I have foolishly signed up to do this in July. Has anybody else attempted this and if so have you got any words of wisdom.

Thanks

Is this the BHF one? It looks good. have you got sponsorship?

Yes thats the one. I havent got sponsership yet as ive only just signed up but i will be pleading for money from people soon.

Don't stop for too long. It's the rest stops that will kill your time
Take a little bottle of pepto bismol and some sudocrem
Don't do it in the wet
And rememeber: It's not hard, it's just hard work.

did it a few years back great ride if i rememder the water points were not very good to find.
thwang

The sudocream is a good idea otherwise i may end up walking like ive just been buggered by a rhino. Was the upset stomach from gels?

I did it in a non-competitive way last weekend with a bivi stop in the middle. An excellent ride it was too, the scenery was beautiful – not that you'll have time to look at that.

Good advice from rock above, I wouldn't want to do in the wet.

It's all in the head – just refuse to give up no matter how p*ssed off you get!

And if it rains and you still do it have someone waiting at Devil's Dyke with a dry set of clothes.

Pack spare brake pads!

some inspiration for you

Nice photos – i just hope that i have nice day like that

I did it about 10 years ago with a couple of mates, not part of any organised event. It was fantastic, a bit of everything to keep you interested. We didn't do any specific training for it, all in the head; enjoy it!

888trojan888 is that you Ross??

Well I'm doing it aswell in July.

It's a long way with long ups and downs and very little flat.

It's quite hard 🙂

Did it last year – quite hard. It's also possible to get lost, so keep your wits about you. Also leave something in the tank as the last few hills are the biggest.

PS. Just noticed. I'm on the BHFs website! Fame at last… (http://www.bhf.org.uk/get_involved/take_part_in_our_events/event_finder/view_event.aspx?ps=1000666 – top photo)

Edit: I'm also on the Isle of wight 100 event, despite it never having happened before (riding down the stairs)

Just trying to make up my mind whether to do the 65 or the 100 myself. Did the 65 miler last year and loved it, but was pretty done in by the end. Did most of the other 35 miles last weekend for fun (i live in SHoreham so right on the route) and it doesn't get any easier towards the end.

I'd take plenty of food (hardly anywhere right on the route to get food), set off as early as possible (full 100 miles is at least 12 hours riding and you want daylight) and your biggest hydration pack, as the water points are few and far between.

Signed up myself for the end of july BHF 100 miler. Trying to get as may extra miles in as possible which is no easy with kids etc…

In reply to the OP, think my stomach ache was mainly due to gels and clif bars being shaken around for 8 hours. To be honest, that and the back ache were the toughest bits. I did it the year before without sudocrem and well padded shorts and sorely regretted it. The most mentally tough bit is between the 40-70 mile mark, which seems to go on forever. Once you get to Southease (around 70 miles) you know you're on the home stretch (apart from the three MASSIVE remaining hills)

A 3litre camelbak will be plenty. It's 20 miles to the first water stop, then they're about 15 miles apart.

Nothing technical, but the hills are big and downs are fast, leaving you feeling that of the 12 hours on the bike, 10 hours were spent climbing!!
Top ride though and for a good cause, can't be bad!

I've signed up for the July 65 mile. Is the route marked or do I need to get hold of an OS map ?

Done it 2x with BHF – worst thing was staying in Winchestter YH that is all wood and people going for slash all night and then some weirdos started getting up at about 4.40 so not much sleep. I stayed elsewhere the second time and left at 7 feeling much more relaxed.

I would learn where water taps are and only carry 1.5-2 litres of water to reduce weight. carry plenty of food and doses of energy powder though as hard to find supplies en route. You are looking at 9-12 hours of riding so you need ALOT of food.