Speed Speed Speed
I organized a speed attempt on the CERAM track (North of Paris) and I am happy to announce that Francesco Russo has the new Swiss record with 75.1Km/h. (check his blog).
I crashed 3 times after bad launching but we finally found how to do it properly. I managed to complete my first hour in a fully faired recumbent at 49.95Km. The new canopy helps a lot to control the bike and the riding position is far better. (pictures soon) This is just a few Km/h faster than what I can do on a normal recumbent but I had no training what so ever because I was sick for six month after Paris Brest Paris. I started at 63Km/h then my speed was stable between 56 and 58Km/h for a few minutes then my legs said they had enough.(speed went down to 42Km/h with head wind) I talked to them (please please, let me finish, no stiffness please... etc...)and they said OK for 15 minutes then we get out. I finished the last few laps at 48-51Km/h and I just missed the 50Km mark by a few meters.
After Francesco's attempt, I tried the 200m sprint but my chain derailled twice and the rain reduced my visibility. I had to wipe the screen with one hand all the time while pedaling. My top speed was 67Km/h and I was just starting pushing hard when the chain derailed. I will now search for a quiet road to see if I can exceed 80Km/h.
Riding in a fully faired bike requires a lot of experience and hours to find the maximum performance. I am very far from Francesco or Damjan but I will try again and my only goal is to set a decent French speed record.
Zockra Speed bike with new canopy.
Ellen starts her 100Km attempt. (she had a slow puncture and stopped after 58minutes)
Close up on Ellen, well supported by ELAN experienced Team.
I went into the Varna fairing to check how small it is and I am now sure that my bigger fairing is better for learning. I was tight on the shoulders but the rest looked acceptable. Hans Wessel then let me fit in the White Hawk and it looks like a bus inside. Thank you to let me try and don't scare me again!
I crashed 3 times after bad launching but we finally found how to do it properly. I managed to complete my first hour in a fully faired recumbent at 49.95Km. The new canopy helps a lot to control the bike and the riding position is far better. (pictures soon) This is just a few Km/h faster than what I can do on a normal recumbent but I had no training what so ever because I was sick for six month after Paris Brest Paris. I started at 63Km/h then my speed was stable between 56 and 58Km/h for a few minutes then my legs said they had enough.(speed went down to 42Km/h with head wind) I talked to them (please please, let me finish, no stiffness please... etc...)and they said OK for 15 minutes then we get out. I finished the last few laps at 48-51Km/h and I just missed the 50Km mark by a few meters.
After Francesco's attempt, I tried the 200m sprint but my chain derailled twice and the rain reduced my visibility. I had to wipe the screen with one hand all the time while pedaling. My top speed was 67Km/h and I was just starting pushing hard when the chain derailed. I will now search for a quiet road to see if I can exceed 80Km/h.
Riding in a fully faired bike requires a lot of experience and hours to find the maximum performance. I am very far from Francesco or Damjan but I will try again and my only goal is to set a decent French speed record.
Zockra Speed bike with new canopy.
Ellen starts her 100Km attempt. (she had a slow puncture and stopped after 58minutes)
Close up on Ellen, well supported by ELAN experienced Team.
I went into the Varna fairing to check how small it is and I am now sure that my bigger fairing is better for learning. I was tight on the shoulders but the rest looked acceptable. Hans Wessel then let me fit in the White Hawk and it looks like a bus inside. Thank you to let me try and don't scare me again!
posted by Speedy at 7:20 PM
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