07-27-2011, 02:39 PM
(This post was last modified: 07-27-2011, 02:40 PM by PonderThis. Edited 1 time in total.)
Up to 40 mph on the flats, and faster downhill. I wonder how fast uphill? http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index...begin.html
Excerpt: "Velomobiles are recumbent bicycles with sleek, colorful outer shells that can rocket down a roadway with amazing speed and efficiency.
And for the next month 25 riders from Europe, and 25 riders from North America will travel from the west coast to the east coast, spreading their message that sustainable transportation can be fun.
Naturally,they’re starting their journey Thursday in Portland, “the city with the progressive bicycling agenda,” said organizer Tom Breedlove. They plan to complete their cross-country trip on the steps of the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. on August 26.
“These people are serious,’’ Breedlove said about the project known as Roll Over America, or ROAM. “Velomobiles and all other forms of human transportation can transform our mobility landscape.”
It cost about $40,000 to ship the velomobiles in shipping containers to the U.S. from Europe, he said.
Breedlove said ROAM is the largest and longest velomobile tour ever assembled. He said many of the European riders ride their sporty vehicles to work every day. Most of the velomobiles have two wheels in front, and one wheel in the rear, and can reach speeds on the flats of up to 40 mph, and much faster downhill. Some use parachutes to slow down. The vehicles weigh about 80 pounds.
“These velomobiles are the world‘s fastest road bikes for everyday use. Quite a few among us race them, but most of our mileage is on public roads and bikeways.”
...Breedlove said the velo pilots (or velonauts) will take the Springwater Corridor east towards Troutdale and the onto Interstate 84. Bicyclists are encouraged to join in for this first portion of the trip. Riders plan to ride a 100 miles or more each day."
Excerpt: "Velomobiles are recumbent bicycles with sleek, colorful outer shells that can rocket down a roadway with amazing speed and efficiency.
And for the next month 25 riders from Europe, and 25 riders from North America will travel from the west coast to the east coast, spreading their message that sustainable transportation can be fun.
Naturally,they’re starting their journey Thursday in Portland, “the city with the progressive bicycling agenda,” said organizer Tom Breedlove. They plan to complete their cross-country trip on the steps of the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. on August 26.
“These people are serious,’’ Breedlove said about the project known as Roll Over America, or ROAM. “Velomobiles and all other forms of human transportation can transform our mobility landscape.”
It cost about $40,000 to ship the velomobiles in shipping containers to the U.S. from Europe, he said.
Breedlove said ROAM is the largest and longest velomobile tour ever assembled. He said many of the European riders ride their sporty vehicles to work every day. Most of the velomobiles have two wheels in front, and one wheel in the rear, and can reach speeds on the flats of up to 40 mph, and much faster downhill. Some use parachutes to slow down. The vehicles weigh about 80 pounds.
“These velomobiles are the world‘s fastest road bikes for everyday use. Quite a few among us race them, but most of our mileage is on public roads and bikeways.”
...Breedlove said the velo pilots (or velonauts) will take the Springwater Corridor east towards Troutdale and the onto Interstate 84. Bicyclists are encouraged to join in for this first portion of the trip. Riders plan to ride a 100 miles or more each day."