Crazy Journeys.com http://crazyjourneys.com Wed, 16 Mar 2011 11:12:21 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 CrazyJourneys Daily Bike News covering ultra, touring and endurance cycling http://crazyjourneys.com/2009/11/crazyjourneys-daily-bike-news-covering-ultra-touring-and-endurance-cycling/ http://crazyjourneys.com/2009/11/crazyjourneys-daily-bike-news-covering-ultra-touring-and-endurance-cycling/#comments Sat, 28 Nov 2009 12:08:16 +0000 Luke Bream http://crazyjourneys.com/?p=1468
  • Daily News round up covering ultra marathon and trail running – FRI 27 Nov
  • Daily Bike News Roundup covering ultra, touring and endurance cycling
  • Young British Rower Sarah Outen sets Ocean Rowing Record
  • Part 4 Volunteering in an orphanage in Nepal gave me an amazing new start in life
  • 50 Cent can teach you everything you need to know about raising expedition sponsorship dollars
    • ]]>     endurance cycling newsCrazyJourneys daily news on training, psychology and inspirational stories to help you cycle longer and faster.

    Today’s highlights include another British attempt on the round the world cycling record and a detailed account of the effectiveness of performance drug use from an amateur cyclists perspective.

    1. I struggled to pick just one post to recommend from Russell’s fantastic blog. He is an artist cycling around the world, his writing is powerful and poignant. So here are 2 choices, both are unusual and thought provoking What we fear makes us ill and pedal by pedal an intimate goodbye
    2. British cyclists are on a roll with “around the world cycling records” from LCC. First came Mark Beaumont 194 days, next James Bowthorpe 175 days. The record is now under threat again by Julian Sayarer a 23-year-old London cycle courier averaging a massive 112 miles per day, which would bring him home in 160 days. These photos show him at start then after 10,000 miles !! Check Julian’s website out This is not for Charity

      3. portrait IMG_1948

    3. “If you were stranded on a desert island what’s the one thing you’d want with you” question, and his response was “Walmart”. This classic line is taken from a great article on Tao of Cycling titled Banter Check it out.
    4. Some lovely poetry on a cycling theme from Words-a-day. The bored reflections of a bored soul in a boring world.
    5. You know that you are an Ultra Cyclist when? Taken from an article on Ultra Running on the same theme!
      • You tell your significant other you’ll ride there and would she please bring your change of clothes (for Thanksgiving Dinner) ;)
      • You do centuries for speed work
      • Every deep thought and every great idea came to you while you were on the bike
      • Your closet is full of cycling gear and you can’t find “any” street clothes to wear
      • When you call your vacations- bikations.
      • When taking the long way home from work involves lights, and at least 1,500 portable calories
      • When you look at a Recommend Daily Allowances and scoff
      • When you look at “servings per container” and divide by two to achieve a more accurate number.
    6. Race Around Ireland have set the dates for the 2010 race which is 1350 mile (2200km) non-stop cycle race sanctioned by the Ultra Marathon Cycling Association. Race open to solo riders and teams.
    7. Training for endurance based events like triathlon, marathons and cycling requires a great deal of planning ,experience and knowledge. This excellent endurance nutrition video lists in order of importance the nutritional factors starting with water, electrolytes, carbs and Branch Chain Amino Acid’s ( BCAA’s), probably endurance nutrition best kept secret.
    8. Are you intimidated to race your bike, scared of the pain or embarrassment of being dropped. You are not alone. MellowVelo share your feelings and have a lovely post The intent to race
    9. So you want to get leaner, faster, stronger and not bulk up? This is the most informative article I have read on drugs in sport. It is a detailed and personal account of taking them, the effects and performance benefits they bring to endurance athletes and cyclists. It’s long but well worth the read. Please note it is NOT a moral article, nor too a discussion of the ethics but a scientific study of performance gains from an amateurs perspective. Endurance cycling drug use
    10. Thanks to Running to Stand Still for the cool cycling picture used in the title of this article


    Please Share on Facebook or Retweet

    If you write a cycling blog and have written a interesting or unusual post on ultra, endurance or touring that you would like featured in this daily roundup of news then please Contact Luke

    Incoming search terms:

    Related posts:

    1. Daily News round up covering ultra marathon and trail running – FRI 27 Nov
    2. Daily Bike News Roundup covering ultra, touring and endurance cycling
    3. Young British Rower Sarah Outen sets Ocean Rowing Record
    4. Part 4 Volunteering in an orphanage in Nepal gave me an amazing new start in life
    5. 50 Cent can teach you everything you need to know about raising expedition sponsorship dollars

    ]]>     http://crazyjourneys.com/2009/11/crazyjourneys-daily-bike-news-covering-ultra-touring-and-endurance-cycling/feed/ 1     Young British Rower Sarah Outen sets Ocean Rowing Record http://crazyjourneys.com/2009/11/young-british-rower-sarah-outen-sets-ocean-rowing-record/ http://crazyjourneys.com/2009/11/young-british-rower-sarah-outen-sets-ocean-rowing-record/#comments Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:13:59 +0000 Luke Bream http://crazyjourneys.com/?p=1396
  • Daily News round up covering ultra marathon and trail running – FRI 27 Nov
  • CrazyJourneys Daily Bike News covering ultra, touring and endurance cycling
  • Part 4 Volunteering in an orphanage in Nepal gave me an amazing new start in life
  • Peter van Kets prepares boat for record breaking Rowing Race Across Atlantic Ocean
  • 50 Cent can teach you everything you need to know about raising expedition sponsorship dollars
    • ]]>     Sarah Outen is a rare female athlete in the male dominated world of ocean rowing. In 2009, aged just 23 she rowed her way into the record books by rowing solo across the Indian Ocean. An epic 3500 mile crossing by an inspirational female rower that took 124 days.

    Female Ocean RowingOcean Rowing is one of toughest of all ultra endurance sports. There being little feeling of progress or changing landscape. With that in mind Sarah’s achievement is remarkable.

    I love her spirit and enthusiasm. Watching her on video, you feel every emotion of the journey with her. The hardship and pain, the joy and exhilaration.

    The video also captures the fear and loneliness that I imagine are never far below the surface on such a voyage. Sarah was only 23 when she set out and i think it makes her achievements all the more special. I find it hard to imagine at 23 having the strength, tenacity, bravery, grit and passion that she demonstrated day after day to complete her row.

    A fantastic ocean rowing movie

    The BBC have also featured Sarah in a great short film which you can view at BBC Ocean Rowing Video

    Some opinions by CrazyJourney community “Are ocean rowers inspirational or barking mad !!!”

    Both! One of my “bucket list” items is to kayak to Skellig Michael some day…saw it on Sunrise Earth..love at first sight. :) Lori Faris-Huffer

    female athlete sets ocean rowing recordFor more information on this inspirational female rower and her epic ocean rowing record please visit SarahOuten.co.uk

    Credits for the images used in this article and film about ocean rowing solo across the Indian Ocean belong to Sarah Outen

    Please support CrazyJourneys.com by taking a moment to comment on this rowing video about an inspirational female athlete setting a new ocean rowing record and also tweet or share it.

    Help Luke to spread the word. The buttons are below:

    Incoming search terms:

    Related posts:

    1. Daily News round up covering ultra marathon and trail running – FRI 27 Nov
    2. CrazyJourneys Daily Bike News covering ultra, touring and endurance cycling
    3. Part 4 Volunteering in an orphanage in Nepal gave me an amazing new start in life
    4. Peter van Kets prepares boat for record breaking Rowing Race Across Atlantic Ocean
    5. 50 Cent can teach you everything you need to know about raising expedition sponsorship dollars

    ]]>     http://crazyjourneys.com/2009/11/young-british-rower-sarah-outen-sets-ocean-rowing-record/feed/ 0     Famous Explorer, Mike Horn, has a history of World Record Expeditions http://crazyjourneys.com/2009/11/famous-explorer-mike-horn-has-a-history-of-world-record-expeditions/ http://crazyjourneys.com/2009/11/famous-explorer-mike-horn-has-a-history-of-world-record-expeditions/#comments Tue, 17 Nov 2009 05:32:27 +0000 Luke Bream http://crazyjourneys.com/?p=1153
  • One of world’s top explorers Eric Larsen – Save the Poles Expedition
  • Record Attempt Sailing Solo Around the World
  • Sea Kayaking Adventure Tour explores North West Coast of Greenland
  • Peter van Kets prepares boat for record breaking Rowing Race Across Atlantic Ocean
  • An ultra marathon running world record on the GR20 mountain trail
    • ]]>     Reading through the famous explorer Mike Horn’s book conquering the impossible about his world record solo circumnavigation of the Arctic Circle I was struck by two important lessons that we can apply to life in general or our own expedition preparations.

    Mike HornIn 2004 he finished a staggering feat of human endurance when his expedition a two-year, 3 month solo circumnavigation of the Arctic Circle – by boat, kayak, ski kite and on foot ended.

    Starting and finishing at North Cape in Norway, he became the first man to travel the Arctic Circle without motorized transport, completing a 20,000km journey through Greenland, Canada, Alaska, the Bering Strait and Russia’s Siberia, pulling a kevlar sledge piled with 180kg of equipment and food.

    Prior to this Mike had an outstanding pedigree in extreme expeditions. Including Amazon Expedition, a solo, un-motorized traverse of the South American continent taking 6 months and Latitude Zero, the circumvolution of the world around the equator. Taking 18 months Mike Horn sailed, paddled, canoed and cycled around the world.

    Valuable lessons from one of worlds greatest explorers

    Before attempting the solo circumnavigation of the Arctic Circle expedition in 2004, Mike Horn did 2 things which I think we can learn alot from. Both in the sense that he was humble enough to do them and also how we can apply them to our own expedition projects.

    The arctic was a completely foreign landscape to him and he recognized that he didn’t have a hope of being successful there without serving some kind of apprenticeship and learning from the best.

    The first thing he did was to get himself invited on an expedition to Greenland with two Swiss explorer JeanTroillet and Erhard Loretan (3rd man to climb all the 8000m peaks without oxygen). This gave Mike the opportunity to be mentored by two of the world’s greatest Himalayan mountaineering experts.

    Mike HornOn this Greenland expedition he basically worked as a packhorse but it gave him the opportunity to watch, listen, learn and soak up as much knowledge and information as possible. The most valuable and life saving lesson was the art of PATIENCE.

    In conditions of extreme cold knowing when to stay in the tent and not to push on can be the difference between life and death. A naturally impatient and impulsive man it was a difficult lesson to learn. But vital as in arctic whiteout conditions many explorers have become lost and frozen to death just 2m from their tents

    Mike Horn posses two of the most important characteristics of an extreme expedition explorer. These being a rock solid, steady temperament and an enormous capacity for physical endurance. But on returning from the Greenland Expedition he wondered if these were enough to fulfil his dreams of a solo circumnavigation of the Arctic Circle.

    With this in mind he sought the advice and guidance of Borge Ousland, the first man to reach the North Pole solo as well as the first to cross Antarctica solo. Mike visited Norway to apprentice with him. To learn everything he could about this famous explorer, his way of life, his personality, the way he worked, his attitudes, and daily routines.

    Mike didn’t know and had never met Borge however he was welcomed into his home and and over a number of days shared his polar knowledge and experience.

    These examples of serving apprenticeships with expedition experts and learning everything we can from them are valuable and give us an insight into the character of Mike Horn and demonstrate why he went on to become one of the world’s most famous expedition explorers.

    Mike HornMike has written an account of his solo circumnavigation of the Arctic Circle expedition called conquering the impossible

    He is currently leading a fantastic ocean expedition for young explorers. For more information please visit Pangaea

    Credits for the images in this article about extreme adventure expeditions and the lessons that famous explorers can teach us belong to Mike Horn

    Please support CrazyJourneys.com by taking a moment to comment on this article about Mike Horn the famous explorer and his extreme adventures and also tweet or share it. Help Luke to spread the word. The buttons are below:

    Incoming search terms:

    Related posts:

    1. One of world’s top explorers Eric Larsen – Save the Poles Expedition
    2. Record Attempt Sailing Solo Around the World
    3. Sea Kayaking Adventure Tour explores North West Coast of Greenland
    4. Peter van Kets prepares boat for record breaking Rowing Race Across Atlantic Ocean
    5. An ultra marathon running world record on the GR20 mountain trail

    ]]>     http://crazyjourneys.com/2009/11/famous-explorer-mike-horn-has-a-history-of-world-record-expeditions/feed/ 0     Do you think you are to old to begin training for an ultra marathon running event? Think again! http://crazyjourneys.com/2009/11/do-you-think-you-are-to-old-to-begin-training-for-an-ultra-marathon-running-event-think-again/ http://crazyjourneys.com/2009/11/do-you-think-you-are-to-old-to-begin-training-for-an-ultra-marathon-running-event-think-again/#comments Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:44:56 +0000 Luke Bream http://crazyjourneys.com/?p=949
  • An ultra marathon running world record on the GR20 mountain trail
  • Daily News round up covering ultra marathon and trail running – FRI 27 Nov
  • Running 3200 miles barefoot – The ultimate marathon runner
  • marathon – Break Your PR – Marathon Running Training Program
  • 10 Ultra Marathon endurance events I want to complete before I die
    • ]]>     Training for an ultra marathon running event can be daunting. But take heart, age need not be a limiting factor. It is well documented that older athletes perform better in endurance events. Whether this is to do with greater psychological strengths or a physical stamina built up over decades is debatable.

    Cliff YoungSome athletes stories transcend their sports and inspire nations. Cliff Young’s story did just that when in 1983 he, an unknown 61 year old Australian potato farmer turned up wearing overalls and work boots to run 543.7-miles in the countries hardest ultra marathon event from Sydney to Melbourne.

    Cliff not only finished the event, his first ever competitive race but he won, knocking 2 days off the existing record and beating many professional athletes in the process.

    His strategy was simple in that he didn’t stop to rest, he ran through the night while the other runners stopped for 4-6 hours to sleep. a classic case of tortoise and hare which brought him victory after 5 days on the road.

    This ultra marathon running video describes Cliff’s training and race strategy and is a reminder to us all that age is no barrier to following our dreams. Well done Cliff.

    Cliff YoungFor more information on Cliff Young and his ultra marathon running exploits please visit en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cliff_Young

    Credits for the images used in this article about this inspirational ultra running champion belong to Cliff Young.

    Please support CrazyJourneys.com by taking a moment to comment on this inspirational ultra marathon running film and also tweet or share it. Help Luke to spread the word. The buttons are below:

    Incoming search terms:

    Related posts:

    1. An ultra marathon running world record on the GR20 mountain trail
    2. Daily News round up covering ultra marathon and trail running – FRI 27 Nov
    3. Running 3200 miles barefoot – The ultimate marathon runner
    4. marathon – Break Your PR – Marathon Running Training Program
    5. 10 Ultra Marathon endurance events I want to complete before I die

    ]]>     http://crazyjourneys.com/2009/11/do-you-think-you-are-to-old-to-begin-training-for-an-ultra-marathon-running-event-think-again/feed/ 1     Peter van Kets prepares boat for record breaking Rowing Race Across Atlantic Ocean http://crazyjourneys.com/2009/11/peter-van-kets-prepares-boat-for-record-breaking-rowing-race-across-atlantic-ocean/ http://crazyjourneys.com/2009/11/peter-van-kets-prepares-boat-for-record-breaking-rowing-race-across-atlantic-ocean/#comments Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:16:27 +0000 Luke Bream http://crazyjourneys.com/?p=891
  • Young British Rower Sarah Outen sets Ocean Rowing Record
  • Daily Ocean Rowing, Kayaking and Water Expeditions News Roundup Fri 27 Nov
  • Intrepid British Oarsman Sets Off in Southern Ocean..
  • Do you fancy rowing in this ocean? Part of carnitine lipoic video series
  • Famous Explorer, Mike Horn, has a history of World Record Expeditions
    • ]]>     Ocean rowing tests the body and mind to their complete limit, perhaps more than any other ultra marathon sport. One reason for this is the lack of visible progress. Unlike cycling or running say when the competitor is moving through a changing landscape which provides some distraction from the monotony, ocean rowers have no such luxury. just mile after mile of ocean waves. This guest post is by Peter van Kets and outlines his upcoming record attempt for rowing the Atlantic Ocean.

    Rowing Solo and unsupported across Atlantic Ocean

    Peter van KetsI am getting ready to row solo unsupported across the Atlantic on 6 December this year. My journey which is also part of a race (Woodvale Atlantic Rowing Race) starts in the Canary Islands and finishes 5500Km later in Antigua, Caribbean.

    In 2008, myself and good friend Bill Godfrey rowed the same race winning it in 50 days. We rowed in 90min shifts, 24/7 except for Christmas where we took 30 mins off to have our Christmas “lunch”.

    My solo trip is about setting a few records, but those in time fade and it’s just the memories of the pain, deprivation and the amazing ocean that stay with you. The longer any expedition takes the more you have to endure the stronger your mind must be.

    Physical pain is a given and must be embraced. It’s really what drives me. Self-Discipline is the key to success in any hostile environment. There is no such thing as the absence of fear so fear must be subdued – I usually find the best of me in big adrenalin moments. Taking on the small things and getting them right and focusing on them allows the big things to happen.

    I’m just an ordinary person, who is 100% committed to owning my life. I was a school teacher before I decided to follow my dream of becoming an adventurer, explorer and motivational speaker. I now try and inspire people to own their lives. Subsequently I’ve led many expeditions to remote regions around the world. I’m a family man, married to Kim and we have a beautiful daughter called Hannah.

    Everyone has dreams. Everyone has goals and ambitions that they hope to one day turn into reality. The main reason why I’m doing this, is because I see how I’m able to motivate people and change their lives for the good. I’d like to use it as a platform to get people to start owning their lives so that they can get out there and achieve their dreams as I have.

    For more information on this Atlantic Ocean rowing race winner, Peter van Kets and his 2009 challenge please visit www.rowpeterow.co.za. He also writes an inspirational blog about reaching out and achieving your goals and ambitions. So be inspired and visit www.own-your-life.co.za

    Peter van KetsCredits for the images used in this article about rowing the Atlantic ocean belong to Peter van Kets.

    Please support CrazyJourneys.com by taking a moment to comment on this Atlantic ocean rowing record attempt and also tweet or share it. Help Luke to spread the word. The buttons are below:

    Incoming search terms:

    Related posts:

    1. Young British Rower Sarah Outen sets Ocean Rowing Record
    2. Daily Ocean Rowing, Kayaking and Water Expeditions News Roundup Fri 27 Nov
    3. Intrepid British Oarsman Sets Off in Southern Ocean..
    4. Do you fancy rowing in this ocean? Part of carnitine lipoic video series
    5. Famous Explorer, Mike Horn, has a history of World Record Expeditions

    ]]>     http://crazyjourneys.com/2009/11/peter-van-kets-prepares-boat-for-record-breaking-rowing-race-across-atlantic-ocean/feed/ 0     One of world’s top explorers Eric Larsen – Save the Poles Expedition http://crazyjourneys.com/2009/11/one-of-worlds-top-explorers-eric-larsen-save-the-poles-expedition/ http://crazyjourneys.com/2009/11/one-of-worlds-top-explorers-eric-larsen-save-the-poles-expedition/#comments Thu, 05 Nov 2009 02:57:02 +0000 Luke Bream http://crazyjourneys.com/?p=872
  • Famous Explorer, Mike Horn, has a history of World Record Expeditions
  • 10 Ultra Marathon endurance events I want to complete before I die
  • Expedition Amazonas – 153 days on the Amazon
  • Mountaineering – Army ski expedition hoists Indian flag at South Pole
  • Extreme Ski Mountaineering on K2 by Inspirational Climber
    • ]]>     Eric Larsen is one of the world’s top explorers and no stranger to extreme expeditions having skied to both the North and South Poles. He is an experienced dog sled racer and is a member of the prestigious Explorers Club in New York

    Save the Poles Expedition

    Eric LarsenIn November 2009 Eric will begin this extreme expedition to reach the South Pole, the North Pole and Everest in a continuous 365 day period.

    This feat has never been completed in one year. To date, only 15 people (no Americans) in history have been to all three ‘poles’.

    The expedition’s objectives are: