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Head-to-Head Speedbike Duel - Cutting Edge and World Hour and Sprint Record Holder Gold Rush

1990 International Human Powered Speed Championships, Portland International Raceway, Portland, OR, USA.

 

LowRes Video (381Kb), Medium Resolution Video (1152Kb)  (click link(s) at left to download video file to play in media player).

(30 second video clip.  Streaming video format file (ASF).  Download file and play.  Copyright © 2001 Paul Gracey.)

Cutting Edge and Gold Rush, 1990 Portland International Raceway

Additional notes on the bike: Newsclips, Note to friend, "Edge" speedbike series.  Special Thanks to Paul Gracey for capturing this moment on tape!

p.s. - Too bad the BBC missed it - they came to the race with fancy cameras, but were advised to skip the criterium for a "parade."  Oops.

  • 20 mile/10-lap race.  The Gold Rush took off aggressively into the lead at the start of lap two.  I followed. 

  • We were exceeding 50-MPH on the straights.

  • It was my first bike race of any kind.  I was hoping to follow and learn how to ride

  • I was unfamiliar with the amount of braking on a bicycle at over 50-MPH necessary for the turns

  • Entered the last turn of lap two going considerably faster than the Gold Rush.

  • Too late to avoid overtaking the Gold Rush, too dangerous to go on the inside, so

  • Rode on the outside on the edge of the track, and was thrust into the lead

  • Knew a very determined cyclist was after me - gave it my all - it was a rush!

  • Never looked back (I couldn't.  I didn't have any rear-view mirrors).

  • Finished the final eight laps of the 20-mile criterium around PIR running near world hour record pace in spite of turns

  • Lapped the entire field including the top US Collegiate teams (top 6 of 40 or so)

  • Put 1/2-mile on the previously undefeated Gold Rush piloted by Olympic cyclist Fast Freddy Markham.  I wish to note - I was awed by how hard Freddy rode - he couldn't stand on his otherwise powerful legs for a time after the race.  He's a "warrior athlete."  I think his body is very much a manifestation of his determined mind.

  • The "theory" worked...!  After the race, George Georgiev told me, "I've seen the future!"