The students and graduates of the University of Toronto, who were also behind the unique human-powered helicopter project, managed to reach the speed of 139.45 km/h (86.65 mp/h) in their bullet-shaped bicycle. The new world record surpassed the previous one of 133.78 km/h (82.23 mp/h) by almost 6 km/h.
Their machine is purposely built almost completely enclosed to form the best aerodynamic shape possible. That`s why the pilot has to ride in a very unnatural and almost completely horizontal position. It allows him, however, to reach ludicrous speed.
The record holder Todd Reichert, who showed unbelievable endurance, did 3 separate runs in 3 separate days. Each time he had an 8-kilometres long stretch of a completely leveled road to get his speed up and then he had to average the highest possible speed in the last 200 metres.
He managed 137.93 km/h the first time, 139.21 km/h in the second run and then finally on the third day – 139.45 km/h. You can watch the world record breaking run in the video below.
Later that day, police arrived on the scene, gave a speeding ticket to Todd and even a citation for aggressive driving! It was all in good fun though.
