[HAMR] Tarzan (Kurt Searvogel)

[andyoxon]

Is Steve not considered fast anymore? Or is it just his current avg speed, that's getting him this reputation. Riding audax on an MTB or fixed does mean that you're unlikely to bother the people at the front end of the audax too much.

At his current average riding speed, he would be towards the front end of the field on most audaxes, so he's not slow by any normal human standards. It's more that he's riding well within what he's capable of, speed-wise. Riding fixed has never slowed him down either - I've been passed by him a few times on audaxes, cruising along at speed, churning a massive gear without any obvious signs of effort.

As others have said, he will up his speed significantly in the summer months - he'll need to when he's putting in the really big mileage days.

and hopefully the foundation of a 'Kurt busting'* mile total buffer, that he can defend to the end.  Will be very interesting.

Go Steve!

* in the nicest possible way.   

[drgannet]

Looks like an early start today, so maybe the chance to increase his mileage again.

[geraldc]

The video he just posted, states he's loving the bent, and may increase its use.

[hillbilly]

I do wish he wouldn't.  There is something unseemly about relying on a recumbent.  Within the rules, but the spirit is sometimes more important than the letter.  It is the one aspect of Kurt's approach that stops me from singing his praises from the rafters.

[geraldc]

I have fond memories of watching a faired bent gently glide to halt and fall over onto the grass, as the pilot had an attack of the dozies. After that I always thought they're too comfortable, but admittedly make a nice place to sleep. Falling asleep at the helm of mid racer wouldn't be such a good idea.

[LeoW]

Kurt's been stopped much longer than usual on his tracker. (1.5hrs) There's a "Subway" there but also some road junctions .....
Hope he's just eating.

Leo

[citoyen]

Falling asleep at the helm of mid racer wouldn't be such a good idea.

Indeed - you might wake up in hospital thinking you're the mayor of a small French village.

[Andydauddwr]

I stumbled across this on the weekend while watching some RAAM stuff:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSftyHctWGA

It gives a bit of insight into who Kurt is and what he's about.  Comments about sleep dep and climbing are quite interesting.  I think he's playing to his strengths at the moment and shouldn't be in a rush to get out of Florida.

As time goes by, I'm coming to the view that I admire both riders equally and can appreciate the strengths of both of their approaches to the HAM'R.

Andy

[LeoW]

Kurt's been stopped much longer than usual on his tracker. (1.5hrs) There's a "Subway" there but also some road junctions .....
Hope he's just eating.

Leo

2 hours 37 min stopped .... and counting

[simonp]

Could simply be the tracker has a low battery.

The junction near the last recorded point is "Yeehaw Junction". I don't even.

[geraldc]

His tracker's working again

[Jacamo]

His tracker's working again

Batteries died.

[Jacamo]

His tracker's working again

Batteries died.

Maybe the unit itself... Nothing to worry about, though. Kurt's OK and still rolling along.

[Basil]

His tracker's working again

Batteries died.

Poor show.
OK, Steve had some sort of problem this morning, but blat flatteries?  That's not clever at all.

[Oaky]

Phew!

Glad it wasn't anything serious.

[citoyen]

The tracker isn't an official requirement of the rules though, is it? The Garmin GPS track uploaded to Strava is the official record, right?

[Jacamo]

The tracker isn't an official requirement of the rules though, is it? The Garmin GPS track uploaded to Strava is the official record, right?

"Rule 7-
Advance notice of routes will not be required. Riders will be required to have an active live tracking device in operation for all mileage to be credited for the attempt. In addition, riders will have a trip recording device (such as a Garmin) that will record the route taken, speed, elevation/gradient and at least one of heart rate or power. Riders will be responsible for carrying backup batteries to power whatever device/app we decide upon. The devices used will be subject to the approval of the Records Chairman. Ride data will be posted daily within 24 hours of the completion of the ride. Tracking/recording devices shall be tested at least two weeks prior to the start of the attempt to ensure that the Records Chairman will be able to access the data.

Rule 12-
In the case of communication failure where either/both of the live tracker or trip recorder data is unavailable, the rider shall send an explanation (email or text message preferred) as soon as possible to the Records Chairman. The mileage involved shall be considered to be provisional until the Records Chairman can decide on the validity of the explanation. "

[citoyen]

Ok, I stand corrected. Thanks for the clarification.

[Von Broad]

I stumbled across this on the weekend while watching some RAAM stuff:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSftyHctWGA

It gives a bit of insight into who Kurt is and what he's about.  Comments about sleep dep and climbing are quite interesting.  I think he's playing to his strengths at the moment and shouldn't be in a rush to get out of Florida.

As time goes by, I'm coming to the view that I admire both riders equally and can appreciate the strengths of both of their approaches to the HAM'R.

Yes, indeed, thanks for posting that Andy, well worth looking at.
Kurt the yoga teacher too,and MicroBrewery supporter. Fair play to him.
You can't form an opinion on the basis of a You Tube interview, but on the basis of that You Tube interview, I liked the guy, he came across as a decent bloke. Interviewer Lee Kreider bestows some good old-fashioned warmth too

[Mr Larrington]

Falling asleep at the helm of mid racer wouldn't be such a good idea.

Indeed - you might wake up in hospital thinking you're the mayor of a small French village.

I believe the canonical response to such a post is this:

GIT!!!!1!!

 

[Ningishzidda]

His tracker's working again

Batteries died.

Poor show.
OK, Steve had some sort of problem this morning, but blat flatteries?  That's not clever at all.

Frost must have got to them. 

[duncan]

His tracker's working again

Batteries died.

Poor show.
OK, Steve had some sort of problem this morning, but blat flatteries?  That's not clever at all.

Frost must have got to them. 

Perhaps he should go back to starting in Frost Proof.

[duncan]

It's half past two, and no sign of Kurt on the tracker. Is he still having problems with live updates?

[Nuncio]

The tracker's started now, but only recorded 24.1ft. (In fact I thought it was -24.1ft until I realized my screen needed cleaning).

[Exit Stage Left]

I'm looking forward to Tarzan breaking out of Florida. Looking at the Clarion-Ledger article reminded me of the songs about Jackson, there's the Johnny and June Cash 'Jackson', covered by Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazelwood, of course, the recent Bruno Mars/Mark Ronson hit. 'Uptown Funk' features it too. http://www.clarionledger.com/story/thebuzz/2014/11/13/bruno-mars-jackson-song/18961931/

There's a host of songs that are going to come to mind if he picks the right route.