https://www.facebook.com/theextramilecycle
In July 2014, Robert completed a remarkable journey. He not only cycled 3605 miles across Europe from Nordkapp, Norway to Tarifa, Spain in 39 days, 6 hours, 51 minutes and 59 seconds, but he also did this completely solo and without any kind of support whatsoever. After nearly 40 days and nights on the road he finally pulled into Tarifa a mere 4.5 hours faster than the previous unsupported record set by Glen Burmeister in 2011. However, during his official Guinness World Record attempt, the international body contacted Robert to inform him that a new world record had been set, much faster than his in a time of 22 days, 11 hours by Paul Spencer! This attempt, however, was conducted under very different circumstances to Robert's.
Paul Spencer's attempt was fully supported. This means he had a team of specialist chefs, masseurs, navigators, translators, fixers, mechanics around him including a mobile home to simply climb into every night and rest.
Being unsupported presented Robert with a host of additional challenges such as finding his own food every day (some 5000-6000 calories!), navigating his route by hand using regional road maps, finding a place to stay every night, pitching a tent and camping in all kinds of weather, dealing with all kinds of mechanical problems himself, looking after his own physical condition and running his own online updates throughout the challenge to help generate the £3000 he raised for charity.
All of which meant that an unsupported cyclist attempting the same record would be disadvantaged by around 2-3 hours of pure cycling time every day.
It is with this in mind that we raise this petition now.
Please sign the petition today for Guinness World Records to recognise the distinction between unsupported and supported attempts at long distance records with separate categories and help amateur athletes seek the recognition they deserve!
We would like to sincerely thank you for your time and support in raising this i-petition. Please let all of your friends and family know that they can too help change the way Guinness World Records are categorised today!
Updates
October 4, 2014
The distinction between supported and unsupported athletic attempts remains ignored by those in charge of verifying records. Please email the Guinness World Records help desk today to demand a separate category for solo cyclists who carry their own gear. We need to keep the pressure on until they acknowledge the reality of these two different physical challenges.
October 4, 2014
This wave of momentum proves that the cycling community recognizes the distinct challenges of unsupported riding. We have enough now to demand a formal seat at the table with the record keepers. Email your local cycling club leaders today and ask them to display this petition on their websites.
6 Comments
So much respect for carrying all your own gear and finding your own food. That is the real test of endurance.
GUINNESS NEED TO FIX THIS. Apples and oranges mate. Keep pushing for the recognition you earned.
Ridiculous that they compare the two. Totally different beast cycling solo vs having a support van following you around. Should be recognised separately.
What an absolute machine. Incredible effort robert, huge respect for doing it the hard way.
Done a lot of touring myself and i know how hard it is just getting to the next town. Doing the whole continent unsupported is insane. Well done.
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https://www.facebook.com/theextramilecycle
In July 2014, Robert completed a remarkable journey. He not only cycled 3605 miles across Europe from Nordkapp, Norway to Tarifa, Spain in 39 days, 6 hours, 51 minutes and 59 seconds, but he also did this completely solo and without any kind of support whatsoever. After nearly 40 days and nights on the road he finally pulled into Tarifa a mere 4.5 hours faster than the previous unsupported record set by Glen Burmeister in 2011. However, during his official Guinness World Record attempt, the international body contacted Robert to inform him that a new world record had been set, much faster than his in a time of 22 days, 11 hours by Paul Spencer! This attempt, however, was conducted under very different circumstances to Robert's.
Paul Spencer's attempt was fully supported. This means he had a team of specialist chefs, masseurs, navigators, translators, fixers, mechanics around him including a mobile home to simply climb into every night and rest.
Being unsupported presented Robert with a host of additional challenges such as finding his own food every day (some 5000-6000 calories!), navigating his route by hand using regional road maps, finding a place to stay every night, pitching a tent and camping in all kinds of weather, dealing with all kinds of mechanical problems himself, looking after his own physical condition and running his own online updates throughout the challenge to help generate the £3000 he raised for charity.
All of which meant that an unsupported cyclist attempting the same record would be disadvantaged by around 2-3 hours of pure cycling time every day.
It is with this in mind that we raise this petition now.
Please sign the petition today for Guinness World Records to recognise the distinction between unsupported and supported attempts at long distance records with separate categories and help amateur athletes seek the recognition they deserve!
We would like to sincerely thank you for your time and support in raising this i-petition. Please let all of your friends and family know that they can too help change the way Guinness World Records are categorised today!
Updates
October 4, 2014
The distinction between supported and unsupported athletic attempts remains ignored by those in charge of verifying records. Please email the Guinness World Records help desk today to demand a separate category for solo cyclists who carry their own gear. We need to keep the pressure on until they acknowledge the reality of these two different physical challenges.
October 4, 2014
This wave of momentum proves that the cycling community recognizes the distinct challenges of unsupported riding. We have enough now to demand a formal seat at the table with the record keepers. Email your local cycling club leaders today and ask them to display this petition on their websites.
6 Comments
You deserve this record, you've worked so hard for it. Record or not, you've achieved an amazing feat and this probably won't be your last :)
So much respect for carrying all your own gear and finding your own food. That is the real test of endurance.
GUINNESS NEED TO FIX THIS. Apples and oranges mate. Keep pushing for the recognition you earned.
Ridiculous that they compare the two. Totally different beast cycling solo vs having a support van following you around. Should be recognised separately.
What an absolute machine. Incredible effort robert, huge respect for doing it the hard way.
Done a lot of touring myself and i know how hard it is just getting to the next town. Doing the whole continent unsupported is insane. Well done.
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You deserve this record, you've worked so hard for it. Record or not, you've achieved an amazing feat and this probably won't be your last :)