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@Oliver Schick
damo, we took the recce very leisurely, chatting frequently about the route, getting lost around Gatwick, taking a detour around Caterham, frequent food stops, spending ages at the top of Ditchling while I was eating my ice lolly, etc. and we took about six or seven hours--I can't remember the exact times, as I forgot to look at my watch, but we were at Brighton station at about 5:30, I think. For the night ride, the time we take will obviously depend on people's mechanicals (do check your bikes well, guys) and how fast we can go (we'll wait for everyone, of course), but I can't imagine that we'll take more than six hours.
Don't worry too much about the unknown--some of us have done night rides before and we'll help you through. The distance is really not that great, and as long as you pace yourself up the hills, you should be fine towards the end. There's no shame involved in walking up Ditchling Beacon at all, either.
Just make sure you take strong lights--and I really mean strong; your standard London lights simply won't do. It's dark out in the lanes. For some of the way, we'll be on well-lit roads, but some of the lanes are quite long.
People often worry about the distance and the fact that it's at night. Don't--distance is not a problem at all (and in this instance isn't very long at all), and the fact that it's at night is the main factor in making it such an amazing experience, so is all for the good. I don't think I've ever met anyone who couldn't get on with night riding. We're avoiding any dangerous descents, but you will still need to get comfortable descending in the darkness even if the descent isn't hairy at all, and caution is advised in any case. Otherwise, bring enough food and drink and snack and sip as we go along so you keep replenishing your energy. Don't take too much stuff--take an extra layer to put on if it gets too cold, but chances are you'll be quite warm from the effort, and you want to avoid sweating too much, so don't overdress.
We'll be able have a food stop at Gatwick after 30 miles if people want it (M&S should be open), and there should be places open in Brighton.