There’s something fascinating about the bicycling hour record. While riding in circles for an hour sounds like a simple and pointless activity, when you set out to answer for yourself the crucial question:

How long a distance can you ride in exactly an hour?

It makes sense in some sort of way. It is not just like riding for an hour, it is not like riding a long distance, it’s not like any other ride you’ll do. It is a remarkably difficult and rewarding challenge, that requires both physical and mental exertion. 16 riders took up the challenge this last Saturday and made a fantastic morning out of it.

In the spirit of the typical fixed.org.au rides, there were no hard rules. Just ride what you have for an hour. To save time we ran the event in two groups, those not riding would count laps for those riding. Des split us approximately according to gearing, and at about 8:30am the first group kicked off.

Traffic was inevitable, but passing while maintaining a sustainable rhythm enhanced the challenge, and helped to break the monotony.

Part of the fun of the split group was the constant encouragement being yelled out by counters, egging each rider on to stay out the hour, and then the benefit of being able to reverse roles for the running of the second group which set off just before 10am.

There were some temporary bunchings of similar paced riders, but most were able to find their own pace for the majority of the hour.

Thanks to everyone for coming along and for making this such a fun event! Here are a few links to photos taken on the day:

• Corey’s Pics
• JP’s pics
• Photos from Omar, Steve and Horatio

The results…

	Blakey	Corey	Cress	Damo
Distance:	32.69 km	35.10 km	34.16 km	35.83 km
Gear:	70 "	65 "	81 "	85 "
	Des	Horatio	John	Jules
Distance:	31.49 km	37.16 km	34.43 km	33.49 km
Gear:	69 "	88 "	77 "	63 "
	Lats	Mike	Nath	NickR
Distance:	38.20 km	37.16 km	38.87 km	34.06 km
Gear:	76 "	76 "	81 "	75 "
	NickT	Pete	Steve	Tristan
Distance:	37.20 km	34.46 km	35.92 km	40.00 km
Gear:	75 "	80 "	80 "	93 "

Again? Are you crazy?! Interestingly, almost everyone said, at some point following their ride, something along the lines of: "Next time, I’ll [blah blah]". Maybe, in about six months, they’ll all get their chance.

ndf 23/04/2007

"The hour record is the most distinguished, and most difficult record in bicycling. It is different from all other records in that it is measured in metres, and not in minutes and seconds. How long a distance can you ride in exactly an hour? That is a question many famous riders, over the years, have tried to answer precisely." [The Impossible Hour]

On Saturday the 21st of April, join the fixed.org.au regular Saturday ride and try to answer for yourself "How long a distance can you ride in exactly an hour?" This is a fun personal challenge, which will be run over two sessions from 8am to midday. Unlike the strict UCI rulings on bicycles and positions, there will be no rules; ride what you have, or add any aero advantage you can think of… like Boardman’s Superman or Moser’s Funny bike:

Chris Superman Boardman


Francesco Moser’s Funny Bike

Everyone is welcome, and welcome to take it as seriously or not as they desire.

Program of Events

• 7:30am Federation Square : Warmup ride to Brunswick
• 8:30am Brunswick Velodrome : 1st group hour
• 10:00am Brunswick Velodrome : 2nd group hour
• 11:30am : Post-ride picnic and bloody mary(s) at CERES

More information on the hour record

• Wikipedia – Hour Record
• Wolfgang Menn’s Hour Record Pages

Or join the discussion on the forums.

ndf 13/04/2007