London to Brighton

[twhincup]

Forgive me if someone has posted elsewhere and if this is in the wrong section, but i was wondering if many others here did the London to Brighton yesterday? I did a quick search but not a lot came up. I finished in 4 hours 45 minutes, shaving 2 and a quarter hours off my last attempt 5 years ago (this time i was focused on the ride more than the social).

Also this time i cycled all the way up the beacon, i took 2 'breather' stops but so glad i did it, well done to everyone that participated - me after the ride:

[wrangler_rover]

I did it once, 1996 I think on a mountain bike with knobbly tyres in a group from work, set off at 09:30 and finished 7 hours later, I then vowed never again. If I were to do it again, I would do some more training, ensure that I started at a much earlier time so that I could ride on relatively clear roads enabling me to ride up the hills rather than have to push the bike up them.

[Chuck Glider]

First of all, well done you! It's a great feeling to improve at something physical, at any stage of life! I can say that because I think I'm older than you...

I rode it on Sunday too. I have done it before in the late 90s. Fwiw, here are my observations:

* More people therefore more congestion and frustration of having to stop and walk
* Riders are on better bikes - much bling on display
* Higher max speeds (mine was 73 kmh)
* More accidents and therefore more ambulances
* Nevertheless, there were more people walking up the beacon (odd given the better bikes, not me mind I ground up it last time and I did the same this time)
* Enjoyed listening to someone else's music blasting while climbing the beacon (including the Tour de France theme tune!)
* Sadly, one death

[AlanD]

Hi there,
This was my fourth ride. I crossed the start line at 07:25 and crossed the finish line 5hrs 20 min later. My worst time yet. I only stopped three times for 'comfort breaks', but it was the congestion that slowed me up.
What really concerns me is how little I raised, I had plugged it at work and via the extended family & 'friends' on facebook; like trying to get blood out of a stone. On the local radio yesterday morning the discussion was about the Budget and one comment from a member of the public was, "With things getting expensive, I'm going to have to keep all my money for myself". It does worry me what effect the Budget will have on charitable giving and I find myself wondering if this sort of response is typical and will it be worth my effort taking part next year ?

The bike is a Dyna Tech Strada 401, built by the then special products division of Raleigh and purchased 16 years ago. Ti frame and recently fitted with Shimano 105 parts. The shirt was a Christmas present.

[MikewsMITH2]

For me it was the 4th time and the slowest ever and very frustrating. My my son and I did the 9.30 start and finished about 6.30! We spent a lot of time walking and waiting around for stewards holding up traffic for multiple accidents and other casualties and when in narrow lanes the cyclists ahead all decided to walk. It seemed that every hill they decided to walk up and then fall off on the way down! We even had to wait and walk for about 20 minutes to finish! It seemed that they couldn't stamp the cards fast enough. We did manage to cycle all the way up Ditchling though. I was amazed at all the young fit people on good bikes who decided to walk up! We only wanted a good day out so we weren't that bothered that it took so long. It was the only bike ride I have ever done when my feet ached at the end! If I were to do it again I'd try for an early start.

[matt_twam_asi]

I did it for the second time. I started at 6:30 and finished at 1:30, with around 4 hours 30 mins riding time. The extra 3000 riders were definitely noticeable, even with an early start we were gridlocked going over the north downs. Ditchling Beacon wasn't too bad though, and I made it up without even using the granny gear!

For those that thought it was too crowded, there is another London to Brighton run called Capital to Coast. It takes a route west of the A23, meaning you have Devils Dyke instead of Ditchling (good or bad depending on what you're looking for - it's definitely easier). It's a lot less busy, mainly because it's a lot less well known.