One of the things that I searched quite hard for was a review of how hard the London To Brighton really was. No blog or details was really able to give me an overview of how much training I needed to do, how hard it was, what the biggest challenges were…
Well this is my view.
So, leading up to the registration of the event I had done nothing, so my first ride on a bike wasn't until late January or early February. It was a horrible ride, it was in the rain and it was very windy, I did about five miles, 2.5 miles one way, turned round because I was cold and then 2.5 miles back.
I did the London to Southend bike ride back in 2008, I was younger and fitter back then. As an example, I did a “practice” ride round the Isle of Wight. No such luck this time. Older and with a family, there was no chance of that…
The practice for this ride was mainly short rides, about 12 miles for the months to April start, and then from mid April it was up 18-22 miles and then a final large ride of about 35 miles. 35 miles is a good distance to reach. If you can get to that milestone the the next twenty or so miles will be doable, easy, no, but most definitely you will be able to finish.
Reading back through all my rides, I did 42 rides and 36 of them were less than 10 miles in length. Two were over 20 miles and one over 30 miles. The rest were between 10 and 20.
I am blessed, and also cursed where I live. I live at the top of the north downs which means no matter why I cycle I have a gradient of at least 12% as I leave my house. This gradient training REALLY REALLY helps.
I did one ride, a long 35 mile ride, where I stumbled across a 20% incline. That was near impossible to walk up, let alone cycle… But round me here are lots of hills with at least 5% inclines! Going up to 12-20%. Going out on rides that include that sort of variance will be, at first really hard, but worth it on the long run.
There is a route from #Sanderstead roundabout all the way to a pub on Botley Hill. It's a constant up hill drag, but a really good practice route. Highly recommended…
My advice for someone training. Get out, no matter what the weather, do it early and see how far you can go, and how fast, before you are too tired. I only managed 5 miles round trip to begin with. Soon, and I mean quickly, you will be able to build up to longer routes.
When I started out it took me 1 hour fifteen to do one of my loops. By the end of my training I had taken 25 minutes off that time.
I strongly suggest doing hill training, if you can, as that will give you good stamina AND prepare you for the down hill sections, of which there are quite a lot on the route. You can get a lot of speed up and you need to be confident riding at that sort of pace.
Finally, before the ride weekend, do a full practice ride, of about 35 miles where you wear the same stuff you are going to wear on the ride, bring exactly what you intend to bring on the ride. Doing that makes sure that you have the battery settings on gadgets, puncture kits, shorts, seat, etc all sorted and ready to go.
Last, but by no means least, make sure your bike is set up properly. Seat height should be so high you knee is only slightly bent when cycling, that your tires have the right pressure and that your chain is well oiled! It all helps…
The London to Brighton is hard, the hills are what catch most people out, and for some, the hills down are also a bit of a shock. Get some hill training in if you can. Not essential, but can really help…