Bike Racer Hits 100 m.p.h. To Set New World’s Record (Jun, 1935)
Bike Racer Hits 100 m.p.h. To Set New World’s Record
ANEW world’s record was established in Los Angeles recently when Frank Bartell, veteran six-day bike racer, pedaling behind a streamlined windshield fastened to the rear of a fast-traveling car, skimmed over a one-mile course at an average speed of 80.5 m. p. h. Beating the previous record by more than four miles, 33-year-old Bartell was confident that he soon would surpass his present time.
The mile straightaway course was laid out on a concrete boulevard. Both auto and cylist passed over the finish line at 90 m. p. h. and were said to be doing 100 m.p. h. before they slowed down.
I wonder how he was able to ride blind like that, especially at that speed?
Comment by Rick Auricchio — January 15, 2008 @ 5:32 pm
He’d just have to trust the driver of the car.
Comment by nlpnt — January 15, 2008 @ 7:32 pm
What do you mean? He just lined up with the wind screen. The driver was the only one that had to watch where he was going.
On another note, it seems that the record setting bike wound up in a shop in Washington State http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/.....index.html
Comment by Firebrand38 — January 15, 2008 @ 7:35 pm
I meant to include the shop’s website http://www.classiccycleus.com/vintage/index.html
Comment by Firebrand38 — January 15, 2008 @ 7:38 pm
I cannot imagine doing 100 mph in cycling shorts and a leather hairnet!
The current record stands at 166.9 mph: http://www.teammccallusa.com/history.html
Comment by Randy — January 15, 2008 @ 9:38 pm
I knew the guy who set the record at 145 mph, John Howard, former US cycling champion.
His pace car was specially built so one person steered and one controlled the throttle. The throttle man faced backwards toward the rider, and adjusted the speed to keep him at the proper distance. The gear the rider used was so high that they had to tow him to 60 mph before he could turn the cranks fast enough to have effect.
Comment by Repack Rider — January 19, 2008 @ 5:42 pm
My friend Philbert Trensalvanian, a fellow Czech, just biked 85.4385 mph behind a turbocharged inline six four wheel drive cargo van.
Comment by Gregarious Johnstonian — January 30, 2008 @ 12:38 am
I am a fellow Checker. What you may not realize is our secret concerning the windscreen. Inside of the rear of the motorcar is a very large shaft driven vacuum cleaner that sucks the biker close to the car,..all the biker need do is give the appearance of hard pedaling and apply the brakes accordingly to keep from getting sucked up.
Comment by Tomithia Jonzechknia — January 30, 2008 @ 7:59 am
I forgot my fellow Cszcheck Pilbert, was indeed behind a shaft driven, fuel injected, turbocharged, 300ci inline six, four wheel drive cargo van with locking hubs, three shifters, three fuel pumps, and German WWII headlight shades to prevent detection.
Due the the extreme humility of Mr. Philbert, the record was set without observation lest it be discovered and his head swell with pride.
Comment by Gregarious Johnstonian — January 30, 2008 @ 8:36 am
Screw thee Tomithia…You are just envious because your turbocharged minivan blew the hell up
Comment by Philbert Trensalvanian — January 30, 2008 @ 11:24 am