Good luck Rob!
Can't get my head round why anyone would WANT to do this, let alone be able to!
Good luck Rob, hope the weather gods and all that are with you on the day(s).
A bit wet in Meonstoke. I hope it clears for you. Good luck
Brilliantly mental. Good luck!
Hmm, where did all this dampness come from. It may be a little slidey coming out of Winchester tomorrow.... to take my mind off it, I'm mixing 16 litres of High5 ready for the first two legs.
It'll blow through, might soften up those hard pack clay sections for a softer ride.
See you top of Old Winney Hill through QECP stretch..
You are quite mad 😀
[i]I'm mixing 16 litres of High5 ready for the first two legs.[/i]
then another 8 litres for your arms? 🙂
...and he's off! Good Luck Rob
Why is he dodging bears?
Good luck anyhow.
His tracker was set up when he did the Tour Divide which starts in Banff in British Columbia, Canada. There are quite a few bears to avoid ... He is very fond of that area so the tracker title remains.
Ongoing Pictures of Rob's attempt.....
Good luck! Back visiting my folks on the South Downs and wishing I had a bike (and didn't have a bloody thigh strain), looks like perfect riding conditions today
Dropped Rob off this morning in Winchester for a 6.00 am start. All OK and he set off on schedule. First stop for me to see him was Cheesefoot Head where I took a photo. Rob was well ahead of schedule at this point and said, as he cycled past me, that the going was really good. Next stop to meet him was Warnford (another photo as he rode in) and again, he was about 10 minutes ahead of his fastest scheduled arrival time. Still doing OK and just needed snacks and drink replenishing on the bike. I then passed him going up Old Winchester Hill (it's so much easier in a car!) and stopped at the top to get another photo of him as he approached the "summit". Still said he was feeling good and just asked me to have his grey Endura gloves ready at the next pitstop. At Queen Elizabeth Country Park he was greeted by me, Chris, Andy S, Meryl, Andy G and Rich. My support role was then over and I handed over to Andy S who will attend to Rob's every need (well, almost) for the rest of the day/early evening. It's now just gone 3.15 pm and Rob's crossed the A27 just shy of Lewes, so looking good, although I think he may have slowed the pace a little. A wise move!
Chapeau!
Rob's going well - he's just turned around at Eastbourne to commence his next 100 miles! (17.58 pm 23rd May)
Thanks for updating us!
Latest shots...
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Rob completed the first paced leg in 11hrs 34 min (he still has 300 miles to go!)
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Impressive.
I saw the thread at 6am, and thought I could get my arse out of bed and open a gate a mile away near QECP by 8.
Didn't happen, and I doubt I'll be there at 4am when he passes by.... But I'll do my best for 8am, or whenever he passes on the third pass
Good luck!
Hi Mark, Rob has to open gates himself.... but I'm sure he will be appreciate encouragement and a friendly gesture
Hi everyone - if you're thinking of going to see Rob at any points on his Double Double quest, please remember that whilst it's a lovely gesture to open the gates for him, please don't be tempted to - he has to open them himself. I know on his training outings he's loved it when people have stopped to open gates as he approaches, but on this occasion it's not allowed. I'm hoping to be at QE Country Park for tomorrow morning to see him on the stretch back to Eastbourne. May see some followers there!
if your not allowed to open gates for him then how is this legal
Next stop to meet him was Warnford (another photo as he rode in) and again, he was about 10 minutes ahead of his fastest scheduled arrival time. Still doing OK and just needed snacks and drink replenishing on the bike
double double double double next
Just started my stint as support. Rob passed by at 8.29pm going west over the A27 crossing. Very cheerful and in good spirits.
dirtyrider - that's just the rules - don't get all political - go and cheer him on dude!
There are many rules for this sort of ride that include opening the gates and navigating for yourself to simulate a 'solo' ride, and following a designated route, either classic or official. This then sets the bar for anyone else who may want to follow in your tracks.
It looks like Rob has a steady pace going and he might just be able to squeeze in a sub 24 Double.
dirtyrider - that's just the rules - don't get all political - go and cheer him on dude!
I thought the rules were that you did it 'alpine', ie totally self sufficient. Surely by receiving food and drink he's not doing that, so WGAS if gates are opened for him, particularly if unsolicited (rather than arranging people to open them)?
Just passed Rob at the cocking crossing. All going well. I think he has conceded the sub 24 hour double since his pace has slowed slightly to try and ensure he completes the x4.
Will be setting off soon to meet him at Winchester, see you there Andy.
Rob's Spot has stopped working for some reason. As of 06.40 24/05/15 he was approaching Cheesefoot head and near the end of the second leg. Still in good spirits. Hopefully his Spot will start working again soon.
Spot working again now ! Rob is on his third leg - hmmm that doesn't sound right.
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Hi Mark, Rob has to open gates himself.... but I'm sure he will be appreciate encouragement and a friendly gesture
Wish I was around to ride along with him. Would be awesome having someone else open all those gates for a change!
More than half way in 25 hours - go, Rob! Weather looks good today, certainly nice and sunny around Chanctonbury at the moment.
Be interesting to see if he can beat Richard Sterry's record for the triple - around 37 hours I think it was?
Edit: 37hrs and 4mins
I've just (about 9:45) signed off from the overnight support at QE park on leg 3. All looking OK, main target is the x4 so Richards target may hold if Rob needs to keep himself for leg 4.
Just seen him through the 250 mile point at 13.26 and still going well.
Looking like Eastbourne will be about 19.45/20.00 ish if any one wants to come and say well done keep going
Amazing stuff. Comparatively, if he'd been doing this 700 miles further north it looks like he'd up at the front of the HT550.
Some pics of Rob and his bike at the Washington car park (just before the climb up to Chanctonbury Ring). Looking good for someone who's ridden over 250 miles in the last 32 hours!
Arriving at Washington (from Amberley):
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His bike:
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Heading up to Chanctonbury Ring:
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Amazing effort, all the best for the final leg, what an achievement it will be.
Very impressed!
Incredible
What's his ETA back for QECP?
I'm mighty impressed, went out and have done a paltry 30 something on the SDW today, and won't be doing much more for the rest of the day - so I'm no idea how he's keeping it together (and the lack of sleep)
that's a hell of a distance,good luck to you sir 😀
I'm keeping an eye on the Spot as he approaches Eastbourne for the 2nd time. I'm so proud of what he's doing - this has been his goal for the past 2 years and the third time he's tried to do it but bad weather and then illness stopped him on the last two occasions. The weather around the Portsmouth area is changing and rain is possibly in the forecast. I'm keeping fingers crossed that the weather holds as Rob heads into the evening/night session - the longer it stays dry the better as he hates being out in the rain! Whatever happens though, I think if he gets to Eastbourne he won't give up. The Double Double is within his sights now and the one thing I'll say about Rob - once he sets his mind to something, things will have to get pretty dire for him to give up.
Met Rob Colliver at 17:38 east of the A27 at Lewes & rode with him and Carl (his outrider) for a few miles before I flatted.
They're now heading to Alfriston with an eta of a 38 hour-ish triple.
Aiming for the water tap on the A27 by Lewes at 23:30 on the 4th leg tonight & 54 hours est. total time. He's remarkably clear & we chatted about the Tour Divide, kayaking & welding.
Photos on FB - search for me (name in profile).
Go, Rob.
