When it comes to endurance, this is the most amazing performance
The following is an article that was published a few years ago, which refers to one of my long-time heroes, Brian Lambert.
Record Holder: Brian Lambert from Lambert Cycles, Masterton. Eugene Collins is set to ride the same Auckland-to-Wellington route that Masterton cycling legend Brian Lambert completed in 1984Lynda Feringa
The trail from Auckland to Wellington is one well-cycled, and Lower Hutt lawyer Eugene Collins is set to take on the challenge, following the exact route on which endurance cycling legend Brian Lambert set the record for the fastest time.
Mr Lambert, owner of Lambert Cycles in Masterton, cycled from Wellington to Auckland in 19h, 59m 27s in 1984, a record no one has beaten in 27 years.
He completed the ride with the assistance of a few cold pies, which he ran out of in Whanganui, battled a southerly headwind most of the way, and wiped out on wet railway lines less than a kilometre from the finish line.
"We were fairly shattered by the time we got to Wellington," he said.
And Brian did this on the old, winding road using old bike technology and no fancy nutrition. And - yes, its true - his manager did nick some cold pies in the early hours of the morning. And - yes - Brian did wipe out on the railway lines less than 1km from the finish at Wellington Post Office. It was a cold, damp Southerly which makes the performance all the more remarkable. Mind-boggling!
Its a record that will never be broken because the roads today are shorter, less hilly and the surfaces are smoother. So, even if one goes faster in future, Brian's record stands forever.
I'm reminiscing here about Brian's ride; not commenting on Eugene Collins's ride. Eugene made the following comment: "I rode the same route to raise money for the neonatal trust. It was never a record attempt. Brian Lambert came out and rode the last 10-15 km with me in the pouring rain. I was over 8 hours slower than Brian's time."
But I will say that 28 hours is a damn good time. There's no way I could imagine sitting on a bike seat for 28 hours, let alone pedaling the damn thing non-stop all the way to Wellington!
Now, here's the kicker to Brian's performance: The day after (Sunday), I was in Masterton for a grass track cycle meet. Brian was there (Masterton is his home town). He was bleary-eyed, looking like he needed to go back to bed. I entered the 10,000m handicap race and was one of the first to take off, due to lack of cycling ability. To my astonishment, Brian had entered and he was starting off on scratch, over two laps behind me. Would you believe it - He mowed down the entire field to win the race outright!
I was gob-smacked.
I still catch up with Brian about once a year to enjoy a mountain bike ride with him. He's not in the best of health nowadays but he still lets loose the occasional burst of power to just remind me and every body else nearby just who's got the real pedigree!
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