Rider’s Narrative Summary
Record Attempt: – 100 Km Road Solo, 200 Km Road Solo, 100-mile Road Solo and 6 hours Distance Road Solo,
Rider: – Peter John Horton, 51 years old, United Kingdom
Crew: – Simon Chetwynd and Susan Horton
Officials: – Kevin Van Dyke
After my last record attempt where I achieved the 100 Km Road Solo record but did not complete all the records upto 6 hours as originally planned I wanted to attempt the records again. I decided that I was going to attempt to beat my 100Km Road Solo record and look to achieve the 200Km Distance Road Solo, 100-mile Road Solo and 6 hour distance record. I set out a training program over a 12-month period and was determined to attempt to achieve these records in September 2018.
As with my previous record attempt it wasn’t smooth sailing as you may be aware Lumberton North Carolina was hit by hurricane Florence and severe flooding a week and a half before I was due to attempt the records but my flights were already booked. I flew out to America to acclimatise to the weather a week earlier before the anticipated attempt date of the 29th September. I drove to North Carolina after a week and surveyed the Lumberton Distance Course to my dismay the Road/Bridge Maintenance Department had placed a barricade across a bridge that had been flooded and was unstable and was part of the course my heart sank thinking I would have to postpone the attempts. After numerous calls to see if the sand could be moved to allow a bicycle and follow vehicle though I was told it cannot be done due to the bridge being unstable. Luckily for me Gerry Eddlemon who has achieved numerous World Records knew of another course that was not to far away from the Lumberton course. So, myself, crew and official set out to survey the new course getting a very welcome acceptance from Larry Oslund chair of UMCA to be able to use this course. Having no other alternative apart from postponing the attempts I decided to attempt to achieve the records at this new course White Oak Bicycle Ultra 20 mile Loop the course was measured by Paul Hronjak on the September 26th 2009 Certification code NC-09076-PH and expires December 31st 2019.
I always like a goal to aim for and after achieving the one record earlier this year having overcome numerous obstacles including a road accident I wanted to attempt the other three records I was originally going to do at the same time so with the assistance of my coach Gareth Pymm and colleagues at Dynamic Rides bike shop I began my training. I also qualified this year to represent Great Britain at the UCI Gran Fondo World Championship in Italy however at the top of the first climb my rear tyre had a major blowout which was unrepairable but fortunately for me it happened just before a 20-minute major descent on twisting corners which could have been a catastrophe for me if it had happened during the descent. This made me even more determined to put all my efforts into obtaining the records.
At 6.55.00 am of September 29th 2018 I began my attempts to beat my record for the 100 Km Distance Road Solo and attempt to achieve the 200 Km, 100 mile and 6hour records. I started my attempt from the front door of Caine’s Diner to a no parking sign directly across the street on Highway 53 and at 9.49 I had completed the 100 Km record with a number of laps ridden 3.107762806375115 with a time of 2hrs 54 mins 29.6 sec, at this point I felt in control and continued approximately 2 more laps to finish the 100 miles at 11.41 am which was a time of 4hrs 46mins 24.1sec. Two attempts down and two remaining it had started to get warmer now and I ensured that I remained hydrated and finished the third record attempt at 12.55 with a distance of 124.273 miles and the fourth record attempt 200km 8.3 seconds later with a time of 6hrs 0 mins 8.3 sec. On my first lap unknown to me I was chased by a Bull Dog and my driver Simon scared him off then on the next lap the same Bull Dog was lying in wait for me and apparently was only two leaps away from attacking my right leg and probably ending my attempt at the records, once again Simon came to the rescue driving towards the dog blowing the car horn which did the trick and luckily I was not chased by the Bull Dog again. Approximately half way through my attempt in the middle of the road a group of hunting dogs were coming towards me I was told my a local resident after the race that these dogs are only curious around humans and left us alone unlike the attacking Bull Dog from earlier.
I think the best part of this attempt was actually beating my old record which I set earlier this year as it proved to me that my training plan had paid off and I felt I had more in reserve to continue my attempts for the other 3 records I wanted to achieve.
During my record attempt I had water electrolytes and precision hydration tablets to keep myself hydrated due to the heat and humidity and cliff gels and bars to keep my energy and stamina up.
People to thank my Official Kevin Van Dyke and Crew Simon and Susan my wife who was unable to crew for me the last time due to ill health and the passing away of her mother Barbara, Gerry Eddlemon, who was due to ride the course as well but was unable to due to having a tooth extraction and was advised not to ride a bike for a few weeks due to vibrations and also knowing of this alternative course after the hurricane had damaged the initial course I was going to use. Ian Wheeler and Jason Bassett who assisted in my training and Gareth Pymm a fantastic coach who gave me the training through Matt Bottrill performance coach.
