Fifty Plus (50+) - Rocket Bike

http://michaelbelfiore.com/files/u1/pickens_bike.jpg

Probably most of us have seen this pic. It's pretty cool. But it's a lot cooler when you know the story.

This bicycle is the predecessor of Burt Rutan's Spaceship One!!!! It was built by Tim Pickens. When Burt saw it, he felt he could trust anyone who was willing to be the test subject on their own rocket. So Tim Pickens became Rutan's rocket designer. There's more here. http://michaelbelfiore.com/excerpt

So not only the the bicycle the forerunner of the modern airplane, but it's the forerunner of the commercial spaceship! :D

Nice shoes!

No kickstand?

2 observations. How well would those rim brakes stop you? And if you did get stopped would you get impaled on the hb risers?

Looks like a fun ride anyway.

I'd like to see him try that on a fixie

I'd like to see him try that on a fixie

"Look ma, no legs!"

Ouch!

Interesting article.

That man looks like he might be a good candidate for Monkey Butt powder:rolleyes:

And in case you missed the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ms4YDCEwxkE

Interesting article.

That man looks like he might be a good candidate for Monkey Butt powder:rolleyes:

:eek: Yeah! That must be really hot back there!

Id go with more protective gear than that. Something ridiculous looking like football shoulderpads and hockey pants.

it's the forerunner of the commercial spaceship! :D

My trike was nicknamed "rocketship" making me fantasize about putting model airplane jets on, but if I went airborne- I would probably have a heart attack,and my vehicle could possibly become the forerunner of a portable coffin..... :eek:

countersTrike

Hurmp, I saw the coyote do that to catch the road runner many a year ago.

One thing he almost got right was the color. If he'd gone with a true white, he would have soared. :D

One thing he almost got right was the color. If he'd gone with a true white, he would have soared. :D

Actually he totally failed there. The scariest thing about the whole setup is that it was a Wal-Mart bike. Looks like a Next. That isn't white, it's chrome. :rolleyes:

That's the Alabama version of the rocket bike. Here's a similiar bike from the foothills of North Carolina, not quite as sophisticated.