12-Hour UMCA record on Cruzbike Silvio recumbent bicycle

Maria Parker, 46, sets the UMCA women's world record for the 100 mile, 200 mile, and 12-hour ride (241 miles / 387 km), surpassing Nancy Raposo's 1992 distance set with a road bike. Records are now certified by the UMCA. Public road 20 mile loop course, no drafting. 100 mile: 4:47:56. 200 mile: 9:55:34.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• endurance bicycling recumbent
• cruzbike
• silvio
• world record
• 100 mile
• 200 mile

[yonifarfan1]

I'm interested to know what are the advantages of a traction system (such as Maria's bike) compared to the more typical propulsion systems found on most recumbents. Weight (shorter chain)?

[Cruzing08]

@yonifarfan1 The Cruzbike Silvio that Maria rode here uses the same drive system as a standard road bike, the key to its efficiency being containment in a small rigid tetrahedron, just like a road bike. Thus, not only is the chain shorter and lighter than on other recumbents, but there is less loss of power to chain idlers,chain guards, chain stretch, and frame flex. She can also use full size (700c) wheels. Most other recumbents can't.

[yonifarfan1]

@Cruzing08 Thanks for your detailed answer: the triangle formed by the steer wheel, the front wheel axis and the pedals is just like the back part of a normal bike. I guess that the driver can use his hands to "push" forward just like in a normal bike. I still have 2 qtions: if the front wheel and pedals moves with the steer wheel, does it make this bent harder to drive? How does such a FWD bent behaves uphill?

[Cruzing08]

@yonifarfan1 Learning to ride any recumbent for the first time is easy for some and difficult for others. Once you learn, it is easy to ride. Cruzbike hill climbing is faster with use of leverage from upper body just like a road bike.

[martingrau98]

Did she change out the bike or the wheelset during the day? And does that affect the record attempt? just wondering.

[Cruzing08]

She changed bikes once, at about mile 125, after she fell. The bike had minor damage and you can see see in the video where Maria got scraped up.  She was more comfortable on the second bike, without the wheel covers. Changing bikes is allowed by UMCA rules.

[ap0lmc]

I just wonder what a Tour De France rider can do on this bike and if it allowed in a Tour De France race.

[foxnad]

congrats... very nice,, i love the bikes too

[pablo197610]

very good , impresionante performance , what is velocity promedio?

[jayandersons]

nice and fast

[opium1982]

The level or endurance this woman has displayed is superhuman, Kudos Ms.Parker.

[cdltpx]

Marvelous athelete.