Overnight to Brighton

Sorry you missed us, Paul, did you ride down?

Yes, we were at the So bar on the beach.

I stayed up too late, didn't eat properly, forgot to put bar tape on my handlebars and had crippled myself on Saturday trying to break in some new brogues. Apart from that I was well up for Sunday!

Anyway going to be fully prepared for this weekend. This is a good investment, I can see this making money, I like you, so for 50% equity I'M IN.

were u riding geared bikes? think I saw u as I rode home in brighton. Sorry could not meet had work to do.

Come and have breakfast with us next weekend bra'.

Des (fatboy)?
Shame we missed guys as you missed some fish and chips!

Good to catch up Nick. see you thursday man

OK, that was a recce and a half. Got to Hyde Park Corner to find Des waiting. We waited until about 10:25am but no-one else showed--did we miss you somehow, Michael? Hope you're OK! Lockring issues?

Technically yes my lockring was buggered, however I was on SS and just slept in, Paul called me to tell me that he was gonna be running a little late, which is what woke me up, slept right through 3 alarms, however there will be no excuses for the night ride, which I am really looking forward to =D

Des (fatboy)?

No, balmain. He doesn't post often.

Shame we missed guys as you missed some fish and chips!

We got to Brighton quite late. I rang Nick from the top of Ditchling and he said that you were just on your way out of Brighton and offered to text us your number, but I didn't want to hold you up. Next time!

Balmain = suburb of Sydney. Is he Australien?

Balmain = suburb of Sydney. Is he Australien?

No--I don't know why he has that username. Ask him.

No you ask him, I'm scared.

Oliver - excellent ride, thanks for the routing and company. Shame to have missed the other guys. Feeling it today though, fixed and Ditchling still isn't a great combination, but hopefully there will be a fitness payback.

Weather looks decent for next Friday, I'm wavering but may leave it for the FNRTTC lot on March 13th - will decide later in the week. Not wanting to hijack your organisation at all, but a 10pm start means you meet a lot of post pub boy racer traffic out in the burbs, whereas midnight from Hyde Park seems to miss most of the traffic - just a thought.

Crispin - no, not Australian. Think this came up a few months back last time I posted; 4 years in Datchett St Balmain. Down at the east end, near the ferry. Top location, still think about buying the place one day.

Ah I lived on Darling St for 2 years, up near the London pub. Looked at an awesome place down on Paul St, near the ferry, but the rent was a little out of our reach. Amazing views of the harbour, city skyline and the bridge.

Went to the London loads of times - propping up the bar stools on the veranda was a regular Saturday pastime. I was out there on an expat deal so the company stumped up for our rent and chipped in with a 'hardship' allowance. Got sent out there to look after Bundaberg rum, unbelievable deal.

Just to re-cap

We are riding Saturday night? Right?

Thinkin i'm doing it geared now, keep changing my mind

i am in.

and excited/nervous/lookingforward etc.

Just to re-cap

We are riding Saturday night? Right?

Thinkin i'm doing it geared now, keep changing my mind

Yes, we are.

The route is moderately hilly up to Ditchling Beacon, none of which is a problem on fixed with the right gearing. With Ditchling, have a try, but don't worry too much if you can't make it. We'll be waiting at the top, and it doesn't take long to walk up there. What I found easy-ish about it was that it alternates steeper bits and more shallow gradients, which enabled me to rest a bit before tackling the next steeper bit. It's a bit of a sting in the tail of the ride, but from there on into Brighton it's all plain sailing--a very lovely descent almost directly into the heart of Brighton.

realistically, what sort of time do you reckon we'll make it in?
(the fear of the unknown is rising)

Yes, we are.

The route is moderately hilly up to Ditchling Beacon, none of which is a problem on fixed with the right gearing. With Ditchling, have a try, but don't worry too much if you can't make it. We'll be waiting at the top, and it doesn't take long to walk up there. What I found easy-ish about it was that it alternates steeper bits and more shallow gradients, which enabled me to rest a bit before tackling the next steeper bit. It's a bit of a sting in the tail of the ride, but from there on into Brighton it's all plain sailing--a very lovely descent almost directly into the heart of Brighton.

Going up the Beacon in the dark is quite an unusual experience - at least on your own it is. Make sure your lights are nice and bright.

realistically, what sort of time do you reckon we'll make it in?
(the fear of the unknown is rising)

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.

unless i get a bike sorted, i'm out.
which is shit.

Really, really annoyed I missed the recce, sounds like it was pretty fun, apologies for the no show but i'm really not a morning person, still, it will make the descents on the night ride extra fun!

Any recommendations for a decent light? Or would a torch stuck on the handlebars be suffice?

Any recommendations for a decent light? Or would a torch stuck on the handlebars be suffice?

No, don't go with a torch. A good light will be pricey, but once you're addicted to night rides, you'll want to use it again and again, and it will be a worthwhile investment. Lighting systems are going insane--there are people on the Dynamo who are brighter than cars. I personally don't know what the latest recommended system is, but there is a shitload of info elsewhere on the old Intrwebsz. I wouldn't be surprised if people had discussed it on here.

Night ride:

1. Oliver Schick
   
2. Hillbilly
   
3. Eyebrows
   
4. Hobo
   
5. Pajamas
   
6. mmccarthy =D
   
7. 50/14 on 46/18
   
8. Dandy horse
   
9. CRISPIN GLOVER ALL OVER IT (BOING!)
   10.thecrane
   
10. Charco
    
11. nosferatu - kyle
    
12. STE5
    
13. owenreed
    
14. damo (unsure-think i'm available, also slightly nervous about 65 miles. and the ditchling)
    
15. NightSLaG
    
16. Gina
    
17. evennumbers (hopefully)
    
18. Texas (weather dependant)
    
19. Drop owt kneewarmaz'n'jellybaybeez
    
    

@ Mccarthy- I have a bigish,brightish CatEye front which is surplus since I got the 'spensive Extreme.PM if I should bring it.

Greasy and I wanted to join you but I got the time wrong, thought it was 10.30 meet. I had only two telephone numbers to warn of tardiness.Tried to phone Pajamas and Mick; Pajamas had left his phone outside somewhere after a night of misadventure, and I woke up Mick at 9.55! Anyway it was nice to meet you Guerilla, and you're welcome here anytime.

true, all true... amazingly, found it by where I had locked my bike up though... but yeah missed the ride good n proper. glad you and desi had a good time ol, shame you missed fiddy and greasy who did there and back, the troopers.

bit concerned about this talk about good front lights for the night ride - seriously, is it essential? I'm broke at the moment, can't afford or justify a hope-type light..

second dibs on dropouts's spare front...;)