Originally Posted by
GrayJay
I recently read that briefly around 1890, before internal combustions engins became sufficiently powerfull and reliable, track racing bicycles actually held the world speed record as the fastest vehicle, definitly cutting edge tech for the day.
Prior to internal combustion and improved trains, the fastest vehicle on earth was a tandem bicycle and although I cannot find the reference right now, I believe the distance ridden to test this was 800 miles.
By the turn of the century passenger trains were able to sustain straight run speeds of 70 mph with average speeds being in the 40's... prior to super heated steam engines the average train plodded along at an average of 20 mph.