World's Fastest Cyclist Hits 82.3 MPH

[krispos42]

World's Fastest Cyclist Hits 82.3 MPH
By Chuck Squatriglia September 25, 2008 | 4:07:23 PM

Sam Whittingham is the fastest cyclist on the planet, having pedaled his sleek recumbent bicycle to a stunning 82.3 mph to claim the world record for a human-powered vehicle.

The bike-builder from British Columbia bested his previous record of 81.02 mph during a picture-perfect run through the desert during the World Human Powered Speed Challenge outside Battle Mountain, Nevada.

"On the one hand, it's terrifying, but also completely exhilarating, Whittingham, who's won the competition every year since its inception six years ago, told the Vancouver Sun after taking home the $26,748 deciMach Prize for Human-Powered Speed. "It's like going down the steepest hill you can find on your bike, but you get to do that all the time."

Except Whittingham's bike is nothing like your bike.

Whittingham, who runs Naked Bicycle and Design, set the record on (in?) the Varna Diablo III, a sleek teardrop-shaped recumbent designed and built by bike designer Georgi Georgiev. It features carbon fiber wheels and a carbon frame wrapped with Kevlar bodywork.

<more>

http://blog.wired.com/cars/2008/09/worlds-fastest.html

Holy shit! My first car didn't go that fast!

:woohoo:

[CrispyQ]

1. This is so cool! Thanks for posting! --nt

[rucky]

2. Must Read

[CatholicEdHead]

3. Going 82 ont the flats is better than 40-45mph on a road bike downhill

I always worry about blowing tires going downhill, that will really hurt.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

4. There's a guy in Oregon...

has this four person recumbent pedal powered doohickey he claims has gotten over 100 mph.

The secret's in the transmission, apparently.