Revolutions that freed the masses

I would take issue with the final paragraph that cycle sport has been a major driver in cycle evolution

Whilst I agree with the general drift of the 'Revolutions that freed the masses' PE article, I would call the author's attention to the fact that regarding fast human powered vehicles, Graeme Obree in Beastie may have achieved 56.62mph over the measured 200meters this year, but Sebastiaan Bowier in Velox 3 (Delft University's machine) took the World Record (subject to ratification) at a somewhat faster 83.13mph. I would argue that in neither case was light weight that crucial, more aerodynamics (for the bike) and ergonomics (for the rider). Modern materials will obviously aid in optimising both, though.

I would also take issue with the final paragraph that cycle sport has been a major driver in cycle evolution (as opposed to development), as the UCI (the sports governing body) has applied a dead hand to many initiatives, from effectively banning the recumbent riding position in 1934 to defining where the nose of the saddle should be relative to other parts of the bike: Mr Obree knows all too well about the latter!

If you wish to find out more about fast bicycles, then a day out at one of the BHPC races might give you an idea of where unrestricted thinking is going, unlike the modern 'victorian' UCI approved bicycles (with acknowledgments to Mike Burrows, arguably the greatest living British cycle designer, for the 'victorian' comment).

Mike Croker, Bramber

Next letter: Engineer vs ingenieur