A cyclist from Poland is believed to have beaten his own Guinness World Record by riding up 2,754 steps to reach the 100th-floor observation deck of the world’s fifth tallest building in Shanghai, China. Krystian Herba’s previous record was 2,040 steps, set last year at the 2012 at the Rose Rayhaan hotel in Dubai.
It took the 32-year-old 1 hour, 21 minutes and 53 seconds to complete his latest feat, achieved on a trials bike [the brand Genesis appears to be an Austrian one, rather than the British one of the same name], with no saddle to rest on and the rider not allowed to touch the stairs – which he climbed at an average rate of one every 1.8 seconds, give or take – with his hands or feet.
One member of Herba’s support team filmed the Guinness World Record attempt for verification purposes – the video will now be sent through with appropriate documentation – while another was on hand to supply the rider with water, check his pulse, and keep the time.
Video credit: Piotr Kłeczek
When it was completed in 2008, the Shanghai World Financial Centre, also known as the Pudong Tower, was the world’s second tallest building, but its height has since been surpassed by three others.
China.org.cn says that Herba, who is a PE teacher in his day job and also has a sideline in stunt riding, describes his motivation as the "strength and desire to be better and faster, and to overcome, not only another record, but also weaknesses."
When it was completed in 2008, the Shanghai World Financial Centre, also known as the Pudong Tower, was the world’s second tallest building, but its height has since been surpassed by three others, giving Herba further targets to aim for.
"It is like asking a Himalayan climber why he is going to the mountains if he can simply stay at home," he explained.
The list of skyscrapers previously conquered by Herba, according to his website, is:
- 30.01.2012 - Rose Rayhaan by Rotana - Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- the highest hotel in the world
91 floors, 2040 stairs, time: 1 h 13 min 41 sec. - GUINNESS WORLD RECORD
- 05.11.2011- MesseTurm - Frankfurt, Germany
- according to the number of floors the highest building in Europe
61 floors, 1212 stairs, time: 27 min 04 sec.
- 16.02.2011- Gran Hotel Bali - Benidorm, Spain
- the highest hotel in Europe
52 floors, 921 stairs, time: 19 min 27 sec
- 02.10.2010- Millennium Tower - Vienna, Austria
- the highest building in Austria
48 floors, 818 stairs, time: 18 min 09 sec
- 05.06.2011- Altus - Katowice, Poland
46 floors, 908 stairs, time: 23 min 57 sec
- 06.02.2010- InterContinental - Warsaw, Poland
- the highest building in Poland according to the number of floors
44 floors, 859 stairs, time: 26 min 09 sec
- 26.05.2009 - Palace of Culture and Science - Warsaw, Poland
- the highest building in Poland
30 floors, 785 stairs, time: 19 min 15 sec
Born in Scotland, Simon moved to London aged seven and now lives in the Oxfordshire Cotswolds with his miniature schnauzer, Elodie. He fell in love with cycling one Saturday morning in 1994 while living in Italy when Milan-San Remo went past his front door. A daily cycle commuter in London back before riding to work started to boom, he's been news editor at road.cc since 2009. Handily for work, he speaks French and Italian. He doesn't get to ride his Colnago as often as he'd like, and freely admits he's much more adept at cooking than fettling with bikes.