Hi All,
Check out some pictures of the testing day at Smeatharpe! A very productive day spent refining Liz’s body position, steering setup and general troubleshooting!
Many Thanks to Lloyd for the photo’s!
Testing!
Reply
The frame design is complete!
Here’s a picture of the finished hand cycle frame, we’ll have more info on the design in the coming week. We also hope to post some pictures of the bike itself as we’ve almost finished building it (apart from making the shell).
For now though, have a read of some of the press releases recently:
More to come soon!
Progress So Far…
Over the next couple of weeks we aim to go into more detail of the design efforts, fluid dynamics and mechanical analysis and the manufacturing progress, we’ll also introduce you to the team and learn about their inputs. For now though a quick update to project progress.
So as of 26th of February we have completed detailed designs of the Mk4 handbike, and started manufacture of the frame and drive train components.
Alongside this computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis has started, this has been undertaken by a group of Stage 5 MEng Mechanical Engineers.
Keep posted for more info!
Some background…
Before we get to this year’s efforts let’s start with a bit of background:
Around three years ago, in the ever-present, unrelenting search for exciting and demanding challenges, Plymouth University’s interest in record beating handcycles was sparked.
Since then, handcycling has been the subject of many coursework and dissertation projects, providing engaging challenges in areas such as aerodynamics, engineering design, composites, manufacturing and computational fluid dynamics.
This year marks the culmination of these efforts as all aspects join together ready for the 2015 World Human Powered Speed Challenge (WHPSC) at Battle Mountain in the Nevada Desert.
Organised by the International Human Powered Vehicle Association (IHPVA) the week long WHPSC gives contestants from around the world to race on “what is arguably the straightest, smoothest and most ideal road surface in the world for [Human Powered Vehicle] Records”: Route 305.
“The 4,619ft (1,408m) altitude road allows riders an acceleration zone of over 4 miles, enabling them to reach their maximum velocity before being timed over a 200 meter distance. The section of the road used for this event was newly refinished in 2009, with a smooth surface specially prepared for human powered vehicle racing by Frehner Construction and the Nevada Department of Transportation, using a Nevada Department of Tourism Grant from the US government.”
-The IHPVA Blog
So that’s where we’re headed, but first we need a bike, keep tuned to see how we’re getting on!
For more information on the event check out:
The IHPVA website: http://ihpva.org/home/
Recumbents.com: http://www.recumbents.com/wisil/whpsc2014/speedchallenge.htm
Welcome to the Plymouth University Handcycle Blog!
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In September 2015 Plymouth University aimed to break the women’s handcycling world speed record. Watch the trip video below to see how we got on!
We’re aiming to return so if you want to get involved, contact us here, or for more info. click here.
Watch our 2015 trip video here!
Handcycling With Plymouth University! 