World's fastest bicycles: Charlie Ollinger 56.64 mph (91.15 kph)

World's fastest bicycles at the WHPSC World Human Powered Speed Challenge held on Highway 305 south of Battle Mountain, Nevada in October 2005. 14-year old Charlie Ollinger an American junior athlete from Ohio pedals the M5 Number 8 fairing, built by Bram Moens & Derk Thijs of the Netherlands to a speed of 56.64 mph. It is a two-wheeled vehicle with carbon fiber fairing, rear wheel drive, and components that you would typically find on a bicycle.

The rider sits and pedals in a recumbent or reclining seat position to make the frontal area of the vehicle smaller and hence more aerodynamic. Charlie became the second fastest junior-aged (under 18 years old) rider in the world at this event. You can hear him groaning a bit, even through the vehicles thin shell as he passes by. Earlier in the week, he went 57.7 mph on another run. Only 16-year old Mackie Martin in another vehicle, the Virtual Rush, had gone faster. Charlie's dad, Thom is following in the van visible at the end of the video clip.

Riders have 5.5 miles to build up speed, the course is flat, and there is no drafting of another vehicle allowed during the competition. Wind speed was less than 2 m/s during this run so there are no strong tailwinds to push the riders along. These high speeds are due to strong human power and a very good aerodynamic design for the vehicle. I filmed this video from the timing area near the final stretch where he was at his near maximum speed.
Last year's event website: http://www.wisil.recumbents.com/wisil/whpsc2007/speedchallenge-2007.htm

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• worlds
• fastest
• bicycles
• recumbents
• HPVs
• human
• powered
• vehicles
• racing

[MASE988]

i did 70mph being pooled by my friends car i was on a trek road bike and held on to the mirror.

[UprightMike]

One world - Crazy!

[tori25260]

wow!!!! thats fast!!!! :)

[flashman7]

i made 70 km/h in my bicycle

[tehtud2008]

but what is the speed record with a REAL bicycle? not custom made

[caffeine43534]

gees wow i can not go up to over 50 mph

[SoftballStorm08]

I know Charlie! Woo! Go Charlie!!!!!!

[jaggass]

i said downhill

[skabaconska]

yeah not on flat dildo!

[natali601]

i did 33mph on a cheap mtb