Sept. 16, 2009

World Human Powered Speed Challenge_Records Fall in Battle Mountain

(Battle Mountain, NV) -- Cyclists from around the world are gathering this week on SR305 outside of Battle Mountain, Nevada for the 10th consecutive year to race on one of the straightest, flattest, and smoothest surfaces in the world. The 4,619ft (1,408m) altitude road allows riders an acceleration zone of over 4 miles, enabling them to reach their maximum velocity before being timed over a 200 meter distance. The section of the road being used was newly refinished this year with a smooth surface specially prepared for this event by the Nevada Department of Transportation and Frehner Construction Co.
Last year, Canadian cyclist Sam Whittingham pedaled his Varna Diablo III recumbent bike to a new world record speed of 82.3 mph (132 kph). Yesterday, Whittingham bested that mark with an 82.4 mph run for a new world record. Racing continues through Sept. 19.
“The human powered racers have been very pleased with this road surface final product,” said Kim Nelson, Executive Director of the Lander County Convention and Tourism Authority. “In preliminary and qualifying runs several personal bests have already been set.”
Lander County officials urged the highway department to go beyond the normal “chip and seal” resurfacing, urging a design that results in a super-smooth surface. The $3.8 million project – made possible through federal and a small amount of stimulus money -- would not only satisfy transportation needs, but also assist with economic development, tourism and marketing in the town of Battle Mountain.
The speed trials run through Sept. 19 and require a five mile stretch of highway. Riders, mostly in recumbent- style bikes surrounded by an aerodynamic shell, must get to speed pedaling huge gear rings. The energy expended usually allows just one pass per day, although Whittingham set his latest world record on his unprecedented second run in 2008.
Whittingham has become a household name in this little-known sport. He is a well-know custom bicycle builder -- Naked Bicycles based in Qudra Island, north of Vancouver. But since the 1990s he has ventured into the desert, employing the speed bullets designed by fellow Canadian Georgi Georgiev. The record meant a big pay day for Whittingham as he claimed the $26,748 prize as the first rider to break the deci-Mach barrier – one tenth the speed of sound.
There are several web sites and blogs to help you follow the race, here are some of those sites:

Results site: http://www.recumbents.com/WISIL/whpsc2009/speedchallenge-2009.htm
Blog site: http://www.recumbents.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2814
Sam Whittingham’s Blog: http://timetogetnaked.com/?p=2625
Sponsor Hydrive twitter: http://twitter.com/hydrive

To view Sam Whittingham’s record-breaking run log on to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQwpGLCAMm4
To find information on attending the Speed Challenge log on to:
http://www.battlemountaintourism.com/index.html

Official web sites:
www.ihpva.org
www.whpsc.org

Contact: Contact: Kim Nelson
(775) 635-1112
LCAT@BMNV.com