London to Brighton Off Road?
Discussion
Morning all,
I'm considering the London to Brighton Off Road ride, but my query is, is it any fun? i.e is there much single track or bike park stuff or is it mostly just trudging through fields. I really mostly enjoy trail centres for the fun aspect, jumps, berms etc, would I actually enjoy it?
I appreciate there is a charity element but if it's just a long hard slog of a ride I'd rather just donate and head off to Cwmcarn or such like for the day.
Thanks in advance for any responses.
Aaron
I'm considering the London to Brighton Off Road ride, but my query is, is it any fun? i.e is there much single track or bike park stuff or is it mostly just trudging through fields. I really mostly enjoy trail centres for the fun aspect, jumps, berms etc, would I actually enjoy it?
I appreciate there is a charity element but if it's just a long hard slog of a ride I'd rather just donate and head off to Cwmcarn or such like for the day.
Thanks in advance for any responses.
Aaron
http://www.bhf.org.uk/publications/view-publicatio...
Havent done it but the map is pretty detailed, my only concern would be how narrow some sections are and how long you would get held up if there is a queue infornt but it looks like its on the Downs Link which is an old railway line so you shouldnt have a problem with traffic.
I have done a few mass participation mtb events though as part of the Helly Hansen adventure series and the mtb sections were always dull despite being in places like grizedale because we would get held up by fast runners who werent as quick on the bike, if we caught them on the singletrack you would have to play follow the leader down to the fire roads...
Havent done it but the map is pretty detailed, my only concern would be how narrow some sections are and how long you would get held up if there is a queue infornt but it looks like its on the Downs Link which is an old railway line so you shouldnt have a problem with traffic.
I have done a few mass participation mtb events though as part of the Helly Hansen adventure series and the mtb sections were always dull despite being in places like grizedale because we would get held up by fast runners who werent as quick on the bike, if we caught them on the singletrack you would have to play follow the leader down to the fire roads...
A friend of mine did it, boring as hell and just a long slog - even longer if the weather is crap!
It is more of an off road distance challenge than a 'fun' MTB event, if you are after thrills and spills then stick with trail centres!
However, if you are looking for a challenge with lots of difficult climbs, singletrack, rock garden descents, technical wooded sections and some roads and fire-roads for a break, then I highly recommend the Breacon Beast. I did it last year, good fun but bloody hard work and you really need to concentrate on some of the technical sections - I saw a hell of a lot of people leaking red stuff from a lack of concentration or over confidence!
The route changes every year, this was my trace from last year; http://www.strava.com/activities/81209369
It is more of an off road distance challenge than a 'fun' MTB event, if you are after thrills and spills then stick with trail centres!
However, if you are looking for a challenge with lots of difficult climbs, singletrack, rock garden descents, technical wooded sections and some roads and fire-roads for a break, then I highly recommend the Breacon Beast. I did it last year, good fun but bloody hard work and you really need to concentrate on some of the technical sections - I saw a hell of a lot of people leaking red stuff from a lack of concentration or over confidence!
The route changes every year, this was my trace from last year; http://www.strava.com/activities/81209369
Have a look on Youtube. There are several videos on there of the L2B off road ride. There are a few threads on the tinternet that suggest a CX bike is actually more suitable for the event that your full sus balls out MTB.
I am contanplating entering it on my CX bike or my mates un-used Carrera MTB. Just waiting to hear back on some work commitments.
I am contanplating entering it on my CX bike or my mates un-used Carrera MTB. Just waiting to hear back on some work commitments.
bakerstreet said:
Have a look on Youtube. There are several videos on there of the L2B off road ride. There are a few threads on the tinternet that suggest a CX bike is actually more suitable for the event that your full sus balls out MTB.
I am contanplating entering it on my CX bike or my mates un-used Carrera MTB. Just waiting to hear back on some work commitments.
I'd say the Downslink is perfect for a CX bike. I've done some of it on my (old) road bike - near Shoreham - and they have improved the surface since then. I am contanplating entering it on my CX bike or my mates un-used Carrera MTB. Just waiting to hear back on some work commitments.
Because it is an old railway line, it is very flat and lots of it is in cuttings so there is nothing to see but the long route ahead stretching out in front of you. I've done it a few times for charity, and it is just so boring. Especially when I've got the South Downs as close as the Downslink. Nice pub called Bax Castle near Christs Hospital...
The Downs Link is the most boring bit of trail you will ever find. Try and imagine what riding along a railway track would be like if they ripped up the track and let it go to weeds, well that's what it is. You could ride it on a road bike with 23 tyres.
This is a very interesting thread though as I recently rode the other way from Brighton to Wimbledon on my road bike and took a terrible route, I didn't plan it at all well and ended up having to use Google maps (Cycling mode) on my phone which kept taking me off road into woods and down overgrown footpaths and even over pedestrian rail crossings with stairs, it was a disaster.
Anyway, as I was negotiating rocks and tree roots with 105psi in my tyres, I was wondering if there was a decent route that could be taken off road between Brighton and London. Heading East-West is easy for me as you have the South Downs Way but North is much harder. The trouble with that distance off road is route finding across fields trying to avoid constant stiles and fences or sticking to a boring disused railway line to cover the miles.
This is a very interesting thread though as I recently rode the other way from Brighton to Wimbledon on my road bike and took a terrible route, I didn't plan it at all well and ended up having to use Google maps (Cycling mode) on my phone which kept taking me off road into woods and down overgrown footpaths and even over pedestrian rail crossings with stairs, it was a disaster.
Anyway, as I was negotiating rocks and tree roots with 105psi in my tyres, I was wondering if there was a decent route that could be taken off road between Brighton and London. Heading East-West is easy for me as you have the South Downs Way but North is much harder. The trouble with that distance off road is route finding across fields trying to avoid constant stiles and fences or sticking to a boring disused railway line to cover the miles.
I did it last year.
Frustrating slow pace generally, and virtually impossible to stick together as a group (7 of us did it), I decided fairly early I'd just ride it on my own. As others have said its a fairly uninteresting route, and the couple of bits that could be enjoyable so many people stop and get off to walk up/down that it stops you riding it at any pace.
The railway section is long and boring, especially when you bonk and puncture.
If you've done the road one then the route the offroad goes up onto the downs is very short and sharp compared to Ditchling; it basically goes straight up, its a farmers tracks so quite narrow but walkers (pushing) didnt prevent cycling up.
Would I do it again, probably not.
Frustrating slow pace generally, and virtually impossible to stick together as a group (7 of us did it), I decided fairly early I'd just ride it on my own. As others have said its a fairly uninteresting route, and the couple of bits that could be enjoyable so many people stop and get off to walk up/down that it stops you riding it at any pace.
The railway section is long and boring, especially when you bonk and puncture.
If you've done the road one then the route the offroad goes up onto the downs is very short and sharp compared to Ditchling; it basically goes straight up, its a farmers tracks so quite narrow but walkers (pushing) didnt prevent cycling up.
Would I do it again, probably not.
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