Correspondence With Guinness World Records

Here are some extracts from my correspondence with Guinness World Records resulting from my request that they recognise the Chopper Hour Record:

GWR

14 May 2015 14:54

We do have a record for 'Cycling - men's 1-hour unpaced standing start', but this is for a UCI-approved cycle, and unfortunately we are unable to further sub-categorize this record by use of a Raleigh Chopper. We have some other cycling records you may be interested in: 'Greatest vertical ascent on a bicycle in one hour', or 'Longest bicycle wheelie in an hour', for example - would you be interested in something like this?

Matt Richardson

14 May 2015 16:55

Dear Records Management Team Thank you for your question. I am not interested in any of the alternative cycling records you suggest. I know the Raleigh Chopper is not a UCI approved cycle. That is why I am seeking approval from Guinness World Records. If I wanted to attempt the UCI Hour Record, I would contact the UCI.  The point of the Raleigh Chopper Hour record is that the rider will have to comply with objectively quantifiable requirements (riding from a standing start, alone, around a velodrome for one hour) but on a bicycle that is a vintage, British, iconic design and for which a great many people have much affection and nostalgia. 

This application is, therefore, for a perfectly valid, quantifiable, objectively verifiable record. I note from your web site that there is a record for the "fastest marathon dressed as a bottle (male)". When the applicant proposed this record, you did not invalidate his suggestion on the grounds that there is already a record for the fastest marathon and that the IAAF’s omission of a category for "dressed as a bottle (male)" meant that Guinness World Records were “unable to further sub-categorize this record”. You recognise this record and clearly there is, therefore, no reason that you cannot recognise "Longest distance ridden on a Raleigh Chopper in one hour at a velodrome.” I would be very happy to amend the title to "Longest distance ridden from a standing start on a Mark 1 Raleigh Chopper in one hour at a velodrome.” The event will take place on 23 May and will be properly administered by a track cycling commissaire at a British Cycling compliant velodrome. There will be an expert present to verify the authenticity of the bicycle. The ride will be filmed in its entirety for evidence. I hope this clarifies my application sufficiently and I look forward to hearing from you. 

Kind regards Matt Richardson

GWR

18 May 2015 15:14

Dear Matt, Thanks for your feedback. Unfortunately we would not be able to accept your alternate suggestion of 'Longest distance ridden from a standing start on a Mark 1 Raleigh Chopper in one hour at a velodrome' - although the Raleigh Chopper is an iconic cycle, a record title like this is a little too specialised. We open new record categories in response to activities that are subject to a great deal of international competition - the 'Cycling - men's 1-hour unpaced standing start' is an example. I am sorry that this is not the decision you would have hoped for. Please let me know if you would like to discuss this further. 

Kind regards GWR

Matt Richardson

19 May 2015 10:05

Dear GWR. Thank you for your message. As you suggest, I would like to discuss this. During our discussion you can explain to me why "Fastest marathon dressed as a playing card (female)" is a valid record while my proposed record is not.  I am an experienced athlete and have competed in many different events. I am a former national rowing champion. I have also run a marathon and competed in an Ironman. I know, just as everyone else does, that there is not "a great deal of international competition" for anyone, male or female, dressed as a playing card. Indeed, a quick scan of many of the records Guinness recognises makes it very clear that many of them are not subject to any international competition whatsoever, e.g. "longest sneezing fit", "highest bodycount in a slasher film" (as an aside, I'm shocked that the latter is something that Guinness World Records is willing to recognise). Please let me know when you are available to discuss. I look forward to hearing from you. Matt Richardson 

GWR

20 May 2015 15:37

Dear Matt, Thanks for the added information. I have discussed this case with our managers, and explained your situation. Unfortunately, we would not be able to create this as a new record title, because we would not sub-categorize these cycling distance records by the type of bicycle - even where the cycle is an iconic design. 

Kind regards GWR

Matt Richardson

20 May 2015 16:28

Dear GWR, Thank you for your reply. Please provide me with the contact details of the relevant manager. In your previous message you offered to discuss the matter with me. I would like to understand better the reasons for the refusal to accept the proposed record. There were, until 2014, two categories for The Hour by bicycle design: the "Athlete's Hour" and the "Best Human Effort". Each required bicycles to conform to different designs. The UCI recently changed these rules to unify the record but Guinness World Records is not governed by the UCI. It is clear that you are not restricted to international governing body rules.  You already recognise "Fastest marathon dressed as a playing card (female)". The latter is not recognised by Athletics international governing body, the IAAF, but it is recognised by you. In my view, you are right to recognise the record. It is objectively verifiable, it is entertaining and allows people to pursue charitable fundraising within a framework.  Using the above logic please let me know if you would recognise "Cycling - women's 1-hour unpaced standing start dressed as a playing card"? You already recognise "Cycling - women's 1-hour unpaced standing start". And you recognise "Fastest marathon dressed as a playing card (female)". You also recognise fastest marathons dressed as Roman soldiers, book characters, bottles, vegetables, etc, etc.  If you would not recognise "Cycling - women's 1-hour unpaced standing start dressed as a vegetable", why would you not? And if you would recognise the latter, why would you not recognise "Cycling - men's 1-hour unpaced standing start riding a Raleigh Chopper"?  I look forward to hearing from you. In the meantime I will be interviewed on BBC Radio Berkshire by Paul Ross this Saturday morning at 9.10am. It would be very beneficial to everyone concerned if I am able to say that Guinness World Records has approved the record and, if not, to be able to explain why not.  

Kind regards D M Richardson 

I have now received the contact details of someone else at GWR and will continue to pursue recognition.