Yet Another Cycling Forum

General Category => Freewheeling => Racing => Topic started by: blackburnrod on 16 July, 2009, 01:31:44 pm

Title: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: blackburnrod on 16 July, 2009, 01:31:44 pm
Rebecca and James are scheduled to attack this RRA record provisionally starting on 3/8/09 at0700
Title: Re: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 16 July, 2009, 01:33:58 pm
I've been wondering what Rebecca is up to. Great news.
Title: Re: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: hatler on 16 July, 2009, 01:42:25 pm
RRA ?
Title: Re: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: tatanab on 16 July, 2009, 01:45:38 pm
Road Records Association (http://www.rra.org.uk/)
national body for place to place records.
Title: Re: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: Greenbank on 16 July, 2009, 01:46:10 pm
google: rra cycling (http://www.lmgtfy.com/?q=rra+cycling)

I notice the Women Tandem 24 hour record has not been updated.
Title: Re: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: tatanab on 16 July, 2009, 01:52:20 pm
google: rra cycling (http://www.lmgtfy.com/?q=rra+cycling)

I notice the Women Tandem 24 hour record has not been updated.
That's because the reord you are talking about would be a CTT record not an RRA record.  RRA records attempts have to be notified to the RRA and monitored by RRA timekeepers and observers.
Title: Re: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: Charlotte on 16 July, 2009, 01:56:17 pm
google: rra cycling (http://www.lmgtfy.com/?q=rra+cycling)

I notice the Women Tandem 24 hour record has not been updated.

Quote
Women Tandem         Standard to be beaten     3days  12hours

No.  No, no, no, no, no!

Git!

If she even finds out I've checked...  :o
Title: Re: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: JohnP on 16 July, 2009, 01:59:08 pm
I'm about to tell her !
Title: Re: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: clarion on 16 July, 2009, 02:02:32 pm
google: rra cycling (http://www.lmgtfy.com/?q=rra+cycling)

I notice the Women Tandem 24 hour record has not been updated.

Quote
Women Tandem         Standard to be beaten     3days  12hours

No.  No, no, no, no, no!

Git!

If she even finds out I've checked...  :o

Gwan...
Title: Re: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: valkyrie on 16 July, 2009, 02:03:38 pm
Get yourselves a tandem trike and you'll have a whole 4 days to do it in  :thumbsup:

Go on, go on, go on, go on...
Title: Re: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: Charlotte on 16 July, 2009, 02:11:50 pm
4 days?  Luxury!

::-)
Title: Re: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: Phil on 16 July, 2009, 02:12:32 pm
I do know where there's one to be found... :P
Title: Re: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: blackburnrod on 16 July, 2009, 02:26:20 pm
AFAIK no female pair have completed a RRA 24hr. Are you thinking of the CTT record? Last year's Mersey 24 ride by two ladies of this forum has not yet been claimed as a record, or at least as chief timekeeper for the event I have not been asked for verification.
Title: Re: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: clarion on 16 July, 2009, 02:30:45 pm
So you're saying the Chief Timekeeper might welcome being asked: Is that what you're saying? ;)

If so, perhaps someone should ask the Chief Timekeeper for a verification...
Title: Re: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: rt on 16 July, 2009, 04:09:01 pm
Rebecca and James are scheduled to attack this RRA record provisionally starting on 3/8/09 at0700

Would love to offer to be an observer but work wont permit.
Do you know if progress will be reported on the web anywhere?

good luck to them.
Title: Re: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: blackburnrod on 16 July, 2009, 04:59:55 pm
Clarion     A  CTT record has to be claimed by the riders,then CTT contact the event organiser for course measurement verification and the Chief Timekeeper(me) who has to provide timer certification as do the penultimate and final timekeepers on the finishing circuit. So far I have had no request from CTT. A few months ago I did email one of the riders informing of the need to claim.
Title: Re: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: clarion on 16 July, 2009, 07:02:38 pm
Aha.  Just hinting to the riders theysen ;)
Title: Re: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: rdaviesb on 21 July, 2009, 05:34:36 pm
Gethin's mark for this trip is still bloody fantastic. No scrub that. Astonishing.
Title: Re: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: SpaceBadger on 22 July, 2009, 09:54:09 pm
James Cracknell was with us at l'Etape on Monday. I heard he completed it in 6 hours, which is a fantastic time, not even an hour slower than the French champ who won in just over 5 hours  :thumbsup:

He must be a very special athlete indeed. Maybe he should try switching to the track as well, like Romero... Who knows what he might do?
Title: Re: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: Mr Larrington on 23 July, 2009, 10:50:43 am
He must be a very special athlete indeed. Maybe he should try switching to the track as well, like Romero... Who knows what he might do?

He's probably making far too much money from doing things like Hanging Out With Ben Fogle and Being Generally Famous ;D
Title: Re: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: urban_biker on 23 July, 2009, 10:57:36 am
He must be a very special athlete indeed. Maybe he should try switching to the track as well, like Romero... Who knows what he might do?

He's probably making far too much money from doing things like Hanging Out With Ben Fogle and Being Generally Famous ;D

Yep - I'd imagine that hanging out with Ben Fogle would have to be very well paid.
Title: Re: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: oncemore on 25 July, 2009, 04:43:01 pm
Guess the weather a big determinant - what beat rt occasionally of this place second time he +1 tried for the tandem lejog record.
Title: Re: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: rt on 27 July, 2009, 11:50:43 pm
Yep. I had a pop at it in 2006. Could only afford (financially and time commitment wise) one go at it.
Waited for a big low pressure coming in from atlantic, fantastic tail winds wipping up the country. Off we went and the wind died after afew hours leaving is in beautiful summer weather, very hot, sunny and no wind.............in October! Packed in after 24 hours somewhere near Lancaster.

I was talking to Frank Minto during the 24 hour Time trial at the weekend (I know, I should have been racing at the time) he is down as a timekeeper from Carlisle onwards for Cracknell and Romero.

As I understand it riders usually wait for helpful weather before starting an attempt, Cracknell and Romero only have a small space of time for this and are making their attempt next weekend whatever the weather does. Confident or foolish?

Good luck to em I say, its a tough one to try.
Title: Re: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: David Martin on 01 August, 2009, 11:19:08 am
Interesting article by James in the Telegraph. James Cracknell Land’s End to John O’Groats cycle record aim with Rebecca Romero - Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/active/5940583/James-Cracknell-Lands-End-to-John-OGroats-cycle-record-aim-with-Rebecca-Romero.html)

Sounds like tears and tantrums before bedtime.

..d
Title: Re: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: andygates on 03 August, 2009, 08:06:34 am
And they're off!

James Cracknell begins Land's End to John O' Groats cycling challenge - Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/active/5963756/James-Cracknell-begins-Lands-End-to-John-O-Groats-cycling-challenge.html)

Good luck to 'em! :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: clarion on 03 August, 2009, 10:31:44 am
I thought they might have had an opportunity to practice a bit more...
Title: Re: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: JohnP on 03 August, 2009, 10:40:33 am
In case anybody hasn't found it http://twitter.com/cyclingplus is following the ride.
Title: Re: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: her_welshness on 03 August, 2009, 02:47:11 pm
More of an update from here:

Romero - Cracknell off to flying start on RRA End to End tandem record | News | Cycling Weekly (http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/385574/romero-cracknell-off-to-flying-start-on-rra-end-to-end-tandem-record.html)

I enjoyed his 'Thin Ice' show with the Fogle, but I did think he was a bit of a prick with the doctor chap that was accompanying them... ::-)
Title: Re: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: Charlotte on 03 August, 2009, 03:23:18 pm
In case anybody hasn't found it http://twitter.com/cyclingplus is following the ride.

Just now:

Quote
5 min stop to tend to blisters and grab an energy bar and jc and rr are back on a38 into bristol

Blisters on the first day?  Blimey - that's some poorly fitted footwear.  Probably brand new, I suppose.

OTOH, if they're on the A38 into Bristol, they're doing well.  That was the morning of Day 2 for TRAT.
Title: Re: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: JohnP on 03 August, 2009, 03:45:30 pm
Maybe not foot blisters ?
Title: Re: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: vorsprung on 03 August, 2009, 03:57:29 pm
Weatherwise, it looks like they will be hit with a belt of rain tonight.  The wind is predicted to be a nice solid 15mph tailwind for the duration!

So it just depends if their support crew have got a supply of 5 dozen pairs of gloves and socks.  Usually people from a "sport" background don't geddit with stuff like that, but Cracknell has done a few long rides so hopefully commonsense will prevail
Title: Re: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: David Martin on 03 August, 2009, 04:51:37 pm
I found I got blisters on my hands on long tours. That may be the problem.

..d
Title: Re: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: clarion on 03 August, 2009, 04:52:07 pm
On the first day?
Title: Re: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: David Martin on 03 August, 2009, 04:53:18 pm
On the first day?

When the first day is 200 miles, I don't see why not.

..d
Title: Re: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: border-rider on 03 August, 2009, 04:57:36 pm
On the first day?

When the first day is 200 miles, I don't see why not.

..d

It would imply a lack of preparation.  It's quite possible to ride 200 miles in a day without a blister.
Title: Re: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: clarion on 03 August, 2009, 05:00:17 pm
I'd be worried about the next 650 or so miles if the first 200 create blisters. But then, I'm not an iron-willed, if underprepared, sportsperson. 
Title: Re: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: her_welshness on 03 August, 2009, 05:02:50 pm
On the first day?

When the first day is 200 miles, I don't see why not.

..d

It would imply a lack of preparation.  It's quite possible to ride 200 miles in a day without a blister.

Why would it imply a lack of preparation? Not having a go M-V, just curious!  :)
Title: Re: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: MSeries on 03 August, 2009, 05:04:24 pm
On the first day?

When the first day is 200 miles, I don't see why not.

..d

It would imply a lack of preparation.  It's quite possible to ride 200 miles in a day without a blister.
Certainly is. I did it last week !! They should have come on here and asked for training tips for long distance riding, bloody amateurs, it's only a bike ride, not the Olympics.


A prepared rider would know what shoes, gloves, pants to use through trying things first. Their bike would fit properly.
Title: Re: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: border-rider on 03 August, 2009, 05:10:26 pm
Why would it imply a lack of preparation? Not having a go M-V, just curious!  :)

What MSeries says, really.

200 miles a day, for several days, is a scenario that's familiar to many of us, and we've all made damn sure that we're not going to have bike/clothing comfort issues before the off.
Title: Re: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: Greenbank on 03 August, 2009, 05:16:33 pm
To be fair though they are going at about twice the pace you needed to for LEL. It's about the same distance (800 to 900 miles) but the existing record is 2 days, 3 hours and 19 minutes.
Title: Re: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: Rich753 on 03 August, 2009, 06:21:16 pm
To be fair though they are going at about twice the pace you needed to for LEL. It's about the same distance (800 to 900 miles) but the existing record is 2 days, 3 hours and 19 minutes.

all the more reason to make sure all aspects are tried and tested.  Seems a curiously half-assed attitude, bet tehy wouldn't have gone into hte Olympics with so little preparation and practice -  but then as noted above it's only a bike ride 
Title: Re: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: Karla on 03 August, 2009, 06:39:03 pm
To be fair though they are going at about twice the pace you needed to for LEL. It's about the same distance (800 to 900 miles) but the existing record is 2 days, 3 hours and 19 minutes.
Does anyone know when the superhuman German actually finished LEL?  He was back at Thorne 10am Tuesday so I doubt their target's more than about 12 hours faster than his ride.
Title: Re: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: border-rider on 03 August, 2009, 06:57:54 pm
65.25 hours, including getting seriously lost on the final run-in.

He was stopping decent intervals at controls too.  Was he supported ? Not sure.
Title: Re: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: Ian H on 03 August, 2009, 10:47:39 pm
Talking to one of the RRA observers this evening. It seems they have two tandems set up so they can swap front to back. They swapped at Bodmin, and again just north of Exeter. One comment was that they'll end up doing more than 900 miles because they're weaving all over the road, especially when Romero's on the front. There's some scepticism about whether they'll do it, but we shall see.
Title: Re: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: nuttycyclist on 04 August, 2009, 12:44:12 am
On the first day?

When the first day is 200 miles, I don't see why not.

..d

It would imply a lack of preparation.  It's quite possible to ride 200 miles in a day without a blister.
Certainly is. I did it last week !! They should have come on here and asked for training tips for long distance riding, bloody amateurs, it's only a bike ride, not the Olympics.


A prepared rider would know what shoes, gloves, pants to use through trying things first. Their bike would fit properly.

Aye.

I rode 200 miles on Thursday, and another 200 miles on Saturday.  No problems at all as the kit is well used and practised.



Mind you, I don't know that I'd be so silly as to try something as strenuous as these two are.



Blisters on day one - implies to me a lack of preparation.  Blisters on day three onwards, at their pace, is excusable.
Title: Re: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: rogerzilla on 04 August, 2009, 06:34:15 am
Just over Shap now, it seems.
Title: Re: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: JohnP on 04 August, 2009, 07:16:22 am
Not bad for 24 hours.

Haven't got their trye route but even google map shows 439 m LE to Shap.
Title: Re: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: megajoules expenditure on 04 August, 2009, 08:13:24 am
Do we know how they are doing compared to their schedule? ::-)

Just over Shap now, it seems.
Title: Re: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: eck on 04 August, 2009, 08:18:15 am
Do we know how they are doing compared to their schedule? ::-)

Just over Shap now, it seems.
copy of their schedule here:
http://www.rra.org.uk/Files/CracknellRomero3.pdf (http://www.rra.org.uk/Files/CracknellRomero3.pdf)
Title: Re: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: clarion on 04 August, 2009, 09:21:18 am
Sounds like that was about on schedule, then.  Should be at Gretna now.
Title: Re: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: her_welshness on 04 August, 2009, 09:26:38 am
They are just north of Lockerbie  :)
Title: Re: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: blackburnrod on 04 August, 2009, 09:32:24 am
I must take issue with the earlier comment that Cracknell is a better bike handler than Romero. I was the start timekeeper and observer in the first following vehicle till Preston.Romero started on the front and they changed tandems about every 3 hours.It was very apparent that she was a very good bike handler taking a better line through corners,a straighter line generally and a better choice of gear.As the ride progressed Cracknell seemed to improve in his ability to ride in a straight line.
Title: Re: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: David Martin on 04 August, 2009, 09:43:26 am
I noticed they were alternating turns on the front. Are they using two tandems?
Title: Re: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: clarion on 04 August, 2009, 09:46:00 am
Talking to one of the RRA observers this evening. It seems they have two tandems set up so they can swap front to back. They swapped at Bodmin, and again just north of Exeter. ...

Seems so.
Title: Re: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: Snakehips on 04 August, 2009, 09:57:13 am
I noticed they were alternating turns on the front. Are they using two tandems?

'The pair will be using two custom built Dolan tandems for the attempt – one for Romero to stoke (pedal at the back) and one on which Cracknell can take care of stoking duties.' ..... according to a piece on Bikeradar

Snake

 Cycling Items  (http://www.yudu.com/groups/details/58/The-Open-Group-For-Cycling-Related-Items)
Title: Re: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: Manotea on 04 August, 2009, 09:58:17 am
65.25 hours, including getting seriously lost on the final run-in.

He was stopping decent intervals at controls too.  Was he supported ? Not sure.

He wandered into Gamblingay on his own and stayed 15~20 minutes. Didn't seem to be in a hurry...
Title: Re: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: Ian H on 04 August, 2009, 10:38:38 am
I must take issue with the earlier comment that Cracknell is a better bike handler than Romero. I was the start timekeeper and observer in the first following vehicle till Preston.Romero started on the front and they changed tandems about every 3 hours.It was very apparent that she was a very good bike handler taking a better line through corners,a straighter line generally and a better choice of gear.As the ride progressed Cracknell seemed to improve in his ability to ride in a straight line.

Dunno whether that was me or my informant misremembering.
Title: Re: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: Fidgetbuzz on 04 August, 2009, 11:22:28 am
Reports around that they have abandoned for medical reasons


Albert_Herring #cracknell #romero have abandoned the attempt for medical reasons at Johnsonbridge nr Moffatt 0955, says ttforum #lejog
Title: Re: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: clarion on 04 August, 2009, 11:29:13 am
It's all over twitter, but is it verified?

Blackburnrod, you're probably our most reliable source for this sort of information - any news?
Title: Re: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: her_welshness on 04 August, 2009, 12:13:50 pm
Cycling Plus have verified that its all over - Rebecca has a bad knee.  :'(
Title: Re: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: toontra on 04 August, 2009, 12:14:05 pm
It's all over twitter, but is it verified?

Blackburnrod, you're probably our most reliable source for this sort of information - any news?

It's confirmed on the Telegraph (sponsors) site that they've abandoned - James Cracknell begins Land's End to John O' Groats cycling challenge - Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/active/5963756/James-Cracknell-begins-Lands-End-to-John-O-Groats-cycling-challenge.html)
Title: Re: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: clarion on 04 August, 2009, 12:25:56 pm
Is this a symptom of their poor preparation?

Telegraph report on end to attempt (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/active/5971098/James-Cracknell-and-Rebecca-Romero-abandon-tandem-record-bid.html)

Sounds like they're prepared to have another crack at it.  I hope they do.  They reached Johnstonebridge before having to abandon because of Rebecca's knee. :(
Title: Re: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: andygates on 04 August, 2009, 01:36:38 pm
Oh, rotten luck.
Title: Re: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: rdaviesb on 04 August, 2009, 01:45:05 pm
That's a shame. Just shows how tough a record this will be to break, but well done to both for getting that far.
Title: Re: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: MSeries on 04 August, 2009, 01:57:40 pm
Is this a symptom of their poor preparation?
You might say they should have done some tests at similar distances and found this out already. I don't know if other records attempters do though. Maybe they were using too big a gear for too long, maybe she just has a dodgy knee which isn't up to this about of exercise with no break. Shes an Olympian but still human.  Hard to say if it could have been prevented.
Title: Re: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: Charlotte on 04 August, 2009, 02:29:00 pm
Oh poo.  I honestly thought that Crackers and Romero were going to pull it off.
Title: Re: Romero/Cracknell tandem RRA end to end
Post by: clarion on 04 August, 2009, 02:30:30 pm
They were definitely on for it earlier.  I'd been sceptical, but was getting to believe...