|
My Eddington Number is 71. What's yours?
Puzzled? It's quite simple really. Arthur Eddington took long cycle tours every year which he carefully measured on a map. He was looking for a way to measure the achievements of long distance cyclists. His numerical mind came up with the concept N where N is the number of rides done of N miles or more.
Simple - yes. But it does get progressively difficult. I have to do 5 more rides of 72 or more to get up a notch. And, for me, its another 70 imperial centuries to become an Eddington Centurion. So if I did a century ride every month winter and summer - it would take me almost 6 years to reach the magic goal.
I don't think I'll make it in my lifetime but I will try!
What's the practical way to work out yours? Do you, like me record them and can use a spreadsheet to list them in descending order to where the line number matches the distance?
Perhaps not but do you use Strava? Then its simple. There is a website that will work it out automatically for you here: https://swinny.net/Strava/-4691-My-Strava-Eddington-Number
Regular Audaxers do achieve125 (= 200 km). Very few beat 150. That's 150 rides of 150 miles in your lifetime!
Is it easier to get a better Eddington Metric Number? Sharp eyed folks will have spotted that column B is the metric distance (km). My EMN is 106. A bigger number but a shorter distance. Is your brain hurting yet?
BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND
In 1914 it was August 3rd. The day before World War 1 began. A few hundred yards from Denvies where we were Tuesday across the Dorking Road is the Pixham Cricket Ground. Dorking was hosting the annual day of ‘Athletic’ Sports. ‘Athletics’ then included cycling and events included locals-only races (for members of the Old Paulonians’ Cycling Club), open races, and one and five mile Surrey County Championship races.
Here is a picture of the Old Paulonians Cycling Club who took part. How many of them saw peace again?
|
