London to Brighton Advice
Discussion
Greetings one and all.
I'm signed up for the L2B this Sunday. Not worried about the distance or the cycling part.
However, in the brochure, it advises that people bring a cycle lock with them?
I presume this is for the rest stops. When ever I've stopped at a Sportive, there is always an element of trust that you can just lean your bike up against a wall and you will be able to come back to still being there after you have had a wee and a flapjack. I'm only planning on stopping once.
Is this not the case for L2B? I really don'e want to have to ride with a 2Kg lock in a rucksack. I know the pace will be slow, but I'd still like to minimise the kit I'm carrying to the usual things (innter tubes, multi tool, pump ect ect.)
I know there are several people on here who have done it several times, so I'm hoping they will offer some advice
I'm signed up for the L2B this Sunday. Not worried about the distance or the cycling part.
However, in the brochure, it advises that people bring a cycle lock with them?
I presume this is for the rest stops. When ever I've stopped at a Sportive, there is always an element of trust that you can just lean your bike up against a wall and you will be able to come back to still being there after you have had a wee and a flapjack. I'm only planning on stopping once.
Is this not the case for L2B? I really don'e want to have to ride with a 2Kg lock in a rucksack. I know the pace will be slow, but I'd still like to minimise the kit I'm carrying to the usual things (innter tubes, multi tool, pump ect ect.)
I know there are several people on here who have done it several times, so I'm hoping they will offer some advice
TwistingMyMelon said:
Depends, are you doing it on your own? If so maybe, if as a group just get one person to wait with the bikes whilst the rest of you go off and then swap over
Well its started as a group of 4, now its just me 
Oh well, I suppose I should better err on the side of caution and take a lock in a rucksack. If it was me, I'd take a cheap lock, unless its my commute bike which cost me £80!
At Brighton you might want a pint and queues can be loooong, its all safe but I bet there are a few opportunists about seeking the lowest path of resistance...
Anyone else find it a PITA when you are out on your own and have to pop in a shop/garage for a drink/food and have to leave your bike unattended outside for a couple of mins without a lock.
At Brighton you might want a pint and queues can be loooong, its all safe but I bet there are a few opportunists about seeking the lowest path of resistance...
Anyone else find it a PITA when you are out on your own and have to pop in a shop/garage for a drink/food and have to leave your bike unattended outside for a couple of mins without a lock.
Personally I would just take a cable lock to tie the bike to a lamppost or similar, you only need a pee stop so unless you have drunk gallons you would be pretty quick. Or dont stop at all and just keep on pedaling
Have a good ride, whats your start time? I will be off at 6 to get back asap
Have a good ride, whats your start time? I will be off at 6 to get back asap
Good to know, got a 6am start time so am looking forward to it being my first time. Not planning on stopping or taking a lock or anything really and have the GF meeting me at the other end for numerous drinks, should be a good day should be fairly easy to spot - the fat youngish bloke in a PH top
should be fairly easy to spot - the fat youngish bloke in a PH topkiethton said:
Good to know, got a 6am start time so am looking forward to it being my first time. Not planning on stopping or taking a lock or anything really and have the GF meeting me at the other end for numerous drinks, should be a good day should be fairly easy to spot - the fat youngish bloke in a PH top
Blimey you will have had your first pint by 9am!! should be fairly easy to spot - the fat youngish bloke in a PH topThey probably say that just to cover their arses. Just in case someone does the ride, leaves their shiny P&J unattended, gets it nicked, and then blames the organisers.
If I were riding alone I'd have no problem with finding someone waiting with their bike and asking them to mind mine for two minutes while I went to get a wee. I'd only take a lock if I planned on heading into Brighton for a look-see and some lunch.
If I were riding alone I'd have no problem with finding someone waiting with their bike and asking them to mind mine for two minutes while I went to get a wee. I'd only take a lock if I planned on heading into Brighton for a look-see and some lunch.
Usget said:
while I went to get a wee.
You're doing it all the wrong.... Completely agree though just ask someone to hold/keep an eye in it for you.
eta:I'm doing the organised event for the first time this year's (have cycled the route a few times though) Doing it with my wife, sister and her partner and uncle and aunt so suspect it will be a 5hr affair, and a 9oclock start. Great!
Edited by HughG on Thursday 12th June 10:34
TwistingMyMelon said:
Anyone else find it a PITA when you are out on your own and have to pop in a shop/garage for a drink/food and have to leave your bike unattended outside for a couple of mins without a lock.
Yes. And you get some funny "you can't bring that in here" looks too. I tend to go for petrol stations as they tend to have more space inside than your high st. indie store.Having said that I sat outside an M&S / BP the other day eating a bowl of pasta and a car pulled up and the guy left the engine running while he went inside.
Although he was very apologetic when I asked him to turn it off while he sat there.
daddy cool said:
Im doing L2B for the first time (6am start too).
My noob question is: Is there free water available on the way? I was hoping i could just carry one bottle and re-fill it, rather than having to carry two.
I think there are four stops which is a bit mad for 55 miles. From what I've read, there are stalls run by volunteers selling drinks and cakes ect ect. I only plan to sop once. My noob question is: Is there free water available on the way? I was hoping i could just carry one bottle and re-fill it, rather than having to carry two.
Someone mentioned a £10 Tesco lock. I might just go and buy a cheap lock that is a bit lighter than my 2Kg Kryptonite lock. ALso the coil style locks travel better unlike Kryptonite which can dig in your back if its in a rucksack.
I'm on the 8am start, which isn't ideal (Chosen by the original group leader). So far the event has cost me about £110 and I'm not even at the start line yet! I paid £18 for Mum to use the Park and Ride at Brighton Race Course, so I can get a lift home.
I certainly won't be poodling along. I want to get home and watch the Catalunya MotoGP round
Anyways, at least the weather looks like its going to be dry and warm
Edit: Thanks for all the replies so far. I'll be riding a Planet X CX bike (Black yellow and red), so feel free to say hello
Hackney said:
TwistingMyMelon said:
Anyone else find it a PITA when you are out on your own and have to pop in a shop/garage for a drink/food and have to leave your bike unattended outside for a couple of mins without a lock.
Yes. And you get some funny "you can't bring that in here" looks too. I tend to go for petrol stations as they tend to have more space inside than your high st. indie store.Having said that I sat outside an M&S / BP the other day eating a bowl of pasta and a car pulled up and the guy left the engine running while he went inside.
Although he was very apologetic when I asked him to turn it off while he sat there.
TwistingMyMelon said:
LOL forgot about that, my mate just brings his bike in the shops with him!! He went for a Subway and just wheeled it up the counter to choose his salad option. I guess im used to tiny shops out in the sticks tha you couldnt even swing a helemet around in!
I wheel my bike round homebase. I can't be bothered to go home, get changed and then drive 5 minutes down the road in the car to HomneBase, so I just wheel the bike round the shop. As far as I can tell, the staff don't mind Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff