Hard Day in January '18

Hi Everyone,

As 'founder' of this event I would have liked to ride in 2018 and I hadn't dismissed the possibility as recently as last autumn but, for various reasons, I've had a terrible winter from the riding/fitness point of view and it would be folly for me to attempt it now.

However, I do intend to come - by car. My purpose will be to take photographs for a report, to act as a 'neutral service vehicle' and sag wagon, and to bring the trophy for presentation after the event.

I hope this meets with your approval.

Chris.

I've only got race blade clip-ons as well. Sorry!

Forecast looks OK though...

Yeah headwind, looks like you can do some epic pulls at the front of the pack.

Reply to post number 131

I wouldn't recommend asking for a crash course in group riding.

Christ. I'm a gonna hate this aren't I?

I had a training ride planned for Tuesday that I have just had to cancel, which will not help my form.

Bring. It. On. (Softly.)

Looking forward to see you again @clubman :)

Yes you should definitely make this an imperial ton and ride the tailwind back.

If I have it in me at the end I definitely will.

I'm gonna mess my legs up on Wednesday doing a Perm if that makes you feel better.

Bring. It. On. (Slowly)

Hi Chris, and thanks for the message. Sorry to hear you're not able to ride the route but it will be great to see you. And thanks for offering to take photographs! My phone stays inside my jersey pocket more and more these days so it's appreciated. Look forward to seeing you!

Dan

Yo Dan! Just been drawing up my route out. Slight anomaly with your route. The start is the pub and the end is Cafe Nero. I'm sure the confusion would be fun at the beginning of the ride watching everyone scrabble for their phones to work out what's going on, but just wanted to check that that's known? Just a case of switching them around?

Sorry to hear about your autumn Chris. Will be good to have you along though. The last time i did this ride you were driving a vintage Citroën IIRC.

Just ordered some bigger cogs in prep for IndiPac and gonna do 100 miles tomorrow. I'll see what's up come Saturday!

@J_a_m_es

I'm gonna mess my legs up on Wednesday doing a Perm if that makes you feel better. Bring. It. On. (Slowly)

I'm gonna mess my hair up on Wednesday doing a Perm if that makes you feel better.

Bring. It. On. (Curly)

👍👍👍

The route was originally conceived as ridden the other way around so yes it does start at the café. Anyway we're going to gregg aren't we :)

Yes.

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Thanks @jaeyukdapbap and @cgg ! Route amended so it starts from the cafe and ends at the pub. I originally drew it as a clockwise loop which accounts for this mix up.

For the record though it was always starting at the cafe, and I was always going to go to Greggs.

I'm tempted to join, but my mash needs some serious fettling beforehand.

Would be good to see you mate :)
Get fettling

really sorry for off topic post - I won't be able to make it this weekend unfortunately, but having moved back in with my parents inbetween jobs and living in sunningdale I have always been intrigued by riding up that way - rather than heading to the surrey hills so often. does anyone have any other routes I could browse...? feel free to pm as to not clog up the thread. hope you all have a good ride!

Last call for anyone wanting to join the ride out to make themselves known.
Current plan: @cgg is riding out from Finsbury Park. I'm meeting him at Vauxhall bridge at 7:00 and we're picking up @Ruserius at Putney Bridge at 7:15. Will roll through Roehampton Gate around 7:30. I'll be away from the information super highway from tomorrow afternoon so get in touch soon if you're interested.

By irony(?), need to be in The London now on Saturday with fam: which is partly by way of an excuse but also the s/s is still in the loft, sans proper brakes and mudgrowls (so had abandoned plans to ask to join geared) however, hope you all have a properly good ride in lovely places - very envious (in a good way) of everyone able to ride one cog on those climbs ;)
By the by, the section up from Wallingford into the hills is drying out nicely now (in the very windy winds this week) so less like ditches in places - and do give a big 'hello' to the piglets up at Blue Tin Farm there for me! @swedeee, lots of good routes, where would you set out from?

Blue Tin Farm might well have been where I punctured last year! Top of a hill with a great view towards Oxford, lots of mud and... pigs.