M
Martin Krieg
Guest
How often do most people here even see a HiWheel bicycle in action? Much
less see one going down hill? Since I am riding one a lot now (it
greatly increases my recumbent riding strength) and can't see myself the
few times I've been challenged by a worthy descent, even I have to admit
I've never been witness to such insanity. Nor do I do them fast as the
madly spinning pedals on that huge front wheel (a fixed gear) can force
a discordant wobble that is unnerving at best. Nor do I so with my feet
over the top of the handlebars as in let it all hang out.......
Ah, but 1984 TransAm HiWheel vet Jack Castor (SF to Boston in 44 days)
does. And a film crew was there to document this excitement in November
of 2001 on the south island of New Zealand as he rode the Otematata
Grade. Riding a Penny Farthing that was built in Christchurch, New
Zealand by Robin Willan, Jack is rumored to have reached 40 miles an
hour. In fact, in the film clip ahead, so that Jack does not run into
them, you can hear the videographer desperately imploring his driver to
go faster, in French, with the words, "More speed, more speed". When all
of a sudden Jack's tire rolls of the rim.
At six feet above the ground, his bike slides out. He hits the ground
so hard that his legs cannot hold him as the force of the collision
hammers him into the asphalt. In the slow motion version which amplifies
every action, he looks like a lifeless rag doll, as he bounces across
the road to a stop in the weed filled shoulder. I have never seen
anything like this before in my life. Out loud I exclaimed "WOW" in
disbelief. The fact that Jack survived with no more than cuts and
bruises and dislocated joints fully astounds me.
The following video takes a while to load, 3-7 minutes depending on the
speed of your connection and the time of day you access it. But I
guarantee it will be worth your time. I say click on the link. Open a
new browser window and attend to your other computer needs. If you have
the sound on, you can hear the clip when it begins to play as there is
music when it starts.
Here's the link: http://bikeroute.com/jacksCrashclip.avi
If HIWheels, the first bicycle, also called Penny Farthings, Boneshakers
or Ordinaries, interest you, take a look at our HiWheel page at:
http://bikeroute.com/HiWheeler
The above blog entry can be found at our bent blog at
http://www.bikeroute.com/Recumbents as
http://www.bikeroute.com/Recumbents/News/Archives/000066.html
--
54% of New York City households do not own cars
M A R T I N K R I E G : "Awake Again" Author
http://www.bikeroute.com/AwakeAgain
Bent Since '83, Car Free Since '89, '79 & '86 TransAms
Coma, Paralysis, Clinical Death Survivor
Can You Change it with Love?
N A T I O N A L B I C Y C L E G R E E N W A Y
less see one going down hill? Since I am riding one a lot now (it
greatly increases my recumbent riding strength) and can't see myself the
few times I've been challenged by a worthy descent, even I have to admit
I've never been witness to such insanity. Nor do I do them fast as the
madly spinning pedals on that huge front wheel (a fixed gear) can force
a discordant wobble that is unnerving at best. Nor do I so with my feet
over the top of the handlebars as in let it all hang out.......
Ah, but 1984 TransAm HiWheel vet Jack Castor (SF to Boston in 44 days)
does. And a film crew was there to document this excitement in November
of 2001 on the south island of New Zealand as he rode the Otematata
Grade. Riding a Penny Farthing that was built in Christchurch, New
Zealand by Robin Willan, Jack is rumored to have reached 40 miles an
hour. In fact, in the film clip ahead, so that Jack does not run into
them, you can hear the videographer desperately imploring his driver to
go faster, in French, with the words, "More speed, more speed". When all
of a sudden Jack's tire rolls of the rim.
At six feet above the ground, his bike slides out. He hits the ground
so hard that his legs cannot hold him as the force of the collision
hammers him into the asphalt. In the slow motion version which amplifies
every action, he looks like a lifeless rag doll, as he bounces across
the road to a stop in the weed filled shoulder. I have never seen
anything like this before in my life. Out loud I exclaimed "WOW" in
disbelief. The fact that Jack survived with no more than cuts and
bruises and dislocated joints fully astounds me.
The following video takes a while to load, 3-7 minutes depending on the
speed of your connection and the time of day you access it. But I
guarantee it will be worth your time. I say click on the link. Open a
new browser window and attend to your other computer needs. If you have
the sound on, you can hear the clip when it begins to play as there is
music when it starts.
Here's the link: http://bikeroute.com/jacksCrashclip.avi
If HIWheels, the first bicycle, also called Penny Farthings, Boneshakers
or Ordinaries, interest you, take a look at our HiWheel page at:
http://bikeroute.com/HiWheeler
The above blog entry can be found at our bent blog at
http://www.bikeroute.com/Recumbents as
http://www.bikeroute.com/Recumbents/News/Archives/000066.html
--
54% of New York City households do not own cars
M A R T I N K R I E G : "Awake Again" Author
http://www.bikeroute.com/AwakeAgain
Bent Since '83, Car Free Since '89, '79 & '86 TransAms
Coma, Paralysis, Clinical Death Survivor
Can You Change it with Love?
N A T I O N A L B I C Y C L E G R E E N W A Y
