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Brighton to Brighton Cyclosportive REVIEW

by Holly Blades

Words and Images by Mark Tearle: It's quite cool to "rock up" to a nightclub at 07:30am. To sign on to a Sportive, not so cool, but a little on the scale of cool that the venue for the Brighton to Brighton Sportive is one of Brighton's premier live music venues, Concord 2...I have been many times and have been lucky enough to see some excellent bands.

No music or even flowing beer from the bar on this cloudy morning though, just a gaggle of chattering cyclists preparing themselves to take on the challenging Brighton to Brighton sportive.

Sign on was quick and efficient with no fuss. Collect the SPORTident timing chip and a 'goodie bag' with some sort of ASDA energy drink and ASDA crispy wheat snacks (not up to your usual standard SRS), but more deliciously a Chocolate Chip Clif bar and an entry form offering discounted entry to SRS Events 2012 Burgess Hill Spring Time Classic Sportive.

Madeira Drive was blustery and cool in the morning air, typical south coast seaside town weather for October but it was still fairly mild for the time of year. I should mention that free parking was available near the venue along Madeira Drive which given this City Centre location is pretty good.

This being fairly local to me I got the train in to Brighton. On the train I met Caroline and Charlotte (so, so sorry if I have got your names wrong)...two very bright and chipper ladies, mother and daughter, who were heading to Brighton to do the challenging 100 mile sportive route. It was nice to have such an animated conversation about riding bikes and to pass on what limited wisdom I have.

Ready for the off it was a start with out fuss or ceremony, just a "good luck" from the timing marshal and push on up the ramp that leads to the coastal road heading east, passed the Brighton Marina and on over the white cliffs through Rottingdean, Peacehaven and to Newhaven.

I didn't know until fairly recently that Kipling had a place in Rottingdean, but he got sick of people peering over his wall and gawping tourists staring at him from passing Omnibuses that he eventually moved to Batemans near Burwash. By the by just one of those interesting facts I bring you.

The ride heads inland from Newhaven, taking in the lower Weald, heading to Ashdown Forest then back again kicking over Ditchling Beacon before navigating its way back in to Brighton via the Racecourse over the downs.

This being on a Saturday I considered that a shorter 50 mile route was enough for me...somehow it seems more acceptable to be out on the bike all day on a Sunday...Saturday's are for laying in and recovering from drinking too much on the Friday night, right?

I know that SRS events put this sportive on as part of a bigger fund raising event for the Sussex Heart Charity but I feel it is a bit of a shame that it was held on a Saturday, and possibly why numbers were a little low for this inaugural event - it doesn't help of course that Cycling Weekly had arranged their event for the same weekend, which as I am sure you are all aware attracted quite significant numbers.

That is the full extent of my criticism for this event though...everything else as far as I am concerned was executed perfectly. I understand that some signs were removed from a section just before Ditchling and a few riders lost their way for a bit, but sadly that sometimes happens when a minority of people want to ruin someone else's day.

The feed stops that I saw were well stocked and well run...it is a pleasant thing to be treated to a hot drink and SRS usually have at least 1 or 2 of their feed stops in village halls or somewhere sheltered, they are also very generous with the amount of feed stops en route.

I was lucky enough to catch up with Rik, retired recently from running his wonderful record store in Lewes. I am told that it is still a record shop, though I haven't been down that way for a while.

I met up with Caroline and Charlotte on the course too; I think they were enjoying their day. I certainly hope they got around this rather challenging route alright. Get in touch if you are reading this, we'd love to know your thoughts.
Meridian Sports Therapy was available at the end of the Sportive to offer a discounted Sports Massage for those weary muscles. I enjoyed a 15 minute stretch and pull massage courtesy of Abby who will be making regular appearances at SRS Events throughout 2012

For a late season Sportive this event is quite a tough challenge. A worthwhile challenge of course with plenty to see and some of the nicest roads in Sussex to ride on - I really hope that it returns next year, though please, please, please not on a Saturday!