Archive for September, 2009
Woman Attempts 12-hour World Record on New Front-Wheel-Drive Recumbent Bicycle
Maria riding Cruzbike Silvio recumbent
On October 10th, Maria Parker will be riding a Cruzbike recumbent bicycle for 12 hours in a race against the clock. Her goal is to ride over 220 miles on a 20-mile loop course on public roads near White Oak, NC. She is attempting to set the world record, which will be observed by Ultramarathon Cycling Association (UMCA) officials. This is the first attempt at the women’s record. The men’s record is 241.5 miles. No drafting is allowed.
Maria Parker, a 46 year-old mother of four, will be testing her endurance and a new front-wheel-drive recumbent bicycle as she attempts to set the world record in the 12-hour unfaired recumbent bicycle event on October 10th. She undertook this challenge after she not only won her first bicycle race in July, but set the course record . “I didn’t even know if I could ride for 12 hours,” she said, regarding her entry into the annual Saratoga 12-hour race held in New York, “but my bike was so fast and comfortable I was able to go much farther than I expected.” Parker completed 211 miles on the hilly course in Saratoga during the 12-hour race.
Maria Parker
Amphibian velomobile from Czech Republic
This vehicle is absolute surprise. Can you imagine amphibian velomobile? I have seen some amphibian bikes usualy with ugly look but this machine is so nice!
It is a homebuilt velomobile with linear pedaling, hydraulic steering with steering wheel (!) and electric assist. And the most interesteing thing is that it can be used as a boat!
On the web page www.esoteric-david.eu you can find some more pictures from the building process and above pictures also 6 links to great videos. The best one is here which shows the velomobile going into water.
We hope to come with more information soon.
Oh, I forget. The name of builder is David Buchwaldek
The rear part of czech amphibian velomobile which is probably the nicest amphibian human powered vehicle I have ever seen
3D visualisation of the amphibian velomobile called HEPAV
sharp nose of the HEPAV amphibian velomobile
amphibian velomobile from Jan Jan on Vimeo.
Where you can continue:
- Vaniczka home made streamliner
- Recumbent trike fairing
Recumbent lowracer creation from Slovenia
These few pictures and short text came from Peter Osterversnik from Slovenia. He is the only recumbent dealer there and he has a beautiful web pages www.udobnoposvetu.si
“I made this construction as a combination of Flevobike and Zockra MBB racer. The construction actually developed during the process, I did not do any drawings beforehand.
My wish was to create a construction that will allow me to build a light bike made of carbon. I do not like standard FWD bikes because of the chain problems, so I said I will make a MBB. As this principle fascinated me since I first saw it on the Czech meeting 3 years ago. I was never able to actually cycle with it though. Not even 10 meters…
This first prototype weight 16kg with everything on. There are some parts that could be made much lighter, so even the metal frame could be reduced in weight. I am still learning how to cycle with it. I can got a long distance, but not really relaxed yet. I will add a spring to the steering so that it will hold it in the center position. This way I will have to use force to put the steering to the side instead of holding it straight like I have to do now.
I think it will be a very good bike when it is finished. Construction seems ok. The fact alone, that I can actually cycle with it is a lot.”
