Human-Powered Vehicle Speed Competition

nsasch writes "Over at Battle Mountain, NV on SR-305, for the 2008 Battle Mountain World Human Powered Speed Challenge (mirror), some of the best cyclists will be competing in human-powered vehicles to break speed records. The current world record was set in 2002 at the same location with a speed of 129.6 km/h (81 mph) by Sam Whittingham in a custom-made recumbent bike. A lot of advanced aerospace engineering goes into these machines to reach highway speeds on less than one horsepower. Take a look around their site for pictures of the event and this year's records. It ends 20 September, so more pictures and results will be coming."

The top contender

[Ethanol-fueled]

This [wikipedia.org] is the pinnacle of human-powered vehicle evolution. Here are some features:

- Compact, lightweight frame cuts down on weight and complexity while adding strength.
- Unique wheel placement and design ensures maximum power transwer to drive wheel while reducing drag caused by friction stemming from contact surface area.
- Portability - it's like owning a segway that you can hand-carry into the store!
- Ability to self-balance while occupied, without the use of a kickstand, leg, or tripod.
- It's like walking on a wheel and it makes the Segway its bitch.

Re:Breaking Away.

[truthsearch]

The cop (also riding a bike) could put a red light on his helmet and ring his bicycle bell as a siren... *ching ching* *ching ching*

Very intimidating...

And where would he put the suspect after he's caught, in the basket?

This is what happens

[longacre]

This is the mountain bike speed record being broken [youtube.com]. Spoiler alert: it doesn't end well for the vehicle or the human.

Damn

[Daimanta]

There goes my plan for a hamster powered car entering the race.

Human Powered?

[JayAitch]

Was I the only one thinking the article was about making Bio-diesel from Liposuction Clinic's waste?

Re:Human-Powered, eh?

[OldMiner]

...would it be safe to assume that Human-Powered could also mean Human-Fueled?

Killing people to use their corpses as fuel for your Roadster of Doom may run awry of the "no necromancy or angering the spirits of the dead" rule.

Re:Holy *$&!

[Nadaka]

I've done over 35 on a crappy wal-mart bike on a strait level road. Unfortunately there was a pile of wet leaves I didn't notice till it was too late. Time really does seem to slow down when it feels like you are about to die. It felt like forever for the bike to flip over and land on my head while I used my face to brake in the gravel and dirt on the side of the road. It didn't really hurt until they started sewing my ear back on.