[HAMR] 11th April - Miles Smith - Day 1

[SoreTween]

Miles' year has begun - good luck to you.  I wonder if he's taken a leaf from Steve's playbook and hit the road at midnight?

Bit concerned he's not showing up in the Trackleaders group.  He's not shown on the UMCA stats pages yet but I guess that'll change once there a first days stats logged.

Edited for date fail.

[red marley]

While his first day has technically started (9 hours ahead of BST) his 'Day 1' is the 11th April. Not that I want to get too pedantic about it, but I already struggle keeping times synchronised between the MK, AR and TX riders.

[EDIT: I see the thread title has adjusted to Aus time while I replied]

[EDIT 2: Go Miles (that's to all 4 riders)]

[Canardly]

Good luck Miles.

[Clemo]

Good Luck Miles 

[Ningishzidda]

Fair dinkum to you. 

[clarion]

Wish you safe roads and smooth pedalling, Miles!

[simonp]

He starts off Miles Behind. Where will he finish?

[Gabrielle260]

Hi All, I'm just on my way in to the launch breakfast for Miles. I'm Not sure why he isn't up on the Spot Tracker as he was hoping to start at 1am and go to Portsea and back before getting to the breakfast around 9.30.
When I find out more, I'll post again. Here in Melbourne it is a beautiful autumnal morning - clear skies, little wind but cool. It got down to about 9 or 10 degrees C and the forecast top is 22.
Andrew

[Basil]

Thanks Andrew.  Keep us updated.

[jefmcg]

Looks like he started as planned
https://www.strava.com/activities/282917765

Breakfast in Richmond?

[Gabrielle260]

Looks like he started as planned
https://www.strava.com/activities/282917765

Breakfast in Richmond?

Yes, breakfast was in Richmond at Abbottsford Cycles ( long story - they used to be in Abbottsford!)
First time I've met Miles... Lovely guy! He has only got going again maybe 10 or 15 mins ago. He arrived around 9.15 with over 200km done already. Now you must excuse me if I'm a touch out on some of the following. I didn't take notes but all is either from the man himself or people in his support crew;
Yes -  the chain rings are huge! Both his bikes have triples. The big ring on one is 68 and the other is 80 teeth.
Sorry - more follows soon.... Gotta get off train!
Andrew

[SandyV]

For those interested, Miles' Facebook page is up.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Go-Miles/1603116773237821

[Gabrielle260]

So, as promised, a bit more background;
Miles was working full time on night shift. He was living in Mt Martha and working in Melbourne and commuting by bike - a round trip of 160kms or 100 miles. That, plus Audax rides gave him an annual total of 70,000 kms (I also heard this story from someone else at the breakfast with a figure of 80,000 kms). Either way, pretty impressive for someone holding down a full time job!!
Miles said he has 9 months of accumulated leave so this attempt is only going to cost him 3 months pay.
His website is www.gomiles.com.au but it may not be working until tomorrow. His Facebook page is up and has photos from this morning's breakfast. The spot tracker is working but is not yet linked to the HAMR page where we can see Steve and Kurt's. He's on Strava too so between Strava and Spot, he is well covered. He is running 2 garmins and 2 Spot trackers.
I heard this morning that Miles is known for his milk consumption- like Steve is for sausages!
Finally, another interesting factoid; neither of the 2 bikes I saw had Tri-bars. One has bullhorn bars and the other has normal road bars.
My impression- a worthy challenger who has a very good chance of breaking the current record!!
Andrew

[CrazyEnglishTriathlete]

124 miles posted on Strava.  It's 9.25pm in Melbourne now so assume that his strategy is to start sensibly and then ramp up the miles?

[marcusjb]

124 miles posted on Strava.  It's 9.25pm in Melbourne now so assume that his strategy is to start sensibly and then ramp up the miles?

If I read Facebook correctly, that was his first 200km ride, he then set off on his second.

[jefmcg]

124 miles posted on Strava.  It's 9.25pm in Melbourne now so assume that his strategy is to start sensibly and then ramp up the miles?

9 hours time difference. It's just 4pm there.

That 200k was before breakfast. He's not going to be starting "sensibly"

Edit: that's some chainring!  https://www.facebook.com/1603116773237821/photos/a.1603683896514442.1073741830.1603116773237821/1603686009847564/?type=1&theater

[macnark]

A heart rate I can almost relate to!

Go Miles, have a safe year ahead of you !

[CrazyEnglishTriathlete]

124 miles posted on Strava.  It's 9.25pm in Melbourne now so assume that his strategy is to start sensibly and then ramp up the miles?

9 hours time difference. It's just 4pm there.

That 200k was before breakfast. He's not going to be starting "sensibly"

Edit: that's some chainring!  https://www.facebook.com/1603116773237821/photos/a.1603683896514442.1073741830.1603116773237821/1603686009847564/?type=1&theater

Good to hear.  Very much approve of 200km before breakfast.  Have only done this once (I think) on Mille Miglia.

[zigzag]

go Miles, best of luck to you!! a long year ahead - and very exciting!

of interesting bits on the bike, besides a mahoosive chainring, the rear rack on a bike looks very neat (custom made?).

[Jaded]

This is turning into a truly international thing, much bigger than ever expected!

Go Miles!

[Canardly]

Great stuff.

[Wowbagger]

This is turning into a truly international thing, much bigger than ever expected!

Go Miles!

Whatever the outcome of Steve's attempts, he's the inspiration of these and every future attempt on Tommy Godwin's record.

[Manotea]

124 miles posted on Strava.  It's 9.25pm in Melbourne now so assume that his strategy is to start sensibly and then ramp up the miles?

9 hours time difference. It's just 4pm there.

That 200k was before breakfast. He's not going to be starting "sensibly"

Edit: that's some chainring!  https://www.facebook.com/1603116773237821/photos/a.1603683896514442.1073741830.1603116773237821/1603686009847564/?type=1&theater

Good to hear.  Very much approve of 200km before breakfast.  Have only done this once (I think) on Mille Miglia.

The only time I've done 200km before breakfast is when I haven't been to bed the night before...

[Wowbagger]

Where's Alice when you need her? 

[Justin(e)]

I heard this morning that Miles is known for his milk consumption- like Steve is for sausages!
Andrew

I've ridden with Steve, and he goes through a fair amount of milk as well. 

I thought it barmy at first as my experience with milk is that it clogs me up.  However, I have subsequently discovered that lactose is just sugar by another name.  So there is sound physiological science behind this strategy.

Allez Miles.  Ride safe and far.