GWR
14 May 2015 14:54
We do have a record for 'Cycling -
men's 1-hour unpaced standing start', but this is for a UCI-approved cycle, and
unfortunately we are unable to further sub-categorize this record by use of a
Raleigh Chopper. We have some other cycling records you may be interested in:
'Greatest vertical ascent on a bicycle in one hour', or 'Longest bicycle
wheelie in an hour', for example - would you be interested in something like
this?
Matt Richardson
14 May 2015 16:55
Dear Records Management Team Thank
you for your question. I am not interested in any of the alternative cycling
records you suggest. I know the Raleigh Chopper is not a UCI approved cycle.
That is why I am seeking approval from Guinness World Records. If I wanted to
attempt the UCI Hour Record, I would contact the UCI. The point of the
Raleigh Chopper Hour record is that the rider will have to comply with
objectively quantifiable requirements (riding from a standing start, alone,
around a velodrome for one hour) but on a bicycle that is a vintage, British,
iconic design and for which a great many people have much affection and
nostalgia.
This application is, therefore, for a perfectly valid,
quantifiable, objectively verifiable record. I note from your web site that
there is a record for the "fastest marathon dressed as a bottle
(male)". When the applicant proposed this record, you did not invalidate
his suggestion on the grounds that there is already a record for the fastest
marathon and that the IAAF’s omission of a category for "dressed as a
bottle (male)" meant that Guinness World Records were “unable to further
sub-categorize this record”. You recognise this record and clearly there is,
therefore, no reason that you cannot recognise "Longest distance ridden on
a Raleigh Chopper in one hour at a velodrome.” I would be very happy to amend
the title to "Longest distance ridden from a standing start on a Mark 1
Raleigh Chopper in one hour at a velodrome.” The event will take place on 23
May and will be properly administered by a track cycling commissaire at a
British Cycling compliant velodrome. There will be an expert present to verify
the authenticity of the bicycle. The ride will be filmed in its entirety for
evidence. I hope this clarifies my application sufficiently and I look forward
to hearing from you.
Kind regards Matt Richardson
GWR
18 May 2015 15:14
Dear Matt, Thanks for your feedback. Unfortunately we would not be able
to accept your alternate suggestion of 'Longest distance ridden from a standing
start on a Mark 1 Raleigh Chopper in one hour at a velodrome' - although the
Raleigh Chopper is an iconic cycle, a record title like this is a little too
specialised. We open new record categories in response to activities that are subject
to a great deal of international competition - the 'Cycling - men's 1-hour
unpaced standing start' is an example. I am sorry that this is not the decision
you would have hoped for. Please let me know if you would like to discuss this
further.
Kind regards GWR
Matt Richardson
19 May 2015 10:05
Dear GWR. Thank you for your
message. As you suggest, I would like to discuss this. During our discussion
you can explain to me why "Fastest marathon dressed as a playing card
(female)" is a valid record while my proposed record is not. I am an
experienced athlete and have competed in many different events. I am a former national rowing champion. I have also run a marathon and competed in an Ironman. I
know, just as everyone else does, that there is not "a great deal of
international competition" for anyone, male or female, dressed as a
playing card. Indeed, a quick scan of many of the records Guinness recognises
makes it very clear that many of them are not subject to any international
competition whatsoever, e.g. "longest sneezing fit", "highest
bodycount in a slasher film" (as an aside, I'm shocked that the latter is
something that Guinness World Records is willing to recognise). Please let me know when you are available to discuss. I
look forward to hearing from you. Matt Richardson
GWR
20 May 2015 15:37
Dear Matt, Thanks for the added information. I have discussed this case
with our managers, and explained your situation. Unfortunately, we would not be
able to create this as a new record title, because we would not sub-categorize
these cycling distance records by the type of bicycle - even where the cycle is
an iconic design.
Kind regards GWR
Matt Richardson
20 May 2015 16:28
Dear GWR, Thank you for your reply. Please provide me with the contact details of the relevant manager. In
your previous message you offered to discuss the matter with me. I
would like to understand better the reasons for the refusal to accept the proposed
record. There were, until 2014, two categories for The Hour by bicycle design:
the "Athlete's Hour" and the "Best Human Effort". Each
required bicycles to conform to different designs. The UCI recently changed
these rules to unify the record but Guinness World Records is not governed by
the UCI. It is clear that you are not restricted to international governing
body rules. You already recognise "Fastest marathon dressed as a
playing card (female)". The latter is not recognised by Athletics international
governing body, the IAAF, but it is recognised by you. In my view, you are
right to recognise the record. It is objectively verifiable, it is entertaining
and allows people to pursue charitable fundraising within a framework.
Using the above logic please let me know if you would recognise "Cycling -
women's 1-hour unpaced standing start dressed as a playing card"? You
already recognise "Cycling - women's 1-hour unpaced standing start".
And you recognise "Fastest marathon dressed as a playing card
(female)". You also recognise fastest marathons dressed as Roman soldiers,
book characters, bottles, vegetables, etc, etc. If you would not
recognise "Cycling - women's 1-hour unpaced standing start dressed as a
vegetable", why would you not? And if you would recognise the latter,
why would you not recognise "Cycling - men's 1-hour unpaced standing start
riding a Raleigh Chopper"? I look forward to hearing from you. In
the meantime I will be interviewed on BBC Radio Berkshire by Paul Ross this Saturday morning at
9.10am. It would be very beneficial to everyone concerned if I am able to say
that Guinness World Records has approved the record and, if not, to be able to
explain why not.
Kind regards D M Richardson
I have now received the contact details of someone else at GWR and will continue to pursue recognition.
