London to Brighton - need some navigational help!

[gussington]

Some of you might recognise this post - but in reverse! I was meant to be doing Brighton to London yesterday with a colleague for our community centre, but staff shortages ahoy and we are now doing it in the opposite direction tomorrow.

So - I don't really want to have to buy a handlebar bag and attempt to follow a map. I have been told that NCN's 20 & 21 would get me from Wandsworth to Brighton - but does anyone know how well signposted they are? Alternatively, could use a reliable gpx file, but would want one that someone could vouch for! Not tied to any particular route, but will all be on thin tyres and are quite unfit!

Any other ideas also welcomed...

 

[andym]

I'm sure there must be GPX files of the BHF London-Brighton route.

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=BHF london-Brighton gpx&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8

 

[GrumpyGregry]

If, south of Crawley, you find yourself riding on the road, rather than a road side path, of a dual carriageway (the A23) then consider stopping and retracing your pedal strokes, please. It is well signposted down here but it is too easy to miss the signs. If you see an NCN sign with a cross through it you've gone wrong. and the NCN route NEVER EVER goes on the road surface of the A23 south of Crawley.

 

[Furkz]

i did crawley to brighton last week and ive never done a cycle route and i never got lost. its really well signposted tbh. im not very fit so i was seeing all sorts of illusions after about 13 miles but never missed a sign. you should be fine. good luck too btw

 

[Cardiac]

Some of you might recognise this post - but in reverse! I was meant to be doing Brighton to London yesterday with a colleague for our community centre, but staff shortages ahoy and we are now doing it in the opposite direction tomorrow.

So - I don't really want to have to buy a handlebar bag and attempt to follow a map. I have been told that NCN's 20 & 21 would get me from Wandsworth to Brighton - but does anyone know how well signposted they are? Alternatively, could use a reliable gpx file, but would want one that someone could vouch for! Not tied to any particular route, but will all be on thin tyres and are quite unfit!

Any other ideas also welcomed...

I have a GPX file captured from the BHF London to Brighton on 19th June. I can email it to you. Drop me a PM with your email address.

 

[gussington]

Looks like that GPX file won't do the full job - as only has points from every 5 minutes rather than every turning. Anyone got a more detailed file?

 

[GrumpyGregry]

i did crawley to brighton last week and ive never done a cycle route and i never got lost. its really well signposted tbh. im not very fit so i was seeing all sorts of illusions after about 13 miles but never missed a sign. you should be fine. good luck too btw

Hope you weren't one of the three cyclists riding on the main carriageway of the A23 at Pyecombe last Satuday evening. If you are then buy some lottery tickets, your luck is in.

 

[Furkz]

no lol i went on sunday about 2pm you know the 1st day it was about 30 degrees. ouch still in pain

i stuck to the cycle 20 route like glue. there is small sections hat runs next to the dual carriageway, but its a separate cycle road

 

[gussington]

So what are the road surfaces like on the 20 and 21? We are all on road bikes or tourers

 

[Furkz]

Dunno about 21 but 20 are good. There are some dodgy potholes but nothing serious. Saw a few roadies and racers on way. Didn't hear no complaints just general arrogance. I was on a hybrid non Lycra

 

[Wednesday]

Some talk about 20 in here: https://www.cyclechat.net/

I'd like to hear how you get on . I want to cycle to Wimbledon at some point and NCN routes might be nicer to do solo than the BHF route.

 

[Furkz]

why dont we all meet up and go for a local adventure, to see if all is well

 

[gussington]

Sounds good to me! When?

Did the London to Brighton yesterday with a GPS track that I found online. I forget where now, but if anyone wants it then I can email it along with some directions of what I think it the best way to use it. It wasn't 100% flawless, but was pretty bloody good

 

[Wednesday]

Haffers posted a link to a BHF one in your last thread. Was it that one?