Hard Day in January '24

Through some diligent weather checking by a few Saturday looks promising to go ahead. It will be cold though, so please dress for the weather and have enough food to get you you the cafe (The Old Grain Store in Rye) and then home. We'll pass through a few villages so we can top up if necesarry but it will be the definition of grab-and-go.

Once again roll out will be 8:30 and aiming to be at the cafe for about 1pm. Looks like a tailwind down so hopefully easy-ish rolling south. White Hart just south of Sevenoaks the pub destination.

I am really really looking forward to this! I think it will be a good one!!!!

Aiming for the 7.48 from london bridge arriving at 8.13, wbich is not even an early start.
Where has the romance gone @youramericanlover ?

I'll aim for that one too. @jmg412 take note.

I have engineering works so I have to ride to Canterbury at 6am. I get my romance on the A290

I will be romancing the A6 at 4am

good luck to all riders. havent done this for a long time but always follow the thread. wont be riding (again) as too far from me & off the bike (and everything else for that matter) for 12 weeks after an incident with a table saw

Nice to hear from you Ian! I do not want to know about the table saw incident but very glad you're on the mend. Since you won't be on the ride I'll mentally insert that iconic hip chain lock around another rider and pretend you're with us

One section I'm most looking forward to is the coastal section between Winchelsea Beach and Rye Harbour - I think it'll be a gorgeous windswept vista or stem-chewing hard work right before lunch. Never been, looks cool either way

Madness. Good luck everyone doing it. Sign me up for hot day in June.

This is a fingerless gloves and shorts ride, right?

I used to live in a cottage on the golf course (sorry) and I hope it is reasonably clear for you as the light is beautiful there. The ever present breeze (it's always called a breeze in the club no matter how strong) is usually from the SW. And sometimes from the N! I would join you on my Roberts fixed road but no way am I up to it these days. Enjoy.

i remember you as a gorgeous windswept vista so good to have it confirmed that’s still the case

Missing this physically and spiritually for yet another year, duh! I'm gonna put a calendar reminder in for 2025. God speed you riders!

Serious FOMO here. Rye and return is one of my favourite rides and I can think of no better group to do it with, but I’ll just have to enjoy the stories and pics this time.
I’m only disappointed the route doesn’t pass through Yalding for a chance to enjoy Kent’s premier tourist destination, Teapot Island.
Ride strong all

Well the bike is clean, the chain is quiet-ish and I even regreased the speedplays.

What could go wrong?

Awaiting the photo evidence of you riding one footed with a rogue speedplay pedal attached to your hanging foot and a bare spindle still attached to the crank.

It's quite likely - something funny about the fit means that the metal frame for the cleat is grinding a nice groove in the axle

Good luck everyone! I will endeavour to be there next year.

Have a hard day out there- hope to rejoin one hard day <3

Have a good ride everyone!

Having a pop at 90 miles up north out of solidarity or something. Hope you have a good one!

Nice one!

Am here at Malabar, it looks OK. Quite tempted to peek into Gail's...

[Edit] take it back this place is alright!

Wishing everyone a good ride today.
Looking forward to photos and tales

Lived up to its title. Made it to Rye and I'm very done.
Can't believe I washed the bike for this

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