Yesterday afternoon's cloud prevailed overnight, thus it was 17C in town and 14C as we set up out on the course. Unfortunately it was still 14C when we packed up again three hours later, though at least the wind was rather more benign this morning. This Unit was back in timing today as Garrie Hill is off to Reno because Reasons. To try to take advantage of the early morning calm we ran three heats on the five-mile course first, before switching to the short course later. Mostly it seemed to work. Fabien proved a lack of recumbent experience is not such a great handicap as he powered Altaïr 6 through the traps at 76.99 mph, closely followed by Matthias with 76.44. Karen ran the long course for the first time, the wind was kind and she put more than 5 mph onto the World Record she set yesterday, lifting it to 46.05 mph. This is more than the outright record was twenty-four hours ago1. Mike Sova2 says he's going to e-mail former record holder Greg Westlake this afternoon to take the piss for being beaten by a GURL.
Karen Darke & ARION 4 on their way to a second world record in 24 hours |
Most of Soup Dragon passing through the timing traps |
I intended to upload this morning's photos and have a snooze. It wasn't to be, as I got sidetracked by Frank Lem's attempts to teach Katelyn (12) to ride a recumbent. Katelyn (12) is the granddaughter of the Super 8's manager Bertha and has expressed an interest in taking on the Seiran, the bike built by Mark Anderson and Eric Ware for Teagan Patterson to ride a couple of years ago. Katelyn (12) is already almost tall enough, but the bike's tyres are shot and some other bits need work before it can be ridden in earnest again. Bertha and Katelyn (12) were, however, out watching tonight's runs. Get 'em young, as my Jesuit friends4 might say.
At or near which point the world's fastest mammal Todd Reichert, wife Jenny and the unborn Reichert Jr showed up to watch. "We'd better check in" said Jenny, shortly after evil Frank Lem approached waving a phone playing the Imperial March from "Star Wars". Fifteen minutes later they had moved ten feet closer to the door of the Super 8 and were probably saved from having to sleep in their car by the departure of most of the impromptu welcoming committee for the 305.
...also starring Frank Lem, as The Evil One |
Calvin Moes/Eta Prime |
Sunset, Nevada, Thursday |
1: At the time of writing
2: Co-designer/builder of the Avos Arrow, formerly the world's fastest handcycle, that's who
3: Euphemism meaning "Mike Burrows"
4: Of whom I have none
Thanks mr Larrington for your updates!!!
ReplyDeleteThere is an unborn Reichert Jr. on the way! Congrats to the happy couple.
ReplyDelete