London to Brighton *Roll Call*

[Mendoza]

Well the big day is nearly here, who else from the NSC MASSIF is riding the 54mile trek from London Village to BN1?

Looking forward to it, but I failed in my attempt to scale Ditchling Beacon on Sunday, and not to sure how awake I will be at the 7am start time

Hopefully the sun is shining and the masses will come out to watch

 

[REDLAND]

I'm doing it, currently I have a 'painfull' dead leg from footer last night and a broken brake hose from Saturdays ride

:great:

 

[terrymendez]

Yep will be there. Have a party to go to Saturday night in Battersea so the 06.30 start could be interesting.

 

[Fatboy Stenno]

I shall be there. Got an 8.30am start time so will be on the BHF coach from Haywards Heath station at 6.30am. Nice!

Got a dodgy knee too, which I could well do without, but it seems okay when cycling. It's the walking up the hills that'll cause me grief!!!

 

[Badger]

Indeed, 4th time of doing it this year. I've got a 6.30 start time which means leaving Brighton at about 5....excellent!!

Should I go out drinking on Saturday night? that is the question

 

[crasher]

Make sure you all stop in Ardingly to buy some bread pudding from the Beaver Scouts. My son will be one of them.

And good luck.

 

[Mr Blobby]

Make sure you all stop in Ardingly to buy some bread pudding from the Beaver Scouts. My son will be one of them.

And good luck.

I live in West Hoathly so might wander along to see them cycle past. What time do you expect to get to Turners Hill/Ardingly Brett? I can walk along to either and wave a cool can of beer at you!!!!!

 

[Mendoza]

I live in West Hoathly so might wander along to see them cycle past. What time do you expect to get to Turners Hill/Ardingly Brett? I can walk along to either and wave a cool can of beer at you!!!!!

No idea, depends on traffic, I'd say between 10-11am

 

[CHAPPERS]

I got the train from London to Brighton yesterday.

 

[Stat Brother]

Me and Wifey will be there.
As it will probably be my last, I'm looking for under 3 hours.
We start at 6:30 so it should be possible.

 

[Mendoza]

Me and Wifey will be there.
As it will probably be my last, I'm looking for under 3 hours.
We start at 6:30 so it should be possible.

under 3 hours, 20 miles per hour, thats some going - it normally takes at least 15 minutes to get to past the start line

 

[desprateseagull]

just take it easy up the beacon, and the one before (truy hill?) - as long as you have done PLENTY practice rides, and drink enough water, should be fine.

** dont forget suncream, cash for snacks along the way, and camera- have done i 4 times in the past, mostly a good laugh.

 

[lost in london]

I'll be there, leaving at 9.30am, which presumably means we'll get caught up with all the dross, but given that half of our group has done no training whatsoever I don't think that'll be an issue.

 

[Stat Brother]

under 3 hours, 20 miles per hour, thats some going - it normally takes at least 15 minutes to get to past the start line

No not really, I like road cycling, so having the bike, kit, and the understanding of technique, esp of climbing, makes a lot of difference.
20mph is only slightly over what I'd expect for the distance, but with it being predominately downhill, hopefully I'll manage it easily.

I'll start my bike computer as I start riding, a la marathon runners

 

[Badger]

No not really, I like road cycling, so having the bike, kit, and the understanding of technique, esp of climbing, makes a lot of difference.
20mph is only slightly over what I'd expect for the distance, but with it being predominately downhill, hopefully I'll manage it easily.

I'll start my bike computer as I start riding, a la marathon runners

That's no fun, you've got to make a day of it and enjoy the atmosphere

 

[Stat Brother]

That's no fun, you've got to make a day of it and enjoy the atmosphere

I prefer to ride with people a zillion times better than me, and testing myself.
Leading a train of 20+ riders going along at over 25mph, is great.

Wifey, on the other hand, loves the atmosphere of L2B and really enjoys the ride.
As our circumstances change she will probably continue to ride the L2B, over the years, while I slog my arse around other events.

 

[Lord Bracknell]

The trick with Ditchling Beacon is to get yourself stuck immediately behind a large group of slow-moving strugglers. They will get in each other's way and have to dismount and push.

You'll have to dismount and push too - but YOU can blame the bunch of lardy, unfit, no-good-boyos who forced you off your bike.

All your mates will be persuaded that, of course, you would have reached Madeira Drive 30 minutes earlier, if it hadn't have been for that bunch of lardy, unfit, no-good-boyos who slowed you down.

Capisce?

 

[Stat Brother]

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, you can then push on for the last 3rd.

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.

 

[Mendoza]

Remember the last bend on the Beacon is the one with a sign that is a Triangle (red border, white background) with a horse in the middle of it

THEN you are almost there!!

I tried to do it on SUnday, after 10 pints and a gutbuster on saturdau night and a bowl of chips at the Jack and Jill in clayton at lunch time

I got a stitch after bend 2

 

[Stat Brother]

Remember the last bend on the Beacon is the one with a sign that is a Triangle (red border, white background) with a horse in the middle of it

THEN you are almost there!!

I tried to do it on SUnday, after 10 pints and a gutbuster on saturdau night and a bowl of chips at the Jack and Jill in clayton at lunch time

I got a stitch after bend 2

Jeeez I couldn't even look at my bike after that lot.
Making it to the 2nd bend must put you in the elite races.