Reflecting on a surprising runner-up spot in the April BOTM poll, got me checking exactly how many times I’d been a runner-up, as I was thinking it must be 3 or 4 by now. But no, as far as I can tell I’ve been a runner-up 5 times now!
That’s from about 15 or so entries since late 2019.
As it happens I still have all of those runner-ups, so I thought I’d drag them all out into the daylight together
We need a special month category - Pick of the Once a Hero Bridesmaid collection.
Ha, if your luck is anything like mine, you'd still come second!
My main criteria for selecting a bike is "go back to the year that bike was made, is it a bike that I would have wanted to own, and is it set up with parts that I would loved to have thrown on it". The Merlin is the top example of that. Looks fast, great parts spec, and something I desired at the time it came out - in other words, a bike that, in its day, I would be itching for the next ride.
For what it's worth, I recall voting for the Merlin, and I think I also gave the KHS my vote because they were a quality, underdog brand that I always respected.
Whether they have taken out the honours or not - that is an awesome collection of nicely specced and presented bikes. If those are the bridesmaids, then I wanna be at that wedding...
Your doing better than me. I've never even got close to the top in a botm! But then all my bikes are big and probably seen as ugly as such and i don't own anything expensive .
If there was an botm "undesirable bikes" however.....
Your doing better than me. I've never even got close to the top in a botm! But then all my bikes are big and probably seen as ugly as such and i don't own anything expensive .
If there was an botm "undesirable bikes" however.....
@Once A Hero
Hopefully this will encourage you!
Same situation. Similar number.
1990 Serotta Off-road Pro-flex
2nd (3 way tie) BOTM December 2024
1989 Ridgeback 604SIS
2nd - BOTM September 2024
1991 Orange Aluminum 'O'
2nd - BOTM November 2023 Rider Special
(Here's what it looks like without the mud!)
1990 Klein Attitude Dolomite
2nd - BOTM July 2021
1990 Pace RC100 S
2nd - BOTM January 2018
1991 Raleigh Dynatech Endeavour
2nd - BOTM June 2020
...also 2nd - BOTM August 2021 'Bonded Special'
But I can't complain! - I've taken the crown 3 times and still have all of the bikes above in my collection.
When you look back over the BOTM entries each month, the quality is exceptional. I'm massively grateful to everyone that likes my builds and takes the time to vote. It may be a near miss with 2nd, but I take it as encouragement that I'm doing the right thing. I don't go out specifically to win but I try to make an interesting thread to accompany the entry and tell the back story.
As in all competitions, everyone wants the win but when you go back and look at all the BOTM entrants, there's some big surprises that you'd think would be surefire winners.
Huge Kudos to anyone to enters their build for the critique of the forum. Each of them have taken time and effort to get there....and while it may not be everyone's cup of tea, It's your pride and joy! ( Until the next build comes along!)
Keep the builds coming. BOTM is the monthly Pinnacle of most things here.
Use your vote. Have your say.
@boy"O"boy
Wow.
I'm amazed any of those weren't considered best in their respective months.
Really does highlight the level of competition entrants go up against!
