2012-04-14 Sat - London to Brighton off-road (29er day out)

I'm up for this pending date, not got a 29er but will come on geared old full susser thats been feeling all left out recently.

I did the BHF ride in about 2004 and assuming the route is the same its hillier than you think, no mountains of course but constantly rolling and pretty sapping. I seem to recall bitching that it went out of its way to go to the very top and the bottom of each hill, but maybe my memory of it is made worse by lugging a 35lb plus beast further than I had before.

I do remember some great sections but nothing extreme, I'm sure a cross bike would be fine, ideal in fact. I totally underestimated how slow I would be when I did it, proper low average speeds compared to roadie speed, and arrived at the finish in darkness with no lights, no food or water, not exactly well prepared. So would suggest an early start or lumins and pre-organised bail option for anyone that thinks 'fuck this!' before the end.

Great info.

I really wondered about the time, I think it's a full day... early morning till very late evening. With stops, potentially 9-12 hours. Just because we're not going to get an average of 12mph across the distance and once you throw in drink and piss stops it will inevitably be longer.

would my CX bike get trashed, or would it be a decent choice?

Check tags, says suitable for cross so must be true.

What I will do, before the ride... is reccy the first 20 miles of it beyond Hampton Court to see how it fares, whether it's easily navigable, and what kind of terrain they've put the route through.

I'm not intending to do the whole ride before the ride... just enough to get an idea of whether the route can be trusted and appears suitable.

I've ridden the section from Richmond through to Brooklands (it's part of my off road commute when I'm feeling brave and it's not wet). All towpath, easy riding suitable for almost any bike. I got lost in Weybridge the first time through where you change from the Thames to the canal. That change is a bit fiddly and I'm not sure how much GPS will help too much so I'd recommend you have a close look at the map first (or recce). Not the biggest deal in the world if you run the roads for a mile or so to get back to the canal.

Certainly interested in this, probably would find a mid distance bail out point, as I have winter legs, and 80 miles is a bit of an ask.

Would be on CX.

EDIT: Christ's Hospital at 50miles looks like an easy station to bail out, although it's only one train per hour back to London. Horsham is a few miles away, and has trains every 10 mins, so is the easy fall back.

Hmmm OK, forget what I said about Weybridge, looking more closely at the map I see that they have chosen to run on the road from there instead of using the canal.

The canal would take you from the 26km marker to the 39km marker, but you would miss the off road section from 32k to 37k. I think I need to get my bike out and head off down the canal.

I've ridden the section from Richmond through to Brooklands (it's part of my off road commute when I'm feeling brave and it's not wet). All towpath, easy riding suitable for almost any bike. I got lost in Weybridge the first time through where you change from the Thames to the canal. That change is a bit fiddly and I'm not sure how much GPS will help too much so I'd recommend you have a close look at the map first (or recce). Not the biggest deal in the world if you run the roads for a mile or so to get back to the canal.

Great info.

I really wondered about the time, I think it's a full day... early morning till very late evening. With stops, potentially 9-12 hours. Just because we're not going to get an average of 12mph across the distance and once you throw in drink and piss stops it will inevitably be longer.

I have ridden this on a hybrid type bike up to about the 30 mile point.

Whilst the pathway is none too rugged; due to the amount of pedestrian traffic you will do well to average anything more than about 7-8mph for the first section, although it does get quieter after the path splits under the M25

Hmm.

Maybe, given the comments in the thread... we should cut it short and start out of the M25.

Dammit's suggestion of train to Dorking and start from there would cut off 40KM from the start (the navigation of suburbia), and will give us 50 miles off-road into Brighton, which then fits into 7 hours even at 7 mph.

As with all rides... "I can't see us going slower than that". But at least we can fit it into a day, and including the train back and ride home still get back in time for supper.

Good idea?

If so... which day, were we largely agreed that it would have to be a weekend?

Sounds good. Weekends only for me, yes.

can i come? can we go faster than 7mph? can you pm me date as i get confused by this forum.

I think a shorter version is good plan, as you say we miss most of the shit bit just getting out of town. Besides if we monster it at well above 7mph we have more time to eat and drink in brighton which is not all bad. Its a forum ride so there's bound to be about 20 punctures to help slow us down, unless you're all running stans.

as doley scum anytime is good for me so i'll just go with whatever fits best with others, most people will be at work in the week so assume weekends best for most.

So, meet at Waterloo ~9am on either Saturday or Sunday and head to Dorking, and then on the bikes and off to the coast?

are there any cycling restrictions on the trains? need to book in advance?

Off peak, local trains so only restriction is how many the guard will let on before being a bit of an arse. Forum rides usually get some group save action going on (4 travel for the price of two, arranged on the day). Some will be riding out if you fancy a few more miles.

Road to Dorking then off-road the rest of the way?

Wouldn't Guildford be a better choice than Dorking if you want to stay closer to the route?

Or even Clandon. There's 4 trains per hour from Waterloo, and we'd only be a couple of K off the route, rather than drag 5K along the A25.

There be dragons: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Clandon

That sound great, need to decided to take CX or cheap 29ers.

I'd very much like to do it on a Sunday, poll?

From Clandon we can divert ever so slightly to get onto this lane: http://g.co/maps/g5kxc

Any weekend except 21/22 April for me.

list time yet ?

Another voice of experience here to say CX would be fine. It's a great route; not too taxing for the most part, but watch out for the Bostal at Upper Beeding - it's a killer when your legs are drained from the miles already done.

I did it on a hardtail and it took about 7 hours I think, including some short stops, so earlyish start definitely advisable.

Too many CX bikes... am I the only one riding 29er? If so, might adjust route to make it very boggy and craggy to slow you all down.

cielo CX bike ?

if i can make it i'd be on me steamroller with some cross tyres.
fixed of course.

that would make another 29'er.

cielo CX bike ?

Excellent idea.

So when are you getting your David?