Originally Posted by
lhbernhardt
Big goal for 2014 will be the Hoodoo 500 on the fixie, just because there's a fixed-gear category, and there doesn't appear to be any record. I had noticed that the fixed gear category had disappeared from their web site around September, and when I sent an email query, they replied that riding the event on fixed gear was not recommended. But now I see it's back in. I am a firm believer in using the wrong bike for the event (none of this "having a stable of bikes for every purpose" for me! It's one track bike with brakes and a few component changes. So a track bike (with brakes) is perfect for hilly ultras!
I also am planning on doing the Cino Heroica; I've actually found a set of slotted cleats that bolt to shoes with the Look 3-hole pattern, so I can use my old retro pedals in addition to the steel fixie. Not really ultra distances, but it's mostly gravel ("strada bianca"), so a fixie with 23mm tires should be appropriate. I had some light snow to practice on during my commutes so far this winter.
OK, Hoodoo 500, check.
Next week is the Cino Heroica. I'd better get the old pedals with toe clips on my steel fixie, and put the cleats on some road shoes! The ride requires a "heroic" bike. I'm also putting together an old De Rosa for my wife, with lots of my old parts I no longer use: Campag Super Record rear derailleur, Simplex retrofriction downtube shifters, clamp-on Campag front derailleur, etc.
I also managed to get an SR series in there, along with the odd 300 km brevet (setting up for Hoodoo) as well as a populaire on gravel roads. I may also throw in a 1,000 km brevet to get an earlier registration time for PBP 2015.
Luis