Forum menu
So failed to find it on Google, came up in conversation today. How many gates are there along the whole route? I assume the hive mind knows..
I’m guessing about 80-90 based on slightly less than 1 per mile as an average..
i reckon that's about right. It feels like a lot TBH.
DrP
i think perceived lore is that it's 100, the trick is knowing which ones you can just slam shut behind you
If we go with 100 and say 30seconds per gate that’s 50 minutes right there! Reality is probably some are open or held open and others are a pita and take longer.
I’m planning to have another go with a mate later in the year to do in a day, been a decade since last attempt.
All I know is that they increase in intensity the closer you get to Eastbourne and the more knackered you are. IIRC there aren't any at all anywhere close to Winchester.
the trick is knowing which ones you can just slam shut behind you
The trick is to get a fitter mate to cycle ahead and hold the gate open for you. Works for me!
I've never really noticed them (done it 3 times), but I've never been pushing for a time either, so that probably makes a difference
I’ll be pushing for time in the sense I’m slow and there’s only so much daylight available. But it isn’t really important just distracted me from important stuff. Maybe I’ll take a clicker and get an answer. Having spent too long looking at Google satellite pics, is a gateway a gate is more of a philosophical question?
I reckon 21 in the first 20 miles and I think the sections past Worthing, Brighton and on to Eastbourne probably have more so I’m thinking it’s actually over 100. Anyway time to do some work and forget this frivolity. For a bit anyway..
Funny, I don't remember gates from the time I did it. But that was as part of the BHF mass ride, so I suppose there was more teamwork involved and turn-taking etc, and can definitely remember gates being operated by observers/supporters on behalf of riders - good enough reason to do it as part of an organised event maybe.
Me, I am trying to shift about 2 stones of belly before I give it another go. Maybe next year.
100 feels about right, done it three times and it's hard. Very hard.
I’ll be pushing for time in the sense I’m slow and there’s only so much daylight available.
In that case the gates are a blessing imo, get you off your bike, stretching muscles you'd otherwise not move in a 14 hour ride. You'll probably be walking a bit at the end. That's fine too
If you're doing it with a mate, take turns to open the next gate, then it's only 50.
If you practice your gate game, and check early on the approach if it is toward you or away from you, you can set up your ideal stop position, open and let your mate ride through to minimise the time to get through, 15 seconds max