When: This Thursday at 6:30AM. Almost always finishes in time for 8:30 classes.
Where: The base of the Houde (i.e. right here)
What: the most exciting hill climbing competition of the year. At least in Montreal
Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced.
KOM/QOM, short for King/Queen of the Mountain, is the oldest regular ride for McGill Cycling, and something of a fall tradition. It’s a seven week long competition to crown the best climber on McGill Cycling. The format consists of seven climbs every week, all of which have their own flavour and suit different riders. The first person to the top is awarded 5 points, the second gets four points, and so on down to fifth place who gets one measly point. Totals are kept over the entire seven weeks, and the highest score come December in the advanced category gets to keep the MatBR Commemorative Polka Dot Jersey for the rest of the year.
However, this is not just a ride for helium-filled rocket-legged climbers. We will split into three groups, based off of the first climb of the day. There is a separate score sheet (and competition) for the intermediate group, and if you’d prefer not to compete at all, the beginner group will not be keeping (a recorded) score.
As a quick reminder, a helmet and two working brakes are mandatory for McGill Cycling rides. Also you might want to check your brake pads, as there is a tiny bit of descending on this ride (note though that it doesn’t matter for the competition - we regroup at the beginning of each climb.) Also, I am happy to collect team/club fees on this ride.
Finally, as of right now, I don’t have a leader for the beginner group. Any older member want to step up and lead an easy lap of the mountain? If not the bottom two groups will combine.
On a personal note I’d like to say that this is one of my favourite parts of the whole team - and as a piece of advice: KOM is won on the climbs, but it’s lost in bed.
“And here, in the back, are the sprinters and other non-climbers toiling up the hills in an attempt to finish inside the cutoff time. I believe that’s Tyler Farrar on the front, and In the back you can see Mark Cavendish making it clear just how much he hates going uphill.”
When your muscles fill with…acid…then you have my permission to climb.
When your personal bests are…ashes…then you have my permission to say bye.
When you reach the summit of oratory…then you have my permission to cry.
Needless to say, climbing is the Bane of my existence. It drives me Bat-shit crazy. All my attempts to improve have been in Wayne.
