LazyLegs

Don't know if anyone is following this but think it's pertinent to C&V as the current record was set by Tommy Godwin in 1939 at 75,065 miles.

Three riders are aiming to beat the record this year, Englishman Steven Abraham and Americans William Pruitt & Kurt Searvogel (There may be more).

The reason for the renewed interest is, much like the UCI changes to the hour record, the UltraMarathon Cycling Association have made changes to their rules to officially recognize this event.

I guess the question is what are peoples opinions on this? Tommy Godwin used more or less the best technology available to him back in the 30's and modern riders will avail of advances in aero technology and nutrition to aim for the new record.

For me it's not so much of a question of differences in technologies available but are these records relevant in the modern world, or is that just me looking back though Sepia tinted spectacles?

rhm

Thanks for bringing this up! I will try to follow it periodically.

I think the main obstacle to setting a record of this kind is the challenge of getting on a bike and riding all day every day. Tommy Godwin set his record by being very tough indeed. The current riders may have better bicycles, better nutrition, better support, etc. I won't comment on that. But to beat Godwin's record, they will have to be every bit as tough as he was; and I'm not sure time has changed the nature of that particular challenge.

I have to add, riding that kind of distance is just crazy. I'm amazed that he was able to do it. I'm not sure I admire the feat, or even respect it much; but I am sure amazed by it.

mechanicmatt

205.66 miles plus per day, everyday to beat that record. Geeeeeeez

icepick_trotsky 

When you're basically riding 200 miles a day, I don't think the technological advances make as big of a difference as they would over shorter rides. No rider is going to be riding at full speed all the time to accomplish this. If you ask the Jan Heines of the world, this might actually be easier to accomplish on a bike closer to what Goodwin rode rather than what you see in the peloton -- larger tires, more relaxed geometry, et cetera. Jan's whole theory is that increased comfort equals greater power output over long distances. That's why you see so many classically styled bikes at Paris-Brest-Paris, though not exclusively, of course.

big chainring

Will they be using IGHs?

The Englishman may have a chance. Something in the tea over there.

I do think they need to don a heavy wool sweater once in a while, and dine on tea and crackers.

big chainring

So the guy averaged 14 mph, 24 hrs a day. Not bad.

cyclotoine

You'll see I deleted the post. I knew he logs the highest miles in NA annually on a regular basis or did for a while, but I misread a year in review. he has 200,000 km logged officially with some tracking body since he started recording. I should have done the math prior to posting to realize the 1939 record is insane. So insane I wonder about it's authenticity.

rhm

But well documented.

Tommy Godwin | Long Distance Legend is just the start of it.

LazyLegs

@big_chainring The problem with the record previously, was no governing body would recognize it. The Guinness Book of Records, wouldn't sanction an attempt as they believe it too dangerous and it remains to be seen if they will include any of these attempts if they are successful.

I'm kind of with @rhm on this, it's definitely as much a test of mental endurance as much as physical but I'm uneasy about seeing these extreme endurance events as athletic achievements so much as a demonstration of shear bloody-mindedness. This for me moves away from the sporting ethos of "Faster, Higher, Stronger.", there is no end to how far one can push an endurance event so as to end up as No.1 of 1. Not fast enough for the hour, well then I'll just try the two hour record etc... there's nothing to stop one of the runner up's in the annual mileage challenge, other than sense, from continuing through and setting the first two year... 5 year record etc.

The Godwin record does stand as an artifact of wonderment and maybe it's a product of a more cynical world, but it seems bewildering in this day and age that someone would subject themselves to riding around in circles on flat roads for a year - Then again, many I'm sure felt that in 1939 about Tommy's attempt.

gaucho777 

He took a day off on October 28, after surpassing the previous record on Oct. 27. Slacker!

Note that he took advantage of the longest day of the year, the summer solstice on June 21, by riding 361 miles that day!

modelmartin

The definition of insanity is to spend a year riding 200+ miles a day with barely enough time to sleep for a few hours a day - FOR A YEAR. I can't imagine how the human body would even take it. The body needs rest.

LazyLegs

The English rider Steven Abraham has his stats on Strava and seems to be doing about 13hrs to 14hrs, including breaks a day. He is riding at about 14mph with a heart rate of about 100bpm, so provided he doesn't spend his afternoon on cycling forums and has helpers to do his daily washing, maintenance and next day prep then he should have sufficient time to recover from the low intensity efforts, tho apart from showering and eating he will prob need to maximize the 10hr window for sleeping... not sure he'll have much to dream about tho.

icepick_trotsky 

Found some pics of Tommy Godwin.

noglider 

How Exercise Keeps Us Young

noglider 

But!

I don't see how you can have a well balanced life and also do the kinds of extreme miles we are talking about here. I have a wife and a job (yay!) and other interests, too.

LazyLegs

Yes but extreme endurance has been shown to damage the heart. "Godwin died aged 63, returning from a ride to Tutbury Castle with friends", but then maybe that was a good age for someone of his generation. Extremes are rarely healthy, for mind or body.