Photos by Geoff Livingston
Haute Route - widely regarded as one of the hardest amateur cycling events you can do, giving participants a taste of what it's like to race in a World Tour event. With different length to choose from, all are a gruelling sufferfest of an event, but in particular, 8 members of the Steed Race Team have chosen to take part in the 7-day event in the Alps this year.
Covering 755km and climbing more than 20,100m over 7 days, it's one of cycling's ultimate challenges available to mere mortals and will test a rider's mental and physical fortitude to the max. Good thing these folks have been training hard then on the mountains of the North Shore, an ideal training ground for attacking the holy grounds of the European Alps.
So without further ado, let's get to know the team that'll be out there representing Steed Cycles.
Eric Hung
Bike: 2023 S-Works Tarmac SL7
Wheels/Tires: Reserve 40/44’s with tubeless Continental GP5000 tubeless
Groupset: Shimano Dura-Ace 12 spd
Favourite part of setup: Good balance between climbing, descending and racing. The Reserve 40/44’s are good for the hills but with an aero tilt and descend with confidence.
Changes made for HR: Changed the cassette from 11-30 to 11-34 for those long steep climbs. Switched wheels from the Roval 50/64’s to the Reserve 40/44’s to save weight and increase control during the descents
Favourite local route: Demo forest to British Properties to Horseshoe Bay. 2nd favourite… Triple Seymour.
Additional Notes: Started hot waxing my chains… it’s a pain in the ass at the start but I’m two months and 4 chains in and I’m diggin’ it! A clean bike is a fast bike
Steve Savage
Rich Costello
Bike: Specialized Aethos, S-Works
Wheels/tires: Roval deep boys: Conti 28mm clinchers
Groupset: Dura Ace di2 52/36 with Ultegra rd - 11-34 cassette
Love about the bike: The Aethos is the ideal companion for the mountains and is easy to travel with re:external cables. Comforting to have the range in my cassette for any steel climbs or bad leg feels.
Changes for HR: Switched to Ultegra RD and wide range 11-34t cassette
Favourite local route: in preparation for HR, I’ve been getting familiar with Mt Seymour (over 25x this year). Efficient place to do some intervals and prepare for the Alps.
Additional notes: excited to share the expertise with the guys. It’s hard enough to get everyone out for a group ride so this will be special!
Mike Berkeley
Ryan Golbeck
Matthew Van Nostrand
Ben Sigston
wheels/tires: Roval/Continental GP 5000 TR
Groupset: Ultegra Di2
Clarke Bayles
Bike: Giant TCR Advanced Pro 0
Wheels/tires: Giant SLR 1 with CADEX race tubeless tires
Groupset: Ultegra 12sp
Bike Highlights: no integrated bar/stem combo makes travelling easier.
Changes for HR: changed to a 34-11 cassette for climbing
Favourite Local Route: STEED!
Additional Notes: I had a liver transplant in 2010, I was given less than 2 years to live without it. So I’m just happy to be here!
Honourable mentions
Geoff Watts
Geoff had planned to take part in Haute Route this year, however due to injury he has had to sit this one out. We hope you heal up soon, Geoff!
