Picking up on bosab’s wondering “Maybe a super in shape biker can go longer.”
That’s what I thought! I may not be “super in-shape” but long distance cycling, randonneuring is my thing. I do a ride of 6 hours or more most weeks of the year and hope to qualify for Paris Brest Paris (780 miles in 84 hours, Sunday to Wednesday) again this summer.
I expected pedalling to be my super power but my performance in strong headwinds is no better than those cited above. In 2016 Bacon, Waterdawg and I spent all day tacking across Gullivan Bay making about 35 miles in ten hours sailing, pedalling to keep the bows pointed into the wind and waves. We intersected on most tacks.
Physically a cycling background doesn’t seem to be a magic bullet. Mentally it maybe helps a little because I look forward to the pedalling. I tell myself it’s pre-season training, whereas others I know treat the pedals as a last resort. But basically I just go sideways a little faster and for longer.