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Cracknell Cracks Land’s End-John O’Groats Record

Story posted October 19, 2009;  Source: Sybil Ruscoe Media Press Release

Team HotChillee who Sunday, October 18th, set a new cycle relay record from Land's End to John O'Groats in 34 hours, 54 minutes and 04 seconds. (L to R) Steve Golla, James Cracknell, Jerone Walters and Phill Sykes

Double Olympic champion, James Cracknell and Team HotChillee have set a stunning new record for cycling from Land’s End to John O’Groats. Cracknell and a team of three elite riders rode the 842 miles in relay in a time of 34 hours, 54 minutes and 04 seconds (34:54:04). Their average speed was a staggering 24.10mph.

Cracknell said: “It was an honour to be part of this fantastic team. This wasn’t a plod up the country. They were taking me along at 25 mph at times. It was an amazing experience to ride up the entire length of the country.  Everyone was pushing themselves so hard and at times it was extremely tough. It was an incredible experience.”

Riding with Cracknell were London-based Australian IT director, Jerone Walters, Steve Golla and Phill Sykes. Walters (36), a Sigma Sport rider, said: "It was really tough but we pushed each other when the 35 hour mark was in our sights.  We just got faster and faster over the last couple of hours. This was a great end to the season for me.”

Planning the ride, such an important part of the attempt. More pictures on Flickr

Sykes (35), a sports manager from Petersfield, said: “I’m absolutely whacked. It was an awesome experience and great fun.  The support crew made it so much easier for us and I don’t think we’d have posted a sub-35 hour time without the logistical back up.” Golla added: “The target was sub-35 hours but the weather forecast seemed to be against us at the start.  Then we realised it was possible and we absolutely buried ourselves to make it.  It was a great challenge.”

The new record marks the launch of next summer’s HotChillee E2E Relay Challenge. This new endurance relay ride will be open to amateur cyclists wanting to emulate the Cracknell and Team HotChillee experience. Sven Thiele, of HotChillee, the global marketing and events company staging the world record attempt, said: "This is a tremendous achievement by James and the HotChillee team. Their power and speed was awesome. They have set a blistering record for cyclists from all over the world to chase. We couldn’t have done it without a fantastic logistical and technical crew. We hope to create the same kind of spirit in next summer's HotChillee E2E Challenge. We are so proud to be part of this fantastic endurance record."

Cracknell’s record ride was sponsored by HotChillee, Regus the world's largest provider of workspace solutions, road cycling and triathlon specialist Sigma Sport, sports nutrition manufacturer Science In Sport, sports skincare company Sportique and media and sponsorship specialists Cyclevox, who filmed the event.  Sports clothing company adidas supplied Team HotChillee’s kit.

Web specialists Map My Tracks provided real time tracking of the End To End Challenge. Details for the statistics are available at www.hotchillee.com or www.mapmytracks.com

Media and sponsorship consultancy Cyclevox (which has an on-going relationship with specialist events company HotChillee) having filmed and produced the official DVD for the famous London to Paris cycle event, brought sponsorship to the event and also filmed the successful relay from early start to elated finish.

Cyclevox commercial director, Anthony McCrossan, said: "Cyclevox likes to be involved in exciting and innovative events and HotChillee has a great reputation for staging unique challenges. We were proud to not only chronicle this record attempt by Cracknell and the team, but also to bring key sponsorship from Mapmytracks into the event."

"Bringing Mapmytracks to the party was an exciting opportunity and one which enabled  people to follow the record attempt minute by minute and mile by mile of the journey through Twitter postings in association with the Mapmytracks gps tracking device.  Interestingly, we first make contact with Mapmytracks through Twitter!The resulting Mapmytrack web stats show that thousands of people were logged on and following the progress of the cyclists for an average of 1.5 hours.  This captive audience focused on the page allows for a spectator element of the event and offers a great platform for exposure for partners and sponsors."

Cyclevox hopes to turn the footage from the HotChillee End to End record into a documentary to be aired on national television.