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Ingo-Kai Schoffer, www.kanubike.de,
(age 31) cycled 24 hours and 194 km long with an
unbelievable 180 Watts of average power delivery on the pedals of his high
tech boat.
The attempt
It is Sunday in the morning, 2 September 2001 10,00 o'clock in Esslingen,
Germany, at the Neckar. On rather wobbly legs, and given everything up to
the physical boundaries Ingo-Kai Schoffer arrives ashore tiredly
after a long night: 24 hours long the extreme sportsman stepped on his
pedals of his " human Powered Boat " so strongly to be sure that
he could over-bid the past world record of the American John Howard (166
km). A performance in the special class, which lets the face of the
sportsman light up brightly of joy despite exhaustion.
Ingo-Kai Schoffer on his Canoe Bike (click to
enlarge)
The engagement in his city is celebrated. His fun with the Canoe Bike,
the crew of the DLRG Esslingen, representatives of the city, consisting of
spectators and his own enthusiastic family. They all supported him
actively with his project and his colleagues paddled beside him during the
Spectacle up to 64 km in a Canadian canoe, in order to motivate him and
supply him with food and beverages on the water. He took just a few short
pauses for the lavatory needs and for stretching exercises of the legs,
during which the clock continued however merciless. He moved his boat 24
hours long non-stop, his target: the world record.
Ingo-Kai Schoffer on his Canoe Bike (click to
enlarge)
Interview
" I am very happy, I really made it!". The attempt begun with
problems already in an early stage. Briefly after the start, a spare part
for the damaged propulsion unit had to be procured and inserted. During
the night wind, rain, cold temperatures and tiredness almost forced Ingo
give it up. With his strong iron will, he nevertheless pursued the round
course on the Neckar between Esslingen and the air-lock Obertuerkheim 27
times. He now thinks that a challenger will have to try very very hard, to
break this record.
Ingo-Kai Schoffer on his Canoe Bike (click to
enlarge)
How do humans achieve such an extreme performance? Ingo-Kai Schoffer's
secret weapons in the boat are: "Fencheltee, stark gesüßt, und sein
Walkman". Whereupon he swears and he also speaks about his training
preparations. His schedule started at the beginning of the year 2001.
Daily many kilometres were driven on the Canoe Bike for the stabilization
of the necessary muscle portions and as perseverance training. Just as
many daily kilometres uphill and downhill were taken with the mobile
movement trainer SNIKE®, which he integrated into his training program
and with which his co-ordination ability and his mental efficiency could
obviously successfully be trained. With both trainings equipments the
extreme sportsman covered approximately 15,000 kilometres according to own
specification during his preparation.
In the year 1999 his boat was still heavy, about kg. Today it weighs 25
kg on the balance and the drive with arm is optimal: Highly efficiently,
strictly guarded secret patents and apart from Ingo's physical efficiency
the most important factor for the success in this discipline.
The successes
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