Locked down & fully loaded

Share

I’ll let you in on a secret. Before becoming an Ambassador for Hope’s HB130, I’d had my eye on another bike. A different bike. A single speed, titanium framed hardtail - a bikepacking rig for the purest in me and, in my eyes, a sturdy all-rounder. Now I know what you’re thinking, that couldn’t be further from the HB130, right? Well actually, wrong. Because the HB130 is a really great all-rounder, and my time as an Ambassador proves it.

I’d entered into the Ambassador Programme with grand plans of bikepacking overseas. I’d start in the US and end up who-knows-where. Back then, my biggest travel worry was safely boxing up my carbon frame for a Trans-Atlantic flight! But, like most things since 2019, our Programme encountered some ‘rona shaped bumps in the trail. You know the score, the factory tour was postponed, events were cancelled and travel was restricted.

With dreams of faraway singletrack dashed, Colorado was replaced by my home turf: Calderdale. It might not be the Great Divide, but my neck of the woods packs a pretty nifty punch when it comes to natural trails. It’s not lost on me how fortunate I am to have such decent riding right from my front door. So, like many others, I set upon a quest for epic micro-adventures and local overnight trips.

The Calder Valley in West Yorkshire has an abundance of bridleways, old packhorse roads and off-piste gems. There’s plenty of trails that make it a wicked playground for all levels of rider. It’s also really beautiful and full of character - not the worst place to test out the HB130’s capability as a bikepacking rig.

Most of my adventures also include my partner and our trail dog, Benny. For us, a typical trip could be much better described as “dogpacking”. Benny is a young border collie, and his company requires more gear than you’d expect. When his stuff is added to ours, we end up carrying a decent load. Our set up is designed for everyone’s comfort - a luxury made possible by splitting the kit between two people. Even so, I think the guys at Hope will agree that the HB130 wasn’t purposefully designed for bikepacking (or dogpacking) so I was interested to see how it would fare.

Despite the positioning of the rear shock, I found enough space for bags on the frame and the bike. I loaded up with a saddle pack that’s specially adapted for dropper posts, plus a top tube pack, handlebar pack and cockpit bag. I rode this way, fully loaded, from dawn ‘til “done” with no complaints. The bike is comfortable enough for full days in the saddle, even when you’re lumping around half a tent and half your body weight in biscuits for Benny.

But what about when the bike isn’t loaded? Let’s start with cross country. I’d say one of my natural strengths is endurance. I don’t know if I have any physiological advantages, or if I’m just mentally inclined to enjoy that sort of riding - either way, “go long and go hilly” seems to be my mantra. The HB130 does complement this style of riding. It eats up the miles both ascending and descending. “Flat land” isn’t in my vocabulary, so I can’t really comment on that. But going up and down, it’s comfortable, it’s capable and it’s ruddy fun to ride. I did switch from a 34T to 30T chainring, but that says a lot more about my local climbs than anything else. They are steep. And they are often.

Which brings us to more technical trails and trail centres. I know I’m in the company of so many when I say that riding my bike has kept me sane over the past couple of years. As an Ambassador, I’ve spent my time on plenty of trails, at locations up and down the UK. Granted, a good bike does not a good rider make. But, when faced with the techy stuff, I’ve genuinely seen a change. My handling skills have improved way beyond the normal rate of improvement. Without any particular goals, I’ve gone from being a solid blue-red trail rider to a competent red-black level. When descending at speed or dropping off rocks, the bike gives me a new level of confidence that I didn’t have before. Where once I might have hesitated before an imposing rock garden, the HB and I now glide over without pause. Perhaps, subconsciously, I know there’s a capable beast attached to my pedals (obviously referring to the bike, not me), or maybe more credit can be given to the engineering itself. Either way, I genuinely ride better.

With me on hand to completely inflate the ego of this bike, it’s no wonder it also loves attention. Whether I’m out in the wild or at the local trail centre, it’s a total head turner. Granted, my chosen colour-way is pretty bold - I went for mostly orange components with purple bolts and spacers. But for the most part, that’s not what gets eyes poppin’. Aside from being darn good looking, it’s the quality and craftsmanship that gets people talking. That conversation starter is something I’ve really appreciated over the past couple of years, as we’ve dipped in and out of lockdown and our social lives have been…weird. I’ve been more grateful than ever for trailside chit-chat and connecting with other riders. And it’s not just on the trail. There’s also an active community of HB riders that’s welcoming and open to anyone. The private Facebook group is a great place to ask nerdy questions and share all those pictures you take of your bike. Upon owning one, you’re automatically part of the club. Full membership, forever.

Unfortunately, the Ambassador Programme can’t last that long. Like so many things over the past couple of years, we’ll never know what could have been were it not for covid and lockdowns. Tour Divide, Colorado Trail, GBDURO - these were all on my radar in 2019. Whilst I won’t be completing them as an Ambassador, I still hope to be cranking my pedals along them one day soon. Do I still have my eye on that titanium single speed? Of course! Will I be trading my HB130 for it? Absolutely not. This all-rounder is definitely sticking around.



Words & Pictures: Rachel Clayton