24 hour record boat progress
6 Comments Published by Adventures of Greg on Thursday, May 08, 2008 at 6:38 PM.
Big progress over the last couple of days. It is Saturday morning now, and I am pretty sure that tomorrow she will be ready for her maiden voyage if I can find some unfrozen chunk of lake somewhere.
Here are a pile of images showing progress over the last few days:
Here are a pile of images showing progress over the last few days:
My buddy Manny from Rhomec Industries contributed this jewelry for the suped up pedal boat. Two complete drive units consisting of a CNC machined propeller from Rick Willoughby's computer file, a bearing tube that hold two glass bearings, an aluminum nose cone, tail cone, U-joint and 3/8" shaft that runs to a coupler that is connected to the MitrPak right angle gear box.
Manny made me some interchangeable gears for the gear box. These collars will hold any standard Shimano rear cassette gear.
This is the MitrPak right angle gear box with a 13 tooth gear mounted on the input shaft and the 6 foot long prop shaft mounted with a coupler onto the output shaft of the gear box.
This is my seat frame sitting on the top deck of the boat hull. I was able to fit the hull into my shop, but the bow and stern are jammed into two corners of the room.
This is the rudder tube after I added the additional carbon reinforcement layers
The rudder tube bonded to the rear bulkhead
Before the top deck went on, I filled the compartments with water to check for leaks
This is the deck after it was removed from the vacuum bag. We used CoreCell core material + 1 layer of 5.8 oz carbon on the top and 1 layer of 5 oz fiberglass on the back.
The deck has been bonded to the hull using a bit of micro and some epoxy. I clamped the deck onto the flange at first, but we got more even pressure around the flange using weights and duct tape.
Ben is filling my outriggers with expanding foam
Temporary setup showing the seat and pedals
The drive unit is mounted to the seat frame and everything is temporarily clamped to the deck. It all worked!
Top view of the boat
This is what I am dealing with in the middle of May! All the lakes around Calgary are still frozen over. Stefan was telling me that this is the first time in over 20 years that the reservoir hasn't opened during the first week of May.
Labels: 24hourHPBrecord, boatbuilding
Training woes, and 24 hour record boat progress
4 Comments Published by Adventures of Greg on Monday, May 05, 2008 at 5:01 PM.
Progress updates:
I kept the cut-out sections of this sandwich board frame for Critical Power
and used them for the bulkheads for the new boat
I was very surprised when I weighed the hull with the outriggers because it was one pound LESS than when I pulled it off the mold. Even with the carbon bulkheads bonded in, it is only 13.5 pounds. It will weigh more when the top deck is on, but this is a good start!
You can see the Kevlar (gold) with the carbon weave.
Kevlar will prevent the hull from ripping apart if it is holed.
The top deck will be a 24 foot long piece of closed cell foam core called CoreCell. CoreCell is what we are building the new ocean crossing boat WiTHiN out of.
You can now follow my micro updates by subscribing to the PedalTheOcean Twitter feed. I am thinking of updating this feed during the 24 hour record attempt every hour. The advantage of following a Twitter feed is that you can choose to receive updates on your cell phone, text messages, email or follow using the Twitter web site, the AdventuresOfGreg web site (upper right hand corner), or my FaceBook page (status updates).
As with everything in life there is always give and take, pros and cons, good with the bad. Very seldom is anything easy and straight forward. The new 24 hour record attempt human powered boat build is going really great - too great in fact. Something needed to offset all this great progress and that something is the Greek sea-god Achilles.
My Achilles tendon on my right leg is swollen and very, very sore and is becoming an issue for me.
My weekly long training rides alternate between an ultra-long, but moderate paced ride which progressively grows longer each 2nd week as I near the record attempt date and a 5-hour, very intense, hard ride. Today's 5 hour ride was supposed to average 200 watts and I made it to 3 hours and had to quit because my Achilles tendon was too sore.
It's been getting worse over the last few weeks and I continue to hope that it will just disappear. Last weeks 10 hour training ride outside with my buddy Greg Bradley was very painful for the last 4 hours of the ride. Today, I didn't make it past 3 hours. I need to get this problem resolved!!!
My buddy Chad who is an Ironman triathlete and also an MD, suggested I purchase this cool portable home ultra sound device called Sonic Relief:
I've been using it aggressively in combination with a topical anti-inflammatory cream and it seems to reduce swelling. I will keep at it.
What I really need to do is to give my foot a break for a couple of weeks to allow the Achilles to heal, but I am afraid that I will lose too much fitness and won't be able to stick to my scheduled 24 hour human powered boat distance record attempt for late June. We have a pretty busy summer, so it will be tough trying to schedule the record attempt for July or August.
Since postponing the Atlantic crossing until December of 2009, I now have time for other athletic pursuits, so I signed up for Ironman Arizona in November. I really have to get this 24 hour record attempt done and finished with by July at the latest so I can recover and switch training focus back to Ironman. My goal for Ironman in November is to make it back to World Championships in Kona! I have a special reason for going back to Kona, Hawaii in October of 2009 - more on that at a later date.
-------------------------------
24 hour record boat progress
My Achilles tendon on my right leg is swollen and very, very sore and is becoming an issue for me.
My weekly long training rides alternate between an ultra-long, but moderate paced ride which progressively grows longer each 2nd week as I near the record attempt date and a 5-hour, very intense, hard ride. Today's 5 hour ride was supposed to average 200 watts and I made it to 3 hours and had to quit because my Achilles tendon was too sore.
It's been getting worse over the last few weeks and I continue to hope that it will just disappear. Last weeks 10 hour training ride outside with my buddy Greg Bradley was very painful for the last 4 hours of the ride. Today, I didn't make it past 3 hours. I need to get this problem resolved!!!
My buddy Chad who is an Ironman triathlete and also an MD, suggested I purchase this cool portable home ultra sound device called Sonic Relief:
I've been using it aggressively in combination with a topical anti-inflammatory cream and it seems to reduce swelling. I will keep at it.What I really need to do is to give my foot a break for a couple of weeks to allow the Achilles to heal, but I am afraid that I will lose too much fitness and won't be able to stick to my scheduled 24 hour human powered boat distance record attempt for late June. We have a pretty busy summer, so it will be tough trying to schedule the record attempt for July or August.
Since postponing the Atlantic crossing until December of 2009, I now have time for other athletic pursuits, so I signed up for Ironman Arizona in November. I really have to get this 24 hour record attempt done and finished with by July at the latest so I can recover and switch training focus back to Ironman. My goal for Ironman in November is to make it back to World Championships in Kona! I have a special reason for going back to Kona, Hawaii in October of 2009 - more on that at a later date.
-------------------------------
24 hour record boat progress
Above is a computer model of what the new boat will look like. Click to enlarge. My recumbent seat sits on a 10" wide, hollow carbon fiber hull that is 24 feet long. There are two, light weight carbon outriggers for balance that typically sit a few inches ABOVE the water line while underway. My forward momentum should be enough to keep the narrow main hull balanced without the extra drag of the outriggers.
The main hull is 2 layers of 5.8 oz carbon fiber + 1 layer of 6 oz carbon+Kevlar weave. To add stiffness and strength, I inserted six bulkheads which I cut out from a left-over section of the carbon fiber sandwich board frame for Critical Power. I think it is cool to have part of Critical Power in this boat. (Critical Power is the name of my human powered vehicle that I set a 24 hour distance record with in the summer of 2006).
I kept the cut-out sections of this sandwich board frame for Critical Powerand used them for the bulkheads for the new boat
I was very surprised when I weighed the hull with the outriggers because it was one pound LESS than when I pulled it off the mold. Even with the carbon bulkheads bonded in, it is only 13.5 pounds. It will weigh more when the top deck is on, but this is a good start!
You can see the Kevlar (gold) with the carbon weave.
Kevlar will prevent the hull from ripping apart if it is holed.
The top deck will be a 24 foot long piece of closed cell foam core called CoreCell. CoreCell is what we are building the new ocean crossing boat WiTHiN out of.
The CoreCell will be covered with 1 layer of carbon each side, then cut to fit onto the flange of the hull.
The short sections of CoreCell are joined with tabs that are epoxied over the seems. This should also provide a bit more stiffness to the top deck.
The rudder tube is an old carbon tube that I had. It wasn't quite strong enough, so I reinforced it with a wrap of carbon. After the carbon went onto the tube, I wetted it out with epoxy resin, then wound a tight layer of electrical tape around it. I poked holes in the electrical tape to allow excess epoxy to seep out.
Labels: 24hourHPBrecord, boatbuilding, training
The new 24 hour record attempt!!!
2 Comments Published by Adventures of Greg on Friday, May 02, 2008 at 9:54 AM.
24 hour human powered boat record:
This boat is going to be fiendishly fast!
First you have to check out this work of art that my buddy Manny from Rhomec Industries made for me:
It's the aluminum prop, spinner, bearing tube and fairing cones for the drive for the new 24 hour record attempt boat. VERY SWEET!
I want to keep the exact configuration of the drive unit proprietary for a little while, so I'm not posting any drawings of it here. I am aware of another group who has indicated to me that they plan on challenging my 174 km pedal boat record from last summer and I don't really want to give away any of our secrets just yet. I am not **repeat NOT** attempting to break my own 174 km pedal boat record - I am attempting to break Carter Johnson's 245 km kayaking record! I am aware that there is a big spread between 174 km and 245 km, and this boat that was designed by Rick Willoughby is capable of at least 245 km in 24 hours. If I am able to go farther than 245 km in 24 hours on a flat lake, then it will be the farthest any person has ever travelled in 24 hours on water under their own power.
Rick is helping with design and engineering direction, Manny from Rhomec is contributing his wicked machining skills to make the prop and drive unit parts, the right angle gear drive was donated by my buddy George and PedalTheOcean sponsor MitrPak, and my right hand man Ben is helping out in the shop. I'll have a cast of other friends helping with officiating, observing and other help like last year - it is TRULY a collaborative effort and I am VERY grateful for all of the support these friends are providing.
My original intention was to invite Carter Johnson to Calgary and stage a race and possibly a new world record by either Carter or I. I'm not sure that is going to work because lake conditions for a record need to be nearly perfect - very calm and flat water. That means I need to race on a day with little to no wind which means that I can't schedule an exact date for the record attempt. My intention is to be ready to go and watch the weather closely, then when a suitable weather window opens up, just DO IT.
Ben came over today and we made some progress on the main hull. This hull is 24 feet long and 9" wide at it's widest point. The Styrofoam plug was CNC machined by Jarrett Johnson in Saskatchewan and delivered to me in 4 parts. I had to build a 24 foot long FLAT table to place the hull onto deck side down.
I am going to use the same composite layup method that I used for one of the outriggers - that is to cover the entire foam hull with packing tape, lay down the carbon, wet it out with epoxy and vacuum bag & cure for 8 hours. Then pull the carbon hull OFF the foam hull. The thin carbon shell will then be reinforced with some bulkheads and a thin sandwich panel deck will be bonded to the top.
I did this for one of the outriggers and it worked, but there were millions of pin holes in the 2 layers of 6 oz carbon I put on. These holes leaked water like a sieve - not exactly what you want for a boat. For the main hull, we are letting a base coat of epoxy on the taped hull get semi-hard before applying the carbon and wetting out. I am also applying two additional layers of composite fabric - 2 layers of 5.8 oz carbon weave, 1 layer of 6 oz carbon/Kevlar weave and an outside layer of 5 oz fiberglass for sanding. I am also going to apply LESS vacuum pressure this time which won't suck out all the epoxy through the fabric which leaves the nasty pin holes.
Ben and I are pulling a length of string tight to make sure that the
4 foam sections are assembled in a STRAIGHT line
We covered the foam plug with packing tape. When the carbon cures,
I can pull the boat hull right off the foam plug leaving the foam plug for future use.
2 layers of 5.8 oz carbon, 1 layer of 6 oz carbon/kevlar mix the 1 layer 4 oz fiberglass on the exterior. We set the vacuum pressure high enough to press the wet fabric against the form, but not to remove too much excess epoxy.
------------------------------------
Follow AdventuresOfGreg 24 hours a day!
Yes! Your dreams have been answered. If these casual updates are just not enough AOG for you, then I have some exciting news. With my new Twitter feed, you can follow me 24 hours per day. That's right - imagine it! All day long, every day of the week, 4 weeks per month, 12 months per year, year after year after year! Yeah!!!! You'll know when I brush my teeth, take out the garbage, and cut my finger in the shop. It will be like you are there - right in the thick of the action!
Seriously - I have a Twitter feed that I'll be updating every day - or more often depending on what I'm working on that could be semi-interesting. You can follow it at the AOG main blog page (upper right hand corner of the page):
http://www.adventuresofgreg.com/HPB/HPBmain.html
Or at my Twitter page: http://twitter.com/pedaltheocean
First you have to check out this work of art that my buddy Manny from Rhomec Industries made for me:
I want to keep the exact configuration of the drive unit proprietary for a little while, so I'm not posting any drawings of it here. I am aware of another group who has indicated to me that they plan on challenging my 174 km pedal boat record from last summer and I don't really want to give away any of our secrets just yet. I am not **repeat NOT** attempting to break my own 174 km pedal boat record - I am attempting to break Carter Johnson's 245 km kayaking record! I am aware that there is a big spread between 174 km and 245 km, and this boat that was designed by Rick Willoughby is capable of at least 245 km in 24 hours. If I am able to go farther than 245 km in 24 hours on a flat lake, then it will be the farthest any person has ever travelled in 24 hours on water under their own power.
Rick is helping with design and engineering direction, Manny from Rhomec is contributing his wicked machining skills to make the prop and drive unit parts, the right angle gear drive was donated by my buddy George and PedalTheOcean sponsor MitrPak, and my right hand man Ben is helping out in the shop. I'll have a cast of other friends helping with officiating, observing and other help like last year - it is TRULY a collaborative effort and I am VERY grateful for all of the support these friends are providing.
My original intention was to invite Carter Johnson to Calgary and stage a race and possibly a new world record by either Carter or I. I'm not sure that is going to work because lake conditions for a record need to be nearly perfect - very calm and flat water. That means I need to race on a day with little to no wind which means that I can't schedule an exact date for the record attempt. My intention is to be ready to go and watch the weather closely, then when a suitable weather window opens up, just DO IT.
Ben came over today and we made some progress on the main hull. This hull is 24 feet long and 9" wide at it's widest point. The Styrofoam plug was CNC machined by Jarrett Johnson in Saskatchewan and delivered to me in 4 parts. I had to build a 24 foot long FLAT table to place the hull onto deck side down.
I am going to use the same composite layup method that I used for one of the outriggers - that is to cover the entire foam hull with packing tape, lay down the carbon, wet it out with epoxy and vacuum bag & cure for 8 hours. Then pull the carbon hull OFF the foam hull. The thin carbon shell will then be reinforced with some bulkheads and a thin sandwich panel deck will be bonded to the top.
I did this for one of the outriggers and it worked, but there were millions of pin holes in the 2 layers of 6 oz carbon I put on. These holes leaked water like a sieve - not exactly what you want for a boat. For the main hull, we are letting a base coat of epoxy on the taped hull get semi-hard before applying the carbon and wetting out. I am also applying two additional layers of composite fabric - 2 layers of 5.8 oz carbon weave, 1 layer of 6 oz carbon/Kevlar weave and an outside layer of 5 oz fiberglass for sanding. I am also going to apply LESS vacuum pressure this time which won't suck out all the epoxy through the fabric which leaves the nasty pin holes.
Ben and I are pulling a length of string tight to make sure that the
4 foam sections are assembled in a STRAIGHT line
We covered the foam plug with packing tape. When the carbon cures,
I can pull the boat hull right off the foam plug leaving the foam plug for future use.
2 layers of 5.8 oz carbon, 1 layer of 6 oz carbon/kevlar mix the 1 layer 4 oz fiberglass on the exterior. We set the vacuum pressure high enough to press the wet fabric against the form, but not to remove too much excess epoxy.
Follow AdventuresOfGreg 24 hours a day!
Yes! Your dreams have been answered. If these casual updates are just not enough AOG for you, then I have some exciting news. With my new Twitter feed, you can follow me 24 hours per day. That's right - imagine it! All day long, every day of the week, 4 weeks per month, 12 months per year, year after year after year! Yeah!!!! You'll know when I brush my teeth, take out the garbage, and cut my finger in the shop. It will be like you are there - right in the thick of the action!
Seriously - I have a Twitter feed that I'll be updating every day - or more often depending on what I'm working on that could be semi-interesting. You can follow it at the AOG main blog page (upper right hand corner of the page):
http://www.adventuresofgreg.com/HPB/HPBmain.html
Or at my Twitter page: http://twitter.com/pedaltheocean
Labels: 24hourHPBrecord, boatbuilding
V11G carbon outrigger #1
2 Comments Published by Adventures of Greg on Monday, March 31, 2008 at 7:22 PM.
V11G outrigger shell pulled off the foam plug
My first carbon outrigger popped off of the Styrofoam plug nicely. The general shape is very true, but there are small imperfections on the surface finish due to the release film creases and some imperfections in the styrofoam. These could be sanded off, but I think I would be worth adding a 5 oz layer of fine fiberglass weave for sanding. Then i think the surface would be very smooth.
This is a great way of using Styrofoam as a re-usable male mold (plug). Just cover it with packing tape.
This is a great way of using Styrofoam as a re-usable male mold (plug). Just cover it with packing tape.
I will probably leave about 1/4" of the flange around the edge to bond a thin top deck to it. The top deck will be carbon over a 1/4 inch sheet of Styrofoam or core material for the top deck. To stiffen the outrigger, I'll add a bulkhead to the middle. I will also fill in the inside nose and tail with some micro to give it some strength.
Getting ready for sea trials
---------------------------------------
Getting ready for sea trials
---------------------------------------
Dates for the second set of sea trials have been finalized. I am heading out this Saturday with Murray. We arrive in Tofino on Sunday and launch WiTHiN. Monday morning we meet up with Matahil Lawson and his boat. I'll be spending at least 8 hours on the water. The objective is to head WEST as far as I can for 4 or 5 hours, then turn around and head back. Mat also knows of some great areas to get into some chop and swell and other various challenging conditions, so maybe we'll play around a bit. Tuesday will be more of the same - two 8-hour days in a row out in the Pacific.
I need to establish a speed profile for WiTHiN. I need to know how fast she goes into varying degrees of head wind as well as from abeam and from astern. Knowing the differences in efficiencies between the prototype version and the new ocean crossing boat, I will be able to predict a speed profile for the new ocean boat.
This is sort of important, as I need to get a better understanding of how WiTHiN will perform in adverse wind/sea conditions. Most of the ocean rowing boats can't make headway in moderate onshore winds. This is one of the reasons why they have had difficulties in the past getting away from California for ocean rowing expeditions to Hawaii and Australia.
Since being able to accept a tow is a very important safety issue during sea trials, I decided to fabricate a bridle to tie the line to. This won't stress the rope like the old set-up did.
I made a couple of foam inserts for the Dorade vents. These will be used to stop road crap from being blown into the vents during the drive, and - more importantly, to stop water from leaking into the boat when I tip her over beside the dock to mount the keel.
Another addition to WiTHiN is the new nifty clamp fan. It really blows, and I can mount it in a variety of places using the handy clamp - to face the window to de-fog, or face me for cooling.
All I have left is to re-build our rotten wooden boat stand on the trailer. This got so wet during the first Tofino trip (snow and constant rain), that it started to fall apart. I'm going to weld a steel one to replace it.
Training
----------------
Tomorrow I have an 8 hour INSIDE training ride - UGH!!! It's snowing and minus 17 degrees C right now, so an outside ride is NOT in the cards unfortunately.
After a rest week last week, I attempted a new 20 minute power test today and I was pleased to find a 15 watt increase over my last test. My goal is to get up to 270 watts for 20 minutes and I'm pretty sure with another set of CP 20 intervals over the next 6 weeks, I'll be able to achieve that - and more, once I get outside. My peak CP20 power was 300 watts a couple of years ago on my tri bike. It's always lower on the recumbent - I think 280 was my PR on the bent.
All I have left is to re-build our rotten wooden boat stand on the trailer. This got so wet during the first Tofino trip (snow and constant rain), that it started to fall apart. I'm going to weld a steel one to replace it.
Training
----------------
Tomorrow I have an 8 hour INSIDE training ride - UGH!!! It's snowing and minus 17 degrees C right now, so an outside ride is NOT in the cards unfortunately.
After a rest week last week, I attempted a new 20 minute power test today and I was pleased to find a 15 watt increase over my last test. My goal is to get up to 270 watts for 20 minutes and I'm pretty sure with another set of CP 20 intervals over the next 6 weeks, I'll be able to achieve that - and more, once I get outside. My peak CP20 power was 300 watts a couple of years ago on my tri bike. It's always lower on the recumbent - I think 280 was my PR on the bent.
Labels: 24hourHPBrecord, boatbuilding
V11G outrigger floats
3 Comments Published by Adventures of Greg on Wednesday, March 26, 2008 at 4:08 PM.
My new friend Murray Flanagan stopped by my shop this morning to meet me and see WiTHiN and Critical Power. We had a really nice chat, and then, of course, I put him to work! I seized the opportunity and recruited Murray to help out with the carbon work on the first outrigger.
Rick Willoughby and I have been discussing ways to use the CNC machined foam hull and outrigger forms as plugs that could be re-used. The advantage is not only having the original foam plug available to make another copy of the V11G (24 hour record boat) hull, but mostly, the resulting carbon hull will be SUPER light without any Styrofoam inside.
To strengthen the finished part, I'll insert a couple of foam bulkheads (with carbon) and place a flat carbon top over the hollow, topless outrigger hull.
We'll do the same with the V11G hull - cover it with packing tape, lay on 3 layers of 5.8 oz carbon, vacuum bag and pop it off the foam plug. Then insert some structural carbon panels, and a flat panel top deck. This will result in a part that is very light weight and hopefully strong enough. THANKS Murray!
Training
-----------------------
I have been tiring of training in a slightly different geometry on the M5 than in my trainer downstairs, so I welded up some seat extensions for the M5 and resulted in a duplicate seat position - basically a MUCH higher seat bottom which puts my feet below my heart at the peak pedal stroke. This has helped keep blood flowing through my feet - a problem that I have suffered with for years. See the comparison seat position photo below (click to enlarge).
Labels: 24hourHPBrecord, training
Discovery Channel interview & sneak preview of the ocean boat!
4 Comments Published by Adventures of Greg on Friday, March 21, 2008 at 8:10 AM.
When Pat and I were out in Tofino for sea trials, my PR genius Mark Dusseault arranged a media day in Victoria for local media to shoot pictures of WiTHiN and interview me. The entire afternoon was spent with a crew from Discovery Channel filming a second interview. The first Discovery Channel show is here:
The second piece turned out well, but I think they kind of focused in too much on the window issue - it wasn't really that big of a deal. Over all the goal was to see how stable WiTHiN was in waves and chop, and it did OK. I think the biggest thing I learned was I wanted to see what a keel would do to mitigate the excessive rocking. We'll find out soon.
The second piece turned out well, but I think they kind of focused in too much on the window issue - it wasn't really that big of a deal. Over all the goal was to see how stable WiTHiN was in waves and chop, and it did OK. I think the biggest thing I learned was I wanted to see what a keel would do to mitigate the excessive rocking. We'll find out soon.
Speaking of the second sea trials, WiTHiN is pretty well ready to go. The keel is now finished, and the other day I added this manually operated windshield wiper. I had also replaced the PETG window plastic, so it's no longer frosted slightly with paint over spray like that last one. This should make it easier to see out the window.
You can see the handle to operate the wiper under the top deck.
Another problem I was having in Tofino was my vent fan falling off the Dorade vent. It was held in place with a Velcro-like fastener. The reason is so that I can rip it off and manually shut the valve on he vent if I had to. To keep it in place, I bonded 3 latches onto it. To remove it, I just flip the latches and pull it off.
The last item repaired was where the old stops were for the outriggers. I had to kick them off to get WiTHiN through the door of the pool when we pool-tested the keel. I grounded the rough fiberglass down smooth, and filled over with micro.
Ready to go! Now I just have to find a support boat. I made a call to a friend who works for the Canadian coast guard office in Tofino to ask about boat availability for a couple of days within the next week or so to support me during my trials. He says that whale watching season has just started and many of the whale watching boats are fully booked. He's making some calls for me.
Is anyone local interested in going with me to Tofino?
The 24 hour human powered boat record
-------------------------------------
I just finished a 7.5 hour ride. Ugh! It was -10 C degrees this morning, but it was supposed to warm up later and the sun was up, so I figured I would break the day up by doing 5 hours outside, then another 3 inside. The outside ride was not fun. I froze my toes.
My hamstring started to get pretty sore. I'm not sure if it was because of Wednesday's KILLER AT intervals, or because the geometry on the M5 isn't exactly what I've been training on with the inside trainer. Anyhow - not a lot of fun.
One advantage that postponing the ocean crossing has is affording me a bit more time on other projects - including the 24 hour HPB record. I was thinking about an early June attempt, but I only get 1 month of unfrozen water here to train on. Glenmore res opens in May. That means that most of my training has to be either downstairs on the inside trainer, or outside on the M5. Outside is fine, but that really sucks when the temperature is less that 10 degrees C. I would much prefer a month or two of warm weather to alternate some long, 14 to 16 hour outside epic rides with some ultra long lake training days on the new boat. Scheduling the 24 hour record attempt and race for later in June would give me an additional month to train.
Boston marathon
---------------------------------
Helen and I have the Boston marathon next month and this will be an interesting experiment for me. I've been running only ONCE per week because of an old calf injury from last years 24 hour record. It's not going away, so I've cut my running way back. One long run per week - that's it. This week I did a 2.5 hour run and next week it will be 2.75. So far, it seems to be working. I have plenty of energy during that long run, and my calf hasn't been hurting. I wont be setting any personal bests in Boston that's for sure!
Ready to go! Now I just have to find a support boat. I made a call to a friend who works for the Canadian coast guard office in Tofino to ask about boat availability for a couple of days within the next week or so to support me during my trials. He says that whale watching season has just started and many of the whale watching boats are fully booked. He's making some calls for me.
Is anyone local interested in going with me to Tofino?
The 24 hour human powered boat record
-------------------------------------
I just finished a 7.5 hour ride. Ugh! It was -10 C degrees this morning, but it was supposed to warm up later and the sun was up, so I figured I would break the day up by doing 5 hours outside, then another 3 inside. The outside ride was not fun. I froze my toes.
My hamstring started to get pretty sore. I'm not sure if it was because of Wednesday's KILLER AT intervals, or because the geometry on the M5 isn't exactly what I've been training on with the inside trainer. Anyhow - not a lot of fun.
One advantage that postponing the ocean crossing has is affording me a bit more time on other projects - including the 24 hour HPB record. I was thinking about an early June attempt, but I only get 1 month of unfrozen water here to train on. Glenmore res opens in May. That means that most of my training has to be either downstairs on the inside trainer, or outside on the M5. Outside is fine, but that really sucks when the temperature is less that 10 degrees C. I would much prefer a month or two of warm weather to alternate some long, 14 to 16 hour outside epic rides with some ultra long lake training days on the new boat. Scheduling the 24 hour record attempt and race for later in June would give me an additional month to train.
The Styrofoam hull and outrigger floats for V11G are due in from Saskatchewan today. I will order my carbon, epoxy, and other supplies on Tuesday, then schedule a composites work day here maybe the following week - depends on if I can get all of my supplies.
Manny the CNC machinist extraordinaire has finished machining the new prop for V11G !! It is a piece of ART!
Sneak preview of WiTHiN-ocean!
------------------------------------------------------
Manny the CNC machinist extraordinaire has finished machining the new prop for V11G !! It is a piece of ART!
Sneak preview of WiTHiN-ocean!
------------------------------------------------------
Postponement of the 24 hour record has it's drawbacks - I am counting on this summer to complete all of the testing required for the new ocean crossing version of WiTHiN. Even with the postponement of the ocean crossing until next December (actually, it will probably be much earlier - like next JUNE. More on that later), I need this summer to complete all of the testing. This includes basic testing, as well as a few multi-day trips with the boat FULLY provisioned and equipped.
World record winning naval architect Stuart Bloomfield has completed some preliminary designs for the new boat. Check it out:
The big advantage to using the flat panel method of construction is speed and ease of building it. The panels can be made before hand using core materials and carbon on both sides. Then the panel shapes are laser cut from computer files. The carbon panels are seamed together to form the boat.
The front windshield is raked back, but there are two 'A frame' beams running from the roof line to the bow top deck. The beams are both structural and aesthetic.
World record winning naval architect Stuart Bloomfield has completed some preliminary designs for the new boat. Check it out:
The front windshield is raked back, but there are two 'A frame' beams running from the roof line to the bow top deck. The beams are both structural and aesthetic.
Boston marathon
---------------------------------
Helen and I have the Boston marathon next month and this will be an interesting experiment for me. I've been running only ONCE per week because of an old calf injury from last years 24 hour record. It's not going away, so I've cut my running way back. One long run per week - that's it. This week I did a 2.5 hour run and next week it will be 2.75. So far, it seems to be working. I have plenty of energy during that long run, and my calf hasn't been hurting. I wont be setting any personal bests in Boston that's for sure!
Labels: 24hourHPBrecord, boatbuilding, expedition, training
Live your life to the FULLEST. Susie did.
Helen and I met Susie a couple of years ago on our Oregon coast bike trip. She was this amazingly energetic and enthusiastic spark who was living her dream by cycling from Vancouver to the tip of South America. We spent a day with her, then we split off and wished her the best of luck on her adventure.
Her unfortunate story made the front page of the Calgary Herald and Helen recognized her face, and I recognized her name. A few minutes spent digging through photo archives of our Oregon trip resulted in a sad confirmation - it was indeed Susie.
Susie - your positive attitude, energy, enthusiasm and zest for life was infectious, and you will be missed.
------------------------------------
Ocean WiTHiN progress:
I am happy to report that we have contracted a naval architect to produce working drawings of Ocean WiTHiN. Stuart Bloomfield from Bloomfield Innovations will be talking the basic dimensions from my overview and drafting plans that will go to a composite fabricator for construction. I am considering a few builders now.
I made cardboard cutouts of the various Lewmar port lights and sat in the mock-up to figure out exactly where these windows should be placed. I plotted a horizon line on the coroplast canopy and shifted my view by moving my head forward, back, right and left such that I could get a full 360 degree view around me to watch for other ships.
------------------------------------
TRAINING
I am still planning on another attempt at the 24 hour human powered boat distance record for early June. As I have said before, this intermediate challenge motivates me to start taking my training seriously now! After the 24 hour event, I will be perfectly situated to start some seriously long distance training which will get me ready for the ocean crossing.
My long rides have been inside in the little red coroplast playhouse trainer, but the weather here has been marginal for outside rides, so I cleaned up the M5, and in an hour I'll be heading out for my 2nd 5-hour outside ride with my buddy Dr. Chad Anker who is training for Ironman Coeurdalene.
------------------------------------
24 HOUR RECORD ATTEMPT
As you know, I will be building a brand new human powered boat for the 24 hour 'Pedal vs Paddle' challenge. This is Rick Willoughby's tried and tested design, so there shouldn't be much time consuming R & D involved in this build. Jarrett Johnson is CNC machining the hull and outriggers out of solid foam right now. They should be finished next week. Ben and myself and whoever else we can grab to help will be adding carbon and Kevlar to the foam hulls. Then a drive frame and seat goes on, rudder, prop and I'm done - ready for testing in the nearest unfrozen lake to Calgary.
I had purchased a bunch of Chrome Alloy to fabricate the drive frame with, but decided to build it out of aluminum instead. I've welded aluminum before, but I lost faith in my welding skills when a simple bracket I made failed at the weld. I thought I would give it another try.
I welded up a test join -two tubes about the same wall thickness as the tubing that I planned to build the frame out of. The welding very surprisingly well and I smashed the test part with a hammer as it was held in my vice and it failed on the tube - not the weld. Good news. So I went for it.
I am VERY happy with the result. It weighs 2 pounds without any hardware, pedals, etc. My seat weighs 3 pounds. I need to add a bracket for the right angle gear box kindly provided by one of my sponsors MitrPak, a shaft, the prop (we're hopefully getting this CNC machined), aluminum frames for the seat back and outriggers and the rudder.
I am really trying to have this new boat ready for water testing in March sometime. If it tests out as expected, then I will 'pull the trigger' and officially announce the race.
In March, I also want to get back out to Tofino for another round of sea trials in the prototype WiTHiN using a keel which I still have to build.
So much to do, but I am hanging in there! Susie will be my inspiration for March.
Susie Lantz (left) and Helen (right) on a beach on the Oregon coast
Canmore resident Susanna Lantz was skiing with a friend in an area known as Chickadee Pass, on the south side of the Great Divide bordering Banff and Kootenay national parks, when an avalanche swept down the side of the mountain around 4 p.m. prematurely ending the life of this wonderful 28 year.Helen and I met Susie a couple of years ago on our Oregon coast bike trip. She was this amazingly energetic and enthusiastic spark who was living her dream by cycling from Vancouver to the tip of South America. We spent a day with her, then we split off and wished her the best of luck on her adventure.
Her unfortunate story made the front page of the Calgary Herald and Helen recognized her face, and I recognized her name. A few minutes spent digging through photo archives of our Oregon trip resulted in a sad confirmation - it was indeed Susie.
Susie - your positive attitude, energy, enthusiasm and zest for life was infectious, and you will be missed.
------------------------------------
Ocean WiTHiN progress:
I am happy to report that we have contracted a naval architect to produce working drawings of Ocean WiTHiN. Stuart Bloomfield from Bloomfield Innovations will be talking the basic dimensions from my overview and drafting plans that will go to a composite fabricator for construction. I am considering a few builders now.
If we can negotiate an early departure from the Canary Islands with the Spanish coastguard of November 1, then I will be crossing the Atlantic with skipper Nick Dwyer from Around-in-ten as my safety boat. Working back from there - this is what the schedule looks like:
November 1st - DEPARTURE from La Gomera Spain
Oct 15th - WiTHiN and I arrive in La Gomera
July - first sea trials
June 30 - WiTHiN ready for sea trials (equipment, electrics,
March 1 to 7 - plans delivered to boat builder
Oct 15th - WiTHiN and I arrive in La Gomera
(two weeks to get WiTHiN ready)
Sept 1 - deliver WiTHiN (fully provisioned and equipped) to thecontainer ship on the coast for 6 week
transport to Canary Islands
Aug - second sea trialstransport to Canary Islands
July - first sea trials
June 30 - WiTHiN ready for sea trials (equipment, electrics,
hardware - everything installed and ready to go)
June 1 - WiTHiN bare-boat builtMarch 1 to 7 - plans delivered to boat builder
I made cardboard cutouts of the various Lewmar port lights and sat in the mock-up to figure out exactly where these windows should be placed. I plotted a horizon line on the coroplast canopy and shifted my view by moving my head forward, back, right and left such that I could get a full 360 degree view around me to watch for other ships.
------------------------------------
TRAINING
I am still planning on another attempt at the 24 hour human powered boat distance record for early June. As I have said before, this intermediate challenge motivates me to start taking my training seriously now! After the 24 hour event, I will be perfectly situated to start some seriously long distance training which will get me ready for the ocean crossing.
My long rides have been inside in the little red coroplast playhouse trainer, but the weather here has been marginal for outside rides, so I cleaned up the M5, and in an hour I'll be heading out for my 2nd 5-hour outside ride with my buddy Dr. Chad Anker who is training for Ironman Coeurdalene.
------------------------------------
24 HOUR RECORD ATTEMPT
As you know, I will be building a brand new human powered boat for the 24 hour 'Pedal vs Paddle' challenge. This is Rick Willoughby's tried and tested design, so there shouldn't be much time consuming R & D involved in this build. Jarrett Johnson is CNC machining the hull and outriggers out of solid foam right now. They should be finished next week. Ben and myself and whoever else we can grab to help will be adding carbon and Kevlar to the foam hulls. Then a drive frame and seat goes on, rudder, prop and I'm done - ready for testing in the nearest unfrozen lake to Calgary.
I am VERY happy with the result. It weighs 2 pounds without any hardware, pedals, etc. My seat weighs 3 pounds. I need to add a bracket for the right angle gear box kindly provided by one of my sponsors MitrPak, a shaft, the prop (we're hopefully getting this CNC machined), aluminum frames for the seat back and outriggers and the rudder.
I am really trying to have this new boat ready for water testing in March sometime. If it tests out as expected, then I will 'pull the trigger' and officially announce the race.
In March, I also want to get back out to Tofino for another round of sea trials in the prototype WiTHiN using a keel which I still have to build.
So much to do, but I am hanging in there! Susie will be my inspiration for March.
Labels: 24hourHPBrecord, expedition, soapbox, training
Guitar Hero training
1 Comments Published by Adventures of Greg on Saturday, February 02, 2008 at 3:28 PM.
I have been working on the design for the ocean crossing version of WiTHiN, and I've been making pretty decent progress. It occurred to me that before I went any further with the design, I had better know for sure that I can live within the dimensions! Something I learned from the Tofino sea trials is that the current prototype is WAY too small and it would drive me crazy spending days upon end in that tiny enclosed capsule.
I decided that I would build a mock-up that would double as an indoor trainer. I'll be able to train for the ocean crossing and the 24 hour record attempt in June, and as well, learn more about the space I need to live in there for 40 days.
Above is the overview design for the expedition boat. For details on the equipment on board, you can see the entire document here.
I will enclose the wood frame with coroplast and continue to build-out the stern cabin. Already I have noticed that I needed to raise the roof of WiTHiN by 4 inches so I can lean all the way forward to access the bow storage compartment. In the image you can see the working Lewmar Ocean 30 hatch above the para-anchor storage bin. All storage compartments and hatches will be working and made of wood and hinges. I'm even going to make the sliding canopy top with port lights and a windshield. This is the best way to design a working space. After an hour peddling in the simulator, I found a few additional places that would be good for storing things that I didn't notice in the 3D computer model.
After I finish my overview document, the next step is to hire a naval architect to go over our design and spec out material thickness, and other important construction details like which areas need to be reinforced, how to mount the keel on so it won't fall off, that kind of thing. If there are any NA's reading this and might be interested in helping, please send me an email.
After input from the NA, I will get Ben to model it all up properly in SolidWorks, then we need a builder. If you are a boat builder and might be interested in building the new WiTHiN, please send me an email.
Yes, the guitar I'm playing in the photo at the top is from the XBox game Guitar Hero. One of the benefits of indoor recumbent training is that you can do all kinds of other fun things with your hands, arms and mind to pass the time. It's unbelievable how fast time flies when I'm playing this game. Fav tune is "Holiday in Cambodia" by "The Dead Kennedy's" Try to do that on the indoor rower!
Below are some drawings I made for the new 24 hour record attempt boat. The design is by Rick Willoughby, and I consider it to be the most efficient human powered boat in the world for longer distances.
On the schedule for February:
I decided that I would build a mock-up that would double as an indoor trainer. I'll be able to train for the ocean crossing and the 24 hour record attempt in June, and as well, learn more about the space I need to live in there for 40 days.
Above is the overview design for the expedition boat. For details on the equipment on board, you can see the entire document here.
I will enclose the wood frame with coroplast and continue to build-out the stern cabin. Already I have noticed that I needed to raise the roof of WiTHiN by 4 inches so I can lean all the way forward to access the bow storage compartment. In the image you can see the working Lewmar Ocean 30 hatch above the para-anchor storage bin. All storage compartments and hatches will be working and made of wood and hinges. I'm even going to make the sliding canopy top with port lights and a windshield. This is the best way to design a working space. After an hour peddling in the simulator, I found a few additional places that would be good for storing things that I didn't notice in the 3D computer model.
After I finish my overview document, the next step is to hire a naval architect to go over our design and spec out material thickness, and other important construction details like which areas need to be reinforced, how to mount the keel on so it won't fall off, that kind of thing. If there are any NA's reading this and might be interested in helping, please send me an email.
After input from the NA, I will get Ben to model it all up properly in SolidWorks, then we need a builder. If you are a boat builder and might be interested in building the new WiTHiN, please send me an email.
Yes, the guitar I'm playing in the photo at the top is from the XBox game Guitar Hero. One of the benefits of indoor recumbent training is that you can do all kinds of other fun things with your hands, arms and mind to pass the time. It's unbelievable how fast time flies when I'm playing this game. Fav tune is "Holiday in Cambodia" by "The Dead Kennedy's" Try to do that on the indoor rower!
Below are some drawings I made for the new 24 hour record attempt boat. The design is by Rick Willoughby, and I consider it to be the most efficient human powered boat in the world for longer distances.
On the schedule for February:
1. I replaced the window in WiTHiN with some fresh PETG. One of my visibility problems in Tofino was because there was some over spray on the window. I have also ordered a manually operated windshield wiper to see if that helps. I have also removed the outriggers, and I need to build a keel. Then a pool test to figure out how much weight to suspend off the end of the keel, then another sea trial for March.
2. Find a naval architect and finish the design.
3. Find a builder and contract them to start building the new boat
4. Start work on the main hull and outrigger for the 24 hour record attempt boat.
2. Find a naval architect and finish the design.
3. Find a builder and contract them to start building the new boat
4. Start work on the main hull and outrigger for the 24 hour record attempt boat.
Labels: 24hourHPBrecord, boatbuilding
I've been spending some time planning out a pretty daunting schedule for the coming year, and if I can accomplish everything that I have set out to accomplish, it will be one hell of an amazing year! I am really excited about it all - I have TONS of work to do, but I say BRING IT ON because I am totally FIRED UP.
The first major event of the year will be another attempt at the 24 hour human powered boat world record in June!! This time, kayak world record holder Carter Johnson has kindly agreed to join me here in Calgary for a race. Carter currently owns the 24 hour HPB record which is 241 km which he set in his Surfski kayak in the summer of 2006. Last summer, I set a 24 hour pedal boat record of 173 km.
I'm only 68 km short! YIKES!!! To deal with that, Rick Willoughby and I have come up with a new super boat design that I will have to build. It will be very light, very narrow and WAY faster than the bathtub built for two that I raced in last summer.
I was looking for someone to build the new boat for me in exchange for some publicity, but I haven't had much interest, so I'm going to need to suck it up and get back into the shop to build it myself. That's OK - I can do it. I just have to get myself into the right mind set, clean up the shop, roll up my sleeves and make it happen.
I have already started my training program which will slowly ramp up my long 'ride' from 4 hours, once per week to 16 hours shortly before the record race in June. This new boat will be capable of almost exactly 240 km in 24 hours based on my previous power output, so beating Carters record (and beating Carter) will require that I am in better shape than ever before.
A June race will make the perfect training milestone for the Atlantic crossing next December. And for that, not only do I need to finish the design for the ocean boat, but I need to find a builder, get it built, test it, train and all of the other zillion things that need to be done to get me across the Atlantic ocean in less than 40 days. Wow - less than 40 days. And less than a year to make it all happen!
-----------------
I have been speaking with Kathleen Dohan from the OSCAR program at Earth & Space Research. Kathleen has kindly offered to provide me with research, data and real-time forecasting of the currents along my Atlantic crossing route from the Canary Islands to the West Indies.
----------------
I would like to introduce my PR man Mark Dusseault who did such a fantastic job organizing my Victoria media day. The story got picked up by a national news feed and ended up being broadcast right across Canada. I got a phone call from a friend who was in Toronto on business and he saw me in the Toronto Star! We are lucky to have a guy like Mark working with Pedal The Ocean.
click to enlarge (photo by Pat Lor)
For whatever you would like to donate to Pedal The Ocean, I can superimpose your logo onto the bow of WiTHiN in the above photo that Pat Lor shot from the support boat in Tofino, BC. I can also provide you with a large framed wall plaque for your office, and a jpeg file for your marketing. This would also include a small logo on the ocean crossing boat itself, of course. If you are interested, shoot me an email with your suggestions, and I'll put it together for you. 10% of all sponsorship sales go to KidPower.
Got to run - I have some work to do!
Greg
The first major event of the year will be another attempt at the 24 hour human powered boat world record in June!! This time, kayak world record holder Carter Johnson has kindly agreed to join me here in Calgary for a race. Carter currently owns the 24 hour HPB record which is 241 km which he set in his Surfski kayak in the summer of 2006. Last summer, I set a 24 hour pedal boat record of 173 km.
I'm only 68 km short! YIKES!!! To deal with that, Rick Willoughby and I have come up with a new super boat design that I will have to build. It will be very light, very narrow and WAY faster than the bathtub built for two that I raced in last summer.
I was looking for someone to build the new boat for me in exchange for some publicity, but I haven't had much interest, so I'm going to need to suck it up and get back into the shop to build it myself. That's OK - I can do it. I just have to get myself into the right mind set, clean up the shop, roll up my sleeves and make it happen.
I have already started my training program which will slowly ramp up my long 'ride' from 4 hours, once per week to 16 hours shortly before the record race in June. This new boat will be capable of almost exactly 240 km in 24 hours based on my previous power output, so beating Carters record (and beating Carter) will require that I am in better shape than ever before.
A June race will make the perfect training milestone for the Atlantic crossing next December. And for that, not only do I need to finish the design for the ocean boat, but I need to find a builder, get it built, test it, train and all of the other zillion things that need to be done to get me across the Atlantic ocean in less than 40 days. Wow - less than 40 days. And less than a year to make it all happen!
-----------------
I have been speaking with Kathleen Dohan from the OSCAR program at Earth & Space Research. Kathleen has kindly offered to provide me with research, data and real-time forecasting of the currents along my Atlantic crossing route from the Canary Islands to the West Indies.
----------------
I would like to introduce my PR man Mark Dusseault who did such a fantastic job organizing my Victoria media day. The story got picked up by a national news feed and ended up being broadcast right across Canada. I got a phone call from a friend who was in Toronto on business and he saw me in the Toronto Star! We are lucky to have a guy like Mark working with Pedal The Ocean.
click to enlarge (photo by Pat Lor)
Got to run - I have some work to do!
Greg
Labels: 24hourHPBrecord, expedition, training
Guinness Certificates
0 Comments Published by Adventures of Greg on Thursday, August 16, 2007 at 4:04 PM.
I received two certificates in the mail today from Guinness World Records. One for my HPV 24 hour distance record and the other for the pedal boat 24 hour distance record.
I used to read the Guinness book of world records when I was a kid and I always fantasized about making into the record books. Very cool.
I used to read the Guinness book of world records when I was a kid and I always fantasized about making into the record books. Very cool.
Labels: 24hourHPBrecord, hpv
NO RECORD!!!
I've know about this for a while now, but I've been sitting on it until everything with the Human Powered Vehicle Association (HPVA) and Guinness World Records became 'official'.
I do NOT own the HPVA human powered BOAT 24 hour distance record as previously thought, but I do own a new 24 hour pedal boat distance record ratified by Guinness. Let me explain:
Unknown to me or any of the HPVA officials I was working with during my 174 km HPB record attempt on June 2, 2007, there were full transcripts of a 250 km human powered boat record attempt by Carter Johnson sitting on the desk of the records chair person at the HPVA . Due to a lack of communications between various parties, this pre-existing 24 hour record attempt of 250 km was not known by me or anyone associated with my record attempt.
Carter Johnson a stock HUKI S1-X surfski on Lake Merced in San Francisco during his 24 hour, 147 mile kayaking distance record attempt
After my record attempt I started to look into my average watts of power that I produced during the 174 km record with the data from the SRM power meter. Rick Willoughby and I did some calculations and we figured that with a purpose-built, state of the art human powered boat, I 'would-have' been capable of going at least 250 km with the exact same power output that I exerted during the 24 hour record on June 2.
I had heard rumors of a kayaker by the name of Carter Johnson who paddled his kayak 250 km in 24 hours on a lake in Northern California last year. Now, according to the rules of 'human power', a kayak IS definitely a human powered boat. Human powered vehicles including boats aren't just pedal powered - they consist of anything that is powered by a human being - no use of the wind or stored energy is allowed. And this is really a beautiful thing, as it encourages innovation to maximize the minuscule bit of power than a human is capable of producing. If using paddles in a kayak, rowing a row boat, or simply kicking your feet through the water behind your surf board is a more efficient method of moving a boat forward over time than pedals and a propeller, then so be it! That's exactly what the whole 'human power' ideal is all about.
As far as I knew, Carters record was considered "unofficial" because he didn't go through the rigorous and restricting ratification process required by a governing body as I did. However, I knew that if it was possible for a paddled kayak to travel 250 km in 24 hours, that my paltry 174 km wasn't going to stick for very long. I realized that with a new boat, I would be very close to this 250 km unofficial kayak record and I was motivated to pursue that.
I looked Carter up, and contacted him with the intention of inviting him to Calgary for a 24 hour human powered race between the two of us next summer. We would call it the Pedal vs. Paddle showdown. The winner would claim the true title of 'human powered 24 hour distance champion on water' and potentially even a new 'Official' 24 hour HPVA distance record. We would end, once and for all, the debate over weather pedal is better than paddle. Basically, I thought my race idea would be a whole lot of fun for everyone involved, and a great challenge for both Carter and I.
Greg Kolodziejzyk on his human powered pedal boat WiTHiN on Glenmore Reservoir in Calgary during his 24 hour, 108 mile human powered boat distance record attempt
It would be an understatement to say that I was shocked when Carter told me that he was a member of the human powered vehicle association. And that he had registered his record attempt with the HPVA, AND had followed ALL of the rules of the HPVA with regard to record setting. He had his rectangular course measured by a surveyor, had official members of the HPVA act as observers and even submitted a full report to the HPVA records chair person subsequent to his attempt. "So why do you not own the official HPVA 24 hour human powered boat record?" I asked. He told me that after he had submitted his information package to the HPVA, he hadn't heard back from them. At the same time, Carter had applied to Guinness World Records for the most kayaking distance in 24 hours category, and had received ratification from them, so he just let the whole HPVA application drop.
I was kind of pissed. Not at Carter, but at this whole mis-communication mess with the HPVA. Why was Carter's record not ratified? Why was I not even aware that a record attempt over a YEAR OLD was being considered for ratification? That news alone may have changed my strategy regarding my own attempt at the record. I knew that my boat WiTHiN was not capable of 250 km, so I may not have attempted it.
I immediately sensed an injustice. I told Carter that I would do my best at getting to the bottom of this and see that he receive his just recognition from the HPVA, as in my opinion, if he did follow all of the rules, he deserved to be recognized for his amazing accomplishment. To Carter's credit as a pretty admirable person, he insisted that I not pursue this, and that he was happy with sharing the lime-light, as he did have his Guinness recognition for kayaking distance. That didn't sit well with me. It is about the ideal of the human powered pursuit. What justice would be served if my distance record of 174 km was seen by the world as the most distance that a human being can cover in 24 hours on water when indeed it is something more like 250 km !!!!!!! A huge difference, and a difference that NEEDED to be rectified.
So, I contacted Al Krause, the current president of the HPVA who was not aware of Carters record attempt. Al eventually traced the problem down, and Carter ended up with his due recognition as the HPVA record holder for 24 hour HPB distance. I'm not blaming the HPVA for any of this, as I think it was just simply a case of mis-communication between many individuals (including myself). Since everyone at the HPVA is a volunteer, I am very grateful that they are all so freely giving of their time. Without the awesome work of people like Al Krause, Rob Hitchcock and many others, there would be no organized process at all for athletes to participate within. No stars to shoot for, no rules to follow, and no recognition our accompishments.
So I kind of screwed myself out of a record. But that's fine because I figured out how to salvage it - by contacting Guinness World Records and asking about the 24 hour PEDAL boat record. They said it was currently at 175 km and held by an Italian 4 man team. I told Guinness that my 174 km record (only 1 km less than that from a team of 4!) was a solo attempt, and as such, should be considered as a new category. They agreed and after reviewing all of my data and observers reports, awarded me with the record.
So where does this leave us? Well, I really want to challenge Carters kayaking record, and I would be a very lucky guy to have the opportunity to race a guy of Carters calibre for the honor of being the true human powered boat world record holder. Carter said he would think about it.
What are YOUR thoughts? To respond so that everyone can have the opportunity to read your input and respond to it, please submit your comments to the 'comments' link on this post.
Best regards,
Greg Kolodziejzyk
I've know about this for a while now, but I've been sitting on it until everything with the Human Powered Vehicle Association (HPVA) and Guinness World Records became 'official'.
I do NOT own the HPVA human powered BOAT 24 hour distance record as previously thought, but I do own a new 24 hour pedal boat distance record ratified by Guinness. Let me explain:
Unknown to me or any of the HPVA officials I was working with during my 174 km HPB record attempt on June 2, 2007, there were full transcripts of a 250 km human powered boat record attempt by Carter Johnson sitting on the desk of the records chair person at the HPVA . Due to a lack of communications between various parties, this pre-existing 24 hour record attempt of 250 km was not known by me or anyone associated with my record attempt.
Carter Johnson a stock HUKI S1-X surfski on Lake Merced in San Francisco during his 24 hour, 147 mile kayaking distance record attemptAfter my record attempt I started to look into my average watts of power that I produced during the 174 km record with the data from the SRM power meter. Rick Willoughby and I did some calculations and we figured that with a purpose-built, state of the art human powered boat, I 'would-have' been capable of going at least 250 km with the exact same power output that I exerted during the 24 hour record on June 2.
I had heard rumors of a kayaker by the name of Carter Johnson who paddled his kayak 250 km in 24 hours on a lake in Northern California last year. Now, according to the rules of 'human power', a kayak IS definitely a human powered boat. Human powered vehicles including boats aren't just pedal powered - they consist of anything that is powered by a human being - no use of the wind or stored energy is allowed. And this is really a beautiful thing, as it encourages innovation to maximize the minuscule bit of power than a human is capable of producing. If using paddles in a kayak, rowing a row boat, or simply kicking your feet through the water behind your surf board is a more efficient method of moving a boat forward over time than pedals and a propeller, then so be it! That's exactly what the whole 'human power' ideal is all about.
As far as I knew, Carters record was considered "unofficial" because he didn't go through the rigorous and restricting ratification process required by a governing body as I did. However, I knew that if it was possible for a paddled kayak to travel 250 km in 24 hours, that my paltry 174 km wasn't going to stick for very long. I realized that with a new boat, I would be very close to this 250 km unofficial kayak record and I was motivated to pursue that.
I looked Carter up, and contacted him with the intention of inviting him to Calgary for a 24 hour human powered race between the two of us next summer. We would call it the Pedal vs. Paddle showdown. The winner would claim the true title of 'human powered 24 hour distance champion on water' and potentially even a new 'Official' 24 hour HPVA distance record. We would end, once and for all, the debate over weather pedal is better than paddle. Basically, I thought my race idea would be a whole lot of fun for everyone involved, and a great challenge for both Carter and I.
Greg Kolodziejzyk on his human powered pedal boat WiTHiN on Glenmore Reservoir in Calgary during his 24 hour, 108 mile human powered boat distance record attemptIt would be an understatement to say that I was shocked when Carter told me that he was a member of the human powered vehicle association. And that he had registered his record attempt with the HPVA, AND had followed ALL of the rules of the HPVA with regard to record setting. He had his rectangular course measured by a surveyor, had official members of the HPVA act as observers and even submitted a full report to the HPVA records chair person subsequent to his attempt. "So why do you not own the official HPVA 24 hour human powered boat record?" I asked. He told me that after he had submitted his information package to the HPVA, he hadn't heard back from them. At the same time, Carter had applied to Guinness World Records for the most kayaking distance in 24 hours category, and had received ratification from them, so he just let the whole HPVA application drop.
I was kind of pissed. Not at Carter, but at this whole mis-communication mess with the HPVA. Why was Carter's record not ratified? Why was I not even aware that a record attempt over a YEAR OLD was being considered for ratification? That news alone may have changed my strategy regarding my own attempt at the record. I knew that my boat WiTHiN was not capable of 250 km, so I may not have attempted it.
I immediately sensed an injustice. I told Carter that I would do my best at getting to the bottom of this and see that he receive his just recognition from the HPVA, as in my opinion, if he did follow all of the rules, he deserved to be recognized for his amazing accomplishment. To Carter's credit as a pretty admirable person, he insisted that I not pursue this, and that he was happy with sharing the lime-light, as he did have his Guinness recognition for kayaking distance. That didn't sit well with me. It is about the ideal of the human powered pursuit. What justice would be served if my distance record of 174 km was seen by the world as the most distance that a human being can cover in 24 hours on water when indeed it is something more like 250 km !!!!!!! A huge difference, and a difference that NEEDED to be rectified.
So, I contacted Al Krause, the current president of the HPVA who was not aware of Carters record attempt. Al eventually traced the problem down, and Carter ended up with his due recognition as the HPVA record holder for 24 hour HPB distance. I'm not blaming the HPVA for any of this, as I think it was just simply a case of mis-communication between many individuals (including myself). Since everyone at the HPVA is a volunteer, I am very grateful that they are all so freely giving of their time. Without the awesome work of people like Al Krause, Rob Hitchcock and many others, there would be no organized process at all for athletes to participate within. No stars to shoot for, no rules to follow, and no recognition our accompishments.
So I kind of screwed myself out of a record. But that's fine because I figured out how to salvage it - by contacting Guinness World Records and asking about the 24 hour PEDAL boat record. They said it was currently at 175 km and held by an Italian 4 man team. I told Guinness that my 174 km record (only 1 km less than that from a team of 4!) was a solo attempt, and as such, should be considered as a new category. They agreed and after reviewing all of my data and observers reports, awarded me with the record.
So where does this leave us? Well, I really want to challenge Carters kayaking record, and I would be a very lucky guy to have the opportunity to race a guy of Carters calibre for the honor of being the true human powered boat world record holder. Carter said he would think about it.
What are YOUR thoughts? To respond so that everyone can have the opportunity to read your input and respond to it, please submit your comments to the 'comments' link on this post.
Best regards,
Greg Kolodziejzyk
Labels: 24hourHPBrecord
24 hour HPB record video
0 Comments Published by Adventures of Greg on Saturday, June 16, 2007 at 1:36 PM.
24 hour record report
4 Comments Published by Adventures of Greg on Tuesday, June 05, 2007 at 4:33 PM.
The LIVE reports and videos from onboard
WiTHiN during the 24 hour record attempt are here.
View the photos of the event at the PTO web site
WiTHiN during the 24 hour record attempt are here.
View the photos of the event at the PTO web site
Hey everyone:
I am recovering. Like I say to the media when they ask how I feel: "right now, I feel like I was run over by a truck".
Here is a re-cap of my 24 hour adventure on Saturday/Sunday.
Before I start, I really want to extend my gratitude to friends and family who came out to help and support me. There would not have been any attempt if not for your help! In fact, I would NOT have finished the 24 hours if it wasn't for you. I would have quit. The only thing that kept me going at 4:00 am was that I couldn't allow myself to quit because I couldn't let you down. You had invested so much into this that I felt indebted to you and I felt that this was the least I could do to pay you back for your investment. You were counting on me to do my best, and that is what I was determined to do even though every single muscle cell of my body (and my stomach) was screaming at me to stop. I didn't stop, and in a very small way, I am a better man now because of that. Again, I have you guys to thank for that.
My crew: My wife Helen, sisters Theresa and Carol, my dad Rudi, Ben Eadie, Stefan Dalberg, John Mackay, Gary Erickson
Official HPVA Observers: Rob Hitchcock, Joey, Melanie, Chris, Greg
Glenmore reservoir patrol boat: Trevor Lamb and his staff
Photographers: Ben Eadie, Jennifer Armand, Karl Staddon
Signs: my bro - Alan
Psychological support: my mom Liz, Karl Gall, Linda Gall, Cyrille Armand, Jennifer Armand, Tom Short, Gord Weber, Val Erickson, Cody and Krista, Nick, Andy, Keisha, Stephan, Ryan, Bridget, Dustin, etc, etc
Also thanks to all of the others who stopped by during the day to check out my progress and cheer me on! Your support means more to me than you realize.
Friday, June 1, 2007 - "the last supper"
At 9:00 am I met Stefan, the surveyor Adrian Slater from Precision Geomatics Inc., Rob Hitchcock and the patrol boat out at the reservoir to pick out and measure my course. The surveyor Adrian was kind enough to donate his time. We decided on a rectangular course that routed around the rowing lanes. My starting waypoint would be an invisible mark 5 feet out from the dock. If I touched the dock when I went around, it was determined that I would have to be inside that invisible waypoint. The other 4 markers were existing and the surveyor took readings from his GPS at the center points of each 2 foot square box. The lake was calm and there was no wind. Here are the GPS coordinates starting at the dock.
WP-
N 50 Deg 59' 07.62732"
W 114 Deg 07' 00.57808"
Mk 1-
N 50 Deg 59' 12.41543"
W 114 Deg 06' 50.11895"
Mk 2-
N 50 Deg 59' 41.02233"
W 114 Deg 06' 05.17377"
Mk 3-
N 50 Deg 59' 38.87088"
W 114 Deg 06' 01.92596"
Mk 4-
N 50 Deg 59' 04.49201"
W 114 Deg 06' 55.76932"
Below is the GPS data plotted on Google Maps from AFTER the 24 hour record that shows my track during the 24 hours.
I invited the crew and their families out for dinner to Chiantes Italian restaurant to thank them in advance for their support and help. A great meal was had by all and I got to bed early - about 10:30 pm.
Saturday, June 2, 2007 - "race day"
I woke up at 7:00 am after a sound nights sleep. I had the car packed with my gear, and WiTHiN loade