Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

OPINION

The Gauntlet

Avatar

I'm going to do this bike up.

Then I'm going to ride it at sportives next year, with the sole aim of beating a rider on an expensive bike up a steep climb.

Make sure it isn't you  1

Stay tuned for the restoration...

Dave is a founding father of road.cc, having previously worked on Cycling Plus and What Mountain Bike magazines back in the day. He also writes about e-bikes for our sister publication ebiketips. He's won three mountain bike bog snorkelling World Championships, and races at the back of the third cats.

Add new comment

18 comments

Avatar
andylul | 12 years ago
0 likes

That's me safe in the Hell of Ashdown, then - mind, my Ribble doesn't count as 'expensive'  4

Avatar
SideBurn | 12 years ago
0 likes

Is that the VC Meudon monty dog?

Avatar
monty dog | 12 years ago
0 likes

If you're really serious about riding that thing, try L'eroica?

I used to turn out for some of our fast club rides on an old Gios Compact that weighed about 22lbs - ride was predominantly E, first and second cats and we'd go for a 90 mile thrash around the Surrey Hills. Always a degree of satisfaction getting to the top of those hills first.

Avatar
SideBurn | 12 years ago
0 likes

The Dartmoor Classic is not for the feint hearted have done it three times...only once on a carbon. I am happy to give you a prize from the top shelf if you can beat me up any of the hills next year!! But I do like your bike...makes me think I could dust off my rusty Raleigh and try for a gold medal on that  16 Note the big words with months to go...won't be so cocky the night before  31

Avatar
TheHatter | 12 years ago
0 likes

plenty of power climbs on the Chiltern 100 - full of home counties carbon

Avatar
Fringe | 12 years ago
0 likes

yep Dartmoor Classic, easily the best ive done in the last two years (and better than the Dragon i reckon)...mind you the FoD spring classic was tougher, even though it's got less total meters in climbing the hills are unrelenting (all 18) and all short (ish) and steep-er.

Dunkery Dash audax could be a good 'warm-up'.  4

Avatar
jezzer | 12 years ago
0 likes

Dave - Dartmoor Classic highly recommended. Any plans for a mayhem timed sportive this year?

Avatar
giff77 | 12 years ago
0 likes

@ Dave - Innishowen, Causeway Challenge are two that spring to mind both over in Ireland. The causeway challenge has one climb that will make you weep!! At least I did!! Flat out in the Fens - yes it's flat but when the temp hits the 30's and you're trying to maintain a decent cadance and there's a brisk wind that always seems to be in your face, well 'nough said  3

Avatar
dave atkinson | 12 years ago
0 likes
Quote:

I too would like to know your sportive calendar for next year

Dunno for sure. but probs i'll be at the Lionheart, FoD spring classic and the Dragon. Fred Whitton hopefully, but probably *not* on the BSA  1

I'd like to try some ones i've not done before too. who has recommendations?

Avatar
dave atkinson | 12 years ago
0 likes
Quote:

Wanna see what the strongman of road.cc is riding

you're confusing me with mat  1

Quote:

What about cheap carbon bikes?

Mostly I'm going for madones and cervelos, stuff like that. need to drop a few pounds though  1

Avatar
Whippet | 12 years ago
0 likes

What about cheap carbon bikes?  3

Avatar
cat1commuter | 12 years ago
0 likes

Nice that it has 700c wheels. Gives you so many more options, tyre choice etc...

Only other gotcha I can think of is the threaded headset. When I tried, most decent replacements (with cartridge bearings) had too big a stack height, which wouldn't leave enough steerer to thread onto at the top. We had to settle for a cheap replacement.

Avatar
rbx | 12 years ago
0 likes

Lets say bikes under £1000 don't count as expensive.

Then, I don't need to be ashamed when you beat me up the easiest of climbs on every sportive.

Seriously, like Othello, I too would like to know your sportive calendar for next year. Wanna see what the strongman of road.cc is riding  1

Avatar
mspoke | 12 years ago
0 likes

I count the number of carbon bikes I pass on hills during sportives on my Brian Rourke steel frame and then see if I can pass the same amount on the descent as it just fires away downhill given its weight.

Ups and Downs.

Avatar
giff77 | 12 years ago
0 likes

Not much room for a motor in the bottom bracket dave  4 Though like othello you'll probably drop me no matter where  2 the retro kit will be a nice touch. Looking forward to following the restoration and bragging  3

Avatar
dave atkinson | 12 years ago
0 likes

they're 700cs so shouldn't be too bad. i might re-lace them cause the spokes are past their best. the rims and hubs are fine though.

the equilibrium is currently undergoing a transformation into a 'proper' audax bike. i did overtake a couple of cervelos on the bwlch last time i did the dragon on it. but it'll be even more fun on this  1

perhaps i should get some retro kit too. or is that taking it too far?

Avatar
cat1commuter | 12 years ago
0 likes

Are those 700c wheels Dave? If they're 27", that would be the most awkward part of the restoration. Unless you plan to keep them.

I thought you were already leaving expensive bikes in you wake on our Genesis Equilibrium.

Avatar
othello | 12 years ago
0 likes

Can you pubish your calendar for 2012 please Dave, so I can avoid you at every opportunity  4

I know you would beat my lardy arse up a hill, even if you were on a Raleigh folding shopper!

Latest Comments