0

Your basket is empty

Go to shop »

[ locale string ]

Hell of the North

By Joe Hall • 12th April 2010 07:33pm • Posted in Events

On Sunday our highly-anticipated Hell of the North ride took place. With glorious spring weather and a 200+ turn out, we knew there was some fun to be had.

Setting off from Highgate, up the A1000 and into the Hertfordshire lanes, the route then took in varying types of 'off-road' sections that made this different to your average Sunday club run. Route cards were distributed at the start and pink way-markers were provided, but it still took some exploration to latch on to the precise route (all part of the enjoyment).

Whilst there were plenty of undulating lanes with smooth tarmac and rolling green pastures, the 20 sectors of gravé we laid out made sure everyone's bike handling and power was tested. Across pothole-ridden dirt roads, down under-passes, through quagmires and streams, to almost impossible-to-ride farm tracks, everyone got stuck in (some more than others).

It was great to see plenty out on road bikes, some opting for slick 23's with 120 psi. Others donned cross bikes, hybrids and even full-suspension! From roadies with carbon, traditional steel frames ridden in woollen tights, to mountain-bikers in their baggies, a spectrum of riders joined in on a brilliant day out.

The finish at the Black Horse pub in Barnet was swamped by crowds of cyclists to watch Paris-Roubaix 2010 whilst enjoying beer and frites. Bikes were washed in the back yard as their tired but happy owners relaxed in the front garden. Of course, somewhat predictably, Mr. Cancellara romped to victory in super-human style to claim the actual Hell of the North and leave the rest in the dust.

Thanks to everyone who rode and helped in the organisation and running of the event.

Please keep an eye out for further Rapha rides and screenings this summer at Rapha Cycle Club, including each stage of the Giro and the Tour de France.

View the full Flickr set of the Rapha Hell of the North.

Photos © Andrew Diprose

Rapha Hell of the North 2010 1 from LondonCycleSport on Vimeo.

View John Mulineaux's write up and helmet-cam videos at LondonCycleSport.

Read David Arthur's account of the ride at RoadCyclingUK.

And here is a great video documenting Paris-Roubaix 2010, sourced by our man in New Amsterdam, Slate Olson:

Comments

Chris Tree

13th April 2010 11:40am

All this whilst I pounded 13.1 miles round the back lanes of the Kentish Weald, I run in my other life, but…

I'd rather be riding my bike.
I missed you all, truly.

--------------

The top picture is fantastic, could have been taken anywhere that Northern France has to offer! Hope you all had a great day!

Claire Beaumont

13th April 2010 02:49pm

Epic day. Good route. Great race
Hats off to the riders on single speeds.

Brian Palmer

13th April 2010 06:56pm

i'd just like to re-iterate that i got lost en-route to the start and not hungover on saturday eve, as may have been scurrilously rumoured around the rapha office.

Michael Edwards

13th April 2010 10:18pm

Glad you like the top picture, that's my mate Carl with me behind….will he ever get a better picture of himself cycling. What a great day…thanks Rapha

Patrick Smith

15th April 2010 10:02pm

that's me riding through the ford!

Paul Reynolds

16th April 2010 03:38pm

Go FIREFLIES!

Gethin Howells

16th April 2010 07:30pm

More photos of the ride on

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?id=541020017&;aid=406670

hope you like them!

Rapha Blog RSS feed