Ladies Ldn to Brighton Ride - Saturday 1st October

No offence to cafewanda, but I'm hoping there's going to be a bit more interest : /

Then you know what to do - spread the motherfucking word!

I'd love to come along on this ride.
It'll be my first long ride, and i'd be doing it fixed. Do you think that's a bad idea?
Guess i can fit in some long ish rides before then.

London to Brighton was my first 50+ mile ride and I did it fixed, doing the steep downhills with my legs spinning at light speed was a completely new and scary experience but doable as I had two brakes, but it does mean that you never get any rest, and my gearing was a tad high for going up the hills. It was very challenging at parts but also very fun and I'm glad I did it. I also flipped my wheel around at the top of the Ditchling to ss so I could coast the last stretch because I didn't think my legs could cope with 6 miles of downhill by that point.

I'm not doing it again though! Well. Sumo really wants me to so he can come with me, so we'll see.

Scoot, you been riding lots more than the first time you did the Brighton run, of which you'll be surprised at how much you have improved (as well as your techniques).

Don't underestimate yourself, human are much more capable than you think.

Also scoot, the once you've done a ride already, when you do it again it is much easier. A lot of the battle with hills is psychological, cos you don't know how long its going to carry on/how much worse is gonna get. Now you've done it and know you can then it'll be a lots easirr!

Wish I could say for sure if I can make it but won't know if I get paid before then (goddamn invoices)!

@pops1207 - My experience of London to Brighton was the same as Scoot's, longest ride I'd done back then and I worked myself into a right tizz about Ditchling beforehand. I managed it just fine riding fixed (48/18) and even got up Ditchling albeit sooooo slowly and shouting "Come onnnnnn!" at myself. ha. I took the downhill into Brighton alot slower than everyone else as I was wary about only having one brake but it was fine honestly. Just control your speed little and often rather than panicing and slamming your brakes on at full pelt!

@scoot - What Malaysian said. Honestly, it will be so much easier second time round! Half the battle is the unknown. Do it!!

In for 1st October! I also haz Gary Garmin and mostly know the route from last year.
I have done no miles in the past 2 months, so could do with something to aim for.

clefty I would be well up for doing some smaller miles leading up to it

Blokes welcome too as long as you realise this is going to be very much a social ride.

(just read over this myself, might sound a bit like a rant but it isnt... read it with positive vibes in mind!)

I'm interested as I like going for spins with my partner, and she is keen to do this ride (after Ditchling last year though I'm not sure why!), but tbh I'm really happy to see women-only stuff happening with cycling, like the ladies polo, spins, this sub forum, or the ladies drinks.

Why? Cos any time you go to other, "general" rides, the gender ratio is usually 10 m to 1 f, instead of 50/50, which is a shame.
I'd rather stand back, and let ladies rides and events develop organically on their own, to the point where a large group feels confident / comfortable to come along on the main, male-heavy, rides, at some point in the future. If they so choose.
The ladies polo I feel is a good positive example of this. The ladies there pretty much explicitly keep the boys away from their own spaces ("megacreep!") but then participate in the other 'mixed' throw ins all the time - of which there are many regular options to choose from. It's worked really well for them, and none of the lads ever pipes up to join in, as they know there are loads of other events out there for them to do, without feeling intimidated.
If its billed as a womens ride, I'm inclined not to go, so as to encourage greater female particpation in the long run, even if it means missing out on a spin with my girlf.

So have fun!

Thanks Kev! Input much appreciated!

Scoot, don't be put off from doing London to Brighton again. I also found that ride really good fun, but pretty tough. However we were the only 2 girls, cycling with some very strong riders, into a headwind. The hardest part for me was not knowing when the next stop would be when my legs felt like they had nothing in them and I needed a rest! I'm sure it will be easier the next time around, both mentally and physically. Also, would you could consider doing it ss rather than fixed? That way you could freewheel down all those lovely hills! :)

No offence to cafewanda, but I'm hoping there's going to be a bit more interest : /

I think I should be offended but I'm not sure :-).

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Nope. Not offended.

Am thinking of doing my recce for this on either Thurs 8th or Friday 9th - would be ace to have some company if possible, but fully aware it's a work day for most.

?

Jut seen this ... not going to be able to swing another day off work, otherwise I would have loved to. ONE day I'll make a ladies ride.

Has anyone got a bike computer I could borrow - nothing fancy, just something that could plot (if that's the word) mileage for the recce?

i have a wired one you can have...

or a wireless you can borrow

I see this clashes with another seaside ride and there hasn't been much interest in this ride so I might call it off. Will give it another week or so and then make up my mind.

it's on the first of October, you got one months, give it time.

I know of a girl who may also be interested in it, so will have to ask her later about going to this ride.

and advertised it! spread the word!

Where else am I supposed to "spread the word"? In the main rides forum?

go door to door like a jehovah's witness

And that's an approach well known for it's success rates, eh?

Indeed, post it in the main ride topic, so the blokes who'll read it will think "hey that sound like something the missus may be interested in doing".

talk to your other fellow female cycling companion, talk to the others in beer meet (men as well, they may have other half if the rumour is to be true in beer meet), polo, etc.

Noo don't cancel! I am coming, I've just been failing to put my name on the list.
I might do there and back; I feel like I haven't done anything stupid like that for a while.

LFGSS Ladies Attack of Fifty Fixed Women: The III (will think of a snappier title in due course)

1. Poots
   
2. cafe "i've just got a few snacks in my pannier" wanda
   
3. there and back to the bendix
   

Woo hoo!

I might do there and back; I feel like I haven't done anything stupid like that for a while.

Yeah, it seems like ages since the Dunwich escapade ; )