There are several races held each year in the great lakes region of the U.S. These races are held on a cource closed to traffic. Each day of racing includes several events such as a one hour time trial, 200 meter flying sprints and 1/4 mile drag racing. Racers compete against other competitors in the same class.

Here's a picture of me on my Tour Easy (when I had a large fairing on it) during a 1 hour time trial.

The three main classes for the Human Powered Race America are:

Stock class

This class allows any configuration of bicycle or tricycle, but no aerodynamic aids are allowed with the exception of covers over the wheels. Conventional bicycles may enter in this class.

Modified class

This class allows any amount of bodywork or fairing so long as the rider can get in and out of the machine without moving body panels out of the way.

Super Modified class

Any amount of bodywork or fairing is permitted. Body panels can be moved out of the way to enter and exit the vehicle. Some races require that the athlete be able to enter and exit without assistance from a pit crew, however.

There are also Junior, Womens, multi-rider and arm-powered classes.

All classes must have multiple, independent brake circuits to provide a fail safe condition and all competitors must wear a helmet. Most events also require a mirror on each side of the vehicle.

Competition is fiercest in the Stock and Super Modified classes, so I've been entering in the stock class!

Why a fairing? For that matter, why a recumbent?

Most of the work put into the pedals of a bicycle go into pushing air out of the way. Many recumbent bicycles have lower frontal area than conventional bicycles, so less air gets pushed out of the way. A fairing or bodywork can further reduce the air resistance. The net result is that the recumbent bicycles can go faster than regular bicycles - in some cases dramatically faster! The current speed record for recumbent bicycles is over 65 mph! Recumbents are also more comfortable to ride than regular bicycles. They can eliminate wrist, arm, neck, back, and crotch pain that is caused by conventional bicycles. They allow you to ride farther than you normally could because these types of pain are eliminated. I've ridden 300 miles in 24 hours, a feat that I would not have been possible if I had been riding a regular bike. Here's a writeup on my 300 mile ride.

A fairing does not need to be expensive or difficult to make to be effective. Here's some information and pictures of how I built a simple, low-budget fairing.

Is it fun?

In many bicycle races, the athletes compete and then they go home. Recumbent bicycle races, in contrast, are an opportunity to compare technologies and swap stories with like-minded experimenters. Many of the competitors are there just for that reason, and the racing is just a distraction. Ample time is reserved between events for socializing. Bicyclists of all abilities are made to feel welcome and can usually find someone with their level of expertise to compete against. IT'S FUN!!
The Pyrite Rush Race Team

Back to Russell's home page