Watch: Phil Gaimon chases a monstrous 4,350m hill climb record, but things don't quite go to plan

Worst Retirement Ever series heads to Colorado and the Mount Evans Hill Climb

Former pro Phil Gaimon is back on the hunt for Strava KOMs, this time travelling to the Mount Evans Hill Climb near Idaho Springs, Colorado.

The former Cannondale-Drapac rider retired from professional cycling at the end of last season, and is now spending his weekends travelling across America trying to sweep up some of the most coveted Strava KOMs.

Mount Evans is his latest target, with Gaimon looking to beat the record of 1-41-20 for the 44km climb, set by Tom Danielson in 2004.

>>> How to take a Strava KOM

With the race being so long, and the summit being at an eye-watering 4,350m in altitude, Gaimon enlists a little help for his latest challenge, calling on the help of pro riders Alex Zirbel, Alex Howes, and Chad Haga, with Haga serving the same domestique role that he had done for Tom Dumoulin at the Giro d'Italia two months earlier.

Having gone to the trouble of making his super-lightweight hill climbing bike comply with USA Cycling regulations and getting a racing license, things don't go entirely to plan for Gaimon, but you'll have to watch the video above to find out how.

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Henry Robertshaw began his time at Cycling Weekly working with the tech team, writing reviews, buying guides and appearing in videos advising on how to dress for the seasons. He later moved over to the news team, where his work focused on the professional peloton as well as legislation and provision for cycling. He's since moved his career in a new direction, with a role at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.