2014-25-01 - New Year, Same Old You: Brighton Ride

Ride is leaving Brixton no later than 9:10. If you're any later you'll have to catch up.

Thought it would be nice to do a winter ride to Brighton. I'm sorry there is no theme for this ride, it's January and I'm tired and hungover and I just can't be fucked. It will probably be pretty cold but it will also probably be pretty fun. An easy cruise really with a stop at Turners Hill and maybe a bonus tea stop a bit after Sharpthorne if things are going reasonably well. Obvs a little burner hill about 10 miles from the end which will warm us up. FG/SS only please. Here's the route:

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2248608

Self-sufficiency
Bring tools, spare tubes, appropriate clothes, plenty of food and water, lights, batteries, etc. Familiarise yourself with the route, swap numbers before departing, and charge your phone. Eat/drink little and often.

**Check your bike. **Give it a look over before the ride – tighten, inflate, oil, check tyres for glass/used needles.

Bring lights. Yes we shouldn't need them, but by the time you're back in London you will be grateful you have some.

Road etiquette
Try to remain vigilant on the country lanes, especially when navigating blind corners. Let others know when you are slowing or coming past, and for the benefit of those behind you, call out or point at hazards such as potholes and cars. If you have a puncture, mechanical or drop off the back, call out to those in front to wait, and unless they hate you, they’ll pass the message forward. Don't go off the front as it splits the group.

Be ready to single-up in town. Also be courteous on the lanes. The road opens up past Purley so be smart until then. We'll also create a bit of havoc for cars going up Turners and Ditchling - expect some honks - so please just smile and nod and we'll re-group at the top.

**Getting back to London is up to you. **Four person groupsave is a cheap way to get back, but considering we may have to stagger our journey back on different trains think of something to do until the trains are free. Like drink. The Evening Star pub sounds like a winner for those hanging around for Brighton beers (55/56 Surrey Street BN1 3PB close to the station), or there is an M&S in the station for tramp/train beer supplies. Yes, I recommend M&S because I am middle-class.

And a list:

1. YAL
   

yuss!

Even if it's cold and wet it couldn't possibly be any worse than that bloody Wintage ride

1. YAL
   
2. bothwell
   

yuss!

this^

1. YAL
   
2. bothwell
   
3. OLC
   
   

in pending checking my calendar at work which is more complete than on my phone

love the route to brighton. love a fg+ss ride and haven't been on one for quite a while.

1. YAL
   
2. bothwell
   
3. OLC
   
   1. branwen
      
      

(Can I bring the new, better me anyway? His name is Lance and apparently he is quite good on a bike? Not sure where he came from though as he doesn't seem to want to talk about the past much ...)

Aargh, not sure I'm around for this - taking a friend for a farewell spin on the Thames before she heads back to Oz. Will join you if plans change.

yuss!

Even if it's cold and wet it couldn't possibly be any worse than that bloody Wintage ride
l

True, very true.

. FG/SS only please.

:-(

1. YAL
   
   1. bothwell
      
   2. OLC
      
   3. branwen
      
2. Hoke
   
   
   

This is looks like fun/pain... IN!!!

under consideration.
I'm unfit, and even when at my most powerful peak of fitness (whenever that might have been) I cannot do hills on SS. this would definitely involve walking :/

hmmm. 2 children now pretty much rules me out but i might ask the question...

ooh maybe. a few things going on then but I might be able to make it

1. YAL
   
   1. bothwell
      
   2. OLC
      
   3. branwen
      
2. Hoke
   
3. Indra
   
   

Always love a ride to Brighton.

Nice!...I'll be up for this if I can swap shifts at work.

1. YAL
   
2. bothwell
   
3. OLC
   
4. branwen
   
5. Hoke
   
6. Indra
   
7. Modan
   

I was wondering if I can do Brighton ride on SSMTB; 61 GI, 2.2" slick tyres; why the hell not ;)

1. YAL
   
2. bothwell
   
3. OLC
   
4. branwen
   
5. Hoke
   
6. Indra
   
7. Modan
   
8. amey
   

Thats sounds like fun on an MTB!

In.

1. YAL
   
2. bothwell
   
3. OLC
   
4. branwen
   
5. Hoke
   
6. Indra
   
7. Modan
   
8. amey
   
9. dysar
   
   

What GI would one recommend for a ride like this? I'm on 75" but haven't done a ride as long as this FG before. I'm fairly fit and have done plenty of similar rides geared.

61 gi eh? Enjoy that cadence haha. Totally fine to do it somewhere bewteen 66 and 78gi.

First post updated with departure time and place (I knew I forgot something). 9am, square by the Ritzy in Brixton.

There can also be a special dispensation gears allowance for those who either 1) have only a black Dave Hinde road bike or 2) would otherwise not come due to a walking worry.

Course JB you shoot off the front á la Cambridge and I'll leave your ass in East Grinstead.

^^ I'll be doing this on 74" I think. Not enjoying it mind, but thats all I got!

1) have only a black Dave Hinde road bike

is dom coming?

This is the second post I've made this morning, and the second post in which I say I have a new freewheel that will put me on 64gi. I wonder if I can mention it in every post I make over the course of the day?

Anyway yeah I have a new freewheel that will put me on 64gi*

*I'll probably still have to walk up Turner's Bloody Hill and Ditchling Bastard Beacon

I've never done a long ride on my SSMTB on 61 GI so this will be a fun experiment; I will have a GPS so all you fast guys can fuck off if you want .. I could gear up but dont want to fiddle/spend.

What pub are we going to in Brighton (i'd prefer getting tins on first train back tbh)? Groupsave4 tickets back?

If i'm in the country i'll be riding the crosser on 63 GI so can join you in the spin-to-win crew

lets do it

1. YAL
   
2. bothwell
   
3. OLC
   
4. branwen
   
5. Hoke
   
6. Indra
   
7. Modan
   
8. amey
   
9. dysar
   
10. dry (+ up to 5 others, but they are all lazy arseholes so probably +1)
    

How strict is the no gearz bit, yo?

It's nice to roll in a group of FGSS (pacing, hills, braking are all a bit different) so if you have a FGSS then bring that along. The idea is not to exclude people if they don't have one gear but to sort of encourage people to ride them if they have them. Lots of opportunities to ride with others on gears, fewer to ride FGSS hence the site etc. etc. but if you must bring gears don't let that stop you from coming.

Just don't ride like a dick ;)