June 2014, Rider of the Month, Stuart “Ultra Disco Stu” Blofeld
Stu Blofeld is well-known in the ElliptiGO community for attempting (and completing) some of the toughest cycling events there are. In June 2014, he completed his hardest and most impressive event to date: the Mille Cymru Audax 1000k. This event challenges endurance cyclists with completing a 1019 km route around Wales with 53,000 feet of climbing in under 75 hours. Just 80 riders had the courage to show up on race day and only an approximate 65 finished. (Final results will be released after verification by Audax in a few weeks.) Sleeping for only 6 total hours during the event, Stu finished in 73.5 hours. Congratulations on this incredible accomplishment, Stu! We look forward to seeing what you tackle next. If you want to read his account of the Mille Cymru, visit his blog
Quick Facts About Stu
1. How long have you been riding your ElliptiGO and what model do you ride?
I’ve been riding an ElliptiGO 8S for 3.5 years.
2. What inspired you to use an ElliptiGO?
I heard about Dean Karnazes getting one and doing a 400-mile ride to the start of a marathon. I thought to myself, what is this contraption? So had to find out more!! I had followed Dean very closely for years prior. He was an inspiration and is what got me into ultra-running in 2009.
3. What are your favorite events you’ve done on the ElliptiGO?
My very first 100-miler (Chiltern 100) was very special as it seemed like an insurmountable challenge but I achieved it, which gave me the confidence to take on bigger distance challenges. I rode the Chiltern 100 Double (212 miles) as a training ride in May which got me in shape to take on my biggest challenge to date – the Audax Mille Cymru 1000k.
4. What’s your most memorable experience related to the ElliptiGO?
As it’s the most recent and biggest challenge I’ve taken on and completed, it has to be the Mille Cymru 1000k. This was a circular tour around Wales. The 1000k route had 53,000ft of ascent and had to be completed in under 75 hours. It was an epic ride that pushed me to my limits. I finished it in 73.5 hours getting just 6 hours of sleep in total throughout the event.
5. What are your ElliptiGO-related goals for the next year?
In September 2014 I’m riding the Thruxton 100 which is taking place around a 2.5 mile motor racing circuit. I’m hoping to beat my best 100-mile time and possibly even target the current ElliptiGO 100-mile WR. But I need to get some serious speed training in before then if I stand a chance. I don’t have any plans for 2015 yet but I’m sure it will involve a few more miles!