Hard Day In January '19 - 10th Anniversary Edition

On the Look?

Possibly...

Hey @HoKe! Just like previous years somewhere around 16mph, altho my guess is a slower if we head into Surrey instead of previous route. You'll be fine fitness wise I'm sure.

Cool, as @umop3pisdn might bang out the look for this occasion, especially as gears in a no no for this ride I assume.

Very tentatively considering building up a fixed gear for this but have no idea on ratios. What gearing would I be looking at roughly? I'd rather spin than mash.

48x19 is a good bet.

somewhere around 66 gear inches is golden.

enough to climb up pretty much anything and not too spinny until you hit 38mph downhill.

I have an image in my head of you spinning like crazy descending into Brighton at about 36ish mph...

I'm in awe of such spinning prowess. I spin out way way WAY earlier.

just did the calculation for the 1st time.

48x19 is 190 rpm at 37mph!

real spinny.

Since this is the 60th anniversary ride, I think I want to do it on an old bike. I’m going to get my Parkes out over Christmas, finally finish it and see if I can put some miles on it.

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Ride Leader Required

Sad times all. I got caught out on a early season patch of black ice and snapped my femur in two on the 16th. I am recovering well and have gained a titanium pin in my leg for life, but this means I won't be able to lead the HDIJ (and I think current mobility means I wouldn't be able to even make it to the start to see you off).

Would someone be willing to lead the ride so it can go ahead? It would mean a lot to me, and I think a fair few riders are also interested in it as well. I'd suggest it is done on roads from previous years as I never got around to testing the route I had in mind for 2019. I can send a gpx of a couple of options to the rider who gallantly raises their hand.

Could the ride leader also consider a rotating cast of backstops, so the group can stay together and ensure good communication? And of course I now must mention this, but if there are reports of ice I'd suggest extra caution on the day. Stay safe and sensible, no heroics.

I do hope so. Happy Christmas and New Year!

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Nooo!

That looks extremely painful. Really sorry to hear about the spill. That is bad luck, and no fun at all.

Heal up soon.

I'm hoping to come along and am happy to do some backstoping. Sure someone will step up to the cause.

Hope you're mending as well as can be. What's the prognosis?

5 more weeks toe-touch weight bearing on crutches, then physio follow-up for new regime of weight bearing physio. No idea when I might be back on the bike, I'm hopeful for mid spring? Altho hard to tell atm, but most importantly I should make a 100% recovery (at some point).

Phew. That's a big one. I've been through similar. I followed all instructions and advice from NHS professionals and I was back on 2 wheels in 6 months, riding the Dunwich Dynamo 18 months later. And now, 5 years later , it's like it didn't happen. Time flies, you're super fit so recovery time is minimised but don't take any short cuts! Patience is king. Good luck. Mel

Ah man, sorry to hear about the accident. Good to hear it’ll go back to 100% though!

I'm not in tip-top fitness but I'm happy to help out. I can't usher with the charm and distinction of YAL but I've done the route and various rides in the vicinity in previous years.

I ain't taking the wind the whole way though :D

There are some other good candidates on the list so between us I see no reason why the ride can't happen.

#pray4Rubb

wow dan.
so gutted to hear this, really hope the recovery goes smoothly.

i'm more than happy to stick my hand up to lead but i'm not 100%.

went and did 50 mile round kent yesterday with over 4000ft of climbing and it was tough work. looking at the hard day i did 2 year ago we only did 3000ft over the 90 odd miles.

in a month of regular cycling, i'm hoping to be in a much stronger place.

if your happy ping me the gpx routes and i'll have a look. they could make up the basis of my riding over the next month.

I ain't taking the wind the whole way though :D

#valverde !

Ok great, thank you very much @skive! I'll PM you with some routes. Definitely keep @pastry_bot if not on the front then at least near it, he's got an uncanny sense of direction and as he said knows the area. With @Scrabble helping a bit at the back I'm sure you all will get around fine. Don't forget a tea/lunch stop at the Big H!

Actually I might as well post them here so others can load them up on their devices in advance as well:

The 2018 version which goes via Christmas Common. Slightly harder than the 2017 version, and spends more time in the Chilterns. If the weather is rainy / bad the roads get full of crap but otherwise the slightly nicer of the two routes.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/26461223

2017 route. An amalgamation of previous years HDIJ and a very nice loop.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/16981978

right ho.

sounds like a plan.

2018 route looks mint and the half way stop is well half way and i remember being perfect.

last 23 miles is pretty much flat so easy to smash out in a group.

@pastry_bot you happy to corral the group together? should work well.

Gutted for you Dan, fingers crossed for a swift recovery and an easy day in mid-spring!

I'm definitely happy to do some backstop turns and also a turn on the front if there's enough of a dry line.

I have no Garmin or speedo on the bike but if someone else can navigate and keep a check on speed I am happy to do turns at the front with a few others.

The leading part is generally around being "road captain" and helper of organisational matters, rising to the fore at times of crisis (hopefully minimal). I don't think YAL was planning on cranking out all 90 miles on the front even with a fully functioning femur.

I'm sure we'll manage ok regardless, but having a "ride leader" does help. I'd be more positive, but I'm still definitely a maybe.

"Road Captain" you say...

-edited to crop out suspect tat

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