While many people are recovering from a hangover, Englishman Steve Abraham will be cycling more than 200 miles on New Year’s Day.
And he then aims to do the same again every day for the remainder of 2015 as he attempts to break a record that has stood for 74 years and many consider to be unbeatable.
It was set by another Englishman, Tommy Godwin, who covered 75,065 miles (120,805 kilometers) in a calendar year — an average of 205 miles (330 km) per day.
What is more, Godwin continued on to complete a staggering 100,000 miles (160,930 km) in 500 days, finishing his epic ride in London on May 13, 1940.
Abraham, 40, who lives in Milton Keynes in central England, knows only too well just how tough the mark will be to beat — it’s the equivalent of cycling around the world three times.
He will need to be in the saddle, riding a steel-framed Raleigh bike similar to that used by his hero Godwin, for up to 20 hours per day, surviving on minimal sleep, particularly in the more favorable summer months.
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American challenge?
There may well be another contender for the year mileage best.
Arkansas-based cyclist Kurt Searvogel, a winner of prestigious long distance events in the United States, is ready to begin his attempt on January 10, long-time rival Hopkinson told CNN.
Searvogel, who has the nickname of “Tarzan” is set to take a different approach to the “long and slow” method being deployed by Abraham, looking to complete his daily 200 mile efforts at a much higher average speed.
“I wish Kurt the best of luck,” said Abraham, who believes that riding too fast would leave him at risk of burning out too quickly.
