London to Brighton off road 2010

pemsey

Oh help - I signed up for this a while ago with the intention of putting in some training for it - that didn't work then! Been doing a few lunchtime rides of 10-15 miles and a few longer weekend/holiday rides of around 30-40 miles but nothing like the amount I figured on doing. Did a 38 miler off-road at the weekend and started dying at 35 miles - not good. Didn't run out of energy but bad thigh cramps etc :?

I think I'll be taking the L2B slow and steady and if I have to get off and walk up the last hill so be it - look out for slow bloke on a red dented On-one - I'll have a tow-rope with me if you want a real work-out And if I'm off to the side "massaging" myself to get my legs working again just look the other way :oops:

Good luck to everyone taking part - I'll try and say "Hi" from my own little world of pain!

El zilcho

I'm also signed up to do this. (I'll be the one on my own with a black Cove.) Has anyone got their participant pack yet? mine hasn't shown up. I've sent a message to the organizers but I'm just wondering if I should start panicking yet.

paully617

I would be contacting them asap mate as in it is your registration card.

El zilcho

Thanks Paully, I'm trying to get in touch but no reply yet...

paully617

have you rang them??

I just recieved a call from my boss telling me i am gtg to wales on 22nd and 23rd so thats my last minute.com training sorted.

El zilcho

Yes, it just goes through to an answer machine but I'll try again in a minute.

paully617

what number you trying?

paully617

0207 554 0000

El zilcho

Thanks for that. I've got through to them. (I was ringing on 0808 100 2109 which is the direct number for the events team.) Turns out they posted mine months ago and it never made it. They're sending me another one and have told me that if that doesn't arrive just take a copy of my confirmation email on the day.

I'll keep an eye out for you guys.

paully617

that was lucky then!!! Glad i could help!

Right, i really need to put my asss into gear and go do a training ride.

pisssssing down and windy at the mo tho. I suppose it makes a good resistance ride.

BUT....

As the old saying goes, "YOU DONT NEED TO PRACTICE GETTING COLD AND WET, YOU WILL DO IT PERFECTLY 1ST TIME ROUND!!"

paully617

Yesterday a couple of us managed to blast 2 very soggy laps of Sherwood pines in 2hrs 45 including a midride brew and stodge stop. Not the most technical of routes but still good training for this l2sc ride. How's everyone elses training going?

seanoevil

Hey Paully,

Sounds like you guys are fully prepped and ready to go eh!

My training is all sarts and stops at the moment - bloomin work getting in the way, have only been able to manage quick 15 mile dashes over the last two weeks. Next week have some favourable work hours so will get out for a couple of longer blasts. Out this weekend for a couple of 30 milers hopefully...Not too much round here for me to ride (without car) so I end up coming through Richmond Park and going out to Weybridge, which is the first bit of the route on the L2B. Its getting a bit boring doing the same stuff tbh, need to mix it up over the next week...

Grifcp

Agree with Sean, you sound well preped Paully!! I've been doing 100-150 miles per week for the last few weeks but all on my road bike.

Only managed a couple of 1 hour rides on the new mountain bike since I've had it so I don't know if that's going to be a issue.... suspense adds a bit of spice to the fun eh!! Hoping to get out on a 40-50 mile off road ride on Monday so that should answer a few Q's.

If you see No.37800 on the day tis me... come and say hi.

Oh...any tyre recommendations, is there likely to be many muddy sections?

submityournentries

i managed a 42 mile ride down the canal towpath which i was super pleased with . however my bike is now san's wheels as i am waiting for my new ones to turn up, meaning no riding since monday, and none now until maybe sunday. ahwell, do another 40/50 miler
on the posotive i wasnt knackered after the 40, so thats gotta be something. the only other drawback with this training is that next week is my uni freshers week, so god knows how im going to fit 3/4 hour rides into that with the project and the drunkeness. ahwell, we shall see.

El zilcho

I had last week off work so I did a couple of laps of Sherwood Pines, Cutgate Path from Ladybower (walked half the route after my sidewall separated from the bead at the furthest point from the car!) and two laps of the Monkey trail at Cannock Chase. I'll be trying to get a good blast on my local trails (Surrey) this weekend and then take it easy next week.

(And if anyone is wondering about the random selection of trails, I live in Surrey but was visiting my parents near Leicester last week.)

Dickeniffer

i did 35 miles last week off road on a very rutted bridleway called the Peddars Trail in Norfolk, I hope i'm ready but i'm scared, soooo many what ifs.

tonisr

I'm getting scared as everyone seems to be doing more training than I am. Does anyone know of any women doing this???? Is it normal for a woman to try and do it? So Paully, in answer to your question, I'm not sure how else to describe myself so that you would recognise me. But:

- Number 37717
- 5'8",
- Blonde
- Athletic frame
- Late 30's
- silver(ish) helmet,
- Red handlebars.
- Definitely will be wearing black tights, not sure what top
- Grey (with pink bits) Nike rucksack on my back

So if anyone recognises me on the day from this description, please say Hi!!

Not sure how long I'll be sticking around at the end, as have to jump on a train back to London, but definitely up for a quick drink.

Dickeniffer

you will be fine. I think the excitment of the day will get people through.

I love the idea of describing ourselves. I'll be wearing baggy camo shorts (you may not see me) a red camleback silver and red shoes. I have legs like twiglets, white specialized gloves and a white helmet. 6 foot 3 errrr thats about it.

Let the descriptions commence!!!!!!!

seanoevil

Next description!

I am yet another guy with legs like twiglets! also wearing a read camelbak lol, wearing a Bern helmet!

Still havent sorted my outerwear garments yet though! Any one have any recomendations on cheap, but good tops to wear at all?

Gutted i'm at the office today - lovely weather for a nice long ride - hope it holds out all weekend for some good riding

Next!

Shmikuk

Lol, legs like twiglets here too! In fact at 6'4 I could be described as completely resembling a twiglet!
I'll have black specialized rockhopper, black helmet, black top and green shorts with a red/grey camelbak.
Hmmm sounds like a few of us will be looking like each other on this ride

Shmikuk

Seanoevil... I've found Royal gear to be pretty reasonably priced (ESP. Last seasons stock etc) and very good at doing what it's supposed to. Although the sizing can be a bit hit or miss. As I have two large short sleeve tops that are small in comparison to a large long sleeve that is quite big. :-/

afcbian

4 of us.

White Giant xtc-1
White and red Cannondale Flash
Grey Giant SX
Light blue retro Specialized soemthingorother ??

Staying in Brighton Friday night, as we did last year.
Catching the 0655 to Clapham, then Barnes
Should be going across the start at approx 0845 ish ??

Should be in Hove by 2.30pm, then to the bar

Everyone who is worrying about training.......................don't !! It's too late now anyway.
Just because you haven't ridden that far before doesn't mean you can't do it.
You will be fine, just concentrate on sleeping well the night before, and keep eating and drinking all the way down and don't go mad.
Just enjoy it, it's meant to be fun

paully617

afcbian wrote:

4 of us.

White Giant xtc-1
White and red Cannondale Flash
Grey Giant SX
Light blue retro Specialized soemthingorother ??

Staying in Brighton Friday night, as we did last year.
Catching the 0655 to Clapham, then Barnes
Should be going across the start at approx 0845 ish ??

Should be in Hove by 2.30pm, then to the bar

Everyone who is worrying about training.......................don't !! It's too late now anyway.
Just because you haven't ridden that far before doesn't mean you can't do it.

I couldn't have put it better! It's a fun days riding with like-minded folk!
0845 start with a 2.30pm finish?? That's 5hrs 45?? Sounds quick. Although it's averaging 13mph!!!

Good luck on that one!

Anyway, 10 of us! Various bikes including a trek remedy, spesh stumpy, trex fuel ex9 focus super raven, cube attention, giant reign (or cannondale lefty) some others and me on my White and silver giant trance x2. 6ft tall (when standing) legs not like sticks, White giro athlon lid (prob with RAF sticker on the back), slivery grey northface rucksack, blue and grey Raceface top, black shorts and White bike shoes.

Had a wedding yesterday so all my hard fitness got pissssed up the wall. Hoping to get out tomorrow tho.

TOP TIP don't buy crank brothers smarty pedals even tho they are half price at £18! Mine have managed 30 miles before developing some serious play in them.
Back to shimano it is then!!!
You will be fine, just concentrate on sleeping well the night before, and keep eating and drinking all the way down and don't go mad.
Just enjoy it, it's meant to be fun

tony620

Every saturday since january i have been doing 25-40 miles rides which involve constant sprints and races up hills. Been trying to ride up every hill i see over the last few weeks to improve my fitness.

I will be wearing a dark grey with black sleeve Fox top with pale blue dakine 8 track shorts about 5ft 10 with silver helmet and a red/black rock rider camel back. will be beginning my ride about 7:30 and could really do with finding someone who knows the route as i think i am going to get lost

El zilcho

Another description: I'll be on a black Cove, fetching orange Camelback, blue and white helmet, black Spesh shoes, no idea what else I'll be wearing (it'll depend on the weather). I'll keep an eye out for everyone.

paully617

Done Cannock chase today! The monkey trail is like dalby on drugs. Hundreds of riders there today. Slippery as ffuuck with top climbs. Catch-you-out descents and loads of ruts and potholes! I came off bad on a rock garden section onto my head and shoulder. Bad line whilst going too fast!
Thankfully it was only my pride that was injured...... If you don't count all the scratches and cuts!

tonisr

I'm taking it as a God-given that knobblies are the way to go on this ride, but can someone confirm this? I have the option of either 2.1 knobblies, or 1.5 semi-slicks.

paully617

last year i switched my 2.1 knobbiles for 1.9 knobblies. semi slicks will be ok tho as long as there is plenty of edge grip.

tonisr

Y'know, I'm actually thinking now that my knobblies are in fact 1.9, and not 2.1. I know when I changed them, that it was inscribed on the tyre and I was suprised, so if they are 1.9 then I'll use them. I'm worried that my semi's are a little bit too delicate for off-road.

Grifcp

Semi's would be perfect for the road and tow path sections, but I would think we are going to have some mud, wet roots etc on the off road sections and they would be worse than useless for that. I've got 1.8 Panaracer fires that I was going to use (skinny knobblies)