New Old Question

In 1986, Floyd Beattie (from Ohio) took his brand new 45" Unicycle
Factory big wheel to the IHPVA championships in Indianapolis and got a
speed recording for their 200m speed trap. Unfortunately I don't
remember the times, but it came out to something in the neighborhood of
22-23 mph. That's official with the IHPVA, but unknown to Guinness. I
think the main "fast" unicycle records they keep track of are the 100
meter sprint.

Last I looked, that was 12.74 sec by Peter Rosendahl, done in 1992 or
so. Faster times have been done a Unicons and in Japan, though not
necessarily up to Guinness' standards. I held the previous record at
13.71, which was set at Unicon III in 1987.

Faster speeds are possible. Christian Hoverath of Bottrop, Germany
reportedly reached a speed of about 29mph during the European Unicycle
Tour. This was brief, and I think while going downhill, but was
witnessed by several top riders who seem to be pretty objective. I
believe them, and I know Christian was a great athlete, and in
exceptional shape for the tour. So I take this as the highest
"unofficial" speed ever attained on a unicycle under human power.

Now to make something official...

--
johnfoss

John Foss
Email: "jfoss" at "unicycling.com" -- www.unicycling.com
-----------------------------------------------

"pretty much every trail that we've done on the California or Moab Muni
weekends is an XC trail." -- Kris Holm, on XC from a North Shore point
of view
------------------------------------------------------------------------
johnfoss's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/832
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/64366

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

johnfoss said:

Last I looked, that was 12.74 sec by Peter Rosendahl, done in 1992 or
so.

[image: http://i12.tinypic.com/6cqhoxc.jpg]

Guinness Book 2001.

--
Borgschulze

'deviantART'
(http://borgschulze.deviantart.com/)'Gravity'
(http://videos.observedtrials.net/Gravity.wmv) is -not- the
issue.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Borgschulze's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/13501
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/64366

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

Thanks for the input! I plan to look into the IHPVA site tonight and
see if they publish any guidelines for attempts.

--
ag_streak
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ag_streak's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/15786
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/64366

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

Oops, forgot guidelines. When Floyd did his time in 1986 it was a 200m
speed trap which had to be done in both directions (to eliminate wind).
I don't know how much of a time limit there is between the two
attempts, but figure an hour or less.

For Guinness records, I think Guinness would actually like to start
getting their information from the IUF, but the IUF hasn't really "gone
public" with its World Records Committee so I'm not sure what the
status is.

Also I question the 18.74 mph mentioned for Peter Rosendahl's 100m
record. Since it's from a standing start, where did they calculate that
speed from? It sounds like it's in the ballpark though. Much slower and
you'll never fit within the time. Peter's record was done on a 24"
Miyata Deluxe with Miyata (blue/white) tire and 125mm IDOL cranks.

--
johnfoss

John Foss
Email: "jfoss" at "unicycling.com" -- www.unicycling.com
-----------------------------------------------

"pretty much every trail that we've done on the California or Moab Muni
weekends is an XC trail." -- Kris Holm, on XC from a North Shore point
of view
------------------------------------------------------------------------
johnfoss's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/832
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/64366

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

johnfoss said:

Also I question the 18.74 mph mentioned for Peter Rosendahl's 100m
record. Since it's from a standing start, where did they calculate that
speed from? It sounds like it's in the ballpark though.

That would be his _average__speed over the 100m.

18.4718108344 mph. (from my calculator)

--
skilewis74

Ride everywhere and never just ride anywhere. If you can ride where you
are going within a hour, do it, and if you can do a trick 50-75% of the
time do it along the way.
Parafrasing a pro skater when asked for advise to kids who wanted to
get much better and maybee turn pro one day.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
skilewis74's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/12404
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/64366

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

skilewis74 said:

That would be his _average__speed over the 100m.

18.4718108344 mph. (from my calculator)

Scary. That means his top speed was even higher! The best I ever managed
(according to a Cateye Solar mounted on the unicycle) was 17.5. I
suppose this could have been anywhere between 17.5 and 17.99 as it only
did halves. Plus the calibration could have been a bit off, but still
that's quite a difference!

--
johnfoss

John Foss
Email: "jfoss" at "unicycling.com" -- www.unicycling.com
-----------------------------------------------

"pretty much every trail that we've done on the California or Moab Muni
weekends is an XC trail." -- Kris Holm, on XC from a North Shore point
of view
------------------------------------------------------------------------
johnfoss's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/832
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/64366

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

John Foss,

Seeing how you are the guru of unicycles, I wanted to ask you if you
know where I can find information on (or the actual record) of the
longest distance recorded for a BC wheel ride? I can't seem to find
any site or anyone that knows. If you know or have an answer for me,
I'd be happy to hear! 🙂

--
joejumps4fun

~*Joey*
Clipless on a BC is asking for trouble.
Check out my videos and more at www.geocities.com/jneigh4
------------------------------------------------------------------------
joejumps4fun's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/12476
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/64366

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

I once coasted down a hill in a '65 econoline in South California with
the engine off, for 15 miles or so. Find that hill, and the record is
yours!🙂 I forget the name of the road, but it was all dry looking and
we were heading west.

--
feel the light
------------------------------------------------------------------------
feel the light's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/14551
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/64366

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

feel the light said:

I once coasted down a hill in a '65 econoline in South California with
the engine off, for 15 miles or so. Find that hill, and the record is
yours!🙂 I forget the name of the road, but it was all dry looking and
we were heading west.

Engine off? 😕 So you were on a motorcycle? :eek:
I'm talking about BC wheel! I just want to know who has the record for
the longest BC wheel ride. 😄

--
joejumps4fun

~*Joey*
Clipless on a BC is asking for trouble.
Check out my videos and more at www.geocities.com/jneigh4
------------------------------------------------------------------------
joejumps4fun's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/12476
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/64366

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

i don't believe that i have ever heard of a record for ANYTHING on a BC
wheel

and the whole IUF record thing is kind of lame. I can't set an official
record unless i go to some competition across the country? LAME

--
skrobo

Quoted message said:

<> Unicycle For Christ <><

'YOUneedtoTUBE MYTUBE' (http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=skroboskim)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
skrobo's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/12272
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/64366

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

He's saying, if you want the record, find that hill.

By Econoline, he means a van.

[image: http://www.westcoastfalcons.com/scff/visitors/poiry.JPG]

--
Borgschulze

'deviantART'
(http://borgschulze.deviantart.com/)'Gravity'
(http://videos.observedtrials.net/Gravity.wmv) is -not- the
issue.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Borgschulze's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/13501
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/64366

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

I'm not aware of any "official" records for BC wheels, and haven't even
heard of any unofficial ones for distance. It's like coasting on a
bike. Once you learn how, you're limited only by the hills you can
find. Or if you allow yourself a pair of ski poles (which I used to
use), you can ride anywhere. Enjoy!

In 1988 or so I did an unconfirmed "record" for downhill gliding at 0.8
miles. Same thing, you need a nice hill with no flat spots.

skrobo said:

and the whole IUF record thing is kind of lame. I can't set an official
record unless i go to some competition across the country? LAME

If you want to set an IUF record, you probably have to go to an IUF
competition. It might not be anywhere in your country. If you want to
set a world record you have to be on this planet. If you want to set a
Unicon record, you have to do it in a Unicon competition. For national
records, they might have to be at your national championships (USA
rules for the USA), or maybe that would be a NAUCC record. We don't
actually have national championships in the USA or Canada.

Did you think the IUF was lame because you have to prove your records
beyond a shadow of the doubt? Guinness is no less strict. Would you
expect anything less from somebody who beats your own records in the
future?

--
johnfoss

John Foss
Email: "jfoss" at "unicycling.com" -- www.unicycling.com
-----------------------------------------------

Man with broken collar bone say: "Have you checked your shoelaces
lately?"
------------------------------------------------------------------------
johnfoss's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/832
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/64366

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

Thanks everyone. Yeah, I was just wondering what the longest ride was
for a free-wheel. I guess that 0.8 glide would out-do any BC distance.
That must be better though, because you can use your foot to brake.
On BC, you can use your legs, but it's very difficult to do and
unconventional.

yeah, I agree, it is dumb that you have to go to a particular
competition to "set" a record. Maybe I should just get good at
flatland BC wheel riding and try to set a record. I'll have to try out
that ski pole thing...it must be hard because I need to keep my arms up
and symmetrical to stay on the BC...and moving!

Thanks everyonE! 🙂

--
joejumps4fun

~*Joey*
Clipless on a BC is asking for trouble.
Check out my videos and more at www.geocities.com/jneigh4
------------------------------------------------------------------------
joejumps4fun's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/12476
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/64366

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

That is a '65 econoline, mine was tan and van style, but that one looks
very good.

I was never one to shy away from encouraging someone else to be brave.
Not only would the Cali hill provide the longest BC ride, but also
surely one of the coolest uni You Tube vids, and the out right one
wheeled speed record perhaps.

See, the hill wasn't all down hill. To make it up the series of rises,
with the van in neutral, at times we were going maybe 80 MPH or so. It
was quite thrilling at the time, as the steering on the old van was a
bit loose. As I recall, courage and thrill seeking was in greater
supply then gas money at the time. The van would barely make it to the
crest of a rise, then no brakes unless it got to hairy. The speed would
carry us up the next hill, as the general trend was down.

Perhaps a BC with a brake would be advised. Perhaps you could be
sponsored by a motorcycle leathers company. If not, wear them anyway.

I don't think you will need to worry about official record sanctioning.
They will have to come to to your hill. The vid would stand on it's
own.🙂

--
feel the light
------------------------------------------------------------------------
feel the light's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/14551
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/64366

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

joejumps4fun said:

Thanks everyone. Yeah, I was just wondering what the longest ride was
for a free-wheel. I guess that 0.8 glide would out-do any BC distance.
That must be better though, because you can use your foot to brake.
On BC, you can use your legs, but it's very difficult to do and
unconventional.

yeah, I agree, it is dumb that you have to go to a particular
competition to "set" a record. Maybe I should just get good at
flatland BC wheel riding and try to set a record. I'll have to try out
that ski pole thing...it must be hard because I need to keep my arms up
and symmetrical to stay on the BC...and moving!

Thanks everyonE! 🙂

It's definitely possible to go further than 0.8 miles on a bc, like it
has been said it all depends on your hill because it isn't hard to just
stay on for a long time. If you have a slick tire and something wrapped
around your leg it isn't hard to control your speed with your leg
(unless you are going really fast and trying decelerate really
quickly).

--
Spencer Hochberg

'Bedford Unicycles' (http://BedfordUnicycles.ca)
www.unicycle.tv/channel/Spencermyspace.com/SpencerHochberg
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spencer Hochberg's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/12659
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/64366

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

Thankfully, someone will steal my great idea before I (cough) can get
around to trying it myself. 😉

How about making a BC wheel with a small motorcycle rim and spokes (for
strength). Then wrap lead around the rim, and balance it precisely. By
the time it hit 60 MPH the gyroscopic effect of such a heavy wheel
spinning so fast should make the platform much easier to balance then a
BC wheel usually is. Sort of like an inertial segway sort of balancing
effect.😎

--
feel the light
------------------------------------------------------------------------
feel the light's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/14551
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/64366

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com