One legged pete mathhews
Cleat Eastwood
Posts: 7,508
"LIVERPOOL Mercury’s Pete Matthews will attempt the Holy Grail of cycling challenges next week when he aims to set a new Hour Record at Aintree Racecourse on Saturday, October 2.
But the 67-year-old, from Ward Road in Crosby, has a slight twist to the infamous feat that has reduced even legendary cyclists such as Eddy Merckx, Miguel Indurain, Francesco Moser and Chris Boardman to tears after 60-minutes of gruelling pedalling – he is going to do it with just one-leg.
Matthews, who recently retained his National Veterans Road Race Championship for a third year in a row and for the 22nd
But next weekend, the former World Road Race Bronze medallist will take on a much tougher challenge when he will be riding one-legged round the famous steeplechase course to help raise money for children’s charity, Zoe’s Place.
Peter, who for 35 years owned a bike shop in Liverpool’s Lower Breck Road and designed wheels for some of the sport’s most prestigious names, including Robert Millar, said: "As far as I am aware, there is no record for anyone trying it with one leg. I am not doing it for the publicity or to get into any record books. It’s just a bit of fun to try and raise some money for a very worthy cause.
"I have been doing a fair bit of training for it. It’s quite demanding to ride with just one leg at maximum effort for a full hour, so I’ll be swapping legs through the duration, as I am obviously not getting any younger at 67.
"I have had to keep my attempt top-secret for a while now, as I was looking for a suitable place for it to take place. Luckily, the local motor racing club, Aintree Circuit Club, is willing to finish early on that day, so that I can spend a full hour on the track at Aintree Racecourse."
The Hour Record for bicycles is the record for the longest distance cycled in one hour on a bicycle. It is one of the most prestigious in cycling and hour-record attempts are made in a velodrome, frequently at high altitude for the aerodynamic benefit of thinner air.
In 1972, Eddy Merckx set a record of 49.431km (30.715-miles) that stood for 12 years. The current UCI record is by Ondřej Sosenka, 49.700 km (30.882 mi).
Pete added: "To make it a bit more interesting and to raise some extra cash, people will be able to place a £1 bet on what sort of distance that I’ll cover in the hour. I have put up £100 of my own money for the person who is the closest, so for a £1 bet you get the chance to win £100.
"Hopefully, I’ll be able to raise plenty of money of the day and through people donating. There is also the chance for any local companies to have their banners round the side of the course or even a local car dealer to follow me round the track, providing they make a donation to Zoe’s Place."
You can place bets for a pound on Pete's final distance either on the day by attending the event or online at ‘www.justgiving.com/OneleggedPete’, where you can enter your guess in the message box after donating. The nearest guess to Pete's actual distance will win £100.
NOTE: Pete’s record attempt will start at 5.30pm on Saturday, October 2, 2010. Parking is available at Aintree Golf Centre & Driving Range, Melling Road, Liverpool, Merseyside, L 5 S ."
But the 67-year-old, from Ward Road in Crosby, has a slight twist to the infamous feat that has reduced even legendary cyclists such as Eddy Merckx, Miguel Indurain, Francesco Moser and Chris Boardman to tears after 60-minutes of gruelling pedalling – he is going to do it with just one-leg.
Matthews, who recently retained his National Veterans Road Race Championship for a third year in a row and for the 22nd
But next weekend, the former World Road Race Bronze medallist will take on a much tougher challenge when he will be riding one-legged round the famous steeplechase course to help raise money for children’s charity, Zoe’s Place.
Peter, who for 35 years owned a bike shop in Liverpool’s Lower Breck Road and designed wheels for some of the sport’s most prestigious names, including Robert Millar, said: "As far as I am aware, there is no record for anyone trying it with one leg. I am not doing it for the publicity or to get into any record books. It’s just a bit of fun to try and raise some money for a very worthy cause.
"I have been doing a fair bit of training for it. It’s quite demanding to ride with just one leg at maximum effort for a full hour, so I’ll be swapping legs through the duration, as I am obviously not getting any younger at 67.
"I have had to keep my attempt top-secret for a while now, as I was looking for a suitable place for it to take place. Luckily, the local motor racing club, Aintree Circuit Club, is willing to finish early on that day, so that I can spend a full hour on the track at Aintree Racecourse."
The Hour Record for bicycles is the record for the longest distance cycled in one hour on a bicycle. It is one of the most prestigious in cycling and hour-record attempts are made in a velodrome, frequently at high altitude for the aerodynamic benefit of thinner air.
In 1972, Eddy Merckx set a record of 49.431km (30.715-miles) that stood for 12 years. The current UCI record is by Ondřej Sosenka, 49.700 km (30.882 mi).
Pete added: "To make it a bit more interesting and to raise some extra cash, people will be able to place a £1 bet on what sort of distance that I’ll cover in the hour. I have put up £100 of my own money for the person who is the closest, so for a £1 bet you get the chance to win £100.
"Hopefully, I’ll be able to raise plenty of money of the day and through people donating. There is also the chance for any local companies to have their banners round the side of the course or even a local car dealer to follow me round the track, providing they make a donation to Zoe’s Place."
You can place bets for a pound on Pete's final distance either on the day by attending the event or online at ‘www.justgiving.com/OneleggedPete’, where you can enter your guess in the message box after donating. The nearest guess to Pete's actual distance will win £100.
NOTE: Pete’s record attempt will start at 5.30pm on Saturday, October 2, 2010. Parking is available at Aintree Golf Centre & Driving Range, Melling Road, Liverpool, Merseyside, L 5 S ."
The dissenter is every human being at those moments of his life when he resigns
momentarily from the herd and thinks for himself.
momentarily from the herd and thinks for himself.
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