Hard Day in January '18

I think the smile is the only suitable reaction to being passed on a climb by @Thuekr pushing 50x16...

Wonderful shots! The one from '76 is amaze

The 'Most Meritorious Ride Award'.

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That's all for now. I think I've got at least some sort of picture of everyone. If you'd like to have your pic as a jpeg, send me your email as a pm and I'll send you what I've got.

Great shots clubman!

Thanks for your support on the day and report.

I feel this ride is definitely an LFGSS fixture now.

@clubman The similarity could be a theme/scope of your veloUK endeavours. Excellent pictures and write up - our guardian angel on the road you were.

The old picture is an inspiring shot by any standards. I would never compare my skills with Bernard's.

But really my point is that your ride on Saturday wasn't just an isolated event, it is part of a tradition. Here's another pic. from one of those rides - it's a different year, but near the same spot. Unfortunately I don't have a perfect copy, but I think this is good enough to get the idea.

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Great write up.
@clubman, fantastic contibution.

Inspiration by the bucket load.

The old pictures are so evocative, but you are right, 'When was the Golden Age'?

Strong climbing going on there. Will pretend I'm just at the back, just out of frame, on the way home here tonight.

looked brilliant, disappointed to miss it but was in my own world of pain at the 'puffer all weekend.

Hopefully it wont clash next year.

Great work all, banging ride

I guess the Golden Age is just before you can remember for yourself.

Here's something I think is worth mentioning about that second picture with four riders and a fifth clearly struggling, off the back.

There is in existence another picture taken after the riders had passed which focused on the dropped rider with the group visible in the distance.

It was used a few weeks later to head an article in Cycling with the headline 'Is This You, Always Off The Back?

Not every Cycling reader knew who it was, but we all did. You may need to be careful around photographers!

While I'm here it may be worth analysing what's going on in that second pic.

The pace is being set by Martyn (leading, glasses) who is the strongest in the group. The wind is almost certainly against them and coming a bit from their left, which is why the one behind Martyn (bobble hat) has 'echeloned' to gain more shelter. The rider nearest the kerb is suffering under the pressure and is beginning to drop back, which has exposed the fourth rider to the wind (he's visibly gritting his teeth).

(he's visibly gritting his teeth).

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