London to Shoreham - 19 April (night ride)
Ride Leader: Jim
Starting at midnight from Friday’s Central (under Waterloo Bridge on the Southbank in next to the British Film Institute), we will exit London via the delights of the Clapham and Tooting nightlife and sleeping suburban streets before emerging onto quiet roads as we summit (and descend!) the North Downs. Our half way stop is the Scout Hut in Burstow.
Suitably refreshed, and after climbing Turner’s hill we should see first light on the horizon. We’ll continue through sleepy hamlets and a cunning gap in the South Downs where you’ll be able to spot Lancing College, before we descend to Shoreham and breakfast. Our breakfast destination will be confirmed a little nearer the date.
Afterwards, it’s only a short ride to the station, where you can get trains to London (2 per hour direct plus 2 per hour changing at Brighton), both of which take around 1 hour 15 mins overall. Trains westbound towards Portsmouth run twice an hour. Southern Rail don’t have any issues carrying bikes.
There are no really, really long steep hills on this ride, more rolling ups and downs with most of the climbing immediately before and after the halfway stop.
A ride of 100 kilometres (60 miles) or so with a smidge over 700 metres of climbing in total.
Important note. Our half way stop at the scout hall is manned by volunteers who will be getting out of their warm beds to make sure we are fed and watered. So that they are not our of pocket if people cancel at the last minute or don't show up for the ride at all, we are asking for a non-refundable pre-payment of £8. For this you will get unlimited hot drinks and a sandwich - a selection will be available - and perhaps a banana or something sweet.
Registration is now closed
To whet your appetite, check out the 2021 ride report.