[HAMR] Tarzan (Kurt Searvogel)

[Martin]

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[Wowbagger]

A recent FB post indicates that Kurt is a member of ACF. I think it stands for Arkansas Cycling Federation.

[DaveE128]

I note from the most excellent http://gicentre.org/oytt/ that Tarzan is staying just above Tommy's progress for the last few days (use the recent progress view) - he must surely be tracking it deliberately to not go under the line I think.

[mcshroom]

[TimC]

Awesum!

[Wowbagger]

Very much so.

"One more lap around the world to go" reminds me of an absolutely dreadful song in the BBC children's hymn book, which, many years ago, it was my excruciating duty to have to teach to the little buggers. I would imagine that several of our younger members used to sing it.

[CrazyEnglishTriathlete]

Well done Kurt.  It takes me about 8 years to reach 50,000 miles and you have done it in 8 months.  Chapeau!

[jane]

Very much so.

"One more lap around the world to go" reminds me of an absolutely dreadful song in the BBC children's hymn book, which, many years ago, it was my excruciating duty to have to teach to the little buggers. I would imagine that several of our younger members used to sing it.

https://youtu.be/iQRyKMsp3pY

[Wowbagger]

I_am_not_going_to_click_the_link...

[red marley]

Kurt has put an appeal out on Facebook for pacing support.

ADULT BABYSITTER WANTED! - must be able to ride 20 mph and escort around old guy who is tired - apply at the big white van parked by 2RB anytime of the day or night. Simple 10 mile loop.  Groups and longer rides will be considered. Seriously I'll take all the help I can get over then next couple of months in AR. That is the way the record was set so I think I'll have to employ those tactics to insure we succeed!

I know that this is technically within the rules and that Tommy had the same for a couple of months. but personally I think it is a pity if this is the way the serious record attempts go. It's one thing to have a day or two with some pacing for a bit of relief, or some occasional company on the road to relieve the boredom, but concerted pacing turns this into a different sort of challenge.

[Chris S]

Sounds like the poor guy has had enough, and the end can't come soon enough!

Go Kurt!

[mattc]

I am appaled.

ENsure, for pitys sake!

[Chris S]

I am appaled.

ENsure, for pitys sake!

 

[toontra]

Kurt has put an appeal out on Facebook for pacing support.

I read that earlier but though it was more a bit of fun at his own expense than a serious plan.  Let's face it, what are the chances of getting anything like a steady stream of elite riders who have the time/inclination to spend days on the roads of Arkansas doing loops around Little Rock.

It does put into perspective the few months that Tommy had drafting the Raleigh team though.  Without that assistance the record would be several thousand miles shy of what it is and within "easier" reach. His solo riding early/late in the year, whilst still amazing, is closer to what you would expect from an individual rider.

[danridesbikes]

id be surprised if he stays in Arkansas for the next couple of months

[LMT]

I took the FB posting to be tongue in cheek. CUrrently at 163 miles according to the tracker, but this will be more with him doing loops. Awesome riding, go Kurt.

[Citizenfish]

"It does put into perspective the few months that Tommy had drafting the Raleigh team though.  Without that assistance the record would be several thousand miles shy of what it is and within "easier" reach. His solo riding early/late in the year, whilst still amazing, is closer to what you would expect from an individual rider."

Can I just say once and for all that Raleigh DID NOT have a race team at the time as we know it. They sponsored individuals and did not race the Tour etc, the idea of a team drafting Godwin is ludicrous. Road racing in the UK was banned at the time, most professional racing was time trialling and track.

He was paced by Charlie Davey shouting at him from a car. That is all. Trust me I have spent years researching this.

[toontra]

Thanks for putting the record  straight CF. Not sure where I got the misinformation from  That really does make TG's effort staggering.

[Wowbagger]

I think the story about Tommy Godwin being drafted is probably quite old and Citizenfish tells us that his research indicates that it isn't true. It probably needs to be filed alongside the story that the Dun Run was started by a load of couriers who didn't know when to stop.

[Citizenfish]

It's not old wowbagger. It has been extrapolated recently from the fact that he was "paced". We assume in modern times that pacing means drafting behind a pack. Godwin and Bennett's pacing was more about telling each how the other was doing in as real time as possible and accompanying them on the road in a car or motor bike and doing what you can to chivy them on. I suspect that each had the "odd moment" of drafting said motor and that their pacers steered them towards easier roads. But their is no evidence that they sat behind groups of riders or the cars all day long as Cycling magazine would have quickly put a stop to that, equally I would have found the costs in Raleigh's 1939 accounts which I have been through in detail.

I've got a book covering all of this coming out next month called "The Year".

[Basil]

I've got a book covering all of this coming out next month called "The Year".

Where do I pre-order?

[Wowbagger]

I've got a book covering all of this coming out next month called "The Year".

Where do I pre-order?

And me!

[teethgrinder]

We're not sure, as a team, whether or not I can do the 300 mile days or if that is the best way to go about it.
The real headscratcher is how Tommy got by on so little sleep.
I have to keep an open mind on how to tackle it and as much as I like the idea of the 300 mile days, I have to do whatever works best for me. We don't know if Tommy had any special differences to me that enabled him to do what I cannot.
However, I remain hopeful of the 300 mile days even though I accept that they may not happen.
Hoppo may have put me on to something that may enable me to thrive on less sleep.
I have my theories about how it could work but it's early days.
The schedule is pretty much out the window. I am only really picking up from where I left off before the broken ankle so I am expecting the miles to increase until the weather knocks it down.
Kurt has proven that I don't need to do consecutive 300 milers but I will do whatever I can and give it my best.

[Shreds]

Brilliant, thanks for taking the time out to post an update, Steve. 

We are all gunning for you, even though it is you doing all the work. And giving your best.

[toontra]

That sounds like a sound plan of action Steve - good luck with it!  You can only do what you can do - no-one could expect more.

As you say, it's really puzzling how TG was able to but in those incredible consecutive daily distances during the summer months, but you can take hope from the fact that his winter and spring milages were, by your standards, very ordinary (as you proved earlier in the year).