Yamaha R1M �� #Shorts
The couple who cycled the world on a tandem bicycle
Editor’s Note: Sign up for Unlocking the World, CNN Travel’s weekly newsletter. Get news about destinations opening, inspiration for future adventures, plus the latest in aviation, food and drink, where to stay and other travel developments.
On December 1, Laura Massey-Pugh and Stevie Massey, both from the UK, cycled through a blizzard into Brandenburg Gate in Berlin approximately 180 days after setting off on a journey to become the fastest cyclists to circumnavigate the world on a tandem bicycle.
The husband and wife team, who began their grueling challenge on June 5, traveling for around 18,000 miles (28,968 kilometers) through 21 countries, were greeted by thrilled friends and family, who’d been anxiously awaiting their arrival in the rather brutal weather conditions.
“It was dark. It was also snowing. They [their friends and family] were absolutely frozen, but they still got their banners out and everything,” Massey-Pugh tells CNN Travel.
“So it wasn’t quite how we’d envisioned it, where we’d arrived in a blaze of glory – it was more of an absolute battle right to the end. But I think that’s just made us even more proud of our achievements.”
The woman aiming to be the youngest to travel the world by motorcycle
Wheelie on a yamaha r1 ��
Tandem bike challenge
Laura Massey-Pugh and Stevie Massey arrive at Brandenburg Gate, Berlin on December 1 after cycling around the world.
Taking on a record-breaking tandem bicycle journey wasn’t something the veterinary surgeon would have thought was on the cards for herself before she met Massey at a beer festival in 2015.
While they were both keen cyclists, Massey-Pugh says she was more of a “day-to-day commuting cyclist,” while Massey was an experienced long-distance rider who’d been using tandem bicycles since he was a youngster.
“He regaled me with his stories of long-distance bike rides, and riding from Land’s End [mainland Britain’s most southwesterly point] to John O’Groats [a Scottish village located on mainland Great Britain’s northeastern tip] and back again,” Massey-Pugh says of their first meeting.
During their second or third date, Massey took her out on a two-seater bicycle, and the experience “almost brought her to tears.”
“Little did she know that she would have become a super stoker,” he says, explaining that a ‘stoker’ is the person who stays at the rear of the tandem, while the person at the front is described as the ‘captain.’
While the pair, who were married in 2018, have been on many solo bike rides together, they “really clicked on the tandem,” although it took Massey-Pugh a little while to adapt to it at first.
“The actual tandem is not that hard to get used to, particularly if you’ve ridden bikes before,” she explains.
“If you’re in the backseat like me and you’re used to riding and steering your own bike, I think it can almost be harder to suddenly relinquish all that control and not see where you’re going.”
The couple traveling the world in ambulance they bought on eBay
New record
They reached 9,000 miles (around 14,500 kilometers,) their halfway point, while in Australia in September.
Back in 2020, the couple read about two women, Cat Dixon and Raz Marsden from the UK, who’d broken the world record for the fastest time circumnavigating the globe on a tandem bicycle.
Although they were incredibly impressed by the achievement, Massey-Pugh says she couldn’t help thinking “we could go faster than that,” and decided to look into things further.
They quickly discovered that while there was a current record for the fastest women and the fastest men to complete this challenge on a tandem bicycle, there was no record holder for a mixed male and female team.
In order to achieve the record, they would have to meet a number of requirements from Guinness World Records, including cycling for a minimum of 18,000 miles in the same direction, pass through two antipodal points, locations on opposite sides of the planet, and start and finish at the same point.
Once they’d contacted Guinness and committed to the task, the couple began what turned into around 18 months of “hard planning,” and training.
The couple, who’d ridden thousands of miles on a tandem together by the time they began their six-month trip, say that just getting to the start line felt like half the battle.
Getting a tandem suitable for a trip such as this proved to be one of the toughest challenges.
“It’s a very niche thing, a tandem,” explains Massey. “So it was [a case of acquiring] parts from all around the world to get exactly what we wanted for the job we had to do.
“We found the best people in the business who knew the best to advise us. And it bore fruit in the end.”
This man and his dog spent seven years walking around the world
Say hello to 2023 Yamaha R1 GYTR Pro 25th Anniversary Limited Edition
Sippi Vig Jul 26, 2023
KUALA LUMPUR: Yamaha is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the iconic R1 with the introduction of the new R1 GYTR Pro 25th Anniversary Limited Edition. This special edition of the superbike is an ultimate track-only machine with only 25 units to be offered exclusively in the European market.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
As the name suggests, the 2023 Yamaha R1 GYTR Pro is kitted with Genuine Yamaha Technology Racing (GYTR) pro components, including.
- A carbon fibre rear subframe
- A modified fuel tank lowering the centre of gravity
- Magneti Marelli ECU
The bike is developed by the same Yamaha Motor Research and Development Europe racing engineers responsible for the World Championship winning R1 WorldSBK machine.
As for the suspension, the ultimate R1 superbike benefits from an Ohlins FGR front fork and TTX mono shock with a pneumatic preload adjuster. Helping the bike stop are Brembo brakes at both ends.
The bike is finished in an exclusive red, white, and black livery, which pays homage to the first generation Yamaha R1 introduced in 1998. The all-around carbon fibre bodywork of the special R1 is lightweight and promises optimal aerodynamic performance.
The special 25th Anniversary model also comes equipped with advanced electronic software rider aids, like anti-wheelie, traction control, launch control, engine braking management, and adjustable fueling.
Powering the R1 GYTR Pro 25th Anniversary edition is a 998-cc, liquid-cooled, 4-cylinder engine that generates a maximum power of 200 PS and a peak torque of 113 Nm.
Upon introducing the special-edition R1, Eric de Seynes, President and CEO, Yamaha Motor Europe, said, “The launch of the GYTR Pro range of performance parts is a proud moment for everyone at Yamaha Motor Europe. Now we are able to offer technology developed in tandem with our WorldSBK and EWC race programs directly to our customers.”
Adding to that, Andrea Dosoli, Road Racing Manager, Yamaha Motor Europe, said: “We have developed the range of GYTR Pro performance parts alongside our World Superbike and Endurance World Championship race programs, to enable us to offer our customers the opportunity to experience a level of performance that is truly unique.”
The 2023 Yamaha R1 GYTR Pro 25th Anniversary Limited Edition is priced at EUR 159 000 (approximately equal to RM 801,479).
Finance options available
We’ve got several finance options available to help you spread the cost. Simply select your payment option in the checkout.
Save up to 47% and spread the cost of a new bike and accessories. This reduced cost is then simply deducted out of your payslip over 12 or 18 months.
Being the UK’s leading bike retailer allows us to stock an outstanding range of men’s, women’s and kids bikes in the latest designs. Within our range, you’ll find Boardman bikes, Carrera bikes, Voodoo bikes, bikes from Apollo and many more. Our range covers all the riding disciplines and has something for each and every rider, with mountain bikes, full suspension mountain bikes and gravel bikes for off-road lovers, road bikes for speed fanatics, BMX bikes for tricksters and hybrid bikes or folding bikes ideal city for commuting. We also stock some of the UK’s best electric bikes on the market from the likes of Carrera, Apollo, Raleigh and Pendleton. And because electric mountain bikes are now more readily available, it’s easier to find an e-bike that suits you and your riding style. With an integrated electric motor, electric bikes provide a reliable solution and more efficient solution for leisurely rides and daily commutes. If you are commuting, folding electric bikes are a great option, especially if you travel frequently with a rucksack or heavy luggage. The compact nature of these bikes means they are well-suited to busy journeys that feature public transport.
At Halfords, we also take pride in our range of kids bikes. It features some of the coolest designs from top brands such as Disney, Kiddimoto, Raleigh and Apollo. Our range includes boy’s, girl’s and unisex bikes for all age groups ranging from 2-10 years. So if you’re on the lookout for your child’s first bike, you’ll find colourful designs and familiar movie and TV characters that your kids will love. And because they’re designed with little hands and feet in mind, most of our bikes feature stabilisers which can be removed once your son or daughter learns how to cycle. Also, we stock a great selection of junior bikes which bring adult levels of comfort, safety and performance. Their lightweight alloy frame means they are excellent for transporting and loading in and out of vehicles.
Let Halfords take care of all your bike repair and bike servicing needs with our range of CycleCare packages. Pay a one-off fee when you purchase a new bike and you’ll be covered for up to three years on a range of services and repairs, including unlimited brake and gear adjusts, unlimited puncture repair, 10% off all parts including free fitting!
What’s more, all bikes available online can be built by our team of experts at a bike store near you Simply add the build when making a purchase and we’ll take care of the rest. Alternatively, experience our trusted delivery service to get your bike delivered to your home or work. And to ensure you’re fully kitted out your cycling adventure, check out our range of cycling accessories. Still unsure which bike to choose? Head over to our cycling help advice centre for buyers guides and videos. If you’re still unsure which bike to choose, take a look through our kids bike buyers guide where you’ll find important information and a size chart.
Tandem bicycle wheelie
Back
- Free, fast shipping
- 1-year warranty
- Reliable service
You may have noticed that the shipping date for some models is currently listed as several months away.
While we understand that this is a long time to wait, we wanted to make sure that these bikes were available to purchase for any rider who had their heart set on a preferred model and wanted to secure theirs well in advance.
The dates listed are as accurate as possible, but please note that the entire manufacturing world is in the middle of a global supply chain challenge. As a result, there are some variables that are out of our control (like container shortages, port delays, and the Suez Canal incident).
We know how excited you are to get your new ebike and we are continually scaling up our operations to get it to you as soon as possible.
RadRunner 2 Assembly
Our riders say that this model is easy to assemble, however if you want help, our ebike assembly service will have you ready-to-ride.
What to Measure
Your “bike inseam”.- or inside leg length.- is the distance between your body where it sits on your bike saddle and the ground. This will typically be an inch or two longer than the length of your trousers, but you’ll want to measure to be sure. You’ll use this number on the chart to get a feel for how the different models will fit you.
How to Measure
Wearing your regular riding shoes and with your back to the wall, stand with your feet spread so there is about 7 inches between them. this is about the distance apart your feet would be when straddling a bike with your feet on
Place a hardcover book against the wall with the spine of the book facing upward. Slide the book upwards towards your groin until it is solidly against your body. This may be a bit awkward, but is way more comfortable.- and safer!- than trying to ride a bike that is too big.
If you have a buddy helping you, get them to measure from the floor to the top of the book spine while you hold the book in place. If you’re going it alone, carefully hold the book in place and measure from the ground to the top of the book spine.
RelatedPosts
To commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the R1, Yamaha Motor Europe has commissioned an exclusive run of 25 R1 machines that will be hand built from the chassis up and will feature the full range of GYTR PRO performance parts.
The R1 GYTR PRO 25th Anniversary will be assembled exclusively by experienced technicians in one of the the 25 GYTR PRO Shops across Europe and will be immediately identifiable as the ultimate track day tool courtesy of the special commemorative livery adorning the race developed carbon fibre bodywork.
The R1 GYTR PRO 25th Anniversary, which boasts a specification as close to that of Yamaha’s world championship race bikes as it is possible to get, is only available to order online, with customers also able to specify at which GYTR Pro Shop the bike will be prepared to their exact requirements.
To ensure that they can fully realise the incredible potential of their R1 GYTR PRO 25th Anniversary machines, each of the 25 owners will also spend a day at a race circuit with a team of dedicated Yamaha technicians. After initial set-up at the track, owners will be run through exactly the same process that Yamaha’s world championship teams use with riders such as Toprak Razgatlıoğlu to fine tune the settings of the bike to match their specific riding style.
This combination of the exclusive, race proven specification of the R1 GYTR PRO 25th Anniversary edition and the technical expertise available through Yamaha’s GYTR PRO Shops, provides a unique opportunity for Yamaha customers to own what is, without doubt, the ultimate R1.
With only a limited number of 25 bikes available, potential owners will need to move fast if they are not to miss out. Click here to get the full details, and register your reservation, where you will select the GYTR PRO SHOP at which your R1 GYTR PRO 25th Anniversary edition will be hand built to your exact requirements.
Unfortunately for Aussies this appears to be a Europe only offering.
Andrea Dosoli – Road Racing Manager, Yamaha Motor Europe
“We have developed the range of GYTR PRO performance parts alongside our World Superbike and Endurance World Championship race programs, to enable us to offer our customers the opportunity to experience a level of performance that is truly unique. To mark the 25th Anniversary of the R1 we have brought together the bike, the full range of GYTR PRO performance parts and the knowledge and experience of our GYTR Pro Shops to provide a turn-key solution for those Yamaha customers who demand the very best. With the R1 GYTR PRO 25th Anniverary edition our customers have the opportunity to enjoy a unique bike; a bike that is as close to the specification of our world championship race machines as it is possible to experience without having a Yamaha contract to race in WorldSBK or EWC.”
Eric de Seynes – President and CEO, Yamaha Motor Europe
“The launch of the GYTR PRO range of performance parts is a proud moment for everyone at Yamaha Motor Europe. Now we are able to offer technology developed in tandem with our WorldSBK and EWC race programs directly to our customers. Designed by our WorldSBK race engineers and tested by our professional riders, the GYTR PRO range represents the pinnacle of what is possible when it comes to making our race developed technology available to our customers. The turn-key package we are offering to mark the 25th Anniversary of the R1, which I had the great pleasure of unveiling during the Yamaha Racing Experience in Mugello, is also unique. Each of the exclusive R1 GYTR PRO 25th Anniversary edition units will be hand built with the full range of GYTR PRO performance parts by the experienced technicians at one of our GYTR PRO Shops, who will also provide technical support during a dedicated set up day at the racetrack. This is a process that few people, other than our professional racers, ever get to experience.”