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@Ludd
I'm still undecided about this ride - there's a daytime one shaping up over in Oxfordshire on 7 Feb, but the lure of Brighton is strong.
I've done the ride down over Ditchling on 42x16 fixed a few times and once on a 17T freewheel. On 42x17 I had to stop three times before reaching the top but on 42x16 was OK. You won't find you lag behind the gearies too much as they have this funny habit of slowing down whenever the road starts going up. Gets a bit silly-spinny at times (up to 35mph coming down off the South Downs).
By the way, I've never heard of anyone riding an 87" gear up Ditchling Beacon - I've seen it done on 84".