Hard Day In January '19 - 10th Anniversary Edition

@clubman It's my pleasure to help organise this ride! I was very happy when I uncovered your ride entry from 1959.

You make a lot of good points about the 1959 route - indeed it no longer sounds workable. I also should have been clearer as I was imagining a celebratory run based on the 2009 route, not the 1959 route. @umop3pisdn has sent me through a route which I'm going to test in the next week or so. If that works out then I'll firm up a Hampton Court -> Petersfield route. If not, it will be some variation on a run to Berinsfield. I will give you as much lead time as possible in the event we'd like to use the Staines Sailing Club for a ride starting at Staines.

All those considering coming I'd love to have you along (although please come FG/SS). If you sign up on the thread but cannot make it on the day that's fine.

As for how the ride itself is run, I'll quote myself from last year:
"Consider that it will be cold, you will be fixed/SS and it's 90 or 100 miles going through the Chilterns [or Surrey Hills], twice. It's not near central London bailout points are scarce. The light is weak that time of year. These are things to consider for yourself and the group you are riding with. I'm more than happy to have anyone who fancies coming along for it. However, one year we rode as one group and a rider was asked to find his own way back (ensuring he was firstly safe to do so) as he wasn't able to maintain the group pace. In nicer conditions that's not how I would to run a ride, but in winter at 4 degrees in fading light with the threat of punctures, you need to be self-sufficient and sensible if things aren't going your way. 10-15 people's warmth, ride and train tickets depend on it."

Honestly, cold, fixed-gear, and no light, that sounds just like my normal commute in winter. :P

It's just a tiny bit longer.

All those considering coming I'd love to have you along (although please come FG/SS). If you sign up on the thread but cannot make it on the day that's fine.

@youramericanlover Thanks for the info!

Just one last point - the route will be entirely on 'normal' roads, right? I.e. I could use the FG that I use around London every day no problem, there's no off-roading in this?

I am misty-eyed remembering the early days of this ride! Obviously it's one of those things that is better in memory than reality. @clubman hope you are well. Me and @illy have 3 kids now so cycling adventures are on the back foot but based on your form I've got a bit of time to get back into it :)

Not much experience of riding in a group but can not riding like a dick compensate for at least some of that?

Well riding in a group consists mostly of not riding like a dick. Plus some hand waving.

aye, the 'no experience of riding in a group*' is what's stopping me from hitting the button. It's the kind of superbly idiotic ride out I would enjoy, and maybe do solo if I had a reason to. Still. Plenty of time.

(*actually, not totally true -all my 'riding in a group' is on CS7, mostly about avoiding riding in a group on CS7)

seems like this is the comeback ride.
it's only been another 2 years.......

after doing the 2017 version. which was epic, i've been on a long road of recoveries with 2 broken patellas and 3 knee surgeries in the past year and a half.

i'm way way off match fitness but would love to do this.

it's in the diary.

my longest ride in the last 18 months is 25 mile so got a lot of work to put in but this is the kinda thing i need on the horizon.

best get on the bike.

This is my thinking, dont do anything unexpected and let someone know if you dont have a choice?

eff it.
In.

On the day we'll have a chat about group riding signals and and some tips for those who are inexperienced or under-confident.

In the mean time why not go on your local cycling club's Sunday run? They often have a group for beginners and there will be riders who are specifically asked to ferry those new to the group. Much better to learn a few skills on a 40 mile ride at the milder end of autumn than on a 100 mile ride in the middle of winter.

Would love to see you @skive - sorry to hear you've had such a shit time with injuries.

I had planned on joining a club in the new year anyway so this may be an idea. Although planning to have a day out on the bike I think 19th Jan is about the least amount of notice i have to give my wife!

I've booked this with the fam. Also always meant to do this, but the timing never worked. This time.

I will make an attempt to join. Maybe even fixed this year :)

Autumn is probably the best time to join a traditional style club.

For a racing club (and what other sort would you want to join?) it's autumn and winter when the club rides are at their best. Late winter and early spring will find the strong riders on training runs, which won't be ideal for a newcomer, and after that they should be racing.

So I suggest you get started now.

I'l respond to other posts here tomorrow - I'm now knackered after a hard day of grandparenting.

Just a small point of information for now:

In 2009 we actually met up in Egham - pretty close to Staines Sailing Club.

I have the OS map (sheet 186) with our 2009 route highlighted - it's the map I gave to our driver/photographer in case he got lost. You can borrow this if it's helpful.

It would be possible to ride from Hampton Court to that 2009 route, but it looks to me as if you would be adding another ten miles (each way) to what is already a long day. Also I think you will find the rail service to Staines is better than to Hampton Court.

Hi Stelle,

I'm really pleased hear from you, especially since it sounds as though things are going well for you and Illy.

I think it's important to concentrate on the things that are appropriate for one's actual time of life - not like the Dutch guy reported in today's paper who wishes legally to reduce his age from 69 to 49- mainly to improve his chances on dating websites! In the same way it would not be great to attempt to start a road racing career when you're the wrong side of seventy.

So yes, you're right to put your cycling career on hold. There many things you can do in this sport after you are past the ideal age - for example my club mate Rob Gilmour who recently got the UCI age related hour 'performance' record for the 65-69 age group, and Geoff Wiles (google him if necessary) aged 74 told me recently that he is still competitive in the top BC Masters category but that it's now getting a bit harder for him since this group is from 60 upwards!

So, I hope I'll see both of you back on bikes before too long.

In the meantime, I wonder if it might be worthwhile to hold some kind of HD in J riders' reunion - perhaps just something as simple as drinks in a pub (after this year's ride, I think). I could probably persuade Jeff Marshall to come. What do others think of this?

I've never actually done a HDIJ but id come if allowed.

If you come in January it would be a non-issue wink wink nudge nudge

It's a good half mile from my house to the best cafe in Petersfield. I'm out of shape but I'll give it a go.

Get your dog to give you a lift.

Been meaning to do this ride for a few years. The date is pencilled in my diary.

I so want to do this ride again, 90 miles though.. haven’t done anything like this since 2014 in Norway.. here’s hoping I can make it, and reclaim that award again. I have that misty-eyed memory of solid riders, banter, good spirits and oh that 11speed chain nonsense and slow puncture, which YAL stuck with me and my stupidly in 2011.. Such a gent..

YAL also stuck with me last year as I was going through a series of punctures, and then we enjoyed a little chase after the main peloton (which was already at the half way café, or there about anyway, waiting for us in the cosy warmth). Legend!

And of course I have to mention clubman offering a most welcome assistance, without which said series of punctures would have gone from bad to worse.

I may or may not have a bike in the making for this ride. Oh, the excitement!