A MOTLEY crew of cyclists, including university students, corporate identities and ex-professional Patrick Jonker, have ridden into the Guinness Book of Records in Adelaide’s east parklands.
They set a world record today for travelling at least 100m unaided on the world’s longest, two-wheeled bicycle measuring officially at 41.42m on the eve of the Santos Tour Down Under.
After an initial attempt failed with 20 riders on board, the Santos – University of South Australia Big Bike Challenge re-grouped and rode to success along Rundle Road, surpassing the previous record of 35.79m, set in the Netherlands in 2011.
A Santos spokesperson among the riders said the initial, trial run with 20 riders had seen the bike fall over.
“We made some tweaks and repairs to the bike and reduced the number of riders to seven and achieved our record,’’ he said.
“We’re all pleased with it. A world record is not easy to break.
“It’s called a big bike challenge and it is a big challenge,’’ he said.
The 4.3 tonne bicycle cleared 116.6m during the record ride.
Its design and construction was a collaboration between Santos and the University of South Australia, the culmination of nine months of development and planning.
“For 2015 we wanted to try something new that was not only fun but added another element of interest for race spectators,’’ Santos Group Executive for Public Affairs Damon Hunt said.
The bike consists of six, detachable, six-metre sections plus detachable, front and rear wheel section and 19 sets of pedals with the person steering not pedalling.
Its design became a class project for second year mechanical engineering students from the University of South Australia… see more
source: adelaidenow
Tags: Adelaide, Guness Book Record, Longest Bike, sports
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