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Even with nine of us we were dividing into three groups quite often. Pairs and threes are much easier to manage if you want to stop, but the moment you have one group that wants to motor along and another that wants to enjoy the trailside amenities, you can end up with friction.

I really enjoyed the ride and the company and I'm looking forward to another one.

Thanks for having me along I really enjoyed the ride... and I'm very proud of my hard-earned RTC badge!

Can folks pm me their names and if they're meeting at Mitcham, coming from Ivy House or meeting us on the way?

I wish they were filming again. Francis Cade's videos from last year (or was it the year before), were pretty good.

To keep things simple, I'll wait at Mitcham Eastfields, here: https://www.google.com/maps/@51.4075404,-0.154485,3a,75y,222.04h,84.95t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1snYovJ3nYHPm21VIAftJDBA!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo1.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DnYovJ3nYHPm21VIAftJDBA%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D163.96115%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192

Until the group from Ivy House arrives, then we'll all set off together.

This is the route I am planning to follow: https://cycle.travel/map/journey/107557
The site gives you the option to download almost any type of GPS file - I'll be using a track.

What? No stickers!

Sounds good to me.

If you go back a few pages, I posted a few shots from my recce ride of the route.
https://www.lfgss.com/comments/14785886/
It's road/tarmac until Epsom, then we cross the race course - its chalk/flint at that point, then leads to clay/sand and into woodland, after that it's road again, then fine gravel (a managed trail). The Downs link itself is gravel. After Stan's Bike Hut it's rougher gravel/clinker then fine gravel (managed trail).

It's all rideable on 28c light touring tyres. I probably wouldn't want to take 25c or 23c tyres unless you need some fillings removed and thin sidewall race tyres would probably be a mistake.

Those very high temps took a pretty heavy toll in last year's race as well.

For those of us meeting at Mitchum Eastfields, can I suggest we meet on the pavement to the left of the level crossing?

I can send you a location share, just pm me your e-mail address

Looks like Rudi Verwimp is off to a bad start...https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2221874198067990&set=gm.2516236075093719&type=3&theater&ifg=1

Good luck all, looking forwards to following your progress.

I just got on the train last time, there's enough of us to use GroupSave and pay a lot less anyway.
Rush hour restriction into London are in the morning, not the evening.

The train was pretty spacious and it'll be quite empty in that direction.

This is my current front end. I want to keep it looking quite tidy and still have access to the stuff I need.
I was running a Topeak handlebar bag for a while, but got fed up with it sagging and wanted to fit tribars for more comfort on long rides.

I just let the programme choose the route and then dragged it closer to where I want to go.
It's a great programme and I use it all the time, if you click on any road and select "Find photos" it'll show you photos tagged with that GPS location, it's saved me from some pretty miserable roads over the years and also found me some gems (beautiful rideable bridlepaths through open country).

The route to Ware shows a pretty open towpath along the river and I'm a sucker for rivers. Mangrove Road looks nice too. Singletrack along the edge of woodland by the looks of things.

Tried a rough first pass here: https://cycle.travel/map/journey/116956
How does this look?

Dear lord...although I'm a similar age.

Is it a worthwhile route and if so, would you mind sharing it?

I'm on a direct line to Luton, so it might make a nice day ride one weekend. I haven't done many routes north of London.

Has anyone tried one of these? https://www.apidura.com/shop/racing-handlebar-pack/
It looks like my dream front end set up, just a lot more expensive than I had expected to pay.

I'd be tempted to put the zip roll on the front part of the loop with the opening facing towards you.

You could add Tom Probert, I met him in Normandy. He'd just finished the Normandicat - really nice guy.
He placed well on the GBDuro as well (7th). He's riding as a pair this year Cap no. 245b

Should we share mobile numbers?

Horrible creaking and clicking bottom bracket was solved by removing Shimano Alfine cranks, cleaning the axle and wiping down all exposed surfaces.
Bottom bracket cups were removed and bottom bracket wiped down.
Both pedals were removed.

BB threads were greased with copperslip and BB cups re-installed.
Chainset reinistalled and left-hand crank was reinstalled correctly.
Pedal threads greased with copperslip and reinstalled.

As an aside, rear axle nuts (they're proper tracknuts) were greased, so captive washers turned easily on the nut. Axle ends given a dob of grease and the axle nuts tightened up correctly.

Result: silence!

Saw these pics on Instagram the other night. Very nice!