Bicycles are incredibly efficient. But velomobiles take it to another level. The rider of this velo just did 400km in 16 hours and 15 minutes. Am impressive feat.
@dubiousblur ahead of his time. Yes.
@markwaypoint @quixoticgeek Now add e-velomobile. Should be something like one 18650 per 2km of range needed, not even factoring in regenerative braking. Unlike garbage car-scale EVs, completely negligible battery mass.
@dalias @markwaypoint the problem with e velos is that velo riders get enough hassle from police who think they are running illegal electric motors to be going as fast as they are. If you have a motor fitted. Even if it definitely cuts out at 25kph. The burden of proof to show it wasn't working when you passed the cops at 50kph is hard.
@quixoticgeek @markwaypoint Yes, my post is about what our policy should be, not what will happen to you if you do it independently of that. But if you stick to speeds that are legal for ebikes, it should be okay already, no? You can always regen brake to avoid exceeding speed limit.
@dalias @markwaypoint doing 25kph in a velo is so easy, it's not worth the hassle of the ebike gubbins.
@quixoticgeek @markwaypoint If you're not physically capable of doing that, or if terrain makes it difficult, or ...
@dalias @markwaypoint fair. I'd love a velomobile. I just don't have anywhere to store it. Which is a societal problem. I can park a car outside my apartment. But not a velomobile that's one 10th the size.
@markwaypoint @quixoticgeek I'm actually surprised that Tesla is more energy efficient than Nissan Leaf. Like, I can't believe a company headed by Musk is doing something right enough
@meena @markwaypoint it's all about the aero.
I‘d love to see someone redo these numbers as the base data is quite old.
@meena @quixoticgeek
@quixoticgeek they're pretty good for Noord-Holland I guess, flat straight roads, a lot of wind. Smooth and wide bike lanes. I don't think they're as efficient in zuid-Limburg and the Ardennes. Where you have to twist and turn and shift gears a lot. Still, doing 400km in 1 go, at any kind of speed, on any kind of bike, is impressive.
@cloudedjudge @quixoticgeek steep inclines are harder than with a road bike. But then again, in rolling hills a velomobile is even more efficiënt than on the flats. In many countries you will ride on good roads, rather than on bad cyclepaths. I would argue that in the North of Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Baltic States a velomobile is better to ride than in crowded Netherlands where I am increasingly forced on the cyclepath because of ever increasing car traffic.
@quixoticgeek that is impressive by any standard. Even for fit #cyclists
(Also I know that you can ride around >100 km with a 16 Ah 36 Volt battery and a 250 Watt motor in a velomobile. Max speed around 40, cruise speed around 30-35)
These bikes are insane efficient. I love them. ;)
@quixoticgeek
congrats and besteht wishes from Northern Germany! 400 is tough!
@recumbinati
@quixoticgeek
Can you please give some details about the course the driver took?
Did they drive it on one day or two days (with a pause over night)?
@fasnix from Amsterdam (near Sloterdijk station) to Apeldoorn, down to Amerika, across towards Eindhoven, up past Utrecht, through Uithoorn, and into Amsterdam. Riden as a single ride with no sleep stops. This was an event organised by Randonneurs Nederland. Riders had 27 hours to complete the 418km route.
Details here. https://www.randonneurs.nl/brevet/brm-400-amsterdam-2024/
Scroll down for English.
I'm organising a 600 from the same location in June...
@quixoticgeek
Thanks, very cool!
@quixoticgeek are we saying Sinclair was right?