As a cycling race event organiser, as a press officer for cycling events, as a mother and as a cyclist myself, I am just so excited to follow Christoph Strasser’s “World Record Down Under powered by owayo”. Sitting in my home office on a 40 degree day in Sydney, surrounded by the comfortable buzz of the air condition unit outside and the ceiling fan, I cannot fathom the journey that he and his crew have started in Perth yesterday, 10 January 2017.
Being an ultra cyclist, based in Austria, a lot of the information coming through from the team is in German, so I thought I’ll put together daily summaries for international fans and friends and followers out there and especially for our Australian cycling mates.
“This is a big deal“, said the brilliant Phil Gomes via the SBS Cycling Central Twitter account yesterday. Hell yeah, it is. And the first footage coming through is just insane. So here is what I’ve heard and been sent and been picking up via Christoph’s website and Facebook page:
* How to follow the “World Record Down Under powered by owayo” ride LIVE:
> Tractalis portal with LIVE feed
> Facebook page with regular images and videos straight out of the support car, driving behind Christoph
* Video: Webisode 01 – START in Perth
Note: you can turn on the “closed captions” (click on the little ‘cc’ icon on the bottom of the video screen)
* Team Blog Day 1, 10 January 2017:
Tuesday, 14:00 – Start in Perth
- Start in 36 degree heat on Cottesloe Beach with traditional Austrian music organised by the Austrian consulate in Perth. Christoph really took in the great atmosphere created by all the people cheering him on as he started his world record ride.
- First tough climb onto Mt Helena is conquered with ease; the heat hits with 39 degrees C at the plateau after Northam. Cooling vest and spray system work well and offer some relief.
Tuesday, 10 Jan, 10pm – Somewhere on the Great Western Hwy
- The sunset brought cooler temperatures – from 36 to a refreshing 27 degC. Arm sleeves are removed and with them a bit of weight – the dehydration is fought hard with liquid nutrition “Ensure” and lots of cool water.
- The sound cloud includes “MC Hammer” and “DJ Pizzeria”… and massive roadtrains zooming past at frightening speed and very close to Christoph.
- First kangaroo sighting, unfortunately looks like it’s been in a deep sleep for a while.
- Christoph is at 257km and is pedalling further East and towards the early sunset.
* Photo gallery Day 1 – Link to Facebook gallery
Photos ©Manuel Hausdorfer/lime-art.at – including the following:
Austrian-style send-off in Perth.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/73k9h8iwhy54g54/limeART_HAUSDORFER_Start_Perth_015.jpg?dl=0
The moment of truth: start to the World Record Down Under powered by owayo.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/efzl5g7k67brxzb/limeART_HAUSDORFER_Start_Perth_016.jpg?dl=0
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