Since the wheel was invented, humans have wondered what the maximum speed they could achieve if they incorporated it into another device. As a recurring question, throughout history, we have seen steam cars, jet motorcycles, and bicycle races at 272 km/h .
Bicycles at 272 km/h …
Wait.
That?
Yes, you read that right. Bicycles at 272 km/h.
If the question is “why,” the answer is: you can stop reading. Because? Because no one in their right mind wonders why someone decided that it was a good idea to get on a bicycle and go at such a speed. The answer is as absurd as the fact itself. Because the answer is: because yes. Because you can.
The real question is: how did they do it?
<img alt="The pedalless bicycle has been invented for years. Still the most absurd idea in history" width="375" height="142" src="https://i.blogs.es/fff518/bicicleta-sin-pedales-1-/375_142.jpeg"/>Simple and Very Dangerous
When it comes to achieving extremely high speeds with a bicycle, there are only two ways: rely on pure aerodynamics or strap a bicycle to another vehicle. And for the two options, there are two Guinness Records .
The first option involves utilizing aerodynamics, which has been the focus of a challenge since the early 20th century. In this case, the cyclist can pedal while being shielded from the wind by another vehicle. Initial tests took place on velodromes using motorcycles to set a pace, and even Porsche participated in an attempt—first in the 1970s and again later, with a bicycle reaching over 200 km/h while protected behind a Porsche Cayenne .
The second case features Elias Schwärzler , a cyclist specialized in mountain descents who holds the Guinness Record for “towed bicycle” speed . In this instance, the cyclist doesn’t pedal; he simply lets himself be carried by another vehicle that pulls him along a chain. The bike remains unchanged, unlike the first case, where modifications are commonly made to enhance performance and stability or to reduce weight.
<span>Click on the image to go to the original post</span>In this case, Schwärzler was strapped to a Honda CBR1000RR motorcycle and launched down a straight line on the Lausitz-Ring . The record was set in 2022 , but there were challenges: initially, he did not achieve the desired speed. Schwärzler aimed to hit 300 km/h , but wind conditions proved problematic. A harsh headwind limited the motorcycle’s ability to pull the bike effectively to that speed.
Once nearing the curve, Schwärzler released the connection that hooked him to the mountain bike. After that moment, he simply coasted. As he later explained, due to challenging wind conditions, his objective was to maximize aerodynamics. However, after being released, he was unable to execute any major movements on the bike.
You can witness all the details of the challenge in his YouTube channel. In the end, Schwärzler achieved a maximum speed of 272 km/h .
Photo | Elias Schwärzler
In Xataka | We thought we were very modern, reinventing the bicycle. Almost 100 years ago, they already saw it all in Paris and Chicago.