The cyclists sit in the hollow rigid wing frames, slightly like a spoon with a splayed handle, reclining in the recumbent position. Their legs extend through openings which spatially accommodate the range of motion of their legs where they attach at their hips, this range of motion being less so than that at any other point at the length of their levers. The rest of these turn the cranks situated in the nose of the shuttle.

In this design the pedals of the cranks are not directly converted into rotational energy but instead act as pistons to drive a propeller in the regular fashion. A chain extends just to the base of the spoons in which the cyclists sit where there is a fixed wheel that is geared to the cyclists' preferences in a number of ratios.

When the cyclists begin pedaling the Flight Bikes rest on the base of the spoon and on the single wheel. The propeller turns freely when the chain is on the wheels' free turning gears. The riders must at this point generate enough torsion to generate enough lift so as to lift the spoon off the ground, and to actualize the idea; failures to actualize the idea do not invalidate the idea.

Once the spoon is lifted the wheel may turn freely with the sustained pedaling of the cyclists and head winds. Once the wheel beings to turn freely the cyclists may change the gear to one that is fixed to provide needed relief from the strains of sustained pedaling.

Once momentum is achieved the fixed wheel further assists the cyclists in their pedaling, helping to turn the cranks and the propeller which channels wind over the sleek aerodynamic body of the cycle giving it brief moments of flight over declinations in the riding terrain. A belt roller in the the base of the spoon may absorb and redirect some of the force of impact.

When descending at more extreme elevations the fixed wheel may provide too much rotation for the riders to reciprocate the cranks . Changing the gear ratios may alleviate this, so too would allowing the vehicle to run on its own momentum.
-- rcarty, Dec 02 2009

The Gossamer Condor http://en.wikipedia...iki/Gossamer_Condor
This kind of flight bike? [Frankx, Dec 03 2009]

Let me just get this straight, I'd be pedalling a giant badminton shuttlecock? Cool [+]
-- kaz, Dec 02 2009


Body design is probably the biggest concern. In order to lift the spoon off the ground the wing would have to be like a long lever.
-- rcarty, Dec 02 2009


//When descending at more extreme elevations the fixed wheel may provide too much rotation for the riders to reciprocate the cranks// ... at which point, the rider may lift his feet to the sky and scream bloody mayhem [+]
-- lurch, Dec 03 2009


(marked-for-tagline)

"failures to actualize the idea do not invalidate the idea"
-- normzone, Dec 03 2009


I believe that there is a contest just for your idea and its kin involving a short pier and a long fall.
-- WcW, Dec 03 2009


//How are you supposed to land// You *will* land. <vader>It is unavoidable. It is your destiny.</vader>

(I know you meant control, but, sorry - couldn't resist)
-- lurch, Dec 03 2009


21 Ask an old pilot who was in an open cockpit fighter during the 40s and 50s. You can land'er.
-- rcarty, Dec 03 2009


I'm reminded of riding a motorcycle with a full fairing. It takes a little to get used to not seeing the front wheel but everybody does.
-- normzone, Dec 03 2009



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