BOB KRZEWINSKI OF YPSILANTI, WON THE URBAN TRANSPORTATION CONTEST IN HIS LIGHTNING F40. HE'S SHOWN HERE DURING THE ONE-HOUR TIME TRIAL, WHICH WAS NOT AN UTC EVENT. (Mike Eliasohn photos)
By Paul Pancella
Five contestants accepted the challenge of the Urban Transportation Contest at Waterford this year. One highlight was the first entry of a real velomobile (#144). In the following table I list the contestants, their vehicles, and their final scores, in finishing order:
Table 1 UTC contestants and final scores, in finishing order
140 Bob Krzewinski LCD Lightning F40 faired bicycle, 2007 68.2
822 Richard Myers WizWheelz tricycle (tadpole) 2002 65.7
806 Dennis Grelk mountain bike with XtraCycle extension 62.6
807 Mary Grelk Hase KettWiesel tricycle (delta) 59.6
144 Chris Burkhardt Go-One 3-wheel velomobile, 2008 49.3
RICHARD MYERS OF XENIA, OHIO, FINISHED SECOND ON HIS WizWheelz TRICYCLE FITTED WITH THIS COLORFUL AND VERY VISIBLE CLOTH FAIRING, WITH MATCHING WHEEL COVERS.
Another highlight was the entry of Dennis Grelk’s mother, Mary, who performed very respectably on a well-equipped delta trike (two wheels in rear). The delta configuration is known for its ability to make tight low-speed turns; Mary took advantage of this and got the best score on turning radius (no reversing required). She also had the shortest stopping distance by a good margin.
Editor: The second table can't be reproduced here due to technical difficulties. It shows the breakdown of each competitor's total score, with points being awarded on the coast down result; rider visibility day and night (that is, lights); turning radius; time of grocery run; braking resistance; weather protection; comfort; carrying of tools and lock; and pulling gear ratio.
Editor: The top score in each judged category was: Coast down, Krzewinski; day vision, Myers; night visibility, D. Grelk; turning radius, M. Grelk; grocery run, Myers; braking distance, M. Grelk; weather protection, Burkhardt; comfort, Burkhardt; spares, Krzewinski; gear ratio, Myers.
While the fully-enclosed and suspended Go-One scored well for comfort and weather protection, it took some penalties for being heavy, lacking functional lights, and no tools aboard. Chris’ braking was hampered by some lever interference on the handlebar, resulting in perhaps the longest braking distance this contest has ever seen at ~53 feet! (Something we missed in the tech inspection?) Adding lights, tools and spares and fixing the brakes probably would have put the Go-One in the top tier of scores.
DENNIS GRELK OF DONNELLSON, IOWA, DEMONSTRATES HOW TIGHT HE CAN MAKE A TURN. URBAN TRANSPORTATION CONTEST ORGANIZER PAUL PANCELLA IS AT LEFT. DENNIS' MOUNTAIN BIKE IS FITTED WITH AN XtraCycle EXTENSION TO ADD LOAD-CARRYING CAPACITY.
This year’s winner was Bob “WolverBob” Krzewinski, a veteran and previous winner of the urban transportation contest. In 2004, Bob won the UTC with his Ryan Vanguard/Burley trailer combo. In a sense, the winning vehicle this year was also a repeat. In 2006, then MHPVA President Wally Kiehler won with very similar scores and a very similar F40 setup (same number, different vehicle).
With the number of contestants dwindling, perhaps the UTC has run its course at Waterford. Cash awards will be made for first and second place finishers. Congratulations to Bob K. and Richard Myers!
If you want to keep the UTC running next year, and especially if you want to enter, write to the newsletter/blog editor, come to our winter meeting, or let me know some other way, so we can determine if it is worth continuing this event.
MARY GRELK DEMONSTRATES THE TURNING ABILITY OF HER HASE KETTWIESEL, WHICH IS MADE IN GERMANY. HER TRIKE HAD THE TIGHTEST TURNING RADIUS OF THE FIVE COMPETITORS.
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