Hard Day in January '24

This sort of ride needs preparation.

And not of the mince pies and port kind

Thank you!!
Congratulations Falcon Vitesse and well done all (around the world!) who completed, wish I was/we were there. Can't wait to join for next year's!

I am the Dave with legs that gradually deflated through the day. Winter fitness and summer commuter gearing is not a good choice for a long ride with steep climbs - not at the end of the day anyway.

A fun day out overall.

Thank you for waiting for me when I took my jacket off at the start of the ride and helping me get back to the group who were, at that point, riding at about 67mph!

RR 2024

OK for the all the japes and shenanigans about the course I really enjoyed it and thought it was a great day. Big chunks of the route were new to me despite the very near overlap with some classic audax loops. I also loved heading straight into the deer park, what a way to kick it off.

Leo's idea for the Sevenoaks > Rye > Sevenoaks was wildy successful. I know it was lumpy in aggregate and there was some really underwhelming driving but I was so grateful to not have a suburban drag out to and back from the lanes. The climbs were a bit sharper than I had imagined and the Rye coastal path was not nearly as enjoyable as I thought it would be, but I still think worth it for the views. My kind of views I guess! And like @Ruserius said when it was flat on the way back there was some nice tight group riding which is an exceptional thing on fixed. It's so much harder with the gradients and surface changing so rapidly but I'll think on this for a way to replicate longer stretches of this for next year. This was the long, hilly edition so something different for next year.

All the classic strong riders were strong again this year. @jmg412 seemed in the sweet spot the whole way, and @cagimaha (as usual) undersold and then over-delivered on the bike. I also really appreciated his and everyone's else communication and indicating - I was brain dead on the day so wasn't much help up there.

@Glws was out of breathe once I think, maybe, towards the end but otherwise is a wildly smooth and strong rider. @elgonzo nearly had the meretorious award for feeling like shit for 2/3rds of the ride but through force of will finished I think happier than he started, an admirable display of mind over legs. Inspiring stuff.

As was mentioned @falconvitesse got the award. While he lost the group last 25/30 miles from home he, I think not loving things, kept going solo to the end and met us at the pub really not that far behind. His determination (I was tucked in as much as possible on the way back) made him the deserving receipient.

Genuine thank you to everyone who showed up. You show a special willingness and kindness to come together for some deep winter riding and I think is a valuable thing. Somewhere in the last 4 miles in the pitch black I dropped off to the back to see the trail of red light snaking up the climbs and thought 'what a weird, great thing'.

Cheers all, see ya next year.

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I owe you a tube but I'll probably forget, sorry.

Thanks for the wheel - I would've done a turn on the front if I could, but I was just flagging too much.

Congratulation everyone - also to the dreamers who just stalks this annual thread and pretend in their minds how it would be, but feel something ressonates inside them from this cast, that is actually real, actually a sense of riding.

Well done everyone who did this, it sounds a great day out. Very jealous

Me. I planned to join this one as have a SS now. Only to realise it was my youngest birthday party. Did dare suggest alternative plans. Next year. Honest guv.

I'm sensing the multi reporting is creating a buzz.
Will amey turn up ? Crocketts allowed.

No worries. Just pass it on when you see somebody who might need it.

i rode it once! but yeah every year i earmark it and then shit the bed :(

Turns out that person was me, last night

You did say on the day that those tyres were on their last legs...

I don't think I can blame the tyres for that one to be honest. Had a head-on collision with an ebike. Doesn't seem to be any significant damage to either party at least.

Thanks again for a great ride @youramericanlover. Much appreciated
easily the most scenic HDIJ route ive been on particularly the idealic villages and oldie worlde pubs around Bodiam and Northiam.

Always posting the sister equivalent ride from Denmark - I couldn't participate, but next year maybe

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Tuning in a bit late for the ride report but glad it went well. Looks like it was a beast!

Yeah it was a cracker. I was in a bit of a funny headspace in Jan so didn't relish it in the moment as much as I wanted, but with a bit of time passed I think it was smooth but challenging edition!

In the spirit of the hdiJ
Would there be appetite for an lfgss Dunwich DiYnamo ? Out and back possibly ?

One more pun, Dunwich Night and Daynamo?

I love the sound of this and am very supportive. I think I'm having a little break from through the night rides, many dark demons on my last 24 BUT I absolutely think this should go ahead

By nature of things this would be party paced.
It's also very much a shot in the dark.
Calling @ElGonzo @Ruserius @jmg412 @WhitleyJay ?

I'm in for the way there, way back may need some convincing though! At worst, ride back to a slightly out of the way station on a different line where hopefully it won't be an issue to take our bikes.

I rode last year and headed down to Southend after for a train back to London. Felt nicer than an out and back, also included a short ferry for added fun

Worked out at 360km or something

I have done it with the road bike 2 years ago, bumped into @greeno and we caught a train in manningtree.

Up for something fixed fun and long-ish without the dread of the coach journey.

Maybe a return to Cambridge ? Different train operator could make it a breeze