List of Antarctic cycling expeditions

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Antarctic cycling expeditions were made possible with the development of fatbikes: fat tired bicycles designed for riding in snow and sand.

Expeditions[]

Expeditions in order of distance cycled.

Name Mode of Travel Distance by Bike Support Notes
Helen Skelton Kite, Ski, Bicycle 103 miles (166 km) [1] Motorized support non coastal starting location, 2012
Juan Menéndez Granados Ski and Bicycle 775 miles (1,247 km) [2] Solo Hercules Inlet to South Pole, 2014
Doug Stoup Bicycle 200 miles (320 km)[3] Solo Heritage range, 2003
Eric Larsen (Polar Explorer) Bicycle 335 miles (539 km) [4] Solo, food drops Starting at Hercules Inlet, 2012
Maria Leijerstam Tricycle 396 miles (637 km) [5] Motorized support Used South Pole Traverse, a compacted snow road, 2013
Daniel P. Burton Bicycle 775 miles (1,247 km) [6] Solo, food drops Hercules Inlet to South Pole, 2013–14

Doug Stoup was the first person to do a bike expedition in Antarctica. In January 2003, he rode 200 miles (320 km) on a specially designed "ice bike" around the Patriot Hills.[7][8]

In 2012, Helen Skelton became the first person to reach the South Pole using a bicycle. The bike was custom built for her trip, with 8-inch-wide (20 cm) tires. She also used skis and a kite to help her pull a sled containing 82 kilograms (181 lb) of supplies.[9] She covered 329 miles (529 km) by kite ski, 103 mi (166 km) by bike and 69 mi (111 km) by cross-country ski. Some of Skelton's claims have been challenged: "There are many examples of explorers who kited faster and longer on the polar caps".[10]

In December 2012, Eric Larsen made the first attempt to do an expedition solely by bicycle to the South Pole. After covering 175 miles (282 km), a quarter of the distance to the South Pole, Larsen abandoned his attempt and biked an additional 160 miles (260 km) back to Patriot Hills.[11] On 27 December 2013, Maria Leijerstam became the first person to cycle from the coast of Antarctica to the South Pole.[12] Leijerstam's achievement was criticized for excessive motorized support.[13]

Juan Menéndez Granados, calling himself Juan Sin Miedo, started his bicycle and ski expedition at Hercules Inlet in December 2013 and finish on January 17, 2014. Juan traveled the full distance without any resupplies (unsupported and unassisted), surviving the last 4 days of the expedition drinking chocolate powder and sunflower oil. When it was not possible to cycle on the bike, he used skies in order to keep forward with efficiency. He became the first person to cycle to the South Pole solo, unsupported and unassisted.[14]

Daniel Burton was cycling solo to the South Pole but had four resupplies of food along the route, and another one mechanical in the middle of the itinerary. Burton traveled the full distance pedaling or pushing his bike, but even if he was much lighter than Menendez, he spent 5 days more to cover the same distance and route than him.[15]

References[]

  1. ^ "BBC News - Blue Peter's Helen Skelton reaches South Pole". Bbc.co.uk. 2012-01-22. Retrieved 2014-07-17.
  2. ^ Cathy Allred - Daily Herald (2014-01-29). "Eagle Mountain man first to ride bike to South Pole". Heraldextra.com. Retrieved 2014-07-17.
  3. ^ Winterman, Denise (2012-01-03). "BBC News - Polar challenge: How do you cycle to the South Pole?". Bbc.com. Retrieved 2014-07-17.
  4. ^ "Polar explorer falls short of South Pole cycling goal but sets world record". GrindTV.com. 2013-01-16. Archived from the original on 2014-08-08. Retrieved 2014-07-17.
  5. ^ "IceCycle | World first cycle to the South Pole 2013". Whiteicecycle.com. Retrieved 2014-07-17.
  6. ^ "South Pole Epic by dpburton at Garmin Connect - Details". Connect.garmin.com. 2013-12-03. Retrieved 2014-07-17.
  7. ^ "Douglas Stoup".
  8. ^ https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-16345232[dead link]
  9. ^ "Helen Skelton plans South Pole mission". BBC News. 13 December 2011. Retrieved 14 December 2011.
  10. ^ "Explorersweb".
  11. ^ "Longest bicycle journey in Antarctica: Eric Larsen breaks Guinness world record".
  12. ^ http://www.whiteicecycle.com
  13. ^ "Explorersweb".
  14. ^ "¡Reto superado! Juan Menéndez Granados llega al Polo Sur en bicicleta". 18 January 2014.
  15. ^ West, Cycling (5 June 2014). "Utah's Daniel Burton Becomes First Person to Ride to the South Pole - Cycling West - Cycling Utah". Retrieved 2020-03-28.
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