[HAMR] Tarzan (Kurt Searvogel)

[LMT]

I have a feeling that I'm probably supposed to know who John Schlitter is.

If you've ridden or ride a recumbent and you compete in ultra events in the States then you would. Or if you've ever owned a Bachetta or the newish Schlitter recumbent model which was released earlier this year.

[Von Broad]

I rather enjoyed following Kurt round Florida on Google maps when he started this attempt - there's nothing like sound of
gentle Floridian waves coming over the speakers in a poky old flat in dreary olde England [yes, I know, get a life]...but now he's a bit more off road, I can't get access to where he's cycling.
Is he going to stay in that New Tampa park now until January? Has he decided, that's enough, and there's more miles to be had there than the open road? Maybe he's got this far and is now not going to risk a traffic accident? Certainly a good way to pile on the miles, that' for sure.

[Wowbagger]

Another 407km yesterday. At this rate he will increase the record to about 77000 miles. That will require >211 miles per day for any future challenger.

I tend not to use the word "awesome" because it has become so devalued by over-use, but it's hard to think of a more suitable adjective to describe Kurt's efforts. I am filled with awe.

[CrazyEnglishTriathlete]

Another 407km yesterday. At this rate he will increase the record to about 77000 miles. That will require >211 miles per day for any future challenger.

I tend not to use the word "awesome" because it has become so devalued by over-use, but it's hard to think of a more suitable adjective to describe Kurt's efforts. I am filled with awe.

He seems to be riding like the pressure's off - that he feels the record's in the bag.  It's still a mighty achievement -thinking that he did this pretty much in 10 - 11 hours of daylight!

[CrazyEnglishTriathlete]

Yesterday was, according to the HAMR spreadsheet, Kurt's 37th consecutive 200+ mile day.  Irrespective of ambient weather, company, good roads, etc, to do that after 60,000 miles is mindblowing.

[clarion]

I mainly know the name Schlitter from between aralsopp's legs!

[Clemo]

Kurt really has lit the burners the average speeds are incredible.

[Jack_P]

Not sure if this article has been linked too

https://www.outsideonline.com/2039276/hello-i-must-be-going

Getting Paid to ride your bike by your ex-wife, the guy is a genius 

[toontra]

Not sure if this article has been linked too

https://www.outsideonline.com/2039276/hello-i-must-be-going

Getting Paid to ride your bike by your ex-wife, the guy is a genius 

Thanks for that.  The most informative and well-written article I've read so far.

[SoreTween]

Not sure if this article has been linked too

https://www.outsideonline.com/2039276/hello-i-must-be-going

Getting Paid to ride your bike by your ex-wife, the guy is a genius 

If it was linked I missed it so thanks anyway, a very good read.

[eck]

Not sure if this article has been linked too

https://www.outsideonline.com/2039276/hello-i-must-be-going

Getting Paid to ride your bike by your ex-wife, the guy is a genius 

If it was linked I missed it so thanks anyway, a very good read.

Yes indeed, a good piece. And not once did he use that terrible phrase "pedal power". 

[michaelo]

Good read.  What was the outcome on the beers - thought the rules specified alcohol free?  Or did UCMA relax that?

[hillbilly]

In essence, they clarified that they were not puritans and had common sense.

 You aren't allowed to drink and ride whilst participating on the HAM'R, but at the end of each day you aren't riding so it is ok to "refresh" yourself.

[woollypigs]

She is telling him to go get 76543.21 miles in, in the latest farcebook video

[Wowbagger]

I don't quite know what Kurt has been up to today. He started off really early for his first 10 miles and then seened to stop for quite some time. He is up to 22 miles now. Perhaps even Kurt is human and needs a rest.

[SoreTween]

Or the interviews are ramping up?

[swampthing]

Not sure if this article has been linked too

https://www.outsideonline.com/2039276/hello-i-must-be-going

Getting Paid to ride your bike by your ex-wife, the guy is a genius 

There is a long article about Kurt in last weekend's magazine of the "Sueddeutsche", one of Germany's biggest premium newspapers:
http://sz-magazin.sueddeutsche.de/texte/anzeigen/43968

As the article is in German it might be of limited interest for you, but this picture might be worth a look:
http://sz-magazin.sueddeutsche.de/texte/bildergalerie/43968/2/Fest-im-Sattel#bild

The author has accompanied Kurt for one day and his story is written primarily for non-cyclists, giving them an insight into the dedication that the HAMR requires.

Some statements are:
- ... 10 drops/ crashes so far ...
- getting up at 4:30 every morning
- October was hard due to hurricane Patricia
- Kurt's plans for 2016? "kayak tours, hunting, mountainbiking" How about a book, lectures or seminars about motivation? "Not interested."
- What will you do if you get the record and it gets beaten? "I will never ever try this again."
 

[toontra]

- What will you do if you get the record and it gets beaten? "I will never ever try this again."

 

[Von Broad]

- What will you do if you get the record and it gets beaten? "I will never ever try this again."

 

Good to see his mental health is still in good shape

[Martin]

How about a book, lectures or seminars about motivation? "Not interested."

That's interesting; he comes across very well on his videos

[Exit Stage Left]

How about a book, lectures or seminars about motivation? "Not interested."

That's interesting; he comes across very well on his videos

I read the Bill Bryson book about the year 1927. Lindbergh is one of the key figures, and there's a passing reference to Gertrude Ederle, the first woman to swim the Channel. http://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/01/sports/gertrude-ederle-the-first-woman-to-swim-across-the-english-channel-dies-at-98.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

In the US, such celebrity is fleeting, it's much better to have a successful business providing software for car dealers. I'm very much in favour of Kurt going back to work, and not preaching some spurious gospel of self-actualisation through cycling to bond dealers.

[hillbilly]

Alicia has alluded to her writing a book about the year.

[CrazyEnglishTriathlete]

4000 miles to go.  That's only 5 and a bit PBPs left to do between now and midnight on 9th January.

[madcow]

- What will you do if you get the record and it gets beaten? "I will never ever try this again."

 

Good to see his mental health is still in good shape

Not suffering from randonesia (or it's HAMR equivalent) -yet.

[Mr Larrington]

In the US, such celebrity is fleeting, it's much better to have a successful business providing software for car dealers. I'm very much in favour of Kurt going back to work, and not preaching some spurious gospel of self-actualisation through cycling to bond dealers.

And you end up with a creepy stalker.  Whaddya mean series 3 of "The Bridge" isn't a documentary?