BHF - London to Brighton

Pivot

Pivot

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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.

www.bhf.org.uk

London to Brighton Off-Road Bike Ride

Join thousands of other riders taking on Europe's largest charity mountain bike ride on Saturday 19 September 2026.
www.bhf.org.uk www.bhf.org.uk
 
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Not sure I'd want to sponsor an electric bike ride. Where's the challenge?
 
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...? :)
 
Blakey said:
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...? :)
Click to expand...

Imperial (or 1st world) problem!
 
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.
 
Mike D. said:
Not sure I'd want to sponsor an electric bike ride. Where's the challenge?
Click to expand...

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.
 
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
 
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 !
 
B1rdie said:
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.
Click to expand...
I didn’t understand any of that ! ☺️
 
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. said:
... or getting fit and doing it on an acoustic...
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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
 
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....
 
John K said:
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.
Click to expand...

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.
 
Mike D. said:
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....
Click to expand...

Ha! 50 miles in... thanks [mention]Mike D. [/mention]
 
Pivot said:
Ha! 50 miles in... thanks [mention]Mike D. [/mention]
Click to expand...

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 :)
 
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?
 
Mike D. said:
Don't be too sure. I did it 7 times in the '90's and Ditchling Beacon saw it's fair share of fatalities.
Click to expand...
I knew Southerners were soft but people actually died? Shit! Sorry to hear that.
:oops: :cry:
Hot sun. Steep climb. 50 miles in. People who didn't think they needed to get fit....
Click to expand...
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.
 
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.
 
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