Author Topic: [HAMR] 14th January - Steve day 160  (Read 10155 times)

Chris S

[HAMR] 14th January - Steve day 160
« on: 14 January, 2016, 10:41:30 am »
Aaaaand... we're off. Another day on the farm  :thumbsup:.

Heading NE on a bleak and sleety Thursday.

Re: 14th January - Steve day 160
« Reply #1 on: 14 January, 2016, 10:57:18 am »
It's foul. I don't know why he's doing this.

Yeah, yeah, lifelong ambition and all that. Even so.

Justin(e)

  • On my way out of here
Re: 14th January - Steve day 160
« Reply #2 on: 14 January, 2016, 11:07:21 am »
It's foul. I don't know why he's doing this.

Because he can.

Allez Steve

Re: 14th January - Steve day 160
« Reply #3 on: 14 January, 2016, 11:10:51 am »
A quick look at the app shows he's heading on a familiar NE route towards Kimbolton. Here in Leicester the weather has taken a turn for the better - the rain has stopped, and while it's overcast it doesn't look like more is due soon. But it is cold, very cold.
He's an inspiration (to me at least )
Too many angry people - breathe & relax.

Re: 14th January - Steve day 160
« Reply #4 on: 14 January, 2016, 11:21:26 am »
He (Team) reported on facebook:
Quote
Between naps Steve clocked about 225 miles yesterday. Sleet, ice and cold winds await today 😈 It's probably fair to say that cycling world records are not 'handed out' - they have to be earned...

A bit of sleet here in Ely at 7.30 - more probably this afternoon.  :-\
If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is...

Wowbagger

  • Former Sylph
    • Stuff mostly about weather
Re: 14th January - Steve day 160
« Reply #5 on: 14 January, 2016, 11:39:02 am »
Mind-boggling. As has been said above, world records have to be earned. He's bloody doing everything he possibly can to get there. Shitty day.
Quote from: Dez
It doesn’t matter where you start. Just start.

hillbilly

Re: 14th January - Steve day 160
« Reply #6 on: 14 January, 2016, 11:41:35 am »
This is just the start of the winter. Today is relatively mild for the time of year.  It will get worse before it gets better.

I hope he stays upright and injury free.

Wowbagger

  • Former Sylph
    • Stuff mostly about weather
Re: 14th January - Steve day 160
« Reply #7 on: 14 January, 2016, 11:46:10 am »
This is just the start of the winter. Today is relatively mild for the time of year.  It will get worse before it gets better.

I hope he stays upright and injury free.

Not round here it isn't. 4°C at the moment, which is well below the January average over the past 5 years. Windy, hint of sleety rain. The Met Office are giving it a "feels like -2". I can't imagine that the bleak wastes of Siberia East Anglia are going to be any better.
Quote from: Dez
It doesn’t matter where you start. Just start.

Re: 14th January - Steve day 160
« Reply #8 on: 14 January, 2016, 11:55:46 am »
It's foul. I don't know why he's doing this.

Yeah, yeah, lifelong ambition and all that. Even so.

Indeed.

Have some time off to recover and then start again in May which probably maximises opportunity to build miles in the bank before winter and then have the opportunity to gain miles in better spring weather after the winter.  Use lightweight kit and support.  Records will be remembered on miles covered and not purity of how it was done.

I admire Steve for his determination and doggedness as there are many folk who, in conditions like today, and about to get worse, would not be out there.  However, I also believe there is another way to do it.

Good luck to Steve, today and everyday he is out cycling.

Karla

  • car(e) free
    • Lost Byway - around the world by bike
Re: 14th January - Steve day 160
« Reply #9 on: 14 January, 2016, 12:14:07 pm »
Given that:

1) Steve's legs will need a long time to recover
2) Unless Bruce quits early on, his final mileage and hence the target will be an unknown until December

I'd look at a January 2017 restart if I were Steve.

If you were using two bases (Bruce style), an autumn or spring start could be the way to go, as you'd only need to do one transfer between your summer and winter bases, and by next autumn we should have a pretty good idea of  how Bruce is doing.  Autumn 2016 or spring 2017 would then be the start dates. 

Chris S

Re: 14th January - Steve day 160
« Reply #10 on: 14 January, 2016, 12:34:28 pm »
Oi! This thread is about today - not any other day up to 2017. Buzz off!  ;D

Re: 14th January - Steve day 160
« Reply #11 on: 14 January, 2016, 01:25:32 pm »
He (Team) reported on facebook:
Quote
Between naps Steve clocked about 225 miles yesterday. Sleet, ice and cold winds await today 😈 It's probably fair to say that cycling world records are not 'handed out' - they have to be earned...

A bit of sleet here in Ely at 7.30 - more probably this afternoon.  :-\

Lovely day in Oxfordshire. Sunny, dry but cool. A moderate but not excessive NW breeze. A pretty decent winter's day.

Re: 14th January - Steve day 160
« Reply #12 on: 14 January, 2016, 03:07:03 pm »
Oi! This thread is about today - not any other day up to 2017. Buzz off!  ;D


 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Re: 14th January - Steve day 160
« Reply #13 on: 14 January, 2016, 03:15:51 pm »
Turned South towards Cambridge, return to MK and another shorter loop?

[EDIT] Nope, heading East again, avoiding Norfolk it seems.
"Yes please" said Squirrel "biscuits are our favourite things."

Chris S

Re: 14th January - Steve day 160
« Reply #14 on: 14 January, 2016, 04:44:31 pm »
Wind is now really bad - very gusty, and the rain has turned to snow. Not a pleasant afternoon at all.

Re: 14th January - Steve day 160
« Reply #15 on: 14 January, 2016, 05:01:49 pm »
What started off as a cold-but-wind-free morning has turned into a cold-but-damn-windy afternoon here.

If the wind blows from the east Steve's more then welcome to take advantage of it and stop overnight here in Worcester.
You're only as successful as your last 1200...

Re: 14th January - Steve day 160
« Reply #16 on: 14 January, 2016, 05:05:29 pm »
No Easterlies until Sunday afternoon according to the Wind forecast on http://xcweather.co.uk/ (caveat Internet forecasting)
"Yes please" said Squirrel "biscuits are our favourite things."

Re: 14th January - Steve day 160
« Reply #17 on: 14 January, 2016, 05:10:18 pm »
Looks like he's taking advantage of the now strong NW wind.

Chris S

Re: 14th January - Steve day 160
« Reply #18 on: 14 January, 2016, 05:11:16 pm »
Looks like he's taking advantage of the now strong NW wind.

By turning left, straight into it, you mean?  :D

Re: 14th January - Steve day 160
« Reply #19 on: 14 January, 2016, 05:21:20 pm »
Maybe he's tacking?
You're only as successful as your last 1200...

Chris S

Re: 14th January - Steve day 160
« Reply #20 on: 14 January, 2016, 05:25:30 pm »
I reckon he decided he needed a Red Lodge Fry Up, and realised he'd overshot.

ETA: More likely just remembered there's a new McDs at Barton Mills.

mmmmartin

  • BPB 1/1: PBP 0/1
    • FNRttC
Re: 14th January - Steve day 160
« Reply #21 on: 14 January, 2016, 05:42:33 pm »
a new McDs at Barton Mills.
Aha! i see this, i check it on the McD website and oh joy! it's a 24 hour one! So on Tomsk's events we are free from Ginster's pasties. Although I can't see McD's tolerating a dozen cyclists sleeping on the floor for an hour at 3am as on this year's Asparagus & Strawbs. So on the way south it'll be back to the Shell garage.
(Sorry, off-topic) 
Besides, it wouldn't be audacious if success were guaranteed.

Chris S

Re: 14th January - Steve day 160
« Reply #22 on: 14 January, 2016, 06:58:45 pm »
Lordy - I'm starting to fret for him.

Driving wet snow (starting to settle). He's surely a candidate for hypothermia?  :-\

mattc

  • n.b. have grown beard since photo taken
    • Didcot Audaxes
Re: 14th January - Steve day 160
« Reply #23 on: 14 January, 2016, 07:33:41 pm »
reading recent threads, my rides this week, and the forecasts, suggest that:
Here in the Thames Valley it is usefully milder than Bucks and the Flatlands to the E&NE. It's probably milder still down towards the South Coast (say, Hampshire)

IMHO he might better off heading Cirencester-way more to reduce the miles ridden around/below zero. Not quite so flat, I know, but just nicer miles!

But that could change pretty suddenly ...
Has never ridden RAAM
---------
No.11  Because of the great host of those who dislike the least appearance of "swank " when they travel the roads and lanes. - From Kuklos' 39 Articles

Re: 14th January - Steve day 160
« Reply #24 on: 14 January, 2016, 07:48:23 pm »
I didn't like the 50 yds that I had to ride straight into the wind on the way home. Steve's got 50 miles of it if he's heading back to MK tonight!
If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is...