Gears for Highclere

stevoracer

Hi All, signed up rather hastily for the 123Km Route at Highclere this year, my first Sportive.....think I must be in a mid life crisis!

Needs some recomendations on gearing. Have a Ultegra 9 speed with a 53/39t crankset, 12-25t casstette.

I've been OK ish on my Holiday rides around North Cornwall where there looks to be some similar climbs, but Is this suicide? Relectant to buy a new compact chainset but don't want to arrive back in the broom wagon.

Does anyone have any recomendations for gearing? Did the wrong selection spell disaster, what's your experience?

ju5t1n

There’s at least one VERY steep hill, I’d be tempted to go a little lower.

Feltup

The worst that will happen with that gearing is you will have to walk the steepest hill(s) which is not the end of the world as cycling up them wont be that much faster. If you can normally cycle similar hills then stick with it and draw on the power of the riders around you to help you up

cjcp

Did the long route on a 53/39 x 12/25 last year and didn't think I needed anything easier. There's a steep but short climb about 10 miles in, I think. It's immediately after a sharp left turn, which follows a descent, so have your gears at the ready!

If you want have a bail out gear just in case, go with a 27.

craker

They've done a nasty thing by taking you up and down Walbury hill, and straight back up to Combe Gibbet.

If you're smart you'll follow the track that joins the two hill tops (part of Wayfarer's Walk) though you'll need a cross bike and face disqualification :oops:

I used to do these climbs when I were a nipper (in the 90s) on a 2 x 7 geared road bike, can't remember any ratios when did compact gearing first appear? Hard yes, impossible no you'll be out of the saddle standing on the pedals.

It's near the start of the ride so you'll have plenty of strength

I'll be doing the 77 mile ride too, further than I'm totally confidant about (eg I'll be hurting by the end). What sort of mileages are you folks doing at the moment? I'm hoping one more long (60 mile+) ride should be training enough.

fnb1

I am over 100kilos and can hack that hill in a similar gear set up, just do not go too hard too early as the general rolling nature of the route, even the shorter one failry takes it out of you if you are tempted to pace with riders above your level. With the exception of that one hill all the others are long drags.

Know your ability, ride at it, and enjoy the road, it is a well organised event though some nice countryside.

stevoracer

Thanks everyone, I find hills tough and think i'm tempted for a 2nd hand compact crankset or bigger cassette though. Other than that, think i'm going loose some kilo's & train, train train....