2009-06-21 Sun - BHF London to Brighton

I've been trying to stay fit for this Sunday for ages... been riding loads recently, with the odd 40mile trip once a month.

Anyway... woke up this morning with sore throat and a bit of a cough... only gone and picked up the missus' cough... GUTTED.... .

Anyone know of any strong medicine to beat a cough in couple of days?

I've been trying to stay fit for this Sunday for ages... been riding loads recently, with the odd 40mile trip once a month.

Anyway... woke up this morning with sore throat and a bit of a cough... only gone and picked up the missus' cough... GUTTED.... .

Anyone know of any strong medicine to beat a cough in couple of days?

Sounds like over training. Rest.

I have an 8.30am start with a bunch of colleagues. The vague plan is to stick together, but that will last for all of 1.5 miles in my opinion. The other plan is to have a Skype chat on the go on our mobile phones - should also be fun.

I'll be fixed on 48x19. Determined to make it up Ditchling, but if it's congested with walking nodders, not too sure - usually need to keep a steady pace if I have any hope on climbs.

Leaving at 8:30, you will be in heavy cycle traffic comprising, mainly, inexperienced cyclists.

DO NOT USE A MOBILE PHONE ON THE MOVE IN SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES.

Sorry for shouting - but that might be a better idea for you.

I'm doing it with the Nickelodeon lot, and apparently they have walkie talkies.

Not sure that is such a great idea, but we'll see how it pans out.

don't worry cliveo, plan is only to chat when we're at a standstill. from what i hear, that should be a good part of the day...

Pleased to hear it Matt.

About five of years ago, a colleague was taken out on the frst descent. She had three years of facial reconstruction surgery and still is not the same and speaks with an impediment. Last night someone was telling me of other disasters that he had witnessed on the ride. While the L2B can be a very good way of introducing people to cycling, making them realise that they are capable of long distances and creating genuine enthusiasm, it is a very scary occasion.

:0

maybe I should wear a helmet...

you should

Sounds like over training. Rest.

Thanks Cliveo, I think resting has actually allowed me to get ill.... I've been taking some cough medicine and drinking Lemsip Max strenghts and they seem to be doing the job.

Does anyone know what the route is this year... My friend and I are thinking We might try and avoid it and make my own route down to Ditchling so we can beat the masses and avoid any unnecessary accidents.

The best bet is to leave a little before the crowd or dead on 6:00 am. If going through the start, get there before 5:30 to be first through the gate, otherwise head off along the course. After a short while, you will be past all the slow riders and only those faster and better will be overtaking. Stay left; stay safe. Don't stop at rest stops - carry enough food and water - it's only 53 miles ffs. You will be down there is no time. Use the closed roads and enjoy the ride.

Anyone know if it is possible to just join the ride after the start. I'm not registered, but a few friends are & I don't want to miss the bbq on the beach. I don't have a number, but can potatoshop one... I know it's not in the spitit of the BHF, but I'll contribute to any rattle cans. From anyones experience from previous years can you tell me where would be a good place to join... also are the roads sealed off?

well i just agreed last minute to take a work mate's place tomorrow...6am start so should hopefully beat the crowds.

esp reading the above i can't face going fixed, so gonna be rocking my new geared gios compact (which hasn't seen any action since 1996)...bit worried about having to relearn using a brake to stop

good luck everyone!

I drove my car down this morning with my fixed wheel bike in the boot, parked in Brighton (leaving the bike rack in the boot) and then rode back.

It was a fantastic ride (going down Ditchling was an experience!) and although I have only ever done L2B on geared bikes B2L felt much easier on the fixed. It was my first longer ride out of town on it and has made me realise how good a fixed wheel bike is on long rides, which I was not expecting. I guess the fact that cos you never stop pedalling your muscles stay in their optimum operating zone..? I am sure if I UTFS I will find something on this...

I am now seriously considering using it for tomorrow now.

Indecisive??? Me? Hmm... Not sure I am.

EDIT: Sheldon says
Most cyclists coast far too much. Riding a fixed-gear bike will break this pernicious habit. Coasting breaks up your rhythm and allows your legs to stiffen up. Keeping your legs in motion keeps the muscles supple, and promotes good circulation.

Right, I'm going to bed now in order to be up bright and early for this.

Give me a shout if you are there- I'll be geared I'm afraid, but will ride fixed to Brightimes afterwards.

Going to bed FAIL.

Thought I'd give myself a quick haircut, grabbed the clippers, grabbed the guide, ran over head.

Issue being that in my very tired state I grabbed "convict" length guide out of the box by mistake.

Meh.

131 miles: 10699 calories.

managed the ditchling beacon riding 48/16, had to bully my way through.

I was pleased with my 12 minutes on the beacon climb. However, it paled into insignificance against BMMF's 4 minutes.

I was pleased with my 12 minutes on the beacon climb. However, it paled into insignificance against BMMF's 4 minutes.

jesus and the orphans

jesus and the orphans

good effort, how many nodders did he brutally elbow out of the way causing them to fall down the hillside in a crumple of cheap steel hardtail mess though,
and, did the fascist train operators allow bikes on for those who wanted to ride the train back ??

There were no nodders on the beacon at 8:30.

Why would anyone take the train when you have your bike with you?

It had to be closer to 5min - Dangerfield won the National HC there in 3.45, but I'm not sure where the start was for that. I was only cruising up in 39x17, and not out of breath at the top.

I enjoyed cheerily saying hello to the 30 or so riders I passed though. Smug demoralisation FTW :)

Hope that crashed rider on the shallow descent after Ditchling healed up okay. There was more blood than for bog standard road rash, so it could've been something worse around the elbow or collarbone.

There were no nodders on the beacon at 8:30.

Why would anyone take the train when you have your bike with you?

i take your point but, er, not everyone rides 116 mile before breakfast,
Im just a bit of a train-bike geek s'all

Did this fixed, found it surprisingly easy actually, I've only ever done probably 35 miles fixed before on reasonably flat stuff, so I was quite surprised i managed it so well. I only got about a 1/3 up the beacon before 47/18 killed me. How you did it on 48/16 I will never know.

It was pretty funny how so many people on tres expensive road bikes thought i was mental for riding fixed.

There was a lad on an all white bike with a supreme decal on his frame, i saw him at the top of the beacon - brakeless - wouldn't fancy that down the other side.