First in a series by Becky Leidy

Starting on November 13th, Canadian Perry Stone will undertake The Race Around Australia for the third time, a 14,187 km ride in which he will attempt to break his own record of 41 days and 5 minutes. By comparison, in 1899, the inaugural year of the race, Arthur Richardson took 243 days. The technological advances of the bicycle, sport science and in the riding conditions over the past century are credited in large part to this extreme difference.

How is someone drawn into this type of racing? "I didn’t pick ultra – it picked me," said Stone. "In another life I was a stockbroker. I found I enjoyed going away for weekends on my bike, staying at B&Bs. It all evolved from there. Next thing I knew I rode around British Columbia, then down to Huntington Beach. I got hooked." And hooked he must be to have this list of races to his credit in so few years:

1997 Race Across America; Two Person Mountain Bike Team
1997 66 Consecutive Daily Centuries, Mojave Desert, California
1999 Race Around Australia – New World Record: 41 Days, 17 hours 
2000 Race Around Australia – New World Record: 41 days, 5 minutes
2002 Yeppoon to Broome; Two Person Road Race team Winners 4169 km 164.5 hours

In 1997, riding a mountain bike as captain of "Team Dagger", Perry finished the non-stop Race Across America (RAAM) becoming a member of the first two person team to complete the race on mountain bikes. Later that year, in an attempt to ride 100 centuries (100 miles) in 100 days, after mechanical difficulties forced him to end the consecutive attempt, Perry was left with critical injuries by a hit and run motorist in Tucson, Arizona, just three miles shy of the 88^th century in 90 days. But in ‘99, he was back in the saddle again doing his first Race Around Australia (14,288 km) and not only finishing, but setting a new World Record which he broke again the very next year.

During the 2002 Race Around Australia, there will be no support, no "sag wagon." He will be carrying all necessities for the trip on his bike and inside the "BOB trailer" pulled behind him. He must take enough food to make up for the calories burned (approximately 5000), picking up sometimes a several days worth along the way at the few and far between roadhouses, not to mention water! This, plus hygiene needs, BASIC camping supplies, tools, LOTS of sunscreen, extra cycling attire, and standard first aid items. The trailer will weigh as much as 35 kg (77 lbs) when loaded up. A "tent", which he refers to as a "body bag with an air vent," and his sleeping bag will protect him from the elements during his 2-3 hours of sleep a day. The temperatures from northern Australia to southern will vary, going as high as 49 C (113 F) to a chilly 8 C (46 F). Hopefully, the tent will prevent snakes and insects from becoming too friendly, also!

An "on the road" meal can be a tricky thing. What does one eat when cycling 21 hours a day? Surprisingly, less of a liquid diet than you might expect. He will be replenishing his daily loss of fluid with water and Isosport. His meals will consist of meat pies, canned beans, rice, and soft noodles cooked by putting them in his water bottle and letting the sun take it from there. "If I can, I will eat whatever comes my way," which does NOT include road kill! "I hate to disappoint the ‘Techies’, but I just operate on signals from the body." Perry explains that because this year’s race is unsupported, sacrifices must be made in regards to dietary extras. "When I race supported, I consumed 10,000 calories a day and up to 30 liters of water and Isosport. It is a different game unsupported. I would estimate a loss of 10 to 20 lbs on this ride," says the 42-year old, a man who, under "normal" circumstances, weighs in at 100 kg (220 lbs) and is 187 cm (6’ 1") tall.

Preparing for a race of this nature is a feat unto itself! Can you imagine biking 30,000 km (18,000 mi) a year, an average of 84 km (50 mi) a day! Some of these preparatory rides span 7000 km (4340 mi). A new cherry red Cervelo P2K will be his steed of choice. "New is all I can afford to ride on a trek like this. It has 10000 km (6200 mi) on it." Using as many as two-dozen tires, Perry has found that the Redstorm, a Kevlar beaded IRC tire, suits his purpose best. Battery-operated Cateye LED lights will guide him during the nights.

Essential to his training is Powercranks, a conditioning system that forces Perry to pedal perfect circles. "Powercranks are an amazing tool," says Stone. "Basically how they work is that each crank has a clutch in it, forcing the rider to lift up on the upstroke. If you don’t, your foot stays at the bottom of the rotation, and you don’t go anywhere." This kind of regime has allowed Perry to push a 60-tooth chain ring that he uses during training and sometimes even during his ultra-rides! However, during this particular race, due to the lack of support, he will be using a standard 53/39, 12/21.

While the physical challenges can be prepared for to a degree, what one cannot anticipate is the mental struggle that comes along with a ride of this nature. Picture yourself riding for hours on end, so tired that you are literally falling asleep on the bike, knowing that when you do get off the bike to catch a quick couple of hours of sleep, you will awake to the same thing day after day after day. "I remember how lucky I am to be in the position I am in. I remember all the countless sponsors and supporters and how it would destroy me to let them down. Their faith in my efforts fuels me."

Because, not only is Perry doing this for himself, he is racing for a cause! On October 12th in Bali, Indonesia, at least 184 people were killed and 300 injured at a nightclub packed with foreign tourists when a car bomb exploded. Of those killed, at least 90 were Australian. "Bali crushed me. When there are people in the world that target a bunch of women and blokes just out for a beer and a good time, something has to be done. The first thing we need to do is to heal wounds, and that costs money and more. The Red Cross is accepting and managing donations for the support of the injured, their families, the fallen and their remaining loved ones." Stone specifies that the Red Cross has organized a fund specifically to support the injured and families of the dead (link here). "If everyone just donated the price of a drink, it would go a very long way to helping these people adjust."

We will be getting daily reports from Perry and you can read about his adventures right here at the Daily Peloton. He will be available for questions in the DP Chat room on Wednesday, November 6 at 3 pm EST (12 noon PST, 20.00 GMT, 21.00 CET). Any company interested in helping to sponsor his ride, may contact the Daily Peloton at info@dailypeloton.com. You can read more about Perry and his incredible race at www.bikestories.com.

Also be sure to tune into this Monday's "Wheels of Steel" that will feature Perry Stone and experts in endurance cycling. Tune in to this edition of AdventureSports Radio's Wheels of Steel Monday, November 4th at 10am PST, by clicking here, or visit AdventureSports Radio.