OP
OP
bikeman66
Senior Member
- Location
- Isle of Wight
I'd say go for it Big Dave.
I considered an 11-30, but it would have meant a new chain and new rear mech, so I thought I'd grin and bear it with the 11-28. As it turned out I think it was the right choice. I guess it depends on the general fitness and strength of the rider, and although I was fairly fit due to participation in rowing as a sport, I've only been back on a road bike since September last year, it was only since Christmas that me and a mate started training for the Mont Ventoux trip in earnest.
We live on the Isle of Wight, so with a maximum elevation of 240 metres a.s.l, big climbs are almost unheard of. We would just go out on a Saturday afternoon, do a scenic route that would take in some of the toughest, steepest climbs possible, and that was pretty much our training for Ventoux.
Weight was definitely an issue too. I weigh about 12 stone, and found the climb tough but fairly comfortable and felt stronger as we went up. One of my mates is about the same height as me, but weighs around 14.5 stone. He had exactly the same gearing available, is physically considerably stronger than I am but struggled alot during the ride.
I actually decided to have a go at Ventoux last August, when we were in the area on holiday. As soon as I got home, I ordered a road bike and took it from there. Part of the deal was to get it done before I was 50, so with 13 months to spare I'm happy to have achieved that one.
I'm currently running at around 13st 10lb but it's coming off fast so should hit 13 in a couple of months. Aiming for 12.5 as a maintenance weight so it should help massively.
