london to brighton route anyone

im thinking later this summertime I want to ride this route but can never be assed to do it official so am currently looking for best/known route. Gonna be doing it fixed so advice on gearing would be appreciated at the mo. riding 46-17. Its definitely not gonna be race pace hopefully involving pub stops enroute with a bit luck.
Cheers

https://sites.google.com/site/cyclingroutes/ltb---route

I found this really clear if you want a step by step #NoGarminNoRules version.

on sat i rode some big hills on 48/18 and really struggled, only managed a couple of them without stopping. and a few i did have to walk sections (shame on me). I would definitely go lower or perhaps have two cogs? if you can be arsed? Ditchling beacon is pretty bloody big.

Cheers folks for comments. How big an long is Ditchling beacon ? What have others done it on ? Gear ratio I mean. I have been told of other routes which don't include this large end hill Anyone else?

i think its about 10% over 1 mile.

probably the best acid test is going to be getting a bigger cog, trying it and seeing what ratio works for you.

This route was shown to me by a friend a while ago - way better than the BHF version, far more lanes and small roads. I rode it 42x16 at a slow pace as we were chaperoning lots of non-cycling friends. Got a PB up Ditchling Beacon though - just over a minute behind Michal Kwiatkowski and Tao Geoghegan Hart!

1 Attachment

• Fixed Gear Bimble London to Brighton.gpx

ps. Don't avoid Ditchling, it's one of those hills you've got to tick off.

Oh right. You GOT to tick that off. Like everyone's abilities are roughly the same, it's just all in the mind if you can't get up it on 47x19 or whatever. Fuck that shit, ditchling fixed....I will never get up there on a gear I can comfortably ride there on. I value my knees too much at my age.

To OP: Do avoid ditchling, if you're not that experienced at riding fixed over medium distances like this. Go up devil's dyke, turn right off the main road to climb up to to the high bit if you're feeling fine, or go straight on over the saddle bit if that's about enough.

Then do Ditchling next time.

Easy there, it's not a bravado thing, it's just a fun hill to ride.

I did Ditchling for the first time last year fixed 48x16 it was tuff but not as bad as everybody makes out IMO.

Easy there, it's not a bravado thing, it's just a fun hill to ride.

Not for me it aint! There are plenty of people for whom that's a tough call. I was merely putting your comment in perspective. The OP already showed signs of shame in walking up a hill or two, where I think that kind of bravado might be discouraged.

That's not to say I wouln't LOVE to be able to ride it. Maybe one day. I did make it up Chalkpit Hill west of Oxted a while back and I genuinely thought I'd never make that.

I have since failed, so I guess fitness is hard for me to maintain.

I did Ditchling for the first (and only) time about 2 years ago. L-B was the longest ride I'd ever done at the time, and I did it on 48/16 dinglespeed. Managed Ditchling with a couple of dabs. I found doing White Down geared at the end of a long ride much, much harder.

My two co-riders were both geared and walked part of it. None of us really cared. You get to the top and carry on :)

^This. First time I did it was on 48/16 and it's doable, but not necessarily huge amounts of fun. Two stops, no walking, considerable pedal mashing.

None of us really cared.

Word!

I attempted Ditchling once fixed after a burger and chips and a couple pints in Ditchling Village needless to say it didn't go well.

shit. Change of plan me thinks. A few ales enroute is a definite. I'm guessing I'm walking haha

Beer makes you climb better.

I think it was probably the proximity to the climb which was the issue!

Burger and chips does not make you climb better.

I can confirm this.

Beer numbs my pain. Cheers

I'm planning on going down to Ditchling, up the beacon, and back, very soon (i.e., not into Brighton).

Anyone been round those regions recently and got recommendations for cafe stops? I guess in Ditchling or nearby would be the best place

Good luck let us know ya route an miles cheers

https://www.strava.com/activities/274812007

Done. Great route, shit legs. Would only have changed about 5% of the roads, even the a-roads were pretty quiet.

Ended up just stopping at a grubby corner shop in turner's hill for a coke and some water. Plenty of coffee options between ditchling and turner's but just wanted to get on with it!