PedalTheOcean.com

There has been a new project idea that has been fermenting in my brain for a while.

Since my mission in life is to conquer the world by human power, I figure that I better get on with some of the other kinds of earth aside from water and pavement.

I have always been very fascinated with human powered arctic travel, and have read about a dozen books on expeditions to the poles. I believe that our traditional human powered methods of travelling to the South Pole and possibly even the North Pole could be improved upon, and this challenge really intrigues me.


I think a good place to start is the Greenland ice cap. For details on some of my ideas regarding the crossing, the existing crossing record of 8 days and some ideas for a human powered snow mobile, please visit a new web site that I set up for the Pedal The Ice Cap expedition. Your input is always welcome.


The heart of what my concept for a human powered snow mobile could be is the Ktrac treaded rear drive from Ktrac Cycle. I received my Ktrac today and I must say that I am VERY impressed.


I have spoken with Kyle from Ktrac a few times about this concept and he thinks that his patented Ktrac would be up for the challenge. Kyle says that when traction is required on sand or soft snow, the larger contact patch created his track is far greater than the contact patch created from a simple fat tire. For ice or packed snow, a studded ice tire might be better.


I was very surprised at how little rolling resistance this tread has. I was expecting it to be very sticky, but it rolls with very little effort down my drive way.

The plan is to mount it onto my mountain bike and run some tests on various snow conditions. And since this is Calgary, I would expect the snow to start falling anytime.

The Adventures of Greg BLOG:
http://www.adventuresofgreg.com

Labels: icebikebuilding, icecapexpedition

I just returned from our 4 day kayaking/camping trip through the Broken Group Island chain off of the West coast of Vancouver island. We had fantastic weather and it was a really great time! We saw sea lions barking on the rocks, sat in the middle of a group of seals feeding, watched a whale breach, right off the bow of my kayak, and paddled along with dolphins. I also got the chance to experience a channel crossing with 3 to 4 foot waves and large swells from the open Pacific which was a good experience. Great, great trip. It was a highlight of my summer for sure.

My daughter Krista chillin in the tent

Labels: personal, training

This is VERY COOL:

While I was away at Ironman Canada and our kayaking trip, Ben was busy working away on WiTHiN. The top deck is now on, the front window is cut out, and the seat rails have been secured to the hull.


The plan is to do some capsize tests in a lake here in Calgary soon before the snow starts falling. I would like to do some pretty dramatic testing just to see how WiTHiN and myself will handle some extreme conditions. I envision using two docks placed close together with WiTHiN in the water between them. The idea is to be able to lift, drop, and flip us around using cables running to two hoists positioned on the docks. I'll be secured inside. Kind of like going over Niagara Falls in a barrel.


To finish before the tests:

1. Seat restraint system in
2. Front Lexan window in
3. Steering cables working
4. Solid foam filled sections in Bow and Stern
5. Main hatch door working


I plan on adding the other hatches, port lights and vents after we get a better idea of where they should be positioned.

Labels: boatbuilding

Ironman Canada 2007 Race Report


My finishing time was 10:54 and I came in 33rd out of 296 in my division. The last Ironman World Championships qualifying slot went to 10:38, so I was about 16 minutes too slow.

This was Ironman Canada's 25th anniversary and to celebrate, they invited just over 2700 athletes to join in the fun this year - a record number. There is no doubt about it - Ironman Canada IS the best Ironman race in the world. What an amazing event. I actually enjoyed many parts of the race. The crowds watching are enthusiastic and everywhere you go. A truly great event.


The swim was great - I don't think I touched another swimmer the whole 3800 meters in Okanagan Lake. My secret is to start way, way, way LEFT. Then when the start cannon blows I run still further LEFT until I am on the far outside and in my own private water space. This also cuts off some distance, as the beach curves out toward the turn around buoy. Not much though, but I'll happily take whatever I can get. My swim time was an average 1:15.

My bike kind of sucked. I just ran out of steam. I had no issues holding my 200 to 210 watts during the first 3 hours, but after climbing Richter Pass I just sort of ran out of gas. I would be riding along at what I thought was 200 watts, when a quick look down at my SRM power meter would indicate 180 watts. I'd ramp up the power, then it would slowly fall again. My legs were sore and very fatigued. I think I am still not fully recovered from the 24 hour human powered boat record. Injuries from the 24 like my knee and hamstring were bothering me quite a bit near the end of the 180 km Ironman ride.

My run started out good, then got really good. After the first 45 minutes I was able to get into a comfortable sub 8 minute mile pace, but again, I just ran out of steam or the last hour and finished my marathon in just under 4 hours.


I'm not super disappointed, as my top 11% age group finish (33 rd out of 296 in the 45 to 49 age group) was my 3rd best Ironman finish, and my best Ironman Canada finish. My best performance was in Arizona 2006 when I placed 4th with a top 2% finish. Second best was Arizona in 2007 where I finished in the top 8%, but missed qualifying due to TWO flat tires!

Here is a list of all my races and finish times.

I think I am going to take a year off of Ironman and focus on some of my other challenges - like making some progress on the Pedal The Ocean project, a second 24 hour human powered boat record attempt race, and the Greenland Ice Cap crossing record attempt .

I may return for Ironman Arizona in 2009 where I WILL qualify.


Helen also had an enjoyable race.

Labels: ironman