[Closed] BHF London to Brighton Off-Road Bike Ride.

I've done this on a couple of occasions and did the BHF SDW ride 2 years ago. The L2BOR is a lot easier that the SDW, Thames towpath at the start and long flat sections on the Downs Link. A tricky descent just before the rest stop at Shere. A long steep chalky climb up The Bostal from Upper Beeding that leads onto the South Downs Way upto the YHA Truleigh Hill.

Thanks Keando

I’ve done the SDW in a day so know Truleigh Hill.

Is the descent you mention before Shere worse than anything on the SDW?

So if the SDW is say a 8/10 for effort required what would you score the L2BOR?

I am training for this at the moment so that is a really interesting perspective, cheers

James

The SDW is much more physically challenging (it is around 100 miles and 12,000 ft) but there isn't anything really technical on it other than the ruts really and going too fast around a corner. The L2BOR is physically easier (although don't under estimate riding on the flat as it requires a constant output which MTB'ers can suffer with) and there isn't too much in the way of technical challenges apart from a couple of descents and some singletrack

L2BOR 5/10. Fun ride though.

For me I would have said 6/10 for the L2BOR. The descent into Shere is a bit rutted and rooty and a couple of sharp turns near the end to get onto the BOAT that's called London Lane. Depending on your bike handling/descending skills you get some people queueing up down this section which makes it a bit trickier. Or like last year you get somebody absolutely flying down there yelling at everyone to get out of his way...

Thanks all - food for thought.......

I thought it was OK when I did it a few years back.  Nothing technical.  Lots of long miles IMO.  But an OK day out at, what, 85 miles or so?

Did it the week before the Peak District heart foundation one - 45 miler at the time.  Was awesome 🙂

One thing I can say about the L2BOR - was the best marshalled event I've ever been on.

SDW solid 8/10 (I think 9/10) for effort (nearly did me in on Sat)

L2BOR 5/10 for effort due to very long path sections. Done it three times.

There is only 1 vaguely challenging down hill bit on the L2BOR. When I did it it was so busy that you basically had to get off and walk because everyone else does. If you want to be the maniac who flies past everyone shouting to get out of the way so he can try and hit it at race pace then I hope you crash (in to a tree, not in to anyone else).

For me it ranks as the worst ride I've ever done. The old railway line from about 40  to 60 miles was so dull. Make sure you have super fast rolling tyres, if you have a gravel bike, ride that.

I agree with Wally. 4/10 if you're a whippet.

Coulc be safely done on a hybrid or cx bike..

I'm signed up for this after failing to get fit for the SDW on Saturday.  From the sound of it my Solaris will be perfect.

I used to dislike the old railway line, but it's grown on me - if fit you can smash along it (and get past people). CX bike harsh in places but fast and fine, so a hardtail mtb would be good.

I enjoy it, treat it as a social up to Shere as annual ride with mates who don’t ride as much....tend to bomb the 2nd half and have beers waiting for the them at the finish.

might take the cx this year, but that would make descent into Shere and shoreham less fun

I quite enjoy the L2B - it's still a challenge for many people but it is way easier than the way in a day! Once you're past Winterfold and get onto the Downslink it is real motorway stuff until you hit Bramber. Beeding Hill up to Truleigh is the last lump, and then it's downhill all the way to the seafront.

The challenge is the speed. It's flat apart from a couple of hills one which is called torretts as once you see it you say o fuxx.

Apart from that do it On a hardtail with the skinnier rubber blown up to 60psi .

You don't need any suspension so if you have a dropped bar hybrid or similar take that.

It is enjoyable if you take it for what it us.

Suggestions.

Skinny tyres running 60 psi.

Start as early as possible as it does back up.

Go all out for a flat out time.

It's ideal for a fast road sportive rider.

Enjoy the beer on the finish line.

Marshall and directions etc are excellent.

Be careful with the road sections as London ****ers driving and be aware of huge amounts of runners etc on the Thames path. Start 5.30am.

IF it rains hard before do something else or ignore all of the above.

Cranliegh is a good place to stop. Plenty of pubs/ cafes etc.

I only made it this far due to cramp and consoled myself in a few hearty ales whilst waiting to be picked up by the missus.

People say it’s easy, and it is in terms of elevation/ excertion but it’s still a long way to ride.

Do some training, stay off the grog and it’ll all be fine.

People saying it’s boring are not in it for why we are in it.

Same as the Evans and Wiggle rides, they have to make the courses as easy as possible for people that might not do this all the time.

It’s a good event to participate in but all the way you will pass houses and think ‘how the f@@k can anybody afford that’!