Blue Peter presenter cycling to South Pole

[gaz]

She is only cycling part of it. The rest is skied or pulled by a kite.

 

[Little yellow Brompton]

Apparently Helen Skelton is planning to cycle to the South Pole, setting a record for the longest cycle on snow in the process:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-16157981

She certainly likes challenges

I'm in the middle of reading Shackelton's story of his expedition. I don't want to pour too much ice water on this bit of BBC blurb, but how is she going to "cycle" over 8-10 foot ridges of ice?

 

[siadwell]

More details about the bike at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-16345232.

 

[Archie_tect]

Sorry to be a kill-joy but can't help thinking "Why?"... what is the point of spending all that time, pain and discomfort [+ film crew and the considerable back-up probably with helicopters, support ship, containers for equipment etc] that it'll require using the BBC's money just to prove she can... don't say for the adventure. Bah humbug.

If the only justification is that the BBC are doing it to raise money for Sport Relief, just donate the money it would all cost direct? There are a lot of people who go on much simpler adventures to raise money for charity who pay their own way.

 

[SquareDaff]

I think they should open a book on how long it will take before a driver cuts her up, opens the window, shows her the clenched fist (or single finger) and rants about how all cyclists are the devils spawn and how they should pay "road tax" like everyone else.

 

[MrHappyCyclist]

Never seen one of those before so I had a look at their website, interesting that the more normal looking bikes are shown under the heading "pavement".

In the USA, "pavement" means the part that the cars drive on.

 

[headcoat]

I think its funny that the bike is designed in LA...when did they last get snow

 

[fenlandpsychocyclist]

Funny how the bbc didn't send her to the north pole.
Maybe it's because that would go against the bbc/guardian/climate change propaganda machine
that tells us the artic ice has melted for the first time and ships can get through, blah,blah,etc.

It does in the summer ... especially as its only 8-10 feet thick and floating on the sea!

I'm surprised they let clarkson drive to the north pole the other year.

 

[Archie_tect]

Her Facebook blog confirms that she was advised by experienced Icelandic base camp people not to go as conditions for cycling on existing snow in -20deg will be harder than she thinks, but she wants to prove them wrong... managed 15 miles on long first day instead of 25 miles.

 

[Hacienda71]

Bet she doesn't use the normal trick for a frozen mech!

 

[siadwell]

Daily updates here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/diaries/helen-skeltons-polar-challenge-for-sport-relief

 

[mickle]

Seamless frame?

I'd have chosen a Surly Moonlander over this.

 

[BluesDave]

Bet she doesn't use the normal trick for a frozen mech!

What could that be I wonder.

 

[fenlandpsychocyclist]

I personally think there will be some bbc-style smoke and mirrors going on.
When we're not looking, that bike will be in the back of a land-rover travelling at 15mph.

If you see some of the stuff that goes on in top-gear and how much of it is "pre-planned" to look
like an "accident" months ahead, you'll know where i'm coming from.

I have fitted winter-snow tyres (with rubber like a pencil eraser) to my mountain bike, and then cycled in 2" deep snow over
my regular 30 mile course at -6c. That seriously hurt (i think my average heart rate was 175bpm over 3 hours).
So how's she going to cope with -40c in the antarctic summer?