B to gain enough speed to counteract the effect of Ditchling.

TheGreatGatsby

I'm not going now too many other commitments for that weekend plus unless I did cambridge london brighton london cambridge I can't get there or back.

Shame cos I was looking forward to it as well.

Gats

Richard_D

We have got a 6:00 start.
I wish I knew what the weather will be up to. I have seen everything from a Hot dry day to 60% chance of rain.
I am confident we will finish I am just not sure how much walking we will end up doing.

PostieJohn

I'm always surprised about just how down hill the route is.
If your riding with set targets I wouldn't bother about pacing yourself with the beacon in mind, it's tough, but you'll either be able to do it or you won't, depending on how well you climb (if you do at all) week in week out.
I think you run the risk of getting to Brighton feeling pretty good, (it is seriously all down hill from the beacon summit) missing your time by a few minutes and kick yourself for not 'giving it some' from the off.

Richard_D

The only time I am setting is to get to Brighton before my lift leaves at 16:00 My target is completion not a particular time. My reasoning about walking is I did run up from Ringwood to Salisbury and back using the backroads and did not make it up Godshill from Fordingbridge on the way up nor the climb up from Odstock on the way back. Total climb there and back 465m over 40plus miles. I am not worried I will just try to keep out of the way of those who do want to try cycling up all the hills

Harry B

Jamey wrote:

So I hear.

I have two goals:

1) Get up Ditchling without having to get off and push.
2) Finish in under four hours.

I'm sure those goals are fairly laughable for most of you guys but for me they'll be a challenge.

I did 45 miles in three hours yesterday (my longest ever ride) but it was on a pretty flat loop so I think I'll have to go some in the earlier parts of the L2B to gain enough speed to counteract the effect of Ditchling.

Good luck with your goals. Mine are pretty much the same other than an additional one:

3) Beat my mate whose doing it on his old MTB!

Last year we didn't set off until around 8 and it was so packed that you had to get off and walk some sections due to the congestion. In the end it took us 6 hours :shock: :oops: I did the Chiltern 100 Corto Fondo last week (3 hours 45 minutes) so I know I can do much better. As for the Beacon, well I'll just have to give it my best shot and hope that it'sstil fairly clear by the time I get there.

As others have said it is all pretty much down hill so go for it from the start

PostieJohn

Re The Beacon (climbing in general). I'm no climber so have read loads about it, and these bits are the ones I've taken on board.

To climb, :- Eat (if you need too) and drink a fair distance from the start of the climb.
-If it's hot you should be drinking right through the ride.
-Concentrate on a regular deep not heavy breathing pattern, before climbing and try to stick to it.
-Set your gears (the lowest) early, and grind it out.

I'm sure there are plenty of other bits and bobs that will be added by those better than me.

Re Ditchling
-You can't get enough pace in the run-up to get yourself up the hill, no matter how hard you push/grunt/snort etc, although it is funny watching those few fly past, then stop on the 2nd bend.
- Remember the road is closed, and if empty enough, you can use it to your advantage.
Each bend slopes down on the apex. So If only for a bike length you can actually go down hill, I don't remember how many bends there are but it's enough to make a difference, if your struggling.

thembi

hey,I've got a 8-30 start but I don't want to start then I want to go earlier,is it poss to sneak through

big_southern_jesse

I'm sorry Jamey, but unless You've got an early start, 4 hours might be really hard. There's just too many people in the way. We had a 9.30 start a couple of years ago and were stationary for over an hour after a bad crash up ahead. So just congestion gets in the way!

I'll be on a 9am start with 2 other lads, average height 6'6", average weight, about 18 stone! You might spot us. Two on mtbs, and one sly bugger on a mainly carbon road bike!

Have a great day everyone and enjoy it. Anyone seen a forecast yet?

Jamey

I'm starting at 6:30 so should (hopefully) avoid most traffic, I think.

big_southern_jesse

Jamey wrote:

I'm starting at 6:30 so should (hopefully) avoid most traffic, I think.

In that case you should have a good chance i'd imagine!

I'll be the one on the hill asking all the lazy buggers pushing their bikes to move to the side, and trying not to get frustrated.

PostieJohn

Jamey wrote:

I'm starting at 6:30 so should (hopefully) avoid most traffic, I think.

Pick a wheel up any inclines, as a few people going well will make their own room, that early, just so long as it's not mine.

howiejmidlands

I am doing the ride with 10 colleagues from work.

We will be dressed out in our finest , see pic below.



And all being well, if i can link up with our support van, i will wear the big bee costume for the last few miles into the finish.

hisoka

I'm doing it with about 20 other Siemens employees. Really looking forward to it, got a 7am start so hoping it will not be too terrible traffic wise on the road. Advice I was given by someone who did it last year was to get as far ahead at the start as I can to try and get clearer roads. Well we shall see.
Good luck to all who are taking part