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Bristol here we come: End to end tandem duo on schedule
Neil Pedoe Monday, Aug 3, 2009 3.15pm
The latest word from the record chasers' support team:
"It was a 2.30am start for Cracknell and Romero in preparation for a 5am departure. Wrapped up warm to protect from the chilly sea breeze and fuelled by a hearty breakfast, James' humour remained in tact and spirits high in the minutes before 'pedal-off': "Our medic's got swine flu, the navigator got lost and our timekeeper overslept" he said with his enthusiastic smile.
After a countdown by the RRA timekeeper, at 05:00 precisely the cycling duo set off to cheers of onlookers and with the wind blowing the right direction behind them.
With Rebecca steering, the tandem tackled the A30 at some pace, manipulating the hills with just a couple of wobbles. This cracking speed helps keep them ahead of schedule as they head towards Exeter. With 5 minute stops every 1.5 hours Cracknell and Romero are kept fuelled with energy drinks, snacks and bananas.
The rain eases off and sun begins to come out as we approach Exeter and the pair start to have to navigate their way through congested roads, followed by their support team. Groups of well wishers come out to clap and photograph the Olympians on their way.
Heading out of Exeter and on to Taunton on the A38, the riders maintain more than a steady pace. Through Taunton and Bridgwater the record attempt is keeping well on schedule as they fly along at 20mph, enjoying some slightly flatter roads through countryside, heading towards Bristol. Whether they can maintain this speed remains to be seen."
For more live updates from the road, see our Titter page http://twitter.com/cyclingplus
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User Comments
There are 9 comments on this post
Showing 1 - 9 of 9 comments
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rodgerdodger
Posted Mon 3 Aug, 3:02 pm UTC Flag as inappropriate
More precise and regular updates please. Got a car full of family trying to find them to give them a cheer, proving very difficult on twitter info.
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dassworp
Posted Mon 3 Aug, 3:12 pm UTC Flag as inappropriate
Surely a speed of 20mph at this early stage and on flat roads in daylight will not be enough to produce the required 16.5mph average to beat the record.
The information on twitter and blog is not very helpful... what mileage what avergage speed. "some pace " and "cracking speed" do not tell us anything.
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dassworp
Posted Mon 3 Aug, 3:31 pm UTC Flag as inappropriate
To rogerdodger..I found more precise info at cyclingweekly.co.uk
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nicklloyd
Posted Mon 3 Aug, 4:01 pm UTC Flag as inappropriate
for accurate route and schedule check out
http://www.rra.org.uk/Files/CracknellRomero3.pdf
I have put updated schedule link on http://www.rebeccaromero.co.uk/news.htm
obviously you will have to take into account they are currently 1 hr up on schedule.
Cheers
Nick
Nick
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Topsey Turvey
Posted Mon 3 Aug, 6:09 pm UTC Flag as inappropriate
Am I missing something here? With all the modern technology available we have no friggin idea where they are, or how they are going. Pretty damned pathetic.
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Carby0
Posted Mon 3 Aug, 6:29 pm UTC Flag as inappropriate
I agree more info on the schedule and route before they set off would have been good. I missed them by 20 mins on two occasions. Hope the sponsors aren't expecting much coverage.
The schedule on RR site is what we wanted. Why is there no GPS tracking on Google maps on the bike?
Come on get your act together.
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nicklloyd
Posted Mon 3 Aug, 6:42 pm UTC Flag as inappropriate
I have heard the RRA dont like the route to be published in advance so that is probably why the route isnt being covered too much
Quote from another cycling website:-
"I believe RRA rules specifically state that the organising team aren't allowed to publicise the route. The one on the telegraph is not the exact one. This is for several reasons - largely health & safety. Now why it is on the RRA website is beyond me.."
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nicklloyd
Posted Mon 3 Aug, 6:45 pm UTC Flag as inappropriate
I think the problem with GPS could be battery life. Does any GPS bike computer have a 48hour+ battery life. if they swapped it over the signal would have to be re-found and then how would you link 2 GPS devices to the same maps programme to show 1 route?And they stops are only 5 mins so re-charging wouldn't work.
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Carby0
Posted Mon 3 Aug, 7:11 pm UTC Flag as inappropriate
1/ GPS could be on the support vehicle and plugged in
2/ Use a GPS from Sleepmonster adventure racing (http://www.sleepmonsters.co.uk/) works anywhere in the world and the battery lasts a week plus uploads via Iridium network and plots onto google maps etc - used on most endurance race events already.
Accept that you don't want people impeding the route but on the otherhand then don't on the other hand have blogs, websites and twitters advertising the event!
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