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Anyone done the L2B on the road recently with a 1x12 set up? Had search but the threads were closed and a decade old. I have been roped into it by work and don't really want to mess around with my bike other than the tyres unless Ditchlin will be a killer with 1x12 (32 teeth at front). Now I have wrote this there is also the possibility of spinning out on other sections.......hmmm??? Thoughts??
Mountain bike?
Ditchling beacon will be no problem with a 32 up front. The rest of the route could be a little spinny.
Id say its fine on the basis its the L2B and you sound like you're doing it as a group so I doubt you'll be racing it and you'll be among the general mass hoard bimbling their way to Brighton...having bimbled my way down myself years ago, id just say dont worry about it and enjoy having the roads without vehicles
unless Ditchlin will be a killer with.....
Although I have on many occasions done Croydon to Brighton I have never done the official L2B, but my understanding is that Ditchling Beacon is simply not doable, whatever your bike or fitness level, because of the sheer quantity of people walking it.
In which case I wouldn't worry about whether Ditchling will be a killer - it's more likely to be a long walk!
Ditchling is a fairly narrow road so I can see how it would be easily clogged up by walkers.
Ernie's right, if someone starts walking, most behind will also have to get off and walk too.
If you get a clear run you'll be fine on 1x12
The last organised L2B I did saw Ditchling clogged up on the left side of the road, there was still a slice of space up the right
I did l2b on a series of unsuitable bikes . Did it with 32 by 16 on a 26 inch mtb a few times .
If you are one by 12 , you will be fine .
Poss spiny on the downs , but not a race and you are likely to get into trouble if you go too fast, with random people stopping around corners in middle of road ..
Haven't done L2B for a while, but Bitchling Deacon will be a breeze w 1x12. Might want to put fast rolling tyres on.
And the last few times as James said, walkers on the left going up the beacon, riders on the right. Shout that you're coming through and people move over to make room in my experience.
The bits that are unrideable are some of the smaller hills just south of Croydon, and you might be standing for a few minutes
Thanks everyone, sounds like a set of slicks are the only investment needed and treat it as a bimble not a race. Might consider a bigger chain ring but that might mean a new chain and lead to a build up of expense.
The point about choosing an early start appear to be out of our hands as you get allocated a time slot. Anyone know how strict that is?