Chasing a Recumbent Shell Velomobile Bike in Downtown Vancouver

[Phillyche3secak3]

It's called a "velomobile" you can buy them off bluevelo

[Wrenchbender412i]

That is really cool. It looks like a Gee Bee airplane from the 1930's without the wings

[scrillah81]

What did he say? Top speed 47? I couldn't understand because he was too far from the camera and background noise.

[venpresath]

@scrillah81 That's what I heard too... either that or 14

[gag75]

ZOOM

[hedleythorne]

I would imagine 40kph is easy in a recumbent. On my standard carbon racing bike I cruise at 35 on the flat and can accelerate to 50 when required.

[SingJiya]

Thats a ggod idea, till he gets hit by a truck going 80

[Weaseltube]

@SingJiya Not a good idea to get hit by a truck going 80 regardless of the vehicle you're in. Well, maybe a tank, I dunno.

[c33r0k33]

What is the velo model or brand?

[laurentde82]

@c33r0k33 It's a WAW. It's made in Belgium. Go look around at fietser.be.

[505197]

I don't like it's lowness to the ground, I live it's aerodymanics though. I've been daydreaming about an aero velo powered by a small engine, I'm too damn old to pump pedals anymore, not for all my power anyway. I'd miss the higher normal style of riding, I don't care for low motorcycles and my Honda Helix is too low for my comfort. I normally ride like a dirt bike, I had a Beemer GS and they will spoil you. I need to replace my stolen bike, my old butt could use the exercise.

[alexmillar]

@505197 why dont u like lowness? shouldnt it be safer?

[505197]

@alexmillar I don't like them from the stanpoint of seeing and being seen, they are visable enough for me.

[LibertaerUeberAlles]

A dildo on wheels!

[experimental0000]

nice vid. he must've gotten pretty fast to have you work that hard to keep up but you did great :) it's too bad those might not work well for your job as a courier/messenger though.

[hagenar]

Living in Holland, I see these things all the time while out riding. I can assure you that they can do well over 40kph.

Undraftable too.

[stopglobalswarming]

If you give a lot of money for a bike/HPV, and you are happy and healthy, think of what you save in healthcare costs and retirement living costs. Plus, think of the social benefits. I meet my best friends on bikes.

[stopglobalswarming]

I have seen some recumbent bicycles in America with fabric fairings. If they are made of the right fabric with good bracing, they are effective and lightweight.

[bulletproofcourier]

@stopglobalswarming  Good idea, every ounce counts!

[experimental0000]

@bulletproofcourier no kidding. those things look heavy. it just sucks they're also really expensive too, nice work keeping up with it.

[upcycle]

@stopglobalswarming got more info on the fabric farings bikes in USA (or anywhere) and which fabrics u recommend as the best for the fairnngs?

[stopglobalswarming]

@upcycle I don't know much about the trikes like this, but there are Lightning rbnts and Rans which sell fairings. A website called zzipper commmmmm has lexan fairings to fit upright and rbnt bikes. There is a fabric and aluminum tube product called Tailsock which can go on rbnt. tadpole trikes. Its just for the back though.

[stopglobalswarming]

Added to playlist Bicycle Helmet Cam. 5/5

[bulletproofcourier]

@stopglobalswarming Thanks! :)

[garcibus]

wow... thumbs up for driving a vmb downtown... 

[emforty2]

basically the "future" of human transportation was invented in the "past" [100 years ago] and has evolved as we call int now VELOMOBILE

[bulletproofcourier]

@emforty2 Yes, I agree!

[rutgermsc]

Drive? Ride, that is. It's still a bike. :)

[charlesdyfis]

Rutger - for folks who practice vehicular cycling, "drive" is the correct term even for a bicycle.

[rutgermsc]

Thanks Charles, didn't know!

[wildblue2]

so tight...

[walkingturnip]

Waw!

[perez79]

wow

great

[lsmike]

Cool! You'd be a bit faster still without the flag, I'm sure that must rob you at least 5km/hour.

[gsand88]

we used to race these with hybrid electric power for a 24 hour race here in Australia. Top speed was around 90kmh via on board computer.

I have some video around somewhere and lots of pictures.

Great fun

[bulletproofcourier]

Like the movie, Racing the Sun?

[gsand88]

No, exactly like the bike in this video but fitted with 200W brushless motor (200w max as per rules) with a pair of 12V deep-cycle batteries. Batteries changed over with every rider change.

Found my video tapes from the races, just need to get aroound to some editing.

I'll keep you posted.

[bowenbuoy]

cars of the future?

[moonbeamnumber1]

Just checked this one out - amazing machine!

[HIVancouverDowntown]

Actually after about the first 10 seconds of video I was coasting (it was downhill), but it will cruise at 35-40 km/h on the flat pretty easily. You were faster than me! You passed me then circled around and caught up with me after I turned. On equal bikes I'm sure you'd clean my clock!

[bulletproofcourier]

Indeed I sometimes go the extra mile to film a good shot.

[BeretCyclist]

Where could i get a bike like that?

[bteeuwen]

they are about 5 - 7 grand, there is a company in van that makes them.

[royalwww]

7,000 dollars, no way!!

[deezynar]

@HIVancouverDowntown

I know a guy who has a velo and he says he's not very fast, it's the machine. I just laugh. Almost everybody rides near their cruising limit most of the time, so the required energy output is the same regardless. You guys just go faster for the same output, but you also get the same quality workout. My friend is an animal, truth be told, and fast on whatever he rides.

You have an awesome machine. Enjoy.

[HIVancouverDowntown]

Hey, that's me! :)

[VanMessenger2010]

Nice chase BP and I like how you videos are available in high quality now.