Hell of the North (London)

Just got a place from the waiting list - woo-hoo!

I'll be fixed at 48:19 with 23mm front, 25mm back and full fenders

Like this:

ditch the fenders SB.... the wheels will get choked up with mud..

Really? It's not that wet out there.

seeing all the gear ratios I am feeling it might be foolish to do this on 48X17 (32c tyres) ..

Yeah, 48x17 with 32c is damn high is it not? Around 75 I'd imagine?

Edit: just checked, that is 76.26GI!

I will be on 48x19 with 30c knobblies, which I am equating to 35c slicks. A much healthier 68.64GI.

I really don't know if I can be arsed to remove my mudguards. How muddy is it out there really?

1. amey
   
2. mobidog (cinelli gazetta, 30mm cx tyre on rear so hopefully hardpack and not mud)
   
3. nev
   
4. Jake
   
5. ShannonBall (Steamroller, mudguards, 23mm, 48:19 or 48:18 depending on conditions)
   
6. dj commuto-x bike, currently deciding between 32mm slicks or knobbles, mudguards and rack will be removed
   
7. Jammy. Tonic. 42c kobbles. I'll destroy you all (or fall off)
   

I really don't know if I can be arsed to remove my mudguards. How muddy is it out there really?

Some photos from last year.

1. amey Rat bike 48X19 32c Schwalbe Marathon Supreme, risers, chrome kursk pro
   
2. mobidog (cinelli gazetta, 30mm cx tyre on rear so hopefully hardpack and not mud)
   
3. nev
   
4. Jake
   
5. ShannonBall (Steamroller, mudguards, 23mm, 48:19 or 48:18 depending on conditions)
   
6. dj commuto-x bike, currently deciding between 32mm slicks or knobbles, mudguards and rack will be removed
   
7. Jammy. Tonic. 42c kobbles. I'll destroy you all (or fall off)
   
   

Decided to go 48X19 afterall :)

there is a zoo? This is the route:

SECTORS
21 – Rectory Farm (sharp right turn at farmhouse)
20 – The Paddocks/Chain Walk (Attention! Sharp turn + potholes abound)
~ Bread and Cheese Lane ~
19 – Paradise Wildlife Park.. <<>>
18 – Highfield Wood
17 – Ermine St.
16 – Balls Wood
15 – Balls Park
14 – Morgan’s Walk
13 – Clements Farm
12 – Edwards Green
11 – Gidner's Wood
10 - Old Claypits Farm
09 – Ponsbourne Park
~ Feed stop ~
08 – Hertfordshire Way
07 – Warrenwood Park (Attention!)
06 – Trouée de'Woodside
05 – Potwells
04 – Mymshall/Redwell Wood (Tough)
03 – South Mimms/M25/Dancers Hill
FOOTBRIDGE (Attention!)
02 – High Canons
01 – Holmshill (Attention!)
FOOTBRIDGE

http://www.rapha.cc/a-sunday-in-hell-iv
.

^^^ Lovely shots.

Great one of me taking my Ridley for a bath - such a laugh.

Taking dry socks for the pub this year.

^ good tip that

Top Pikkiz Howard......I are all excite.......

Is anyone here?

I should be doing this right now. I hope it's a blast. Wish I hadn't just looked at the pictures from last year as well.

That was fun! And very muddy. So many posh bikes though, with their riders getting off whenever they saw a puddle. Shame...

http://app.strava.com/activities/47657550

Mud! Though the image doesn't really show just how muddy it is!

I ploughed my bike through whatever was in front of it. I did hear a couple of people on Sunday best road bikes who were following me shout in horror when they realised the terrain and line that my commuto x bike was following.

It was an excellent day out, saw loads of familiar faces and got to ride with a bunch of forumengers.

ha, that could have been a worthwile sight

^^ +1

Lovely day - good chance to see what my commuter can really do.

If in doubt just power through!

Good riding with you James - think we made good progress - lots of time for beer in the sunshine and cheering at the race finale too.

Here's the route:

http://cyclemeter.com/90a9a2404cc2c48c/Cycle-20130407-0905?r=e

I ploughed my bike through whatever was in front of it. I did hear a couple of people on Sunday best road bikes who were following me shout in horror when they realised the terrain and line that my commuto x bike was following.

It was an excellent day out, saw loads of familiar faces and got to ride with a bunch of forumengers.

I mostly did this, though there was one uphill section in which most people walked. Including me. I tried to push through the mud but it was just too deep to get any traction.

Apart from that though, the pomp pulled through just fine and riding fixed was quite fun, though I can't help but think a freewheel would've been funner.

A lot of titanium out today as well, quite a lot of slow cyclists too, despite running high end groupsets and being full kit wankers.

James, that was not directed at you.

good chance to see what my commuter can really do.

Exactly.

I am broken.

Rode from and back to Wimbledon. Going back hurt more :P

Was fun, more mud than expected, bike held on pretty well considering that it is cheaper than any jersey rapha sells ;)

DJ LOVED my jersey, it was a sartorial art piece.

I was in full kit wanker mode, on a twatanium bike. I felt the group I was with put in a reasonable effort for a genuine group of mid life crisis males. We chased down some groups of riders and were overtaken by others. Rode the entire way, foot downs occurred when others stalled.

Amey, you looked like a Brit on the piss in Spain, a strong look. You deserve props for riding on your pub bike ~60 miles to a pub.

Not often I say this but LOL.

Great ride! Rode every section, no walkies.

And most importantly...what an amazing Roubaix finish!

Dirty dirty Tonic