Man Builds World’s Fastest Pedal-Powered Bicycle That Can Speed Up To 110 Mph

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Jason Rourke, a 42-year old bike shop owner, spent 10 days and £5,000 building a specialized mountain bike that can go over 110 mph. Commissioned by motorcycle racer, Guy Martin, Rourke built and then Guy Martin rode his bike straight into the record books at an astonishing speed of 112.94 mph.

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The previous record for a pedal-powered bicycle was 83.13 mph, set by Dutch cyclist Sebastiaan Bowier in September 2013. The record shattering attempt took place at Pendine Sands in South Wales. Guy Martin was towed to a speed of 50 mph and then released, going on to a speed of over 112 mph on his own.

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Jason runs Brian Rourke Cycles with his father whom the shop is named after, he tells the story in the following words, “The funny thing is, my dad Brian was contacted by the people who set the current world record asking if we could help to build the bike. Due to various work commitments we didn’t take it on, so when we got a call from the producers in February about another attempt to break the record, we couldn’t say no.”

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The main priority, Rourke claims, was not making the bike lightweight but rather strong enough to handle the speed, which meant strengthening the frame. Thicker tires were also installed since more grip was needed. Most components were made specifically for the purpose of breaking the speed record making the bike not only unique but priceless.

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Rourke says he got a call asking him if he knew anyone who owned a truck capable of 120 mph, had engineering experience and could drive the truck. Rourke said he was able to do all three and met up with Guy Martin to carry out the insane project. He says that he was fully aware of the risks involved, but it sounded fun and he enjoyed the challenge, which led him getting his name etched in history.

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20 comments

  1. David hagadorn Reply

    I feel that whatever speed is achieved behind in the draft of anather vehicle is not valid. I also don’t partlularly agree with not having to contend with lower gearing and energy consumption required to reach the first 50 mph. that eliminates the friction of energy conversion for startup propulsion.

  2. Mostafa Reply

    If I want to buy one like this. Could you tell where and how? It would be also greate if you can give an estimate about the cost.

  3. manoj jamkar Reply

    we are making a same bicycle..
    is 1:4 gear ratio is possible for drive the bicycle?
    we are using two big gear having 64 teeth and two small gear having 16 teeth..

    • dharambir poddar Reply

      it is obvious that speed will increase but it also increase friction means more power will be required ;

  4. Great Man Reply

    Towed to 80kph.. rode behind a tall wall attached behind a truck to elimate air drag and possibly help pull/push him forward…. LOL. Ridiculous. Might as well strapped rockets to his back and the bike too.

  5. Human (real human[male]) Reply

    First u wanna notice is *CHANGIN DE TRANSMISSION OF STRESS INTO BIGGER or SMALLER THROUGH THE CONNECTIONS ON DIFFERENT CHAIN PLATES ”’ESPECIALLY ONE SINGELY SOLIDIFIED WITH DE SMALL ONE”’ MAKES U CENT PERCENT ASSURANCE OF THE USAGE OF MULTIPLE GEARS SIRE……..
    N de internal clutch thing is jus totaly ridiculos N who’s dhat shit told that……..it ain’t bein’ related to dhat ,,,,,,,,,,such a rojapoomaala…………………………

  6. Mike Reply

    In June of 2014, I was able to reach a top speed of 122 mph on a fifteen hundred-foot course when I rode my bike from an airplane to the ground.

    • Human (real human[male]) Reply

      Can you please explain that incident that had happened at that day ?

  7. Gnildir Reply

    I agree with some of them as far as cheating. The true record would have to start from 0 MPH, not being towed. I understand that it is a single speed bike, but if that guy was smarter, he could have made an internal clutch to engage the higher speed gears when he does hit his minimum requirement for it. What an idiot.

    • Human (real human[male]) Reply

      Maybe you’d be mistaken, maen . Cause it’s jus so simple . Unable to face the flow of air he just made the arrangements like that . But you really wanna understand is ”IF HE HAD DECREASED HIS SPEED EVEN 0.1mph AFTER BEIN’ TOWED, THAT’S NOT EVEN A MATTER . BUT , increased even 1mph compared to the towed speed ……… Here’s the record !

    • Bablu Reply

      How will u built internl clutch in bicycle???? Cn u expln it properly……

  8. Alex Reply

    This article is entirely wrong. Sebaastian Bowier got the record for fastest human powered vehicle, Guy Martin’s attempt is in a completely different category that still has a record held by Fred Rompelberg at 167 mph.

    This website needs to research more before posting an article, you might as well say A.J Fort is the greatest man in Formula One.

  9. william Reply

    John Howard went 152mph and Fred Rompelberg went 167mph
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Rompelberg

  10. Tendon Michael Terang Reply

    Itz realy awesum. I to on da way 2 set the record. I ride a lot n 1 day i’ll set my record in the g-book.

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