Hard Day in January '24

I might ride out from Greenwich...

I’ve got to drop-a-dropper seatpost in Camberwell, so could meet you somewhere on route south.

I’m working the weekend this is supposed to be so took the opportunity of some good weather to get out today.

70 miles so over the 100km which I’m happy with and did it on my Raleigh Twenty. It’s got 3 gears so isn’t entirely correct but maybe the lack of wheel size makes up for the extra 2 gears?

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I really should join this as it's the next town to me, but I won't because I'm really unfit after recent shoulder surgery. But I will laugh at anyone who reckons they're getting up River Hill on a fixie at the end of a century ride...

I'm really saddened to be missing this, and especially missing the opportunity to see YAL, the lovely human that he is.
Haven't done any riding since my collar bone surgery in July and don't have a sweet fixie any more but I would like to fix both of those problems this year so fingers crossed for the next one.
Looking forward to seeing the pictures, please take plenty for us stuck at home.

@M_V tiny wheels, huge effort! Absoutely spot on for a winter effort! Well done dude

@kl As we're close you could come out with us for a wee loop to East Peckham? And also for those on the fence about the distance the route also overlaps itself at Cranbrook which would make for very worthwhile 60 miles and we'd love to have you along.

@PhilDAS ah I didn't realise you've been on the mend for so long - my best for your recovery. Get that fixie sorted and come up to the Peaks with us in March (tbc). Miss you!

Nothing like a HDiJ to spur on a bit of maintenance. Replaced chainring, broken chainring bolt, chain, cog, tyre, and brake pads.

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User Ruserius has gained +3mph average speed.

I sympathise with both sets of photos

Hard as nails, but faster :p

Oh yeah, I should do that too, whether I make it or not

@kl do you (or anyone else for that matter) know a good pub to finish at in Sevenoaks? I'll pick one using google maps if it comes to it but a recommendation would be gratefulhandsemoji

For what is quite a purty town, 7oaks has pretty rubbish pubs tbh. However, if you're coming back the River Hill route, the White Hart is very nice, about half a mile out from 7oaks itself. A bit upmarket, decent beers and food, mostly caters to walkers who've been out in Knole Park, nice staff.

The Chequers in town is a nice old Tudor building, but a bit more of an old man boozer - it's where we've finished a few rides.

Amazing thank you! Sold on the White Hart, will give them a shout we'll be rolling through in the evening

Another HDiJ that I would have loved to have ridden but injury forces me to swerve.

Route looks sweet, just be mindful crossing the A228 at East Peckham. Roundabout on a dual carriageway where everyone drives like a maniac. The route takes you down a footpath for a few yards before you meet a road, so don’t go looking for an actual turning.
If you’re running out of fumes on the way back, Marden has a post office/cafe that seems to attract the local club riders.

Gutted to be missing it. A bit old chunk of life has happened. And very little riding has happened as a result. Just gutted.

May the road rise to meet you, and the wind be in your backs. Godspeed.

I will come (by car) to meet the ride at the lunch stop. I don't think there's much hope of me being able to get to the start early enough, but I have a feeling it's more likely that help may be useful on the way back.

I will bring: track pump and any spares I can find which might be useful, camera and the trophy which I hope can be presented at the finish.

I've been hesitant about this, but in the end it was the fact that this will be the 65th anniversary of the original ride which persuaded me to try to make the effort.

See you on the day,

Chris.

Did a bit of pre riding the course this am, unfortunately the weather on this side of the Atlantic looks absolutely grim this weekend. Torrential rain and a high wind advisory.

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i'm looking positive for this pending bike maintenance.
not much riding done in the latter part of 23 but i managed festive 500 so group riding should override the pain.

Rain and wind will resolve that ice issue at least.
Our forecast looking alright, rain or sunburn looking unlikely.

@kl As we're close you could come out with us for a wee loop to East Peckham?

Would have liked to do this, but have run it up the flagpole and apparently I'm on sponsored walk duty with the boy's primary school...

Make sure you leave a wee bit of room to carry a tiny but mighty snack, I'll be doling these out at the Grand Départ.

For the uninitiated: Bocadillo

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Alternative post ride event
https://www.lfgss.com/events/9276/

The king of bike snacks!

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