Billie Fleming's Year record smashed - in just four months!

"A lot of people on here would only accept the record if it was set in Yorkshire. In winter all year.  On a penny farthing."

Luxury !

Just imagine how the flaming will step up as she takes the outright record. Don't worry there will still be a 'male' record.

A lot of people on here would only accept the record if it was set in Yorkshire. In winter all year.  On a penny farthing.

Most people have a life to live and 12+ hours per day on a short, flat(tish) circuit to beat a record...well...that must be an exceptional accomplishment in some/most peoples view.

It wouldnt be my idea of a record breaking "performance"...not sure what Roy Castle would have thought...but distance is distance

...marginal gains and all that...its still a testament to a feat of physical and mental strength, the effort alone is noteworthy.

So best of luck to her.

(Ive no apostrophe working on my keyboard)

A big part of breaking records is to do your homework, ie studying the rules etc, and doing everything in your power to make sure you use those rules to your advantage.

Just because someone else made it harder on themselves by riding on the open road is no reason why you have to do the same. Also the year is not up by a long shot, she may face injury and sickness in the months ahead. Good luck to her I say, if you are a doubter, get on your bike for a year and lets see you have a go...

Why do people object to her riding a recumbent?

 Are they better, more efficient, more comfortable, better for this kind of thing than having a dick shaped peice of plastic wedged up your arse for 8 hours a day.

 Go on, somebody say ''No''

This is a waste of a year. 

Of course it's a massive achievement in its own right.

Is it comparable with riding on proper roads with real hills and headwinds? No.

I'm sure she'll be gutted once she reads these comments and sees what some people sitting inside on the computer think about her massive achievement.

It's an unbelievable achievement, but I can't help feeling that it's not in the spirit of the record.  Modern technology is fine, choosing to do it in non-hilly places fine, but a closed circuit in a park is not a road.

Amanda has already demonstrated that she possesses the drive, determination, along with the necessary mental and physical stamina for the HAM'R challenge.  If mere boredom was an issue at all I suspect this will have long since evaporated over the 4 months and 30K miles.  Apart from the summer heat and occasional major weather system, Flatwoods looks to be a good option for the record, especially with friends and family supporting her.  It's already an awesome feat, and she still has 8 months left.  I hope Amanda goes on to set an uber total for the highest annual mileage ever.

^^^^Exactly this. And she has still had to contend with Hurricanes and other adverse weather. I think this attempt is great and she has my admiration.

Can't believe the number of sour grapes about this on here!

It's an incredible achievement and feat of mental and physical endurance already, and she isn't even half way through yet!

The record is for the furthest distance cycled in a year. Not the furthest distance cycled on roads with at least x cars per hour on, and with a minimum of x ft per mile of climbing, on a UCI approved bicycle, etc etc! If you're going to break a record you use the right kit and choose the right route. She's done her homework and it's showing.

Why all the negativity toward recumbent bikes anyway?

The fact that she's on course to smash the men's record is extremely impressive, given that Kurt Searvogel broke that on a similar recumbent/upright bike mix, and also used the flattest roads he could find (ending up at the same location). He even tried to use tailwinds I think, with motorhome transport between each day of riding. Picking a sheltered course seems to be the better option.

Personally I suspect a velodrome probably would be enough to drive anyone bonkers, and being outdoors has got to be more pleasant, even with varying weather. I don't think UMCA permit track cycling for the year record - from the rules: "The UMCA sanctions 12- and 24-hour, 100- and 200- mile and 1,000 kilometer records on road courses and tracks" - note the year record is not mentioned here. They define track as: "A track is defined as a loop course less than five miles in length. A track may include ordinary cycling velodromes, auto racing ovals or road courses, motor speedways or auto test tracks."  So, given the length of the loop Amanda Coker is using, this counts as not "track" under UMCA rules I think.

I must admit my level of admiration dropped off once severely once I read she just did a flat loop all day. It became one of those things loads of people 'could' do if they wanted but it's just too daft to think about really.

She's obviously got a decent pair of legs on her, so I'm suprised she doesn't do something a bit more challenging that's not utterly monotonous. Each to their own I suppose.

It's amazing how you can rack the miles up, when you record the same ride on several devices, simultaneously

I think we need a Godwin's rule on this. You need to ride a bike-bike, no recumbents, and there has to be a minimum amount of elevation and variety in routes. If you can't match the old fella you aren't playing the game. 

Well at least she's doing it on an actual bike, not a recumbent.

It's not really cricket is it? Might as well just do it in a velodrome if you're going to be so unadventurous.

mental. so she's riding the same 6.8 mile loop over 30 times. every day. for a year.

I get bored enough doing the commute that I have to mix it up...
it's one hell of an achievement, but she must be so bored!

Insanely meaningless if done in the same loop. This thing will just burn her mind and time.