Guinness Record Attempt Cancelled

I received the news that my buddy had decided to withdraw from our attempt to establish three inaugural age-group World Ultra Cycling Association/Guinness World Records on a recumbent trike on an indoor velodrome track in Detroit, Michigan, at the end of April. He said that he had run into logistical issues securing use of the indoor velodrome. In addition, he had conflicts with other commitments he had made during the April timeframe. I wasn’t really surprised at his withdrawal. His interest in the attempt when we originally discussed it had been lukewarm at best. (He’s already credited with seven Guinness World Records on a recumbent trike for 6 hours, 12 hours, and 24 hours outdoors.) He subsequently changed his mind because his officiating/support crew was enthusiastic about the attempt.

As an alternative, I knew about the Huntsman World Senior Games (HWSG) in St. George, UT, held in October annually. The main issue was the 23 hour 8 minute drive (1,581 miles) one way. But here was another opportunity to race my recumbent trike similar to National Senior Games (NSG), which is held only every two years. I researched the three races venues:

• 5 Kilometer (3.02 miles) Hill Climb, Tuesday, October 6
• 20 Kilometer (13.49 miles) Time Trial, Wednesday, October 7
• 40 Kilometer (25.40 miles) Road Race, Thursday, October 8

All venues are open to recumbents and involve serious climbing efforts. There has been limited age-group recumbent participation over the past several years. Registration opens on March 1st.

In preparation for HWSG, I will resume racing 20 kilometer time trials locally at least once per month from April through September.