London To Brighton

xxmimixx
xxmimixx Posts: 32
edited March 2011 in Training, fitness and health
Hello everyone, :)
I used to post about 3 years ago (then suffered a back injury) but had to re-register as I forgot my login details.

Anyway, I will be doing the London to Brighton this year and although 'scared' Im also very excited and want to get some advice to help me planning this the best possible way.
I'd like to hear from anyone else who will be joining the ride :)

I have a few questions which I hope someone can give me some advice.

I have been told that I will need some electrolytes for my ride. I cant drink anything fruit flavoured so I wondered if there was anything on the market that was un flavoured or that I can use as an alternative? I read that Coca Cola is jsut as effective.

Also, I suppose I will need to bring something to nibble on for energy. Do you confirm this?

Many thanks!
Mim

Comments

  • thiscocks
    thiscocks Posts: 549
    You don't need electrolytes. I know SIS do a vanilla flavour powder if you feel you want the additives. None are totally flavour free, and I would imagine taste truly horrible as even the flavoured ones arn't that nice.

    Take bananas, dry fruit and Snickers bars.
  • dawebbo
    dawebbo Posts: 456
    The plain SiS is horrible unless you mix it with cordial or something.

    It's only just over 50miles so you won't need much food, 1 gel or bar should be plenty. They have food stations anyway if you feel low on energy.

    Make sure you give ditchling beacon a good kicking!
  • xxmimixx
    xxmimixx Posts: 32
    thank you guys, I think I will do without then. I wil obviously have a Camelpack for water and Ill probably bring a handful of banana chips :)

    does anyone have any advice on training?

    thanks
  • skinnypunter
    skinnypunter Posts: 144
    L2B is a breeze. It's difficult to get up much speed because of the crowds, and with lots of food and drink stops along the way, you don't need to carry much. The pub at Turner's Hill does a mean bacon and egg bap :-)

    As long as you have a couple of longish rides under your belt in advance, you'll be fine.

    Good luck and enjoy!
  • xxmimixx
    xxmimixx Posts: 32
    skinnypunter wrote:
    L2B is a breeze.....

    thanks, no pressure then I should finish it in sub 3 hrs :)
  • Wooliferkins
    Wooliferkins Posts: 2,060
    Elete Electrolyteis completely tasteless. Really rated by a couple of long distance riders in my club.
    Neil
    Help I'm Being Oppressed
  • skinnypunter
    skinnypunter Posts: 144
    xxmimixx wrote:
    skinnypunter wrote:
    L2B is a breeze.....

    thanks, no pressure then I should finish it in sub 3 hrs :)

    Luck with that, although I guess it's doable if you can avoid traffic jams ;-)

    Last did it 2 years ago, met some cycling mates who had taken a slightly different route down to Brighton and came back with them. My whole day was 120 miles (I had a 13 mile ride to the start from home), but was only on the bike for 8 hours. Didn't cane it, wasn't in stunning shape.

    Cycling in a group is much easier than on your own!
  • xxmimixx
    xxmimixx Posts: 32
    hi, I was only joking, tbh I dont know how to calculate my 'target' time.
    I ve been trying to convince friends to join me and they were all in until the day before the application opened then they were all full of excuses... :wink:
    so i may be riding solo on this one :(
  • xxmimixx
    xxmimixx Posts: 32
    Also do you get issued with a chip from the event organizer to record your time / route ?
  • skinnypunter
    skinnypunter Posts: 144
    xxmimixx wrote:
    Also do you get issued with a chip from the event organizer to record your time / route ?

    No... it's not a timed event.
  • xxmimixx
    xxmimixx Posts: 32
    skinnypunter wrote:

    No... it's not a timed event.

    not so much for the timing but to prove that you actually rode your way to Brighton rather than hopped on a car/train/bus etc.... so anyone who registered can turn up at the finish line and get a medal??
  • skinnypunter
    skinnypunter Posts: 144
    xxmimixx wrote:
    not so much for the timing but to prove that you actually rode your way to Brighton rather than hopped on a car/train/bus etc.... so anyone who registered can turn up at the finish line and get a medal??

    Well, it helps if you're sweating like a teenager in a brothel, riding a bike and wearing an official number, but otherwise yes, just turn up.

    Some people do it on roller blades...
  • curium
    curium Posts: 815
    What day is it? I usually do my own a week before.
  • liversedge
    liversedge Posts: 1,003
    Enjoy it! It's a day when cyclist rule the roads. The folks here will complain about walking and overcrowding, but its just a bit of fun, not a race.

    Do make sure your bike is in good nick and have some basic tools. I snapped a chain on it a few years ago and had a nightmare coz I didn't have a spare link or chain tool. Its still a long way on foot :oops:

    Nutrition is easy, its not that arduous. I don't think its ever really attracted blistering heat either so electrolytes shouldn't be an issue!

    Have fun :)
    --
    Obsessed is just a word elephants use to describe the dedicated. http://markliversedge.blogspot.com
  • xxmimixx
    xxmimixx Posts: 32
    curium wrote:
    What day is it? I usually do my own a week before.

    It' s June 19th, there are still places available I believe :)

    liversedge wrote:
    Enjoy it! It's a day when cyclist rule the roads. The folks here will complain about walking and overcrowding, but its just a bit of fun, not a race. .....

    thanks Liversedge ! :)

    what happens if something goes terribly wrong and I need to abort mission? Will someone take me to destination? Or if I have a puncture would anyone help?
  • liversedge
    liversedge Posts: 1,003
    xxmimixx wrote:
    what happens if something goes terribly wrong and I need to abort mission? Will someone take me to destination? Or if I have a puncture would anyone help?

    There are mechanic stops along the way, my experience was poor, but it was 8 years ago, so maybe things have improved. As it happens I spent 3 hours waiting for the minibus helping folks fix punctures.

    Be prepared, take a pump/tubes/biketool etc. Just like any other long ride it pays to be prepared :) A lesson I learned the hard way (but not complaining, I was an idiot).
    --
    Obsessed is just a word elephants use to describe the dedicated. http://markliversedge.blogspot.com
  • Im Bald Ok
    Im Bald Ok Posts: 146
    I did London to Brighton last year and it's what got me into cycling.

    I wouldn't worry too much about electrolytes, but if you wanted, a tube of nuun tablets do the job well and are cheap considering how many you get in a tube. http://www.wiggle.co.uk/nuun-active-hyd ... lets-tube/

    There are plenty of places to stop, have a sit down, fill your water bottles up and grab something to eat. Just remember to bring some cash!

    Regarding mechanicals. I think you'd be hard pressed to find an official mechanic, i didn't see any. You might get lucky and a passer by will help. However if you know how to do the basics (fix a puncture, replace a tube etc) you should be fine.
  • skinnypunter
    skinnypunter Posts: 144
    Im Bald Ok wrote:
    Regarding mechanicals. I think you'd be hard pressed to find an official mechanic, i didn't see any. You might get lucky and a passer by will help. However if you know how to do the basics (fix a puncture, replace a tube etc) you should be fine.

    In the past there have been mechanics at some of the stops.

    However, if you doubt your bike can make 60 easy miles to Brighton, then a visit to your LBS before hand would be a good move! Don't leave without a spare tube and a pump at the least.
  • Im Bald Ok
    Im Bald Ok Posts: 146
    skinnypunter wrote:
    Im Bald Ok wrote:
    Regarding mechanicals. I think you'd be hard pressed to find an official mechanic, i didn't see any. You might get lucky and a passer by will help. However if you know how to do the basics (fix a puncture, replace a tube etc) you should be fine.

    In the past there have been mechanics at some of the stops.

    However, if you doubt your bike can make 60 easy miles to Brighton, then a visit to your LBS before hand would be a good move! Don't leave without a spare tube and a pump at the least.

    There possibly were some, but as my only stop was at a pub to grab a filthy burger i may have missed them :wink:
  • xxmimixx
    xxmimixx Posts: 32
    skinnypunter wrote:
    Im Bald Ok wrote:


    However, if you doubt your bike can make 60 easy miles to Brighton, then a visit to your LBS before hand would be a good move! Don't leave without a spare tube and a pump at the least.

    I've got a lovely Spec Allez so not worried about the bike performance, I ve got my own performance to worry about :lol:
    Just thinking if I get a puncture, I wouldnt bother repairing it, Id just change the iiner tube. Got to learn how to though till now i've been spoilt! :oops:

Categories