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I think most of us are solo. We can just figure out according to the pace we're comfortable with, whether we're at the front, back or a broken tail chasing the pack.
I don't know, as I haven't spoken to Andy, but I think there will be quite a few people there tomorrow, most of whom are couriers and ex-couriers. If you turn up and feel intimidated or full of trepidation, seek me out (bright yellow bob jackson, red backpack of some description) and I'll say hi and break any ice that needs broken and introduce you to anyone else who has turned up already. That said, couriers aren't unapproachable... but as they'll mostly be with their buddies it is easier to wake up to the congregation of soloists.
Oh, if any of you have bottle holders, be sure to fit them and bring some liquid. Even if you're used to doing this mileage it's a good idea to lubricate along the way. You'll definitely be thankful of a supply of water at the top of the beacon at the end, even Turners hill will be a bitch by the time we get that far.
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Aha! David, i think i saw you in London fields yesterday afternoon, if you're in that area and want to go to 7 dials with me it could be cool.
I'm gonna try not to use a backpack as i like to have my back free to breathe so i stuck two bars of twix along with a spare tube, puncture repair kit, spanner, antiseptic wipes, spray on plaster in the saddlebag. Pump and big bottle of water on the frame and with the bananas i got clever...(maybe not)lol
If anyone is going from the London Fields area and wants to group to get to the dials just drop an e-mail. -
I'm coming from Kew Bridge. Last night I was out drinking (and cycling) ;)
I'll have a backpack (not a mess bag), but as lightly loaded as possible. Which is basically the essential tools for any mishaps or punctures, spare tubes, food (some energy bar and gel things), wallet, mobile and shower-proof jacket.
Thankfully the backpack has compression straps so I'll be alright.
I had drafted a tool bag I wanted to have made, but unfortunately the guy who I asked to make it has a full build queue and I wouldn't have got it for a few months. It was going to hang the length of the top tube, the space where an old frame pump would've been.
I'm still undecided on helmet or cap... I wear it so seldom I barely think of it nowadays. But riding in a group of fixed riders, people unaccustomed to riding in groups... I think that when we get a little tired towards the end the chance of a an accident increase. I'll see how I feel tomorrow. Right now, I'd probably go with it, even though it is uncomfortable.
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Stef_82 p.s is there anything else i should bring?
Wallet and keys? You'll need a drink at Brighton, and I'm guessing you want to get back into your home when you get back.
Has anyone even spared a thought as to how we're all getting back?
Shit... I'm bringing the smallest D-lock I have too. I want a drink when we get there.
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i'm lucky...my girlfriend's gonna be waiting for me in Brighton so...extra motivation and a change of clothes for me hopefully.
She grew up there so she'l have plenty of people to see while i get there, that means no guilt for me.
and about getting back i think i'll opt for a train ride i gotta work on monday -
Damn, i so wish i could come with you guys. expecting a friend from portugal, so will have to pass.
all the best to those that are going! eat a banana for me on the way!
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Oops... i only got 4 and half hours of sleep when i woke up at 7 and thought it would be best to give it a miss.. hope everyone had a good one!
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Great ride, great people. I am definitely doing it again next year, but I will want to rocl something other than 32-16 because it is way too heavy for a hilly ride.
It was not, however, a slow beginners ride. Even if you have done distance on a geared bike, there was plety of suffering to go around. Good suffering.
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It were right good fun.
A few wrong turns early on, and we moved way too slow whilst we were getting used to group riding, but the second half we flew down... though Ditchling Beacon was only mastered by a few people (I walked most of it).
An absolute blast though. It's a shame it was so bloody cold down in Brighton though. With nowhere near enough locks for the bikes, we ended up sitting outside the Fortune of War pub down on the beach freezing our collective asses of.
Anyone I met today, hi nice to have met you. A splendid bunch of people.
One tip for anyone else ever riding with Roberto though... don't sit on his wheel on a climb. The sod slowly creeps down gears (yes, he rode gears), by the time you realise what's happening you're turning the pedals so slow that you're fucked for the remainder of the hill.
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We left at 9am, we arrived at 5pm-ish. So that would say 8 hours.
But we got lost a few times, took a detour through Redhill that added a big hill and a stack of miles, and we stopped loads. Basically it was a no-one left behind policy, so if things got out of hand we pulled over and re-grouped. But we couldn't speed off when the tail arrived as we would've rested and they wouldn't have. So there was a lot of sitting around, getting started, slowing down.
This is why the second half was a lot faster, we basically only did this twice on the second half, whereas the first half it happened so often that I couldn't even tell you how much we stopped.
It was all great fun though, a hell of a day out :)
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i hope you took pictures.
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fantastic! looking forward to seeing them. well done you guys on getting there and back safely.
Stef
docus
Hovis_Brown
lpg
runcible_rakan
glow
Alex
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About
Fixed Gear London's London to Brighton ride
Posted by
@Velocio
Solo also. I'll be the one with the look of trepidation on his face...