Team Wiggle Tandem hit the road with London launch

[veloriders]

What started as an innocent exercise in ‟blue sky thinking‟ between 2 cycling friends over a quiet, post ride coffee, finally broke cover in London last Thursday as Team Wiggle Tandem with an ambitious plan to revive one of Britain‟s great cycling traditions, record breaking.
In a 2 year project Eurosport cycling commentator David Harmon and wilderness trail guide Jez Hastings will attempt to fuse cutting edge cycling technology with the traditional de-mands of long distance record attempts to attack a number targets against the clock under the rules of the Road Records Association.
“We are painfully aware that neither Jez or I could hold a candle physically to some of the great record holders of the past but we feel that using advances in training and equipment we have a realistic chance of success,” commented Harmon when asked about the team‟s chances during the official team launch at London‟s Charlotte St Hotel.
Beginning in late March the pairing will aim at setting a new benchmark of under 17 hours for the „Side to Side‟ from Pembroke in West Wales to Yarmouth in East Anglia before at-tempts on the 12 hour record and Liverpool to Edinburgh. An even more ambitious 2011 calendar could see Team Wiggle Tandem mount assaults on the End to End record and ven-ture abroad to the legendary Paris-Brest-Paris.
“Breaking records is something that needs a well organised structure.” Points out Project Manager Richard Gorman from Project 7 Racing. “I was previously involved with Team CSC and this is a fascinating venture to bring my management skills to. Our sponsors and sup-port staff have been fantastic and have really embraced the ethos of the project”
“Just like road racing, record attempts have so many variables that can effect the outcome; injury, equipment, mechanical support, time, budget and most importantly the weather,” continued Gorman, “it‟s wonderful that everyone involved in Team Wiggle Tandem under-stands and loves the fact that you just can‟t turn up on your bike and go!”
Team Wiggle Tandem will ride „Rocket 1‟ a development tandem built by world famous con-structor Terry Dolan, helping to develop and test new tandem technology including Rotor Q rings, electronics and Hope disc braking systems for an all carbon framed Rocket 2 for 2011.
“We are delighted to support this Hi-Tech duo who‟s aim is to rewrite cycling‟s record books! Breaking records takes 100% dedication and total commitment, not just from Dave & Jez but from the entire team,” commented Jason Sims, Team and Sponsorship Executive for title sponsor Wiggle, “Wiggle are 110% behind this project and wish them the very best with this amazing challenge!”
Team Wiggle Tandem will now travel to Snowdonia for early season training, following that up with a week riding with Team Endura in Southern France before putting the finally touches to their attempt to set a new standard for the Side to Side in late March 2010.
Follow Team Wiggle Tandem on the Wiggle Athlete‟s Diary Bloggle www.wiggleblog.com , at the team‟s website, www.teamwiggletandem.com or find the team on Twitter and Face-book.
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