A bakery in Geraardsbergen The bottom of the hill The top of the hill Nicole Cook Stijn Devolder on his way to victory Tom Boonen
Specialized did him some bespoke front forks I believe, with Zertz inserts, like those in the seat stays.
Here's one of the Kemmelberg: Okay, it isn't really the Kemmelberg but it gives you an idea of what it would have been like coming down it before they put the tarmac descent in this year - madness! I've posted this picture before - it is The Buttress in Hebden Bridge. I tried riding down it once but only got about 50 metres before I chickened out and that wasn't on the steepest section. I almost crashed when I braked. Believe it or not - this is on the official route of the Pennine Cycleway - crazy decision of the route planners. There is a quiet road parallel to that which is (just) rideable so I think they should have used that instead. I've only heard of one guy managing to ride up it. I'm going to have a go when I've lost a lot of weight. It wouldn't be quite so bad on a mountain bike, but it would be an absolute killer on a road bike. The bottom section is close to 30% and there is a drainage channel to get over at the top of that.
Swiss Hill is better / rougher (Alderley Edge) - You are only meant to go up this type of hill.......
That doesn't look worse... but I still wouldn't fancy riding up or down it! As for the Buttress... it is criminally stupid to send cyclists down it, but the cycleway sign at the top does just that! I tell you what - I fancy a stroll. I'll take my camera out and film the climb/descent. I'll post it on YouTube later.
Panoramic view on the BBC website. That's the 'Hovis' hill isn't it! Hang on, by the mighty power of Google/YouTube I bring you... a classic British TV ad from way back ! Yep, that's pretty damn tough, but at least there is some room for zigzagging. The Buttress is too narrow for that so you either go straight up it, or more likely, you don't! I like Somerset, Devon and Cornwall but I've never been to Dorset. It looks really nice down there - I must go down with my bike one day.
