British Heart Foundation London to Brighton Ride

[Ben]

The above London to Brighton ride, is happening this Sunday, so for those that like closed roads etc
Normally an earlier start i.e 7.30am ish from Coulsdon south, means the roads are still pretty quiet before the masses arrive.
The Smithfield nocturne is the night before, so plenty of opportunity to carbo load.

[Andrew G]

Sorry Ben forgot to put this up earlier, I had a note from PVT to say that he's going down there this Sunday.

[quote]I will be going down there.
Suggest meet at Turners Hill as that is fairly direct from Horsham.
Would need to be fairly early though about 8:30??
It is about 17 miles from CSS so about an hour - if they left there at 7:30?

[Phil H]

I've got roped in to doing it officially. No idea when I'll be where. If there are some wheels to follow on the way back, that would be handy though.

[Andy K]

Del and I are doing it officially - for me it will be the 13th occassion and I think it is much the same for Del

It was this ride that got me into cycling some 14 years ago so I have a soft spot for it.

To make it a little more challenging we will be riding up to the start - then after an afternoon spent on the beach with the family, weak tea and greasy fish and chips - heading back home on the bike around 5-6pm.

If there are any ACC members returning around that time happy to join up for the ride!

[Ben]

Joined in at Smallfield and enjoyed a very pleasant, tail wind assisted, jaunt to the coast.
Then experienced the joys of the Tunnel train on the way back from Brighton.

[Phil H]

Well, I did it officially - although I swore after last year I wouldn't do it again (they were asking at work and I said "if you're desperately short of people" - doh!).

The ride up to Clapham was nice. I left home at about 5:30 and apart from a few people also cycling up, there wasn't a lot of traffic about. I ended up on one of those new blue cycle lanes. They are blue, slightly wider (though not wide enough to overtake another bike safely) cost millions of pounds, but still have gaps, bus stops, parked cars and broken glass. But they are blue.

Setting off properly, it took 2 hours to cover the first 20 miles with the usual chaos. I'm sure it can be done faster if you want to ride down the wrong side of the road, dodging the oncoming traffic. I didn't. After that it opens out a bit taking about 1 hour 40 to cover the next 34 miles. Yes, the road is full of people weaving about on knackered MTBs/BSOs but then that's who the event is for. Saw another agreeable jersey so slowed to exchange a few words (Lucinda [?] who has very young kids so doesn't get out on the club run). Pretty uneventful down as far as the beacon. Managed to keep moving through the crowds fast enough to stay upright until the top. A bloke in a distinctive top who I'd been keeping tabs on passing/drafting/being drafted by since before Turners Hill got up slightly ahead of me. I followed him down the other side and kept him in sight until the finish straight where I was able to give it full beans and sprint past him. Turns out he'd been watching me too (ACC colours stand out) and saw the funny side. Also that he'd done the Dragon too but found the Beacon really hard. Strange chap.

Set off back after a short pause. Got a bit lost climbing out but Garmin to the rescue eventually. Got to the top of the South Downs and realised that the headwind was proper. Was wishing for a wheel to follow when around Wineham, the Tunnell Train rolled up. So, the choice is continue battling the headwind or try to stay with the train. Opted for the latter until just north of Gatwick when I made some lame excuse and turned off up the A217. Technically it is the shortest way home, but (IMO) Reigate Hill is a horrible climb with the traffic and everything. It does give you that rare sensation of being glad to see the M25 though.

[Ben]

I see the BHF ride is this sunday (from the sunday rides thread).

I plan to do the same as last year, i.e CSS 7.30am. I should be on time (compared to last year), as Smithfield Nocturne, was last weekend. Do the normal route home, for roughly 2pm.

No idea how to move this across to the rides thread

[McTaffy]

As you may know I am also doing it officially. I have a lift back to Surbiton but that's 15 miles away from home. May consider riding back but that will depend on how I fell and never ridden more than 60 miles in one day. So maybe I can join you but what speed are you thinking on the return leg?

[McTaffy]

And if you would like to sponsor me

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[Ben]

Have no idea about actual speeds, since I usually just try and follow the wheel in front. From memory, takes about 2 1/2 hrs to get down there i.e. 10 ish, 1/2 hr for a cup of tea on the sea front and 3hrs to get back. All plus or minus 15 minutes.
As for the return leg, usually see if anyone else is around, then try and get a tow with them.

[McTaffy]

Yeah I was referring to the return leg, asked the speed for the way back because pointless waiting to come back with someone if I can't keep up with them.

[McTaffy]

Completed in 4 hrs 5 mins. So need to get better at going up those hills. Although coming down them at 48mph is pretty cool.