*Postponed* Rapha A Day In Hell - London

Looking for details of Rapha's 2021 Day in Hell rides?

> Rapha unleash hell with Paris Roubaix tribute rides in 6 UK locations >

A Day in Hell - formerly known as the "Hell of the North (London)" - is cycling brand Rapha's homage to Paris-Roubaix, the real Hell of the North.

The ride takes place on the same day as the legendary race and traditionally has seen riders spend the day riding round the lanes, bridlepath, footways and gravel paths of Hertfordshire before catching the last two hours (or less, depending on your speed) of the real Paris-Roubaix on the television in a Barnet pub.

2020 will see the 11th edition of the ride, and a new location at Herne Hill Velodrome. This marks a significant departure for the ride as it ventures into unexplored territories south of London. Expect more of the same as previous editions - numbered secteurs of off-road delights - before the treat of a lap of Herne Hill's historic velodrome at the finish.

What's it like?

A Day in Hell is roughly a 100km ride, with a different route each year. The 2018 edition was notable for being particularly bog like and damp, in contrast to the three preceding years which had beautiful weather and dry conditions.

Riders are recommended to bring decent 25mm or wider tires (we rode on 28mm tires with no issues last year) and plenty of spare inner tubes. There will be a feed stop at approximately 60km and knowing Rapha it will involve large quantities of high quality caffeine and some excellent flapjacks.

Read a ride report on Hell of the North 2014.

How to enter

There are usually around 300 spaces for the ride, with 200 allocated to the Rapha Cycling Club (RCC) and 100 available to the public. All UK-registered RCC members will be sent an email in early March with the ticket link. RCC members can purchase spaces on a first come first served basis. 

The remaining 100 public tickets are drawn by a random lottery. Follow Rapha on Twitter to get more details.

Tickets

Once a free event, alas growing popularity has seen Rapha slap on a cover charge - expect to pay around £30, if you're lucky enough to nab a place in the ballot. The entry fee does however include a special edition Rapha cap (handed out at the beginning of the ride), free sustenance at the feed stop, as well as Belgian beer and frites at the finish.