Hard Day in January '18

To be honest I don't think anyone wants to wait for you to walk up the climbs. It's 90 miles, and not the time of year to standing around on the road. If you know your not strong enough to make it up in that gi then please gear down.

Anyway I don't think DIY-ing this is a good idea, being the only one doing so in a group has too much potential for being a ball-ache or a wasted entry (not to mention being borderline rule-wise ;))

Probably still up for the ride out and greggs though! Let's see how the weather is like closer to the day.

I don't think DIY-ing this is a good idea

out

Hi,

How unrealistic am I being considering going on this ride? I commute just over 18 miles round trip daily. I run 3 or 4 times a week including a run commute quite happily for the 18 miles as well so have reasonable endurance. However I haven't ever really done long distances on the bike / ridden in a group. I'm sure I could do the distance but not sure if I would be a hindrance on the average speed. I do a lap of Richmond Park in just under 24 minutes (average 17 mph). This is on 48x17 gearing, the hills in Richmond Park are a challenge but it's not the end of the world, how do the hills on this ride compare?

Am I just caught up with this being thoroughly inspirational in the way everybody seems to approach this and in the idea of loving a challenge which seems to be the general idea of this ride (i.e. hard day on a fixed gear), or is this like me trying to run a marathon with sub 3 hour guys (which i certainly couldn't do)?

Certainly don't want to be a hindrance so some honesty from the wisdom of your experiences would be much appreciated.

I’d say that if you have no group riding experience then you will be a hindrance, irrespective of how fit you are.

That probably sounds harsh, but riding properly in a group, especially on fixed, takes practice.

Why not aim to do this next year, and join some other forum rides in the meantime to start acquiring those group riding skills?

Yes that is fair, I was going to have to ask for the crash course in group riding / hand signals, if this isn't the place to do this fair enough, thanks for the honesty!

This definitely doesn't sound like the sort of ride to learn how to ride in a group.

I'd wait until it warms up a bit. Keeping up with @youramericanlover is a challenge at any time of year :-)

I gang bang quite a lot. That counts no?

No

ThNRC rides are good start if you're London based, perhaps not the first one of the spring. Can be a late night though.
https://www.lfgss.com/microcosms/573/

I on the other hand would say riding in a group isn't too hard if you follow the instructions (and have a rear mudguard). Both for this and doubts about endurance, you can bail out and take a train quite easily (study the route for stations etc)

Anyway these are my two cents.

oh yes. mudguards.

Better fettle some on.

Lord of the mudguards.

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Thanks very much Scrabble, that seems like a much more sensible place to start!

Thanks to everyone else for the advice too, hope whoever goes enjoys the ride.

Evidence suggests New Year’s Day is your best option.

Despite the name, Herne Hill is too flat a testing ground for a born grimpeur like Dan :-)

Although, having checked your Strava, you're not exactly plodding uphill yourself...

the truth hurts

You're still a hero to me :'(

I know it's been done in the past but is anyone else going to be hanging out at the back of the group with no mudguards this time?

Yes.

If I were to invest in something, would this be the recommended?
https://www.evanscycles.com/sks-raceblade-pro-xl-stealth-series-mudguard-set-700c-x-25-32c-EV286431

They are better than nothing, but they won't do anyone riding behind you any favours, unless you get creative with your old milk bottles and improvise some flaps.

edit: maybe they are better than the old versions which I had. However, if you wanted to 'invest' you'd be better off plumping for some PDWs, SKS bluemels or chromoplastics or the raceblade longs.

Ah yes, need to do some flapping action...

Thanks for the suggestions.
Taking faff, flaps and functionality in consideration, I think I'll stick with the raceblade xl pro. They look like they're just about as long as anything else. And someone with my patience will probably be able to attach them.