IME of GPS logging devices, they can be inaccurate to up to 5%.
The straighter the route, the more accurate the device records the distance. If the course is dead straight, the recorded distance might be in error positive by the location accuracy of the device.
They are usually negative, as the distance measurement technique is to draw straight lines between datapoints. The more bendy the route, the more inaccurate the distance measurement.
If a distance error of 1% is experienced ( not easy to prove ), a 2 mile error will be suffered each day.
Riding a particularly bendy route, the inaccuracy may be 5%, which is 10 miles in the day.
Kurt riding straight roads and Steve riding bendy roads could result in a 2 – 8 mile deficit each day for Steve. At 5 miles difference in 365 days, Steve’s ‘official’ distance will be 1825 miles LESS than Kurt.
Tommy Godwin used a wheel driven odometer. Maybe calibrated to the circumference of the tyre.
A mechanical wheel drive odometer ( 1970s Huret ) is still in my shed. It was for a 26” tyre, but the tyre was actually 25.75”, so the odometer recorded distances in the positive. Greater than reality by 1%. A known discrepancy that can be taken into account.
The most accurate distance measurement I have owned on a bicycle was a Cateye Mity 2, adjusted to an empirically measured tyre circumference.
If, and it’s a big if, Kurt rides further than Steve by a distance that could be accommodated by instrumentation inaccuracy, ( 1825 miles ) will Steve’s team dispute the claim?
I don’t think they will because UMCA are the judges and the judges’ word is final and all three teams agreed to the rules before committing to the record attempt.
Personally, a difference of less than 1500 miles will be a draw. This is within the measurement accuracy of the instrumentation.
Using the equipment they have, a distance total over 2000 miles more than the other guys will confirm ( in my mind ) the new record holder.
