Blue Peter presenter cycling to South Pole

[DCLane]

Apparently Helen Skelton is planning to cycle to the South Pole, setting a record for the longest cycle on snow in the process:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-16157981

She certainly likes challenges

 

[mickle]

Cool.

 

[siadwell]

She certainly likes challenges

She certainly does. For those who don't know, in 2010 she kayaked over 2,000 miles along the River Amazon for Sport Relief, making her a world record holder. She's also completed ultramarathons in the Sahara and Namibia.

 

[Mugshot]

She certainly is fit.

 

[Mugshot]

You're too late. I think she's only got eyes for Barney.

Who's Barney?
Either way, I was talking about her athletic prowess

 

[Beebo]

On a bike with 8 inch tyres pulling a sledge weighing 13stone!

I bet she needs a granny ring to pull that lot!

 

[Holdsworth]

On a bike with 8 inch tyres...

I'm guessing she won't be using Marathon Winters for this ride then

Also I wonder what the chance are of getting a puncture out on the ice are? I hear that many meteorites are found in Antarctica lying on the snow, she'd be pretty unlucky to get a visit form the space p******* fairy and not have a repair kit!

 

[Hacienda71]

On a bike with 8 inch tyres pulling a sledge weighing 13stone!

I bet she needs a granny ring to pull that lot!

No a compact can get you almost the same ratios

 

[G-Zero]

I feel a bit less of a man now, whinging on about my fingers and toes going numb a few days ago

Loads of respect for her attempt and best of luck to her, but I'll reserve judgement on whether or not it's achievable.

 

[Gareth]

Is there any information and pictures of the bike she will be using?

 

[mickle]

it has been suggested elsewhere that she'll be riding a Surly Moonlander:

I would.

 

[Hacienda71]

My mate has the Surly Pugsley, he was quite offended when I broke down in stitches of laughter when I saw it for the first time. I have to question how much snow and sand use he will get in Macclesfield though.

 

[ufkacbln]

I hope I am wrong, but is this actually a record?

At over 1000 km several of the Iditarod trail winter rides are longer than this trip.

Is the record for the South Pole rather than the longest bike ride on snow

 

[MattHB]

amazing girl.. saw her on the news this morning. She doesnt look big enough to do anything like that!!

respect.

oh, and yes, shes certainly fit!! (in both ways)

 

[Mugshot]

it has been suggested elsewhere that she'll be riding a Surly Moonlander:

I would.

Never seen one of those before so I had a look at their website, interesting that the more normal looking bikes are shown under the heading "pavement".