Polar challenge: How do you cycle to the South Pole?

[tintin40]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-16345232

 

[Drencrom]

"When it comes to gears, the 21-speed bike is similar to a standard mountain bike,"

Best take a chain tool then.

Looks like a challenge and a half.

 

[BertR00t]

There is an article on here somewhere about it. Someone here was saying that she is making little to no progress on the bike and looks like she will only use it to cross the line.

 

[saltyman]

id do more miles on my single speed than that.

it does say she is using a few different modes of transport?

 

[jimo746]

Coincidentally I'm currently Reading Sir Ranulph Fiennes autobiography at the moment, and tbh I can't see her making it to the pole, not least on that bike.
It mentions she will also be walking & kite-skiing.
From what I have read there are parts of the terrain that are only passable on foot, but by harnessing the power of the wind it's possible to make signifficant headway.
I don't see how it's possible to do the whole journey on a bike, unless it was a monster truck sized one lol.

 

[jamabikes]

id do more miles on my single speed than that.

it does say she is using a few different modes of transport?

probably not at the south pole though eh.

she will be kite skiing and hiking for most of it but biking the easier sections.

oh and

Snowdrifts, blizzards, rutted ice, altitude sickness, frostbite and snow blindness. They're hardly the odd speed bump, tree root or wayward pedestrian a cyclist usually faces on a bike ride, but this isn't an average journey.

Blue Peter presenter Helen Skelton is hoping to become the first person to use a bike to reach the South Pole. She is attempting to travel 500 miles (805km) across Antarctica and will cycle for large parts of it, as well as snowkiting and walking. She hopes to complete the trek for Sport Relief in 20 days.

At this time of year, the average temperature in Antarctica is -25C, but can drop to -50C. Severe coastal winds come from cold air flowing down off the interior ice sheet. Wind speeds can reach up to 125mph (201km/h) and average about 80mph.

good on her i say.

 

[drystonepaul]

Interesting looking bike.
I can't imagine that it's much fun to ride for long periods though and those wheels and tyres look very heavy.

I would've thought a fat bike similar to those used for the Iditabike woud be a better option. I'd go for internal gears too, although the grease/oil could freeze up unless you change it for something specced for extreme cold.

Mike Curiak’s Iditabike. Moots FrosTi with a trailer.

Good luck to her though.

 

[NAILTRAIL96]

I doubt the bike will see much use but I wouldn't bet against her getting there.