Hard Day in January '17

Planning on riding over from Herne Hill/Brixton if anyone is game?

Yep. What route? I'll be coming down from Paddington. Could meet Richmond way if that's on your route.

lovely, meet at the Roehampton Gate?

I haven't looked at a route yet really though, so happy for alternative suggestions and of course, timings!

I'm riding from E finchley. Could join up. But....my replacement SS bike is being delivered Friday 13th. If it's late I'm screwed. Others are geared MTB s.

Riding from either West Norwood or Vauxhall so would be up for joining the feeder from Brixton/Herne Hill.

Cracking

I'll prob be riding from Croxted Road and would just bash out the Clapham/A3/South Circ route at that time.

Happy to meet up before Roehampton Gate if easier, maybe Brockwell Park Gates?

Then go through to Staines either via Twickeham or Sunbury?

can look at a detailed route next week, not done a run out there for a while so struggling for local recall at the mo :)

I've lifted some words from Stelle, an epic rider who did HDinJ six years ago.. it's all true..

For some reason, clubmen like Chris and Jeff aren't being bred any more. That world of the racingmen (and women) who used to take to the roads of Britain, time-trialling and testing their way through the year - that no longer captures the imagination. I'm pleased to have ridden this in the spirit in which it was intended, and I would only urge you all to do the same next year. This is a ride that is hard of spirit but wholly rewarding in every way.

inspired, i rode the following year, I think back how it was and clocked 120 miles and awarded most suffered rider that year.
No regrets, great club ride, great support and sense of achievement, it's hard not being there each year. So in 2018 I hope to celebrate my half century in style with another memorable ride that is known as the Hardest Day in January
Al x

@almac68 cheers for the words, hope to see you next year.

Apologies everyone, I've changed the route one final time as the turnout could be very good if the weather holds and in that case the station would not be suitable. Therefore the start location is the Cafe Nero on the pedestrianised high street a 2 min cycle from the station. Fuel up 8:30, roll out at 9. Route updated.

I tried to find a hotshit cycle cafe with single origin beans and weird imported chain lube from the States but I don't think Staines has quite caught up to Central London so this is the best I can do. There is also a Starbucks, McDonalds and - for the connoisseurs among you - a Greggs.

First post updated with new start location and timings.

Yes please - will PM to arrange

No bother

This was my starter-for-ten route from HH to Greggs

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/18417464

Does leaving BP gates about 06-15 then RP Roehampton gate at 07-00 sound about right to get to Staines in time for that first 08-30 bake, allowing for faffing?

looking forward to this.

This looks spot on to me. Splendid. Unless others want to meet at Brockwell, I've got confirmation of a Vauxhall depart so cool if I join on at Clapham Common just at the start of that cycle path where you first enter the common after Narbonne?

Sounds grand no matter what happens with BP Meet.

Can sort exact times next week but that's about 10mins from BP, give or take traffic lights

Sounds cool, I'm sure the bike will be there on time. I still have to figure out a route, any thoughts on that?

Well I was going to ride directly out. West end. And then shepherds bush, Chiswick, Brentford and London Rd to Staines. Not pretty but should be quiet at that time and is most direct. Forecast is grim! May need that mtb!

Forecast is grim!

I'm on the sunshine reggae forecast site http://www.yr.no/place/United_Kingdom/England/Windsor/long.html

I'll take that one!

RP Roehampton at 7 sounds good. See you there?

I was on this one I the Telegraph.

From Friday the whole of the country could see freezing storms bring two to four inches (5 to 10cm) of snow.

lovely, that's locked in then

Well I suppose it isn't called a Hard day for nowt.

Well done to @youramericanlover for organising the weather though, touch of class there....

Let's hope we are south enough

"It is likely that five to ten centimetres of snow will come in from the north and fall as far as the south of the country on Friday"

I might give this a go depending on the weather and how my midweek morning cobweb-clearer goes. Haven't done any serious cycling since November, to my shame...

@Ecobeard and @Howard I'll hopefully see you boys here! =)

I trust UK weather temp predictions three days in advance tops, and one day for precipitation. Any ride-affecting weather situations we can discuss the night before/morning of.

It might actually get Cold though so those riding out please watch out for ice if it's been below freezing.