BHF - London to Brighton

[Pivot]

Is anybody from this forum planning to ride BHF in September? It’s ~60 miles, so we will have to plan properly. Either motor in on-off, or spare brick.

What would be your strategy?
Pit-stops, fuel, batteries, settings, tyres, ... hot chicks in bikinis?
I have Martini Racing helmet, just need matching beverages on a finishing line.

London to Brighton Off Road Bike Ride 2025

Take on the London to Brighton Off Road Bike Ride. 61 miles of exhilarating off-road excitement.

www.bhf.org.uk

 

[Mike D.]

Not sure I'd want to sponsor an electric bike ride. Where's the challenge?

 

[Zimmerframe]

hot chicks in bikinis?

I think if they run is as a Pursuit - with hairy men in bikini's doing the pursuing - you'll just be fine as is.

 

[Voluptua]

Swap with twin brother half way. Triplets would have an even greater advantage.

 

[Blakey]

I've always wanted to do this before eBiking was a thing. I do the road L2B most years (on my hardtail MTB as I don't own a road bike). 71 miles I think the off-road one is? I only have a 500 Wh battery so I think it's a step too far. Would probably want two batteries but if I am going to splash out £700 on a spare battery I'd be more likely to buy a 625Wh one instead - which would mean altering the bike so that the 500 doesn't fit.

I wonder if changing between 500wh and 625Wh options is something you can do in the pub beer garden en route...?

 

[Pivot]

I've always wanted to do this before eBiking was a thing. I do the road L2B most years (on my hardtail MTB as I don't own a road bike). 71 miles I think the off-road one is? I only have a 500 Wh battery so I think it's a step too far. Would probably want two batteries but if I am going to splash out £700 on a spare battery I'd be more likely to buy a 625Wh one instead - which would mean altering the bike so that the 500 doesn't fit.

I wonder if changing between 500wh and 625Wh options is something you can do in the pub beer garden en route...?

Imperial (or 1st world) problem!

 

[B1rdie]

From London down to Brighton...
Thats pinball wizards Elton John play on The Who’s “Tommy” !!!!
Call Tina Turners, the acid queen. The kind of EPO or the likes of the most modern performance enhancers sholud fill the syringes of that machine she uses at the pitstops.

 

[7869hodgy]

Not sure I'd want to sponsor an electric bike ride. Where's the challenge?

It’s not necessarily about the challenge. It’s getting off your arse and doing something for a charity. If it’s fun it’s a bonus.

I’ve cycled the South Downs Way twice for charity......never again, 100 miles and 11k ft of climb. Completed in a day.

I’d love to tackle it on an ebike. If I can raise money for charity whilst doing it, I would.

Batteries are the blocker. I’ve already worked out it would need 5 x 500wh batteries so would need a few pit stops along the way to get a fresh battery.

 

[Pivot]

I have set my motor assistance to the lowest settings and I am experimenting with the range, as I regularly ride without motor assistance, on a flat or downhill. How is the L2B terrain? Lots of hills?

The problem is that my new bike supposed to land in July, with new/diff battery, so I have to think about logistics

 

[The Hodge]

Try looking at the Smart battery charger thread in the general forum section which Rob is testing for a review ..if this works out and the price is favourable it could be the answer you are looking for ..
I'm hoping it might provide an answer for a multi day bothy trip ..the charger itself is no bigger than the size of a large smartphone !

 

[#lazy]

From London down to Brighton...
Thats pinball wizards Elton John play on The Who’s “Tommy” !!!!
Call Tina Turners, the acid queen. The kind of EPO or the likes of the most modern performance enhancers sholud fill the syringes of that machine she uses at the pitstops.

I didn’t understand any of that !

 

[B1rdie]

I didn’t understand any of that ! ☺

Never mind,I have been taking medicines for anxiety last week.
Will refrain from posting for a few days...
?

 

[EebStrider]

Is the route all off-road?

 

[B1rdie]

I didn’t understand any of that ! ☺

 

[Kentish]

Never mind,I have been taking medicines for anxiety last week.
Will refrain from posting for a few days...
?

I got ya B1rdie. ?

 

[John K]

The issue with the L2B is going to be crossing Ditchling Beacon at the South Downs. I'd say a typical EMTB would be able to get to the foot of this hill from London but it wouldn't have the energy to lift you 800ft to the top.

Once you've made that climb the majority of the rest of the journey will be downhill towards the sea. There's no easy option apart from a battery swap around there.

 

[Mike D.]

... or getting fit and doing it on an acoustic...

 

[Gary]

... or getting fit and doing it on an acoustic...

You wouldn't even have to get particularly fit

I've always thought London to brighton sounds like a cycling event for non cyclists. LKondon to brighton and back would make more sense and make it slightly challenging for actual cyclists

 

[Mike D.]

Don't be too sure. I did it 7 times in the '90's and Ditchling Beacon saw it's fair share of fatalities.

Hot sun. Steep climb. 50 miles in. People who didn't think they needed to get fit....

 

[Pivot]

The issue with the L2B is going to be crossing Ditchling Beacon at the South Downs. I'd say a typical EMTB would be able to get to the foot of this hill from London but it wouldn't have the energy to lift you 800ft to the top.

Once you've made that climb the majority of the rest of the journey will be downhill towards the sea. There's no easy option apart from a battery swap around there.

This is key piece of intel, thanks [mention]John K [/mention]
How far from the starting point is Ditching Beacon? On the map it looks like 3/4 of the way.

I am determined to do it on one battery charge, on the lowest Eco setting, with the motor off where feasible.

 

[Pivot]

Don't be too sure. I did it 7 times in the '90's and Ditchling Beacon saw it's fair share of fatalities.

Hot sun. Steep climb. 50 miles in. People who didn't think they needed to get fit....

Ha! 50 miles in... thanks [mention]Mike D. [/mention]

 

[John K]

Ha! 50 miles in... thanks [mention]Mike D. [/mention]

Once you're at the top of Ditchling Beacon there's 7 miles mainly downhill to the finish line. It's possible to do it with the motor off.

If it's 54 miles long then you'll get to the foot of DB around the 46 miles mark. I'm not sure what route it takes over the North Downs but there's a few mini-hills to traverse over the high weald (the bit right in the middle between the two Downs).

I just wonder how easy it'll be to climb DB by pushing or cycling with no motor. Very hard I presume. They should let you peel off the route and use the flatter cycle lane beside the A23 instead

 

[Mike D.]

Isn't the whole point of these rides that they're challenging and demand commitment and effort and that's why people are prepared to cough up the shekels?

 

[John K]

Isn't the whole point of these rides that they're challenging and demand commitment and effort and that's why people are prepared to cough up the shekels?

No need to be such a Debbie Downer.

 

[Gary]

Don't be too sure. I did it 7 times in the '90's and Ditchling Beacon saw it's fair share of fatalities.

I knew Southerners were soft but people actually died? Shit! Sorry to hear that.

Hot sun. Steep climb. 50 miles in. People who didn't think they needed to get fit....

Just had a look at the profile and it's only 2.2% average for the first 4/5 miles with a mile long 10% section at the end and less than 800ft in total. My daily commute has over double that elevation. As cyclists go I'm not particularly fit anymore.

 

[Beekeeper]

I’m signing up for Gary’s daily commute. Anyone want to sponsor me?

 

[Gary]

It's not all easy @Beekeeper. I got hit intentionally by a car yesterday morning.
so rode home off road

 

[Beekeeper]

It's not all easy @Beekeeper. I got hit intentionally by a car yesterday morning.
so rode home off road

hit intentionally? What the hell?
hope you and the bike are ok matey.

 

[Gary]

Yeah. Stupid old cunt thought he could use his car bumper to lay down the law (wrongly after I had perfectly legally filtered in front of him)
I was going to involve the police but in the end couldn't be bothered. Kinda wish I'd taken his details now in hindsight.

I'm fine as was the bike. Cheers for asking.

 

[The Hodge]

It's not all easy @Beekeeper. I got hit intentionally by a car yesterday morning.
so rode home off road

Well ya know if you are going to play guitar / sing & ride a bike all at the same time I'm not too surprised..
Glad you're OK..