Author: oliverspies

More than 6,000 km are finished

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Michaelis Strasser has finished half of his world record bid to conquer Africa from Cairo to Cape Town within 38 days. He is now crossing Tanzania and is still on the run for the world record. Vienna / Lower Austria / Burgenland / Africa. “We have been following Michael half way through Africa now and watching him, we get the feeling that his will is still growing stronger from day to day.”, Ingrid Kiselka and Chris Wisser admit. Imagining that Michael is on his bike 300 – 400 kilometers per day for more than three weeks now, he already deserves highest respect. Certainly there are physical and mental side effects. “Pain is my constant companion. Still, I keep on rolling, because I know the current record holders increased the pace in the southern parts of Africa. ”, Michael Strasser states. He is not relying on the 2,5 days lead which he has already gained. After more than 6,000 kilometers he is now crossing his 5th country Tanzania. Monsoon season in Tanzania After a dry and …

Physically and mentally on the edge

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Michael Strasser has already finished 4,500 kilometers and is still on track to beat the world record. After getting through Ethiopia, he is now pedaling through Kenya. Vienna / Lower Austria / Burgenland / Africa. Michal Strasser started his world record chase on 30th January this year and is still fighting more than 15 hours a day on his bike to proceed in time. After crossing Egypt and Sudan, he was confronted with steep mountain stages in Ethiopia, which is probably better known for its delicious good morning coffee beans. His earlier training in the Austrian Alps was paying off very well. 47 midday degrees are much different to the climate in middle Europe though. Until now Michael Strasser has covered 270 kilometers at 4,000 meters altitude on average per day – an extraordinary challenge, which makes it almost impossible to proceed at a high pace. Still two days ahead of schedule The progress of his project is quite impressive. Michael Strasser is still two days ahead of the current world record. “I keep on …

2 days ahead of the current world record

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Michael Strasser is riding his bike more than 18 hours each day fighting difficult road conditions, gusty winds and the heat of the African savannah. Vienna / Lower Austria / Burgenland / Africa. Everybody knew the challenge to beat the world record would be strenuous. The race started more than a week ago and Michael Strasser courageously cycled through Egypt and Sudan. “The corrugations of the road surface make it almost impossible to proceed in speed. I have to slow down und accelerate repeatedly”, says Michael Strasser describing the circumstances during a short break in Sudan. Moreover, he is battling against a constant companion, strong headwinds. But his focus is on the target to finish faster than the current record holder (38 days). On the 7th race day he had already completed 2,367 kilometers (5th February, 8 pm) of his 11,500 km. In order to keep up with this pace and to withstand the huge physical struggle, he has to consume at least 15,000 calories per day. His daily menu consists of salted rice and …

32-year old architect enjoys cycling to his limits

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KURIER, Austrian newspaper (> 600,000 readers) www.kurier.at , 2015/07/17 32-year old architect enjoys cycling to his limits Michael Strasser is the winner of the Austria eXtreme Triathlon 2015. Now he is approaching his next challenge in Africa. “There are many things in life which are more important than sports“ says the ultra-sports man Michael Strasser, who is actually spending the majority of his day doing sports. Born in Styria (Trautmannsdorf, Bezirk Bruck/Leitha), he is now living in Vienna, has an educational background in architecture and has worked several years in the carpenter business. Hence it is no wonder that he customized his own bike cabinet. Others go with a shoe rack in the entrance room, Michael set up his inhouse bike storage. However, first and foremost, he is a passionate triathlete who is looking for the extreme borderline. In June this year he conquered his limits and finished the Dachstein Triathlon as winner: 3.8 km swimming, partly upstream, water temperature 14 °C, 3,600 altitude difference, 186 km biking, 44 km running, 1,800 altitude difference. Certainly …

Cairo 2 Cape

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CAIRO2CAPE – A world record to be settled 1 cyclist, 11,500 km, <38 days – from Cairo to Capetown Michael Strasser takes on the challenge to realize his charity dream. He is a passionate athlete, who benefits most from the charming borderline between passion and obsession. It is his comfort zone, where others stretch to their limits. Moreover, he is able to get the best out of his personal performance in extraordinary situations. Michael Strasser is only 32 years old and has already participated in 12 Ironman events as well as several long term bike projects (e.g. Race Across Russia – World Record 2013). As one of Austria’s most talented ultra sport athletes he feels privileged to work on his own master project in Africa – a continent which is both fascinating and intimidating in different ways. The mission is possible and follows the one & only target: 11,500km, less than 38 days, by bike, one cyclist. Watch out Cairo, Capetown is in Michael Strasser’s view! It is not only a challenge to conquer this …