The Snow Bike of All Snow Bikes (if we actually had any snow)

I always thought the Surly Pugsley was the snow bike to end all discussions but this thing, designed to traverse Antarctica looks pretty unstoppable.  Although I have to wonder if that little rear derailleur is going to make it.  It sure looks flimsy compared to the rest of this beast.  Full story here:

Excerpt:

Snowdrifts, blizzards, rutted ice, altitude sickness, frostbite and snow blindness. They're hardly the odd speed bump, tree root or wayward pedestrian a cyclist usually faces on a bike ride, but this isn't an average journey. 

Blue Peter presenter Helen Skelton is hoping to become the first person to use a bike to reach the South Pole. She is attempting to travel 500 miles (805km) across Antarctica and will cycle for large parts of it, as well as snowkiting and walking. She hopes to complete the trek for Sport Relief in 20 days. 

At this time of year, the average temperature in Antarctica is -25C, but can drop to -50C. Severe coastal winds come from cold air flowing down off the interior ice sheet. Wind speeds can reach up to 125mph (201km/h) and average about 80mph.

The challenge

Trek starts at 83 degrees south
Will cover 500 miles (805km) to reach South Pole
Will be travelling for up to 14 hours a day
Will cover anything from eight to 40 miles (13 to 64km) a day
Will have to climb to altitudes of 3,000m (9,840ft)
Will burn up to 10,000 calories a day 

In addition, she will be dragging 12.9st (82kg) of equipment and supplies behind her on a sledge. 

It's no average ride and she is not using your average bike. The specially-built Hanebrink "ice bike" took designers in Los Angeles three months to finish. Dan Hanebrink and Kane Fortune have been building all-terrain hybrid bikes that can be used in all environments for many years.