Maidstone area - London to Brighton?

[craig kennedy]

Anyone in the maidstone area doing the London to Brighton on 6th Sept?
Im trying to figure out how to get me and the bike to Clapham Common, getting homes not an issue, the wife is picking me up in her little fiesta, but how do I get to the start?

 

[vickster]

Cycle?

 

[craig kennedy]

lol, ok maybe not cycle, I would like to be that fit, but I think I am going to struggle over the course as it is, without adding more to it.
Its 38 miles, I dont think I could make it to Clapham common then to Brighton, that would be over 80 miles. Im only cycling around 10 miles at any given time, working up, but slowly

 

[craig kennedy]

ok next question.
I get a sore neck when cycling, and I know its likely to do with the core neck muscles (been reading) but also I think I am reaching too far.
I am 6'2" tall, with 33" inside leg, so I have the seat very high up, but I do feel a uncomfortable when just coasting, hands on top of bar, often resorting to using my finger tips rather than full hands on so I guess I need to bring the handlebars closer to me.
I measured the stem and it is a 100MM length unit, and its about 30mm thick, so would 80mm be the best option, or should I try even shorter? bearing in mind I have limited funds, so cant afford to get it wrong if possible.

 

[Milkfloat]

ok next question.
I get a sore neck when cycling, and I know its likely to do with the core neck muscles (been reading) but also I think I am reaching too far.
I am 6'2" tall, with 33" inside leg, so I have the seat very high up, but I do feel a uncomfortable when just coasting, hands on top of bar, often resorting to using my finger tips rather than full hands on so I guess I need to bring the handlebars closer to me.
I measured the stem and it is a 100MM length unit, and its about 30mm thick, so would 80mm be the best option, or should I try even shorter? bearing in mind I have limited funds, so cant afford to get it wrong if possible.

You can try flipping the stem - that is free, it will raise your bars a bit.

 

[craig kennedy]

ah ko, never thought of that, reverse the angle so to speak. ok I can do that, its not too technical

 

[jefmcg]

Anyone in the maidstone area doing the London to Brighton on 6th Sept?
Im trying to figure out how to get me and the bike to Clapham Common, getting homes not an issue, the wife is picking me up in her little fiesta, but how do I get to the start?

Train to Victoria, then cycle across the river**?


**I'd suggest using a bridge.

 

[Tim Hall]

Train to Victoria, then cycle across the river**?


**I'd suggest using a bridge.

Earliest train to VIC from Darkest Kent gets in at at 0815. It's going to hinge on when the OP has to be at the start. Bridge is a Good Idea thobut.

 

[craig kennedy]

lol, I am not sure I am allowed on the train with bike, but if I am then Ill catch the Underground.

I am working on getting a mate to drive me there to be honest, and my partner is picking me up

 

[vickster]

Train to Victoria, then cycle across the river**?


**I'd suggest using a bridge.

Leave me out of this

 

[vickster]

lol, I am not sure I am allowed on the train with bike, but if I am then Ill catch the Underground.

I am working on getting a mate to drive me there to be honest, and my partner is picking me up

You definitely can't take the bike on the Northern Line to Clapham. I'd think you can take the bike on South Eastern Trains into Victoria but not on Southern from Victoria to Clapham J...so you'd need to cycle from Victoria, it's not that far

 

[vickster]

If the seat is very high, are you sure you have the right size bike even if you are stretched on a 100mm stem? What bike is it, could be a super compact frame I guess

 

[craig kennedy]

how would I know? Im not fat or anything, 12 stone. hell I dunno, and cant change it now anyway

 

[Tim Hall]

You definitely can't take the bike on the Northern Line to Clapham. I'd think you can take the bike on South Eastern Trains into Victoria but not on Southern from Victoria to Clapham J...so you'd need to cycle from Victoria, it's not that far

Southern from VIC to CLJ is entirely do-able with a bike with Southern at the weekend (or anytime outside rush hour). But riding will probably be quicker by the time you allow for connecting trains.

 

[vickster]

Southern from VIC to CLJ is entirely do-able with a bike with Southern at the weekend (or anytime outside rush hour). But riding will probably be quicker by the time you allow for connecting trains.

I think Southern ban all bikes on trains when L2B is on

They did for the June one

http://www.southernrailway.com/southern/news/bhf-london-to-brighton-bike-ride-cycle-restrictions/