World Human Powered Vehicle Championships

A heady mix of Lycra, adrenaline and sweat was on show at the annual World Human Powered Vehicle Championships in Kent, Southern England.
Over 100 riders from around the globe who crave speed and performance attended these annual Championships that were held at Betteshanger Park; a former colliery spoil tip in Kent.
As well as speed there is a genuine desire to push the boundaries of design in recent years, which has led to an upsurge in recumbent bicycles. The low centre of gravity, increased stopping power and overall improved aerodynamic position make these recumbent bikes an exciting vehicle to race.
Drone footage courtesy of www.laidbackbikereport.com

[@jackglossop4859]

Can I just say a massive thank you to you for not adding music to this. It was perfect !

[@joeterp5615]

Yes! This video was so peaceful. I loved hearing the sounds of these vehicles going by. I found this so soothing.

[@teijaflink2226]

You really got the feeling of how fast they went

[@retromaticmike5388]

The two wheeled velomobiles move like fish in water perfect shape

[@spicytee133]

Girlfriend: He’s probably out cheating on me Him and the bois:

[@ala0284]

I can’t be the only one who thinks these things look hilarious. But also really cool at the same time

[@Jerre27]

Got a waw Carbon Velomobile, easy riding at 35 km/h, with some effort 45 km/h and i'm not a trained rider.

[@jepz11]

The sheer speed of these velo's give me an adrenaline boost. Love it there is no attention towards speeds and who won, this is about the atmosphere of passion.

[@ZesPak]

The sensation of going fast is also a lot higher as you're lower to the ground. Similarly how a go cart at 30km/h feels fast.

[@Alpha_2.0_loaded]

"How much aerodynamics you need?" "YES"

[@recyclespinning9839]

I wish we would use these for transit and grocery better. The world would change. Those velos cruise!!!

[@TheSteinbitt]

Why not just use a regular bike? These seem massively inconvenient, hot, cramped and poor visibility.

[@thedigitalmelon7326]

@@TheSteinbitt These are probably more aerodynamic.

[@ferventheat]

Nice camera work, drone footage was added bonus! They sound like motorway traffic with the velomobiles wizzing by .

[@maliklowry1236]

At 3:20 I love how the guy in the white bike passes those guys like a boss!

[@thomaslong8448]

It's a girl.

[@markwilliams7381]

Recumbent race!! Never knew they had such race

[@pokefrosch617]

The future of racing

[@zonzeven]

What was the distance ? What was the time of the winner ? And the time of the slowest ?

[@Heavywall70]

I love these machines and I love the footage that demonstrates just how crazy fast the fairings make a typical recumbent. It seems the two wheeled versions are the best mechanical option for outright speed Just as the first fellow said he was an average rider I was just wondering what a Cavendish or a Sagan could do in one of these. I’d venture they’d need slightly better tyre tech to handle the force a top flight cyclist could generate in corners

[@Britclip]

I like the idea of a Cavendish v Sagan race. Thanks for your comment.

[@TimpBizkit]

I want to see what speed it would do with a high output mid drive motor.

[@JackRabbit-wy4gx]

I guess no one had a desire to know how long the race was, how long it took, and who won.

[@arnemadsen4556]

I thougt the same...why should it interest people how fast they go, who is the best riders, are they all running in the same class (2 and 3-wheelers, and with or without aero-cover) and that kind of things.....

[@funquay2219]

@@arnemadsen4556 It's not the winning, it's the taking part that counts!

[@RoadWarrior427]

Exactly right, I was waiting to find out which vehicle was fastest, how fast they were going etc. As someone new to recumbents I'm wanting to learn everything I can about them.

[@bonerici]

I thought it was excellent. You can look up the times and the race, it's all online. This is about capturing the ambience.

[@marchellochiovelli7259]

@@funquay2219 No... It's about winning. Only losers say what you say.

[@belperflyer7419]

Fantastic. They look so beautiful. One overtook my wife and I on our tandem when we were in France a few years ago on the cycle track between Caan and Ouistreham - left us for dead :). A hillier course might have been revealing. My main reservation about recumbents is that, when touring, you get a better view of the ditch than the scenery over the hedges but they are wonderful machines none the less.

[@richeeg3271]

Yeah, I think that's the main problem, if you were to commute using them

[@Bobbylegs37]

Not true with a high racer recumbent. I ride mine to work when I can (19.6 km), and I'm just as high up as a tucked upright cyclist. It's easy to lean up and balance as well, just check out Volae and Bacchetta stick bikes.

[@velo-ads4206]

That was fantastic, great work.

[@roadstar499]

Excellent job filming and editing...you feel like you were there..

[@cratecruncher6687]

There seems to be an audible difference between sounds of the different type vehicles as they pass the microphone. Really interesting.

[@Britclip]

Yes indeed, a fascinating aspect of the event.

[@garyjohnson4575]

I'd love to do this!

[@TrocaderoPenguin]

Great footage! Nice job! I really had the feeling to be there. For once, not boring too look. Even, very ebtertaining. I want to jump in my velomobil now!! Thanks!

[@OperationDarkside]

This is the quietest action I've seen in my life. Could get used to it. Would pair greatly with a cup of tea.

[@uktrailstrekker8851]

If people used human powered vehicles like these to get to work, we would all be a lot fitter. Perhaps some can have battery inside to help a bit over long distance.

[@icantseethe7680]

smart

[@mootoast8614]

😀😀😃😃😃👍👍👍🧠🧠🧠🧠

[@Heavywall70]

I agree totally. There is no free lunch in regard to energy sources for cars and trucks Doing the moving ourselves is the only answer I believe.

[@saltboy4841]

Lots of velomobiles have a battery, and are used as daily commuters, they're very interesting :)

[@FSniffer]

In the netherlands most people use bicycles

[@musikSkool]

That looks like so much fun!

[@GWAYGWAY1]

I liked this but was wondering where it was, then I cottoned on it was less than 8 miles from me at the old Betteshanger Colliery site, I had never been there but will visit it soon.

[@Britclip]

It’s an good place Graham.

[@RonaldArthurDewhirst]

I took part in a HPV race in the 1980's on a Trice recumbent. That was in Lancaster, we rode there from Leeds and did a bit of camping on the way. Great adventure! Faired two wheelers are the fastest, tricycles more comfortable when touring.

[@Victor-my1hi]

Thats what I tought too, I wouldn't give up the comgort of the trike for some extra speed :))

[@BlazeloflGlory]

I love the sound of all the wrenches flying getting ready for the race. These men and women mean business.

[@Willy_Elres]

Fantastic video, loads of great footage, many thanks!

[@ammulhare1644]

Amazing humans, amazing machines, amazing weather!

[@Williamottelucas]

It would be good to know how far the race actually was!

[@nicknelson9450]

And how fast

[@The_Savage_Wombat]

How well do these hold up against some Tour de France riders?

[@TheVelomobileChannel]

Very nice video! Thanks!

[@LordBikealot]

Awesome!

[@ti994apc]

This is what Tour de France should be. The upright bike old school limitation is ridiculous.

[@A.J.1656]

The fact that they have rules about the angle of the saddle goes to show they have way over regulated the sport. They should only have 3 rules: must be two wheels, must have brakes, must be powered solely by the rider.

[@yukiko_5051]

Recumbent suck on climbing, which is the most popular part of Tour de France

[@johnwoods8331]

This is the Jetsons meets the Flintstones meets Wacky Racers all in one

[@NicolasValentinScotland]

Good show

[@ashoakwillow]

I think Bradley Wiggins, talking about the Tour de France, said 'All i have to do is go out and produce 300 Watts for seven hours'. I think we should have a unit of energy named in honour of Bradley Wiggins, so a third of a kilowatt is a 'Brad' or a 'Wigg'. It would help all of us understand how addicted to cheap energy we have become, that a top athlete can barely keep a TV running. We might ask, 'How many Brads does it take to keep a typical SUV doing 70 mph down a motorway'? Keeps our choices of lifestyle in perspective.

[@samj1185]

If you enjoyed this then look up the Battle Mountain Challenge.

[@TheRealRobertG]

Pretty sure the world championship of human powered vehicles is just… *The Tour de France*

[@Gee-Man-Adventures]

Nice work. Great video that captured the atmosphere of the weekend.

[@glenn_r_frank_author]

Looks like such a blast! Would love to have a Velomobile... have to be satisfied with my catrike for now.

[@nokintendo9132]

The engineering is impressive.

[@jonathanfulford6655]

That was a great weekend and roasting hot!!

[@Britclip]

It was really hot - good times.

[@rivercarson5763]

Who was the guy in the orange and blue velomobile without a head bubble? Just had a clear nose. Looked like they might have been second to hear the bell. I'd like to try and find more details on their velomobile.

[@sebastianziegler2749]

Did somebody now what kind of velomobile is was?

[@WarzoneTV-gn9eb]

This was fun.

[@Janshevik]

looks like that red bull competition, but these vehicles are legit, I would love to drive one of those

[@thedarkfalafel9323]

It’d be interesting to see an average dude in one of these recumbents race against Evenepoel on a 40k TT

[@davidcouch572]

Great Fun

[@greenleafyman1028]

This is the quietest car racing I've ever watched.

[@Britclip]

Good aren't they?

[@damrunner1]

Nice footage! Thanks.

[@andyb.1026]

Where is this event held ? Is there a website for more info and events 😊😊

[@a.kievstar0256]

Does anybody know, how the small auxilary wheels on a full covered single track velomobile are working ?

[@amosvesa9290]

Wow. I like the 2 wheeler streamlined one. (3:01) I think it looks great. Just curious, has anyone used one of these 2 wheels recumbents on a busy street or in a city?

[@richeeg3271]

I think some of them have extra parking wheels (I don't think the race versions do, though). Without them you're screwed while waiting on the red light

[@Entity_BlackRed777]

On 2:47, it suprised me, as this PURPL one was different from the others, as it only had 2 wheels, and was going faster as well.

[@nicksutton2964]

That was Steve Slasher Slade in his Beano. He was World Champ a couple of times I think. In this race, he was faster than all but one, another 2-wheeled missile, white, called Peregrine on a Birk (PoB) and piloted by Charles Henry. I wish I could have been there to watch them.

[@aroundandround]

How can the ones riding what seems like a regular bike but just sitting supine be faster than a standard road racing bike?

[@Pushyhog]

Thanks

[@FatBug12]

How do stop on 2 wheel velo mobile without falling?

[@FatBug12]

@Sen Se seriously?

[@Mauriciomel1]

Good

[@ZesPak]

The UCI has a lot to explain. I wonder which of these designs would have won out if the UCI wasn't such a geriatric meddling bunch. 3:00 I've never seen a two wheel fully enclosed recumbent, that seems insane.

[@A.J.1656]

I just looked up the cost of the bike that finished 2nd. It can be yours for only $37,800 USD.

[@johnbrinson8094]

Do they come with A.C.

[@BEEBEE159]

This video is what rush hour in the real world should look like, instead of thousands of fat people riding to work in 4,000 pound vehicles, with just one person in each car.

[@smartcatcollarproject5699]

The problem would be strong lateral wind, or heavy rain, not to speak about snow... True that the SUV trend is offsetting any progress achieved with more efficient ICE's and electrical vehicles, when it comes to save energy and the environment.

[@wiegraf9009]

@@smartcatcollarproject5699 lateral wind is not such a big issue in these vehicles. Snow can be dealt with as has been shown in Sweden I believe. Heavy rain would probably be the biggest issue but it's not a good enough reason to go with cars as a primary mode of transformation.

[@The-GreenHornet]

Using 1/5th the power of using those velomobiles...How??? Yes, I get the streamlined aerodynamic aspect, but also those fairings are not weightless. You still have to pedal by solely human power. Explain being able to only use 1/5th the power.

[@seanmelvin5115]

Hello all, looking for help. I am a former cycling now ultra runner looking into trikes. I have attached a video. Question is if you took the guys in that video and replaced the bikes with trikes and took out the cornering would those guys be able to do those speeds or anything close to them? I use the video only as an example of the level of rider and the flat land. The type of trike would be something like the ICE VTX. @ Thank you so much for your time and help Be well

[@towhee7472]

Are you allowed to draft?

[@peterwilliamson4296]

Who won?

[@lookbehideyou1767]

Cool

[@number1genoa]

Cooling the body would be an issue in a full fairing ?

[@mlee6050]

What I heard is 10c warmer than outside but depends on velomobile as some have great vents and visor to keep you cool, main downside is sitting in sweat

[@vn6191]

😂👍型设计

[@amarkrroy7337]

😅😊nice👍😊😅dude🎉🎉😅

[@karthiknayaka8611]

Who all are here after spotting it in Bangalore😍

[@christian8933]

So how do you stop the two wheel closed ones?

[@kudosbudo]

You don't unless you can be caught by somebody haha!

[@g0tfrohwned]

Needs retractable "landing gear" like an airplane :^)

[@samuelcruz9258]

Es injusto...debe haber 2 categorías, aerodinámica y convencional ó abierta. Ví muchos aerodinámicos que frenaron para dar espacio a los convencionales

[@WorldEngine64]

the wheels make them sound like engine noise

[@AntiqueCycles]

Anyone ever find out the distance of this race and what the winning time was? 🤔

[@aroundandround]

This is the Dad Bod Tour de France.

[@grumben123]

Interesting that there are two basic design concepts that are used. First is two wheels (faster and less stable) versus three. Second is open cockpit (lighter bus less aerodynamic) versus fairing. I expect that eventually there will be an “optimum design choice will come to dominate.

[@kevinmithnick9993]

I think I would sacrifice aerodynamic for cooling

[@jackglossop4859]

Does anybody know with the two wheelers: are they built on existing recumbents or are they spec built?

[@nicksutton2964]

The first and second-place two-wheelers are quite different. The brown Beano is a monocoque carbon/kevlar shell with the mechanics glued/bonded inside and the lid sealed shut with adhesive tape. It is front-wheel drive. The white (winner in this race) is a carbon shell mounted on a recumbent called the Birk Comet. It is rear-wheel drive with proper suspension.The bike is called Peregrine on a Birk or just PoB. It can be used on public roads (in less busy areas I would say) because it is easy to get in and out (the whole top half hinges forward and you can step in easily) and has doors that open on the bottom for your feet to touch the ground when you are stationary. I think you can still buy the PoB but the Beano probably not.

[@ryanwiebrecht6529]

How many bikes are there? If it’s less that 200 it’s not the worlds largest.

[@casualguy393]

This one has only the fastest riders who are up for the challenge. There was no limit to entry, so it is valid.

[@donmiles5080]

It's a bike race.

[@segaiuolo]

The competition is called "Suck it, UCI!"

[@TheGamingChad.]

looks like a flying shoe 3:30 😂

[@JPER-cv2lq]

They need a playing card clipped to the frame and vibration on the spokes so we hear them coming.

[@rabure]

Mad Max 6 ?

[@BenBurrow]

They should add an Olympic cyclist into the mix on a normal bike and see how he does.

[@matejlieskovsky9625]

There is a reason UCI banned recumbents back in the thirties. Some average rider took a recumbent and started taking all the records. Consider kzbin.info/www/bejne/roXCpaOAobCegNU for an idea of what a difference this makes!

[@Jaburu]

@@matejlieskovsky9625 I wann see a TT bike vcs an open recumbent in the wind tunnel

[@Jaburu]

So i made a little research. the only direct comparison we can do is using the hour records. the hour record in a regular TT position (excluding superman) is by Tony Rominger with 55.291km. the hour record for unfaired recumbents is by Aurelien Bonneteau with 56.696 km on a very unpractical low-racer. His record on a high-racer is 52.074 km. A rider in a good TT position could clearly ride along with unfaired types.

[@matejlieskovsky9625]

@@Jaburu Good comparison! So unfaired recumbents are roughly at the level of TT bikes... Somehow I suspect fairing a TT bike would not work too well.

[@casualguy393]

@@Jaburu A TT bike and rider is about 0.170 CdA. I believe the enclosed velomobiles and streamliners are about half or less of that.

[@dangolfishin]

-Hops on regular road bike and smokes them all

[@metaldadhu]

that bell is annoying. good job, all racers!

[@thebeginner2280]

Who won tho? i mean who came first?

[@pwood5733]

These bikes are beautiful ... where form is dictated by function mmmmmmmmm if only i could afford one lol

[@銀猫-m1c]

やはり、空気抵抗でしょうか？ ベロモービルでも、三輪より、二輪の方が快速のように見えますね

[@georgekrpan3181]

I rarely see recumbents anymore. I never encountered one going any faster than an ordinary bike. It's not the recumbent, it's the recumbent rider, lol.

[@grzyb11]

Let’s make f1 recumbents a thing

[@TheOscarelo]

ei como en las caricaturas

[@1961kickboxer]

Wow

[@z0uLess]

What are the numbers on the speed benefits in the two wheelers vs the three wheelers? How does watts translate to kph in comparison?

[@Britclip]

No idea.

[@replikvltyoutube3727]

Idk about watts but two wheelers have much lower resistence both because only 2 wheels touch the ground and their body or shell if you wish is much narrower

[@pumfeethermodynamics3286]

its like a formula one race but slower and funnier

[@zhamoua]

with that weather i prefer without those covers

[@Luthfikresna]

Aerovelo Eta

[@Bang6484a]

The next race when?

[@Britclip]

Not sure - it does depends on this pesky pandemic.

[@aronlane4664]

Being so much more efficient and faster it's surprising racing these is such a tiny sport compared to standard bike racing , for recreation normal bikes are better in quite a few ways though, I'd imagine these would be difficult to ride in a strong side wind

[@archie8788]

Gosh! I want one :) Are these wonderful things road legal in the UK?

[@Britclip]

Not sure - best check with these guys - www.bhpc.org.uk/

[@archie8788]

@@Britclip thank you

[@cedriclynch]

They are road legal in the UK if they conform to the rules (mainly about brakes) that apply to a bicycle or tricycle (as the case may be). Although it is not a legal requirement at the moment it would obviously be advisable to arrange for a way give turn signals if you cannot stick your arm out of the vehicle.