Human Powered Vehicle World Champs - 1hr Criterium race - 35.8mph off 199W

Human Powered Vehicle World Championships at Betteshanger Park, Kent, UK. 1 hr criterim race featuring the fastest 40 riders out of a field of 121 total. 1hr + 1 lap, plus an interview with Marco Ruga at the end.

[@Hdtjdjbszh]

35 mph at sub 200 watts! these things are amazing feats of engineering!

[@dmitryhetman1509]

Imagine what if put athlete here 300 400 watts

[@StoiLeTube]

@@dmitryhetman1509 You can't send 400 W, it's too hot inside.

[@dmitryhetman1509]

@@StoiLeTube you can use 400w motor

[@Flashback_Jack]

That cadence is crazy though. Did he run out of gears?

[@skilledcamman4752]

Though it is downhill, a cart going downhill can catch that speed if someone was moving it.

[@HQdefault64]

Why isn't this sport more popular? I've never heard of it before! This is so cool!

[@russellbridge]

If you're in the UK come to the BHPC races. Last one of the year at Darley Moor in Derbyshire 12th and 13th October '24

[@JuniorJunison]

Cost I'd imagine, the bikes alone will cost you over a thousand bucks.

[@edeuss]

@@JuniorJunison one thousand would be a steal

[@jon-williammurphy9780]

@@JuniorJunisonthe Velos are ~$10k

[@poptart9585]

Cause we have bikes

[@jasonosunkoya]

200W 38MPH, AERO really is fucking E V E R Y T H I N G

[@thomaskositzki9424]

These things just have a nearly perfect aerodynamic form. Still freaking astonishing! 🙂😯

[@Hubertus-ko6yl]

because no slopes there

[@MarioCola]

also cardio..

[@sampangolin]

@@MarioCola You don't need astonishing cardio to hold 200W

[@MarioCola]

@@sampangolin thought i wrote "also cardio", didn't I? They all have pretty much the same aero but you still have to keep the fastest pace for 1hr, cardio is very approriate to point out as it is a competition not a test run to measure aero.

[@RRVCrinale]

This is what I imagined really fast cycling would be like as a kid. I'm so glad this actually exists.

[@人生の長い]

Same 😭 the only things different is my imagination was only on paper, then into the bin.

[@Jupiter-rs4zl]

I think that maintaining 180+ watts of leg work for an hour, pushing 400, is a real achievement

[@chrismartin1448]

So cool! I raced in 92 and 93 for Chico Sate. We were only one of three schools with full carbon monocoque frames and carbon Kevlar fairings. 180 psi front tire and a 67 tooth chainring. Brakes and shifters custom made by Paul Components. Such great me memories/unique experience.

[@56Fireful]

How come the tyre pressure is so high compared to a normal bike tyre?

[@chrismartin1448]

@@56Fireful Only the front wheel as it was a smaller circumference wheel that's generally used for racing wheelchairs.

[@Bluebottlenose]

68 tooth chainring better 😎💪🗣️

[@samcooper1761]

First time learning there's another meaning for the acronym HPV.

[@windar2390]

HPV World Champs - Oh, this gonna be nasty... never mind.

[@erikjonromnes]

Hey they need some fun event too. You don’t just stop living… if ur gonna have big bumps down there, may as well win something for them.

[@UnIimited_Power]

I entered one of those competitions but was disqualified when they discovered that I got the HPV shot as a kid. Thanks mom! 😢

[@randolfducanes1028]

Oh hell yeah I'm finna get the Human Papilloma Virus world record

[@humanbean3]

this game has incredible graphics

[@BarackLesnar]

but the vehicle designs are so unrealistic. the characters and story are cool though.

[@Apollo1428]

story was kinda lacking imo. good gameplay loop tho

[@rednex2013]

Nah 7/10 boring

[@Лукьян-и3п]

Эта игра 2015 года ! Я всю её прошёл. Скучноватая если честно!

[@jessej4960]

Damn that got me 😂😂😂

[@nightshifted]

Thanks for sharing this! I designed/built/rode an HPV on my college team in the 1990s. Such a beautiful sport--the combination of engineering, sport, and human ability is pure art!

[@maatflip]

It’s legit just a glazed ahh bicycle

[@stenovitz]

Never knew this sport existed before this was displayed to my eyes - absolutely wonderful! Tried one of these during early-mid 1980s, and only a single of these in my town of 300.000 habitants, so thought it was pure retro class. But now with Garmin mount, dedicated race track, safety and other non-80ies things - heck, I'm moving to the UK!

[@CalebMartens-q9v]

Bro you where flying threw that track on wings. You kept a great pace and passed so many other HPV's was amazing too watch

[@pantshidder]

This is really cool but "HPV World Championship" is some unfortunate titling

[@michaelmartin9022]

They gave up holding the other one, a team from Essex won every year.

[@keirfarnum6811]

@@michaelmartin9022 OP is referencing the “Human Papilloma Virus” (HPV). 😆

[@imjonathan6745]

@@keirfarnum6811 guy was also stating an obvious joke, "essex"..

[@cmward512]

👏👏👏​@@michaelmartin9022

[@sagesends]

Lmao the ol double whoosh. Essex is a county in england known for debauchery 😂

[@nickturner4150]

I'm so happy to be alive at this moment. To be able to see Human ingenuity and craftsmanship develop these amazing machines, powered by the body. Inspiring.

[@jurekgadzinowski2895]

They existed for like a decade or 2 already.

[@perrygriffin2371]

​@@jurekgadzinowski2895so not long in human history

[@TinyBearTim]

They are really old and it’s nothing much just a bike with a body on it

[@Dr.MSC.W.Krueger]

Did a bot or AI write this comment?

[@Leshowwww]

The channel owner on a diff account ​@@Dr.MSC.W.Krueger

[@thomaskositzki9424]

Great race, congratulations! 😃 My, these things go FAST. Knew they existed but never saw an onboard. Must feel like flying, sitting in a cockpit-like capsule, that close to the ground, that fast! I could imagine ditching my road bike and doing some laps in these... 😄👍

[@rey_nemaattori]

Love how he retracts his landing gear after takeoff...

[@swecreations]

Amazing video! Just promise to polish the windshield for next year. 😉

[@toccandocreacanaleulterior176]

Germany approaches

[@justaguy5770]

I thought those were scrapes from past crashes, maybe not though

[@keithpierce5686]

Given that this seems to look like plexiglass, maybe a brand new one is in order.

[@casualguy393]

Better than a movie. A couple of scary "INSIIIIDE!" moments, but you are singing along at an incredible pace Russell. I don't know who was inside the blue/white velomobile in the beginning but he is fast too. Can't wait until my streamliner is finished.

[@TheReelMcCoySC]

I have genuinely never heard of this but the fact that this things can keep an avg speed of around 35mph is super impressive.

[@Lumpkinella._.]

How does one get into doohickey racing

[@jon-williammurphy9780]

Either spend $10k or 18 months and 5k building a rig, get fit, move to England, … win!

[@UmUs]

Well, you see, first off you gotta think of a contraption, then assemble the thingamajig, after that it's off to the thingamabob, and then you're into doohicking

[@TheBony45]

Now can someone put Ganna in one of these things?

[@chrisko6439]

There is a 100t chainring available. He'd need one, I guess.

[@HOV4N]

I see a guy ride one of these every morning. I’m sure he uses it for commute. He even rides it in the winter when it’s snowing

[@WootTootZoot]

HPV's were seemingly the "next big thing" back in the early 1980's and into the early 1990's. Then, for whatever reason, they just kind of faded into the background. I knew three HPV builders in Eugene, Oregon when I was going to the UofO, but, they're all gone now. I wish they had made a bigger 'splash" than that.

[@MacXpert74]

Amazing performance. I'm impressed how much faster he was than the other bikes. He reached speeds up to 65 Km/h, that's really fast for a paddle bike!

[@confuseatronica]

anybody studying a field that deals with aerodynamics should be shown this. The pov's streamliner has at least twice the frontal area of the recumbent bikes, and the velos are more like 3x, and they're both just walking away from the recumbent riders. One of the guys he passes on the downgrade looked like he was doing 25ish and our guy is doing 40+ at 170w lol

[@SheksgemWhepdo]

This was amazing to watch.

[@brulsmurf]

Crazy to see those kind of speeds with that little power.

[@brandonsayer7631]

They're rippin pretty good. Very nice looking machines as well I must say. My respect to all the racers.

[@wertacus]

How much power does the enclosure save over the guys on normal recumbents? Id love to see some strava data

[@casualguy393]

It costs me about 200 watts for 40kph (24mph) on my V20 (profile pic) on flat ground and no wind. To do 52kph on my V20 I need +400 watts. I don't have recent Strava data to show this because my bike and position isn't set up at its best now, but you can see Russell's power data onscreen to see how much power he needs in real time to get a good idea.

[@bigglesrsvr]

Never ridden one but it looks super exciting and the fully faired bike reminds me of the ‘Dustbin fairing’ on motorbikes in the mid 50’s when they first lapped the IOM at over 100mph. Amazing speed and consistent cadence is awesome to watch and I think the video does make one feel like it’s you riding. Your approach and corner speed on the last corner before the start finish are fantastic and gave you such a slingshot down the straight it was very satisfying to watch. So if you didn’t win it Russell I am guessing top 3? Well done, loved it.

[@bigglesrsvr]

Ah sorry 5th! Banging! 💥💥💥

[@davidmcnaughty4889]

I watched to find out what a Human Papilloma Virus championship was all about.

[@keirfarnum6811]

Only “pure bloods” allowed. 😆

[@josephinebennington7247]

Wel, now you know…. 😉

[@gtestastretta1]

I love it! Fantastic engineering and application thereof

[@ronaldrollins9149]

There is a Velodrome in my city that has been there forever. Doesn’t get used much anymore, but I was told many years ago that it was designed to race bikes like this on a banked oval. I’ve seen the bikes before but never a race. Pretty cool

[@DClarke1954]

Magnificent! - Great to see you & Woodstock doing so well.

[@MichielvanderMeulen]

35mph with less than 200W... wow

[@Marshmallow603]

add one more gear and that dude is a rocket

[@ajmsports1391]

This was awesome. ... Good watch! 👍👍

[@ernestobrown9546]

not only is it an amazing little bit of engineering and fitness, its genuinely good racing. Very cool indeed.

[@danieletognozzi7641]

how is this not as popular or more than F1?

[@jacobmarshall7138]

its poorly named

[@papiezguwniak]

Because it's niche and pretty boring for an average viewer.

[@lbgstzockt8493]

Because the combined net worth of all involved people is less than the ad budget for one season of F1. Plus way fewer people care about cycling in general.

[@almabatekert_villanykorte3387]

​@@lbgstzockt8493 You'd be surprised how many people care about some kind of cycling,there are a lot of categories tho,and this is a very niche one

[@michaelmartin9022]

This is like the F1 of cycling! Most people only care about the Nascar of cycling or the Timed Trials (regarded as one of the most boring forms of car racing, you even have to obey speed limits!) of cycling. I guess the Rallying of cycling is cool, too. 500-odd bikes start at once from the top of a mountain, the rider who is least dead wins.

[@kirynkokos5751]

This is the way of the future

[@nokk147]

this look fun af

[@TalonMerlin777]

250 watts and 35mph? Wtf is that thing?

[@EverettWilson]

This one trick the UCI doesn't want you to know.

[@infinati]

Aero

[@ОлегСкипин-л8э]

Bio power is stronger. It's like one horsepower of a real horse compared to a bike with a 1 hp motor. Who's going to beat who up?

[@EverettWilson]

@@ОлегСкипин-л8э With a decent battery, you could go for enough time that the horse falls over and dies.

[@lazydude699]

​@@ОлегСкипин-л8эa horse makes much more than one hp. I think it's something close to 15.

[@yanto63]

Russ, is the view out for you clearer than the camera portrays? Looks manic and great fun. I did notice that your power output for 30-34 mph is the same as me on the road bike at about 20 mph, just proves what affects speed/efficiency most. PS thanks for the credit at the beginning 🙂 PPS I watched the first 2 laps then skipped bits.

[@russellbridge]

Yes the view out is clearer than this video portrays, although it's not helped by the scratches on the screen from the crash at Lancaster. The only times you lose vision are when a low-racer is outside of you in a tight corner - you lose sight of them altogether....

[@FlatPedaling]

Damn, this looks really cool. The speed is insane.

[@aidansky55]

I love the way they zoom about, idk how to explain it.

[@ChromeConnoisseur08]

great engine sound

[@buff9267]

literally powered by whatever you had for breakfast, the ultimate definition of transport freedom

[@jeeveseventynine9263]

This is amazing.

[@bohba13]

there needs to be a recumbant class for the TDF.

[@sachaknoop2313]

It is funny that from the inside I don't hear the rattling sound I heard when you passed by!

[@kyleheron38]

Not sure how I got here… but I’m fascinated.

[@tommywong3147]

How is this thing not mainstream in bike racing. If its faster than roadbikes.

[@russshaber8071]

Hills, mountains, tight turns, heavy crosswinds...

[@tommywong3147]

@@russshaber8071 well.... Rally racing could be popular so is F1 and nascar which go in a circle lol

[@russshaber8071]

@@tommywong3147 As long as the track is flat. Maybe bicycle drag races?

[@pg5200]

The UCI made them illegal to race in classics in the 30s after Frenchman Charles Mochet invented the first recumbent bike which broke a world record easily. From then, what could have made cycling a LOT more appealing to many people, and faster overall as well, sadly got very little attention.

[@corymbia100]

recumbents were banned by the cycling federation a long time ago...i am not really overly sure why, except the advantage they had over a traditional bike

[@SuperPlastered]

Did that Milan pass you at the last bit? Who beat you? Amazing ride with 160+ heart rate the whole time.

[@russellbridge]

Yes he overtook me for position - I saw him coming and like an eejit I thought I was a lap up...I realised too late!

[@SuperPlastered]

It happens to many. Great race all the same!!

[@samuraptorpodgy3050]

Wow! The only thing missing is the soundtrack "Dance with the Dead - Go" to play in the background.😅

[@Wayne72LEVRAI]

The sound is hypnotic.

[@rg.edriver]

seriously thinking about buying one of these to go to work

[@quetzalcoatlz]

If you notice this is a mostly flat course, given any type of incline I'd seriously doubt you'd be able to get close to the speeds maintained here. Sitting above the pedals on traditional geared bikes i imagine gives you much more power as you are able to use your body weight to generate force. I think you'd be better off with a traditional bike for standard commuting.

[@itstheterranaut]

It's fantastic that you're taking the time to raise awareness of this terrible virus. Where can I donate? Also, that is a seriously big chainring.

[@Sam-m6o3j]

Viruses have never been isolated.

[@itstheterranaut]

@@Sam-m6o3j :)

[@greenplanetearth6186]

Nice view from cockpit. Also canopy makes minimum drag ride

[@smallmatcha3445]

the chain rubbing the leg is fantastic

[@charlesblithfield6182]

Am I right in concluding you can average 200-250 watts and that gives you a speed of about 60kmph? If so that’s nuts! It must be hard to find places where you can maintain such speed for long duration rides to train for such a race.

[@アレクサンダーイワノフ]

Сколько километров в час, хочется знать по человеческой системе изменения

[@ronaldhoward7908]

Have actually ridden with & around HPV's(Seagull Century, Salisbury Md). First time seeing an actual race. Need more. 35 mph ave at 200 watts :))

[@samuels1123]

Without engine sounds you just get gear noise and atmosphere so it sounds like a spaceship, very cool form of transport. Also one of very few ground vehicles with retractable gear.

[@tomgadd6516]

This is home of Gizmo, thingymagjig and contraption racings

[@casualguy393]

And would absolutely smoke any pro rider on his $20,000 road bike.

[@grumbazor]

I NEED THIS THING!!!

[@neilmarshall2315]

Need to get some of American Magic yacht race team into this, they are pushing 500W peak I think, but they are big guys too.

[@Sovereign86]

This is so cook, what kind of racing is this?? And how do I get into it?

[@mustache4]

I wanna see these guys race against the Australians version of this sport (AHPVSS). Would be really interesting to see. I reckon we could give you a run for your money

[@jerrysmith3017]

You know its not that the racing isn't good, its that it needs more camera angels to capture the entire spectacle, it looks really cool from the outside and super futuristic from the inside...

[@xx_hdgamer57_xx61]

What is the lever for, because you pull at the beginning? A kind of extendable Supportwheels?

[@clangerbasher]

Those pedaling around on open machines just in shorts at those speeds are brave.

[@Thaisistercunny]

So it’s basically cycling with aerodynamics

[@skardy8_fpv]

this is so epic!!

[@joaoletelier8735]

This is awesome! I wonder whether it's harder to put down power in this position compared to a road bike as those power numbers are what you would see in a local C grade crit. Absolutely insane that they can hold 35mph at 200W though! Would be amazing to see the speeds a field of good A grade riders would do. Imagine Would Tour level riders!

[@SciFiFactory]

From my experience with riding a recumbent bike you can create even more torque than with an upright bike. On an upright you push yourself out of the seat, so you are kind of limited by gravity. With a recumbent, you can push against the seat and depending on the steering geometry you can also use your arms to pull yourself towards the pedals. But it's also somewhat of a problem because it makes it much easier to put much more load on your joints.

[@casualguy393]

It is understood in the recumbent community that you lose a bit of power switching from a road bike to a recumbent position. Depending on recumbent design (seat angle) you lose anywhere from 5% to 15% depending on who you ask. In my case, it is about 5% based on my Strava data. My watts/kg is not even a Cat C level, but on a road bike you'd need about 290-300 watts or more to keep up with me while I am using only about 200-210 watts. I can hold 300 watts for almost 10 minutes which will drop almost anyone, but you are right in that seeing A graders or pro riders ride these would be mind boggling. They would have to change the race courses just to make it viewable for spectators. All of them would pass by so quickly that it would make the race unwatchable. A purpose built Streamliner holds the world HPV record at 144kph. 89.5mph on flat ground and no wind. A pro rider just might hit 100mph (162kph) with his legs alone.

[@cleetus4eva]

Glad to see HPV champs still hanging in there despite the HPV vaccine

[@Gruby7C1h]

This should be a bigger thing!

[@jishan6992]

Why was the speedometer so static, not rising up even when he was leaving everyone in the dust

[@deanwaller1029]

Is your right leg rubbing against the chain as you pedal? Maybe it's just the perspective.

[@Kogacarlo]

Yeah I saw that too

[@zhitaburnurli9631]

I think the chain is a bit lower, like below knees

[@anhhoang-hx9kh]

So good idea to bicycle under the rain. What the name of this machine. How to make it in my house

[@richardashman4822]

Does anyone know the Kw being used when the TdF was cruising at 35mph? The data is probably out there...

[@triptank7857]

So a bike?

[@brandonliu2667]

I always want to see how it looks like inside these bikes

[@ChungTongLee]

Just wonder if this is a 11 or 12 speed drivetrain on this vehicle. Can go >8% gradient uphill ?

[@Furanku13]

This looks fun ngl. But i'm curious, what happens if you tip over? Like at a bad turn. I'm guessing you need assistance to prop yourself back up, no? And a pushing start

[@michaelparker6763]

We need these vehicles and tracks going into cities.

[@markrix]

This would be the type of thing that vr would make workout equipment fun. Wonder if he's steering completely with body weight?

[@zangl2955]

Why do some people have shells and others seem to be riding regular recumbent bicycles?

[@CRAWLFORCEable]

So its biking in a little house, just a little slower. I dont get it.

[@casualguy393]

Slower? Who told you that? These bikes absolutely slaughter road bikes and triathlon bikes. It is not even close.

[@ALEakaKorwin]

Please add switchable subtitles.

[@rile7648]

Would one more higher gear be useful? Seems like it would be worth it

[@herrar6595]

How much does drafting do in these races? Since you are at higher speeds but you´re already so Aero and your competition provides so little windshade anyways, I´m very curious... It does seem to help, judging by one situation where you got sucked closer to the white velo

[@russellbridge]

I don't notice any draft at all off the faired two wheelers - maybe a tiny amount off the velomobiles, but I've only sat behind one at speed for a minute or so (around 27:00) and I deliberately left a bit of room for maneuvering...

[@herrar6595]

@@russellbridge Thanks, that´s really cool!

[@Bobthebuil3r]

Why arnt they leaned forward? And pedaling from behind?

[@kubel83]

That is pretty cool to be honest😮 does it come with airbag 😅 Okay poor joke. But man you are going fast.

[@pandoranbias1622]

It's hard as hell to hit 40mph on a bike with a 50cc motor, this guy is doing it with his legs, maybe more bikes need fairings.

[@carywalker4560]

Interesting that the racing is unlike a typical criterium.

[@brandensneed6166]

Im not sure how to explain this, but this thing looks fun to crash going full speed down a runway or some other open space

[@NDsWine_n_cheese]

Forgive my lack of understanding but does the pedaling generate electricity that is put into a motor that turns the wheels or is the rider just pedaling and turning the wheels directly. I'm guessing it's the former because of the watt stat listed on the screen, but I just want to clarify. Thanks!

[@russellbridge]

It's a direct drive chain to the front wheel. I've got pedals in the bike which measure how much power (in Watts) the rider is generating.

[@t3rryahn]

great run

[@jagahati-ww6hp3fw3q]

wah enak nih kalau human powered di ganti dengan machine powered bisa berkendara santai sambil minum kopi

[@MacNur-tu3cq]

They need a 24 hour race

[@russshaber8071]

How about a mountain stage?

[@David-mt7tj]

this looks like so much god damn fun

[@leobesa2887]

Would love the content if the windshield is more clearer? Maybe put the camera outside for clearer view

[@foreststewart1968]

Aerodynamics is everything, so... I doubt that anyone competing in a world championship will mount a camera out where it's going to generate drag just for better production value or more clicks on KZbin. The video documents the event, which is the objective: The video itself isn't the objective, or the reason for competing.