Search found 31 matches

by jimbop
Sun Aug 26, 2018 12:37 pm
Forum: Anyone playing out?
Topic: London to Brighton gravel route Sat 25th August
Replies: 32
Views: 10765

Re: London to Brighton gravel route Sat 25th August

Here the Strava activity showing the route we followed along with some photos: https://www.strava.com/activities/1797954198
by jimbop
Sun Aug 26, 2018 12:35 pm
Forum: Anyone playing out?
Topic: London to Brighton gravel route Sat 25th August
Replies: 32
Views: 10765

Re: London to Brighton gravel route Sat 25th August

You've got the friendly route that is on the National Cycle Network. I was highly dubious about some of what we tackled yesterday being part of a national route because we had to do a few hikesbike sections (aside from my mate who smashed up and down everything on his full sus because he's an ex-mtb...
by jimbop
Sat Aug 25, 2018 9:14 pm
Forum: Anyone playing out?
Topic: London to Brighton gravel route Sat 25th August
Replies: 32
Views: 10765

Re: London to Brighton gravel route Sat 25th August

I'll try to post some pictures tomorrow but my mate accidentally downloaded the wrong route so we end up doing about 60km off-road, much of it challenging my two friends (an ironman and ironwoman so not shy of hard work) on their mtbs loaded with bikepacking gear. It was hilarious - really really ch...
by jimbop
Sat Aug 25, 2018 12:18 am
Forum: Anyone playing out?
Topic: London to Brighton gravel route Sat 25th August
Replies: 32
Views: 10765

Re: London to Brighton gravel route Sat 25th August

I have a lovely routine that's been in place for the last decade or so. Ride to Brighton, buy beer and/or curry, eat on beach if nice or on train if not and then rest and reflect on the day all the way back to the big smoke. Makes for a lovely day out :-bd I intend to instate a similar routine myse...
by jimbop
Sat Aug 25, 2018 12:16 am
Forum: Anyone playing out?
Topic: London to Brighton gravel route Sat 25th August
Replies: 32
Views: 10765

Re: London to Brighton gravel route Sat 25th August

I'm planning something similar from North London in the next couple of weeks and I've just come across this and noticed that there are a couple of closure notices in place. See link below. https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/leisure-recreation-and-community/walking-horse-riding-and-cycling/downs-link/ Th...
by jimbop
Fri Aug 24, 2018 12:17 pm
Forum: Routes
Topic: BB200 questions
Replies: 27
Views: 7951

Re: BB200 questions

Sure you can Jimbo...go vertical. That's how I get 2 bikes in my shoebox. Telescopic poles FTW. Greetz S. Thought about it but can't find a spot where that would work in the flat. Actually - i might chuck the desk in my bedroom and that would free up an ideal space... oh dear. Well that was a poten...
by jimbop
Fri Aug 24, 2018 12:15 pm
Forum: Anyone playing out?
Topic: London to Brighton gravel route Sat 25th August
Replies: 32
Views: 10765

Re: London to Brighton gravel route Sat 25th August

Here's the route I've imported into Strava (I can send people the GPX file): https://www.hotchillee.com/2017/09/28/gravel-ride-to-brighton/ I'll take a copy of that .gpx if you're offering thanking you very much! You can email it to: simplegairy (@) gmail (dot) com I ride that way (from North-west ...
by jimbop
Thu Aug 23, 2018 11:01 pm
Forum: Anyone playing out?
Topic: London to Brighton gravel route Sat 25th August
Replies: 32
Views: 10765

Re: London to Brighton gravel route Sat 25th August

Rasta wrote:Downs Link is a nice disused railway track. Lots of dog walkers. Cafe half way. Shoreham end was closed during the summer for construction work.
Already looking forward to the cafe. Aren't we still in summer?
by jimbop
Thu Aug 23, 2018 11:00 pm
Forum: Anyone playing out?
Topic: London to Brighton gravel route Sat 25th August
Replies: 32
Views: 10765

Re: London to Brighton gravel route Sat 25th August

Hah! Guildford to Steyning on that is the 'downs link' i.e. NCN 223. Not sure that's 'gravel'. Fun to cruise along though. :roll: Take a bell. ;-) Ah - agreed re NCNs. Didn't realise it was one. Better than roads though. No need for a bell; the free hub on my new Hunt 4Season Gravel wheels is lovel...
by jimbop
Thu Aug 23, 2018 8:15 pm
Forum: Anyone playing out?
Topic: London to Brighton gravel route Sat 25th August
Replies: 32
Views: 10765

London to Brighton gravel route Sat 25th August

I need to get some gravel kms under my belt in preparation for the Gran Fonduro up in Scotland at the end of September so I have just copied a gravel route from London (Sigma Sports in Hampton Wick nr Richmond Park) to Brighton and I'm planning to ride it first thing Saturday and then catching the t...
by jimbop
Thu Aug 23, 2018 8:07 pm
Forum: Routes
Topic: BB200 questions
Replies: 27
Views: 7951

Re: BB200 questions

Understood. My point was more around not wanting to feel pressured that I might've wasted someone else's place if i pitched up and found the course too demanding for my CX bike/me. The only times I ever feel like that happens is if someone sets off knowing full well that they have no intention of a...
by jimbop
Tue Aug 21, 2018 6:43 pm
Forum: Routes
Topic: BB200 questions
Replies: 27
Views: 7951

Re: BB200 questions

without the pressure of being in a race? Just a point - it's not a race. Not trying to be facetious or clever, but that might just affect how you view the event. Set off early, decide when to stop (or don't). You can choose how best you want to ride it. Understood. My point was more around not want...
by jimbop
Mon Aug 20, 2018 3:28 pm
Forum: Routes
Topic: BB200 questions
Replies: 27
Views: 7951

Re: BB200 questions

What size cassette does that thing have? I'd be in serious trouble with my gearing!!! I'll PM you. As Bob say's I'm a single-speeder, I was just being funny, a sense of humour is handy when you only have 1 gear, a sense of humour is also handy on the BB200 at times :grin: The bit's that were too st...
by jimbop
Mon Aug 20, 2018 2:24 pm
Forum: Routes
Topic: BB200 questions
Replies: 27
Views: 7951

Re: BB200 questions

Does anyone have a copy of the 2017 route that i could look at - maybe at some point I could make a weekend out of it to see how I got along but without the pressure of being in a race and therefore potentially wasting somebody's place? You should be able to view the 2017 route here to get an idea ...
by jimbop
Mon Aug 20, 2018 11:57 am
Forum: Routes
Topic: BB200 questions
Replies: 27
Views: 7951

Re: BB200 questions

38mm will make a bit of a difference, but not huge. 90% of people will be on Ridgid/Hard tail MTB's, with 2 inch tyres. I'd also recommend riding with the kit you'd expect to take on the event. It'll just get you used to the extra weight and the way the bike handles Sounds like I don't have the rig...
by jimbop
Mon Aug 20, 2018 10:30 am
Forum: Routes
Topic: BB200 questions
Replies: 27
Views: 7951

Re: BB200 questions

It's possible on a cross bike, it just depends on how much fun it will be :wink: When Scott says climbing he means it. You'll need to be getting to a ratio of 25m per km to mimic Mid Wales, so on a 100km ride look to do 2500m of climbing. In terms of gearing running a 1:1 ratio may work if you have...
by jimbop
Mon Aug 20, 2018 9:23 am
Forum: Routes
Topic: BB200 questions
Replies: 27
Views: 7951

Re: BB200 questions

I'm limited to 38mm (they come out at 40mm on the new rims) in my frame so sounds like i might be under gunned width wise. I'm pretty happy with hikes and carries - great mtb shoes. Agreed, I was planning on doing exactly that - possibly in the Surrey Hills if I can figure out a route that keeps me ...
by jimbop
Mon Aug 20, 2018 9:05 am
Forum: Routes
Topic: BB200 questions
Replies: 27
Views: 7951

BB200 questions

I'm not sure if there are any spots left on the BB200 but I'm considering it if there are. I've only been training for a few months now so I know I've got a lot to do but i think it's feasible. I run a 2016 CAADX 105 and have just upgrade to tubeless wheels and 38mm tubeless tyres (Hunt 4Season Grav...
by jimbop
Thu Aug 16, 2018 12:34 pm
Forum: Anyone playing out?
Topic: Gran Fonduro 29th September
Replies: 2
Views: 1418

Re: Gran Fonduro 29th September

Yeah it's a bit contrived but as I'm going alone I wanted to be around a well organised event as I learn the ropes. It got me thinking about doing the 655km Argyll Trail in the not too distant.
by jimbop
Thu Aug 16, 2018 12:10 pm
Forum: Anyone playing out?
Topic: Fri 17th
Replies: 9
Views: 2920

Re: Fri 17th

I can't make this weekend unfortunately but if you do anything similar in the next several weeks then I'd be keen.
by jimbop
Thu Aug 16, 2018 11:58 am
Forum: Anyone playing out?
Topic: Gran Fonduro 29th September
Replies: 2
Views: 1418

Gran Fonduro 29th September

I've just booked to do this 100km gravel race. I'm going by train (London-Edinburgh-Galashiels) and riding the last ten miles or so. It looks like it could be a good laugh and I love Scotland so figured I'd make the trip. http://www.granfonduro.cc. If i enjoy it then i might do the Dirty Reiver next...
by jimbop
Thu Aug 02, 2018 8:45 pm
Forum: General banter
Topic: My bicycle
Replies: 3
Views: 1428

My bicycle

It took a few weeks to try out a selection of bikepacking backs from Lomo, Blackburn, Apidura and Alpkit but i finally found a combination that all fitted my 2016 CAADX really well. I've got the following: - Apidura Backcountry handlebar pack 9l - Apidura Backcountry accessory pocket 4.5l - Alpkit T...
by jimbop
Thu Aug 02, 2018 5:58 pm
Forum: General banter
Topic: Can we have a new jersey yet?
Replies: 234
Views: 37389

Re: Can we have a new jersey yet?

+1. Is merino a possibility?
by jimbop
Thu Jul 26, 2018 7:42 am
Forum: Routes
Topic: Gravel/off-road route from Richmond Park to Surrey Hills
Replies: 5
Views: 2680

Re: Gravel/off-road route from Richmond Park to Surrey Hills

Morning! So it was a really good trip and we learned a lot! I've had a bad cough for 2 weeks and had barely slept on Monday night but I was determined to go regardless and if I couldn't complete the ride I figured I could just hop on a train and get myself home if i had to. I'd put my Sammy Slicks o...
by jimbop
Tue Jul 24, 2018 5:22 am
Forum: Routes
Topic: Gravel/off-road route from Richmond Park to Surrey Hills
Replies: 5
Views: 2680

Re: Gravel/off-road route from Richmond Park to Surrey Hills

I've ridden the Surrey Hills a lot - mainly taking a train down to Ashtead and riding from there, but you could ride from Richmond either by following the Thames to Long Ditton, or heading across and over Wimbledon Common - but from there you're in urban sprawl to Ashtead. The Thames route seems to...