Hell of the North (London)

I kept my mudguards on and had no issues on that score. I had a dry rear end and cleaner bike that most. Two flats were a drag, my fault for using 23mm at the front. The surface was just about perfect, IMO. Great ride and really well run event. Cheers.

Dirty dirty tonic looks ace!

Filthy Lynskey

oh dear, you Rapha cx sportivists really do need to race a bit of 'cross and learn what a muddy bike really looks like.

Have just restored my Kinesis to it's commuter state ready for tomorrow's monsoons.

It feels a bit like an office worker who's been hanging it out at a festival all weekend - the suit may be back on but the wild streak is still in there.

Is this happening this year?

It might be going ahead, but you can hardly call anything to do with Rapha ' happening'....

done; in

sold out.. meh

So who got in?

Rapha can >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Where is the roundel for the Festive 500?

^ I received mine 6 weeks ago

I'm in with 3 buds, first time taking my roadie off-road. Never met any forumengers before so say hello to the fat lad t the back on the started-off-white Cinelli Experience.

Any wise words on suitable tyres? don't think my 23c GP4000's are the right choice......

No, they're not, nor is your bike. This a muddy, off road ride for a lot of it. I did it on 30c cx tyres and even they didn't give me enough traction at points. You may want to reconsider bike choice, before tyre choice.

Cheers JB. Saw a lot of pics from previous years and saw many roadies assumed the smiles meant they were OK on them save for the puncture fairy and water-wading!

Could be an excuse for n+1 and a cheap CX.....

Don't buy a new bike for one ride. Just put the biggest knobblies that will fit on your experience.

If you have mtb pedals, I'd definitely use those though. Road pedals will be a nightmare.

Looks like fun!

Did this on a road bike with road pedals and 25 gatorskins a couple of years back and got round no problem - no punctures either. Hoping it will be the same this year!

quite fancied this.

sold out.. meh

I just turned up and joined in. Even got free Vedett beer and chips on completion 2 years ago. Did it fixed on commuting gear 48/19 and on normal gators 23c. It was dry that year

It's fine to do this ride on a road bike, but if you have the option, a CX bike would be far better suited.

I just turned up and joined in. Even got free Vedett beer and chips on completion 2 years ago. Did it fixed on commuting gear 48/19 and on normal gators 23c. It was dry that year

I was thinking of doing it on a pomp with cx tyres. Maybe i will just turn up then. Cheers

Rode the route today, and it's a lot muddier than a couple years ago when I last rode it. There will be numerous sections where you'll have to carry your road bike (not something I had to do at all last time).

I just turned up and joined in. Even got free Vedett beer and chips on completion 2 years ago. Did it fixed on commuting gear 48/19 and on normal gators 23c. It was dry that year
I'll see how I feel after TLC.. HOTN is a giggle though.. hopefully see lions again http://www.bikemap.net/en/route/1499103-rapha-hell-of-the-north-2012/#gsc.tab=0
#gsc.tab=0

It looks pretty okay in this picture http://instagram.com/p/mnAu6dCObA/