BHF London 2 Brighton 21st June 2009!!

NWLondoner

Just signed up for this.

My 1st attempt at this and am really looking forward to it.

I don't have the legs to ride in group rides etc so this will make a change to riding alone.

Anyone else here taking part??

jimycooper

just about to enter this second

Richard_D

Not doing it this year. Did it last year, thouroughly enjoyed it. Try and get as early as start as you can. Even with the 06:30 start I was held up at times by some of the people in front of me and If you look at the archives from last year for HowieJ it took him 9 hours. Almost faster walking. Unless you live in Brighton do not expect to get home rapidly. It took us over an hour and half to clear Brighton heading home.

howiejmidlands

This can be a long day out. Expect to be held up on many hills by people walking all over the road and some of the narrower lanes can be very clogged up.

Brighton was a nightmare to get out of, even at 7pm we were still fighting our way out. If i did it again, i would get a hotel overnight and travel back next day.

A good day out, but just too many people, and many must walk the majority of the distance!

hisoka

I did it last year, doing it again this year with work both times. It is an amazing atmosphere I found and yes lots of restful walking in crowds it seems on narrow roads or the hills.

pottssteve

If it took you 90 minutes to get out of Brighton you're doing well. It takes 2 hours on a normal day!
I still remember the amount of complaining that went on here last year about "amateur hour".

Harry B

I did it for the last 2 years but am giving it a miss this year. As enjoyable as it was there wee just too many idiots on the road. Twice I got taken out by prats who decided to stop in the middle of the road and then walk in front of me without looking where they were going. Both times on hills, one of which was Ditchling Beacon.

Go early and don't expect to do it too fast. Enjoy

pottssteve

I rest my case, M'Lud

NWLondoner

Well i am starting at 8am am will be over nighting in Brighton

PostieJohn

Oh, 8am start, that ain't good.
It's a good ride with only Ditchling to be concerned about, but sadly that start time will test your patience, to the limit.

You'll have to remember it's a charity fun day out, and not a bike ride.

I won't be doing it again, as last year I did my personel goal, so have no desire to ride it again. As Harry B says it's just too dangerous.

pete236

Well, I'm in! My step-dad did it years back and wanted to do it again before he gets too old - he dragged a few mated into it and I agreed as well! Don't know any details though.
Gives me something to look forward to at least - i'm so unfit its embarrassing right now! *gulp*

DomPro

I have a few questions, none of which are answered in the FAQs on the BHF website.

54 miles isn't that far, how long can it take a fit cyclist to complete? Why is it dangerous? How many riders take part? Is it possible to tuck in somewhere along the route and take in a few miles of my own?

jimycooper

didnt get a spot in the end but will ride out to ditchling beacon and ride up it foe a laugh!

Richard_D

Pete236.
Good luck to you and your step-dad. As we have said above if you treat it as a charity event you will enjoy it. As for fitness. I would try out some runs of slightly shorter length before. It will let you know which bits will ache and it is better to have your bike break down near home than

Dompro,
54 miles is not that far but it is not the same as doing the distance or even that route on your own or as part of a chain gang.
The length of time it take will have as much to do with the amount of traffic you hit as your fitness.
The danger as when driving cars is down to idiots. Going too fast or too slow, not aware of who is around them, etc.
From memory the number doing it is about 30,000. It is too many in my opinion as even with 6.30 start we were cycling in a traffic jam all the way.

Jamey

Broke both of my arms last year so shan't be entering again

Stewie Griffin

27000 people on L2B :shock: Sod that. Toyed with the idea of London to Southend last Year only 3500 expected for that and am committed to this year, although I havent actually signed up to it yet :oops: .

Harry B

DomPro wrote:

I have a few questions, none of which are answered in the FAQs on the BHF website.

54 miles isn't that far, how long can it take a fit cyclist to complete? Why is it dangerous? How many riders take part? Is it possible to tuck in somewhere along the route and take in a few miles of my own?

54 miles wouldn't normally take that long but with several thousand other riders the opportunity to continuously ride at a reasonable speed is highly unlikely.

It is dangerous because of the high numpty count. They are unpredictable and have been known to simply stop in the middle of the road if the going gets tough. Overtaking can also be an issue (Numpty's are born with very little raod sense)

I think it is about 27,000

Unless you are one of the first away the chance of tucking in is impossible

DomPro

27,000 !?!?! Wowza thats a lot of cyclists. I bet its great fun

PostieJohn

My target, with a 6:30 start, was to complete in under 3 hours.
I managed 2:50 which was a right result as I don't have to do it again!.

Even leaving at that time, I didn't get clear road until after the 1st official stop.
It' a bike ride not a race or sportive, and needs to be treated as such.

ianlash

I have an 8am start. Do they stop people from starting earlier? Do they set thousands off at the same time or can you go when you want?

Cheers!

bobtbuilder

I rode London-Brighton 15 years in a row, as I live on route. I stopped a few years ago as it had become too large and dangerous.

The problem is the sheer size of the event. you can't blame the BHF for the size, as more people = more money for them.

However, a large number of participants are very infrequent riders and unfortunatly have absolutely no road sense whatsoever. You need to be ultra-vigilant not to be taken out from any angle!

You will also be very lucky if you are able to ride the entire route. The hills are not that bad, but people start walking (across the whole road) whenever the gradient hits 5%. In 15 years, only twice was I able to ride all the hills. Some years, the organisers try and keep the left lane up Ditchling Beacon for walkers, and the right side for riders, but I'm not sure whether this still happens.

In short, it's a great fun day out, but not a great bike ride.

STEFANOS4784

DomPro wrote:

27,000 !?!?! Wowza thats a lot of cyclists. I bet its great fun

9 hours for 54 miles doesn't sound to fun to me, more frustrating :?