Hard Day in January '20 - Kent Downs Edition

Hard Day in January 2020

In 1959 @clubman went for a 90 mile ride on his fixed wheel bike in the cold January weather (he was 13!). It was hard as you might imagine. To commemorate his ride we run something similar appropriately named the Hard Day in January. This is the 2020 edition. In the past the roads used were around the Chilterns, however this year the ride will be taking in the Kent Downs. It should be good fun!

This is intended as a fixed gear / single-speed ride. It is a little hillier this year, but still but still nothing too steep to cope with on a reasonable gear, say 67-75gi. The idea here is that it's a winter ride and so a fg/ss ride should make it hard enough to be worth getting out whilst still being fun. Also don't let the title mislead you, it's not about 'suffering' on the day or any such bullshit - it's about running a fun but hard ride in the winter.

Start time and location
Start is Bromley South station.

Route
There will be a stop for lunch. Mudguards and flaps are strongly encouraged.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31684982

1st ed
2nd ed
3rd ed
4th ed
5th ed and winners
6th ed and pictures from the winner
7th ed and winner
8th ed and winner

I'm normally in. I've got a good route from London to Maidstone...

I always enjoy seeing this ride happen

You had me at "In 1959..."

happy to chuck my name in the hat and add this to the diary.

looking forward to it.

this looks great, id love to join.
Just gotta find some mudguards :)

ordered some raceblades today especially

Ooof! Getting closer and closer to home. It's the only thing that really stopped me doing any of the rides from Staines.

Cheeky Wetherspoons breakfast in the offing surely, it's a stones throw from the station, but for Maidstone I would definitely bring a lock, even with the massive glassed frontage of the pub.

I hope I will be able do the same as I have done in recent years - by driving the support car.

Any chance you can drive behind us and give my back wheel a nudge no the inclines this year?

I'll do my best.

Hmm, seeing as it's well over 2hrs by train to the start I shall not be there. Hope y'all have a good day out

Recce done of the route with the venerable @cagimaha and it looks good. A couple hills in the way in and out of Maidstone to the Downs proper but once we're in there it should be lovely rolling lanes.

For those not able to make the start location this year have faith: next year the location will be closer to London for a South East London / Kent edition most likely leaving from the UNESCO World Heritage site Bromely South.

where are you planning on starting good sir??

edit....

just re-read.
maidstone east

Sounds good @youramericanlover. If you need a hand with any other route tweaking /recce stuff just give me a shout.

Ride from Grays?

My route goes from Finsbury Park and crosses at Greenwich. Depending on ferry schedules a crossing at Tilbury could also be done though I suspect we'd be there too early.

edit - first crossing is at 5:50, this could work.

I was thinking lazily of train to Grays, as 40 odd miles (?) out to the start might be a bit much for me.

Yeah why not, or meet at at the station. We can figure something out.

Anyone doing the festive 500? I'm slowly running out of cycling friends as they get ill/injure themselves/cant be bothered... so if anyone wants to do fixed (or not fixed) festive 500 ride/rides I'm keen, just shout.

Okay. I'm in this year.

Yay!

Have we a finalised route for this yet?

Yep! Actually now is prob a fine time to post. Will do in a bit

Perfek thanks