Random stuff

James Cracknell and Jerone Walters record attempt was a cracker this weekend. Starting on Saturday at 3am, Cracknell and Walters were trying for the Land's End to John O'Groats (LEJOG) world record on a tandem. The record to be broken has stood since 1966 at 50hrs 14mins and 25 secs. Over the entire weekend, it looked like they were on track to smash this BUT with only 68 miles to John O'Groats, their safety team stopped them and called it off. At the moment, Cracknells blog is vague to say the least but suggests that his heart simply wasn't in it.

"[The team] detected a 'laissez faire' attitude to the record that hadn't been there over the previous two days," he said. "It was my reaction to being stopped within 60 miles of John o'Groats and a new record that was telling. Previously I may have protested or tried to argue my case but in recovering from my accident last year I've learnt to trust and rely on people around me a lot more."

The press release from the main sponsor, Project7Racing says "Richard Gorman, crew chief for the attempt run by Project 7 Racing, took the decision to call a halt to the ride at 1.15am when it became clear that sheer mental fatigue was beginning to seriously compromise the safety on the road of both riders.

“It’s the most heart breaking and difficult moment you can possibly imagine,” commented Gorman, “After 773 miles of riding not a single member of the team or crew want it to come but I had make a call on the safety of the riders and we will just have to come back again even more prepared in the future.” 
...Drama then ensued when the pair broke a crank near the Forth Bridge; having switched to spare tandem Rocket 1 while Rocket 2 was repaired, the duo lost over 20 minutes when Rocket 1 punctured in the middle of the Forth Bridge.

With just 68 miles left to the end of the record run all the calculations indicated that the pair would be within minutes of beating the existing record of 50 hours, 14 mins, 25 seconds set in 1966 by Pete Swinden & John Withers, making the decision to abandon even harder to bear.
“No-one said breaking records is easy. I’m just so terribly proud of James and Jerone and the whole crew for their ability to get so far.”

And on another note -and an important one at that...potholes. Bloody potholes. My village is one big sodding pothole. No? Well try it on a bike, then you'll see! Anyway, a new iPhone app has come to light to help report the state of our nations roads. So, all you iPhone users, download it here and get snapping! If I find any humongous ones (what do I mean if....when!)- I'll post them here.
Also, another site all about potholes- how exciting...

Finally, just adding this picture- one of the best pics I've seen for a while and an image to make us Brits feel proud. 

Well done Cav on bringing the rainbow jersey home- looking forward to the Olympics- no pressure mate!! Though I still think Bradley Wiggins for SPOTY for one of the most amazing lead outs in the Worlds. Great team, great race!