World Human Powered Speed Challenge

The annual World Human Powered Speed Challenge (WHPSC) is held in early September every year on the tabletop flats of SR305, south of Battle Mountain, Nevada.

The world's fastest humans from around the world, including Australia, Canada, England, France, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Russia, and Scotland will attempt to break current land speed records-on a bike. Highway SR305 just south of town possesses the unique traits necessary for these highly engineered bicycles to achieve top speeds.

The high altitude and arrow- straight section of payment has drawn athletes to Lander County since 2000.

Click below to see a history and world records set at previous WHPSC:

• The WHPSC welcomes racers from over 14 different countries and is broadcast to millions of viewers worldwide
• The 4,619 ft (1408 m) altitude road allows riders an acceleration zone of over 4 miles, enabling bikes to reach their maximum velocity before being timed over a 200-meter distance.
• To understand these bikes, forget the one in your garage. For the most part, these cycles are reclining recumbents, with the pedals and gears way out front.
• Riders are wedged into fiberglass or other composite shells that are only as wide as their shoulders. To keep the speed bike as aerodynamic and as low as possible, a few designs eliminate windshields.
• Riders steer by looking at a TV monitor about the size of a recipe card.
• Handlebars are just that: wide enough for two hands, with compact controls for gears and brakes.
• Riders are sealed into the aerodynamic wedges with tape. Faring's cover the rider and all but one or two inches of bike tire, usually there is only one small opening for a breathing tube and a cigar sized opening for the camera lens.