Another interesting aspect of the final phase of Kurt's ride is the way that those who like to associate themselves with success have aligned themselves with him. I think of those who were denouncing him as 'UMCA's Golden Boy' earlier in the year, and were calling for his disqualification. Now they're toasting him with fine malt whisky.
I don't think it is about aligning with the successful - the upward trend of Kurt's level of social media support was established long before it was clear if he would succeed.
I think it is more to do with how updates from Kurt, even when delivered via Alicia, have been very personal and with a level of detail that involves the reader. That contrasts with the delivery of news from Steve, which from the outset gave me the impression of being heavily managed. Virtually none of it, aside from the odd interview, has a personal feel.
I haven't posted much here of late but I do keep an eye on these threads and Facebook etc. Like many others, I have made a small monthly contribution to Steve's record attempt from the beginning. I think in the early stages there was a communication to the contributors, but since then there has been nothing. That doesn't bother me much, of course, but it is a minor symptom that indicates a larger problem. No meaningful updates at all, even to those who would be easily reachable via an email list.
At no stage has any attention been given to well-founded advice. Diet, for instance. Those bikes. The average speeds.
I find myself wondering sometimes if my contribution, when combined with those of others, is adding to pressure on Steve to continue things as they are.