[HAMR] March 5th

[Lars]

Now our only hope is a loop Gibbon at the end of yet another epic day!
Will there be one? Or will the lure of food at HQ be too big for the Man in red?

[Wowbagger]

Nooes! He has failed to Gibbon 

But that's no bbiG deal.

[Wobbly]

Oh, very good Wowser 

[duncan]

It's up - 349.3km (217 miles)

[Deano]

Game on!

[Karla]

Good work TG!  Nice to see you lifting it for March.

[Graeme]

It's up - 349.3km (217 miles)

Wooo!

[LittleWheelsandBig]

Good work, it was time to take the next step up.

[Climberruss]

And over 7500ft od climbing as well!

  Respect!

[Datameister]

217 miles AND home in time for a decent night's sleep.

Sir Grynder de Gibbon, we are not worthy.

[Wobbly]

And over 7500ft od climbing as well!

In English that's over 2,500 metres!

[Wowbagger]

And over 7500ft od climbing as well!

In English that's over 2,500 metres!

Not necessarily. 

[Wowbagger]

As for Tarzan, he's marching to Georgia.

It seems he didn't fancy it and has turned back, but he's still close to the border.

[Revellinho]

He might get the train.  I think there's one at midnight.

[T42]

Good day's work.

[Jack_P]

Kudos to A big days riding. 2am start and nearly 17 hrs out there, but is it enough.
Is this a reality check day, is 15 mph enough.

[duncan]

Kudos to A big days riding. 2am start and nearly 17 hrs out there, but is it enough.
Is this a reality check day, is 15 mph enough.

I think this is an important question. It's nice to see a big miles day, but I can't imagine even teethgrinder putting in a 2am start every day. I'm hoping he just woke up very early this morning and thought he might as well get going, rather than set his alarm for 2am.

There's not a lot more day to extend into - the extra miles have got to come from going faster, I think.

[Arry-R]

mileage does need upping. Steve's March target of 6200 requires 200 per day or 6603 needs a daily mileage of  213 miles.
at the moment  his average is 197 per day but I don't doubt he knows this.
I hope that you have another 217 on Friday Steve. 
 -

[LittleWheelsandBig]

Steve will be working on a combination of things: less time stopped out of the weather (Tommy had a follow car for most of the year), flatter routes and lifting his cruising speed.

[Mr Larrington]

He might get the train.  I think there's one at midnight.

But if he's a-waitin' for the 4:44 he could be in a spot of bother.

[hillbilly]

Kudos to A big days riding. 2am start and nearly 17 hrs out there, but is it enough.
Is this a reality check day, is 15 mph enough.

It's early days.  But I had the same thought.  It's still not the best conditions yet and he's probably still encumbered by his winter kit.  But I'd be lying if I said there wasn't a nagging doubt given the first week in March has been (in the context of the challenge) adequate but not exceptional.

But what do I know, I only watch and unlearn.  Steve far exceeded what I thought was likely in jan and feb.  And far exceeds what I'd be capable of at this time of year and for such an extended period

[Jack_P]

Steve will be working on a combination of things: less time stopped out of the weather (Tommy had a follow car for most of the year), flatter routes and lifting his cruising speed.

He's certainly got it worked out so far. It just goes beyond normal thinking that as the challenge goes on a guy can go faster for longer on less recovery time.

But there's normal then there's the one they call Teethgrinder.

[Wobbly]

Steve set out his plan for the year with an upper and lower target.

Steve is still *above* his upper target for beating Tommy Godwin's record.

[Deano]

I assume he'll also start to carry less shite on the road. March is tricky, though - it's easy to get 20º temperature variations across the day/night.

[hillbilly]

I assume he'll also start to carry less shite on the road. March is tricky, though - it's easy to get 20º temperature variations across the day/night.

I had that thought as well.  Didn't steve comment somewhere that it took him ages to dress and prep in the morning?  Summer will trim some of that.  As will shedding some packed weight (winter randonneurs will be familiar with this, albeit my past experience is that's only sensible sometime in May).