bhilden@druxj.UUCP (HildenbrandBE) (07/24/85)
Dateline Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah -- Three time Olympian and 1981 Iron Man Triatholon winner John Howard set a new motorpaced land speed record for a bicycle hitting 158mph!! The previous record was set by Dr. Alan Abbott in 1973 at 144 mph. Howard's bike was of unique design, incorporating motorcycle design most notably the "jack shaft". The jack shaft uses two "chain-to-sprocket" combinations to produce a gear of 300+(~355) inches. In previous attempts near Mexicali, Mexico the top speed attained was 124mph, failure was attributed to an uneven road surface. Of note, Howard suffered a blowout at 150mph and was able to bring the bike under control, a truly remarkable feat, especially for a rider with little experience on the track. Bruce Hildenbrand Note: the above article contains 90% fact, the reader is encouraged to determine what to believe.