Ningishzidda
Senior Member
When your bike has 'sensible' gearing ...How long do you think, before this day comes? I've been cycling for over 40 years and it aint arrived yet
When your bike has 'sensible' gearing ...How long do you think, before this day comes? I've been cycling for over 40 years and it aint arrived yet
I know it well! It is a proper hill.
I've got a little loop which goes up Grange Road, up the cutting at Thurstaston, back around to Montogomery Hill, up Thurstaston and repeat as many times as you feel like it and on the last turn of Montgomery hill go back up Column Road, down Grammar School lane and around to Black Horse Hill: You can see it below.
http://app.strava.com/activities/20918270
It's one of the few ways you can practise hills around here. It'll hurt but just think how better up hills you'll be.
Today! You're mad. No, you're joking, you've got to be joking, even on a mtn bike you wouldn't get through the slush, it's horrible on the roads.Thats very cool!
Might do that today given theres now 2 inches of snow on the ground!!
Strava tracklogs in METRIC please. It makes entry into 'HillCatsCalc.xlsx' easier.
Start to top of Column Rd is a Category 3.
Thurstaston Hill is a Category 3.
The hill mid way is a Category 4.
Column Hill doesn't classify.
Black Horse Hill doesn't classify.
And do you know how they originally came up with the classification system? It was the gear needed by the race organisers Citroen Avant to get up the hill. Hors Category meant they couldn't get the car up the hill. No surprise really...
Aha, I just checked on Wikipedalia - Cat 4 came in later and hors catégorie even laterI'm not sure that story is entirely accurate... If it is, it may not have been on the basis of the car in the picture.
I owned and drove one for a year or so and it was blessed with only three forward gears.
Unlike to 2cv, whose gearbox was described in house as "3-speed with overdrive", the Traction had no fourth forward gear of any description.
The gear change nonetheless remains one of my favourite. Like a Moto Guzzi, it wouldn't be hurried but it felt... sublime. Also like a Guzzi.
Carry on.
In 1962, the fourth category was added. The points system was also revised: the first category now gave 15 points for the first cyclist, the second category 10 points, the third category 5 points and the fourth category 3 points. Although the fourth category disappeared in 1963, it came back again in 1964. The system with four categories kept in place until 1978, although the points distribution changed over the years.
In 1979, four categories was considered not enough, and another category was added. Instead of adding a "fifth category", the Tour organisation decided to add a "Hors Category".
And do you know how they originally came up with the classification system? It was the gear needed by the race organisers Citroen Avant to get up the hill. Hors Category meant they couldn't get the car up the hill. No surprise really...
You know, hills only apply the laws of physics to you if the hill knows your there. I tend to sneak up on them & then explode up the road. My hill conversations go a little like:Hill: "You're a fat, old git and you'll give yourself a heart attack if you carry on like that"
Me: "Hurrumph".
...
Hill: "Did you have thirds of pasta again today? It still counts even if it's after the others have left the table".
Me: "Just FARK OFF Hill!!!"
Today! You're mad. No, you're joking, you've got to be joking, even on a mtn bike you wouldn't get through the slush, it's horrible on the roads.