Budget Bike Vs Epic Ultra Gran Fondo | Tour Des Stations

[@gcn]

Who should ride the Tour des Stations next and what other challenges would you like to see us take on?

[@jamesmacdonald7]

Hank, you're "it" :)

[@pauldolphin7961]

Lasty!

[@jasonmcgrody9472]

Si because he'll be 40. Show all of us he's still got it.

[@francodellamura7471]

Manon.

[@PaulLangmead]

Beginner ameteur Pro would be good. Also Emma Pooley - would be good to see a dedicated climber take it on.

[@b4f495]

Loved the vid! Keep doing entry level bike content please, it's more relatable for us cycling hobbyists.

[@LorenzoEnzooey]

Agreed

[@gcn]

We'll definitely bring more entry-level bike content in the future. What would you like to see?

[@Aureas133]

I think more hobbyists ride ultegra than Sora. Very little real entrance level bikes on the club runs or sportive I;ve attended....

[@justinlangley3432]

@@Aureas133 You think the majority of hobbyists ride a >£1000 groupset?

[@laterreurrouge1917]

@@gcn For example basic planning for training, Warm-up and "aftercare", roadbiking-on-a-budget, training for longer tours (50/100/200...km) ...maybe? Maybe there are already videos about all of that, I just discovered your channel recently^^

[@chipper4863]

Hey Conor, great video! I did the tour des stations and we actually chatted some times during it. You saved me at the end of the mur d'Hérémence when you gave me and my buddies your sweets (the strawberries) and I was actually in a really bad place as well. Thanks to you, I had some better minutes before stonking hard again! But respect for the mentality! Loved chatting with you, was so nice seeing you there! Cheers mate, Julien

[@conordunne219]

Hey Julien, ah nice one I'm glad the sweets helped you out!!! I'd had enough of them by that point haha. Great effort mate, you were looking super strong and I had no idea you were struggling. Thanks for the kind words and great to meet you, Conor

[@LouieBaLLz]

I make fun of Ollie being dropped all the timee, but this proves how much of a beast he is on the bike.I also want to give Conor a big kudos for the insane effort too. And, I think it's time to tag Hank in for next year. Sorry Hank.🤪

[@rogerdodger2009]

don't worry hank, i'll come with you! we'll have a blast!

[@declanbroderick4453]

@@rogerdodger2009 I'd like to see Simon do it. I think he is the rider I could have been if I trained all my life. It would also be nice to see someone with no hill experience train for a year to compete it with a GCN presenter

[@tomm1413]

Why not let both Hank and Sy do it? Would be fun to see how they compare on such an epic ride

[@conordunne219]

Ollie is a flyer on the bike, his effort last year was insane. And big thanks, glad you enjoyed this one!

[@cornishcat11]

@@conordunne219 really good seeing you push yourself mate . great effort.

[@markbentley4343]

We’ve gotta send in Si in 2023 to set the new GCN record. Many congrats Conor - great effort!

[@KarlosEPM]

On a steel bike fitted with Claris.

[@justinlangley3432]

@@KarlosEPM Ouch!

[@leonbroekx]

Or Hank on the most expensive, best equipped bike ever. And see that he still can't beat Dr Bridgewood.

[@philipcooper8297]

@@KarlosEPM On the Eurobike.

[@JMcLeodKC711]

Send Manon just because she’s Manon.

[@BIIIKES]

Conor (and GCN), this was an amazing piece of film. Your effort, the ride itself, doing it on a groupset most of us can relate to, and the level of cinematography made this my favorite GCN published piece ever (GCN+ worthy). Thank you guys and gals!

[@gcn]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

[@callielou7]

I totally agree! I loved every bit of this and am going to watch it on my large monitor to enjoy the scenary! Well done, you stuck with it, through all the pain. Shows alot of grit!

[@guymorris6596]

I have Shimano Sora on my 2012 Masi Alare aluminum road bike. I don't like the downshift tab that projects from within the shift levers. It means I have to adjust my hand position while shifting gears during riding.

[@guymorris6596]

Ride strong. Relentless forward progress, just like I learned in ultrarunning. Finishing is winning. Go for it !! Allez ! Venga! You can do it ! My new to me bike is a 2012 Masi Alare aluminum road bike with a Shimano Sora groupset. This Monday I rode 57.18 miles in 5 hours, 12 minutes and that included a 12.8 mph headwind for just under seven miles. Yesterday, Saturday, I rode my Lemond Reno road bike frame with the components from my Lemond Buenos Aires for just over 25 miles in 3 hours. I know these distances and times might not be impressive but they work for me. I was almost killed here in Texas on my way to work on December 20 2016. My car, stationary in a left turn lane ten minutes from work, was crashed into head on and rear end at very high speed by trucks. I died five times that day and I'm still here. The state trooper handling that crash scene falsified all the reports, gave me a ticket for something I didn't do and didn't write tickets to the guilty reckless drivers. I have pain issues to deal with when I ride but I still do ride because cycling is a passion and lifestyle for me.

[@BIIIKES]

@@guymorris6596 keep riding, brother! Glad you’re still here with us.

[@matskelton9589]

It is more and more obvious that cycling, at any level, on any bike, over any distance, by anyone, can be brutally demanding and sooooo rewarding at the same time. Cracking effort Connor

[@conordunne219]

Big thanks Mat!

[@michaelprince814]

Have to say the more I watch Conor the more I admire how humble and genuine he is. He is obviously still insanely fit to be able to still complete this event and to see his struggle and persevere is actually very inspiring. Would love to see more of these videos like this. You are a legend mate keep it up.

[@strawhorn1]

I think it's time for a 5 v Ollie challenge. Can any one of 5 GCN presenters beat Ollie's time. Come on Si, Alex, Hank, Manon and Dan. I was also going to suggest Hanks dad on an unlimited Ebike with as many batteries as required but it is a massive distance. Maybe Dan could take the Ebike instead

[@reoencarcelado5904]

@ the part "Maybe Dan could take the Ebike instead" of @strawhorn1's-comment/post: Not necessary. If the stereotype about Dan_liking_beer_so-much is true, you can bet your very last quid that if there's a free beer for Dan at the end of the finish line (or a free unlimited-supply of beer instead of just 1 beer, at the end of the finish line) he'll be there and he'll do whatever-it-takes to finish that Ultra Gran Fondo.

[@philipcooper8297]

That's very similar to what my bike trips in the mountains usually look like. I start with a smile on my face, then after getting over the first big climbs I make a stop for food and to cry a bit.😀 Good effort, Conor.

[@MrRideBikesFastDownHills]

Ollie may be the king of getting dropped but dang that young man can climb. Well done for completing the route Connor. A massive undertaking and an effort not to be dismissed or thought of lightly.

[@struancochrane753]

Conor fair play, I love your approach out of the gate, "sod the plan I feel great"! You represent all of us who ride by feel and then fall into a hole! Really enjoy the different approaches taken by you and Olli as well as the others on the GCN team. Was hoping for a message from Olli as you crossed the line!

[@conordunne219]

Thank you so much!!

[@shred3005]

When Conor was lying on the ground near the end, that’s exactly how I felt going up the back of Falls Creek on the 250km Victorian Alpine Classic. My Garmin was saying 40°C and there were cyclist crawling, vomiting in the ditch everywhere. It’s like hell at that point. I feel for you mate.

[@jeremypritchard569]

These epic rides on budget bikes are my favourite videos. Great effort Connor. I'd like to see Si and Dan try it next or even Blake, Rich or Neil have a go on road bikes.

[@robbchastain3036]

Lasty on his shopping trolley. 😀

[@grintalcycles8266]

@@robbchastain3036 I miss Lasty doing the suffering climb vids.

[@robbchastain3036]

@@grintalcycles8266 I agree, Lasty needs to stop hiding from the camera and he needs to be the superstar cycling presenter we remember. And someone needs to toss a brick at that Brick moniker and be done with it. We need to see him suffer and climb to new heights like the best of 'em. And maybe show everyone how to do some tricks on a shopping trolley. 😀

[@gcn]

@@grintalcycles8266 No one suffers quite like Lasty on a climb!

[@danc1829]

Love this as it shows RIM BRAKES paired with an ALLOY WHEELSET are more than enough. I always find it funny when people in the UK state they NEED discs on a road bike yet you see hundreds of people on events like this in the Alpes on much bigger and longer decsents just fine on rim brakes. At 8.4kg in Sora it's on par with most 5k disc bikes in 105 but owes you a grand... Marketing has really worked wonders in cycling 😂😂 Great video Connor and thanks for keeping it real 👊

[@gcn]

You can't beat a good old rim VS disc brakes debate! Check out our video where we did some tests comparing the two 👉 kzbin.info/www/bejne/eHrah5WXgbKYsNk

[@danc1829]

@@gcn I watched that and the tests results are floored imo. You've basically only shown that alloy is a better braking material than carbon.... Well no surprise 😂😂 To make it fair is should have been.. Alloy disc rotor vs alloy rim brake and obviously the results would have been far closer... Or u could of used a carbon rotor against a carbon rim brake wheelset that would have been a laugh 😂😂

[@extravaganza69]

@@danc1829 the clue was that you can have a better carbon wheel yet keep the great braking performance.

[@voonyboy]

@@gcn I though I knew that discs where what I always wanted until I hired a pinarello in mallorca this year that had alluminium wheels and rim breaks. I can now honestly say I would not care what bike I got (and rim break bikes on ebay are much cheaper!) Descending Sa Collabra is one of the best tests of brake I can think of!

[@danc1829]

@@extravaganza69 Not always that simple in my experience... I had stock Slr1 wheels giant (rim brake) and in the wet I agree the braking wasn't great as test results on weight weenies also show this in the wet the stopping was over 10s... However now on my Boras in the wet again tested stopping in the wet was reduced to 2.9s... Basically not all carbon rim brake wheelsets proform as equal... Zipp and Farsports also offer excellent wet weather braking on carbon wheels. However in the wet disc or rim the biggest issue will always be traction on a 25 / 28mm tyre

[@nk-dw2hm]

I've done about this distance in 10 hours of moving time with 1.5 hours resting. But that was on entirely flat ground. I wouldn't make it up the first mountain, great job to everyone who done this

[@tinwhiskerSC]

Fair play to Conor, there's no way I could do that. On another note, everyone gives Ollie a lot of crap for getting dropped or any number of other things but he really is a strong rider.

[@colinmartin2689]

Everyone? less one, I respect Ollie's efforts, when the presenters let slip some numbers, I know they are strong riders. Well done Conor.

[@ChristianCastleman]

Pretty sure Ollie is only GCN presenter to drop Contador on a climb

[@raff5604]

I absolutely love the way Connor presents every video. The scenery is incredible.

[@conordunne219]

Thanks a lot Raff!!

[@LukeGJPotter]

At 22:56, Conor is basically the person from the song "The Distance", because: The sun has gone down and the moon has come up And long ago somebody left with the cup But he's driving and striving and hugging the turns And thinking of someone for whom he still burns ... that "someone" is Ollie, the dropper of Contador.

[@Draknareth]

That looked brutal, well done Conor. I struggled enough with 800m of climbing for my first century, I don't even want to think about over 8000m

[@FlatSpinMan]

Wow! That was fantastic. Poor Connor just suffered his way to the end, but huge respect to him. Also, how amazing was Olli last year in that torrential rain?!

[@gcn]

Don't tell him we said it as we don't want his head getting any bigger, but Ollie's efforts last year were pretty impressive!

[@BozoTheBear]

You're a freakin' legend!! According to my calculations, the average gradient for the trip was 3.5%. However, that's just dividing the total climb by the total length. Given that it went down about as much as up, it's probably more like going up and down 7% mountains for 240+km. That's just nuts!!

[@gcn]

When you put it like that, it makes it sound even tougher...and we didn't think that was even possible!

[@bantolphbantir9605]

I did the Ultrafondo this year and actually passed Conor on the climb up to Crans Montana. He was agonizing so much that I didn't even recognize him. Between that, the cheap bike, and my slow but steady pace I didn't think that there was anyway that was an actual GCN presenter I went by. I thought it was just somebody who bought a GCN cycling jersey who was in way over their head. Glad to see he finally made it.

[@bittiapina]

Fantastic video! Well done, Conor! 👏This makes me so happy seeing you give some love to an entry level bike with Sora. I still ride my 2014 Specialized with Sora groupset and it's nice to see with videos like this that it's less about the equipment when it comes to events like this and more about the physical fitness and fortitude to carry on even when your body is screaming to just quit 😁

[@gcn]

As long as you've got a bike, there's always a 2-wheeled challenge out there for you to take on!

[@FernandoSLima]

I am so glad to watch this video. I have a 2005 bike full sora component with a local frame builder and sill using it. What a journey.... Congrats.

[@nzmarty]

Huge kudos Connor. Seriously. Just dug so deep with humility and humour the whole way. Love watching GCN and all the presenters but if it comes down to a coffee ride around the lanes - I’m coming with you :) onya!!

[@AbiShafi]

I think it should be Manon, I’ve seen her do cobbles, an epic gravel race, a backpacking adventure, the steep climbs around Bath or was it Bristol and a velodrome but I don’t think I’ve seen her do a ride like the one Conor just did! 😎🚴‍♂️😎🚴‍♂️

[@Seppster58]

Great way to start the day and watch Conor and the GCN crew take on an epic climb. Conor, even though you missed the cut-off time, this really shows how committed you were to finish. This was a great piece of video. Thanks for the share!!

[@gcn]

Thanks Steve - always appreciate the great comments & support! 👍

[@alinapopescu872]

Great effort! I can't even begin to imagine how hard this race must be! Kudos to Ollie, too!

[@tonyscerri6039]

A BIG well done Conor, most of us can just wish/dream we could do such an effort. Don't put yourself down, what's important that you finish and had this amazing experience

[@pointydeity4865]

I was all ready to make a snarky remark about how, "You can do massive rides on a cheap bike... but being a recently retired World Tour pro helps, and the 'cheap' bike needs to be a fairly modern superbike"... but Conor really looked like he was in a spot of bother near the end. Nice ride, well done, 24k ft. climbing in 242 km is massive. It's a valid point though - I'm average at best and do mountainous centuries and brevets on my CAAD 9 from 2007 and can't convince myself to "upgrade".

[@conordunne219]

Thank you, really appreciate those kind words! Honestly, that route was just outrageous. Incredible event and so glad I got the opportunity to take part. all the best and enjoy the riding, Conor

[@peteT269]

Great to see Swiss roads getting some attention. Such an underrated cycling country. Just did Pragelpass today. Absolutely amazing road.

[@michaelo6870]

Hi Conor! I had the pleasure and honour of riding on your back wheel on the first climb. I have been waiting for this video for a long time and I have to say: It is just fantastically done! Congratulations on your achievement! Everyone who has reached the finish is a hero!!!

[@conordunne219]

Thanks so much Michael, what an event I loved it. Glad you enjoyed the video.. Hope you enjoyed the route as much as I did. take care, Conor

[@LUCYDIAMONDBOXER1]

I was supposed to be there riding the Gran Fondo until a Ford Ranger on roundabout put an end to that🙄 will be there next year💪

[@gcn]

Sorry to hear this! It's a great event and you'll have lots of fun (and a bit of suffering!) completing it next year

[@LUCYDIAMONDBOXER1]

@@gcn well done Connor 💪epic effort and determination to compete it

[@tubeyrobin]

You legend. For all of us who love our bikes buts perhaps can’t beat Ollie thanks for making it real. Showing what a love of cycling can look like. This is one of the best GCN videos I have watched.

[@conordunne1]

Aw big thanks Robin, that's super nice to hear mate!!

[@texasflood1295]

Congratulations Conor! Victories come in all shapes and sizes as the end of the video showed. I suggest that GCN do this every year and the current year's participant pick the next participant.

[@gcn]

Who would you like to see take it on next?

[@texasflood1295]

@@gcn I would say Hank but I would hate to be in any way responsible for inflicting this much suffering. If he gets selected, don't tell him I submitted his name.

[@kristiantheslayer]

@@gcn We need Si Borg to step up to the plate and light up those afterburners.

[@gerhardw.933]

Conor was a pro, which by itself should give him a huge advantage...But it seems he did not quite prepare physically and mentally for this tough challenge. I am a 60 year old amateur, did my first sporting event (short triathlon) 6 years ago. I rediscovered cycling and attended some bike challenges, used the time before the 'race' to prepare. I was so excited I could not sleep, prepared my bike, equipment and food that I could ride the 160 km non-stop. I've learned and rode my own challenge on the same roads three weeks later. From the learning experience, I rode by myself (alone) 1/2 hour (!) faster than with competitors. 'Winning is about heart, not just legs", says my old T-shirt showing the picture of a crankset. My first bike was a Sora equipped Mountain Bike converted Road Bike with 26' wheels. Sora shifts ok, is heavier and can not much upgraded as it is old 9 speed. My big improvement came with a road bike with Shimano 105 (R7000) which I upgraded with some Ultegra R8000 parts. I know that GCN is also entertainment, but Conor is complaining, I don't want to say whining, far too much. Every organizer supplies the profile, elevation and distance in advance, as an ex-pro it should be a natural to read and understand road datas. This video leaves me scratching my head; beside the beautiful pictures there is not a lot to take away for an amateur challengewise. Sorry...

[@jonpoon3896]

I love seeing Conor test the limits… of a seat post’s minimum insertion

[@gcn]

😂

[@mikeyjoe]

This is my favorite Conor video. From the time you sat on the ground eating bananas and baby food, he was no longer 'presenting' you were being entirely natural and it really came across well. That scene sitting eating his next meal where he suddenly realized he was sitting by a recycling center was brilliant. Massive respect for sticking to it and completing it. Did your country proud.

[@shaunroach7829]

Great video!! It really shows us at its basics it’s the engine that poses the machine is what counts!!! What a effort Connor, that determination to finish, suffering yet enjoying the surroundings id what most of us can relate too!! No matter you ride smiling while cycling, clearing the mind and riding what ya got says it all!! Well done hopefully more content like this please!! 👍👍👍

[@gcn]

Thanks Shaun - glad you enjoyed this one!

I am really glad Conor was still finishing that event. What I have learned during my marathons is that the biggest fight you will have on these events, is fight to control your thoughts. What I mean, is you have to disable thoughts like "It is so hard!", I'm so tired!", "I can't make it!", .... To achieve that you need to prepare a lot of positive thoughts instead, like counting remaining km-s and being glad for how many km-s is already ridden and so on. We can hack ourselfs that way. Of course that would not look so dramatic on a youtube channel.

[@xGshikamaru]

What's amazing is you've done this with only one water bottle cage. I know how it is cause when I started I only had one too, it's very hard to manage hydration right especially if aid stations are spread apart a lot, kudos Conor!

[@robbchastain3036]

He only needed one bottle because of all the sticky bottles he got from the GCN camera car. 🤣

[@gcn]

@@robbchastain3036 If only!! 😂

[@stvaldr]

Thanks for the video, Conor is one of my favorite presenters, like a gentle giant. His perseverance was heroic in my eyes, especially using a non-super bike. Makes me feel better with my Franken bike.

[@charakuttaahjon3222]

This inspire me to ride my old sora to its limit 😁…thanks for the content and speedy recovery… time to train again and be a pro that you used to be .

[@gcn]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

[@chrisroberts8235]

Conor as someone who has done many a sportive in the Valais area, Tour Des Sations Ultra 2019 and swept up by broom wagon at Thyon, completing Gran Fondo TDS in 2020 and encouraging Ollie from the roadside in Lens 2021 (think he just overtaken Contador), your videos are an excellent depiction of exactly how it is over there. No sugar coating it, it's bloody hard work. Not to be taken lightly. No matter what level of rider / bike etc. Big respect to all the GCN team for their work on this. Great effort Conor and Chapeau!

[@GCNuser123]

Tremendous effort that mate! Savage event isn’t it! 👊

[@GCNuser123]

and… you still beat contador! 😉

[@conordunne219]

Thanks Ollie!!!

[@andrewhayes1339]

Conner, this was a fantastic watch. Regardless of not beating Olly or the time cut, this budget bike, weekend cyclists still found it incredibly inspirational. Congratulations to you for finishing what you started & not giving up 👍

[@h31sman]

Man, this feels like a classic GCN video in the best way possible. Great content 👍🏼

[@gcn]

Thanks Fernando, glad you enjoyed it!

[@TracyBridges66]

Conor, well done!! Don't quit when you're tired, quit when you're done. Very inspirational ride.

[@justittude1524]

Awesome video, great scenery, kindly do more videos like this on such bikes with such group sets or even claris, this are affordable to the masses. I know we make fun Ollie being dropped, but damn, he did well and so did you connor, you lying on the ground gives us hope to us mere mortals 🤣🤣. I hope one day i can do such an epic ride with such climbs.

[@DG-tf9rp]

Thank You Conor. Your effort means a lot to more riders than you know.

[@238949]

What a fantastic effort Conor, loved watching you, the beautiful scenery, and once again in awe of Ollie's time last year, he's one to be beaten, what a man :)

[@kampalakid63]

Simply brilliant Conner you have a great sense of humour. Keep riding. One humble bike and one human being is a simple combination that can take you on many physical adventures and mental journeys.

[@Skaughtto]

Impressed with both Manon and Conor this year for their ultra event rides. Curious what Conor's training looked like prior to the event?

[@AlySayuki]

14:45 - When Si gives words of support for Conor, I literally cried at this bit 😭!!⁣ ⁣ This video took me along your journey that you went through and showed all the highs and lows throughout 🥹🥺😅!⁣ ⁣ Congrats to you finishing and the production crew as well🗻🚵‍♂️🌄!⁣ ⁣ Maybe Si can be the next one for the next big event 🤔!⁣ ⁣ Yes I read all the 961 comments on here before posting this 🥲! For sure an epic ride you’ll not forget Conor🇮🇪!

[@thewanderinggriffons]

👏 Wow, amazing perseverance. The 'every-persons' journey through a challenge. GJ Connor 👍 The struggle was more engrossing than the bike, great vid.

[@esenel92]

Awesome performance Conor! I'm nearly dead after riding that distance on flat terrain already 😁 Can't imagine having to do that distance on terrain like that. Respect for not giving up!

[@JimKJeffries]

Love that you tried to backup your trash talk. Win or fail, giving it your best effort is what's most important. Well done sir

[@aliensporebomb]

Bravo Conor! I wonder how things would’ve went if he hadn’t tried to stay with the lead group so soon after the start of the race? He might have had more energy reserves for the last part of the race if he hadn’t tried that and it looks like he even recognized that. Maybe some future challenge on a smaller scale where someone goes all out and someone tries to pace themselves. But what scenery! Next riders? Hank? Si? GCN producers - another beautiful effort!

[@Tomcat6541]

AGAIN GCN does NOT disappoint! Much respect Connor! The best and most relatable presenters, doing things that probably 98% of the viewers could never do.. ? Beautiful work, in a beautiful place.

[@billincolumbia]

Ollie gets so much grief, and he's always cast as just a good amateur rider. It's amazing how far beyond that he is. So strong, so disciplined, so capable.

[@n0ts0dev]

Conor, I think your adventure was absolutely inspiring for me and tons of other riders. The fact that the original greats on tube steel frames with comparingly ancient groupsets did fascinating long rides and climbs on those bikes is incredible, it just proves even further that your equipment is never the limit, and that we all still have records to work hard to beat, with no excuse to not! You deserve that self-pizza party my friend. Good work.

[@gcn]

Thanks, Dev! He really did give it his all out there 💪

[@julianmorris9951]

Nice to see ex pros laying on the ground, don’t feel so bad myself now🤣 I like that never give in attitude ! great effort and shows there are plenty of good affordable bikes out there 💪🏻👍

[@gcn]

We always say that all bikes are good bikes - you don't need to spend a fortune to go on a great ride like this!

[@uptown710]

Connor, my thanks for your hard work. From an amateur in NYC 🙏🏾

[@ryuujinusa]

All GCN riders should do an epic 'group' race of this next year (put a full length GCN+ video up too), get Feather in the mix too.

[@RaymondOlgado0]

THAT will get me to get a GCN+

[@DB-sj8km]

Would be the best video GCN has ever done. Definitely GCN+ subscription-worthy.

[@Tormeyno10]

That was awesome Conor, Jesus I can certainly empathise with feeling broken on a personal cycling challenge, a Manon and Hank duo challenge on the Tour de Stations would be brilliant

[@The_One-Eyed_Undertaker]

My dear Connor, you are on the right path. This was a fantastic video. THIS is what we mere mortals want to watch: bike adventures/trips on a sub-$2,000 setup. Which is what most people can afford. Please keep these coming! We are completely exhausted of videos about top of the line >$6,000+ blingy bikes with the latest tech.

[@dsonyay]

I have a Sora group-set on the rear of of my commuter and it seems to be excellent. I’m preparing to build a road bike and will likely go with all Sora unless I can find a super deal on a used 105 or Ultegra. Good video

[@Lesley_Pokemon]

Thank you for using Shimano Sora i like that great job mate

[@michaelobadia9727]

What a great vid, inspiring to guys like me who've been riding years but never at your level and makes me think i could do an ultra endurance style event if I wasn't trying to be too competitive. Brilliant viewing!!! I'd like to see Si Richardson do it next year.

[@gcn]

Glad you enjoyed it! With the right preparation and training, there's no reason why you can't take on an endurance event too

[@robbchastain3036]

Summer vacay in a day, love it, Conor, and your budget bike is such an affordable, strong-performance build, something for the rest of your summer and beyond. All in all a great day and something you and Ollie can chat about in the cafe. I tried, Ollie, to take more rest-and-reflection breaks than you, but nobody cries the blues about hard it is than you. And that's a grin, lest anyone think I'm being mean to Ollie. I'd love to go riding with Ollie, maybe even do a velodrome ride and call it the hour record or something. 😀

[@declanbroderick4453]

Congratulations Conor on completing the distance. The bike and pain I can relate to, it's a super nice from me! I am however getting mixed messages, is it doable if you miss the time cut?

[@shaunbyrne9553]

Conor, keep the entry level bike challenges coming. Getting out on the bike and having adventures is what it’s all about. Great work!

[@frankhaas8174]

Conor did a great job finishing. I've been there and suffered on a double century, 200 mile ride like this, so know the pain he was in. I suggest ALL the GCN presenters do the ride as a team. See them all start together and who finishes and at what times. That would be an epic video.

[@ltu42]

You see, Ollie is a model keen amateur, he's in the best shape of his life with the hour record, le Tour des Stations, Sa Calobra challenge. The ex-pros at GCN are past their peak pretty much by definition.

[@GhostTrainPhoto]

I watched this video this cold winter's morn, while in bed, eating a load of chips (crisps). After seeing Conor completely blow his doors off on his budget biek, I felt compelled to do the same on my 2005 Trek 1200 and found a hard route near my house and went full gas. While it wasn't anything like the climbs on this Fondo, it was getting close to what some might call a "half-epic". Thanks for the inspiration Conor! Maybe one day I'll be able to do an event like this

[@LednacekZ]

is there a longer more comprehensive video on his journey and the race itself?

[@ArnageLM]

Sora R3000 is a brilliant groupset for the money. 9-speed, compact and a 32 at the back is all you need.

[@leonbroekx]

This would be an awesome edition of Andrew Feather vs Il Bandito.

[@gcn]

The ultimate head-to-head race! Who do you think would win?

[@leonbroekx]

@@gcn I've got my money on the e-biker. But seriously I don't know. That's why I want to see it. In such a race strategy would also play a role. Maybe the Italian is used to ride in these types of terrain, because it's closer to home, but that's just a guess.

[@Jim42088]

Amazing effort Conner! 2023 has got Si written allllll over it!

[@paulmorrison30]

Great vid👍🏾 Who cares about the time cut?! You finished it 👏🏾. Kicking the hornets nest I’m going to say it’s nice to see that rim brake bikes are still a thing as surprisingly many of us still have them! I think this has Hanks name all over it!

[@virgilm1491]

Between this, Manon and all the other content this summer GCN has been talking less and doing more… super motivating!! Now it’s time to ride

[@chrispytoefur]

Wonderful video, effort and great presenting from Conor. Well done to the GCN team for representing 'normal' bikes and showing the many ups and downs of this challenge. Who next?... I think it's got to be Si!

[@conordunne219]

Thanks so much Chris!

[@donalosullivan215]

To go from "it can't be that hard" to "I'm done, I'm done", takes humility! I applaud you effort!

[@micahsherer7189]

£1000? I reckon you could easily get something comparable for £400 on ebay these days. Rim brake bikes are a real bargain these days. Props to GCN for doing some actual budget content for once instead of £1800 "groupsets of the people"!

[@Draknareth]

Was thinking that myself, pretty sure you can get a carbon Boardman brand new with 105 for £1100

[@imneveruploadinghere7180]

Well, it is a carbon frame. Hard to come by those on 400 euros.

[@gerdkerman9849]

You can build a mid-end or high-end bike with a £1000 based on my personal experience

[@Gadottinho]

@@gerdkerman9849 definitely... Specially if your country doesn't have too much importation taxes, so that you can buy Chinese stuff (even with like 80% taxes it is still worth tho...)

[@Gadottinho]

True, 200 dollars would be entry level for me... And it wouldn't be a terrible bike either, it would be a new one, you definetly can get cheaper if you buy used and older stuff...

[@anselmroth5340]

Thank you very much GCN for the great video from TDS 2021 that inspired me to participate this year. It was a fantastic experience. Kudos to Oli‘s super fast time last year which I can only now really appreciate. Also kudos for Conner competing this year on a budget bike. Great idea! Watched the video three times. Curious to see who from GCN will be there next year. Maybe a team??? 😉

[@ItachiGT]

Never gonna make fun of Ollie again.

[@ballroomdru]

Entry level bike content!!! GIVE US MORE! GIVE US MORE! GIVE US MORE!

[@RDFB101]

Enjoyed that, always nice to see the GCN guys suffering 😁 Wouldv'e been good if it had been a proper off-the-shelf entry level bike though i.e. alu frame and more realistic total weight. I've got Sora on a £500 Triban commuter / winter bike and its been great. The bike came with an all-Shimano triple chainset and its been very useful for heaving the 'cheap bike weight' up steep climbs - particularly when the mudguards, panniers and winter clothing are on

[@robbchastain3036]

I'm right there with you with that triple. Often, when I'm all by myself up a climb with baggy rear panniers full of groceries and whatever, I look around to make sure nobody is watching and then I drop it into the tiny ring and whistle and sing. 😀

[@RDFB101]

@@robbchastain3036 😁Does mean one extra chainring to clean though 😥

[@robbchastain3036]

@@RDFB101 You're making a strong case for 1x. 🤣

[@marvmininger1835]

As someone who has a Sora equipped Specialized Allez, I think this is a great nod to the capabilities of such bikes. Thanks for all you do GCN!

[@gilescudmore7325]

I appreciate the Ebay purchases but it would be nice to see one of these challenges ona true entry level bike, got to Halfords and spend a grand (or less) as most people can do that, not many can buy ex pro framsets!

[@rodneyanderson8741]

Really enjoyed this Conor, thank you. I appreciate you sharing your personal experiences while biking this incredibly challenging Tour Des Stations AND even with a budget bike, AMAZING!!!

[@lincolnlu9869]

Cheap and cheerful bikes

[@fisharefriends598]

Sora is much underrated. 105 maybe groupset of the people, but Sora is groupset of the wallet. Having used both, other then cadence, and the tactile feel of the user interface, there isn’t much diff from a practical perspective over a long ride. If you on a long straight, there is no diff. If climbing, you want the largest number of teeth, again no diff Weight may pay a diff, but a sub 9kg bike is pretty light

[@jamesscoltock4837]

Can’t fault these bikes, mate and I rode John O’Groats to Lands End on entry level bikes; 1,000 miles on a Felt F95 with a mix of Shimano Sora and Microshift drivetrain.

[@Biking360]

Cool :) Just finished LEJOG myself. Loved it! I did it on used Surly ECR. Bit heavt quite honestly!

[@aur_gnd]

Terrific piece of content once again. I did the Grandfondo Tour des Stations this year as well. It was the main event of my first competitive cycling season and it was just fantastic. The venues, the climbs were amazing. Well done Conor for this ride! Massive performance. I love the fact that you use this kind of bike, just like most of us do.

[@user-yx1qk4sk5t]

Normal GCN content: GP with a few scenes of the host struggling. When I saw Conor lying on the ground, hurting and hearing him curse for the first time, is when I knew shit got real. Well done, Conor.

[@FlatSpinMan]

You should watch his video on his massive ride around part of Ireland. He goes really, really deep in that.

[@user-yx1qk4sk5t]

@@FlatSpinMan saw that one as well.

[@rhysmaybrey7739]

Great to show you can do these rides on a budget bike. You may have missed time cut but you still finished it. I felt your pain. Great effort and well done

[@johnnyboy3357]

I can't believe they fed you the wrong kinds and ratio of food on the way, if i were your dietitian, you might have beaten ollie with only an aluminium bike with an 11/32 50/34 Claris because i know a few amateur guys who would've finished that route with the right diet on an entry level bike! They tortured you real good man! Just glad you weren't hospitalized! Oh dear

[@marekczarnecki5388]

So inspirational ! Congratulations Conor.