[Closed] BHF South Downs Way 2018

You get numbers and stuff in post.

Hmmmm maybe, maybe.

I signed up for the London to Brighton off road and so far have had a couple of emails suggesting ways to train (naff) and ways to raise more sponsorship (meh) and that's about it.

James

Ah right arrives in post, that’s good.

Weeksy you done the BHF day before do you have any tips?

Get going early. That's it essentially. The rest is just pedalling a long long way for many many hours. Don't underestimate how long or hilly it is!

Plenty of threads on it recently, do a quick search for some reading up on the SDW.

2nd time this year for me.

Everything comes through the post ie, bib number etc, but there's also route maps at the start point from what I remember.

Didn't need the gpx file as it's well sign posted.

Thanks guys.

No I’m not underestimating it, I cycled it over 2.5 days last year and that wasn’t easy! So upping the ante this year big time.

In terms of food, I’m going to take a mixture of real food, bars and gels.

For real food I’m thinking of making peanut butter and jam wraps, cheese and beetroot sandwiches, bananas.

Bars im just going to mix up what I usually use -SIS, Cliff.

Gels - High 5 that I use now.

isotonic - High 5 Zero.

A bag of mixed nuts and raisins.

i can get a pasty at QE Park, are there any other food stops?

Water - I’m using my camel back thing - 2.5l.

60g of carbs per hour is the recommended amount.

I have the gpx file from the last two years I did the BHF SDW. Message me your details if you want it.

Thanks Wally I’m fine without the gpx.

I would like to hear your experience of the day and any tips you may have though please.

Thanks

Write up here from I did it a few years back now

http://allthegear-noidea.blogspot.co.uk/2011/12/past-glories.html?m=1

Great write up - Thanks mate.

As you asked my tips would be:

1) Be in the one of the first waves off at 5 AM

2) Go steady and get some proper grub in at the QE park at 7-15am ish. It's worth a 15 min stop to fuel up with Bacon, coffee and proper loo. There is no easy proper food after this and you will crave proper food later on. You may be 1/4 in length wise on ride, but you are actually no way near 1/4 in in terms of effort. On the first go I calculated I would be done and dusted by 2/3 pm at that rate. Needless to say I was oh so very wrong.

3) After that stop, do not stop again for longer than a few mins the whole ride. Any stops hugely add up. I cut down several hours on second go and not by being fitter.

4) It will hurt at some point.

5) Salt tablets and bottle. So many taps and marshals that 500ml is plenty, even in sunstroke conditions. (two years ago)

6) No backpack.

7) Ride at your own pace and be helpful, you will fall into several gate opening packs of riders that circulate the 100 gates to open.

8) A can of coke from the icecream van on one of the last hills can be a lifesaver.

9) Don't think about doing it without a tailwind and dry weather.

10) 100mm FS with tubeless fast tyres is ideal. A little comfort is better than pain.

11) Bring worms to fix flint holes and CO2.

12) Beware of the chalk under the trees - it's slippy even in height of summer.

13) Look up, the views are amazing and raise some money, it's a good cause.

Wally

For some reason I’ve only just seen your post!

Thank you for your time and input.

Yep, as mentioned up there ^ don't break your back with 2.5l of water, there'll be a water stop every five minutes. Horrendous amounts of waste with plastic bottles mind you. Keep your eyes peeled for the many taps on route. Everyone queues up for the bottled water losing time right next to a tap!