Yet Another Cycling Forum
General Category => Freewheeling => Racing => Topic started by: phantasmagoriana on 03 August, 2019, 01:36:00 pm
-
Christina Mackenzie (http://lejogmack.co.uk/) of Stirling Bike Club has confirmed that she'll be setting off on her attempt to break the women's LEJOG record tomorrow morning. Tracker here: http://live.opentracking.co.uk/lejogfkt19/. Go Christina! :thumbsup:
-
Almost at Okehampton already
-
Is there a schedule anywhere? I would like to cheer her on from the roadside if I can.
-
https://mail.google.com/mail/ca/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgxwDqTXnsczSLnwqJJpBqwvCvBCQ?projector=1&messagePartId=0.1
-
Thanks but for some reason, it won't load for me.
-
Plenty of updates and stuff here:
https://twitter.com/24HourMaths
or here:
https://twitter.com/Lejogmack
Currently about half an hour up, somewhere between Tewkesbury and Worcester :thumbsup:
-
Now near Penrith and about 30 min down after a 50 min stop at Shap.
-
Her tracker ttp://live.opentracking.co.uk/lejogfkt19/
-
Is there a schedule anywhere? I would like to cheer her on from the roadside if I can.
The schedule's here: https://twitter.com/24HourMaths/status/1157914644591403009
She's well in to Scotland now.
-
Through 500 miles, looking strong.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EBNRiiMXoAA-2xv?format=jpg&name=medium)
-
Pulling ahead of the dotted line as she heads up the A9.
-
2 mins ago. From @endtoend2018
Inside the last 85 miles now. Almost 48 hours under
@christina_mack
’s wheels. Went through Dornoch Bridge 30 minutes down on schedule. But the deficit is reducing. The schedule beats the record by 15 minutes. No scope for stops. Close enough for you?
-
Tracker issues overnight also cannot have helped the stress levels!
It's going to be close but then if records were easy to break, we would all be out there doing so! :thumbsup:
-
the final push - 50miles to go - how does it look schedule wise?
-
10 mins ago from @24HourMaths on Twitter:
Schedule had @Lejogmack at Helmsdale 0854, arrived there at 0929 = 35 mins behind schedule that breaks the record by 15 mins. So she is 20 minutes behind the record with 52 miles to go. Finish by 1245 to break record by 11 sec (!) - 52 miles in 3 hrs 16 min =15.9 mph required
Nail-bitingly close at the moment, come on Christina! :thumbsup:
-
Now too far behind schedule to break the record apparently. :'(
-
... but is continuing to the finish anyway. What a rider. What a ride.
-
In ultra-distance terms, it has been very, very close.
Just a question of how much left in the legs for the final couple of big climbs two and a bit days in. Impossible to know that before actually trying.
Very brave ride. Shows how good Lynne's rides were.
Too soon to speculate on whether Christina would have another go but I would not find it surprising if she didn't want to put herself through that again.
-
Looking at
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EBRFADuWkAAoOeH.jpg:large)
It looks like the final section of the Drummochter climb (the dual carriageway) was the turning point.
But the schedule doesn't appear to allow for it much, when compared to the other 2 rides with enough datapoints to see the time loss up there.
The Luncarty-Pass of Birnham roadworks don't appear to have been an issue either, although they are fairly free flowing, at night there wouldn't be too much traffic to get held up by (mostly a 40 limit, quite narrow lanes and there's a section with a 30 limit and mini-roundabout).
-
Still an opportunity to grab a second fastest LEJOG if her legs are up to it.
-
Finishing time 55:19:52. It looks like she soft pedalled once the record was out of sight.
I wonder will she try again?
-
Looks like she's going to have another attempt:
https://twitter.com/24HourMaths/status/1220674710503116800
-
The record might be a lot harder by then. There are four attempts planned next year and the first (IMU) is Chris Murray. She smashed the long standing 24TT record to smithereens last year and followed it up by taking the York - Edinburgh record without much ado. It'll be exciting to see what she does with LEJOG.
-
Hm,
Berriedale should be complete, but everyone will have a slightly different passage between Luncarty and Birnam as the works and alignment change.
Might be the last chance until 2025 though as the roads going to be almost constant road works
(although 2025 completion of the upgrade is looking increasingly unlikely with the issues in the passes of Birnam and Killiekrankie)
-
(https://i.ibb.co/6vNbqhx/EPE1-D49-Ws-AAKUDN.png)
-
I've been in the same clubs and cycled with the current record holder and the (unsuccessful) Challenger.
-
I've been in the same clubs and cycled with the current record holder and the (unsuccessful) Challenger.
I'm in the same club as one of the 2020 challengers. Hoping to get out and cheer her on along the way at some point.
-
I've been in the same clubs and cycled with the current record holder and the (unsuccessful) Challenger.
I once spoke to Gethin Butler on the phone, so yah boo sucks ;D
-
I've been in the same clubs and cycled with the current record holder and the (unsuccessful) Challenger.
I once spoke to Gethin Butler on the phone, so yah boo sucks ;D
Beats my sad claim to fame ;D
-
I’ve been to both Lands End and John O’Groats. So there!
-
I've been in the same clubs and cycled with the current record holder and the (unsuccessful) Challenger.
I once spoke to Gethin Butler on the phone, so yah boo sucks ;D
Me too :)
-
Next you'll say you spoke to Mike Broadwith too :facepalm:
-
I've been in the same clubs and cycled with the current record holder and the (unsuccessful) Challenger.
I'm in the same club as one of the 2020 challengers. Hoping to get out and cheer her on along the way at some point.
They're hoping for a decent weather window to get this attempt going soon.
https://twitter.com/2137Lejog
-
I'm very much looking forward to it. She's a super-strong rider and should smash it :thumbsup:
-
Start date confirmed as 13th September, and the tracker is online ready for dotwatching:
https://frrt.org/lejog2020/?center=53.93345,-2.02148&zoom=7
-
Thanks for this - she is on her way!
-
Thanks for this - she is on her way!
She's had to abandon, unfortunately, around half way. :(
-
Gutted for her. Abandoning is a really hard choice, so must have been something that made it impossible to complete. Hope she recovers well.
-
RRA in conversation with Christina Murray
https://soundcloud.com/user-971271891-227782844/rra-in-conversation-with-christina-murray
-
Bounce!
Well underway, past Shap is this attempt #3?
Weather not favourable and not much up on Schedule
https://mobile.twitter.com/Lejogmack (https://mobile.twitter.com/Lejogmack)
-
This is attempt number 2 for Christina Mackenzie - not to be confused with Christina Murray.
(Mackenzie is the reigning RTTC 12 hour champ, Murray is the reigning 24 champ and they've both tried LEJOG once before. Clear as mud?)
Conditions sound to have been fairly kind overall so far, with some rain overnight but a mostly favourable winds.
She's through Penrith over an hour up on schedule, which is for a 15 minute beating of the old record. She looked good in the video of her ascending Shap, and all in all she looks to have everything well under control.
-
Live tracker
https://live.opentracking.co.uk/lejogcm21/ (https://live.opentracking.co.uk/lejogcm21/)
-
https://twitter.com/24HourMaths/status/1420719983403937798?s=19 (https://twitter.com/24HourMaths/status/1420719983403937798?s=19)
She's at Moffat and the weather is dry. Looking good!
As usual with these things, Mike Broadwith's Twitter is one of the best places for updates.
-
Would have gone out to the south end of the Forth Rd Bridge to cheer her on but Im already committed to something else in Edinburgh City centre
Shes soon to leave the shitty surface that extends pretty much continuously from Moffat RAB to the Thankerton turn off - and still going strong!
-
She's through Thankerton and inside 300 miles to go.
She gained her hour over schedule on the first day, let half of it slip overnight and then gained that back by only stopping for half an hour instead of the planned hour this morning. She's held that hour so far, so let's hope she keeps it through the Edinburgh traffic and the vagaries of the second night.
Teethgrinder thinks it's excellent pacing so I'll trust him on that one :thumbsup:
-
Over the hills and 80 minutes up, with more descent yet to cover before the Forth Bridge. Apparently the wind is forecast to drop by the time she turns into it again at Perth. Excellent news!
-
Still ahead of schedule, just south of Perth now. Wishing her well!
-
Can someone please explain what I'm looking at on the tracker?
The red line is obv the proposed route.
The pin seems to move forwards fairly often.
The low-res blue line seems to follow later.
Is the low-res blue line where the tracker checks in, and the pin is an estimated position ahead of that?
Or what?
-
The tracker is meant to update every 3 minutes, which I'm fairly sure is where the marker is. I don't know about the blue dotted line.
The latest graph is out (https://twitter.com/24HourMaths/status/1420819380770848778?s=19) and she's building up a strong lead. She's now got a tough climbing section ahead of her but this is looking very achievable Indeed.
-
Watched the tracker tonight Drumochter Summit Local Time 23:05 70 min up on Schedule
-
I think the technical term is 'smashing it'.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E7f-lukWYAQnXK5?format=jpg&name=large)
-
This is really impressive! Thanks for keeping us posted, you lot. I note that Christina seems to be possessed of some kind of space-ship, while 20 years ago, Lynne was riding a bike! Two incredible riders.
-
She reached the Aviemore A95 turnoff at 01:18, 58 minutes ahead of schedule. That leaves 146 miles left to ride and 11:26 in which to ride them. The first twelve miles are uphill, then there are eighteen downwards miles to Inverness - which I think are where Mike B did his Rodin's Thinker on the tribars pose.
-
Would have gone to cheer, but Inverness is going to be at a difficult time.
-
Sixty three miles to go @06:50 . Roadside bagpipers@3am would get anyone pedalling to escape the noise!
-
Really really impressive
-
Just through Helmsdale - the last serious lump.
-
Latest graph:
(https://i.ibb.co/W0F675g/image.png) (https://ibb.co/tzc4nK8)
800 down, 40 to go.
-
even soft-pedalling record is in the bag.
-
Super impressive. :thumbsup:
-
Under 30km to go.
There is the potential to knock more than an hour off the record.
-
She's at Keiss with nine miles to go. If she does those in the next 35 minutes she'll go under 51 hours and knock 1:45 of the record. That's a huge chunk.
-
She's at Keiss with nine miles to go. If she does those in the next 35 minutes she'll go under 51 hours and knock 1:45 of the record. That's a huge chunk.
Breaking 51 seems a significant marker.
Currently riding at 26kph, let's hope she can sustain it.
(although I doubt it; every incline is reducing her to a crawl. She is running on empty.)
-
One more lump to get over.
-
About 4km to go and 9 mins to beat 51 hours.
-
Is she going to be sub 51h.. probably a few seconds over.
-
Speed limits don't apply to bikes!
-
She can see JoG. All downhill now.
-
She must have finished, 51.04 ish? tracker is a bit flaky
-
I suspect that the climb up warth hill was walking pace. One of those killer times when all you want to do is sit by the side of the road and cry in exhaustion.
-
51:05:05
-
Amazing ride. :thumbsup:
-
LEJOG: nailed it mate
-
1 hour 40 minutes off the record. What an awesome ride. :thumbsup:
-
Terrific!
-
Amazing :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
-
fantastic result - congrats!!
(made a rough comparison to my last pbp - 130km further and only 2hr longer. that's good going)
-
Brilliant
-
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E7jS1CIWUAUFGCc?format=jpg&name=large)
Morning ride...
Understatement ?
J
-
From the RRA: "Christina has finished with a provisional new record time of 2d 3h 5m 27s."
-
It's a strong record... she went under Lynne's one by 90 minutes or so... exceptional!
I guess she didn't go for the thousand... ;D
-
It's a strong record... she went under Lynne's one by 90 minutes or so... exceptional!
I guess she didn't go for the thousand... ;D
She beat it by 99:44 - I'm guessing she won't do it again for the sake of sixteen seconds ;)
-
I think he meant carrying on for the 1,000 mile record - which Dick Poole famously missed due to a miscalculation of mileage.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_Poole_%28cyclist%29#The_record_he_missed
-
I think he meant carrying on for the 1,000 mile record - which Dick Poole famously missed due to a miscalculation of mileage.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_Poole_%28cyclist%29#The_record_he_missed
Indeed he did, but she didn't register with the RRA for the 1000 in the first place she's now back home, so I think we're all in agreement that she didn't go for it ;D
-
Some more info at bikeradar today. https://www.bikeradar.com/features/routes-and-rides/christina-mackenzie-lejog-record/?utm_source=Adestra&utm_medium=Email&utm_content=BRR&utm_campaign=3rd%20August%20Newsletter_1105977_BikeRadar_Newsletters_7822350
Here's the text. For photos go to the link.
Mackenzie attempted the end to end two years ago, finishing the ride but missing the record. It drifted away on the penultimate climb of Helmsdale: “I felt awful, when I realised there was no way I could do it. I’d let everyone down and was really disappointed in myself. I never wanted to do it again.”
An approach from Gary Hand of Espresso Coaching changed her mind, though, leading to an intense training plan for another attempt: “I would look at what was coming up on TrainingPeaks, and just go, ‘ouch… this is going to be painful’ but it got my body ready for the stress, fatigue and recovery needed.”
One ‘long weekend’ stood out from Mackenzie’s training plan, consisting of three unsupported 200-mile rides and 10,000 metres of climbing in brutal laps of the Scottish Highlands.
While 8,000 miles in six months qualifies as ‘big miles’, her training also included intervals, threshold work, hill climbs, gym work, strength and flexibility. In short, “getting pushed further and higher each time, with everything increasing.”
Mackenzie’s bike strikes a balance between aero performance and comfort. Mackenzie rode a Liv Avow Advanced Pro 2 time trial bike for the record. Her build isn’t far removed from the stock bike, but the adaptations are significant.
Notable upgrades include the wide-range 11-32t cassette (a broad range of gears that allows you to clip along at a comfortable cadence while seated on climbs or into a headwind is more important than close spacing); the deep-but-still-manageable-in-a-crosswind FFWD 60/90mm wheelset; and the pair of Exposure lights.
Mackenzie opted for a custom aero cockpit. The bike is also very slippery, featuring a nearly integrated front brake.
Mackenzie also opted for a wide-fitting version of Shimano’s RC7 shoes. It is not unusual for feet to swell significantly on ultra-endurance rides, so this was done to avoid hot spots.
Framset: Liv Avow Advanced Pro 2 TT
Cockpit: Stock Liv base bars with custom aero extensions
Shifters: Shimano SL-BSR1 mechanical aero shifters
Crankset: 170mm Shimano Ultegra R8000 50/34 crankset with Giant Pro power meter
Rear derailleur: Shimano Ultegra R8000 medium cage rear mech
Cassette: Shimano 11/32 cassette
Saddle: Cobb Fifty Five saddle
Wheelset: FFWD F6R front wheel / FFWD F9R rear wheel,
Tyres: 23mm Continental GP5000
Pedals: Look Keo Max 2 carbon pedals
Computer: Garmin 830
Lights: Exposure Toro MK11 front light and Blaze MK2 rear light
Shoes: Shimano RC7 SPD-SL in wide fit
Helmet: Endura D2Z Aeroswitch
Christina Mackenzie aero position
Mackenzie’s position was dialled in with the help of Drew Wilson at VisualBikeFit. More important than the bike is Mackenzie’s position, which has been honed over years of endurance riding.
Being able to sustain the position with comfort is vital to avoiding injury and minimising pain: “if injured, it’s not a question of finishing the last 10 miles, it’s the length of the country. I don’t have a hugely aggressive TT position, it’s comfort over aero.”
Nevertheless, her position wouldn’t seem out of place at an out-and-back time trial – to maintain that position for 51 hours is a feat of extraordinary endurance.
For long rides, a steady headwind feels personal. For the end to end record, it is terminal. Mackenzie checked the forecast obsessively in the weeks before: “I refreshed mywindsock, every hour, again and again, but it kept changing!”
The wind proved ideal for the first 100 miles of Mackenzie’s ride up and over Bodmin Moor, with a speedy 21mph average: “At one point I was watching my heart rate come down whilst my speed went up, I was loving it! I had to reassure the team that I was in zone 1 though!”
Bristol saw the arrival of grumbling, tropical downpours: “It was wet and uncomfortable, but you could see blue sky and knew it would stop.”
Cities are a good place to watch but bring navigational challenges, invariably in the rush hour. However, having lost time during her previous attempt, getting lost in Exeter with mounting anxiety, Mackenzie knew what to expect: “this time I sailed through.”
After Bristol, the route bisects the midlands corridor, an endless spool of darkening post-industrial sprawl. A cheering Lynne Biddulph appeared amidst the murk of a Staffordshire roundabout, a brief vision amidst the darkness.
With daylight came the first big climb, the nine miles of Shap Fell. Things were going well: “Shap wasn’t a breeze, but I kept tapping away, and it was a lot more enjoyable than two years ago, because of my training.”
She opted against a planned 20-minute sleep stop in Penrith: “I didn’t feel tired and didn’t think it would gain me anything, so just had a quick change of clothes, some food, then carried on.”
Crossing the border at Gretna is a deceptive milestone, with the ‘Welcome to Scotland’ sign undermined by the small matter of a further 400 miles.
For Mackenzie, the stretch from the west to the east coast became a gruesome crawl: “If ever there was a time when I wanted to stop, it was then. It’s the worst road in the world, the surface is lumpy and horrible. I was ploughing through miles of just nothing and felt fatigue kicking in.” At Abington, the road changed direction in a neat dog-leg, and with it the wind was kind again.
Once over the Forth Bridge, groups of friends, colleagues and club members were out in force.
Home roads brought the comfort of knowing the landscape, but also heralded the serious business of the A9 and an overnight 40-mile climb to Drumochter summit: “The climb was fine, but I got cold on the descent. I stopped to put warm kit on. Then I was too hot, like the Michelin Man, so many layers I couldn’t move, I got flustered, had to stop. Then it rained so I needed another wardrobe change.”
The second night without sleep compounded matters: “I knew I was tired and there were a couple of times where I nodded off, but I kept upright.”
Mackenzie wins the prize for understatement. Falling asleep on the descent of Drumochter Pass is part of the myth of the end to end, stories abound of riders veering off the road, avoiding shadows, imaginary rabbits, that sort of thing. It is where the ride gets spicy.
Inverness marks the home straight, albeit a home straight of 120 miles with two hard climbs, Helmsdale and Berriedale, the first of which crushed Mackenzie’s previous attempt.
“At that point it was a mental game and I broke it down to a 100-mile training ride. To be honest, I enjoyed Helmsdale, I knew what was around the corner.
“Nearing the end I was crying, realising what I had done, I was trying to calm myself. At the finish someone took the bike because I couldn’t walk, and then the emotion hit me, with everyone cheering and congratulating me. I was stood there in tears.
Christina MacKenzie goes for the Lejog record, Lands End to John O'Groats Cycle. Helmsdale, Highlands and Island, Scotland, UK
Mackenzie was met with support along the length of the route. Brian Smith / Jasper Image
“The team were in tears. I didn’t want it to end, everything that I’d worked for came down to this.”
To those following, both on the road and refreshing the tracker, this remarkable ride always seemed on.
-
I like her choice of bike...could be a good tourer! That's if you like being on the extensions, which I do. Weighs about 9.7 kgs.
-
This
A cheering Lynne Biddulph appeared amidst the murk of a Staffordshire roundabout, a brief vision amidst the darkness.
is rather lovely to read.
-
I read that her TSS was 1600ish for the ride.
This compared to my 1200 ish for an 18hour 300 in East Angular shows how strong she is. Awesome ride.
-
I read that her TSS was 1600ish for the ride.
This compared to my 1200 ish for an 18hour 300 in East Angular shows how strong she is. Awesome ride.
1600 TSS for a 50+ hour ride feels very low. Almost error in measurement levels of low.
J
-
I don't think so. She also said that the tailwind in the first section had her maintaining 20mph in zone 1. She was riding with a power meter and it was her coach sharing her Training Peaks data.
I'll have a look for the picture. It was on Facebook so will take forever to find again.
ETA
Here you go
https://www.facebook.com/1649846622010999/posts/3036607930001521/
And for the lolz, here's mine. I wasn't maintaining 20mph in zone 1. She's super strong, and amazingly slippy.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210804/4eaaef95c454f4b23d3fa7a4f76dd471.jpg)
-
I read that her TSS was 1600ish for the ride.
This compared to my 1200 ish for an 18hour 300 in East Angular shows how strong she is. Awesome ride.
1600 TSS for a 50+ hour ride feels very low. Almost error in measurement levels of low.
J
I agree it does feel very low. I wonder does the TSS algorithm break down with rides like that?
-
Please - what is TSS for lay people?
-
Please - what is TSS for lay people?
Training stress score. A way of measuring the impact of a training ride. If I understand it correctly, then a ride of 1 hours at ftp has a TSS of 100. A ride of 2 hours at 50% of FTP would be a TSS of 100 also.
J
-
Thanks, J.
-
I read that her TSS was 1600ish for the ride.
This compared to my 1200 ish for an 18hour 300 in East Angular shows how strong she is. Awesome ride.
1600 TSS for a 50+ hour ride feels very low. Almost error in measurement levels of low.
J
I agree it does feel very low. I wonder does the TSS algorithm break down with rides like that?
Possibly it fails to account for fatigue over lengthy and sustained periods -I wonder what TG's daily TSS was on his year record attempts!
I've voiced similar dissatisfaction with Strava Summit "suggestions" elsewhere. 😉
-
Please - what is TSS for lay people?
Training stress score. A way of measuring the impact of a training ride. If I understand it correctly, then a ride of 1 hours at ftp has a TSS of 100. A ride of 2 hours at 50% of FTP would be a TSS of 100 also.
J
Not according to Training Peaks (and I think they are the best source because of their involvement with Dr Coggan). Their formula is related to IF2 * - you can find it here:
https://www.trainingpeaks.com/learn/articles/estimating-training-stress-score-tss/
So 2 hours at 50% of FTP is 50 TSS - if you ride a long time at a low IF then you can get surprisingly low TSS.
*IF is Intensity Factor, basically Normalized Power/FTP
-
Does it also measure toe-nail growth whilst training and other REALLY VITAL first world stuff?
-
RRA in conversation with Christina Mackenzie - End to End record holder :thumbsup:
https://soundcloud.com/user-971271891-227782844/rra-in-conversation-with-christina-mackenzie
-
Does anyone know what the unofficial record is for a "road bike" and by that I mean something without tri bars, disc wheel etc., basically the CTT definition of "road bike category"... is it just a case of looking back at which record holder rode which bike?
-
John Woodburn, 45 hours 03 minutes, 1982 (https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/latest-news/record-rides-john-woodburns-record-breaking-end-to-end-1982-211103)
Andy Wilkinson lowered it by 57 seconds in 1990 but he was using tribars.
Comic report of Woodburn's ride (http://www.timetriallingforum.co.uk/index.php?/topic/40508-john-woodburns-lands-end-john-o-groats/)
Comic report of Wilko's ride - he mentions his handlebars on p28 (http://www.timetriallingforum.co.uk/index.php?/topic/25499-lands-end-to-john-ogroats-record-by-andy-wilkinson/)
If you were looking for a soft record to beat, I'm afraid this isn't it: Woodburn was a legend and he set a very strong time!
-
John Woodburn, 45 hours 03 minutes, 1982 (https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/latest-news/record-rides-john-woodburns-record-breaking-end-to-end-1982-211103)
Andy Wilkinson lowered it by 57 seconds in 1990 but he was using tribars.
Comic report of Woodburn's ride (http://www.timetriallingforum.co.uk/index.php?/topic/40508-john-woodburns-lands-end-john-o-groats/)
Comic report of Wilko's ride - he mentions his handlebars on p28 (http://www.timetriallingforum.co.uk/index.php?/topic/25499-lands-end-to-john-ogroats-record-by-andy-wilkinson/)
If you were looking for a soft record to beat, I'm afraid this isn't it: Woodburn was a legend and he set a very strong time!
Ha ha, no... I was just interested to see the difference. So, like for like, I am inclined to say that Woodburn's record was a stronger cycling performance than that of the current record holder. Looks like a 5% difference and you typically get more than that in a time trial going from a bog standard road bike to a full aero kit. Obviously one has to take into account wind, weather and whatnot, but on paper 45 hours on that bike looks mighty impressive... was it not longer too? It says 848 miles, is it not 839 now?
-
John Woodburn, 45 hours 03 minutes, 1982 (https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/latest-news/record-rides-john-woodburns-record-breaking-end-to-end-1982-211103)
Andy Wilkinson lowered it by 57 seconds in 1990 but he was using tribars.
Comic report of Woodburn's ride (http://www.timetriallingforum.co.uk/index.php?/topic/40508-john-woodburns-lands-end-john-o-groats/)
Comic report of Wilko's ride - he mentions his handlebars on p28 (http://www.timetriallingforum.co.uk/index.php?/topic/25499-lands-end-to-john-ogroats-record-by-andy-wilkinson/)
If you were looking for a soft record to beat, I'm afraid this isn't it: Woodburn was a legend and he set a very strong time!
Ha ha, no... I was just interested to see the difference. So, like for like, I am inclined to say that Woodburn's record was a stronger cycling performance than that of the current record holder. Looks like a 5% difference and you typically get more than that in a time trial going from a bog standard road bike to a full aero kit. Obviously one has to take into account wind, weather and whatnot, but on paper 45 hours on that bike looks mighty impressive... was it not longer too? It says 848 miles, is it not 839 now?
I find debates like this deeply annoying but anyway.
I have watched a film of the Woodburn record and the conditions he had were significantly different to the rain encountered by 24hr maths (he's on here by the way so it's not terribly good form to belittle his ride).
Also note that Mike lost probably a couple of hours as he was unable to hold his head up for a lot of the last day. There's plenty of film to confirm this.
-
I have watched a film of the Woodburn record and the conditions he had were significantly different to the rain encountered by 24hr maths (he's on here by the way so it's not terribly good form to belittle his ride).
Why belittling? Anyone who manages to something like that has my utmost respect. I just find 45 hours on that bike more impressive, that's all. I read that someone did 41 hours on a windcheetah... very impressive, but not as impressive as Broadwidth's... or Woodburn's.
I have a thing for the traditional handlebars... ;D
-
Andy Wilkinson – for it was he – was aiming for sub-40 in the Windcheetah but was foiled by a mechanical, IIRC somewhere near Bristol.
-
Andy Wilkinson – for it was he – was aiming for sub-40 in the Windcheetah but was foiled by a mechanical, IIRC somewhere near Bristol.
Can't find any RRA definition of what is a cycle in their rules.... which is odd
-
Andy Wilkinson – for it was he – was aiming for sub-40 in the Windcheetah but was foiled by a mechanical, IIRC somewhere near Bristol.
There's a good write up on that somewhere but I'm currently failing to find it. They had to rig up a system of pipework to deal with the, erm, excess fluid.
I think it might have been in the very excellent End-to-End book that came out last year.
-
Our man at the RRA is 24hourmaths, so perhaps he'll pop up to inform us. They're a very small organisation; I imagine they'd just harmonise with the CTT or UCI definitions rather than write their own.
The "not as impressive" 41 hours on a Windcheetah was the same guy who beat Woodburn's 45 hours by a minute; yes he had tribars, but the weather for the 1990 attempt was atrocious, as it was an autumn attempt and when the weather window never appeared, he gave up waiting and started into a rainy headwind.
And yes, on the Windcheetah ride he spent more than an hour snoozing by the side of the road while his team fixed one of his axles (https://web.archive.org/web/20100918234801/http://www.windcheetah.co.uk/record.htm). I can't actually find a date for when this one was done - Mr L, do you know?
-
I think it might have been in the very excellent End-to-End book that came out last year.
I have said book and I don't think it's in it
-
It's linked from my post above :demon:
-
Our man at the RRA is 24hourmaths, so perhaps he'll pop up to inform us. They're a very small organisation; I imagine they'd just harmonise with the CTT or UCI definitions rather than write their own.
The "not as impressive" 41 hours on a Windcheetah was the same guy who beat Woodburn's 45 hours by a minute; yes he had tribars, but the weather for the 1990 attempt was atrocious, as it was an autumn attempt and when the weather window never appeared, he gave up waiting and started into a rainy headwind.
And yes, on the Windcheetah ride he spent more than an hour snoozing by the side of the road while his team fixed one of his axles (https://web.archive.org/web/20100918234801/http://www.windcheetah.co.uk/record.htm). I can't actually find a date for when this one was done - Mr L, do you know?
Not off the top of my head but I'm sure it got a mention in the BHPC mag. Oh, hang on, Wikinaccurate says 1996, which means no grovelling in the archives trying to find it :thumbsup:
-
Nice article, thanks Karla
-
Our man at the RRA is 24hourmaths, so perhaps he'll pop up to inform us. They're a very small organisation; I imagine they'd just harmonise with the CTT or UCI definitions rather than write their own.
It just seems bizarre there isn't a detailed definition of what is a bicycle within the rules, whereas there are clear rules about how high on the ground the sign of "support vehicle" needs to be...
Maybe it's in the Handbook
-
Our man at the RRA is 24hourmaths, so perhaps he'll pop up to inform us. They're a very small organisation; I imagine they'd just harmonise with the CTT or UCI definitions rather than write their own.
It just seems bizarre there isn't a detailed definition of what is a bicycle within the rules, whereas there are clear rules about how high on the ground the sign of "support vehicle" needs to be...
Maybe it's in the Handbook
I suspect that they reference the British Cycling handbook
Unless expressly authorised by the format of
the competition, Events held under these
Technical Regulations are restricted to cycles
that are compliant with UCI Regulations
-
My recollection of what Mike Burrows said at the time was that they were happy to oversee record attempts with non-UCI compliant machinery if you asked nicely. He was trying to get more BHPC members to have a go at road records with, it has to be said, a notable lack of success.
-
UCI rules keep changing, they are different for road racing, time trials and track… so does that mean this is considered like a UCI time trial?
The other important thing is that UCI oversee racing, I am not 100% sure Lejog qualify as a race, so using rules designed for racing might not be the best choice… the very definition of a race involves having a winner among a group of competitors… here there are no winners and there isn’t a group of competitors.
It would probably be nice to have two categories, one heavily regulated, and one basically free, to allow all sorts of wacky velomobiles
-
NFR you've got some very odd ideas ???
Our man at the RRA is 24hourmaths, so perhaps he'll pop up to inform us. They're a very small organisation; I imagine they'd just harmonise with the CTT or UCI definitions rather than write their own.
The "not as impressive" 41 hours on a Windcheetah was the same guy who beat Woodburn's 45 hours by a minute; yes he had tribars, but the weather for the 1990 attempt was atrocious, as it was an autumn attempt and when the weather window never appeared, he gave up waiting and started into a rainy headwind.
And yes, on the Windcheetah ride he spent more than an hour snoozing by the side of the road while his team fixed one of his axles (https://web.archive.org/web/20100918234801/http://www.windcheetah.co.uk/record.htm). I can't actually find a date for when this one was done - Mr L, do you know?
Not off the top of my head but I'm sure it got a mention in the BHPC mag. Oh, hang on, Wikinaccurate says 1996, which means no grovelling in the archives trying to find it :thumbsup:
1996 was the year he won the BBAR with three comp records. A busy time!
-
UCI rules keep changing, they are different for road racing, time trials and track… so does that mean this is considered like a UCI time trial?
The other important thing is that UCI oversee racing, I am not 100% sure Lejog qualify as a race, so using rules designed for racing might not be the best choice… the very definition of a race involves having a winner among a group of competitors… here there are no winners and there isn’t a group of competitors.
It would probably be nice to have two categories, one heavily regulated, and one basically free, to allow all sorts of wacky velomobiles
Unless expressly authorised by the format of the competition
That is pretty clear.
You want to attempt it in a 4person rowbike? Ask them. I'm sure they'll be happy to record that as a category. Evidence (faired windcheater) seems to suggest that they are open to ideas.
-
The RRA were very happy to work with Wilko because of his proven ability and determination on 'normal' bikes. They still didn't list his HPV record as an official RRA record. I am not sure they would be so happy to put the time and effort into timing Joe Random on some weird-bike (TM).
-
My recollection of what Mike Burrows said at the time was that they were happy to oversee record attempts with non-UCI compliant machinery if you asked nicely. He was trying to get more BHPC members to have a go at road records with, it has to be said, a notable lack of success.
It would probably be nice to have two categories, one heavily regulated, and one basically free, to allow all sorts of wacky velomobiles
Has nobody had a crack at it in a Milan SL or similar? Seems like a conspicuous omission.
-
Has nobody had a crack at it in a Milan SL or similar? Seems like a conspicuous omission.
No, but it has been done in 7 days on a Brompton... when I became aware of it, I quickly updated Wikipedia, as I thought it was a valiant effort!
-
There is a great movie by Ray Pascoe that documents John Woodburn's 1982 record called "2 days and 2 night"
https://www.bromleyvideo.com/2-days--2-nights---revisited-dvd-128-p.asp (https://www.bromleyvideo.com/2-days--2-nights---revisited-dvd-128-p.asp)
I think it's an interesting pastime for all riders, after any TT, to ponder to themselves, was that a good ride... or not? I'm sure that that element of self-reflection is part of the sport. I've ridden a few 24 hour races for my sins and I will sometime try to decide, with hindsight, which ones were the 'better' rides... and never really came to a solid conclusion.
There is a video here about the current men's LEJOG record holder which explores some of that idea at points.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbFgPom8YY0 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbFgPom8YY0)
Having spoken to Andy about the HPV attempt, it sounded utterly horrible - hot, sweaty, hair-raisingly dangerous and soaked in his own urine.
If you are interested, I have had the privilege of interviewing all the living record holders, from Eileen Sheridan to Christina Mackenzie, on behalf of the RRA. These interviews include Andy and Gethin and can be found on the RRA Soundcloud:
https://soundcloud.com/user-971271891-227782844 (https://soundcloud.com/user-971271891-227782844)
-
Has nobody had a crack at it in a Milan SL or similar? Seems like a conspicuous omission.
No, but it has been done in 7 days on a Brompton... when I became aware of it, I quickly updated Wikipedia, as I thought it was a valiant effort!
Lots of Germans doing the German end-to-end these days (south to north), one is doing it in a Milan SL shortly.
https://www.velomobilforum.de/forum/index.php?threads/rekordversuch-deutschland-sued-nord-2022.64372/
-
There is a great movie by Ray Pascoe that documents John Woodburn's 1982 record called "2 days and 2 night"
https://www.bromleyvideo.com/2-days--2-nights---revisited-dvd-128-p.asp (https://www.bromleyvideo.com/2-days--2-nights---revisited-dvd-128-p.asp)
I think it's an interesting pastime for all riders, after any TT, to ponder to themselves, was that a good ride... or not? I'm sure that that element of self-reflection is part of the sport. I've ridden a few 24 hour races for my sins and I will sometime try to decide, with hindsight, which ones were the 'better' rides... and never really came to a solid conclusion.
There is a video here about the current men's LEJOG record holder which explores some of that idea at points.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbFgPom8YY0 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbFgPom8YY0)
Having spoken to Andy about the HPV attempt, it sounded utterly horrible - hot, sweaty, hair-raisingly dangerous and soaked in his own urine.
If you are interested, I have had the privilege of interviewing all the living record holders, from Eileen Sheridan to Christina Mackenzie, on behalf of the RRA. These interviews include Andy and Gethin and can be found on the RRA Soundcloud:
https://soundcloud.com/user-971271891-227782844 (https://soundcloud.com/user-971271891-227782844)
Found two days and two nights on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X62-C58JPN4
-
Great film of John Woodburn’s attempt.
-
Great film of John Woodburn’s attempt.
Yeah, his position on the bike is impressive, for someone who has to ride for 2 days non stop
-
Nice "sampling" of Hotel California! Be interesting to know whether the soundtrack riff actually pre-dates HC. Obviously, nobody would ever beat the Eagles in litigation... John Woodburn himself has been successfully sampled, notably by Gethin Butler.
-
Shazam claims it's “The Gift” by “Laura”. Further information is proving elusive.
-
Is Shazam a search thingy for music? If so, I don't know what to do but I was thinking that the female singer sounds like it could be Kate McGarrigle, though I don't know the song. I love her singing and writing. (Oh tell the truth, Peter, you just love her.) Would you be able to find that? It's the one with piano.
That's a terrific film, right down to the very English narration straight from the cockpit of a beaten-up Hurricane. 850 miles on the drops, I'm sore just thinking about it. But notice the fine crop of cold-sores on John's lips at a later unspecified date; he can obviously get run-down. At least I can do that!
I've been trying to place his accent - is he from Hampshire?
-
Shazam's the App they have For That; you point it at the music, press the button, it listens and tries to identify the track. Worked pretty quickly for this track but has difficulty with Tuareg guitarist Mdou Moctar :P
-
;D
-
Christina Murray is planning to go soon. She's a serious contender.
-
Has nobody had a crack at it in a Milan SL or similar? Seems like a conspicuous omission.
No, but it has been done in 7 days on a Brompton... when I became aware of it, I quickly updated Wikipedia, as I thought it was a valiant effort!
Lots of Germans doing the German end-to-end these days (south to north), one is doing it in a Milan SL shortly.
https://www.velomobilforum.de/forum/index.php?threads/rekordversuch-deutschland-sued-nord-2022.64372/
Is there an official list of records by category? or an equivalent of our RRA?
-
Christina Murray is planning to go soon. She's a serious contender.
Indeed, and every time someone updates this thread I have to hastily click through to check if she's pulled the trigger.
-
Christina Murray is planning to go soon. She's a serious contender.
Indeed, and every time someone updates this thread I have to hastily click through to check if she's pulled the trigger.
I should get a notification when she decides.
-
What happened to Jasmijn Muller, given up?
-
What happened to Jasmijn Muller, given up?
She's riding the North Cape event, though having some problems at the mo.
-
What happened to Jasmijn Muller, given up?
Gave up ages ago, before the Mackenzie/Murray attempts got going in earnest. I think she's mentally moved on from the attempt and doesn't plan to return to it.
-
:-X
(https://i.ibb.co/2NBD65t/windymurray.jpg)
-
This Saturday, 23rd July 2022, Christina Murray (Army Cycling) will depart from Land's End at 0800.
She will be attempting the RRA Land's End to John O'Groats record. This currently stands at 51:05:27, set in 2021 by Christina Mackenzie (Stirling BC)
Notice and Schedule here:
https://twitter.com/RRA_GB/status/1549793133273452544...
Live tracker:
https://maps.findmespot.com/s/D37H
-
Favourable winds, no rain and acceptable temperatures for July... the scene is set
-
Mint ;D
-
I shall be observing somewhere north of Exeter, with the redoubtable Mrs O in tow.
-
Excellent
-
Dot not moving... should have reached Exeter by now, but it's been stuck a few miles west for 20 minutes ::-)
-
Yes, I noticed that.
-
Seems to just be an issue with the tracker: https://twitter.com/2137Lejog/status/1550834291755700225
-
The tracker is very patchy. She was 15 mins up on schedule when I saw her north of Cullompton. The last update I have is she's about 50 mins up at Wolverhampton. So looking good so far.
-
Still up on her schedule after Shap.
-
Approaching Gretna. She's now moved ahead of both hey own schedule and the Mackenzie line.
-
There’s a graph of how she’s doing against her schedule and current record etc.
-
Crossing the Forth now.
-
She's through Pitlochry, and absolutely bossing it!
-
I'm beginning to think she's going to do it.
Do you think Christine MacKenzie will come back for another go?
-
Perhaps? I think Murray is the faster rider though, and will always have the advantage.
-
Email from the RRA
Chris had just crested A9 Summit at 21:55. Had some rain and a change of clothes. Going well. Still about an hour up.
-
Unfortunately it looks like she has abandoned. The tracker is in a Lidl carpark on the outskirts of Tain. I am pretty sure that she was north of there when I looked a while ago.
-
Yep:-(
https://twitter.com/2137Lejog/status/1551443896810586112
6:47 am - "Overnight the weather has been absolutely awful. Torrential downpours and as a result very cold temperatures have taken their toll on Chris. Her and the team have made the brave (but very sad) decision to conclude her attempt. She ended at Dornoch Bridge, still on schedule!!! 😢"
-
Damn... she must have been in a terrible state to give up so close to the finish...
-
Nooooooo :'(
-
Any idea how much notice you have to give for these attempts? As far as I can tell there has been plenty of rain in last night's forecast for quite a while.
-
You submit a notice of attempt to the RRA which gives your first possible starting date, then usually postpone it immediately. Chris's did this starting July 1st. You then have to give something like three days notice once you pull the trigger, which is the point at which the RRA message all their observers (e.g. Ian) and tell them to go down to the route and clock you past.
-
I think you have to pick a window of a month, and then it's 48 hours notice for the start time?
This tweet seems to back that up - when she submitted her notice her earliest start time was 1 July:
https://twitter.com/RRA_GB/status/1541911606728212482
So you end up trying to pick the time in the following month that you get the best winds for most of the ride, and if the winds look like they might turn, you might just have to chance it. You also have to make sure your crew (and the RRA observers) are available. The logistics are a nightmare.
-
I hadn't heard the calendar month thing before? I think it can go longer than that. Anyway, according to the RRA rules on their website:
All notices shall become null and void at the end of the calendar year.
-
Maybe I'm mis-remembering and that detail was something specific due to personal circumstances (eg having to go back to work/school).
-
(https://i.ibb.co/0Jtrckm/20220725-131610.jpg)
Oh dear that's quite some collapse, and on the downhill leg too. She was looking so good at Drumochter summit. Whatever it was that hit her must have been biblical :-[
-
Whatever it was that hit her must have been biblical :-[
Accumulated sleep deprivation heading into a second night combined with deteriorating weather conditions would certainly finish me off!
-
Another attempt... new player, Michelle Lee... as early as Saturday