An Amusement & Diversion for The Genteel Cyclist. Daily.

Thursday, August 30, 2007

Another benefit of that queer fairing: It sure slides like a hockey puck!

Four students from the University of Missouri have spent the summer getting ready to try to break the collegiate human-powered landspeed record. (Try saying that 10 times in a row!) Naturally, their attempt at the 61 MPH mark will be staged in -- where else? -- Nevada, and it will involve a recumbent bike inside some sort of a clam shell.

And in honor of their efforts, we revisit this favorite old video of a similar attempt that probably resulted in a new collegiate record for human-powered skid across pavement.



Rumors of a research field trip to Burning Man cannot be confirmed, although there are hundreds of experts there on the subject of speed.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Godamn this is funny. I love how you can see the legs just pumpin like a couple pistons in a silk stocking and suddenly it's doing a tank slapper and low siding. Priceless how in the video of the photographer, who's running for his life, you can see the minivan nudge as he wedges his hockey puck under the front bumper.

Good find Hans!!!

ATTW said...

A little more rake in the fork will reduce the tank slap at speed...