Sam Whittingham breaks world record

Canadian rider Sam Whittingham rides the Varna Diablo III to a world record speed of 82.3 mph (132.5 km/h) at Battle Mountain Nevada in September 2008.

Camera: Earl Cassorla, Chris Keam

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• cycling
• recumbent
• hpv
• battle
• mountain
• world
• human
• powered
• speed
• challenge
• georgi
• georgiev
• bicycles

[BikerCK]

Because it's very hot in the desert and clothing that's cool and suited for cycling just makes sense. Not sure why being inside the bike makes a difference, but thanks for checking out the video. Perhaps you can elaborate on your comment?

[micheals1992]

how fast would these bikes be able to cruise at?

[BikerCK]

@micheals1992

The current one hour records:

Speed Rider HPV

56.295 mph, 90.598 kph, Sam Whittingham , Varna Tempest

52.208 mph, 84.020 kph, Barbara Buatois, Varna Tempest

current 24 hour record:

26.98 mph 43.42 kph Greg Kolodziejzyk, Critical Power

for a complete list visit the IHPVA (International Human Powered Vehicle Association) website. I'd include the link but it seems Youtube won't let me post it.

cheers,

BikerCK

[rokambur]

I am so proud of the Bulgarian Georgi Georgiev, who designed VARNA III and named it on the most beautiful Bulgarian city. Congratulations Sam and Georgi! That's really amazing!

[clsleamington]

Totally amazing but doesn't transfer to camera well!

[edwardreid]

I read about this in a bicycling history book and I believe Oscar was retired at that point, Streamlining fairing bikes have been around since 1916 but the ICU banned them in the early 60's because of that unofficial race anyway. The point is really, that the ICU was stupid. What glorious events would have been possible if recumbents streamlined or not were in olympic racing for the last 45 years leading up to today? Riders would be protected with body vehicles much better and the speeds faster.

[JJ62]

@edwardreid Oscar Egg set his records between 1912 and 1914!

[edwardreid]

ColdfireNightfire, Oscar was a bike racer who made a bodyshelled bike and raced the german team in an un official race and beat them easily. The officials saw this and banned streamlined vehicles from the olympic races forever. This happened in I believe 1960. The IHPVA was started in the late 70s as an answer to the short sightedness of the icu.

[ColdfireNightfire]

@edwardreid Sorry about the COPD , I have the same. Who is Oscar Egg ? What happened ?

[tecnocato]

0:48 ...that's when you know he is going really fast.

[HumanRightsVideosT]

@ BikerCK

If businesses, governments and environmental organisations (such as Green parties and Greenpeace) can be shown the potential of fast bikes perhaps they will provide more $ for development.

Have fast bikes undergone wind tunnel development ?

[HumanRightsVideosT]

@ BikerCK

The record for one hour standing start is now 91.5 km

Does ihpva. org contain a mix of downhill and flat circuit records ?

Are any HPV events held on flat courses ?

Has the IHPVA thought about showing the potential for fast bikes for commuting by having flying start 5km 10km 20km 40km or 30 minute records on flat courses where we can see the true potential of fast bikes ?



[HumanRightsVideosT]

@ 2MinitReview

In my dictionary a bicycle is "vehicle with 2 wheels, one in front of the other pedalled by rider".

If you know Graeme OBree can you ask him if he is interested in bikes that go really fast ?

[edwardreid]

drafting behind a car or train is nowhere like this!! I was a part of the early research on these bikes and I can tell you all-There is nothing like going fast inside these things!! Even at 59 yo.now, I could break 40 mph easily with these kind of bikes.

I have COPD too,so the efficency of this kind of vehicle is great. Also the safety factor is much better then any open recumbent or standard bicycle. Also, The ICU banned these vehicles because of Oscar Egg back in the early 60's