Bruce Bursford
Bruce Bursford (29 April 1958 - 9 February 2000) was a British sportsman who broke the record for the fastest speed on a bicycle at 334.6 km/h in 1996.[1] He designed the bicycles Ultimate and Millennium [2] which were made aerodynamically efficient to cut down wind resistance.
History
Bruce Bursford was a schoolboy cycling champion and claimed nine speed records.
The idea for a bicycle to be made using the advanced materials and techniques usually found in aerospace and Formula 1 came from Bursford himself. In 1996 he achieved 334.6 km/h breaking the record by 88 km/h[3] on a roller in the Malcolm Campbell building[4] in Surrey, England. To achieve the speed, conditions were simulated whereby Burford was "towed" until he reached 100 mph (160 km/h). The towline was then "released", and he was left to pedal.
Bursford's speed was attained during a half-minute interval with him reaching 60 mph (97 km/h) in two seconds at the start of the attempt.[5] This feat was achieved on his specially built bike called the Millennium Cycle. The record-breaking machine used silica tyres filled with helium and ceramic bearings designed to revolve with minimum friction.[6]
Bursford's 'Ultimate' bike won him a Millennium Product Award.
Uri Geller helped him train his mind during record bids.
Bursford died in an collision with a van while training.[7]
See also
References
- ^ http://hypertextbook.com/facts/2001/AileenChou.shtml
- ^ http://www.bikebrothers.co.uk/bruce.htm
- ^ Clark, Liz. The Ultimate Bicycle. Britannia, 1996
- ^ http://www.independent.co.uk/news/pounds-1m-bike-breaks-record-by-going-nowhere-1597625.html
- ^ http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/results/archives/august95/30_8.html
- ^ Photo of Bruce and his bicycle
- ^ BBC news http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/638297.stm Record-breaking cyclist killed
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