Oh My
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2019
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From: Portland
Wow. She is either extremely brave or something else entirely. I did think it was quite interesting how relaxed her legs seemed to appear to be while she was reaching or at those incredible speeds. Amazing. Thanks for posting this.
#6
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From: Middle of da Mitten
Bikes: Trek 7500, RANS V-Rex, Optima Baron, Velokraft NoCom, M-5 Carbon Highracer, Bacchetta Quattro, Catrike Speed
#8
Tragically Ignorant

Joined: Jun 2018
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From: New England
Bikes: Serotta Atlanta; 1994 Specialized Allez Pro; Giant OCR A1; SOMA Double Cross Disc; 2022 Allez Elite mit der SRAM
It obviously requires a high level of bike handling skill and confidence, but I honestly don't know how to rate this as an athletic accomplishment. Obviously, the equipment is the biggest factor here in determining how fast someone can go.
#9
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From: Ontario, Canada
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I often wonder hos much money is spent to attempt these record breaking rides. The bicycle is quite interesting too. I think I saw Schrader valves on her wheels.
Cheers
Cheers
#11
Bikes are okay, I guess.



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From: Richmond, Virginia
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I recall people being impressed with John Howard's paced record on the Pepsi Challenge, so how come they aren't impressed by this woman?
#12
Tragically Ignorant

Joined: Jun 2018
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From: New England
Bikes: Serotta Atlanta; 1994 Specialized Allez Pro; Giant OCR A1; SOMA Double Cross Disc; 2022 Allez Elite mit der SRAM
I'm impressed by all of it, but in all of these paced records, I'm just not sure I understand how much of it is athleticism and how much is mechanical engineering, excellent control skills, and just sheer chutzpah. I'd never have the guts to ride a bike over 75 mph in any setting but I have no idea how fast my legs could propel me in those contraptions.
#13
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Joined: Feb 2018
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Bikes: Propel, red is faster
So.....about this. This was posted a while back on another forum by one of their "promoters". There was some dubious claims in one video and a link they provided in terms of the power the person was using to do this feat.
I think they said something silly stupid like 650w for 2min for a female. There's one or two world tour men who can do that.
When asked about this dubious item.......they evaporated into thin air. No response. The one link with the dubious claims suddenly disappeared.
Honestly, it's only bike related because it has two wheels and a drivetrain. I file this under "Guiness Records bull-hockey" and weirdness. Or for me.........mehhhh, whatever.
I think they said something silly stupid like 650w for 2min for a female. There's one or two world tour men who can do that.
When asked about this dubious item.......they evaporated into thin air. No response. The one link with the dubious claims suddenly disappeared.
Honestly, it's only bike related because it has two wheels and a drivetrain. I file this under "Guiness Records bull-hockey" and weirdness. Or for me.........mehhhh, whatever.
#15
Senior Member

Joined: Apr 2014
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From: Meridian, ID
Bikes: '96 Trek 850, '08 Specialized Roubaix Comp, '18 Niner RLT RDO
I met her at the Solvang Century last year, she was there with her bike and talking about the whole process. She said that lots of riders could train for the physical challenge, but to go this fast the rider needs a bit of a "crazy factor". I think these were her words. Basically not many would have the nerve to do it. I enjoyed meeting her and listening to her. Good on her for setting out to do this, accomplish it and live to tell about it. Why? Like any other sort of extreme sport (or other) record, because it's there!
#16
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Joined: Nov 2012
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As a former speed junkie, I appreciate what she has done! Drafting trucks at 50mph was enough for me, cannot fathom 180+ mph and just would not have the nerve for anything beyond 60mph. Now, put me in the dragster and I will push it as fast as it will go! Takes less nerve to sit in the cocoon vs. sitting exposed on a bike.
On the flip side, I do hope her children were grown and on their own before undertaking this try.
On the flip side, I do hope her children were grown and on their own before undertaking this try.
#18
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From: Ontario, Canada
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Trying for a land speed record with a bicycle without drafting can be quite dangerous too. As evidenced in these attempts.
At least those two could see where they were going and perhaps have a far beter chance at spotting any hazard than this woman drafting that dragster and thus having virtually no forward vision at all. I can't imagine the consequences had she crashed at those speeds on salt.
Cheers
At least those two could see where they were going and perhaps have a far beter chance at spotting any hazard than this woman drafting that dragster and thus having virtually no forward vision at all. I can't imagine the consequences had she crashed at those speeds on salt.
Cheers
#19
Tragically Ignorant

Joined: Jun 2018
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From: New England
Bikes: Serotta Atlanta; 1994 Specialized Allez Pro; Giant OCR A1; SOMA Double Cross Disc; 2022 Allez Elite mit der SRAM
Trying for a land speed record with a bicycle without drafting can be quite dangerous too. As evidenced in these attempts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTfu0hjVtzE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-XL2Mzfb5w
At least those two could see where they were going and perhaps have a far beter chance at spotting any hazard than this woman drafting that dragster and thus having virtually no forward vision at all. I can't imagine the consequences had she crashed at those speeds on salt.
Cheers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTfu0hjVtzE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-XL2Mzfb5w
At least those two could see where they were going and perhaps have a far beter chance at spotting any hazard than this woman drafting that dragster and thus having virtually no forward vision at all. I can't imagine the consequences had she crashed at those speeds on salt.
Cheers
#20
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2014
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From: Northeastern MA, USA
Bikes: Garmin/Tacx Bike Smart
Riding behind a vehicle like that is like using a two rope. Yeah, she went fast. But I'd like to see a *real* speed test where it's 100% on the rider to get up to and maintain speed. This is pointless.
#21
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Joined: Jun 2018
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From: New England
Bikes: Serotta Atlanta; 1994 Specialized Allez Pro; Giant OCR A1; SOMA Double Cross Disc; 2022 Allez Elite mit der SRAM
It's a daredevil stunt, mostly, but a pretty cool one. She isn't actually pulled by the car, so the tow rope comparison isn't correct.
But if you want purely human powered efforts--here you go: IHPVA - International Human Powered Vehicle Association
#22
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From: Northeastern MA, USA
Bikes: Garmin/Tacx Bike Smart
It's a daredevil stunt, mostly, but a pretty cool one. She isn't actually pulled by the car, so the tow rope comparison isn't correct.
But if you want purely human powered efforts--here you go: IHPVA - International Human Powered Vehicle Association
But if you want purely human powered efforts--here you go: IHPVA - International Human Powered Vehicle Association
#23
Tragically Ignorant

Joined: Jun 2018
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From: New England
Bikes: Serotta Atlanta; 1994 Specialized Allez Pro; Giant OCR A1; SOMA Double Cross Disc; 2022 Allez Elite mit der SRAM
Right, she still has to generate enough power to get the vehicle to that speed, and she could definitely be killed if she makes a mistake.
It's a feat of engineering to get a bike that can be pedaled that fast regardless of wind resistance, whether there's any point is probably a philosophical question you could ask about any record setting.
#24
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Bikes: 1986 KHS Fiero, 1989 Trek 950, 1990 Trek 7000, 1991 Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo, 1992 Trek 1400, 1997 Cannondale CAD2 R300, 1998 Cannondale CAD2 R200, 2002 Marin San Rafael, 2006 Cannondale CAAD8 R1000, 2010 Performance Access XCL9R
Drafting such as this dates back to boards laid between rails and drafting a train. Crazy stuff, beyond my capabilitiy, I wish I'd been there to see it is it is only 100 miles from my home...
#25
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Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Allentown, Pennsylvania
Bikes: 2018 Lynskey Cooper CX; 2007 Cannondale F4
Nope. If you watch the video, she is, in fact, towed up to speed. Only when they're at the target speed is she released to basically just keep pace with the dragster in front of her for a couple minutes.







