Record attempt handcycle undergoes first outdoor tests

A vehicle designed to enter the record books later this year has been tested for the first time under the watchful eye of experts from Plymouth University.

Mechanical and composites engineers and students have been developing a Human Powered Vehicle (HPV), which they hope will set a new arm-powered speed record in the Nevada desert in September.

Piloted and powered by paracyclist Liz McTernan, it needs to travel in excess of 21.39 miles per hour over a 200-metre stretch of tarmac in order to beat the current women’s benchmark.

The project has so far involved months of design and building work at the University, but the first detailed tests were held over two days earlier this month.

After a day of testing in the lab, the team moved to Smeatharpe Airfield in Devon where they embarked on the first tests with Liz at the controls to explore the vehicle’s full potential.

Liz McTernan, who last year ranked in the world’s top eight in her sport, said: “I had first tried out a prototype in October, but I was really surprised to see how compact and well engineered the new bike is. It was great to get out and test the current model, but there is a lot for me to get used to in terms of the steering and brakes, the riding position and the weight I have to propel. I am now going to concentrate on my World Cup events in June and July, but am looking forward to getting back on the track well ahead of the record attempt in September.”

Handcycling is growing in popularity and annual speed trials for a range of HPVs are held on the long straight roads of Battle Mountain, Nevada, where competitors can build up speed over a five-mile run-up before being measured over a 200m stretch.

The Plymouth University team behind the record bid led by Adam Kyte, Lecturer in Mechanical and Marine Engineering Design, working with students Matthew Sharman (MEng Mechanical Engineering) and Rhys Parsons (BEng Mechanical Engineering with Composites).

The frame of the handcycle has been constructed from aluminium, with the help of University technicians Julian Seipp, Rick Preston and Neil Fewings, and the team are now building the aerodynamic shell from an advanced composite material.

Mr Kyte said: “After months of planning, design and building it was great to be able to welcome Liz to Plymouth and to embark on the first real tests with her at the controls. The tests have provided us with a lot more information, and we are now fully analysing the results, while Liz’s comments on the day are also hugely important. We will be factoring all of them into our work over the coming months, to ensure that we have the best possible opportunity to break the record in September.”

Many of the components have been sourced and supplied by the Saltash-based Certini Bicycle Company, with the vehicle also using a ProShift Automatic Gear Shifting Controller provided via a sponsorship from Baron Controls LLC, Sugar Land Texas, USA.

You can keep up to date with the team’s progress by reading their blog at https://plymunihandbike.wordpress.com/