London - Brighton Cycle ride! What have i done?

[Viney]

Well, i think i have gone and done it! I think i have just entered myself into the London To Brighton cycle ride on the 20th June with work! Erm, better get some training in then!

[dizzyblonde]

I think Peg used to do this pre accident.....


gooood luck

I've done it before ... easy .... honesty .... you get wrapped up in the day and it fly's by ..

Just like the London Marathon ..... fancy doing 26 miles tomorrow ? No !!! But on the day its fine ....

Good luck .....

ps. I used to race bikes, and am used to doing 150 - 200 miles a week .... so I'm not sure if that makes a difference !!

How many miles is that? Any big hills?

I'm in a similar boat, doing the Dragon Ride on 6th June, 81 miles inc two Cat 1 climbs which will be familiar to those who've do the Welsh way round rides.

Eeek!!

One big hill at the end - Ditchling Beacon. About a mile long uphill, but then it's 7 miles (ish) downhill all the way to the end.

It's a long way, but the pace is easy due to the number of entrants. Go and have fun mate.

[fizzwheel]

You'll be fine when is it ?

Start off slow and build up the distance till you get to the point where you can do 75% of the actual distance you'll be doing on the day. If you can go that far the extra wont be a problem.

1. take plenty of fluids / energy drink, aim to drink about a litre per hour. I expect there will be feed stops en route where you can fill your bottle up.

2. Energy snacks, flapjacks etc are a good idea to.

3. Take a spare tube, puncture repair kit to

4. Cycling shorts might look hideous but you'll be more comfy

Just relax and enjoy it, and dont go rushing off at full pelt at the start trying to keep up with the person in front of you, you'll get sucked ito going much faster than you are comfortable with and you'll pay for it later on in the ride.

You'll be fine mate

[dizzyblonde]

Yes, Peg has done it four times pre accident.

hmmmm so ever ridden with 29000 other cyclists?

Sounds a load a fun, reckon on you'll need padded shorts.

And don't worry about a puncture repair kit, as they have stations every few miles for that sort of thing.

oh yeah.....and theres a wagon at the end for those who can't handle it...but you get charged for being picked up. Unless you pass out, as the ambulance is free

good on you and good luck

[Viney]

Fizz, im going to try the Jade Goody london Marathon Approach! No training and a kebab the nigth before, it'll be fine!

Jabbs, a mate is doing the scottish version of that!

As for the day its the 20th June. I have padded shorts, a half decent bike, 2 water bottles and the number of all the Pizza delivery places on the way

[keith_d]

I've done it a few times and it's a nice day out providing it doesn't p*ss down.

It starts with ~2 miles pushing your bike because there's just so many people in the way. That's followed by 45 miles of fairly leisurely riding, with the occasional jam at the bottom of the steeper hills. Finally you climb Ditchling Beacon then freewheel into Brighton.

The only discouraging bit is when you're about halfway there you see serious club cyclists are on their way back. 120 miles is just a regular training ride for them.

Keith.

P.S. Don't forget the suncream. Hopefully you'll need it.